THE MONVMENT OF MATRONES conteining seuen seuerall Lamps of Virginitie or distinct treatises whereof the first fiue concerne praier and meditation the other two last precepts and examples as the woorthie works partlie of men partlie of women compiled for the necessarie vse of both sexes out of the sacred Scriptures and other approoued authors by THOMAS BENTLEY of Graies Jnne Student Luke 12 35. Let your loines be girt about and your lampes burne cleerelie 2. Tim. 2 19. Let euerie one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord depart from iniquitie Printed by H. Denham A praier vpon the posie prefixed ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who in mercie hast ordeined these lamps for thy chosen virgins and commanded that with our loines girt about and our lamps burning bright we should take heed and be readie to execute the charge which is committed vnto vs and watch full warilie and continuallie in our seuerall callings by feruent and instant praier for the comming of thy sonne our spirituall Spouse souereigne Lord and sweet Sauiour IESVS giuing vs in the meane season diuerse gifts and talents to occupie and imploie till he come and setting dailie before our eies the iust iudgement that he shall execute and giue in that dreadfull daie of his sudden comming both vpon the quicke and dead doo thou vouchsafe euen thine owne selfe we praie thee to gird and compasse our Ioines about that no iniquitie haue power ouer vs nor we decline or bow to anie sinne Oh suffer vs not to take that contentation or vaine delight and pleasure of anie thing in this wretched world that may lull or bring vs fast asleepe in the cursed cradle of senselesse securitie nor with the foolish virgins to neglect the houre and daie of our last visitation or to forget to wait and attend for thine appearing in the clouds But so direct vs we beseech thee in this short race of our perilous pilgrimage by thy holie spirit our heauenlie loadesman that in the lawfull vse of thy good gifts whatsoeuer bestowed vpon vs our cheefest care may alwaies be to depart from all iniquitie and how with them wee may liue soberlie to our selues holilie to thee and vprightlie to the world and thereby gaine much profit and fruit to the better increase of thy kingdome Moreouer make thou our lampes to burne cleere and bright in the sight of men and Angels and keepe thou them light and euer burning that our loue towards thee wax neuer key cold nor our charitie towards our neighbour be quite extinguished nor yet our faith deuotion zeale and gifts of the spirit be vtterlie quenched in vs. But being euermore both within and without kindled inlightened and inflamed by thee which art a consuming fire and a purifieng flame of vnspeakable feruent heate let all our thoughts words and works be alwaies directed to doo thy holie will and righteous iudgements that in all our works begun continued and ended in thee we may euer glorifie thy holie and reuerent name Finallie make vs verie carefullie to keepe this castle of our soules and temple of the holie Ghost our bodies I meane pure holie and vndefiled and to watch continuallie in all maner of well dooing vnto the end that when thy Sonne our heauenlie bridegroome shall come to iudge the world to condemne the wicked to reiect the reprobate to cast awaie the vnprofitable and to shut the gates of heauen against all vnbeleeuers and retchlesse virgins he finding vs heedfull watchfull praieng well occupied and readie as those that haue beene verie well content with our estates here for the time and hauing our lamps filled brim full of the oile of his righteousnesse grace mercie and merits may thereby onelie escape the heauie iudgement and direfull doome of the dreadfull daie and not perish in that common destruction and generall desolation of the wicked worldlings and vnprofitable seruants but be receiued to himselfe as those that are made woorthie onelie by him ioifullie to enter with him and all the elect and chosen wise virgins into the celestiall wedding chamber of thine eternall kingdome there and then to possesse that mansion place which before all worlds thou hast prepared for thy chosen and to receiue of his gift that which here now with deepe sighes and groanes we greatlie long for that is euen the saluation of our soules and the coronation of thy gifts in vs that both with thee ô Father and with him thy Sonne in the vnitie of the holie Ghost we may liue and reigne in the full perfection holinesse and puritie of his euerlasting virginitie to blesse praise and glorifie thee ô glorious and blessed Trinitie with all virgins angels and creatures by all ages throughout all eternitie Amen Amen Amen To the most vertuous Ladie and Christian Princesse Queene ELIZABETH grace and peace from God the Father through Christ Iesus our Sauiour THE King of eternall glorie who hath thus loued England in setting your Highnesse on the throne of his maiestie to execute iustice and iudgement to instruct his people in Iacob and to feed his inheritance in Israel be blessed and magnified therefore for euer and euer Amen This long and blessed peace wherin we your loiall subiects doo presentlie liue most noble QVEENE euerie man sitting vnder his vine and fig-tree throughout all your dominions dooth giue iust occasion to the godlie to bee no lesse thankfull to God and to your Maiestie than free harted and studious to benefit his church and their countrie by offering in the temple some gold some siluer some one thing some another according to the measure of those graces which God the giuer of all good things hath bestowed vpon them or by his spirit hath incouraged made them willing to further the worke of the Lord. Which mooued me also among the rest although of all other the meanest in euerie respect the vnwoorthiest to offer some thing wherin I might bring profit to that mysticall bodie wherof I trust I am a member And persuading my selfe I could not better employ my labour to the good of the church nor present your Highnesse the mightie defender thereof with anie thing of greater price and estimation in this world than after a sort with that wherewith God the King of kings acknowledgeth himselfe to be so highlie pleased and glorified both of Prince and people praise and inuocation I meane whereby in this life we obteine at his hand all things needfull for our bodies and in the life to come euerlasting ioie rest and comfort both of bodie and soule I haue vndertaken in the name and feare of God loue of his church obedience of your Maiestie and hartie good will of my countrie out of the admirable monuments of your owne Honourable works and some other noble Queenes famous Ladies and vertuous Gentlewomen of our time and former ages to addresse and make readie these seuen Lamps of your perpetuall virginitie to remaine vnto women as one entire and goodlie monument of praier
great wrong For I thanke God by his grace I hate no creature yea I would saie more to giue witnesse of my conscience that neither life honour riches neither whatsoeuer I possesse here which appertaineth to mine owne priuate commoditie be it neuer so deerlie beloued of mee but most willinglie and gladlie I would leaue it to win anie man to Christ of what degree or sort soeuer he were And yet is this nothing in comparison to the charitie that God hath shewed me in sending Christ to die for me No if I had all the charitie of Angels and Apostles it should be but like a sparke of fire compared to a great heape of burning coales God knoweth of what intent and mind I haue lamented mine owne sinnes and faults to the world I trust no bodie will iudge that I haue done it for praise or thanke of anie creature since rather I might be ashamed than reioice in rehearsall thereof For if they knewe how little I esteeme and weigh the praise of the world that opinion were soone remooued and taken awaie For I thanke God by his grace I knowe the world to be a blind iudge and the praises therof vaine and of little moment and therefore I seeke not the praises of the same neither to satisfie it none otherwise than I am taught by Christ to doo according to christian charitie I would to God we would all when occasion doth serue confesse our faults to the world all respects of our owne commoditie laid apart But alas selfe-loue doth so much reigne among vs that as I haue said before we can not espie our owne faults And although somtime we find our owne guilt either we be fauourable to interpret it no sin or else we be ashamed to confesse our selues thereof Yea and we be sore offended and greeued to heare our faults charitablie and godlie told vs of other putting no difference betweene charitable warning malicious accusing Trulie if we sought Gods glorie as we should doo in all things we should not be ashamed to confesse our selues to digresse from Gods precepts and ordinances when it is manifest we haue done and dailie doo I praie God our owne faults and deeds condemne vs not at the last daie when euerie man shall be rewarded according to his dooings Trulie if we doo not redresse and amend our liuing according to the doctrine of the Gospell we shall receiue a terrible sentence of Christ the sonne of God when he shall come to iudge and condemne all transgressours and breakers of his precepts and commandements and to reward all his obedient and louing children We shall haue no man of lawe to make our plea for vs neither can we haue the daie deferred neither will the Iudge be corrupted with affection bribes or reward neither will he heare anie excuse or delaie neither shall this Saint or that Martyr helpe vs be they neuer so holie neither shall our ignorance saue vs from damnation But yet wilfull blindnesse and obstinate ignorance shall receiue greater punishment and not without iust cause Then shall it be knowne who hath walked in the darke For all things shall appeere manifest before him No mans deeds shall be hidden no neither words nor thoughts The poore and simple obseruers of Gods commandements shall be rewarded with euerlasting life as obedient children to the heauenlie Father and the transgressors adders and diminishers of the lawe of God shall receiue eternall damnation for their iust reward I beseech God we may escape this fearefull sentence and be found such faithfull seruants and louing children that we may heare the happie comfortable and most ioifull sentence ordeined for the children of God which is Come hither ye blessed of my father and receiue the kingdome of heauen prepared for you before the beginning of the world Unto the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen ¶ Also here followe godlie Praiers and Meditations wherein the mind is stirred patientlie to suffer all afflictions heere to set at naught the vaine prosperitie of the world and alwaie to long for euerlasting felicitie collected out of holie works by the most vertuous and gratious Princesse KATHERINE Queene of England France and Ireland Colossians 3 verse 1 2. If ye be risen againe with Christ seeke the things which are aboue where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Set your affection on things that are aboue and not on things which are on the earth The first Chapter Of praiers to performe Gods will in patience MOst benigne Lord Iesu grant me thy grace that it may alwaie worke in mee and perseuere with me vnto the end Grant me that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasant and most acceptable to thee Thy will be my will and my will be to followe alwaie thy will Let there be alwaie in me one will and one desire with thee and that I haue no desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Lord thou knowest what thing is most profitable and most expedient for me Giue me therefore what thou wilt as much as thou wilt and when thou wilt Doo with me what thou wilt as it shall please thee and as shall be most to thine honour Put me where thou wilt and freelie doo with me in all things after thy will Thy creature I am and in thy hands leade and turne me where thou wilt Lo I am thy seruant readie to all things that thou commandest For I desire not to liue to my selfe but to thee Lord Iesu I praie thee grant me grace that I neuer set my hart on the things of this world but that all worldlie and carnall affections may vtterlie die and be mortified in me Grant me aboue all things that I may rest in thee and fullie quiet and pacifie my hart in thee For thou Lord art the verie true peace of hart and the perfect rest of the soule without thee all things be greeuous and vnquiet My Lord Iesu I beseech thee be with me in euerie place and at all times and let it be to me a speciall solace gladlie for thy loue to lacke all worldlie solace And if thou withdrawe thy comfort from me at any time keepe me O Lord from desperation and make me patientlie to abide thy will and ordinance O Lord Iesu thy iudgments be righteous and thy prouidence is much better for me than all that I can imagine or deuise Wherfore doo with me in all things as it shall please thee For it may not be but well all that thou dooest If thou wilt that I be in light be thou blessed if thou wilt that I be in darknesse be thou also blessed If thou vouchsafe to comfort me be thou highlie blessed if thou wilt I liue in trouble and without comfort be thou like wise euer blessed Lord giue mee grace gladlie to suffer whatsoeuer thou wilt shall fall vpon me and patientlie to take it at thy hand
and euer and especiallie all things that shall turne to thy displeasure And with all my hart I thanke thee most mercifull Lord for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed vpon me largelie in this world afore manie creatures which are more woorthie a thousand times than I but my most gratious Lord I wot and knowledge verelie that all good gifts doo come freelie from thee of thine abundant mercie Wherefore with all my hart I thanke thee and all worship praises and thanks be to thee and none other Therefore I saie with the Prophet Dauid Not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy name be giuen all honour glorie Also I commit to thy mercie mine enimies persecutors and slanderers beseeching thee to turne their harts and to giue vs grace one to forgiue another from the verie botome of our harts that from hence-foorth we may liue in loue and charitie to thy glorie and to the increase of thy kingdome I doo commit to thy mercie our Queene Elizabeth and this Realme beseeching thee to incline hir hart to all godlinesse and vertue that she may long reigne ouer vs in peace and tranquillitie to liue in thy feare and call vpon thy holie name and to be readie at all times to set foorth thy blessed lawes and commandements and that thou O omnipotent God with thy mightie hand and stretched out arme wilt confound all Idolatrie and superstition and set vp thy true and holie religion that thy faithfull seruants may triumph and reioice in thee with merie harts and sing vnto thy praise that this the mightie hand of GOD hath brought to passe and to thy name giue the honour and glorie to whome all honour and glorie is due I doo commit vnto thy mercie all those that in this transitorie life be in sorowe sicknesse neede tribulation or anie other aduersitie and speciallie all those that for the profession of thy Gospell and the defence of the saine doo put their liues vnto the edge of the sword O Lord for thy mercies sake forgiue them and vs our offences past comfort them in their greeuous afflictions strengthen them in their weakenesse send them patience in their tribulations abate the pride of their and our enimies asswage the malice of them confound their wicked deuises that we and they being armed with thy mightie defence may be preserued euermore from perils to glorifie thee which art the onlie giuer of all victorie through y e merits of Christ So be it I commit to thy mercie all those that doo faithfullie professe thy holie Gospell beseeching thee to giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawes that by well dooing we may stop the mouthes of the vngodlie aduersaries of the Gospell and thereby win them to the right waie that we may all with one hart and one mouth glorifie thee O Lord God in the daie of visitation to whome all honour and glorie is due And now O my most mercifull Lord and louing father I finallie commit vnto thy mercie my wretched soule and bodie humblie beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great bountifull mercie and according to the multitude of thy tender compassions doo awaie I beseech thee my most greeuous iniquities Unto God the father the sonne and the holie Ghost be now and euer eternall honour and glorie world without end Amen A praier at night going to bed THe God of Angels and men the founder of all creatures visible and inuisible in whose hand is life and death light and darknesse and all the motions of soule and bodie without whome there is no good gift nor perfect quietnesse of conscience but onlie vanitie and vexation of mind and vtter confusion of soule and bodie and finall torments in the horrible pit of darknesse now my Lord God darknesse doth approch this daie hath lost his beautie I as vnworthie of thy benefits most humblie praie thee this night to blesse me and with thy holie Angels assist me thy holie spirit this night lighten me which hast of earth made me and by thy creatures doest nourish me and with thy bloud hast consecrated me with thee to dwell eternallie in glorie when death hath dissolued me which am but vanitie c. And banish Sathan from me that neither mine owne conscience now vexe me nor mine old offences trouble me I most humblie beseech thee this night to pardon me which haue sore offended thee in thought word and deede against thy diuine maiestie which sore repenteth me Saue me good Lord this night sleeping from dreadfull dreames and painefull slumber deliuer me that I may awake in Christ and rest in peace So be it The Hymne or praier for night PRaise ye the Lord his seruants all lift vp to him your hands The night singers in Gods courts in all Christian lands Praise we the Lord our God king which made the earth heuen His blessing be on vs this night which made the planets seuen Into thy hands O Lord our God our soules we do commend This night from sinne Sathans power thy mercie vs defend We laud thee Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three Amen Another Hymne or praier to be said when ye go to bed I Go to bed I hope to sléepe God knoweth when I shall rise My soule O Lord defend and kéep from it turne not thine eies This daie I haue committed sinne a hundred times and more I was conceiued and borne therein forgiue me Lord therefore To thée I will my soule betake sinfull it is to sée For I do knowe thou canst it make as pure as néede to bée Forgiue me mine offences all my soule Lord do not kill To thée I will betake my soule accept my zealous will Thy pardon Lord I trust to haue as Dauid had and mo My soule I trust thou wilt now saue from death damned wo. In thée O God I put my trust to guide and aide me still To kéepe me alwaies true and iust according to thy will Thou God of might great renowme I trust thou wilt me kéepe Lord with thy leaue I will lie downe to take my rest and sléepe So be it M. W. The Antheme WE looke for our sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ which shall change our vile bodie that it may be like to his glorious bodie according to the power whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe Amen Let vs praie Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. * Our Father which art in heauen c. VIsit we beseech thee O Lord this our dwelling and driue from it all the assaults of our enimie let thy holie Angels dwel in it which may keepe vs all this night in thy peace and euer let thy blessing be vpon vs. Grant this O most mercifull father for thy sonnes sake Iesus Christ who with thee and
wounds and his glorious bodie all to bee scourged in thy diuine presence who thereby doth mitigate thy wrath and indignation iustlie conceiued against me a miserable and wretched creature and all mankind Make me Lord still to confesse mine vnwoorthinesse and weaknesse to be such and so great that of my selfe I am not worthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen much lesse to be called thy sonne or handmaiden such and so great is the burden of my sinne iniquitie so that by the meanes of my corruption filthinesse I acknowledge my selfe to be the child of death and destruction yet build I still on thy promises good Lord and in this great danger I come vnto thee with teares saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen against thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child Of my selfe I haue nothing but by thee I haue althings of my selfe I acknowledge I haue iustlie deserued the heauie sentence of thine ire but by grace of thee O mightie Emanuel I am regenerate and borne againe from death to life from danger to ioie from perill to peace from bondage to libertie and so in fine from hell and damnation to blisse and saluation Such is the effect of thy mercie so abundant is thy loue towards me all those that with contrite harts present themselues vnto thee Increase my faith Lord that it may abound in good and fruitfull works so fortifie me that I neuer swarue from thy veritie giue me thy grace from aboue O mercifull Iesu that I may neuer shrinke from thy sacred testimonies And moreouer I with all humilitie and reuerence of hart and mind beseech thee this night which thou hast ordeined for man to rest in that thou wilt gard and protect me with thy good guiding spirit And albeit my sinfull flesh shall sleepe and slumber yet grant good Lord that my soule may continually keepe watch and ward let not the enunie find me slumbering sleeping as carelesse in the cradle of sinfull securitie least that whilest I am vnarmed that is naked and destitute of thy grace and fauour he enter in and breake vp the house of my sinfull bodie and make such hauocke and spoile that mine infected and leporous soule deformed by meanes of mine iniquitie and wounded with the dangerous darts of transgression be thrown with the bodie of sinne into the lake of destruction wherein is continuall wailing and gnashing of teeth Make me still O good Lord to consider that the bed is a plaine patterne and similitude of the graue which continuallie calleth for me all other thy creatures Make me to vnderstand that when I am laid of my selfe without thy heauenlie prouidence I can not bee able to rise againe Make me to acknowledge that sleepe is the verie figure of death to whose stroke at thine appointed pleasure I must submit my selfe Indue me with loue and charitie to all men let my lampe O Lord be garnished with oile that whensoeuer or at what time soeuer thy messenger death shall drawe me and knocke at the gates of my house I may at his summons in the daie of the resurrection of the dead be readie to attend on thee and thy bride with my burning lampe that is with a stedfast faith when as by thee I shall be cloathed anew For my mortall bodie shall then be couered with immortalitie the corruption of my sinfull and rebelling flesh shall be changed to incorruption and perfect puritie thy righteousnesse shall be mine thy merits shall make me perfect and holie by vertue whereof hell shall loose his victorie death shall loose his sting my faith and hope shall haue end and reward and I with thy Saints continuallie dwell in loue charitie with thee the heauenlie bridegroome Christ Iesus to whom with the father and the holie Ghost bee ascribed all laud glorie power praise and dominion for euer Amen A praier for the remission of sinne and to obteine a vertuous life FOrasmuch as O bountifull Lord it is most meet right and iust that all flesh shuld praise magnifie and worship thee and should without ceasing giue thanks vnto thee who onlie art the Creator and maker of all things as well visible as inuisible who onlie art the treasure of all goodnesse and well of life onlie God and Lord whome the heauens and heauen of heauens the sunne the moone the starres the earth the sea with all that moue therin yea the heauenlie companie of Martyrs the soules of the Prophets and Apostles Angels Archangels togither with the soules of all iust and righteous persons doo laud and glorifie It is most requisite that ech mortall creature liuing in this world should also acknowledge thy magnificence Wherfore most mercifull father I with my hart and mouth doo acknowledge thee to be my King and Lord the giuer of all goodnesse I confesse thee to be omnipotent reuerend merciful long suffering God of all consolation comfort mercie and pitie I knowe that of thine infinite goodnesse onelie thou diddest make man after thy similitude and likenesse placing him in the most delectable place of Paradyse And although he did transgresse thy commandement and thereby deserued eternall death and damnation yet thou like a most louing and pitifull Father diddest not vtterlie reiect him but gentlie correct him and after that thou hadst sent him into the earth commanding him there to increase and multiplie thou didst instruct his posteritie with thy lawe thou didst teach them by thy Prophets and after that sentest downe thine onlie begotten sonne to take vpon him our nature and to suffer death for our sinnes therby to make a recompense for the offence which man had committed against thee and all this thou didst of thine exceeding great mercie and kindnesse without anie desert of mankind not being so much as by anie one praier or yet intreatie therevnto incited Therefore I being boldened with such inestimable benefits so freelie giuen and bestowed doo without any feare at this time appere before thy diuine Maiestie prostrating my slefe before the seate of thy mercie and with all humblenesse of hart and mind doo make this my praier vnto thee Despise me not O Lord God being defiled with sin and iniquitie For behold I present my selfe before thee not presuming vpon mine owne woorthinesse but trusting in thy goodnesse Be mercifull vnto me a sinner light thou the dull sighted eies of my mind open thou the stopped eares of mine hart that I may both see heare perceiue and vnderstand that which thou teachest and alwaies doo that which thou commandest Make me not onelie a hearer of thy heauenlie doctrine but also a perfect folower of the same direct sanctifie and gouerne my life be thou alwaies present and readie both to heare and to helpe me Saue and defend me from all shame and reproch be thou my shield buckler against all temptations clense my mind and thought from all vncleannesse keepe and preserue me from all danger both of bodie
forgiue vs our iniquities Whosoeuer calleth on thy name shall be saued Thou hast no pleasure in the death of a sinner but rather desirest that they should liue and be conuerted Thou hast so loued the world that thou not onlie didst become man and tooke our nature vpon thee but wert content also to suffer most cruell death on the Crosse to purge our nature from mortall sinne and corruption and adorne it with immortalitie and eternall glorie not onelie in thine owne person but in vs also to satisfie the iustice of the Father for our sinnes Oh blessed shepheard thou doubtedst not to spend thy most pretious blood to saue thy beloued sheepe from rauine and spoile Good Lord so increase thy grace in me that thy holie word may take roote and flourish in me that the good seed may not be choked with thornes So order my liuing that when by course of nature I shall be dissolued from the prison of my bodie I may come to thee that when thou more bright than the sun shalt come in the midst of the legions of Angels in thy shining glorie and Maiestie to iudge the quicke the dead I may be in the number of the blessed ones whom thou shalt call to possesse the kingdome prepared for them by thy Father saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the world Thou which didst die and rise againe wilt raise and bring to life all those that are dead beleeuing in thy faith So be it A praier to liue well GOod Lord so rule the eies of my hart that they being kept simple and pure my bodie may be a cleere and shining temple of thy holie spirit So kindle in vs the loue of thy glorious sonne that we following his steps may doo that which is good and decline from the euill so that our light shining before men we may glorifie thee by our good works with thy blessed sonne our Sauiour and the holie Ghost to whose infinite Maiestie in trinitie and vnitie be all honour and glorie for euer Amen A praier for humilitie O Lord I am a sinner and sorie for mine offences I can not make satisfaction for my defaults If I haue anie good thing it commeth of thee The most acceptable sacrifice to thee is a contrite and humble hart O God let mee not be oppressed with the waues of sinne let mee not sinke into the whirlepoole and gulph of despaire Thou which liftest vp the fallen and raisest the humble and meeke clothing them with purple and settest them vp with princes in the seates of honour thou which despisest the imaginations of the proud and resistest their enterprises blesse me in all my dooings send mee happie successe in all mine affaires that I may reioice in thy goodnesse with thine elected for euer and euer Accept my humble suite good Lord I beseech thee for the glorie of thy name sake Amen A praier for the obteining of Gods grace O Almightie and mercifull God shine we beseech thee through the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and the comfortable working of thy sacred spirit the heauenlie comforter vpon our minds and harts with the glorious beames of thy heauenlie grace Giue vs such plentie of wisedome and vnderstanding from aboue that through the knowledge of thee the man of sinne that is our fraile and feeble flesh with the wicked lusts and desire of concupiscence may lie dead and buried in vs. Giue vs good Lord the feeling of thy grace that by the vertue and diuine operation of thy word the eies of our soules may be illumined and made so light that the Prince of darkenesse with all his vnrighteous ministers may be expulsed and banished from our memories So establish vs in thy truth that our harts minds and thoughts may continuallie be occupied in thy testimonies that thereby thou good Lord effectuallie shining in our harts by the vertue of thy good spirit we may learne to knowe and vnderstand what is the fulnesse of our calling and how rich thou art in the glorie of thy celestiall and heauenlie heritage of thy Saincts and that excellent greatnesse of thy power and louing kindnesse towards vs which beleeue without faining thy holie Gospell according to the might and force of thy strength which thou shewedst in Christ Iesus when thou didst raise him from the dead and didst set him on thy right hand far aboue all empire power authoritie and dominion and euerie name that is named not onlie in this world but in the world to come By whose pretious death and deerest bloud-shedding we are assured that sinne death and hell are vanquished ouercome and vtterlie destroied And if we beleeue without wauering we shall in him be able to resist all the power of hell and in Christ as conquerors to triumph with victorie ouer sinne death and Sathan and at the last to haue and enioie the fruition of his rich and glorious kingdome which he by most painefull agonie bloudie stripes greeuous and bloudie wounds and lastlie by his most painefull death purchased for his chosen and elect To whome for our sanctification iustification redemption and our saluation be rendred with his celestiall Father and the holie Ghost all laud glorie power honour and dominion for euer and euer Amen A praier against presumptuous pride and vaine-glorie WE heare O heauenlie Father and are dailie taught and instructed out of thine eternall word how greatlie the greeuous sinne of presumption pride and vaine-glorie displeaseth thy diuine maiestie We are learned that for the practise of this pestilent and heinous euill thou hast not spared the verie Angels but hast throwne them in thy displeasure for their pride vaine-glorie and presumption from beatitude to miserie from ioie without end to perdurable paine from brightnesse of thy glorious presence to vtter extreame and palpable darkenesse from the glorious fruition and participation of thine euerlasting kingdome to the bottomlesse pit of hell death damnation and endlesse flames of fire Besides this we are taught that by the transgression of Adam whose haughtie presuming through the entisement of the subtile and perillous allurement of the Serpent thought to be as thy selfe but in fine thy iustice condemned him and all his posteritie This pestiferous sinne of pride drowned him in the flouds of all dangerous euils as gluttonie luxurie and such other perils that had not thy mercie taken effect to keepe and hold plea for his and our safegard and thy sonne Christ embased the glorie and power of his diuine essence and taken vpon him our flesh and fraile nature sinne onlie except who freelie offered his innocent bodie to the death of the crosse we had perished euerlastinglie and beene vtterlie confounded Print therefore good Lord and write these examples in my memorie that I fall not from thy fauour by the exercise of this detestable sinne Make me still to consider that the proud and disdainefull are alwaies abhorred in thy sight And sith
beloued Saints and redie to crowne them with euerlasting glorie In thee are legions of Angels singing of sweet Hymnes and songs that set foorth the praise and honor of thy name in thee are the felowship of heauenlie citizens in thee resteth the sweete solemnitie of all such as returne from this miserable pilgrimage vnto thy glorie the companie of the Prophets Apostles and victorious armie of Martyrs holie men and women which haue vanquished the pleasures of the world haue their abiding with thee There are yoong children and maidens which haue passed ouer their daies in holinesse of life publishing thy praise in all puritie and pietie Euerie one reioiceth in his degree though not equall in glorie yet like in ioies and gladnesse For there reigneth perfect charitie God is all in all whose Maiestie without end they see continuallie and still in beholding him their loue increaseth Of this eternall blessednesse the holie Apostle Peter had as it were a shadowe or a tast vpon the mount Thabor at the transfiguration of Christ from whence he desired he might not depart Paule also had a proofe of it when he was rapt or taken vp into the third heauen where he heard words and sawe things so maruellous and secret as far passeth all mans vnderstanding and such as were not to be told or reuealed vnto men Moses his face became so bright through the conuersation that he had with the diuine glorie vpon mount Sinai that the Israelites could not abide it What then shall become of vs when perpetuallie with thee which art the Lord of all glorie we shall be conuersant after the maner of thy children and familiar friends Who is he then that will not seeke and desire by all meanes possible to be a dweller there both for the desire of peace ioie and eternitie and for the perfect sight of God Contrariwise who is able to expresse the torments appointed for the vngodlie and vnrepentant liuers in that deadlie place called Hell which Sathan himselfe abhorreth What other thing can be there but continuall paines eternall tribulation and infinite calamitie repleat with all euils There dwell wicked and ouglie Angels whose horrible lookes bring sudden feare greeuous paines and fearefull death with continual clouds of euer-during darknes There is nothing but howling wailing lamentation and mourning without all end fearfull scriches confused cries are there in all places suddenlie raised There the woorme of conscience neuer dieth in that damnable dungeon there is fire vnquenchable and perpetuall gnashing of teeth The miserable soule findeth there no rest but is afflicted with all kind of torments and such as can neuer be expressed all which endure for euer Alas little auaileth it those that are subiected as firebrans of hell to crie vnto the Lord for he will not heare them Then shall they knowe that all things which they had in this life are vaine and such things as they thought to be pleasant to be found more bitter than gall or poison Then where is the pleasure of the flesh so termed falslie For there is none other pleasure but to feare the Lord. Then shall they confesse and saie that the iudgement of God is true and righteous saieng Did we not heare of this and yet would not be conuerted from our wicked deeds But then shall nothing preuaile No sorowe can find comfort no complaints anie remorse no torments ease nor painfull passions an end such and so exceeding are the vexations of the second death wherewith all the bodies and soules of the vnrighteous shall for euer be enuironed Sith therefore O heauenlie Father and most gratious God it seemeth good to thine eternall wisdome by the knowledge of thine euerlasting truth to giue me knowledge of thine inestimable mercie offered freelie vnto me in Iesus Christ my mercifull Sauiour in whose bloudie death and painfull passion I am assured of eternall life and blessednesse Giue me grace to print in my remembrance thy manifold mercies that feeding my soule by faith in thee I may attaine vnto those endlesse ioies that thou hast prepared for thine adopted sonnes and chosen children in the kingdome of euerlasting righteousnesse and so escape those euerlasting torments which thou hast prepared for the diuell and his Angels From the which place of wofull vexation and endlesse miserie deliuer me O heauenlie Father for the loue of Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all laud and praise for euer Amen A praier to be said of the sicke at the houre of death MOst mightie art thou O Lord in all thy deeds and most holie in all thy waies Blessed be the name of my father my God and glorious Creator who by his diuine power and celestiall prouidence of nothing made all things fish flesh foules fruites trees hearbes and all other things whatsoeuer are conteined both in heauen earth seas and the nethermost parts thereof Man concerning the outward parts thou by thy celestiall prouidence and fatherlie bountie framedst and createdst of claie but concerning the inward substance of thy creature man thou didst fashion and make him euen according to thine owne similitude and likenesse Moreouer such and so great was thy loue and good will towards him that all the creatures or works of thy creation serued to this vse In earth thou madest him lord and king ouer the fruits thereof the beasts of the field the foules of the aire and the fishes of the little flouds and great waters In the firmament thou hast placed the glistering Sunne with his orient beames to giue him light by daie and therewith thou hast giuen him the Moone and the starres to gouerne him by night For the which cause aboue all other the works of thy creation man should and ought of right to giue thee that glorie that to thee belongeth But alas such and so great is the corruption of our fraile and sinfull flesh that for all these thy graces wee are carried awaie from thee and enter into contempt of thy precepts For which cause thou oftentimes doost correct and punish vs to the intent we might thereby feeling thy rod of correction be driuen to imbrace hartie and true repentance But when thy threats and the stripes of thy displeasure laid vpon vs can not take place amongst vs thou oftentimes giuest vs vp to folowe our lusts and affections but at last when thou dooest behold our enormities thou in a moment by the power of thy diuine iustice restrainest the rope of our disordered libertie and cuttest in sunder the bridle of our voluptuousnes either by sudden death sword fire famine sicknesse or other the diuine sentences of thy conceiued ire to the intent that other thy creatures might by the terrour of thy iustice auoid sinne and learne to amend their liues least they fall into the like calamitie or danger True and most true it is good Lord that by the exercise of sinne we are the children of death and destruction but by grace of
raged blasphemed and conspired against thee O GOD and thy truth like hypocrites against mee and my Crowne like traitours and against their Common-wealth and countrie like spoilers and that for no offence of mine to themward LORD thou knowest but onelie of cruell spite they beare mee bicause in truth I professe thy Christian religion and seeke by establishing the same through good and godlie lawes to serue thee zealouslie sincerelie and purelie according to the rule and veritie of thine eternall word Which thy great benefits when I well consider togither with mine vnwoorthinesse thereof I am euen forced with my father DAVID to giue humble thanks and to blesse thee before all the congregation and saie Blessed be thou O LORD GOD of Israel our Father for euer and euer Thine O LORD is greatnesse and power and glorie and victorie and praise For all that is in heauen and in earth is thine Thine is the kingdome O LORD and thou excellest as head ouer all Both riches and honour come of thee and thou reignest ouer all and in thine hand is power and strength in thine hand I saie O mightie GOD it is to make great and to giue strength vnto all now therefore I thanke thee and praise thy glorious name for euer But who am I O Lord GOD and what is my people that thou hast brought mee to this honour and thus redeemed and deliuered both mee and thy people out of thrall vnto thy selfe and art beecome our GOD Dooth this apperteine to man O LORD Or commeth not this rather of thy free mercie more than of anie our woorthinesse And what can ELIZABETH saie more vnto thee For thou Lord God knowest thy seruant euen for thy words sake according to thine owne hart hast thou made my fountaine become a floud and my light to shine as the sunne and done all these great things to make them knowne vnto thy seruant Now therefore for this thy gratious fauour after so long restraint so great dangers ouerpassed such blusterous storms ouerblowne so many iniuries digested wrongs susteined by thy mightie protection O mercifull God to my no small comfort thy peoples commoditie in exalting erecting and bringing me out of thrall to libertie out of darknesse into light out of danger to peace and quietnesse from dread to dignitie from miserie to maiestie from mourning to ruling breeflie of a prisoner to make me a Prince and to place me in the roiall throne there to sit as Queene now full 24. yeeres in the admirable rest blessed quietnesse and long peace which I now enioie For this thy diuine wisdome O heauenlie father in vnfolding reuealing frustrating the proud platformes peeuish practises of Achitophels all mine enimes For this thy meere mercie O deere Christ in spacing me and my people so long frō the bloudie hands of spoilers oppressors traitors vsurpers For this thy heauenlie prouidence O holie Ghost in preuenting their diuelish purposes and so gratiously protecting preseruing and defending me as wel before I was Queene as since from so extreme miseries and manifold dangers as also frō the hands and violences of al mine enimies visible inuisible domesticall foraine Finallie for these for all other thy great graces singular blessings and mestimable benefits principall vertues spirituall corporall O glorious Trinitie which through the mercie merits of my sweet Sauior Iesus Christ thou hertofore frō my birth hast presentlie dooest or hereafter vnto my death shalt bountifullie bestowe vpon me and my people I most hartilie laud entirelie magnifie and incessantlie extoll thy most high holie and renowmed name and sacred Princelie Maiestie And as I meeklie euen of dutie from the bottome of my hart render vnto thee my GOD and my King all condigne honour woorthie praise and possible thanks togither with the vnfeined resignation of all empire kingdome power rule dominion maiestie and glorie both in heauen and in earth as to thee onlie and most iustlie belongeth so now I most humblie and hartilie beseech thy diuine Maiestie O excellent Father and most mercifull GOD to haue mercie vpon me thine humble handmaid and sinfull seruant And be not prouoked good Lord with my sinnes nor with the sinnes of my parents people to giue vs ouer to the lust of our enimies Make vs not a reproch vnto the foolish nor let our aduersaries in our ouerthrowe triumph against vs saieng Where is now their God But of thy rich mercie and woonted compassion in Christ Iesu forgiue me my sinnes both old and new both secret and open both past present and to come yea from both mine owne and others faults O God I beseech thee deliuer me and cast all mine offences into the bottomlesse depth out of thy remembrance and sight for euer making the crosse and passion the death and resurrection of thy most deere and onlie sonne my sweete Sauiour and onlie Redeemer Iesus Christ the righteous and immaculate Lambe most effectuall in mee to all vertue godlinesse of life and pietie as best becommeth thy daughter thy virgin thine annointed and elect vessell of honour That to all other thy good graces bountifull benefits alredie shewed towards me the which of thine accustomed goodnesse I beseech thee to confirme finish and worke out in mee as thou hast gratiouslie begun and continue towards mee to the end according to thy good pleasure with such further increase thereof from time to time as best shall serue to the setting foorth of thy glorie the benefit of thy Church to all posteritie mine eternall peace in Christ Iesus the Prince of peace Grant I saie O Lord this also may be added namelie that as it hath pleased thee in thy secret wisdome to quicken me that was Tanquam ouis euen as a seelie sheepe or lambe led to be slaine to raise me vp out of the dust and mire of persecution to lift me vp out of the pit and dungeon and to set me the chiefe of the Princes of this land and to make mee meete to inherīt the seate of glorie yea to build me the chiefe and head piller of this thy Church of England France and Ireland wherevpon the whole bodie of thy Saints therein doo staie themselues in thy blessed peace and vnitie As I saie it is thy good will not my deserts to exalt the horne of thine annointed to appoint me a fraile woman thy Lieutenant here on earth and to giue power vnto thy QVEENE to iudge the ends of thy dominions and execute thine office here amongst thy people for a space in the regall seate of iustice and mercie so vouchsafe thou O gratious God and louing Father in like mercie to powre downe continuallie vpon me all those thy speciall good gifts princelie vertues and heauenlie graces fit for this my so high calling that being plentiouslie indued therewith the bright shining beames thereof as from a glittering Star in the firmament or the glorious Sunne in his orient arising to the
Lawe and sincere Religion which I professe Let backbiters together with such as are proud and those that dare shameleslie presume anie thing be vtterlie rooted out but contrariwise let there be space in especiallie for such as be verie zealous of the truth that they onlie may be conuersant with me before thee and cause me to feede them with a singular faith and innocencie and minister all things diligentlie vnto them Finallie let not the enimies of thy Gospell I beseech thee O gratious and mightie God thus despise thy grace offered them vnto repentance but those that are to be conuerted conuert and turne them O God speedilie if it be thy will Make thou Saule at the length to become a Paule and let not the persecutor persist in his errours but let them rather accompt thy long suffering and my peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement an occasion of saluation to their soules and of vnfeigned loue to thy Church Otherwise if they will needes remaine still disobedient to thy truth disloiall vnto me dangerous to the state and enimies to their Countrie and Common-wealth then O God of my saluation arise and helpe to wound the head of thine enimies and the hearie scalpe of such as go on still in their wickednesse Let thy right hand find out them that euerie daie prouoke thee and reuenge thy selfe on those blasphemous hypocrites that thus proudlie contemne thee to thy face And as thou hast discouered them and their peeuish practises against thee and thine annointed so discouer them still As thou hast preuented their diuelish purposes and execrable intents so preuent them still Yea let their firie eies waxe wearie with looking their bloudie harts and hands faint with waiting for their golden daie and that which commeth not yet neither let come O Lord I beseech thee but in thy good time and according to thy will a blessed and healthfull reigne vnto my selfe much ioie and comfort to my subiects and long peace to Zion for euermore Lastlie O most mightie God looke what remaineth yet of the happie building enlarging and finishing of thy Church and to the establishing and planting of thy Religion perfectlie therein according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word and full discharge of my dutie when I shall be called to render an accompt before the iudgement seate of Christ because that without thee I can do nothing neither is it possible to please thee do thou O father of light from whome all good gifts doo come and proceede vouchsafe to powre downe plentifullie of thy principall spirit vpon me and so rauish my hart with the flame of the loue of thee and thy people with an earnest zeale of thy house that with Ioseph I may carefullie and faithfullie prouide for thy people with Moses painefullie leade them out of the deserts of errour and oppression and with Ioshua bring thy people into the land of promise with Debora fight thy battels with Iahel knocke Sisera of Roome in the temples of his vsurped headship with Iudith cut off the head of proud Holophernes with Hezekias and Iosias roote out and destroie all superstition and relikes of idolatrie with Dauid and Salomon finish and consecrate to eternitie thy glorious Temple among thy people and with them all most earnestlie and continuallie to praie vnto thee for their saluation That heere on earth for the time after their vertuous example dooing that which is good in thy sight reigning blessedlie ruling prudentlie and like a louing mother and tender nursse giuing my fostermilke the foode of thy word and Gospell aboundantlie to all in all places of my dominion and endeuouring my selfe faithfullie to discharge the great trust committed vnto me when thy sonne to whome not onlie the sea and windes but all creatures are subiect shall come as King of kings to require an accompt of the charge committed vnto me I may be found faithfull and not faile finallie in heauen but in the purenesse of my virginitie and holinesse of mine innocencie be presented to the Lambe my souereigne Lord and onlie God my heauenlie Bridegroome and spirituall spouse my euerlasting King deere Christ and onlie sweet Sauiour Iesus there to see the Saincts and to be a Sainct and with all the holie Patriarches Iudges Kings and Queenes yea with all the Archangels Angels Saints Martyrs Confessors Uirgins and the whole companie of thy celestiall and blessed spirits to reigne with him ouer spirituall powers and principalities for euer and sing the sugred songs of my wedding-daie to my perpetuall ioie and thine eternall praise O most glorious Trinitie the Father the Son and the holie Ghost one inuisible God almightie blessed for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier to be said of the Queenes Maiestie BLessed art thou Lord God of Sabbaoth for vnto thee apperteineth all magnificence and power and glorie to thee belongeth all honour and authoritie For whatsoeuer is either in the heauens aboue or in the earth beneath it is thine Thine O Lord is the kingdome thou art aboue all Princes Kings Riches are thine glorie is thine and thou art Lord ouer all In thee remaineth vertue and power greatnesse and gouernement O God of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things by thy word and by thy wisdome appointed man to rule the creatures which thou hast made and to gouerne the world with equitie and iustice I praise thee and extoll thy glorious name for appointing me thy seruant to rule and gouerne this thy people committed vnto my charge Now therefore gratious Lord fauourablie behold me that I may treade the path of truth righteousnesse and sinceritie of hart in thy sight Let me not abuse mine authoritie but gouerne with lenitie and gentlenesse the people vnder me that liuing a godlie and honest life mankind may enioie their desired peace Giue therefore vnto thy seruant an hart desirous of instructions that I may iudge the people and discerne betweene good and euill and neither declining to the right hand or to the left stoutelie and valiantlie mainteine the cause of the righteous Grant me counsell and assistance to doo such things as are gratefull vnto thee good for thy Church and profitable for my people and Common-weale Giue me thy wisdome and reiect me not from thy children for I thy seruant and handmaiden am a fraile woman of a short time and full weake in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes Thou hast chosen me a Gouernour of thy people and a Iudge of thy sonnes and daughters send mee therefore wisdome from thy sacred heauens and from the seate of thy magnificence that it may be with me and labour with me whereby I may perceiue what is acceptable in thine eies and learne that I haue no power of my selfe but from thee which art Almightie and reignest ouer the kingdomes of men giuing them at thy pleasure Graunt that I neuer conceiue proudlie of my selfe but may receiue in patience the discipline of thy Lawe Make me wise and
for into thy hands I commit me Amen E ENter thy iudgements in the tables of my hart destroie mine affections with thy loue send thy wisdome from the holie heauens and from the seate of thy Maiestie that she may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may iudge the people righteouslie and discerne betweene good and euill G GRatious Lord thou that art the most high God aboue all the earth long-suffering and of much mercie sorowing the sinnes of man and of thy great goodnesse hast promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lord I haue sinned mine iniquitie is multiplied aboue the sands of the sea and there is no hope of life in me because I haue stirred thee to anger in multiplieng offences before thee And now O Lord trusting in thy mercie I bow the knees of my hart beseeching thee of thy goodnesse destroie me not togither with mine iniquitie For the dead whose soules are out of their bodies can neither praise nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstie soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lord I powre my praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnwoorthie and reserue not eternall punishment for mee For thine owne sake I aske it and will praise thee all the daies of my life Amen I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the light of thy word leade me Lord in thy waie and I shall enter into thy truth Print thy feare in my hart that I may reioice in thee Let thy word be a lanterne vnto my feet and a lampe of light vnto my paths so shall I not erre from the right waie but walke like a pure and wise virgin with an vpright hart chaste mind and cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee most mightie God of hosts which sittest vpon the Cherubins and hast dominion ouer all the kingdoms of the earth Thou which madest the heauens all things comprehended in them bow downe thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold saue mee from the hand of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto me that all the people may knowe that thou alone art my God Amen A ASsist mee O Lord my God with thy heauenlie grace and renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength ablenesse to doo thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of wilie Satan that they may haue no place in mee but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the desire of sinne errour and of worldlie vanities may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind that the life of my Sauiour Christ may alwaies appeare in me to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost be all honour triumph and glorie for euer and euer Amen The versicle EUen now and euer vouchsafe O LORD for thy deere sonnes sake to heare my humble petitions The answere REceiue my praiers I saie O GOD and in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and grant mee thy grace The Collect. O Emanuel my Lord and my GOD Iesus Christ sonne of the pure virgin Marie thou art not onelie the sweete spouse of my soule but with God the Father a most meeke Mediatour full of mercie and truth Wash awaie my sinnes with the most pretious bloud of thy holie passion make me rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holie spirit to all duties and works in this life towards thee I may enioie afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holie Saints and pure Uirgins in euerlasting honour and triumph Amen The Praier O Roote of Iesse my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast redeemed all mankind from sinne death and hell thou which hast said I am the waie truth and life The waie in doctrine commandements and examples truth in promises life in reward I praie thee by thine ineffable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer me euer to straie from thee bicause thou art the waie nor at anie time to distrust thy promses which art the truth and performest whatsoeuer thou promisest neither let me rest in anie other thing bicause thou art eternall life without the which there is nothing that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in earth By thee we learne the sure and expedient passage vnto true helth that we wander no longer in the Laberinth of this world Thou hast exactlie taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whom we ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunatelie borne by thee we are assured there is no hope of health but through faith in thee that thou art the onlie brightnesse which giuest light to all men trauelling the darke desarts of this world where is nothing but a profound dimnesse wherby we neither see our calamities nor frō whence we ought to seeke remedie of our euill Thou vouchsafedst to descend into the earth disdainedst not to take our nature vpon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake off the dimnesse of our ignorance by thy commandements mightest direct our feete in the waie of truth peace By the examples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the waie to immortalitie and by thy steps hast restored to vs a plaine easie profitable waie out of an vneeuen and rough waie So thou art made vnto vs a waie which knoweth no error in the which least we should be wearie thou hast vouchsafed to vphold vs in thy benignitie with great sure promises For who can be wearie accounting himselfe redie through thy steps to enter thy heauenlie heritage Therefore whilest we be in this iournie thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steed of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are sustained Neither was thy goodnes content with this but knowing the weaknesse of our flesh in the meane while with the comfort of thy spirit dooest so refresh our strength whereby we run cheerefullie And as thou being made vnto vs the waie dooest driue awaie all errour so being truth dooest thou take awaie all distrust Finallie being made life vnto vs dooest reuiue the dead in sinne to liue by thy spirit releeuing all things vntill in the resurrection all mortalitie vtterlie abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christ shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be one true God where now thorough faith we behold onlie in a glasse and riddle And then seeing more felowlie the glorie of the Lord wee shall be transformed into the same image Therefore I beseech thee most mercifull Sauiour that
Lord with the hyssope of true repentance and sorowfull contrition that being clensed in the most cleere fountaine of thy grace I may be whiter than snowe and also bee able euer hereafter to serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of liuing through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Wash your hands yee sinners and cleanse your harts ye wauering minded Isaias 4 verse 8. I will wash my hands in innocencie ô Lord and so will I go to thine altar Psal 26 verse 6. Or else praie thus HAue mercie vpon mee O God and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Wash my soule with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flow from thy hart and naked side and sanctifie and purifie not onlie my hands and face from filth but my hart soule and conscience also from all contagion of sinne and iniquitie that I may be pure both in bodie and soule and serue thee in holinesse and puritie all the daies of my life So be it Though I wash my selfe with snowe water and purge my hands most cleane yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit and mine owne cloths shall make mee filthie Iob. 9 verse 30. Meditations THinke now of thy vow and promise made to God at thy baptisme to forsake Sathan to renounce the world and to mortifie the flesh and how oft since thou hast broken it and be hartilie sorie therefore Thinke also vpon the vnspeakable loue and mercie of Christ our Sauiour who hath washed vs from our sins in his owne pretious bloud and purged our conscience from dead works to the end we should serue him in holinesse and innocencie of life And consider that it shall little auaile thée to haue washed thy selfe if thou touch filth againe that is if thou confesse thy faults and after commit them againe and so wich the dog returne to the vomit and with the washed sow to the wallowing in the mire againe ¶ When you be made readie first before all things looke that either by your selfe or with your familie with all humblenesse of mind you kneele downe by your bed-side in your parlour or other sweete cleane and conuenient place and there taking both time and leasure to serue the Lord lift vp your hart hands and eies and praie vnto his diuine Maiestie saieng in manner and forme following A premeditation or first forme of praier to be vsed before praier O Mercifull Lord and louing father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burthen of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weak soule according vnto thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God prepare my hart to praier and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this miserable puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse and being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honor and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen Another meditation before praier VNto thee O heauenlie father doo I heere prostrate on my knees lift vp my hart my hands mine eies and praiers beseeching thy Maiestie and saieng Helpe me O my Lord and God in this my good purpose and holie worshipping or seruing of thee and grant vnto me to make a perfect entrance and beginning this present daie that I maie doo all things in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all The Confession and Praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen and earth more than my tongue can expresse my sins are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go And whither should I flee To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I find no place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I runne to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo heere at this present Wherefore haue mercie on me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie on me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed thereby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed be thy name c. Another Confession and praier OH almightie euerlasting God and most gratious deere louing father I beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake thy most deere and onlie sonne to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner whose innumerable offenses both old new be most horrible heinous and great where through I haue iustlie deserued thy greeuous wrath and euerlasting damnation But now good Lord heere I do appeale to thy great mercie onlie which far surmounteth all thy works as thou hast promised the same in thy holie and infallible word where thou hast said yea and sworne as trulie as thou liuest that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and liue Ah deere Lord I confesse that I am a great and greeuous sinner and yet now by thy grace and good working of thy holie spirit something turned vnto thee Oh let me liue and not die the euerlasting death of the soule which I so deepelie haue deserued but make me a vessell of thy great mercie that I may liue and praise thy name among thy chosen children for euer Oh let not my horrible sinnes separate me from the sweet sight of thy Maiestie but let thy great power and mercie be magnified in me as it is in Dauid in Peter in Magdalen and in the notable Theefe which was crucified with Christ thy deere sonne in whose most pretious death and bloud-shedding onlie O Lord I put my whole trust and confidence For he onelie hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world he came not to condemne the world but to saue it that none that trulie beleeue in him should perish but haue life euerlasting He saith he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Oh gratious God giue me true earnest hartie and vnfeigned repentance that I may from the verie bottome of my hart continuallie lament my manifold
by the illusion of the diuell or else by frailtie of mine owne flesh trespassing against thy godlie Maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deede And I most hartilie thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen me this night and that to the innumerable benefits hitherto powred vpon my soule and bodie thou hast vouchsafed to preserue me this night past from sudden death and all other euill and mischiefe spirituall and corporall that anie person man or woman hath beene striken withall by thy permission and sufferance knowing of a suretie that the selfe-same or such like had worthilie light on my head also haddest not thou defended and preserued me and giuen me time to amend my life so that I might liue henceforth not as I will but as thou wilt And now seeing thou O almightie God and most mercifull father in the tables of the commandements deliuered to the hands of thy seruant Moses vpon the mount Sina among other precepts diddest giue charge vnto thy chosen children of Israel that in sixe daies they should doo all such works and aaffaires as they had to doo and rest from labour the seuenth daie graunt I beseech thee blessed father that siuce I haue by thy mercie happilie passed ouer this whole weeke vnder thy gratious protection I may not onelie rest this daie from my dailie trauels but that I may abstaine also from the works of sinne and iniquitie and sanctifie this daie wholie vnto thee with praiers and thankes-giuing abounding in all works of loue and charitie as thou hast commanded in thy holie word that I may be found pure without spot or blemish at that daie when thy Sonne Iesus Christ shall come to iudge the world with righteousnesse and equitie And forasmuch as thou hast ordeined this daie among the rest wherein we should meete all together with brotherlie loue and affection to yeeld thee praises for the innnumerable benefits we haue receiued at thy hand to acknowledge thy fatherlie loue and pitie towards vs from time to time and to giue thee thanks in generall for all and vniuersall thy benefits hitherto bestowed vpon vs I beseech thee to grant me thy holie spirit that I may be the more zealouslie inflamed to serue thee in true holinesse and integritie of life and by the operation of that spirit I may kill all carnall lusts vnlawfull pleasures concupiscence and all other spots of vncleannesse whereby I may be made thy child by adoption and grace and my bodie the temple of the holie Ghost being throughlie purged and purified from the dregs of iniquitie and abhomination Giue me grace most mercifull Father to spend this daie to thy pleasure in all good works of the spirit and charitie proceeding from an vndefiled faith in Christ Iesu that I fall not into anie kind of danger but that all my dooings may be ordered by thy gouernance to doo alwaies that is righteous in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another Morning praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and mercifull God eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three in persons one in substance God in verie deede and from euerlasting I extoll thy sacred Maiestie I praise thine vnspeakeable mercie thy diuine truth I exceedingly commend for that of thy fatherlie and woonderfull goodnesse thou hast protected me this night vnder the shadowe of thy wings Yea thou also hast made me quietlie to take my rest notwithstanding the dangerous snares of my deadlie enimie the diuell Thou art the God which exaltest vs from the gates of the shadowe of death and from the power of darknesse thou deliuerest vs. Therefore I will acknowledge thee for thy goodnes and for the woonderfull things which thou dooest among the sonnes of men I will magnifie thee in the great congregation and among much people will I praise thee My hart is readie O my God my hart is readie I will praise thee O Lord among the people and sing to thee among the nations For thy mercie is aboue the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds I will not hide thy mercie and truth in the great congregation bicause it is a good thing to praise the Lord and to sing to thee O thou most high to declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me praise his holie name Which forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thine infirmities Which redeemeth thy life from destruction crowneth thee with mercie and compassion Which satisfieth thy longing with good things and protecteth thee from thy youth Which also hath kept all my bones this night not one of them is broken To the King euerlasting immortall inuisible and onlie wise God be honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen VNto thee O Lord doo I lift vp my soule O God earlie will I seeke thee my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh lusteth after thee in a barren and drie land where no water is to see thy strength and glorie O eternall God which hast brought me to the beginning of this daie defend me with thy mightie power that this daie I fall into no sinne nor run into anie kind of danger but let all my cogitations words and works tend to the setting foorth of thy righteousnesse Lighten my mind this morning with the shining and clearnesse of thy wisdome that in my hart that true daie-star may rise and shine as it were a candle in a darke place Giue me the spirit of wisdome and reuelation in the knowledge of thee and lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that I may knowe what my hope is how great the glorie of mine inheritance and what the excellent greatnesse of thy power towards me is Fill me with thy mercie in this morning so shall I be glad and reioice all my life long Mercifull God endue me with thine holie spirit that I may neither thinke speake or doo anie thing this daie but that which may please thee and tend to the aduancement of thy glorie and health of my soule Gouerne thou mine vnderstanding and will and so direct all the cogitations of my hart that I may wholie be thine and sauour of nothing besides thee my God and redeemer Teach mee the waie of thy commandements O Lord and I will keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding to keepe thy lawes and to loue thee my Lord and God with all my hart with all my soule and with all my strength and let all thy testimonies be my delight and counsellers Comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord haue I lifted vp my soule For thou Lord art good and gentle and of great kindnesse to as manie as call vpon thee Behold O God earlie now this morning I doo offer my selfe a morning sacrifice vnto thee a troubled spirit a broken and an humble hart O Lord thou wilt not despise Make me fit that I may likewise dailie offer vp
my bodie a liuing sacrifice holie and acceptable vnto thee which is a reasonable seruice gratefull obedience Both now and euerie daie Lord I commend my soule and bodie into thy hands thou hast redeemed me O God of truth Compasse me about with the watch of thine Angels which are ministring spirits sent out for their defence which are the children of saluation that they may pitch their tents about me and incounter with Satan the dragon to defend me from euill Giue thine holie Angels charge of me that they protect me in all my waies least happilie I hurt my feete against a stone so will I praise thee and magnifie thy name which liuest and reignest a true and eternall God worlds without end Amen Another praier verie effectuall to be vsed vpon the Lords Sundaie or other holie or festiuall daies SEing that the verie solemne times festiuall holidaies doo vndoubtedlie greatlie renew the reioicing of the godlie yea that more is with a certaine heape as a man would saie doo maruelouslie augment and increase their spirituall ioie in thee O most holie Lord God of Saboth and make it greater than it was For they are kept to continue and stir vs vp vnto the remembrance and recounting of thy woonderfull acts things and miracles wrought and done by thine almightie Maiestie for the conseruation and saluation of mankind and by that occasion doo exceedinglie cheere vp and fill the harts of the godlie with spirituall ioies in thee Moreouer bicause good exercises are to be renewed often but especiallie vpon the Sundaie and holie daies as though at that time we were departing out of this life and going to the euerlasting holie daies of spirituall rest and continuall ioie and therefore ought we at that time especiallie to prepare our selues with carefulnes to shew our selues more godlie and to doo thy cōmandements more straightlie as they y t shall receiue reward of our trauels at thy hand ere it be long Behold I thy sillie creature desirous to keepe the godlie rest of the new Saboth better than hitherto I haue done for which as for all other my defaults I crie thee hartilie mercie doo now therefore most humblie beseech thee O holie Father to powre plentiouslie vpon me thy blessed spirit through whose diuine power vertue and grace I may this daie be throughlie sanctified clensed dedicated and prepared both bodilie and ghostlie perfectlie to serue and worship thee according to thy will O holie God which hast commanded vs to sanctifie our selues and to be holie as thou art grant me grace with S. Iohn to be in the spirit on the Sundaie and this daie to be holie with them that be holie and altogither giuen to serue please thee in spirit and truth as becommeth the true worshippers of thee Make thou me this daie to refraine my selfe from dooing anie bodilie labour or seruile worke and vtterlie to forbeare all maner of vngodlinesse displeasant vnto thee as namelie not to abuse or mispend this holie daie in pranking packing priinting pointing frisling or vaine attiring of my selfe to be gorgious and gaie and to prance in pride neither yet in vnlawfull plaies idle sports games Ethnicall pastimes feasting banketting bellie-cheere gluttonie riot excesse chambering wantonnes nicenesse contention pride couetousnesse or in anie other fleshlie filthinesse and vaine pleasures of this transitorie world but contrariwise to occupie and giue my selfe obedientlie vnto the vertuous works and holie exercises of thy diuine precepts namelie vnto the expending of the spirituall rest and euerlasting repose of all Christian soules in heauen vnto the meditation of thy woonderfull works and vnspeakable benefits which thou O God continuallie bestowest vpon thy Church and to bee thankefull for the same to studie the Scriptures to heare and reade thy sacred word and followe the same to call vpon thee by ardent praier with hartie thankesgiuing for all thy mercies to exercise thy holie Sacraments and to comfort and giue almes gladlie according to mine abilitie to the releefe of the poore and comfort of the needie Make me I saie O Lord with holie Dauid both most willing and glad this daie to go foorth with my whole familie and the multitude into thy house and temple in the voice of praise and thankes-giuing among such as keepe it holiedaie vnto thee and at all seasons by common order appointed diligentlie to frequent the populous resort and Christian assemblie of the congregation in the Church and to be present with other thy people often in that most sacred place on earth at the most holie and alwaies to thee O God most acceptable sacrifice of praise inuocation diuine worship giuing of thanks singing of hymnes hearing of thy word vsing of thy holie Sacraments praiers intercessions and supplications which at the comming together of the whole congregation is vsed ordinarilie to be made vnto thee in the Church with verie great ceremonie and reuerence that thus being free from the trauels and drudgerie of this world and by thy grace cleansed from all mine owne carnall affections and wholie giuen ouer to serue and sanctifie thee in true rest and spirituall ease as also to bestowe consecrate and hallowe this thy sacred Sabboth or Sundaie with all other festiuall holie daies most glorious vnto thee in all holie and spirituall exercises of a faithfull and obedient Christian according to thy will I may euen heere in this vale of teares amidst all my miseries be thereby occasioned with cheerefull hart both outwardlie and inwardlie exceedinglie to reioice and trust in thee my most mercifull God and louing sauiour and after this transitorie life ended be worthie happilie to enter into thy holie Mountaine the Tabernacle of thine elect and kingdome of euerlasting blessednesse where the soules of all holie folke doo rest and there with them to be partaker of perfect holinesse and of the vnspeakable benefit of the wished wealefull rest and eternall endlesse ioie of ioies in the Paradise of God to see loue and praise thee most ioifullie in happie mirth for euer and euer through Iesus Christ our Lord to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be immortall glorie infinite power euerlasting kingdome perpetuall praise and continual thanks-giuing by all creatures through all ages worlds world without end Amen See more for Sundaie afterward Meditations HEere call to mind the commandements of almightie God concerning the kéeping of the Sabboth daie holie vnto him as namelie the third commandement Remember thou keepe holie the Sabboth daie c. Exod. 20 verse 11. Call to mind also his promises touching the same who saith If thou turne awaie thy foote from the Sabboth from dooing thy will on the Sabboth daie and call the Sabboth a delight to consecrate it as glorious vnto the Lord and shalt honor him not dooing thine owne waies nor seeking thine owne will nor speaking a vaine word then shalt thou delight in the Lord and I will cause thee to mount vpon the high places of the earth
possesse our memorie But thou wilt saie I praie continuallie and yet I see no fruit of my praier as I come vnto it so I depart none answereth or speaketh vnto me nothing is giuen me but my labour seemeth vaine This is the speech of humane follie not obseruing what truth it selfe promiseth saieng Uerelie I saie vnto you whatsoeuer ye aske in praier with faith yee shall receiue it and it shall be performed vnto you Esteeme not lightlie therfore of praier For he to whome thou praiest hath it in price and before it proceed from thy mouth commandeth it to be registred in his owne booke One of these two we may vndoubtedlie hope for that either he will giue vs our requests or better Thinke of God as highlie as thou art able and yet beleeue more of him than thou canst thinke All the time wherein thou thinkest not vpon God esteeme it lost all other things be foraigne vnto vs time onlie is our owne Attend therefore vpon God and wheresoeuer thou art be all with him Impart but giue not vp thy selfe to worldlie affaires Wheresoeuer thou art cast thy thoughts vpon God No place is vnfit for meditation Therefore with all cheerefulnesse gather vp thy spirits dwell at libertie with thy selfe and out of the largenesse of thy heart measure out a lodging for thy Lord Christ A wise mans mind is alwaie with God He ought to be alwaies in our sight by whome we haue our being life and knowledge He is the author of our being the teacher of our vnderstanding the treasure of our spirituall and ioifull happinesse Heerein we may acknowledge the diuine image of the heauenlie Trinitie For as he hath his being in excellencie of wisdome and goodnesse so we according to our creation haue our subsistence being endued also with reason and delight in knowledge as a signature and impression of the diuine Maiestie Esteeme therefore of thy selfe as of the temple of God seeing it pleased him to impart his likenesse to thee as a high renowne to adore and imitate God Thou dooest imitate him if thou be holie as he is holie For a holie mind is the temple of God and a sincere hart the most acceptable aultar Thou dooest adore God if thou be mercifull euen as he is mercifull to all For it is a pleasing sacrifice to God to gratifie all for the cause of God Doo all things as the sonne of God that thou bee not vnworthie of him that hath vouchsafed to be thy father Knowe that of all thy actions God is a witnesse Beware therefore to fixe thine eie or settle thy thought in anie vnlawfull delight neither speake nor doo anie ill though thou maist Offend not God neither in deede nor purpose For his almightinesse discouereth thy deeds Thou hast neede of a great watch discharging all the actions in the face of the Iudge yet liue thou maist without securitie if thou behaue thy selfe so as he vouchsafe thee his presence If he abide not with thee in fauour he will come vnto thee in reuenge And if he come in reuenge wo be vnto thee nay rather wo if he come not For God is most angrie with him whose sinne he leaueth vnpunished His damnation is prepared whome God reformeth not in fatherlie chasticement Another Meditation to the same effect GOod Lord bee mercifull vnto mee that offend worst where I ought most to mind the reformation of my faults Praieng in the temple oftentimes I heed not what I speak I praie but by the absence of my wandering mind it is made fruitlesse With my bodie I enter into thy temple but my hart standeth without therefore my praier vanisheth awaie For the outward sound of the voice without the inward symphonie of the hart auaileth nothing Then is it a great follie naie madnesse when by praier presuming to speake in presence of the mightie God we doo brutishlie wander in vaine thoughts and arrest our minds vpon verie trifles An heinous offence also and woorthie a greeuous punishment it is that vile dust should not vouchsafe audience to the Creator of the whole world speaking vnto him But the woorthinesse of thy heauenlie bountie is vnspeakable which euerie daie regardeth vs standing in wretchednesse and miserie turning aside our eares and hardening our harts Yet he crieth out vnto vs saieng Returne into the waie yee transgressours attend and see for I am God God speaketh to me in the Psalme and I vnto him yet in repeating the same I regard not whose it is Heerein I offer God great wrong in desiring him to harken vnto my praier which my selfe in making it doo not heare I request him to attend me and I neither intend him nor my selfe but that which worsse is I doo violate his sacred presence with vnpure and vnprofitable thoughts Haue mercie vpon me pardon mine offences and renew mee with thy holie Spirit that in all my Praiers Psalmes Songs and Hymnes I may both saie and sing to the honor and glorie of thy name Amen ¶ Heere as time will conuenientlie serue before Common praier begin make your priuate petitions vnto Almightie God and saie A salutation to God the Father or first forme of praier when yee kneele downe in the Church HAile our Father GOD Almightie full of grace mercie and comfort Thy Sonne Iesus Christ verie God and man is with thee in heauen Blessed be thy name O Father both in heauen aboue and in earth amongst all nations by thine onlie sonne our Lord Amen Another first forme of praier in the Church at Morning praier O Most high and blessed Trinitie the verie Father Sonne holie Ghost three glorious and vnseparable persons in Trinitie and but one God in Deitie vncreate incomprehensible eternall inuisible and almightie one being power wisdome goodnesse and Lord of coequall coeternall and vndefiled Maiestie who before all worlds in all worlds and by all worlds into euerlasting dooest liue and dwellest alone in vnapprochable light with all my verie hart and mouth doo I beeing the least member of thy Church fall downe lowe on my knees heere before thy footestoole and confesse praise blesse and worship thee O glorious Trinitie And now and euer with all Angels creatures and Elders both in heauen and earth I crie and saie Holie Holie Holie Lord God of hostes dreadfull strong righteous mercifull maruellous praise-worthie to be beloued Heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O God for euer Amen A praier that God would vouchsafe to heare the praiers of the Congregation afflicted and graunt their requests OH Lord my God most high most holie holie holie Lord God of Sabaoth most blessed and glorious Trinitie Father Sonne and holie Ghost three glorious persons of coequall and consubstantiall Maiestie and one almightie and incomprehensible God in Deitie alwais by all meanes of all creatures aboue all things to be woorshipped in Unitie and glorified in Deitie looke downe from thy kinglie court and princelie pallace where thou art placed in the
I beseech thee vouchsafe to come vnto me and to make me a meet temple for thine holinesse I doo praie the Father through the Sonne I praie the Sonne through the Father I praie the holie Spirit by the Father and the Sonne that all wickednesse may be set far awaie from me and that all the holie vertues may be implanted within me O infinite God of whom through whom and in whom are all things made both visible and inuisible which inclosest thine outward works and fillest thine inward gouernest them aboue and bearest them belowe keepe me the worke of thine hands which trust in thee and hope onlie in thy mercie Keepe me I beseech thee both here and euerie-where now and alwaie within and without before and behind aboue and beneath round about so that there be no place for the snares of the enimie against me Thou art God almightie keeper and protector of all that trust in thee without whom none is in safetie no man is free from danger Thou art God and beside thee there is none other either in heauen aboue or in earth belowe which doost great things and vnsearchable and maruellous things without number Meete it is therefore that thou be praised that thou be honored that thou be magnified with commendations To thee the whole troupe of Angels to thee the heauens and the powers doo sing and continuallie yeeld praises as creatures to their Creator seruants to their Lord souldiers to their King Euerie creature doth extoll and euerie soule doth glorifie thee the holie and vndefiled Trinitie To thee the holie and humble men of hart to thee the spirits and soules of the righteous to thee doo all the supernall citizens together with all the orders of blessed spirits yeeld humble praise and glorie and exalt thee aboue all things for euer O Lord gloriouslie and honourablie doo those heauenlie citizens adorne thee with praises Man also the most excellent among thy creatures doth magnifie thee yea and I too a miserable sinner doo exceedinglie desire to praise thee and greatlie doo I loue to loue thee aboue all things O my God my life my strength and my praise giue me grace to praise thee Put thy light in my hart and thy word into my mouth that both my hart may thinke vpon thy glorie and my tongue sing and speake out thy praises euerie daie But for as much as praise is not seemelie in the mouth of a sinner and I am a woman of polluted lips purge mine hart I beseech thee from all iniquitie sanctifie me both within and without O almightie sanctifier and make me worthie to sound foorth thy praise Receiue in good part from the hand of the hart and from the loue of the mind receiue I praie thee the sacrifice of my lips and let it be acceptable in thy sight and ascend vp vnto thee like a sweete smelling sauour Amen Another MY soule praise thou the Lord and all that is within me praise his holie name My soule praise thou the Lord and forget not all his benefits Praise the Lord all yee his works in all places of his dominion My soule praise thou the Lord. Praise we the Lord whom Angels praise dominions adore powers doo reuerence to whom the Cherubins and Seraphins continuallie doo crie Holie holie holie Ioine we therefore our voices to the voices of the holie Angels and according to our abilitie let vs praise the God which we both haue For they whose eies euermore be fixed vpon the Lord whom they behold not through a glasse darklie but face vnto face they doo most purelie and without ceasing praise the Lord. O Lord that immortall people of thine Angels doo praise thee and the celestiall powers doo magnifie thy name who haue no need either to read this our scripture or to seeke after the knowledge of thee the holie and glorious Trinitie For they alwaies behold thy face where they read without syllables of time what thine eternall pleasure is they read they choose and they loue yea alwaies they read and what they read they forget not By choosing and louing they read this constancie of thy counsell and their booke shall at no time be shut and folded bicause thy selfe art and wilt euerlastinglie be this to them O much blessed are those heauenlie powers that can religiouslie and purelie with an exceeding delight and vnspeakable ioie magnifie thee with praises Thence they praise whence they reioice forsomuch as alwaies they behold that which offereth them continuall occasion both to praise and reioice But we pressed downe with the weight of flesh and placed far awaie from thy countenance in this exile and distracted through varieties of the world we alas are not able woorthilie to praise thee through faith We praise thee not of perfect knowledge but these angelicall spirits praise thee of knowledge not through faith For our flesh is the cause why we praise thee otherwise than they doo Notwithstanding albeit we sing praises to thee after diuers sorts yet thou art but one God Creator of all things to whom is offered the sacrifice of praise both in heauen and in earth But one daie we shall come vnto their companie with whom alwaies we shall see thee and praise thee without ceasing Now then O Lord grant that whiles I doo liue in this fraile bodie both mine hart and my tongue and all my bones may glorifie thee and saie Lord who is like vnto thee Let thine holie memorie and thy blessed sweetnesse possesse my whole soule and rauish me with desire of inuisible things Let my soule I beseech thee passe from visible vnto inuisible from terrestriall vnto heauenlie from transitorie things vnto eternall let it passe I saie and see thy woonderfull vision Thou art God almightie three in persons yet but one in the substance of the Godhead whom we serue and worship namelie the Father vnbegotten the Sonne onlie begotten of the Father the holie Spirit both proceeding from and remaining in them both an holie glorious Trinitie one God almightie which when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when thorough our owne default we were lost mercifullie and maruellouslie hadst deliuered vs. Oh suffer vs not to prooue either vngratefull for so great benefits or vnwoorthie so manifold mercies Unto thee doo I praie sue and beseech increase my faith increase my hope yea and increase my loue also Through the same thy goodnesse make vs to be euermore stable in faith and fruitfull in all good works that by a right faith and works agreeable vnto faith we may come through thy mercie vnto euerlasting life where seeing thy perfect and full glorie euen as it is we may worship thy Maiestie and being made woorthie to behold thy glorie may sing Glorie to the Father who hath made vs. Glorie to the Sonne who hath redeemed vs. Glorie to the holie Ghost that hath sanctified vs. Glorie to the souereigne and blessed Trinitie whose works are vnseparable and whose kingdome hath none end Unto thee
may be compared to the ranke Oliues and exceeding fertile Uines and grant that a continuall ofspring of thy deere children may be multiplied in thy blessed Church and become notable in peace in praises and in puritie of life and doctrine to the renowmed honour of thy glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for the preseruation of the Church O Celestiall God and Father of infinite mercie and compassion which not onelie gatherest to thy selfe an holie Church in this world out of mankind through the operation of the holie Ghost and preaching of thy word but also preseruest the same being gathered and adornest it with all kind of temporall things and which more is with eternall blisse we humblie beseech thee gratious Lord that of thy goodnesse thou wouldest vouchsafe euermore to mainteine this thy little flocke embracing preaching and professing thy word through thine especiall grace Continue thy fauour toward the same keepe it in sound doctrine constant in confessing in the lawfull vse of thy holie Sacraments and in purenesse of life that neither the gates of hell the rage of Sathan nor yet the rigorousnesse and tyrannie of this world oppresse the same Protect and keepe this thy boate and little barke tossed among manie perillous tempests and miserable surges in the raging sea of this trouble some world that it perish not being ouerwhelmed Uphold thy Church which is builded vpon a sure rocke and dependeth vpon Christ a sound and vnmoueable foundation O Lord of hostes returne looke downe from heauen and behold visit thy Uine and make it perfect which thy right hand hath planted and thou hast chosen to thy selfe Hedge the same about with thy strong defence that the branches thereof being spread out and pruned may bring foorth aboundance of fruite Raise vp thy power come O God and saue vs. Conuert vs shewe foorth thy countenance and we shall be saued Encrease thy sheepe within thy hardels so shall we be quiet from all inuasion and scatterings neither can anie drawe vs by force out of thy hands Defend vs from such as seeke the vtter ouerthrowe of pure religion and in place thereof labour to bring in the shamefull instauration of blasphemous idolatrie Suffer not thy word that most cleere and vnchangeable light to be corrupted or put out by our meanes but gather to thy selfe through the sound of the Gospell such a Church as may harken vnto thee honour and sanctifie thy name as well in word as in honest conuersation that so thou maist haue a righteous and holie generation celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore O ioine vs vnto that companie which doth worship thee continuallie that we may be citizens of thy kingdome among thy Saincts Grant that we erre not frō the foundation of wholsome doctrine answering to the rules of the sacred Scripture and that we offend not against our conscience but separate vs from the companie of the vngodlie ones and from the damned crue of the reprobate Let vs not so much as take their names into our mouths which powre out heapes of blasphemies to thy great dishonour and defacing of thy truth vnto whom thy sonne is a destruction and stone of offence For they despise his base estate and the foolish preaching of thy Gospell and the deformed shew of the Church placed in the midst of all kind of miseries they loath and abhor preferring vncertaine riches lordlie authoritie and the vaine pleasures of this transitorie world before the profession of the truth so making warre with thy sonne they doo purchase euerlasting destruction vnto themselues Keepe vs euermore that wee may abide in that Church which is trulie Catholike consisting of members of manie nations but linked vnto thee in one and the same confession Sanctifie vs with thine holie spirit that our sinnes being forgiuen vs wee may take another trade of life in acknowledging thee to be the onlie true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Giue vnto thy Church resting places and nests where they may sound thy sacred Gospell purelie without corruption Suppresse the diuell which spredeth blasphemies against thy doctrine that so neither feined gods may be erected nor superstitious inuocations confirmed nor thy glorie defaced Weaken the power of thine enimies which boile in hatred against thy truth and conspire the death of thine elect so neither shall stables of woolues be made nor dennes of theeues established O Lord returne and quicken vs so shall thy people reioice in thee Let all such as trust in thee reioice and triumph for euer Dwell thou in them and let those which loue thy name reioice in thee O Lord remember not our offences Thou which wast somtime mercifull and forgauest the wickednesse of thy people and hidst all their sinnes which withdrawedst all thine anger and turnedst from the fiercenesse of thine indignation be mindfull of thy woonted mercie and receiue vs into thy fauour For we depend vpon thee alone being destitute of all worldlie aid our trust wholie is in thee and all our confidence resteth in thy stretched-out arme O Lord couer vs with thy grace as it were with a shield that so we may be blessed and abiding in the house of thy congregation may acknowledge and call vpon thee according to thy word reuealed and praise thee euermore through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier for vnitie in faith and religion O Eternall God and most mercifull Father which hast called vs to the vnitie of the true Catholike faith and gathered vs by thy word into the lap of the Christian congregation that wee may be all of vs one bodie and one spirit euen as wee are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and Father of all which is aboue all and through all and in vs all For euen as thou O Father art in thy sonne and he in thee so should we also be one in thee our God And therefore we crie vnto thee O almightie Father and eternall God teach vs thy waies that we may walke in thy truth O knit our harts vnto thee that we may feare thy name Grant that all the faithfull may be like affected and of one mind as thou art thinking the same thing after the ensample of Christ our Sauiour and that as well in minds as with mouth we may agree among our selues both in true doctrine and in outward behauiour of conuersation For the scope of the Churches felicitie consisteth in the vnitie of true faith and religion Keepe vs in the true vnderstanding and right knowledge of thy sacred Scriptures that without strife and contention we may speake one thing Let there be no dissentions nor schismes among vs. Let nothing be done through contention or of vaine glorie but let vs be one bodie indued with one mind and iudgment according to thy word reuealed vntill we attaine to the vnitie of faith and knowledge of thy sonne into a perfect man according to the measure of the
corne with hailestones nor with hailestones smite thou our cattell and deliuer our flocks from the thunderbolt Cast not the feercenesse of thy wrath anger and displeasure vpon vs. Giue vs not hailestones for raine neither flames of fire in our land but of thy mercie conuert the thunder into gentle raine whereby it may bring out fruit aboundantlie Send not among vs either vntimelie or vntemperate showres which be either noisome to the fruits and bring the mildew or destroie the corne Restraine in like sort the winds and violent tempests that they bring none hurt neither to vs or our goods euen for Christes sake our Lord and Sauiour Amen In time of dearth or famine O GOD heauenlie father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitfull beasts increase and fishes doo multiplie behold we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people and graunt that the scarsitie and dearth which we doo now most iustlie suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnesse be mercifullie turned into cheapenesse and plentie for the loue of Iesu Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost bee praise for euer Amen Another praier in time of anie plague or sicknesse warre penurie orscarsenesse c. O Eternall and euerliuing God most mercifull father which of thy great long suffering and patience hast hitherto suffered and borne with vs most miserable offenders who haue so long straied out of thy waie and broken all thy lawes and commandements and haue neither by thy manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs vnworthie and vnthankefull sinners nor by the voice of thy seruants and preachers by continuall threatnings out of thy holie word hitherto bin moued as the children of loue to returne vnto thee our most gratious father either for feare of thy iudgements as humble and lowlie seruants to turne from our wickednesse And therefore most righteous iudge thy patience being as it were ouercome at the last with our obstinate repentance thou hast most iustlie executed those thy terrible threats now partlie vpon vs by plaguing vs so with most dreadfull and deadlie sicknesse with troubles of warres with penurie and scarsenesse of foode and victuall whereby great multitudes of vs are dailie afflicted and consumed We beseech thee O most mercifull father that in thy wrath thou wilt remember thine old great mercies to correct vs in thy iudgements and not in thy iust anger least we be all consumed and brought to naught Looke not so much vpon our deseruings O most righteous Iudge to take iust vengeance on our sinnes but rather remember thine infinit mercies O most mercifull father promised to vs by thy deerelie beloued sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ for whose sake and in whose name we doo earnestlie and humblie craue mercie and forgiuenesse of our sinnes and deliuerance from this horrible sicknesse wars dearth c. being thy iust punishment and plague for the same And as thy holie word doth testifie that thy people of all ages being iustlie plagued for their sinnes and yet in their distresse vnfeinedlie turning vnto thee and suing for thy mercie obteined the same so likewise we most worthilie now afflicted with greeuous and dreadfull plagues for our iniquities praie thee O most mercifull father to grant vs thy heauenlie grace that we may likewise both trulie and vnfeinedlie repent and obtaine thy mercie and deliuerance from the same which we beseech thee O father of all mercies God of all consolation grant vs for the same Iesus Christs sake our onlie sauiour mediator and aduocate Amen In time of anie common plague or sicknesse ALmightie God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid diddest slea with the plague of pestilence threescore and tenne thousand and yet remembring thy mercie didst saue the rest haue pitie vpon vs miserable sinners that now are visited with great sicknesse and mortalitie that like as thou didst then command thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdrawe from vs this plague and greeuous sicknesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A forme of meditation and praier verie meete to be vsed dailie of all honsholders in their houses especiallie in the dangerous and contagious time of the plague The Maister Mistres kneeling with their familie in some conuenient place of their house well perfumed before with frankincense or some other wholesome thing as iuniper rosemarie rosewater and vineger c. shall with feruent harts saie or cause to be said that that followeth The seruants and familie to euerie petition shall saie Amen Maister or Mistresse WE reade in thy holie word O Lord what blessings thou hast of thy mercie promised to them that liue obedientlie according to thy blessed will and commandements Wee reade also the cursses that thy instice hath pronounced against such as despise thy word or negligentlie passe not to liue thereafter And among the rest of thy heauie cursses thou threatenest by name the plague and the pestilence with other noisome and most painfull diseases to such as forsaking thee worship strange gods and followe their owne vaine fantasies in stead of thy sacred ordinances We find also how extreamelie thine owne people the Iewes haue oftentimes fealt the performance of these thy bitter threatenings and that for sundrie and diuers offences bicause they loathed Manna and were not contented with thy miraculous prouision but would haue Qualies and other daintie victuals to content their luxurious appetites thou slewest so manie with a sudden and mightie plague that the place of their buriall was named thereof and called The graues of lust Also for murmuring against the ministers of thy word Moses and Aaron thou destroiedst with a sudden plague xiiij thousand and more besides those traitors whom the earth swallowed for their rebellion And had not Aaron intreated for them and gone betweene the quicke and the dead thou wouldest haue consumed them all as thou wast minded to haue done before when they despised the plentifull land which thou hadst promised them had not Moses staied thy wrath when thou saiedst I will strike them with the pestilence and vtterlie destroie them Furthermore when they had lost thine Ark through their owne sinnes and the sinnes of their priests the keepers therof after that the Philistines were forced through thy plaguing hand religiously to send it home againe thou strookest with the plague fiftie thousand of the Beth-samites thy people for rashlie presuming to looke into the same not hauing thy warrant so to doo In the time of King Dauid thou destroiedst three score and ten thousand of thy people in three daies with thy wasting plague of pestilence mooued thereto by the transgression of Dauid the King whom for the sinnes of the people thou sufferedst to be tempted and subdued with a vaine curiositie to number the people Also shortlie after the death of that immaculate Lambe our Sauiour thou sufferedst the plague to reigne among the members of his bodie the Church of the Corinthians
generall earthquake praie OH eternall mightie and most louing Father which hast no desire of the death of a sinner but that he conuert and liue and vnto whom nothing is so pleasant as the repentant contrite and sorowfull hart of a penitent person For thou art that kind father that fallest most louinglie vpon the necke of the lost sonne kissest imbracest and feastest him when he returneth from the puddle of pleasures and swill of the swine and disdainest not the repentant praier of thy poore and sinfull seruants whensoeuer with true faith they returne and call vpon thee as we haue most comfortable examples in Dauid Manasses Magdalen Peter and the theefe vpon the gibbet We most hartilie and humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to looke downe from the throne of thy mercie-seate vpon vs most miserable and sinfull slaues of Satan which with fearfull and trembling harts doo quake and shake at the strange and terrible tokens of thy wrath and indignation appearing most euidentlie vnto vs by the shaking moouing of the earth which is thy footestoole whereby if we be not vtterlie destitute of grace we be warned that thy cōming-downe amongst vs to visit our sinnes in most terrible maner can not be farre off seeing thou treadest so hard vpon this thy footestoole the earth which we most shamefullie haue polluted and defiled with our most wicked sinfull and rebellious liues notwithstanding thy continuall crieng and calling vpon vs by thy seruants the prophets and preachers by whome we haue learned thy will but haue not followed it We haue heard much and done little yea nothing at all but like most peruerse and vnthankfull children haue made a mocke of thy word derided thy ministers and accounted thy threatenings trifles and thy warnings of no weight or moment Wherefore we haue iustlie deserued to taste most deeplie of the bitter cup of thine anger and bengeance by wars famine pestilence yea and eternall death if thou shouldest not temper the rigour of thy iustice with the mildnesse of thy mercie But such is thy fatherlie affection towards vs that thou shewest thy selfe slowe to anger long suffering and of much patience and mercie yea thou art a thousand times more readie to forget and forgiue than we to aske and require forgiuenesse Therefore though we be not woorthie of the least mite of thy mercie yet gratious Lord looke not vpon vs and our sinnes but vpon thine owne selfe and thy sonne Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace the treasure of mercie the salue of all sicknesse the iewell of ioie and the onlie hauen of succour and safetie By him we come to thee in him and for him we trust to find that we haue lost and gaine that he hath got He is the scale of Iacob by whom we climbe vp to thee and thou by the Angels of thy mercie cōmest downe to vs. Him we present vnto thee and not we our selues his death and not our dooings his bloudie wounds and not our detestable deseruings whose merits are so great as thy mercie cannot be little and our ransom so rich that our beggerlie and beastlie sinnes are nothing in thy sight for the great pleasure and satisfaction that thou takest of his paines and passion Turne this late earthquake O Lord to the benefite of thine elect as thou didst when thou shookest the prison loosedst the locks fetters and chaines of thy seruants Paule and Silas and broughtst them out of prison and conuertedst their keeper so gratious Lord strike the harts of tyrants with the terrour of this thy woorke that they may knowe that they are but men and that thou art that Samson that for their mocking and spiting of thee and thy word canst shake the pillers of their palaces and throwe them vpon the furious Philistines heads Turne thy wrath oh Lord from thy children that call vpon thy name to the conuersion or confusion of thine enimies that despise and abhorre thy name and deface thy glory Thou hast knocked long at their doores but they will not open to let thee in Burst open therefore the brasen gates of their stonie harts thou that art able of stones to raise vp children to Abraham And finallie so touch our harts with the finger of thy grace that we maie deeply muse vpon our sinfull liues to amend them and call for thy mercie to forgiue and pardon them through Christ our Lord who liueth with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one eternall God to whome be all dominion and glorie with praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Or else praie thus O Almightie God and most mercifull Father which willest not the death of a sinner but rather that hee should returne and liue we thy seruants most humblie confesse that we haue most greeuouslie offended against thy diuine Maiestie and prouoked thy heauie wrath against vs in that we haue not beleeued and folowed thy Gospell preached vnto vs nor beene thankfull for thy manie verie great benefits bestowed vpon vs yea and being warned by the dangers of other haue beene too carelesse to serue thee oh Lord the Father of all mercie and the God of all consolation which in thy wrath remembrest mercie We acknowledge that in the late terrible earthquake which suddenly shooke vs out of our houses and dwelling places thou didst warne vs of thy iustice and that we for our great vnthankfulnesse and disobedience haue deserued most iust iudgement O Lord we thy seruants being vile earth and miserable sinners yet trembling and quaking at the remembrance of that terrible looke of thy wrathfull displeasure neuer to be forgotten most humblie craue pardon for our sinnes and grace to conuert vnto thee in time Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Mollifie our hard harts grant vs a contrite spirit and to turne vnto thee vnfeinedlie in fasting weeping praier Enter not into iudgement with thy seruants spare thy people O Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Haue mercie vpon vs for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake Giue vs grace hencefoorth to amend our liues and to serue thee in holines and righteousnesse So we acknowledging thy iustice and remembring alwaies that fearefull signe of thy furie in the memorable earthquake which thou sentest y e sixt of Aprill in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred fourescore we shall praise thee for thy mercie and glorifie thy holie name for euer through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen At the sight of a blasing starre or other meteors or prodigious signes of Gods iudgment in the heauens praie to preuent the euils foreshewed thereby and saie O Almightie Lord and God whose workemanship is the whole world the heauen and the earth with all the beautie and blessings of the same at the presence of whose power all things doo quake and tremble whose indignation when it threatneth vengeance vnto sinners is vnsufferable and whose promises of mercie are vnmeasurable bicause thou art euen the most high Lord ouer
iniquitie shall be suppressed and thy chosen children be fullie endued with that perfect glorie in the which now our Lord Iesus Christ reigneth to whome with thee O father and the holie Ghost be all honour praise and glorie now and euer Amen In time of inuasion by the Turke and Infidels that make warre in anie part of Christendome praie and that earnestlie as followeth OMnipotent and eternall God father of our Lord Iesus Christ maker preseruer and mainteiner both of heauen and earth together with thy coeternall sonne and the holie Ghost we haue sinned O Lord with our fathers we haue done amisse and dealt wickedlie and therfore we confesse that by thy righteous iudgements we are iustlie punished and haue trulie deserued that barbarous nations and cruell Turks making inuasion into Christendome should spoile vs of our goods ouerthrowe Schooles Churches Common-weales make pitifull hauocke of the promiscuous mixt or confused multitude of sillie weake people as they were sheepe prepared to the shambles and carrie miserable men from the sweet bosoms of their deere freends into far and barbarous nations to a slauerie more greeuous than death O God it is thou which hast repelled vs yea thou makest vs a shame to the nations for our sinnes and goest not foorth to war with our armies Thou makest vs to turne our backs vpon our enimies so that they which hate vs spoile our goods Thou lettest vs to bee eaten like sheepe and hast scattered vs among the heathen Thou sellest thy people for naught and takest no monie for them Therefore he the heathen come into thine inheritance thy holie Temple haue they defiled they haue destroied our townes and houses and brought them into an heape of stones The dead bodies of thy seruants haue they giuen to be meate to the fowles of the aire and the flesh of thy Saincts vnto the beasts of the land Their bloud haue they shed like water on euerie side and there was no man to burie them We are become an open shame to our enimies a verie scorne and derision vnto them that are round about vs. O Lord in these mischieuous warres and in the middest of fatall or mortall punishments which threaten an horrible mutation of worldlie empires we flie vnto thee saieng Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes O Lord deale not with vs according to our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities but haue mercie vpon vs and that soone for we are come to great miserie Looke vpon our aduersitie and miserie and forgiue vs all our sinnes Consider our enimies how manie they be and they beare a tyrannicall hate against vs. Thou which aforetime didst remit the offences of thy people diddest couer all their sinnes and didst turne awaie thine heauie indignation from them turne vs we humblie beseech thee O God our Sauiour and remooue awaie thy displeasure from vs also that in true repentance wee may please thee for thy sonne Christs sake Wilt thou be displeased at vs for euer Or wilt thou stretch thy wrath from one generation to another Oh let the sorowfull sighing of the prisoners come before thee according to the greatnesse of thy power preserue thou those that are appointed to die Powre out thine indignation rather vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thee and vpon the kingdoms that haue not called vpon thy name that all nations may knowe that thou takest vengeance of the bloud of thy seruants that is shed Consider the mortall threatenings of our enimies that they exercise not their crueltie vpon vs and saie triumphantlie Where is now their God Keepe from our necks the greeuous yoke of the Turkish bondage and represse the furiousnesse of all tyrants which labour to spoile and make hauocke of thy Church to abolish true doctrine praiers and pure religion that they may bring in paganisme and build vp idolatrie errours and blasphemous ceremonies Defend our Churches our politike gouernance our Schooles and Uniuersities our cities and dwelling places Suffer not good studies learning religion and lawes being ouerthrowne these our townes to be reduced into stables for sauage Mahomets Turkish tyrants or other bloudie tyrants which hate thee and vs extremelie Arme the right arme of our gratious Queene and hir Nobles as also all other Christian Emperours Kings and Potentates that they may fight for our lawes liues and libertie Teach their hands to warre and their fingers to fight Increase in them an inuincible courage of mind that inflamed through the zeale of thy religion they may valiantlie withstand the Turks which are the mortall enimies of thy deere Sonne and of his Church Guide thou the hands of such as doo fight in the cause of thy religion and grant them happie successe ouer all their enimies For a king is not preserued by his great armie and a giant shall not be saued by the multitude of his host nor warlike strength but the victorie proceedeth from the heauens At thy rebuke O God the chariot and horses fall downe Thou shalt take awaie the courage of princes and art terrible vnto the kings of the earth O be thou our helpe in trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Through thee O mightie Iehoua we shall doo great acts and thou wilt tread our enimies vnder thy feet that they come to naught through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing vnto God for the Christians victorie had against the Turks O Mercifull Father O Lord God of hosts the onelie protector and defender of thine heritage against whome no might no power nor counsell can preuaile who of thy great mercie without our merit or deseruing hast at all times protected defended vs from the cruell hand of our enimies and mightilie deliuered vs euen out of the mouth of the roring Lion we yeeld vnto thee O father for these thy great goodnesses and mercies most humble hartie thanks and especiallie O father we praise thy holie name that at this present thou hast saued and deliuered thy people from the great assaults and dangers of that same professed mightie enimie of Christian Religion the Turke and also hast giuen vnto the people which fought thy battels battelled vnder thy banner and trusted onlie in thy helpe so great and notable a victorie for the which O Lord God we doo laud and magnifie thy holie name for euer through Christ our Captaine Redeemer and Sauiour beseeching thee for thy mercifull goodnesse that thou wouldest sheeld vs vnder thy mightie protection for euer that we hauing the fruition of godlie peace through thy mercie may the rest of these few daies which we haue to liue lead a peaceable and a quiet life in all pietie and honestie through Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen O God whose nature and propertie is euer to haue mercie and to forgiue receiue our humble petitions And though
Remember now O my soule that thou art brought from thy vaine conuersation and that thy freedome is purchased neither with gold nor siluer but with the deere price of the most pretious hart bloud of that innocent and immaculate lambe Iesus Christ And euen now at the least O my soule begin and take in hand in the name and feare of God to purge the old leauen of sinne and wickednesse that corrupteth and sowreth the sweetnesse of thy life before the maiestie of God that thou maist be as new and fresh dough void of all sowre leauen of wickednesse so shalt thou shew thy selfe to be sweet bread to God that he may haue his delight in thee so shalt thou declare thy selfe a worthie host for such a ghest and that Christes gifts and graces haue their effect in thee and that thou hast the right beleefe and knowledge of his holie mysteries now receiued of thee finallie so shalt thou in applieng thy faith to the vertue of this holie Sacrament and in thy life and conuersation conforming and fashioning thy selfe to the example and signification meant thereby be most certaine and sure to liue in this life happilie in the world to come to dwell with Christ whome thou hast now receiued in euerlasting glorie which God for his mercies sake and for the deere and pretious merits of his onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christs sake grant vnto vs Amen The Praier SO great and manifold are thy benefits O most good and mercifull God towards mankind as all people in euerie place ought greatlie to laud woorthilie to praise and highlie to extoll magnifie thy blessed name For what thing can be more pleasant to men than that thou dooest easilie heare them at what time they call vpon thee for such things as they stand in need of In what other good things ought we more to reioice of than this for that thou yeeldest thy selfe appeased and fauourable to our iniquities Or why bee we not right happie and blessed whome thou diddest vouchsafe to annexe vnto thy selfe in thy sacred congregation in feeding our hungrie stomachs with spirituall good things and heauenlie deinties and refreshing vs continuallie with the most exquisite and well furnished banket of thy blessed Sacraments making vs to eate aboundantlie of thy heauenlie Manna and food of Angels and to drinke plentiouslie of the full cup of thy holie spirit and diuine grace to our endlesse comfort and consolation in thee Oh Lord thou dealest fauourablie euen with all other creatures also for thine elects sake Thou stablishest the mountaines stillest the raging of the sea appeasest the madnesse of the people and dooest refresh and lighten with great ioie the vttermost parts of the earth through the brightnesse of the heauenlie fires Thou sendest seasonable weather and timelie showers whereby onlie commeth fertilitie of the feelds woonderfullie garnished with all kinde of fruites whereby both men and beasts haue aboundantlie wherewith to feed Grant thou therefore thus much also vnto vs who art the author of so manie good things that we may alwaie be mindfull thereof to render most condigne thanks vnto thee and that an alteration of our old leauen being now made through the vertue of this blessed Sacrament which we haue receiued we may like the eagle from time to time renew our youth in godlines of life and vse to our health and comfort those things which thou so louinglie bestowest vpon vs thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen At the solemnization of Matrimonie praie thus ALmightie God and most mercifull father who hast ordeined marriage to be kept without blame or breach to the end not suffering that anie should put asunder those whome thou hast ioined together Sanctifie those which are called to this estate of life to keepe it according to thy holie institution and ordinance And furthermore as thou requirest that we should loue thee aboue all things esteeming more thy fauour than either the riches or honour of this world or life it selfe so we beseech thee O Lord to teach vs how to vse these transitorie things that we abuse them not in setting our harts vpon them or delighting more in them than is meete but that we may so loue our husbands children house lands and our owne liues or whatsoeuer thou giuest vs for our comfort heere for a time that we may keepe still the highest degree of our loue for thee our spirituall husband so that where the question shall be betweene thee and anie thing else we may make losse of all things to abide perfectlie in our loue towards thee to the end to whome with the father and the holie ghost be all laud and praise for euer and euer Amen Or as at the solemnization of Matrimonie in the fift Lampe At the buriall of anie meditate and praie as followeth O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the giuer of eternall life we hartilie thanke thee because thou art inwardlie touched with mercie towards vs oppressed both with temporall and euerlasting miseries thou hast tasted death and with thy flesh thou hast touched the graue and earth wherby it is sanctified and made light to the godlie so that it can not keepe them in etternall death According to thy commandement there stand the bringers and ministers of death euen sinne and Satan but thou pluckest the faithfull out of the iawes of death bringest them to a new life through the comfort of thy Gospell teachest them to speake and sound foorth thy glorie cōmendest them in this life to the mother the Church and at length death and all euils being subdued thou wilt bring them into thy kingdome Wee humblie beseech thee take mercie vpon thy Church in these miserable daies For she is as a widowe destitute of all worldlie helpe and dependeth onlie vpon thy mercifull aid and protection Speake vnto hir with cheerfull voice and saie Weepe not powre vpon thine the true light of faith and comfort lift vs vp in the mids of death with a confidence of thy presence and hope of eternall life Driue awaie the gard of death teach vs to set foorth thy truth and at the length let vs be placed with the sweet mother of all Saints in the true countrie of that happie citie Ierusalem where we shall for euermore enioie the blessed sight both of thee and thy heauenlie congregation Amen Another deuout praier at burials LORD thou art God for euer short is our life alwaies some of vs die other some come into the world and with thee a thousand yeeres bee but one daie yea as the least minute of an houre This life passeth awaie as dooth a dreame euen as grasse in the field greene to daie and drie to morowe If thou be displeased then we be lost if thou chasten then shrinke we for feare For thorough sinnes we be dead vnto thee Certes Lord if thou haue respect to our sinnes who shall continue Shew vs how manie be the daies of our life that we
breed in vs anie carnall desire of our vaine life but to enable our bodies with all good works during the time of this present pilgrimage that so thy good creatures may be our good releefe so long as thou wilt and so much as thou knowest to be expedient for vs thy seruants to finish our daies which thou hast numbred in the edifieng of thy Saincts and glorifieng of thy holie name And because O Lord we knowe nothing of our selues but our ignorant harts are full of darkenesse therefore we beseech thee that this thy word which is thine eternall wisdome that now we haue read and wherein we haue had our conference may be in our minds a burning lampe and shining light of thine onlie truth in our harts and in our soules a fruitefull seed of a new birth so that thine owne image may be happilie againe restaured in vs that we may bee made before thee a holie and righteous people by the inward working of thy gratious spirit dailie strengthening our harts in earnest loue of thy truth and carefull obedience of thy commandements through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator who in the sacrifice of his owne bodie hath purchased vnto vs all thy fauour and hath giuen vs boldnesse to call vpon thee vnto whome O father with thee and the holie Ghost bee all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another praier after meate on the Lords daie SAnctified be thy name O eternall father who by thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord dooest euermore protect and prouide for thy Church both spirituall and corporall blessings bestowing most liberallie vpon vs all good things asked according to thy will Lift vp thine eies O Christ and behold thy miserable people which depend altogither vpon thy prouision and acknowledge our selues to be fed and defended miraculouslie by thee Assist vs that we also may withdrawe our eies from the consultations of flesh and bloud and looke vpon thee our Lord by whose blessing we eate and store our selues And albeit all worldlie helps do faile yet bee thou a firie wall still about vs and feed and defend thy Saincts in the feelds of comfort vntill thou begin that ioifull Passouer and euerlasting Sabboth and bring vs out of the wildernesse out of the sea and penurie into the court of ioie wealth satietie and euerlasting welfare In the meane while make vs thankfull for the benefits which we enioie Let vs gather vp the remnants or fragments cast from thy sumptuous and rich banket vnto vs. Preserue our baskets and blesse our store euen the arts and schooles of learning that by them thy doctrine may be spread abroade in the world Make vs not onlie to honour thee for these thy corporall benefits but much more for giuing thy selfe vnto vs which art the bread of life Be thou our King defending vs in this life against the power of Sathan and feed vs with thy heauenlie bread which may nourish vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Another praier after meate that daie you haue receiued the holie Communion SEeing that of thy free grace and mercie O almightie God thou hast made vs partakers this daie of all thy riches both in spirituall and corporall things in Christ Iesu who of our selues are vnwoorthie to haue gathered the crumbs vnder thy table make vs more and more mindfull of so great mercies and continuallie thankefull to thee for so manifold benefits and to walke woorthie the honour and dignitie thou hast done vnto vs that we may receiue the full accomplishment of thy loue towards vs in the life to come through the same our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing vnto God for our food to be read and meditated vpon after meate WE thanke thee O King of glorie Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast from our youth to this present houre maruellouslie nourished vs giuing vs meate drinke cloathing with all other things perteining to the sustentation of this present life Naked and bare came we out of our mothers wombs wee brought nothing into the world but whatsoeuer we haue thou gauest the same yea it was afore we were borne and in our mothers wombe didst thou ordeine things necessarie for this life and sufferedst vs to enioie all things aboundantlie Alwaie thou hast a care of vs as a father vseth his children neither art thou ignorant that we stand in need continuallie of thy blessings and dailie are destitute of new releefe all which thou giuest after thy woonted and vnspeakable goodnesse We acknowledge that whatsoeuer we haue or possesse it is thy gift and confesse thee to be the fountaine of all good things and perceiue thy fatherlie goodnesse to be spread not onlie ouer all mankind but also ouer the liuing creatures Thou giuest meate to all flesh thou giuest fodder to the cattell and feedest the yoong rauens that call vpon thee For corporall goods are not distributed among men by chance or without thy prouidence neither be they atteined by the onlie industrie and power of man Thou giuest and we gather thou openest thy hand and all liuing creatures are filled with thy blessing For without thee all our endeuours be in vaine and if thou blesse not our labours we doo but eate the wind and receiue no profit Great is thy mercie O Lord which disdainest not to prouide for sinfull flesh O Lord our God great are thy woonderous works which thou hast done for vs the which we can not so much as in thought comprehend muchlesse in words expresse When we would report and vtter them we found them more than we could recite but notwithstanding thine infinite benefits can not be comprehended of mortall man yet will we not surcease to set foorth thy praise nor hide thy goodnesse from the sonnes of men but will declare it and speake of thy truth from one generation to another Blessed art thou O our God for euer and euer all that is either aboue in the heauens or in the earth beneath is thine All things come from thee and from thine hands we receiue whatsoeuer we possesse and all these things of thy meere mercie without our merits or woorthinesse Therefore we will magnifie the Lord which doth mightie things in all corners of the earth which dooth nourish vs from our mothers wombs and giueth vs all good things Grant vs likewise quietnesse of mind and peace in our time that thy grace may abound toward vs continue and defend vs while we liue O almightie and mercifull father by thy breath we take life the which through thy blessing doth abide in vs. In thee we liue moue and haue our being For man liueth not by bread onlie or by his owne wisedome and forecast neither art thou bound with a fatall chaine of second causes but by thy decree and will we enioie life and all things created at thy becke doo continue while thou thinkest good
Giue vs not onlie store of all things to the necessitie of life but grant also to our meate and drinke vertue and power to releeue and strengthen our bodies For thou alone vpholdest all things by thy word of power Unlesse thou dailie didst feed vs with the hidden grace which thou dooest inspire into the bread to feed vs all the heapes of our yeerelie increase were to small purpose For be it that there be aboundance of wheate wine and of all other things yet vnlesse they be watered by thy blessing quicklie would all come to naught and we should perish for lacke of food in all that aboundance For all the substance that we possesse what is it without thou prosper and fructifie the same with thy blessing And albeit we feed on bread yet we ascribe not our life to the vertue of the bread neither is thy power tied to the bread nor mans life included within the same but altogither it dependeth vpon thy will and good pleasure We beseech thee for thy most large and bountifull liberalitie cast vs not off in the time of our old age and when our strength faileth vs forsake vs not Likewise confirme our faith that we distrust not thy promises neither be driuen from thee by anie meanes seeme they neuer so contrarie to naturall causes but giue grace that we may withdrawe our eies from all worldlie consultations and as touching our food and other necessaries for this life may wholie depend vpon thee and at no time go beyond the limits which thou hast prepared through our Lord Iesus Christ which liueth and reigneth with thee for euermore Amen At noone-tide or mid-daie saie thus O Lord my light my inlightning and my welfare from whence all true brightnesse and light doth come grant I beseech thee that as of thy goodnesse thou hast giuen me thus plentifullie this corporall light to compasse my bodie on euerie side so of thy mercie giue me aboundantlie the spirituall light of thy grace and knowledge which may inlighten my mind and cause mine age to appeare as cleere as the noone daie And because O Lord nothing in this world is so perfect and glorious but when it is at the full it will decrease and weare awaie euen as we see in the course of this thy glorious creature the Sunne which now being at the highest will begin to drawe downeward Graunt also I beseech thee that when at the age of fortie yeeres my bodie by little and little shall begin to fade and the beautie thereof wither and drawe towards an end it togither with my soule in the daie of iudgement may shine as bright as the Sunne being now at the highest doth and may then begin to be glorified to the full in the region of the celestiall world where the Sunne of all righteousnesse and the brightnesse of perpetuall charitie and felicitie doth euerlastinglie shine and inlighten all the holie companie of heauen Amen Or else thus LOrd let thy fauour preuent vs as doth the Sunne which being now in the highest region spreadeth his beames ouer all the parts of the earth And as the brightnesse therof shineth now without the clouds after the same sort giue vs thy cleerenesse and shewe thy bright countenance ouer vs that lightened by thy word wee may walke this daie thorough circumspectlie and warilie in the waies of thy commandements that being blinded in the mid daie we run not headlong into darkenesse neither grope at noone daie as in the night wandering from the paths of thy iudgements Open thine eies O God ouer vs be thou vnto vs a mightie protector this daie a firmament of strength a couering against heate parching a shadow at noone tide a defender from offence an assister from falling a comforter of our soules a lightener of our minds and a giuer of health and happines in Christ our Lord Amen ¶ After meate the better to keepe you from vaine exercises and idle cogitations and to spend the Sabboth daie both wholie and holilie to the Lord as it behooueth take occasion on Gods name either to cathechise your children and familie or to praie for the preseruation of the Queenes most excellent maiestie or to reade deuoutlie some of these godlie meditations and praiers of Gods works and feasts following On Sundaie A praier for the right keeping of the Sabboth or Sundaie O Eternall father of our Lord Iesu Christ which togither with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost didst create man of thine infinite mercie powredst into him a similitude of those things which are most excellent in thee the fountaine of all goodnesse and wouldest in that nature as it were in a Temple seeing thine image to shine therein continue and celebrate the ioifull Sabboth When man had defaced thine image and was pluckt from thee it was thy will that the Sonne of thine owne substance should take our flesh vpon him and be made a sacrifice for the sinnes of mankind bee crucified die yea and on the great Sabboth daie of the lawe lie in the graue where the word after an vnspeakable manner rested that we may receiue againe the societie of the new and celestiall Sabboth We beseech thee grant that thy Sonne which is the Lord of that Sabboth may begin in this life to rest in vs to heale the corruptions of our nature by his holie spirit which is the heauenlie fire to drie vp the dropsie of our flesh that he may loue vs which are bone of his bones to make vs one with him through his spirit and finallie to bring vs into that glorious companie where the eternall Sabboth is in such excellencie as can not be conceiued by the hart of man In the meane while let vs ceasse from this hurlie burlie this toiling and drudging in the vaine trumperie of this world so as once at last we may religiouslie halowe and keepe the godlie rest of the new Sabboth in doing such things as be allowable and pleasant vnto thee and sanctifieng thee in true rest and peace Drawe vs from the vaine fantasies of present things that we may attend and await vpon thee and thy ioifull comming Grant I saie that we may be humbled vnder thy mightie hand that we may knowe our infirmities obeie thee in our crosses and correction looke vnto thee in a liuelie faith and hope of a ioifull deliuerance which then shall be perfect when thy Sonne by his trumpet shall summon the new Sabboth and drawe vnto him on high where he sitteth at thy right hand exalted thine elect all thine enimies which through beastlie arrogancie blushed not to contend and fight against thee being subdued Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie father who after that in sixe daies thou haddest created all things didst rest the seauenth daie and sanctifiedst it teach vs to keepe holie the Sabboth daie not in shew and cercmonie onlie but much more in euerie good woorke which thou hast commanded not in part for fashion sake but wholie
the whole spacious dominions of both Iles and the adiacent lands gouerned triumphantlie so as it is hard to find the man that more orderlie hath managed the charge of anie one houshold than the daughter of thy house with hir virginall hands hath weelded the weightie scepter of sundrie and mightie populous nations In hir time haue been seene the golden yeeres of the reigne of hir father Dauid and the peacefull kingdom of Salomon to haue been aduanced the earth not to haue denied hir fruitfulnesse the sea hir increase the clouds their drops the heauens their fairenesse the sunne his warmth the yeere hir goodnesse but the vallies stand thicke with corne the wildernesse crowned with gladnesse the furrowes watered the mountaines laugh sing the folds full of sheepe our sonnes and our daughters growe vp like to the polished corners of the Temple our yoong men see visions and our old men prophesie Ierusalem hir light shining vnto hir the glorie of the Lord risen vnto hir the Queene bringing hir honor vnto the Citie of Dauid and the nations walking in the light thereof Great is the honour that thou O Iehouah hast heaped vpon vs and honourable in foraigne regions is the worke that thou hast wrought by thy chosen yea and so much the more hath the brightnesse of this beautie beene powred abroade that whilest Egypt round about hath been darkened euen the whole world in a manner besides vs whome thou hast gathered into pastures of this Gosen and the thicke mists of errour haue blinded the eies of the earth the cloudie piller hath not departed from vs by the daie nor the firie flame by night Whilest other lands round about haue warred to the destruction of one another our Moses hath guided vs in peace Whilest other nations like Egypt round about hath been plagued by the destroier from the first borne sitting vpon the princes throne vnto the vassall and slaue grinding at the handmill our Moses hath not diminished of hir flocke Whilest the firme lands haue beene ouerwhelmed by the rage of the seas and waters our Iland hauing dwelt in peace hath sent hir ship into Ophir for gold and prepared hir nauie against the danger of the enimie Whilest Athalia hath murthered hir owne bloud our Ioas hath learned the lawe of the Lord of Iehoiada Whilest Achas consecrateth his owne sonne in the fire and Samaria eateth hir owne children on the walles our Eliza directeth the children of the Prophets in their offices Whilest Iezabel setteth vp Baal and embrueth Achab with the bloud of the Prophets and of Naboth our Elias gathereth the people of God to mount Carmel to behold the wonder of the fire of God lighting from heauen vpon the sacrifices and replenishing the harts with ioie and tongues with gifts of languages This is then so woorthie an instrument of thy goodnesse and expresse image of thy Maiestie the ample matter of this daies celebritie And now what doth thy people desire at thy hands but that first O Lord thou giue vs thankefull harts and make vs all the daies of our liues mindfull of this thy fatherlie and gratious bountifulnesse Then as presentlie the Queenes highnesse hath gloriouslie atchiued the trauell of full three and twentie yeares and now the annuall celebritie of our voluntarie sacrifice of praise and thanks-giuing therefore returneth so it may by thy benefit full often returne and not once or twice but yeare by yeare and yeare heaped vpon yeare we and our of-spring may behold this felicitie vntill we and she satisfied in aboundance the time drawe along which thou hast appointed for the veiling of hir crowne at the feet of thy sonne Iesus and the course of this earthlie pilgrimage ouerrun we and she at our determined seasons be taken to reigne in the euerlasting kingdome of thy glorie Againe where much is the mischiefe of man great and enormous the rage of Sathan subtill the practises of Antichrist euill our deserts lamentable the state of things whilest open colouring hideth priuie conspiring poisoned lips giue sugred words the breath of Cockatrices the embracings of Scorpions the roring of Bulles the ringing of Libels the raging of Rabsake the sword of Herod the destruction of Abbadon hath beene seene in our streets hath beene heard on our walles hath multiplied before the gates of our Cities that thou destroie vs not in the midst of the works of thy mercie to leaue vs headlesse and hopelesse and make vs a scorne and prouerbe to the enimie but rather to behold the number of the faithfull subiects in the dread of their soules and iust gealousie of their common interest bowing the knees of their harts for the long safetie of Queene Elizabeths sacred princelie person rather than in thy iust furie for auenging of our sinnes to suffer the diuell with the wicked to preuaile in the vniust zealousnesse of their preposterous vowes graceleslie swearing the death of thy Saincts and thine annointed Lastlie that what remaineth of the happie building of thy Church by the hands of thy deere daughter thou plentifullie powre of thy principall spirit vpon hir and rauish hir hart with the flame of the loue of thee and thy house with Moses to leade and with Ioshua to bring into the land of promise with Debora to fight the battell and with Iahel to knocke Sisera of Rome in the temples of his vsurped headship to his vtter destruction with Dauid to bring home the Arke and with Salomon to finish and consecrate to eternitie thy Temple amongst the people on the earth for the time to giue largelie hir fostermilke to Hierusalem in heauen at the time in the purenesse of hir virginitie to be presented to the lambe and sing the song of hir wedding daie with thy Angels thy Saincts to the praise of thy glorious Maiestie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost in one eternall Deitie for euer and euer Amen Another godlie and learned praier for our most gratious souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth O Almightie eternall God creator gouernor preseruer of all things Lord of all lords and King of all kings who madest man like vnto thine owne image that he should honour serue and obeie thee onlie and that all other thy creatures should serue to his vse and commoditie ouer whome thou madest him lord and ruler the forbidden fruit onlie except but he most miserable man by his owne disobedience in eating thereof lost not onlie that kinglie prerogatiue but brought himselfe and all his posteritie into the state of eternall damnation Yet thou O Lord in thine vnspeakable mercie didst then promise and in time broughtest to passe that thine onlie Sonne became man like vnto vs sin except and was borne of a pure virgin by thy diuine prouidence and power who to restore this now most miserable man with all vs whose children by nature we are vnto the state of eternall saluation did suffer most shamefull most vile and bitter yea most cruell and painefull death on the
grace of hartie repentance that as wee knowe so likewise we may acknowledge vnto thee all our vnrighteousnesse and hencefoorth labour the more busilie without anie delaie to amend those things wherein we haue hitherto offended thee We knowe O Lord that this is the onelie time of mercie in so much that if we obtaine it not during this our mortall life there remaineth nothing for vs to be looked for but a fearefull and a rigorous sentence of iudgement Grant therefore we beseech thee O mercifull God that sith we are now in a most damnable estate by the reason of our continuall disobedience out of the which we can by no meanes recouer our selues but by thy mercifull gift of repentance that we may euen now obtaine at thy hands not onlie it but all other thy graces annexed therevnto such as are most needfull for vs to the accomplishing of thy will and to the setting foorth of thy honour and glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord and sauiour who sitteth at thy right hand euen now and euer to make intercession for vs. Daughter Amen For the authoritie of discipline to be established in the Church Mother BEcause that crookednesse and disobedience haue taken so deepe roote in all estates that now adaies manie dare boldlie refuse all Ecclesiasticall censure to the great hinderance of the course of the Gospell grant therefore we beseech thee that like as thou hast dealt with other nations euen so may it please thee now at the length to extend thy like mercie vnto this Realme also and all others that are in the same necessitie that the authoritie of Ecclesiasticall censure and discipline which for our sinnes thou hast hitherto kept backe from vs may be placed in the Church to the due punishment of sinfull life and contempt of thy word in such sort that it may extend indifferentlie vnto all estates both high and lowe as well to the terror of the ill and comfort of the good as also to the speedie and perfect reformation of all such things as are yet disordered in this thy Church through the same Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name for these all things else expedient for vs we lift vp our harts vnto thee saieng as he hath taught vs Mother and Daughter altogether Our Father c. Mother Into thy hands O Lord doo we commend our selues wholie both bodie and soule vouchsafe to receiue vs Lord God of mercie Daughter Amen Mother In thee O God haue we trusted let vs neuer be confounded Daughter Amen Mother Deliuer vs we beseech thee from the power of darkenesse of this world the flesh and the diuell Daughter Amen Mother Lord let it be done vnto vs as we doo put our trust in thee Daughter Amen Mother We beleeue O Lord Lord helpe and make perfect our vnbeleefe Daughter Amen The conclusion of all things else expedient for vs. Mother THese O mercifull Father and all other thy graces such as be most agreeable to thy will to the setting foorth of thy honor and glorie and to the assurance of our saluation grant thou vnto vs we beseech thee in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ And that we may vtterlie cast off all sinfull affections and hencefoorth leade our liues in holinesse righteousnesse and innocencie yeelding vnto thee continuall thanks for all thy benefits and mercies we beseech thee send downe into our harts thy holie spirit to prepare instruct and guide vs in all our thoughts words and works to the fulfilling of thy good will and pleasure to whome the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God of eternall and infinite maiestie be all praise thanks and glorie at all times in all places in all things aboue all things and euen so in vs all now and euer Daughter Amen Mother Blessed be the Lord. Daughter Thanks be to God ¶ If when we are desirous to commend the Church vnto the blessings of God which in our dailie praiers we ought to doo necessarie busines will not well impart so much time as the forme of these praiers require then after good consideration both of Gods former benefits towards vs and of the manifold infirmities of the Church we may doo it in these few words Mother O Lord heare my praier Daughter And let my crie come vnto thee Mother TO thee O heauenlie Father be all thanks honour glorie for because it hath pleased thee through the merits of Iesus Christ to deale so mercifullie with vs. For looke how high the heauen is in comparison of the earth so great hath thy mercie beene towards vs at all times and in all things much beyond that that our foolish harts could wish or desire For the which as we doo yeeld vnto thee all possible thanks from the bottome of our harts euen so doo we humblie beseech thee with thy fatherlie goodnesse to supplie all our infirmities wherewith we dailie offend thee Blesse thou therefore and be mercifull vnto thy Church vniuersallie and to all the members thereof and namelie vnto all Princes and ciuil Magistrates that by their gouernment thy name may be alwaies sanctified and thy glorious kingdome faithfullie prepared Unto all Bishops and spirituall pastors that they may diligentlie execute the charge committed vnto them Unto all subiects and inferiors that they may in thee and for thee obeie serue loue honor all superior powers Unto the ignorant and such as are not yet brought to the knowledge of thy truth that their eies may be opened to the vtter abolishing in them whatsoeuer is not of faith Unto the malicious persecutors also that either their harts may be turned or else that thou take them awaie from among vs. Unto the persecuted and afflicted that they may end their conflicts with victorie whether it be by death or deliuerance Unto thy haruest that it perish not for lacke of reapers Unto Uniuersities and Schooles that they may attaine to ripenesse of good and godlie knowledge and vse the same to the furtherance of thy kingdome Unto this our Realme that we may hartilie repent vs of all our sinnes that thou maist also repent thee of the punishment which thou hast prepared for vs and euer continue thy goodnesse towards vs as thou hast begonne Giuing vnto vs among thine other benefits such authoritie of the ecclesiasticall sword to the amendment of all things and reformation of all estates as may be most to the propagation of thy truth and true religion Finallie vnto vs all that are of the houshold of faith that all other things set apart we may onelie seeke thee and thy kingdome and euer sing praises vnto thy holie name These O Lord and all other graces agreeable to thy holie will and expedient for vs grant vnto thy seruants in the name of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with the holie Ghost be all thanks honour and glorie now and euer Daughter Amen Christian praiers and diuine meditations as generallie to be vsed at all times so especiallie
in the order of their redemption for the infinite benefits of their saluation and for taking our fraile nature and miserable flesh subiect vnto all calamities and destruction vpon him and carieng the same and vs therewith vnto eternall life We therefore liuing in this vaile of wretchednesse lift vp our heads vnto thee O notable Silo which art the fruit of the Uirgin and separate our selues from the detestable damned crue of vnpure spirits and of men powring out blasphemous outcries against thy truth and glorie From our harts we praie thee regenerate and make vs thy children by adoption and grace and dailie renew vs by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee For of our selues we are nothing but flesh and corruption as they that are borne of flesh and can not become thy children except we be begotten and borne againe by a new birth of the holie Ghost Therfore we beseech thee renew vs I say dailie by thy mightie power from aboue that being borne of the spirit our harts and our hands our deeds and deuises and whatsoeuer is in vs may be spirituall as thou art Ioine vs to the societie of thine holie Angels which sing glorie to thee on high and make vs members of that congregation which is knit vnto thee by an indissoluble bond of euerlasting peace with gratefull minds to record and celebrate thy benefits We thanke thee for sauing mankind from eternall damnation and for making the attonement betweene thy father and vs through thine incarnation For so it was expedient according to the order of iustice that the punishment of a guiltlesse man should quit mankind guiltie and that a sufficient satisfaction might be made it was required that he which would be the mediatour should be God God I saie to abide the intollerable burthen of Gods displeasure to vanquish death and to restore vnto man life and saluation to enter into the most holie place and be an eternall Priest God to vnderstand the secret counsell of the father to be priuie vnto the cogitations of harts to heare the grones of all men to be the King of his flocke defending the same against the power of sathan and his members Finallie God to place his Church raised from death in the eternall kingdome of his most glorious father Now forasmuch as the nature of man was not able to bring these things to passe we thanke thee O our sauiour being the word the expresse image and interpretor of the father for vouchsafing to take the office of a mediatour betweene God and vs. Begin in vs we most humblie beseech thee this so great a benefit We are weake we are fowle and filthie but as thou wast brought into this miserable world borne a weake infant and that in a pinching time of the yeare swadled with wretched bands endued with the rags of a miserable nature and laid in a manger among the brutish kind being notwithstanding the verie wisedome of thine eternall father So let thy wisdome appeare in vs miserable men womē in this wofull darkenesse of ours among the blacke clouds of this doting age amongst these troubles and destructions of Common-weales Kindle in vs the sparks of that wisedome which shall be perfect in the life to come and ioine vs to the felowship of thy Saincts Grant that from the hart and ioifullie we may ascribe all glorie fame and honor vnto thee the true God which art wise righteous almightie pure liberall and mercifull according to the rule described in thy commandements which didst send thy Sonne to bring vs to that glorie whereof we were depriued and to restore vs againe to our first integritie which was lost through sinne O Sonne of God confirme thou and seale these things in our harts by thy holie spirit powred vpō vs which may worke within vs vnfeigned righteousnesse that by the same thy spirit shining in the nature which thou tookest vpon thee we may be committed to thee vpholden quickened brought by thee vnto eternall life that that league made betweene God and vs may eternallie be confirmed and we loued in the beloued and the eternall Father may loue vs with that loue wherewith he loueth thee the substantiall image of himselfe Suppresse the diuell that he breake not this woonderfull and profitable peace and suffer vs not hanging on thy necke running to thine armes seeking thy fauour to be plucked out of thy hands Keepe vs we beseech in thy lap as a louing shepheard cherisheth and beareth about his tender lambs And forasmuch as the first tidings of thy natiuitie were brought by the Angel of the Lord vnto shepheards grant that shepheards of the soules that is the ministers and teachers may faithfullie testifie thy benefits vnto mankind and publish abroad what they see knowe spreading foorth thy fame and glorifieng God for the peace which he hath eternallie concluded with vs and finallie may bring thy sheepe to thy stall that is to the congregation of the faithfull Open before vs thy swadling clouts which is thy word that in this life it may crie within vs and we thereby may feele the sense of thy most sweet promises which thine eternall Father hath vttered of thee Blessed are all they which put their trust in him Furthermore our petition is that thou wilt blesse vs and our countrie with all Common-weales Increase among vs dailie y e number of the faithfull prosper the course of the Gospell and suffer not the light thereof by the malice of Sathan to be extinguished Likewise vphold those kingdoms which minister releefe vnto thy Church Repell from the borders of thy seruants the rabblement of Turks Infidels which threaten the decaie of thy Church and destruction of kingdoms Blesse the labours of our hands keepe vs from the contagious diseases and last of all make vs and ours the vessels of mercie and profitable instruments to thy Church and Common-weale Amen Glorie be to God on high Or thus ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who according to the prophesies spoken long before hast giuen vs thine own Sonne to be conceiued of the holie Ghost and borne of the blessed virgin that in thy nature and ours he might be our holie and true Emanuel and Sauior and Sanctifier of those that trust in him Touch our harts with thy holie spirit that considering this so great loue of thine to abase thy Sonne to take vpon him the forme of a seruant to make vs sonnes and heires to thee that our soules may magnifie thee O Lord our Sauiour and blesse thee the Lord GOD of Israel for thus visiting and redeeming thy people and grant vs also the fruit of this thy mercie that by his holinesse our vncleannesse may be done awaie and our corrupt nature sanctified by his holie birth and natiuitie that we putting our trust in him may by him be deliuered both from all our sins and all our enimies and attaine to the fruit of this his infinite loue and goodnesse euen to serue him in holinesse
euill concupiscence inordinate desires wantonnes tendernes delicatenes idlenes dronkennes gluttonie slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weakenes wilfulnes idolatrie superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variance strife wrath enuie slanders lieng swearing curssing vaine-glorie pride couetousnes theft deceit flatterie and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holie spirit And strengthen me so with thy might that I may not onlie drawe all these mine earthlie members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet but also fight continuallie against them subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meet matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre foorth hartie praier and giue thee most hartie thanks for victorie Finallie worke in me thy blessing with all the fruits of the spirit righteousnes peace loue ioie in the holie Ghost long-suffering gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes meekenes temperance strength patience and such like Grant vs the remission of our sinnes righteousnes and life Restore in our minds thy lawe and begin such a new conformitie this new yeare in this our life and conuersation as may be perfect in the life to come Be thou our sauiour by thy power and merit that in our minds we may perceiue that thy Father is at peace with vs through thy death and find thee dwelling within vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Halleluiah 4. On the Epiphanie or twelfe daie Of the apparition of Christ and the three Kings and their offerings to Christ The Preface GET thee vp beetimes and be bright O daughter Ierusalem For thy light commeth and the glorie of the Lord is risen vpon thee Lift vp thine eies looke round about thee For behold the Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightnesse that springeth foorth vpon thee The multitude of camels and dromedaries that bring the riches of the Gentiles shall couer thee all they of Saba Mada and Epha shall come bringing gold incense and shewing foorth the praise of the Lord. All these gather themselues and come to thee thy sonnes shall come vnto thee from farre and thy daughters shall gather themselues to thee on euerie side frō the east and from the west The isles also shall wait for me and speciallie the ships of Tharsis that they may bring thy sonnes and daughters from farre and their siluer and their gold with them vnto the name of the Lord thy God vnto the holie one of Israel that hath glorified thee Strangers shall build vp thy wals and their kings shall doo thee seruice yea kings princes and the host of the Gentils shall see and arise and worship thee For I haue made thee the light of the Gentiles that thou maist be my health vnto the end of the world Thou shalt suck the milke of the Gentils and kings brests shall feed thee kings I saie shall be thy nursing fathers and Queenes shall be thy nursing mothers And those shall come kneeling vnto thee that haue vexed thee and all they that despise thee shall fall at thy feet before thee with their faces flat vpon the earth and licke vp the dust of thy feet Yea euerie people and kingdome that serueth not thee shall perish and be destroied with vtter destruction and thou shalt knowe that I am the Lord the Sauiour and Redeemer euen the mightie one of Iacob and that whosoeuer putteth his trust in me shall not be confounded They that dwell in the wildernes I saie shall kneele before the Kings sonne his enimies shall licke the dust The king of Tharsis and of the isles shall giue presents the kings of Arabia Saba shall bring gifts All kings shall fall downe before him all nations shall doo him seruice He shall liue and vnto him shall be giuen the gold of Arabia Praier shall be made euer vnto him and dailie shall he be praised The Lord declared his saluation his righteousnesse hath he openlie shewed in the sight of the heathen All the world shall worship thee O God sing of thee and praise thy name most high The Lord is King the earth may be glad thereof yea the multitude of isles may reioice and bee glad thereof Bring therefore vnto the Lord O ye mightie bring presents and gifts vnto the Lord O ye kindreds and nations of the world Come I saie into his courts with praise and speake good of his name Ascribe vnto the Lord onelie the strength power kingdome and glorie worship God I saie O ye gods kings iudges and rulers of the earth worship him with an holie worship and giue him the honor due vnto his name O make his praises to be glorious in your liues and conuersation For he it is that hath exalted you and is himselfe exalted farre aboue all gods and his praise and glorie is aboue heauen and earth Halleluiah The Praier OEternall God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which after a woonderfull maner reuealedst thy selfe at the baptisme of Christ standing in the water of Iordan at such time as thou diddest testifie of thy sonne and the holie Ghost appeared in the likenesse of a dooue gouerne vs by thine holie spirit that in true faith we may obeie thee kindle in our minds a true knowledge of thy benefits bring to passe that approching vnto thee in our praiers we may discerne thee the true God aboue all feined gods in mind turne our selues into that banke of the water into the companie of those godlie auditors and beholders before whom this noble appearing was made Speake vnto vs by thy sonne in the holie Ghost and turne vs vnto true obedience And as thou broughtest godlie auditors vnto the sight of Christ which taking our flesh vpon him became our mediatour and thou eternall Father spakest out of the cloud and the holie Ghost appeared in the likenes of a dooue so bring to passe that in this life we may depend vpon the benefit of thy soone which coupled our nature vnto his to make an eternall couenant with vs. Cause the heauens in like maner to be opened vnto vs that we may heare thy voice and thy spirit rest vpon vs. Worke in vs the beginning of eternall life vntill in thy visible presence we shall be hold thy diuinivntill in the heauens not darklie and in a cloud but face to face beeing made like thy sonne And as those Christian Magicians or Philosophers of Persia some remnants of the schoole of Daniel by the conduct and leading of a starre came from farre to see thee and gaue a notable testimonie of the birth of Christ Iesus our Sauiour so mainteine euermore for thine owne glorie sake some congregation which may set foorth and celebrate thy benefits Grant that that luckie starre the light of faith may rise vnto vs which seeketh thee in Bethlem in a manger in thy word reuealed in the ministerie that we wander not from the right waie neither seeke fained bywaies of humane opinions seruice Suffer not the lampe of thy light to be extinguished either
haue mercie vpon me 6. On the first Sundaie in Lent Of Christ his temptation in the wildernesse and most glorious conquest ouer Sathan The Preface MY sonne if thou wilt come into the seruice of God stand fast in righteousnesse and feare and prepare thy soule to temptation for he that is not tempted what is he Remember alwaie the Lord thy God which lead thee fortie yeares in the wildernes for to humble thee and to prooue thee and to knowe what was in thine hart whether thou wouldest keepe his commandements or no. He humbled thee and suffered thee to hunger and fed thee with Manna which neither thou nor thy fathers knew of to make thee knowe that a man doth not liue by bread onlie but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth a man liue To daie therefore if you will heare his voice harden not your harts as in the prouocation and as in the daie of temptation in the wildernesse when your fathers tempted me prooued me and sawe my works Fortie yeares long was I greeued with this generation and said It is a people that doo erre in their harts for they haue not knowne my waies vnto whome I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest Examine me O Lord and prooue me trie out my reines and my hart For thy louing kindnes is euer before mine eies and I will walke in thy truth I haue sinned haue mercie vpon me The Praier THE cause of thine appeering in the flesh O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ was to destroie the works of sathan which our first parents did The diuell through hatred of thee and of thine eternall father encountred in visible forme He soaked into their minds certaine suspicions and doubtings of thy will and pricked them on with a desire of a more excellent nature being themselues of all the creatures the most excellent He tickled them with the spurre of pride and ambition and so by his subtiltie caried them headlong with himselfe being withdrawne from thee into the bottomles pit of eternall destruction But thou incensed against him through the infinite and vnspeakable good will which thou bearest to mankind tookest vs miserable wretches out of the insatiable iawes of our mortall enimie and in thy flesh at length when he dreaded not to assaile thee our Captaine thou puttest him to a shamefull flight and drauest him from thee and thine so that at anie time through thy small assistance we may both repell him and preuaile against his fierce assalts of temptations Unto thee O almightie God and victorious Captaine with godlie groanes doo we crie requiring at thy mercifull hands to be made of the number of thy celestiall souldiers parteners of thy glorious victorie and enioiers of thy happines Arme vs with thy heauenlie armour that is with the knowledge of thy word and spirituall consolations whereby we may bee able to repell the firie darts of that foule feend Against thy Church in all ages hath this enimie of thine set himselfe and brought these engins to their ouerthrowe which he vsed against thine owne person at such time as thou wentest from thy baptisme to preaching knowing that thy prosperitie would be his decaie and yet through the will of God did not acknowledge thee to be the Messias He troubled thee beeing in the wildernes without worldlie power aid wealth and riches with horrible cogitations did he vexe thy soule and troubled thy hart with greefe vnspeakable At this time thy Church lieth in the wildernesse poorelie and miserablie doth she lie oppressed with wrongfull iniuries and mightie troubles He laugheth thereat derideth the Saincts standing vnder the crosse he bids stones to be made bread he contemneth their miserie and casteth in their teeth the glorie and wealth of his kingdome Assist vs that in these temptations we may laie hold of the armour of proofe and behold this noble answere of thine Man liueth not by bread onlie We knowledge thee with the euerliuing Father and the holie Ghost to be a true and almightie God giuing vs the bread of life and so ordeining that with corporall things we are fed and susteined in this life O eternall Father which knowest what we need and alone canst giue a reason why after this manner thou wilt feed vs and not as thou dooest the starres without corporall things Giue vnto the Church of thy wisedome such things as are necessarie for the sustentation of this life wherein the ioies of the life eternall and to come doth begin And albeit sometimes we lacke diuers things although thine aduersarie throweth stones at vs for bread yet by thy power strengthen vs that we faint not Thou art our maker wee are thy workemanship In thy hands is the whole frame of this world We liue not by bread alone or by our owne industrie neither art thou tied with a fatall chaine of second causes but by thy decree by thy will doo we breath in thee we liue moue and haue our beeing At thy commandement we take life and when thou biddest we leaue this world Wherefore if so it please thee we shall liue as doo the birds of the aire which haue no protection or as the child in the mothers wombe which knoweth not how he liueth And as he albeit lieng in great darkenes and couered in secret parts receiueth nourishment after a maruellous manner from his mother and at length by the course of nature commeth safe and sound into this world so we notwithstanding our liuing in palpable darkenes of this life and wrapped in the miseries of this world among the packe of thine enimies yet armed with thy word and promise doo receiue comfort thereby and are protected by thee after a woonderfull sort and at length trust to be deliuered out of this bodie of sinne and to come to a better life which neuer shall haue end For we are not made to liue alwaies in this world in miserie but thou hast prepared a more glorious life for thy seruants the sweetnes whereof beginneth in this world Thy word is our life O eternall Father Thy Sonne is the word speaking to vs both inwardlie and outwardlie Outwardlie by his ministers he vttereth from thy bosome thy will and commandements and inwardlie he speaketh to our soules raising vp godlie cogitations and manners pleasing thee so that a double life is reserued for vs to wit a corporall and a spirituall not through bread not through our owne merits but through thy will reuealed by thy Sonne Furthermore forsomuch as sathan vseth another kind of weapon to the destruction of the godlie when thy Church enioieth quietnes and peace by stirring of excellent good wits and teachers armed with publike authoritie vnto curiositie and ambition whereby through enuie and hatred vaine contentions are mooued famous men cast themselues from the pinacle of the Temple and heresies doo arise we humblie beseech thee in this respect also because it is more hurtfull than
the former subtiltie of sathan represse thine enimie which corrupteth thy word and vseth the same for the confirmation of damnable opinions Quench all the flames of ambition pride and curiositie Leade vs not into temptation neither suffer vs to tempt thee to contend with thee through pride in setting our owne wisedome and subtiltie against thee which was the ouerthrowe of our first parents Suffer vs not to forsake thy word neither permit that fowle and lieng spirit to falsifie the same in vs but make vs constantlie to rest vpon thy promise as to a sacred and sure anchor setting it against all the motions of curiositie and pride Last of all remoue from vs that horrible torment of idolatrie The world at this daie is wrapped in idle seruice yea vnwittinglie the whole world is full of idols to the great dishonor of thy name Fained gods are erected superstitious inuocations are confirmed idolaters swimme in wealth and rule the rost thy glorie is defaced thy maiestie blasphemed the diuell rageth and reigneth he giueth kingdomes and disposeth the goods of this world if his words be true as he lieth shamefullie For thou it is and thou alone which alterest Empires and confirmest them at thy pleasure If order be obserued thou causest it but all misorder is raised by the diuell for the which he shall be punished of thee with paines eternall Wherefore haue mercie on vs O God haue mercie on vs deliuer vs from the thicke mud of idolatrie make vs to lift vp our eies vnto thee the sonne of glorie that abhorring all feined seruice and ceremonies contrarie to thy word wee may acknowledge serue and sanctifie thee the true God Father Sonne and holie Ghost which by and for thy Sonne dooest deliuer vs from the power of Sathan and make vs heires of thine euerlasting kingdome which alone knowest the harts and grones of all creatures which onlie wilt be called vpon in the name of thy Sonne and heare vs onelie for his sake Wherefore vnto thee O our God and Iehoua doo we speake thee onelie through thine assistance will we serue and neuer giue thy glorie to another Take vp that impudent theefe Satan which would steale awaie thine honour banish him far from thy Church But gard both our bodies soules with the gard of thine holie Angels which may pitch their tents about vs and encounter with Sathan which besetteth vs on all sides Deliuer vs out of his hands from all miseries of this life and last of all passing out of this world carie our soules vnto the societie of thy Saints in life eternall Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie vpon me Of the Diuel and his manifold temptations THere wanted a tempter and thou wert the cause that he was wanting there wanted time and place and thou wert the cause that they wanted the tempter was present and there wanted neither place nor time but thou holdest me backe that I should not consent The tempter came full of darknesse as he is and thou didst harden me that I might despise him The tempter came armed and stronglie but to the intent he should not ouercome me thou didst restraine him and strengthen me The tempter came transformed into an Angel of light and to the intent he should not deceiue me thou diddest rebuke him and to the intent I should knowe him thou diddest inlighten me For he is that great red dragon and that old serpent called the diuell and Sathan which hath seuen heads and ten horns whom thou hast created to take his pleasure in this huge and broad sea wherein there creepe liuing wights innumerable and beasts great and small that is to saie diuers sorts of fiends which practise nothing else daie nor night but to go about seeking whom they may deuoure except thou rescue him For it is that old dragon which was bred in the paradise of pleasure which draweth downe the third part of the starres of heauen with his taile and casts them to the ground which with his venem poisoneth the waters of the earth that as manie men as drinke of them may die which triumpheth vpon gold as if it were mire and is of opinion that Iordan shall runne into his mouth and which is made of such a mould as he feareth no man And who shall saue vs from his chaps Who shall plucke vs out of his mouth sauing thou O Lord who hast broken the heads of the great dragon Helpe vs Lord spread out thy wings ouer vs O Lord that we may flie vnder them from the face of this dragon that pursueth vs and fence thou vs from his hornes with thy sheeld For his continuall endeuour and onelie desire is to deuoure the soules which thou hast created And therefore we crie vnto thee our God deliuer vs from our dailie aduersarie who whether we sleepe or wake whether we eate or drinke or whether wee be dooing anie thing else presseth vpon vs by all kind of meanes assaulting vs daie and night with traines and policies and shooting his venemous arrowes at vs sometime openlie and somtime priuilie to slea our soules and yet are we most lewdlie ouerseene O Lord in that whereas we see the dragon continuallie in a readines to deuoure vs with open mouth we neuerthelesse doo sleepe and riot in our owne slothfulnesse as though we were out of his danger who desireth nothing else but to destroie vs. Our enimie to the intent to kill vs watcheth continuallie and neuer sleepeth and yet will not we wake from sleepe to saue our selues Behold he hath pitched infinite snares before our feet and filled all our waies with sundrie traps to catch our soules And who can escape them He hath laid snares for vs in our riches he hath laid snares in our pouerty he hath laid snares in our meate in our drinke in our pleasures in our sleepe and in our waking he hath set snares for vs in our words and in our works and in all our life but Lord deliuer vs from the net of the fowlers and from hard words that we may giue praise to thee saieng Blessed be the Lord who hath not giuen vs vp to be torne with their teeth Our soule is deliuered as a sparowe out of the net of the fowler the net is broken and we be escaped Against the temptation of Sathan praie thus O Lord Iesu Christ the onlie staie and fence of our mortall state our onlie hope our onlie saluation our glorie and our triumph who in the flesh which thou hadst for our only cause taken vpon thee didst suffer thy selfe to be tempted of Sathan and who onlie and alone of all men diddest vtterlie ouercome and vanquish sinne death the world the diuell and all the kingdome of hell whatsoeuer thou hast so ouercommed for our behalfe it is that thou hast ouercommed it neither hath it been thy will to haue anie of thy seruants keepe battell and fight with anie of the foresaid euils but of purpose to reward vs
is the daie which the Lord hath made we will reioice and be glad therein and euermore sing Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier OF thy woonderfull victorie and resurrection from death and glorious kingdome O Sonne of God it was said In that daie the roote of Iesse shall stand to be a signe to the people vnto him shall the nations flie and his rest shall be glorie Thou art that blessed branch of Dauid thou tookest mans nature vpon thee and camest of the line of Dauid but in the time of thy humiliation thou wast but a sprig as it were in a drie ground a notable and heauenlie plant but oppressed with miseries Thy soule dried awaie being beaten with the mightie tempest of Gods displeasure against our sinnes notwithstanding that goodlie roote through the power of thy diuine nature was not vtterlie choaked Thou art deliuered from the midst of death and by thy diuine power thou standest victoriouslie ouer thine enimies and art readie to bring vs thy souldiers from all euils and make vs partakers of thy most glorious conquest in thy kingdome which is altogither otherwise than the triumph and glorie of this world Death endeth all the pride power and pompe of this world but thy death and rest is glorious thy kingdome and glorie beginneth when our life is ended O Christ Sonne of God how woonderfull was thy rest Man at the first was made to be a noble and holie Temple wherein a perpetuall Sabboth should be celebrated and a diuine nature should abide filling and comforting him with plentie of heauenlie riches But this rest was turned into vnquietnes and this ioie into sorowe through the hatred of sathan thine enimie which prophaned this temple and sabboth brought in an horrible misorder and wickednes Wherefore it pleased thine almightie Father of his goodnes to send thee his onlie Sonne from his owne bosome to restore againe this Sabboth Hence it was that after a woonderfull manner in the daie of the great Sabboth according to the lawe of Moses thine humane nature through death which separated the soule from the bodie rested in the sepulchre and the word which forsooke not that nature no not at the graue reuiued that flesh the third daie and so thou rosest againe when the time of our redemption was expired victoriouslie vnto thy kingdome and giuest an eternall Sabboth and rest to such as flie vnto thee O Sonne of God call thou sinners euen vs miserable and vncleane persons vnto that sacred feast which in this world through thee the cheefe Priest is begun and shall be then made perfect when the elect for euermore shall followe the Lambe whithersoeuer he go Put on vs the festiuall garment the garment of thy righteousnes and benediction that we putting awaie the leauen of malice and wickednes may celebrate the feast in the sweet bread of sinceritie serue thee in purenes of liuing and truth This yeare from thine incarnation 1582. are passed 3091 yeares since the first passouer which the Israelites did celebrate going out of Egypt so long hast thou preserued thy Church and we beseech thee preserue it euerlastinglie notwithstanding the rage of the diuell and his ministers And as thou defendedst thy people which eate of the Lambe and moreouer going through out Egypt slaiedst in thy righteous iudgements all the first borne in the land so assist vs that with a liuelie faith we may feed on thee the true Lamb. Keepe vs among all the miseries of this last age of the world The carcases remaining were cast awaie and condemned but thy oblation is gratefull in the sight of God it appeaseth the wrath of the eternall Father and by the eating of thee which art the Lamb of God taking awaie the sinnes of the world righteousnes and life is giuen to beleeuers The word raiseth againe and quickneth the flesh that vnto vs ingraffed therevnto by faith the like life may be giuen and the bodie of sinne mortified in vs and thou liue and reigne in vs for euermore wherefore let thy glorious rest be in vs. We are made of earth and after sinne our bodies were appointed to the earth yea the vngodlie shall abide for euer in the earth and neuer appeare in thy glorious heauen But after thou touchedst the death with thy liuelie flesh thou madest it light thou tookest awaie the heauinesse thereof Through the blast of the first serpent manie times euen mans flesh is turned into verie serpents And in the graue of the wicked more horrible is the filth of spirituall dragons and serpents which deuour them euerlastinglie and keepe them in perpetuall death But thou O Sonne of God makest the graues of thy saincts euen pleasant chambers as it were Thou driuest far awaie from thence all filthinesse of sathan Thou settest about them the watchmen euen thy pure Angels which bring their soules into paradise commending them into the hands and bosome of thy Father and keepe also their ashes which both were and shall be at thy returne the house of the holie ghost Beautifie vs in like manner with this thy glorie of true knowledge and calling vpon thee Be present with vs at the point of death receiue our soules at their departure into thine hands shew thou thy comfort ioie till at the resurrection of mankind thou crowne thine elect with perfect endlesse glorie a taste wherof might be seene in those fortie daies after thy resurrection Neuer was there so goodlie a world as that was when thou rosest from death and broughtest out of their graues a great companie of thy Saincts as the Scripture plainelie but breeflie for the vngodlie doth testifie Familiarlie did the holie fathers and matrones remaine with thy sweet mother and Apostles Pleasant speeches and much talke was made no doubt of the miseries of man of the vnspeakable benefits gotten by thee and of the glorie of eternall life O Lord raise thou vp our harts that with a true desire we may long to come into this faire companie Let vs turne our selues in cogitation vnto that holie assemblie Let vs hearken vnto and learne thy wisedome reuealed in thy word In this life thy Church is in darkenesse in miseries men are occupied in the obseruation of outward ceremonies as those godlie women they will annoint thy bodie Manie times thy Church seemeth to be depriued of thy sweet presence and vttereth these sorrowfull words They haue taken awaie my Lord and I can not tell where they haue laid him But O Sonne of God amend the mortall darkenesse within vs kindle in our soule thine inward seruice which pleaseth thee manifest thy selfe vnto vs in affliction speake these comfortable words in our calamitie vnto vs Weepe not that euen in death we may thinke with our selues that thou art present and after death rise againe to the fruition of eternall life with thy blessed Saincts Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who hast raised vp thy Sonne for our iustification as thou gauest him to
excellent a gift and at no time be intangled in the snares of Sathan neither yet forgo so noble a ghest for our wickednes Make vs to walke circumspectlie not as fooles following our vaine concupiscence to shun all occasions of falling euermore to craue at thine hands that this pretious gift may from time to time continue with vs and increase And as vpon this daie thou hast taught the harts of thy people by the sending to them the light of thine holie spirit so grant vs by the same spirit to haue a right iudgment in all things and euermore to reioice in his holie comfort Let the same spirit bring into our memorie that which thou hast said make it firmelie to retaine the foundation of sound doctrine vttered from the bosome of the Father and at no time to seeke new reuelations as doo the Enthusian heretikes both without and beside the warrant of thy word Let vs neuer inuent fained gods and false worshippings but followe onelie and sincerelie that which thou hast said and taught The world followeth vaine pleasure seeketh prosperitie and hunteth after wealth and worship especiallie the last age of this world doth so it altogither doteth and is become secure but fill thou our harts with true peace wherewith we may staie our selues in the combate of conscience fighting before the iudgment of God And in our agonies when a separation shall be made both of soule and bodie then giue vs grace to be mindfull of this thy saieng Let not your harts be greeued I go and come againe vnto you Let not thy comfortable presence depart from our soule thou wilt certainlie come againe euen to raise vs from the dead to place vs in thy kingdome Wherfore we reioice at thy departure vnto thy Father For the Father is greater than thou Thou hast prepared a place and blessed mansion in the house of thy Father exalted to the right hand of the Father and hast respect of the person sent euen till the consummation of the world Cease not to applie the merits of thy sacrifice vnto vs make continuall intercession for vs. Thou abidest our King and Priest vntill thou deliuerest the kingdome to thy Father And therefore as a Mediator thou doost verelie obtaine those good things which thou hast promised to all beleeuers Thou valiantlie didst conquer Sathan to make vs parteners of thy victorie Thou willinglie gauest thy life that it might satisfie for manie Thou wast obedient to thine eternall Father in the race of thine humiliation that by thy death we might liue Wherefore seale within vs this faith and righteousnesse grant that continuallie we may retaine thy saiengs in our minds that we may enioie thy peace and keepe a place for thy diuinitie in our harts while we liue in this world through our first fruits and so hereafter in the life to come we shall attaine the tenths and be made like vnto thee beholding God face to face So be it Another meditation and thanks-giuing for the good effects that the holie Ghost worketh in vs by his comming AL possible praise and thanks I yeeld vnto thee O God heauenlie Father and vnto thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ my Sauiour for sending downe thy spirit of truth our comforter sanctifier and regenerator the holie Ghost into this world The which thing verelie I beleeue thou didst for this onelie end and purpose that bicause the grape of thy sonne our Sauiour Christs flesh was caried to the wine-presse of the Crosse and there being pressed yeelded foorth the sweet wine of his Godhead it pleased thee therefore of thy great mercie to send the same thy holie Ghost to make readie the vessels of mens harts that the new wine might be put into new vessels first to season their harts from marring of the wine that should be put into them and afterward to hoope them well for leaking when the wine was powred into them that is to saie to clense them from delighting in sinne and to bind them from delighting in vanitie For that which is good could not come in till that which is euill was first rid out Oh woonderfull worke Oh vnspeakable benefit of thy surpassing goodnesse and mercie most woorthie of all praise that man on earth or Angels in heauen may giue or render The holie name of thy sacred Maiestie be therefore blessed magnified and extolled for euer and euer Amen And now O gratious God and good Father I most humblie and intirelie beseech thee that for as much as delighting in wickednesse which is to loue sinne doth defile vs and make our vessels fowle yea leadeth to death and that the delighting in vanitie which is to be in loue with transitorie things of this world sheddeth out and maketh the vessell of our bodies full of crannies and rifts yea intiseth and deceiueth vs to our destruction it may please thee therefore of thine ancient and accustomed mercie and goodnesse to giue me grace to cast out the thing that is euill in me that I may be fit to take in and receiue the thing that is good in thee and so to powre out all sowernesse of sinne and wickednesse that I may be filled with the sweetnesse of all vertue and godlinesse Yea doo thou thy selfe O gratious Father euen with the same thy blessed finger and mightie power wherewith in times past by thy sonne Christ Jesus thou didst rebuke and throwe the diuels and vncleane spirits foorth of those that were possessed vouchsafe also I beseech thee of the same thy singular loue and pitie to cast out of me the fowle spirit of the diuell which worketh delight in wickednesse and is the occasion of faults yea so and in such sort to abandon him that he nor anie of his may euer returne into my vessell anie more to dwell therein I beseech thee furthermore to expell foorth of my vessell the spirit of this world which worketh delight in vanitie and is a fault of it selfe that I be neuer intised nor deceiued anie more therewith hereafter Finallie I humblie praie thee to throwe out of me all other euill and vncleane spirits whatsoeuer which are noisome enimies to my soule and saluation and grant that thy spirit O God euen the holie Ghost I meane with all the fruits gifts vertues and graces thereof may vouchsafe to come and enter into the tabernacle of mine hart and mind to worke in me good delights good loue whereby the loue of the world and the loue of sinne may bee vtterlie driuen awaie from me for euer and my mind be continuallie inlightened my conscience still clensed mine hart euer gladded and thou thy selfe my GOD my Sanctifier and Sauiour be more and more shewed and made manifest vnto me Amen A Thanks-giuing vnto God for our regeneration and sanctification not vnproper to be vsed also at publike Baptisme O God the holie Ghost which proceedest from the Father the Sonne and with them art woorshipped and glorified in the vnitie of the true and eternall Deitie and art also the substantiall amitie betweene the Father and
pure conscience I beleeue therefore with all my hart O king of heauen and Lord of the earth and with my mouth doo I confesse thee the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be three persons and one in substance the true and verie God almightie of one simple incorporall and inuisible nature incomprehensible and of such a nature as is not in a place as other natures be and that thou hast nothing superiour or aboue thy selfe or lower or anie thing bigger than thy selfe but in all manner of meanes perfect without all spot of deformitie And that thou art great without quantitie good without qualitie euerlasting without time life without death strong without infirmitie or weakenesse true without lieng present in euerie place without anie situation or being placed in anie place to be all euerie where without place fulfilling all things without stretching foorth thy hand going euerie where without anie contradiction or gaine-saieng passing ouer all things without mouing abiding in all things without anie kind of proportion making all things hauing need of nothing gouerning all things without labour giuing all things their beginning hauing no beginning thy selfe making all things mutable and variable thy selfe being without all kind of mutabilitie and variablenesse I confesse thee to be in greatnesse without measure in power almightie in goodnes the cheefe and best in wisedome inestimable in counselles intents and purposes terrible and fearefull in iudgements most vpright and iust in cogitations and thoughts most secret in words true in works holie in mercies aboundant and plentifull toward offenders most patient towards the penitent and those that be hartilie sorie for their sinnes most gentle louing alwaies the same euerlasting and continuallie continuing immortall and incommutable impossible to be changed or altered Whome neither the amplitude or largenes of places doth make bigger nor the shortnesse or littlenesse of places make lesser nor anie places or corners can conteine or presse togither Neither doth thy will or intent varie or alter nor familiaritie or acquaintance corrupt thee nor sorrowfull things trouble or amaze thee nor glad things make thee pleasant or frolike as a man would saie For from thee can forgetfulnes take nothing nor mindfulnes or remembrance giue anie thing Neither are things passed vnto vs passed also vnto thee nor things which to vs are to come to come towards thee For neither beginning doth giue anie beginning to thee nor time anie increase nor yet chance giueth thee anie end but before all worlds and in all worlds and by worlds into euerlasting thou dooest liue and thou hast continuall praise and perpetuall glorie most high power and singular honor euerlasting kingdome and rule and empire without end through the infinite and vnwearie and immortall world of worlds Another meditation of the right beleefe in the vnitie of persons and pluralitie in God THese and much mo things haue I learned of the holie mother the Church whereof through thy grace I am made a member Of hir haue learned how thou the alone and true God both hast no bodie and also art vnsubiect to passions how nothing of thy substance or nature is anie waie violable or changeable or compounded or created and therefore certaine it is how thou canst neither be perceiued by anie bodilie eies nor could euer be seene in the proper nature of anie mortall man For hence it may euidentlie be gathered that where Angels doo now behold thee there we also after this life shall see thee naie the verie Angels neither are able to see thee as thou art in thy selfe naïe to conclude the almightie Trinitie is knowne to none but onlie to thy selfe O blessed Trinitie And thou an vnitie of the God-head through the pluralitie of persons manifold art in number infinite and therefore measurablie vnmeasurable and waightily vnwaiable For we knowledge no beginning of the souereigne goodnesse the which thou art of whome through whome in whom are all things but through participation thereof we saie all good things are For thy diuine essence hath alwaies been and yet is without matter although it lacke no forme to wit informed the forme of formes the most welformed forme the which while thou imprintest as a seale to euerie particular thing thou makest them doubtlesse to differ from thy selfe without any either of your augmenting or diminishing but whatsoeuer is in the world it is thy creature O simple Trinitie and triple vnitie God whose almightinesse both possesseth and ruleth and replenisheth all things which thou hast created Neither in saieng how thou fillest all things meane we that they conteine thee but rather that thou conteinest them neither by parts fillest thou all things nor yet may it be thought that euerie thing according to the greatnesse of the portion it hath receiueth thee that is the greatest thing more and the smallest thing lesse thou rather being in all things or more trulie all things in thee whose omnipotencie includeth all things Neither can any man find a waie to escape thy power For whosoeuer hath not thy fauour can by no meanes auoid thy displesure as it is written Neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South but God is the iudge And againe Whither shall I go frō thy spirit Or whither shall I go from thy presence The immensitie of thy diuine greatnesse is this that we knowe thee to be within all things not as included and without all things yet not as excluded And therefore thou art within that thou maist containe all and therfore without that all things may be comprehended within the immensitie of thine vncircumscribed greatnesse So then by that thou art within thou art knowne to be a Creator by that thou art without we perceiue how thou art the gouernour of all things And least all things which are created might be without thee thou art within and without that all things may be included of thee not by locall greatnesse but by thy mightie presence who art euerie-where present and all things present before thee although some vnderstand these things yet some doo not The vnitie then of thine inseparable nature can not haue separable persons bicause as thou art a Trinitie in vnitie and an vnitie in Trinitie so can you not haue a separation of persons Sometimes indeed those persons are particularlie named but so thou wouldest O God the Trinitie declare thy selfe inseparable in persons that there is no name in anie one person but may be referred vnto another according to the rule of relation as the Father vnto the Sonne the Sonne vnto the Father so hath the holie Ghost true relation both vnto the Father the Sonne Also those names which signifie either your substance O GOD or person or power or essence or else what which properlie is called God doo equalliie agree to all the persons as great God almightie eternall and generallie all things which naturalle are spoken of God So that there is no name of nature which so maie
agree vnto thee God the Father but the same also may fitlie be referred vnto the Sonne and holie Ghost We saie how thou the Father art naturallie God so is the Sonne naturallie God and the holie Ghost naturallie and yet not three Gods but one God naturallie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost And therefore O God holie Trinitie in persons thou art inseparable in sense are they to be vnderstood though in sound you haue separable names For you receiue no plurall number in the nature For hereby it is declared how the persons in the holie Trinitie which is one verie God can not be diuided for that the name of euerie person respecteth alwaie another person If I say the Father I point vnto the Sonne if I name the Sonne I presuppose a Father if I mention the holie Spirit I must necessarilie vnderstand of whom he is the Spirit namelie of the Father and of the Sonne For this is the true faith proceeding from sound doctrine this vndoubtedlie is the catholike and right faith which God of his goodnesse hath taught me in the bosome of the mother Church The faith or beleefe of a true Christian concerning the blessed Trinitie most notablie described O My light I praise thee for inlightening mee whereby I knowe thee but how do I knowe thee I knowe thee to be God alone a liuing God a true God my Creator I knowe thee to be the maker both of heauen and earth of all things visible and inuisible a verie GOD almightie immortall inuisible vncompassable vnlimitable euerlasting to whom none can approch vnto nor comprehend nor find out who art vnchangable vnmeasurable infinite the beginning of all creatures be they visible or inuisible by whom all things were created through whom all the elements doo consist whose maiestie as it neuer had beginning so it shall neuer haue end I knowe thee to be one God alone the true God namelie the eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three persons indeed but one simple substance and vnparted nature the Father made of none the Sonne of the Father alone the holie Ghost of the Father and of the Sonne alwaies without either beginning or end A Trinitie yet but one onlie and verie God omnipotent the onelie beginning of all things maker of all creatures both visible and inuisible spirituall and temporall which by thine almightie power at the beginning diddest of nothing make togither both creatures spirituall corporall that is to saie Angelicall and worldlie and after the humane as a middle nature consisting of bodie and spirit I knowe and confesse thee GOD the Father to be vnbegotten thee God the Sonne to be begotten of the Father thee God the holie Ghost the comforter to be neither made nor begotten With mine hart I beleeue vnto righteousnesse and with my mouth I confesse vnto saluation this holie and single Trinitie in the three coequall consubstantiall and coeternall persons to be a Trinitie in vnitie and an vnitie in Trinitie I knowe thee Iesus Christ our Lord to be a true God the onlie begotten Sonne of God and the Creator Sauiour and Redeemer not of me onelie but also of all mankind whom I acknowledge to be begotten of the Father before all worlds God of GOD light of light verie God of verie God begotten not made being of one substance and coeternall with the Father and the holie Ghost by whom all things at the beginning were made stedfastlie beleeuing and trulie confessing that thou Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of God for our saluation by the consent of the whole Trinitie tookest flesh and wert conceiued by the holie Ghost of the virgin Marie and wert made verie man of a reasonable soule and humane flesh subsisting Thou for so much as in respect of thy God-head being the onlie begotten Sonne of God thou couldest neither suffer nor die through thine exceeding loue wherewith thou hast loued vs. Thou the verie same Sonne of God for all that becamest subiect to sufferings and mortalitie in respect of thy manhood and O onlie Sonne of God for the saluation of mankind didst suffer death vpon the wood of the Crosse to saue vs from euerlasting death Thou the author of light descendedst into hell and like a glorious conqueror rosest againe the third daie taking to thee againe thy sacred bodie which for our sinnes had lien in the sepulchre and quickening it according to the scripture the third daie that thou mightest place the same at the right hand of the Father For thou the verie Sonne of God taking againe vnto thy selfe the substance of our flesh that is to saie the soule and humane bodie which thou tookest of the glorious virgin art ascended vp aboue all the heauens and mounted aboue the orders of Angels where thou sittest at the right hand of God the Father and whereas the fountaine of life is the light which none can attaine vnto and the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding There we doo worship thee there we doo beleeue thee to be the verie God and verie man confessing God to be thy Father and from thence wee looke that thou wilt come a Iudge in the end of the world to iudge both the quicke and the dead and to render to all men good and bad according to their deeds which they haue done in this life either reward or punishment according as euerie one is woorthie rest or torment For all men euen as manie as haue receiued soules in their humane flesh which they had in this world shall rise at that daie through the sound of thy power that whole man may receiue either the glorie of heauen or the paine of hell according to his deserts Thou art our resurrection and the life it selfe whom we looke for euen the Lord Iesus Christ our Sauiour who shail change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie I knowe thee the holie Spirit both of the Father and of the Sonne to be one God and a verie GOD proceeding alike from them both of one substance and coeternall with the Father and the Sonne our comforter and aduocate which camest downe in the likenesse of a dooue vpon the same God and our Lord Iesus Christ and shewedst thy selfe vpon thine Apostles in fierie tongues which also euen from the beginning hast instructed with the gift of thy grace all the Saints and chosen of God and opened the mouthes of the Prophets that they might declare abroad the woonderfull mysteries of the kingdome of God who also togither with the Father and the Sonne of all the Saints of God art worshipped and glorified Among whom I thine handmaid doo glorifie thy name bicause thou hast inlightened me For thou art the verie light the true light the fire of God the maister of spirits which by thine ointment teachest vs all truth the Spirit of truth without which it is impossible to please God For thou thy selfe art God of God and light of light vnspeakablie proceeding
from the Father of lights and from his Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ with whom thou reignest and art glorified most singularlie being of one substance coequall and coeternall with them in the essence of one and the same Trinitie I knowe thee Father Sonne and holie Ghost to be one a liuing and a verie God three I confesse in persons yet but one in essence whom I acknowledge worship and glorifie with mine whole hart being the true God the onlie God holie immortall inuisible vnchangable whom no man can either attaine vnto or find out This God I acknowledge to be one light one sunne one bread one life one happinesse one beginning one end one Creator both of heauen and earth by whom all things doo liue by whom all things subsist by whom all things are gouerned ruled and quickened both the things in heauen and the things in earth things vnder the earth besides whom there is no God neither in heauen nor in earth Thus knowe I thee O blessed Trinitie my Lord God who knowest me Thus knowe I thee through the faith which thou hast inspired to me I knowe thee O my light the sight of mine eies O Lord my GOD the hope of all the ends of the earth the ioie reioicing my youth and the good susteining mine age For in thee O Lord all my bones reioice saieng O Lord who is like to thee Among the gods who is like to thee Not that whom the hands of men haue made but thou who hast made the hands of men The idols of the nations are siluer and gold euen the works of mens hands so is not he which made man All the gods of the people are idols but the Lord made the heauens Let those gods which made not the heauens and the earth perish from the earth and from vnder these heauens but let both heauen and earth praise him which created both earth and heauen Amen A zealous praier vnto the blessed Trinitie WHerefore O Lord my faith which thou hast giuen me to my saluation calleth vnto thee For the faithfull soule liueth by faith he enioieth in hope which one daie he shall behold in thee O my God vnto thee crieth my pure conscience and the sweet loue of my faith which the darkenes of ignorance being driuen away thou hast brought vnto the knowledge of the truth which also thou hast plucked from the foolish bitternes of this world and made comfortable and pleasant to me through thy sweet loue Unto thee O blessed Trinitie doth the cleere voice and sincere loue of my faith call the which nourishing the same from the cradle thou hast inlightned alwaie by the light of thy grace confirmed mightilie in me through the instructions of our mother the Church Unto thee doo I call O happie blessed glorious and single Trinitie Father Sonne and holie Ghost God Lord and Comforter loue grace and communion the begetter the begotten the renewer the verie light of the verie light the verie illumination the spring the floud and the watering of one all through one all in one all things of whome through whome and in whome are all things The liuing life the life from the liuing the quickener of such as liue One of himselfe one of one one of two A being of himselfe a being of another a being from both The Father is true the Sonne truth and the holie Ghost truth so that the Father the Word the Comforter are one essence one power one goodnes and one blessednes of whom through whome and in whome all things be blessed whatsoeuer things are blessed I beseech thee therefore that as thou hast giuen me grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glorie of the eternall Trinitie and in the power of the diuine maiestie to worship the vnitie so grant that through the stedfastnesse of this faith I may euermore be preserued comforted defended in all my troubles aduersities which liuest and reignest three persons and one God blessed for euer Amen Another deuout praier to the holie Trinitie WIth all my hart and mouth doo I confesse praise blesse thee O God the Father vnbegotten and thee O God the Sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost Comforter to thee be glorie in the world of worlds Amen O blessed Trinitie thou three coequall and coeternall persons and one verie God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost who dwellest alone in euerlastingnes and in vnapprochable light which hast founded the earth by thy mightie power and rulest the whole world by thy wisedome Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts dreadfull strong righteous mercifull maruellous praise-woorthie to be beloued one God three persons one being power wisedome goodnes and one vnspeakable Trinitie I crie vnto thee Open me the gates of righteousnes and when I am come in I will praise thee O Lord. Behold I poore begger knocke at thy doore O souereigne housholder command the gates to be opened at my knocking according as thou hast said Knocke yee and it shall be opened For trulie O most mercifull Father the desires of my groning hart and the cries of my weeping eies doo knocke at thy doore All my desire is before thee and my groning is not hid from thee Lord turne not thy face anie more awaie from me neither fling thou awaie from thy seruant in a fume O Father of mercies heare the howling out of thy Ward and reach hir thy singular good helping hand that it may drawe me out of the deepe waters and out of the lake of miserie and out of the mire of filthines that I perish not thy pitifull eies seeing it and the bowels of thy mercie beholding it but that I may wade out vnto thee my Lord God so as I may see the riches of thy kingdome and alwaies behold thy face and sing praises to thy holie name O Lord which workest 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 A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord for it is verie meet right and our bounden duties that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks to thee O God almightie and euerlasting God which art one God one Lord not one onelie person but three persons in one substance For that which we beleeue of the glorie of the Father the same we beleeue of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost without anie difference or inequalitie Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high and in earth peace good will towards men We praise thee we blesse thee we woorship thee we glorifie thee we giue thanks to thee for thy great glorie O
in a cleere and perfect light shall behold thee Amen 7. On the feast daie of the purification of Saint Marie the virgin and mother of Christ. The word became flesh and dwelt among vs Halleluiah O Eternall Father of thine onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ which in the Common-wealth of Israell ordeined according to thy wisedome and adorned with excellent statutes necessarie for the state of mankind and signifieng secret and heauenlie things didst make diuers lawes concerning vncleannesse and the keeping of women with child and another for the first borne and that not onlie to put vs in mind of order in this life and thankefulnesse towards thy ministerie but also to teach that this our giltie and polluted nature like the foule and menstruous cloath of a woman is washed by the bloud of thy Sonne which is thy first borne thy substantiall image and the word sounding thy will whome from the heauens thou commandest to be harkened vnto Gouerne vs by thy first and onlie begotten Sonne Giue vs thy holie spirit that earnestlie we may bewaile our vncleannesse and pollusion aske helpe at thy mercifull hand be purified by the bloud of thy Sonne and be redeemed by him vnto true integritie and cleannesse which pleaseth thee that for his sake we may be adopted into thy children and find fauour in thine eies And as that good old man father Simeon notwithstanding that publikelie little or no talke was vsed of thy benefits by reason of the manifold sects then sproong vp and horrible tyrannie of Gouernours yet was confirmed by thy holie spirit in the truth and receiued a singular promise that he should see the Messias so by the same thy spirit kindle in vs faith whereby we may escape the palpable and curssed darkenesse of idolatrie which in the world welnigh is vsed And grant that we may apprehend thy Sonne who as this daie was presented in the Temple in substance of our flesh and in his armes depart in peace and be presented vnto thee with pure and cleane minds Assist vs that from our harts as did good father Simeon and holie Iacob we may firmelie keepe him among the feares of conscience and pangs of death Grant that he may be our light inflaming the darkenesse of our feeble minds with the brightnesse of his glorie Blot out all our doubtings heale the diseases of our soule and kindle that benefit and excellent light of true religion that being made followers in the spirituall societie of thy people Israell whose glorie is thy Sonne witnessing that among that people the promises and reuelations of the essence and will of the true God were made we may also come to thy glorie which our nature needeth and be adorned by thy Sonne with the heauenlie blessing of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and receiuing righteousnesse and eternall life Amen 8. On Saint Matthias daie Thou hast exalted one chosen out of the people to publish thy lawe blessed be thy name O Lord. ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who because the Scripture must needs haue beene fulfilled which the holie Ghost through the mouth of Dauid spake before of the Traitor Iudas who was guide to the Iewes that tooke Iesus thy deere Sonne our Lord and who now in reward of his iniquitie for betraieng thine innocent Sonne his Lord and Maister went hoong himselfe in the feeld of bloud called Acheldama till he burst asunder in the midst and all his guts and bowels gushed out didst afterward at the earnest praiers and petition of the rest of thy disciples choose thy faithfull seruant Matthias out of all the companie that followed thee or had their conuersation with thine Apostles to be of the number of thy twelue Apostles and ordeinedst him to be a witnesse with them of thy Sonnes resurrection as it is written in the 109. Psalme Let his habitation be void and no man be dwelling therein and his Bishoprike or charge let another take grant we beseech thee that thy Church being alwaie preserued from hirelings traitors and false Apostles may be ordered and guided by godlie faithfull and true pastors and ministers O Christ Sonne of God greatlie didst thou reioice at the gathering of the Church and high thanks didst thou yeeld to thy Father because he had chosen an holie seed out of mankind and suffered not their pains to be altogither frustrate We thanke thee also from our harts for reioicing at our well-doing and for repressing the diuell by thy power that some may be saued Gather heereafter we beseech thee from among vs a righteous people pleasing thee And although miserable and ouglie be the outward shew of thy Church and they which seeme to be the light of the world despise thy wisedome euen as neither Tiberius the Emperour with the Senate of Rome neither the Princes and Priests of the Iews would vouchsafe to heare thee wandering with thy Disciples Christian auditorie yet assist vs that these sinister iudgements of the world doo not dismaie vs but that we may bring our minds into a godlie captiuitie acknowledge thee by a true and liuelie faith to be the Sonne of thine eternall Father receiue the words from thee which from the bosome of thy Father vtterest the counsell concerning the restitution of man to whom all things both in heauen and earth are giuen for vs which are thy parteners Leade vs by thine hand by thy word and spirit before the presence of thy Father shew vs in a new light inwardlie in our soules the presence of thy Father which is pleased with vs for thy sake Abide thou among vs. Powre on vs by thy spirit the beginning of that light and righteousnes which appeareth in thee being the light of light lightning the darkenes of our nature Behold O good Samaritane and Physician of our soules to thee doo we lift vp our hands we are wounded we labour and are heauie laden thine enimie hath spoiled vs and wounded vs to the death We are so burthened with the weight and greeuousnes of sicknesse that our soule is comfortlesse readie to faint and fall into death and damnation Wherfore comfort our miserable soule with thy ioifull wine and oile with thine heauenlie and quickening balme raise vs from death vtter thy comfort to our harts and grant that our soules may find rest and gladnesse in thee Put on vs thy sweet yoke tame our flesh by thy spirit Raise vp in vs new motions and holie cogitations agreeable to thy will and word Thou art meeke in deed not desirous of reuengement Thou hast not throwne miserable man into euerlasting damnation as thou didst the diuels but hast suffered punishment for vs in thy bodie and praied for thine enimies Thou art meeke and lowlie in hart Thou flangest thy selfe vnder all angels and men thou tookest our fraile and fowle flesh vpon thee thou she wedst not the power of thy diuinitie in the time of thy passion but hidst if it might be thy diuinitie after a woonderfull
vnspeakable maner that thy humane nature might suffer and die Quench also in vs by thy spirit mercilesse fires of hatred and desire of reuenge which as worldlie men doo saie is sweeter than life it selfe with all the flames of pride Grant that acknowledging our filthines prostrate before thy face in true lowlinesse we may aske thine helpe being healed may perseuere in the imitating of thy perfect example Assist vs that while we liue in euerie trouble and temptation of ours we may drawe the water of comfort from thee which art the well of life and afterward enioie perfect ease and a ioifull sabboth and feastfull holidaies in the heauens at such time as thou wilt shew thy Father to thine elect where each shall behold the other face to face Amen 9. On the feast daie of the annuntiation of the blessed virgin Marie Shew vs thy mercie O Lord and grant vs thy saluation BY thy wisedome O eternall God are the times distinguished whereby we are certified of thy benefits and euerlasting blisse which after this life and destruction of the world is prepared for thine elect Now are there passed 5543 yeeres sith the creation of heauen and earth of thine Angels of all creatures By thy word thou madest man out of the slime of the earth thou breathedst on him the breth of life and inspiredst into him a soule adorned with perfect wisedome and righteousnesse Afterward thy Sonne did vtter a secret decree about the restoring of man fallen through sinne out of thy fauour into euerlasting death About the same time of the yeere was innocent Abel murdered which was a figure of the sacrifice to come whose bloud indeed crieth vnto thee Father in heauen and beggeth the forgiuenesse of sinnes to all beleeuers In the like time was Isaac carried to be offered and thou commandedst the people of Israell to keepe holie these daies in which thou wouldest haue thy benefits to bee spoken of Likewise on this solemne and ioifull daie of the Equinoctiall spring time which sithence is 1582 yeeres thy Sonne as the Angel Gabriel signified to Marie the virgin by the working of the holie Ghost coupled the humane nature to himselfe after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner The same daie 1549 yeeres sithence thy Sonne redeemer of mankind in his weake and bloudie flesh hoong vpon the Crosse being the true Silo. And when the sunne going betweene Orion and the Pleiades leeseth his light he left his life through intollerable sorowe and torments And an old saieng it hath beene that about this time of the yeere our Lord and Sauiour Christ will returne in the clouds both to vanquish his enimies and to exalt his Church and chosen most gratiouslie vnto a new and eternall kingdome O Sonne of God stir vs vp vnto the consideration of those so excellent mysteries and worke thou so in our harts by thy grace that as we haue knowne thy holie incarnation by the message of an Angel so by thy crosse and passion we may be brought vnto the glorie of thy resurrection Through the protection and watch of thine Angel the holie families of chaste virgins and matrons remained safe and vnspotted among infinite dangers by thy spirit the truth was sealed in them that they could not be subdued by the errours of the Pharisies and Saduces Preserue likewise in this last age of the world some holie assemblies and suffer not the whole world before thy cōming againe to become blasphemers This shall be the wisedome of eternall life in which thou wilt open the causes why thou wouldest after this maner restore mankind and how God the word could couple our flesh to himselfe Assist vs that in this life we may learne the elements and in true faith be ioined through the holie spirit to thy bodie which thou tookest from the sanctified bodie of the sacred virgin And as thou cariest and liuest in the same flesh so make vs branches of the tree of life and fruitfull vine and replenish vs with like light life and glorie Be thou our Sauiour through thy merit and vertue Thine eternall Father hath placed thee in the throne of Dauid that thou maist be the head of the Church working all in all and the giuer of all good things and of the blessings promised to Dauid Thou reignest in this life by thy ministerie gathering to thy selfe an eternall Church and repressing thine enimies by thy mightie power Thou sittest exalted in light and incomprehensible glorie at the right hand of thy Father making alwaies intercession for vs vntill thou bring thy Church vnto thy selfe in glorie at the generail resurrection and shine in them visiblie and for euer O Sonne of God we are bone of thy bones and flesh of thy flesh Thou broughtest not thy flesh from heauen neither was the same borne of the substance of thy Father but truelie thou tookest thy flesh from the seed of Abraham out of the sanctified wombe of the holie and blessed virgin S. Marie This nature did the word couple to himselfe by an eternall couenant and adorneth the same with surpassing glorie which thou she wedst not in the time of thine humiliation Therefore in truth did blessed Marie beare God euen that person in which two natures that is to saie the word and flesh were vnited togither and that without anie confusion euen as the soule and bodie are coupled in vs men Wherefore we come vnto thee our Mediator God and man and respecting thy promise in a liuelie faith we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs wash vs with thy bloud and make vs members of thy bodie and nature No man at anie time hath hated his owne flesh make vs to sticke vnto thee by the same spirit and to drawe from thee the iuice which may strengthen vs to eternall life Amen 10. On Saint Marks daie Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another O Eternall omnipotent and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which togither with the Sonne and the holie Ghost hast not onelie created the whole frame of this world with all things therein conteined but also appointed thy Sonne the word to be a Mediator for vs men and for our saluation we beseech thee most humblie from the bottome of our harts thou which art the good husbandman ingraffe vs in thy Sonne which is the true vine make vs branches of his bodie purge vs from the horrible corruption of our nature giue vs grace to continue in the vine that being deliuered from sinne we may bring foorth abundance of fruit to thy honour and glorie O Christ thou art the vine we are the branches through thy grace not of our owne goodnesse gratiouslie behold vs we beseech thee that euermore we may cleaue to thee For alas without thee what can we doo that good is Abide thou in vs that we may abide in thee giue vs of thy vertue let thy light shine in our
harts to the extinguishing of the fowle darknesse of our filthie flesh and quicken vs to the bringing out of that fruit which both may please thee and profit thy Church so shall we escape the vnquenchable fire into which they which depart from thee are cast and be sure to obtaine whatsoeuer we shall aske at thy mercifull hands in true faith and feare For thy Father is glorified through our willingnesse which is also his gift to obeie him Furthermore as thou hast instructed thy holie Church with the heauenlie doctrine of thine Euangelist S. Marke giue vs grace likewise that we be not like children caried awaie with euerie blast of vaine doctrine but firmelie to be established in the truth of thy holie Gospell And thou holie Ghost come thou incessantlie into our harts first to instruct our minds with thine heauenlie and eternall will and being instructed confirme vs in the feare of thy Maiestie that at no time we depart from the path of thy commandements For our continuance in the race of the commandements of God is a speciall argument that we loue God vnfeinedlie whom we see not And secondlie that we may find ioie and comfort in all our troubles crosses and persecutions whatsoeuer that in this life we may alwaies abide among the companie of the regenerate and in the other be made partakers of eternall happinesse ordeined for the elect before the beginning of the world Amen 11. On Saint Philip and Iames daie The heauens declare the glorie of God and the firmament sheweth his handie worke O Sonne of GOD whom truelie to knowe is euerlasting life and without whom no man commeth vnto the Father grant vs perfectlie to knowe thee to be as thou hast said of thy selfe the waie the truth and the life as thou hast taught Saint Philip other the Apostles Bring vs wandering trauellers into the waie of saluation shew vnto vs thy truth quicken vs by thy spirit lead vs to thy Father that by thee and thine humane flesh now exalted and glorified the light and life of thine heauenlie Father may be spred in vs. Make vs miserable exiles citizens of thine euerlasting kingdome prepare vs places mansions where we may drawe from thee which art the true vine of eternall life in the house and table of thy Father the new iuice of heauenlie comfort and may continuallie be there where thou art that trulie thine eternall Father may be glorified in vs Amen 12. On Saint Barnabas daie Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits O Christ Sonne of GOD which art perfect charitie louing vs to the end and sufferedst vpon the altar of the Crosse a most shamefull death for our sakes to deliuer vs from death and damnation and to allure vs by that thine example vnto mutuall amitie and good-will we beseech thee inflame our cold harts with the burning affections of hartie loue And as thou hast indued thine holie Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the holie Ghost so let vs not be destitute of thy manifold gifts nor yet of grace to vse them alwaie to thine honour and glorie as he did Giue vs grace I saie first aboue all things to loue thee the true and onelie God with the Father and the holie Ghost with all our harts with all our soule and with all our strength that continuallie we may cleaue vnto thee with full purpose of hart as this thine holie Apostle exhorteth Raise vp secondlie a desire of brotherlie good-will towards our neighbours that we may helpe one another and as members of one bodie haue a mutuall compassion ech of other so that we may loue among our selues vnfeinedlie and abound in mutuall good-will that our harts may be vnblameable in holinesse before God Inflame our breasts that by thine example we may loue euen our verie enimies and blesse them which curse vs doo good to them which hate and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwaies vnto thee For he which loueth not his brother knoweth not God but abideth in death and dooeth vainelie boast against the truth Wherefore let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath but make vs quiet putting on tender mercie kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse and aboue all charitie which is the bond of perfection the end of the cōmandements and fulfilling of the lawe so that by loue our faith may be fruitfull and we at no time seuered from thee For thou art loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him so that we shall be no more seruants but friends in dooing the will of the heauenlie Father through the gratious good-will of thee his onelie begotten Sonne our Sauiour which hast chosen vs to bring foorth fruit whereby we shall so please his and thy sacred Maiestie that we shall be sure to obteine whatsoeuer we aske at his hands through faith in thy name Amen 13. On Saint Iohn Baptists daie I giue mine owne selfe the blame and take repentance in dust and ashes O Eternall Father of our Lord Iesu Christ wee yeeld thee most hartie thanks for gathering to thy selfe for and through thy Sonne an holie companie praising and celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore Also for sending from time to time teachers adorned with excellent gifts and warrants from heauen to spread foorth and publish the truth to mankinde among whome we knowe right well that the famous fore-runnner of thy Sonne euen the holie and reuerent Saint Iohn the Baptist excelled He by thy prouidence was woonderfullie borne and sent to prepare the way of thy Sonne our Sauiour by preaching repentance He was the first publisher of the new Testament the first purger of the Gospell from the grosse errours of the superstitious Pharises the spreader abroade of the articles of our faith and the imprinter of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God in the harts of men We humblie beseech thee gather from among vs an eternall Church Teach our harts by thine heauenlie spirit that vnfeignedlie we may listen to and loue the doctrine which Iohn soundeth to the world Make vs so to followe his doctrine and holie life I saie that we may trulie repent according to his preaching and after his example constantlie speake the truth boldlie rebuke vice and patientlie suffer for the truth sake as he did that being ingraffed into thy flocke we may become his disciples and bring foorth fruit woorthie repentance and behold the diuinitie which he sawe so shall we be deliuered from the wrath of God and admitted into the fellowship of eternall life Amen 14. On Saint Peters daie Their spéech is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the word of the eternall Father and the Embassador sent frō the beginning vnto thy Church speake thou inwardlie to our harts thine heauenlie wisedome lighten our nature vnderstanding with thy newe light that being demanded in euerie anguish we may trulie acknowledge and confesse
not blind my senses obstinate my maners sauage but let me delight in goodnesse and followe counsell and neuer loose the bridle to my tongue nor cruellie make a praie of the poore nor violentlie oppresse the weake nor vniustlie slander the innocent nor negligentlie regard inferiours committed to my charge Finallie let mee vse neither crueltie towards my seruants nor treacherie towards my friends nor violence vpon my neighbours O my God my mercifull God euen through thy beloued Sonne I beseech thee giue me grace to exercise my selfe in the works of mercie and in godlie cogitations namelie to weepe with them that weepe to instruct such as go astraie to helpe the afflicted to cherish the poore to comfort the sorowfull to releeue the oppressed to nourish the hungrie to refresh them which mourne to forgiue my debters to pardon them which haue hurt me to loue them which hate me to render for euill good to despise none but to honor all to imitate the vertuous to shun the wicked to embrace vertue to flee sinne in aduersitie to be patient in prosperitie to be continent to set a watch before my mouth and a seale of wisedome before my lips to despise earthlie and to couet after heauenlie things Thus my maker I haue asked much and yet haue deserued naught I confesse yet alas I confesse that not onlie I deserue not those blessings which I doo require but also doo deserue manie exquisit torments notwithstanding euen publicans harlots theeues who in a moment pluckt from out the iawes of the enimie are taken into the armes of the shepheard doo embolden me to doo as I doo Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O good Lord I beseech thee and vouchsafe fauourablie to heare me and grant my requests So be it A praier called ô bone Iesu necessarie to be said at all times for mercie and grace O Bountifull Lord Iesu Christ O sweet Sauiour O Christ the sonne of God haue pitie vpon me mercifullie heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed mee from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most pretious bodie once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for all for my ransome Therefore cast me not awaie whome thou by thy great wisedome hast made despise me not whome thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroie that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now whilest I liue O Iesu haue mercie vpon me For if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afterward to call for thy mercie Whilest I haue time to repent looke vpon me with thy mercifull eies as thou didst vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewaile my sinfull life and obteine thy fauour to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with me according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercie trusting to obteine thy fauour not for my merits but for thy merits O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to the Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners trulie repenting and amending their euill life into his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue my sinnes giue me grace to leade a godlie and innocent life grant me the heauenlie wisedome inspire my hart with faith hope and charitie giue me grace to be humble in prosperitie patient in aduersitie obedient to my rulers faithfull vnto them that trust me dealing trulie with all men to liue chastlie in wedlocke or in this my single life to abhorre adulterie fornication and all vncleannesse to doo good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life and that I afterward may atteine euerlasting life through thy mercie and the merits of thy pretious death and passion Amen A forme of praier conteining a paraphrasis of these words of Dauid in his 119. Psalme Order my steps in thy word and so shall no wickednesse haue dominion ouer me O Eternall God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which with thine onlie begotten Sonne and the holie Ghost art the maker preseruer and helper of all creatures Upon thee doo I call in the name of Christ the Mediator Helpe and gouerne mee with thy holie spirit that with a stedfast purpose I may constantlie cleane vnto thy word that my steps my thoughts intents purposes actions and all the course of my life may be directed made conformable to thy commandements and promises and that I may euer haue thy word before mine eies to followe it as the onlie and most infallible rule of my life and lightsome lampe to my feet Order my steps in thy word that I may feare in my hart thy great wrath and threatnings against sinne and quake and tremble at the dreadfull examples of punishments which therefore from the beginning thou hast published in the world against all the wicked and vngodlie ones that haue and doo contemne thy word and that I may acknowledge those punishments to be forewarnings of thy iudgements to come in the which this most dreadfull sentence shall be pronounced against all the vngodlie Go yee cursed into euerlasting fire Order my steps in thy word that in true feare and awe of thy Maiestie I may tame my mind bridle my lusts keepe vnder mine affections rule mine imaginations restraine my thoughts represse and stop all vicious motions shun all wickednesse and kill the life of sinne in me Order my steps in thy word that in frights and feares in terrors and temptations in all astonishments troubles afflictions distresses and dangers bodilie or ghostlie with fixed eie and firme faith I may behold looke vpon thy grace and mercie which for thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christes sake is shewed and declared vnto vs in thy Gospell and neuer seeke thy will anie where else but in thy word and surelie persuade my selfe that trulie to be thy will which in thy word and promises is reuealed and set foorth Helpe me also O God I beseech thee that in all mine agonies feares I may cheere and raise vp my selfe with the heauenlie comfort of thy word and so with a constant faith in thy mercifull promises that I find there I may repose my trust and quiet my conscience in Christ my mercifull Mediator assuring my selfe vndoubtedlie that for his sake I shall be both heard receiued helped deliuered and saued Order my steps in thy word that in all this short course of my life I may be obedient vnto thee and serue thee faithfullie and diligentlie in my vocation that I may keepe my selfe within the limits of my charge and serue thee trulie in those works which thou requirest of me in my seuerall calling Order my steps in thy word that this
Sunne to set bicause we expect his arising againe in the morning no more ought we as men without hope to be sorie for the death of the bodie knowing that in the morning light of the resurrection it shall eftsoones arise receiue the soule againe to ioie or paine eternall VVhen the candles or lamps be light praie THanks be giuen to thee O Lord which after daie when night commeth hast giuen vs for the remedie of darknesse this artificiall light of the candle or lampe whereby we see and discerne those things in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs to vse But especiallie we render immortall praise vnto thine holie Maiestie for the light of thy doctrine which thy Sonne against the horrour of sinne and ignorance hath brought vnto vs for a remedie against death eternall Grant we beseech thee O Lord of light and Maister of all truth that the most thicke and obscure clouds of our minds may be so driuen awaie and expelled by the lampe of thy grace and candle of knowledge and right vnderstanding that in bodie corporallie and in soule spirituallie wee may euer see by both these lights to glorifie thee both in our liues and in our deaths Thy word ô Lord is a lampe to our feete and a light vnto our paths O light thou our candle and make our darknesse to be light that with our lamps euer burning we may still watch for thy comming Amen Meditation THinke now that as without this materiall light of the candle all would be horrour and vncouth darknesse euen so without the spirituall light of Gods diuine word and wisedome all our light is darknesse our knowledge errour and our life death and vtter confusion Thinke also that as the candle is not put vnder a bushell but set on a candlesticke to giue light to all in the house so likewise ought we to let the light of our faith shine bright before men that other séeing our good works may therefore glorifie God Euening praiers for Sundaie to be said kneeling by the bedside before you make you vnreadie ¶ Here you may saie one of the confessions for the Sabboth daie as before pag. 384 387. WE render vnto thee euerlasting praises most mercifull Father for that of thy gratious fauour and loue towards vs thou hast vouchsafed to preserue vs this daie and the rest of our life hitherto vnder the shadowe of thy most mercifull protection beseeching thee also to take vs into thy tuition this present night and euer that we be not tempted with anie suggestion of Sathan but being thoroughlie armed with the holie Ghost we may haue power and force to resist his assaults by a sure faith and confidence in the bloud of thy blessed Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus Giue vs grace to repent vs of our sinnes vnfeinedlie to craue remission of them vncessantlie to imbrace thy holie word and commandements sincerelie and to expresse them in our liuing effectuallie whereby we may walke vprightlie in our conuersation with sure and certaine hope of the resurrection to eternall life by the merits of Christ Iesus that with the wise virgins we may be found waking and watching for his comming when he shall come to iudge the world with equitie and to reward euerie man according to the works of his bodie Grant vs grace most mercifull Father to behaue our selues so vprightlie in this life that then we may be made partakers of thy kingdome with thine elect there to liue in eternall ioie and felicitie world without end Amen Another Euening praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and eternall God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which togither with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost didst create man after thine owne likenesse and breath into him the breth of life the which through thy goodnes continueth at thy pleasure Thou hast made of one bloud all mankind and assigned times and length of our life in this world thou giuest life to the people on the earth and breth to the walkers therein which if thou take awaie they shall depart and be turned into dust We blesse thee heauenlie Father and with all our harts giue thee thanks not onelie for sauing vs this daie from dangers but also from our cradles for defending both our soules and bodies from death Wherefore magnifie the Lord O our soules and our spirits reioice in God our Sauiour For he hath looked vpon the basenesse and afflictions of his seruants He that is mightie hath done for vs great things and holie is his name Wherefore we will praise the Lord for euermore bicause his mercie endureth from generation to generation on such as feare him We will shew foorth his power in the euening and when we go to bed we will remember his mercie Arise now our soules in the night praise your God In the beginning of the watches powre out your harts like water before the face of the Lord. For the Saints will be ioifull with glorie sing lowd vpon their beds Wherefore we also will praise thee continuallie and will confesse thy name for euermore For thou art the God which delighteth our harts and maketh our soules merie Therefore in the night we will thinke vpon thy benefits and our spirits shall consider of thy woonderous works For thou hast commanded that thy mercie be celebrated in the daie time and thy truth in the night season O our Lord and God of mercie gentlenesse patience pitie and truth which she west mercie vnto thousands and blottest out all our offences we lift vp our soules vnto thee and from our harts we praie thee put not before thine eies the horrible confusion vncleannesse and wickednesse of our minds being replenished with loathsome darknesse and ignorance full of doubtings and errors Our harts and will are turned from thee our God and all the powers and strength both of our soules and bodies are defiled and filthilie weakened but Lord of thy great merice blot out our offences looke vpon the troubles and dolours of our harts and forgiue all our sinnes For lo our soules are wounded and can not be holpen but onelie through mercie There is no health in our flesh bicause of thine anger neither is there rest in our bones bicause of our sins For our iniquities haue gone ouer our heads and as an heauie burden haue pressed vs down Our wounds are putrified and corrupt bicause of our foolishnesse Asswage thine anger and turne from thine indignation Pardon our faults remit all punishment and restore in vs the light of thy goodnesse which was lost O Lord heare O Lord forgiue harken O our God for thine owne sake For thy name is called vpon by vs. O God of heauen and earth in this euening tide doo we call vnto thee that remitting our sinnes which this daie especiallie we haue committed against thee in breaking thy Saboth and prophaning this our holie daie with our vnholie deeds speech and cogitations thou wouldest receiue vs into thy
precepts and examples meet for meditation instruction and imitation to all posteritie And now in most dutifull maner commending and appropriating so diuine exercises of the church vnto your Maiestie the most naturall mother and noble nursse thereof the cause of a virgine to a Virgine the works of Queenes to a Queene your owne praiers to your selfe to whom indeed the particular interest and due praise and honour thereof iustlie belongeth I here prostrate on my knees in most humble maner meekelie beseech your excellent Maiestie gratiouslie of your woonted clemencie to pardon and forgiue this my too rash and bold enterprise attempted both with bashfulnesse feare and trembling and fauourablie as in like cases you are accustomed to accept these your liege subiect his great labors and painfull trauels in good part which he not to instruct your Highnesse of whose notable learning I am not able to speake but onelie for a monument of the hartie loue he beareth both to the church his deere mother and to your Maiestie his dread Souereigne hath in a godlie zeale and conscience bestowed to the good and profit of his countrie That by your Graces good liking and princelie approbation they may be both patronized against the wicked and practised of the godlie And so manie by that means with due reuerence and great honour to so honourable works may receiue these lamps as from your bountifull hand to inlighten them by your good industrie in all vertue and to prepare them by your holie example like wise virgins to perseuerance in all good works of the spirit And that therein manie may often looke and labour mightilie for your Highnesse as they are bound in feruent praier and manie mo thanks I saie be giuen of manie faithfull harts on your Maiesties behalfe for the benefit of such and so manie needfull and readie helps ministred and afoorded by your painfull hand and princelie affabilitie to your euerlasting comfort and renowme the praise of God and glorie of his deerest sonne Iesus Christ your sweet spouse Whom now for a conclusion as I began I most entirelie beseech that as of his owne good will he first loued his church my deere mother and gaue himselfe freelie for hir to sanctifie and clense hir in the most holie fountaine of water through the word to make hir vnto himselfe a beautifull virgine and glorious spouse without spot or wrinkle that she should be holie pure perfect and without blame before him so he will vouchsafe in like mercie still both to cherish defend and maintaine the same in his continuall grace religion and holinesse that she may yet bring foorth more fruit in hir age and members to his glorie and also as your spirituall spouse to set your Maiestie a most woorthie and mightie gouernor of the same euer as a seale vpon his hart to tie you fast as a signet or bracelet vpon his arme to beare you still in his owne bosome to set his eie ouer you continuallie for your health wealth and prosperitie to bend his desires alwaies towards you to doo you good that so your Highnesse may be kept in his continuall grace peace and fauour long to reigne ouer vs and also defended and preserued euermore from all bodilie and ghostlie perils and enimies to your euerlasting comfort and the reioice of all christian harts Finallie the Lord blesse your Maiestie euen out of Sion with all his heauenlie gifts and spirituall graces that hauing the principall heroicall spirit of your holie father good king Dauid doubled yea trebled in your noble and princelie hart you may as in numbers of yeeres beyond manie ages so in singular pietie and godlines far surmount excell your most noble progenitors that the remembrance of you our good Iosias may to all posterities be like the composition of the most pretious perfume of the Apothecarie and as sweet as honie in all mouthes and as harmonicall musicke at a banket of wine that in you our zealous Hezechias I saie we may still remaine in happie peace and haue an hiding place from the wind and a refuge from storms and tempests and riuers of waters to quench our thirst and temperate shadowes to shrowd vs from parching heate in a drie land so shall the harts of manie thousand virgins in England and else-where be ioifull and thankfull to God and your Maiestie so shall the daughters of Ierusalem sing ioifullie the sweet songs of Sion in their owne land with great triumph to their celestial King reigning on high ouer all yea so shal all your faithfull and louing subiects I saie in all humble obedience and dutifull seruice both towards God your Maiestie and their countrie resound by all possible meanes to all posterities your most excellent and woorthie praises vntill the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all empire honor dominion and praise now and for euer Amen Your Maiesties humble faithfull and obedient subiect THOMAS BENTLEY Lampas Virginitatis ECce tibi lucet Princeps clarissima lampas In tenebris gressus dirigat illa tuos Siquaeris librum cur lampada virginis istum Inscribam causas dico fuisse duas Vna est quòd talem praefert ecclesia lucem Expectans sponsum virgo pudica suum Altera quòd manibus virgo reginea librum Sumit cuiverae lampadis instar erit Dum Domino litat sacris indicit honorem Nuncupat Christo vota secunda suo Anna sibi lucem sibi Debora praetulit istam Inque suis Princeps ELIZABETHA malis Sic didicit lenire suas sic fallere curas Praesentémque sui poscere regis opem Quem non plena sacris placant altaria donis Non oblatorum corpora caesaboum Ille Deus Deus ille humili libamine vocum Irae deponit iusta flagella suae Illecebras carnis vincunt mundique furores Et sathanae faciunt fulmen inane preces Afflictis illae praestant solatia rebus Illis caelestes effodiuntur opes Hoc oleo plenam Domino qui lampada praebet Ille sacrificio nobiliore litat To the Christian Reader grace and truth in Christ HAuing my selfe taken no small comfort good Christian Reader by the reading and pervsing of diuers verie godlie learned and duiine treatises of meditations and praier made by sundrie right famous Queenes noble Ladies vertuous Virgins and godlie Gentlewomen of al ages who to shew themselues woorthie paternes of all pietie godlinesse and religion to their sex and for the common benefit of their countrie haue not ceased and that with all carefull industrie and earnest indeuour most painfullie and diligentlie in great feruencie of the spirit and zeale of the truth euen from their tender maidenlie yeeres to spend their time their wits their substance and also their bodies in the studies of noble and approoued sciences and in compiling and translating of sundrie most christian and godlie bookes a tast whereof you haue here in the second Lampe as
Sauiour and also the true forgiuer of sinnes Therefore doest thou assure hir that shee is mother to thy Sonne of whome thou art the onlie father And furthermore O my father here is a great loue of thy well dooing that thy holie sonne hath taken on him the bodie of a man hath mingled himselfe with our ashes which thing we may not vnderstand without a most true faith It hath pleased thee to put him so neere vs that he did ioine himselfe to our flesh and I seeing him to be called man am bold to call him brother Now sith my soule may saie of hir selfe that shee is the sister of God ought she not to haue hir selfe assured in him Yes trulie For thou doest declare with great loue that hir creation was onlie of thy good wil which it pleaseth thee alwaies to haue towards hir giuing assurance that before hir first daie or time of being prouided for hir thou thorough loue hast made hir as thou of power alone canst well doo it and also didst put hir within this bodie not for to slacke with sloth but that both of them should haue none other exercise but only to thinke how to doo some seruice vnto thee Then this truth maketh hir to feele that there is in thee true paternitie O what honor what sweetnesse and what glorie hath the soule which doeth alwaies remember that she is thy daughter and that in calling thee father shee doth thy commandement What is there more Is that all No it doth please thee to giue hir another name to call hir thy wife and that she againe doo call thee husband declaring therby how thou hast freelie manifested the mariage of hir By baptisme hast thou made a promise to giue hir thy goods and riches and to take on thee hir sinnes for she hath nothing by heritage but sinne of hir first father Adam All hir treasures that she hath of nature are nothing else but sinnes which thou hast tied vpon the Crosse and paid all hir debts with thy goodes lands Thou hast made hir so rich and with so great a iointure endued hir that she knowing hir selfe to be thy wedded wife doth beleeue to be quit of all that she oweth esteeming verie little that shee hath heere beneath She forsaketh hir old father and all the goods that he giueth hir for hir husbands sake For surelie O my GOD it hurteth my soule to be fed with such good and againe releeued in leauing the pleasures of this world for that which is eternal and where peace is without warre Father alas what ought I to thinke Shall my spirit be so bold as to take vpon him to call thee father yea and also our father for so hast thou taught in the Pater noster But to call me daughter hast thou so said I praie thee tell me Alas yea Lord when with great sweetnes thou saiedst Daughter lend me thy hart and againe thou saiedst Daughter thy faith hath saued thee O my soule instead of lending my Lord is readie to giue himselfe wholie vnto thee receiue him then and do not permit that anie creature put him from thee so that for euer with faithfull stedfastnesse he may loue thee with a daughterlie loue Now my Lord if thou be my father may I thinke that I may be thy mother Indeede I can not well perceiue how I should conceiue thee that createdst me but in this matter thou diddest satisfie my doubt when in preaching and in stretching forth thy hands thou didst saie Those that shall do the will of my father they are my brethren my sister and my mother I beleue then that hearing and reading the words that thou hast taught and vttered by thy holie Prophets and Apostles the same also which through thy true Preachers thou dost dailie declare vnto men in beleeuing it and stedfastlie desiring to fulfill the same I conceiue thee and beare thee by loue Therfore without anie feare I wil take vpon me the name of a mother What Mother of Christ O sweet virgine Marie I beseech thee be not angrie that I take vp such a title I do neither steale nor vsurpe anie thing vpon thy priuiledge for thou onelie aboue all women receiuedst of him so great honour that no man can in himselfe comprehend how he hath beene willing to take in thee our flesh for thou art the mother and perfect virgine before and after and in his holie birth In thy blessed wombe thou didst beare him and nourish him thou didst followe him in his tribulations and also in his teachings Now brieflie to conclude thou hast with God found such grace as the enimie through malice and deceit had caused Adam and his posteritie to lose by Eue and him we haue lost it and by the Sonne hath it been yeelded vnto vs againe Therefore hast thou bene rightfullie called full of grace as one to whome the Lord hath shewed aboundant fauour Sith then that he which is the best among them that be good and also the spring of all goodnesse and power hath created in thee so pure innocencie endued thee with such grace exalted thee to such dignitie that he in thee of all other the example of vertue hath builded his dwelling and temple he through loue did confirme himselfe with thee and thou through grace art confirmed in him therefore no man can giue thee greater praise then God himselfe hath giuen thee for there is no such praise as is the same which commeth from God Thou also hast had so firme and constant a faith that thou by the holie Ghost wast filled with all godlinesse I will not take vpon me therefore to giue to thee greater praise than the honour which thy sonne and soueraigne Lord hath giuen thee And as thou art his corporall mother so art thou thorough faith his spirituall mother and I following thy faith with all humblenesse am his spirituall mother also Alas my God the brotherlinesse that thou hast towards me thorough thy humblenesse in calling me sister is great for thou hast broken the kindred of mine old father calling me daughter by adoption Seeing then that we haue both one father I will not feare to call thee my brother For thou hast so reported it by the wise Salomon in his Canticle saieng My sister and spouse thou hast wounded my hart with the sweete looke of one of thine eies c. Alas my brother I wish for nothing else but that in wounding thee I might finde my selfe wounded with thy loue to that would I giue ouer my selfe And likewise thou doest call mee wife speaking to me these amorous words Arise my deere doue and come hitherward my delectable spouse Wherefore I may saie with louing faith Thou art mine and I am thine bicause thou hast called me thy loue and faire spouse If I be so such hast thou made me Alas doth it please thee to giue me such names Trulie they are able to breake the hart and cause it to burne through
should be visited sometime with some aduersitie wherby we might both be tried whether we be of thy flocke or no and also knowe thee and our selues the better yet thou that saidst that thou wouldst not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our power be mercifull vnto me now a miserable wretch I beseech thee which with Salomon do crie vnto thee humblie desiring thee that I may neither be too much puffed vp with prosperitie neither too much pressed downe with aduersitie least I being too full should denie my God or being too lowe brought should despaire and blaspheme thee my Lord and Sauiour O mercifull God consider my miserie best knowne vnto thee and be thou now vnto me a strong tower of defence I humblie require thee Suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength and power but either be thou a deliuerer vnto me out of this great miserie either else giue me grace patientlie to beare thy heauie hand and sharpe correction It was thy right hand O God y t deliuered the people of Israel out of the hands of Pharao which for the space of four hundred yeares did oppresse them and keepe them in bondage Let it therefore like wise seeme good to thy fatherlie goodnes to deliuer me sorowfull wretch for whome thy sonne Christ shed his pretious bloud on the Crosse out of this miserable captiuitie and bondage wherein I am now How long wilt thou be absent For euer Oh Lord hast thou forgotten to be gratious and hast thou shut vp thy louing kindnesse in displeasure Wilt thou be no more intreated Is thy mercie cleane gone for euer and thy promise come vtterlie to an end for euermore Why doest thou make so long tarieng Shall I despaire of thy mercie oh God Far be that from me I am thy workemanship created in Christ Iesu giue me grace therefore to tarie thy leasure and patientlie to beare thy works assuredlie knowing that as thou canst so thou wilt deliuer me when it shall please thee nothing doubting nor mistrusting thy goodnesse towards me For thou wotest better what is good for me than I doo Therefore doo with me in all things what thou wilt and plague me what waie thou wilt onelie in the meane time arme me I beseech thee with thine armour y t I may stand fast my loines being girded about with veritie hauing on the brestplate of righteousnes and shod with the shoes prepared by the Gospell of peace aboue all things taking to me the shield of faith wherewith I may be able to quench all the firie darts of the wicked and taking the helmet of saluation and the sword of the spirit which is thy most holie word praieng alwaies with all maner of praier and supplication that I may referre my selfe wholie vnto thy will abiding thy pleasure and comforting my selfe in those troubles that it shall please thee to send me seeing such troubles be profitable for me and seeing I am assuredlie persuaded that it cannot be but well all that thou doest Heare me oh mercifull father for his sake whome thou wouldest should be a slaine sacrifice for my sinnes to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie for euer Amen An exhortation written by the Ladie IANE the night before she suffered in the end of the new Testament in Greeke which she sent to hir sister the Ladie Katherine I Haue here sent you good sister Katherine a Booke which although it be not outwardlie trimmed with gold yet inwardlie it is more worth than pretious stones It is the booke deere sister of the lawe of the Lord it is his Testament and last will which he bequeathed vnto vs wretches which shall leade you to the path of eternall ioie And if you with a good mind reade it and with an earnest desire folowe it it shall bring you to an immortall and euerlasting life It will teach you to liue and learne you to die It shall win you more than you should haue gained by the possessions of your wofull fathers land For as if God had prospered him you should haue inherited all his lands so if you applie diligentlie this booke seeking to direct your life after it you shall be an inheritour of such riches as neither the couetous shall withdrawe from you neither the theefe shall steale neither yet the moths corrupt Desire with Dauid good sister to vnderstand the lawe of the Lord your God liue still to die that you by death may obtaine eternall life or after your death enioie the life purchased you by Christes death And trust not that the tendernesse of your age shall lengthen your life For as soone if God call goeth the yong as the old And labour alwaie to learne to die denie the world defie the diuell despise the flesh and delight your selfe onlie in the Lord. Be penitent for your sins and yet despair not be strong in faith and yet presume not and desire with Saint Paule to be dissolued and to be with Christ with whome in death there is life Be like the good seruant and euen at midnight be waking least when death commeth and stealeth vpon you like a theefe in the night you be with the euill seruant found sleeping and least for lacke of oile in your lampe ye be found like to the fiue foolish virgins and like him that had not on the wedding garment and then be cast out from the mariage Reioice in Christ as I trust you do And seeing you haue the name of a Christian as neere as you can folowe the steps of your maister Christ and take vp your crosse laie your sinnes on his backe and alwaies embrace him And as touching my death reioice as I doo good sister that I shall be deliuered of this corruption and put on incorruption For I am assured that I shall for losing of a mortall life win an immortall life the which I praie God grant you and send you of his graces to liue in his feare and to die in the true christian faith from the which in Gods name I exhort you that ye neuer swarue neither for hope of life nor feare of death For if ye will denie his truth to lengthen your life God will denie you and yet shorten your daies And if ye will cleaue to him he will prolong your daies to your comfort and his glorie To the which glorie God bring me now and you heereafter when it shall please God to call you Farewell good sister and put your onlie trust in God who onlie must helpe you Your louing sister Iane Dudley * Certaine verses written by the said Ladie Iane with a pinne Non aliena putes homini quae obtingere possunt Sors hodierna mihi cras erit illa tibi IANE DVDLEY Deo iuuante nil nocet liuor malus Et non iuuante nil iuuat labor grauis Post tenebras spero lucem ¶ Hir praier that she said at the time of hir death was the 51. Psalme of Dauid here after following
intituled Miserere mei Deus Haue mercie vpon me O God which in most deuout manner she said to the verie end with these hir last words LORD into thy hands I command my spirit ¶ Morning and Euening praiers with diuers Psalmes Hymnes and Meditations made and set forth by the Ladie ELIZABETH Tyrwhit A Confession to be said before Morning praier I Doo acknowledge and confesse vnto thee O most mercifull and heauenlie father mine often and grieuous offences that I haue committed against thy diuine Maiestie from my youth hitherto in thought word and deed leauing vndone those things which I ought and should haue done and dooing those things which I ought not to haue done prouoking thy wrath and indignation against me And now lamenting this my wickednes I appeale vnto thy mercie saie with the Publicane O Lord GOD be mercifull vnto me a most wretched sinner forgiue all that is past saue and defend me from euill and confirme me in good life to the glorie of thy name So be it A praier to be said at our vprising I Doo thanke thee my most mercifull and heauenlie Father by thy deerelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ that this night thou hast giuen me sleepe and rest preseruing me from hurt and perill I crie thee mercie for mine offences and most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this daie keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts words and works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all things that I go about into thy hands beseeching thee that thine holie spirit may abide with me least my deadlie aduersarie the diuell haue power ouer me Amen Another praier at our vprising OBlessed Iesu this daie I commend me and all my proceedings into thy hands this daie I most humbly praie thee to helpe me which hast made me to thine owne image and in thy bloud hast clensed me which art my hope in heauiuinesse my comfort in care and trust in trouble Although sweete Lord my conscience accuseth me and the lawe condemneth me yet thy pretious death and testament hath deliuered me with thee to reigne in glorie after death hath arrested me the earth consumed me yet good Lord I trust in the resnrrection to dwell with thee eternallie through thy promise made to me and to all that doo beleeue in thee and call vpon thy holie name Thy kingdome come this daie to me from Sathan deliuer me with the bread of Angels feede me from fleshlie lusts purge me from sudden death and deadlie sinne O Lord take me Giue me an hart to beleeue in thee and that all my senses may obey thee and of thy mercie accept my praiers this daie before thee which art one God in Trinitie to whom be all honour and glorie Amen The Hymne or praier to the sonne of God THe beamie sun large light doth giue chase away the night So blesse vs with thy benefits endue vs with thy spirit Swéet dews frō heuen to earth God grant of peace quiet mind That we may serue the liuing God as his statutes doo bind O mightie Lord our helpe at néed driue far awaie the féend That sinne nor hell doo vs molest when as our life shall éend Thou art the euer lasting daie which shinst in euerie place And féedest euerie liuing wight with plentious gifts of grace Into thy heauenlie hands déere God my spirit I doo commend This day from sin and Sathans power thy seruant me defend We laud thée Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs frée We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons thrée An Antheme HIs deerlie beloued sonne God did not spare but for vs all deliuered him How shall he not with him giue vs all things also A praier to God the father to be vsed before Morning praier OUr mercifull father which in teaching vs to praie by thy sonne Christ hast commanded vs to call thee father and to beleeue that we are thy beloued children who stirrest vp none of thine to praie but to the intent that thou wouldest heare them giuing vnto vs also all things more effectuallie and plentiouslie than we can either aske or thinke We do beseech thee for thy sonnes sake to giue vs grace to beleeue and knowe assuredlie that thy sonne our Sauiour Christ is giuen of thee vnto vs to be our Sauiour our righteousnesse our wisdome our holines our redemption and our satisfaction O Lord suffer vs not to trust in anie other saluation but in thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it The Hymne of our redemption by Christ. PRaise we our father louinglie which gentlie vs preserued When we forsooke him wretchedlie death by sinne deserued His mercie was so bountious that though we from him fell Fréelie in Christ he pardoned vs and vs redéemd from hell Glorie be to the Trinitie the Father Sonne and spirit liuing Which art one God persons thrée to whom be praise without ending Amen A forme of priuate Morning Praier Our father which art in heauen c. O Lord open thou my lips that my mouth may speake and shew foorth that which is to thy glorie and praise And shut my mouth from speaking of anie thing whereby I should offend thy diuine maiestie or be hurtfull to my neighbor O God make speede to saue vs. O Lord make haste to helpe vs. Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be giuen to God The first Psalme at Morning Praier O Lord heare my words marke my crieng O my King and my God for vnto thee onelie come I to praie neither doo I looke for succour anie where else than of thee O Lord I beseech thee that thou wilt gratiouslie hearken to my petitions that thy grace may spring in my hart with the morrowe light of thy comfort the night of care and perturbation being ouerpassed suffer me not to perish with the vngodlie folke whome thou cursest I come running to thee not trusting in mine owne righteousnes but to thy great and manifold mercies O Lord with the rule of thy iustice will I be directed For thy name sake make plaine thy waie before me and my waie before thee least the spirit of malice doo turne me thence Let them reioice that repose themselues and trust alwaies in thy mercie let them sing Hymnes and Psalmes which doo glorie and reioice in thee let them triumph which loue thy name Defend me O Lord with thy grace as with a shield in time of perill to the intent that when I am assaulted with them I may yet with constant cheere growe vp vnto my full perfection Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the c. The second Psalme OH Lord GOD and father I beseech thee by Christ our Lord that of thine infinite
mercie thou keepe me so as at no time I followe the counsell of the vngodlie which knowe thee not or of Hypocrites which with their harts seeke thee not O Lord suffer me not to enter into the waie of sinners with a mind to fulfill the desires and lusts of the flesh But whensoeuer through frailtie of my corrupt nature I shall chance to run astraie then O Lord staie me and plucke my foote backe againe Keepe me that I sit not in the seate of pestilent scorners which cloaking their Pharisaicall and diuellish intents condemne in other men thy veritie Gospell Oh Lord bring to passe that I may burne in the desire of thy lawe that vpon the aduancement of thy word my mind may alwaies be occupied that I may euermore choose that which is most pleasant to thee and hate that both in my selfe and others which to thee is displeasant Make I praie thee that I may be a tree planted by the sweet riuers of thy ghostlie waters to the intent I may bring foorth fruit to thy glorie and to the profit of my neighbour as often as thou shalt minister time and occasion therevnto Least my leaues which are my words and works should fade and fall awaie but that all things may prosper whatsoeuer I shall doo in thy name Assist me I beseech thee and grant O most mercifull father that for Iesu Christs sake I may take roote in the ground of life least with the vngodlie like chaffe and dust I be blowne abrode with the most pernicious winds of this world And grant that I may stand in the assemblie of the righteous and that I may enter into iudgment without punishment and escape euerlasting damnation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. The third Psalme TO thee O Lord I lift vp my mind in thee I trust O Lord God let me not be confounded least mine enimies make me a iesting stocke and a matter to laugh at O Lord make thy waies knowne vnto me and trade me in thy paths Direct me in thy truth and instruct me for thou art God my Sauiour I looke after thee euerie daie O Lord thou art sweet and rightfull and bringest againe into the waie them which went out Thou leadest strait into thy iudgement them that be mild and tractable and teachest them that be meeke thy word and testimonies Thou healest them that be contrite in hart and asswagest their paines and griefe Thou holdest vp all them which else should fall and all that are fallen thou liftest vp againe Thou giuest sight to the blind and loosest them that be bound Thou art nigh vnto all them that call vpon thee so that they call vpon thee faithfullie Thou fulfillest the desire of them that doo feare thee and hearest their praier and sauest them Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie vpon me for in thee my soule trusteth Uerelie my soule hath a speciall respect to thee For my health my glorie and all my strength cōmeth from thee For thine owne sake oh Lord God laie not my sins to my charge I vnderstand not all mine errours innumerable troubles doo close me round about my sinnes haue taken hold vpon me and I am not able to looke vp Put to thy hand to helpe me and leade me right in all my works Make me to walke perfectlie in thy waies that no kind of sinne ouercome me Set a watch before my mouth and keepe the doore of my lips Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my hart be euer pleasant and acceptable in thy sight Let the word of truth neuer go awaie from my mouth and suffer no malice to dwell in my hart O Lord deliuer my soule from lieng lips and saue me from the deceitfull tongue Put into my mouth thy true and holie word and take from me all idle and vnfruitfull speech Deliuer me from false surmises and accusations of men rule me euen as thou thinkest good after thy will and pleasure Turne awaie mine eies that they behold no vaine things fasten them in thy waie Take from me fornication and all vncleannesse and let not the loue of the flesh beguile me Yea deliuer my soule from pride that it doo not reigne in me and then shall I be cleane from the greatest sinne Staie and keepe my feete from euerie euill waie least my steps swarue from thy paths Mine eies looke euer vnto thee O Lord bicause thou art nigh at hand and all thy waies be the truth Thy mercies be great and manie O Lord blessed is he whosoeuer trusteth in thee For when I said vnto thee My feete be slipped thy mercie O Lord by and by did hold me vp Teach me to doo thy will and leade me by thy path-waie for thou art my God Oh Lord saue my soule and deliuer me from the power of darknesse Let the brightnesse of thy face shine vpon thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord God I haue fled for succor Looke vnto me and haue mercie vpon me for I am desolate and poore Keepe my soule and deliuer me that I be not confounded For I haue trusted in thee O Lord God forsake me not although I haue done no good in thy sight For thy goodnesse grant me that at the least-wise now I may begin to liue well O Lord shew thy seruants thy works and their children thy glorie and the gratious maiestie of the Lord our God be vpon vs. Oh prosper thou the works of our hands oh prosper thou our handie works Glorie be to the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen A contemplation of Christes Passion O What loue and mercie of man vndeserued from God the father through his onlie sonne Iesu Christ by whose flesh and bloud we haue cleane remission of our offences when we call to mind this mysterie of our redemption and our sufficient sacrifice whereby sinne death and hell be put to exile and grace mercie and peace be obteined For this we haue not onlie occasion to lament our selues which were the verie causes why Iesus did lament in care and became poore in bodie sweat water and bloud against his death praied in affliction and suffered for our redemption but also to giue dailie thanks and to reioice to God the father for this his sonne by whom we haue felowship with Angels and are become Citizens of the saints and of the houshold of God partakers of euerlasting life for euer O happie be they which forget not this heauenlie Philosophie this giltlesse passion of Iesu Christ To knowe beleeue this is life euerlasting and the quietnesse of conscience This passion is our riches in pouertie and helpe in aduersitie and onlie life in death By this his painefull affliction were all the Patriarches Prophets Martyrs and euerie beleeuing bodie saued that euer was or shall be without which all flesh is damned and accursed Now sweet
Christ for this thy blessed oblation haue mercie on me now and in the houre of death that in the dreadfull daie of iudgment sinne death and hell may not preuaile against me sinfull creature but haue mercie vpon me according to thy greatest mercie which is this thy death and passion for which be praise to the holie Trinitie for euer and euer Amen The Hymne of the passion of Christ IEsus which is the liuelie well of wisdome And the heauenlie truth of the father eternall Which from heauen to this world did come To deliuer vs thrales from paines infernall Of Iudas was sold and of the Iewes taken And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken We laud thee father for thy grace We praise the sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three In the dawning of the daie they did him fast bind And before Pilate he was then conuented False witnesse against Iesus they did then find When the cruell Seniours in iudgement him presented Beaten was his bodie defiled was his face And yet God and man the verie well of grace We laud thee father c. When thrée houres were past before Pilates throne All the people cried Kill Iesus the Iewes king His crowne was thornes in purple he made mone With a crosse ouer Cedron they did him bring And prepared his deadlie place on Galgatha hill To suffer pains for Adams gilt so was his fathers will We laud thee father c. The sirt houre approched his painefull end When on the trée his bodie they nailed In heauen was his helpe in earth he had no freud He died betwéene two théeues on him the Elders railed Then he thirsted for his elect which subiect were to thrall Unthankefullie they offred him vinegre mingled with gall We laud thee father c. This verie God Gods onlie begotten child Said to his father Why hast thou me forsaken Yet receiue this sacrifice and my spirit vndefild The heauens were darkned asunder the stones were shaken Bloud and water then sprang from this blessed lamb Then graues opened the dead aliue foorth came We laud thee father for thy grace c. The second Meditation or praier of our frailtie and miserie O Miserable wretched woman that I am how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holie hill For they loue to be in holie contemplation and I in the vaine multitude forgetting thee they be meeke and I vnpatient they do not forget thee but my good Lord when do I remember thee but when affliction enforceth me or the lamentable fall of my breethren constraine me to thanke thee Thou most mightie and fearefull God of hosts thy holie name be blessed foreuer Amen What shall I saie my God Thou art most good and I euill thou holie and I miserable thou art light and I am blind thou art the blessed ioie and I am carefull and full of sorowe My Lord thou art the Physician and I the miserable patient I am nothing but vanitie and corrupt as euerie liuing man is What shall I saie O Creator but this that I am thy creature and shall I perish Thy hands haue made me and were wounded for me thy bloud was shed for me and hath washed me thy holie Ghost hath sanctified me and taught me yet Lord my daies are nothing What should I mortall creature thus talke with my selfe Lord God but that need hath no lawe Sorowe hath compelled me to seeke comfort sicknesse enforceth me to folowe the Physician conscience pricketh me to crie to thee my Lord for a heauenlie cordiall of comfort which am in great discomfort borne of a woman full of miserie and shortnesse of time and passe awaie like a shadowe neuer content with one estate but in earth remaine for euer The Hymne to God the Creator O Creator to thée thy creature I call Who made of mould do liue in paine And sicke in soule my flesh is thrall O wo is me my daies be vaine Yet vnto God I call for grace My soule in heauen to haue a place A praier to the blessed Trinitie Let vs praie O Holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three equall and coeternall persons but one God almightie haue mercie vpon me vile abiect abhominable and sinfull wretch meekelie acknowledging before thy diuine Maiestie my long continued life in sinne euen from my childhood hitherto Then good gratious Lord as thou giuest me the grace to acknowledge them so giue me grace not in word onlie but in hart also with sorowfull contrition to repent and vtterlie to forsake them Forgiue me also those sinnes through which by mine owne fault wicked affection and euill custome my reason is with sensualitie so blinded as I cannot discerne them for sinne Illuminate my hart good Lord and giue me grace to acknowledge them Forgiue me my sinnes negligentlie forgotten and bring them to my mind with grace to be throughlie repentant for them O mercifull God grant me thy grace so to despise sinne and all worldlie vanities that I may saie with the blessed Apostle Saint Paule The world is crucified to me and I to the world Christ is to me life and to die is my gaine and aduantage I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ Lord giue me thy grace to amend my life and to haue an eie to mine end without anie grudge or feare of death which to them that die in thee is the gate of eternall life Almightie God teach me to doo thy will take my right hand and leade me in the true waie from mine drawe me after thee bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle when I will not drawe vnto thee Oh gratious God all sinfull feare all sinfull sorowe and pensiuenesse all sinfull hope all sinfull mirth and gladnesse take awaie from me On the other side concerning such feare such heauinesse such comfort consolation and gladnesse as shall be profitable for my soule doo with me according to thy great goodnesse O Lord giue me grace in all my feare and agonie to haue recourse to that great feare and wonderfull agonie that thou my sauiour hadst at the Mount of Oliuet before thy most bitter passion and in the meditation thereof to conceiue ghostlie comfort and consolation profitable for my soule Almightie God take from me all vaine-glorious minds all appetites of mine owne praise all enuie couetise gluttonie sloth and lecherie all wrathfull affection all appetite of reuenging all desire of delight of other mens harmes all pleasure in prouoking anie person to wrath and anger all delight in taunting or mocking anie person in their affliction or trouble And giue vnto me O Lord an humble quiet peaceable patient charitable kind tender and pitifull mind in all my words my works and thoughts to haue a tast of thy holie and blessed spirit Giue me good Lord a full faith a firme hope a feruent charitie a loue to thee good Lord incomparable
aboue the loue of my selfe that I may loue nothing to thy displeasure but euerie thing in a due order to thee Giue me good Lord a longing to be with thee not for the auoiding of the calamities of this wretched world nor so much for the auoiding of the paines of hell neither so much for the obteining of the kingdome of heauen in respect of mine owne commoditie as euen for verie loue of thee And beare me good Lord thy loue fauour which thing my loue to thee-ward were it neuer so gret could not but of thy great goodnes deserue And pardon me good Lord that am so bold to aske thee so high petitions being so vile and sinfull a wretch and so vnworthie to attaine the lowest but good Lord such they be as I am bound to desire and wish and should be much neerer the effectuall desire of them if my manifold sinnes were not the let from which O glorious Trinitie vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to wash me with that blessed bloud that thou my sweet sauiour Iesus Christ diddest shed out of thy bodie in the diuers torments of thy most bitter passion that by that same greeuous passion glorious resurrection and ascension I may come to that vnspeakable ioie the which thou hast prepared for thy chosen and elect through the same Iesu Christ our sauiour to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost three persons and one God be all honour and glorie world without end So be it After praier saie this conclusion or Collect. O God that art the strength of such as trust in thee mercifullie assist vs that call vpon thy name and for asmuch as mans infirmitie can do nothing without thee grant I most humblie beseech thee the help of thy spirit that fulfilling thy commandements both in will and deed I may please thee through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it The blessing OH Lord blesse me and defend me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and be mercifull vnto me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and giue me thy peace that in thy peace O Lord I may depart to amend my life and doo vnto the poore as much as I can giue me grace to be at vnitie in quietnesse and in charitie with all thy chosen and elect people and that thy feare oh Lord may euer rest in my hart So be it Praise vnto God the Father and peace vnto the liuing As they that depart in thy faith in thée doo rest haue their being The end of Morning praier EVENING PRAIER ¶ A Confession to be said before Euening praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen earth more than my tongue can expresse My sinnes alas are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go Or whither should I flie To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I am not woorthie to find a place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I run to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie Father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo here at this present Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie vpon me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed therby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christs sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed c. A praier to be said in the Euening MOst mercifull and heauenly father I thanke thee by thy sonne Iesus Christ that this day thou hast giuen me all things needfull both for my soule and bodie preseruing me from all hurt and perill I aske thee mercie for mine offences and I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this night keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts my words works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all that I go about into thy hands I beseech thee that thy holie spirit may be with me least my deadlie aduersarie haue anie power ouer me Amen Another Euening praier O Souereigne dreadfull and most louing Lord my God who neuer ceasest to shew thy mercie towards sinners yea when they offend and trespasse against thee such is thine infinite clemencie and loue As then thou forbearest not to heape thy benefits vpon them I most sinfull and wretched wretch yeeld thee humble thanks for thine inestimable goodnesse shewed towards me in creating me to thine owne likenesse and making me capable of thine euerlasting glorie for the creation of so manie other creatures for my behoofe and sustenance for that inestimable worke of my redemption whereby thou deliuerest me from the slauerie of Sathan and purchasest mee free entrance into thy celestiall region for hauing singled me amongst so many millians that knowe thee not and lie drowned in ignorance superstition and miserable errours to be thy seruant and a true faithfull Christian for both thy blessed Sacraments especiallie for that Sacrament aboue all Sacraments wherein thou thy selfe art spirituallie conteined Finallie for hauing preserued me so manie times from hell wherein I had beene long since plunged hadst not thou of thine vnspeakeable goodnesse susteined and deliuered me from my foes For these and all other thy benefits namelie for those thou hast this daie most bountifullie bestowed vpon me O my souereigne Lord I yeeld thee such sincere dutifull thanks as my poore hart can possiblie affoord thee beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me in supplie of my wants to accept the mediation and thankesgiuings of Iesus Christ thy onelie sonne and mine onelie Sauiour and intercessour And now mine onlie redeemer and Sauiour I humblie craue the light of thy grace to knowe wherein I haue this daie anie waies offended thee by nature and that by sound discussion and through examination of my conscience I may see mine owne sinnes with sorrowe and detestation and thine ineffable mercie with a zealous firme purpose of amendment of life Thou seest O Lord my lewdnesse and wotest my miserie much better than I my selfe doo Sorie I am with all my hart that I should still offend so louing a Lord and wish to God my sorowes were greatlie multiplied I purposed earst to doo better by thy grace which wanted not yet haue I transgressed in my former trespasses neither yet may I despaire O Lord but will continuallie trust
to thy mercies in all euents purpose firmelie as I now doo euerie daie to amend my life Deliuer me my gratious God from all mortall sinne for euer and giue me grace to persecute my vices with sorowe during life And for the satisfaction of these and all my former sinnes as also for all thine ineffable benefits bestowed vpon me and all mankind I offer vnto thee the merits of thy bitter passion those most pretious drops of bloud thou sheddest for me and that inflamed charitie wherewith thou wholie resignedst thy selfe to all thy torments for my sake and in the vnion of this thine oblation on the crosse I offer vp my selfe soule bodie and all I haue of thine within or without me to thine honour and euerlasting glorie I retaine nothing to my selfe but giue all to thee whose it is and make that thine by my will which is thine of iustice Giue me thy grace O my God to liue better herafter and to confesse my sinnes in due time vnto thee Giue me true humilitie continuall repentance and grace both to knowe thee and also my selfe Giue me puritie of hart in all my dooings patience chastitie and perfect charitie Giue me a good life and a good death and in the dangerous houre of my departure the assistance of thy blessed Saints and Angels with whom I may through thy mercie in another world praise and glorifie thee euerlastinglie Amen The Hymne or praier to God the Father BLessed be God father of heauen Which hath strengthned his féeble flocke With stedfast faith and boldnesse euen To beare his crosse burden and yocke These are the last daies perillous Fréelie Christs Gospell to professe Come downe Lord shortlie to iudge vs And take vs from the heauinesse An Antheme WHosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued A praier to God the Father to be vsed before Euening praier O Mercifull Lord and louing Father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burden of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weake soule According to thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this mirie puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse that being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honour and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen The Hymne of our redemption by Christ. PRaised be God for his excéeding fauour Wich hath giuen vs his sonne to be our Sauiour We are sinners vnrighteous foolish and fleshlie Christ is our mercie-stoole righteousnesse wisdome verelie We are vncleane holden vnder the danger of deth sins exaction Christ is our holines our life our redemption and satisfaction Glorie be to thée O Lord borne of the vndefiled virgin Glorie be to the Father and to the holie Ghost our soules surgin So be it A forme of Priuate Euening praier Our Father which art in heauen c. COnuert vs our Sauiour and turne awaie thy wrath from vs. O God make speede to saue vs. O Lord make haste to helpe vs. Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the be c. Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be giuen vnto God The first Psalme at Euening praier BOw downe thine eare O Lord to my requests and suffer me to exhibit my supplication vp vnto thee For behold night and daie I trace and hunt after thee by all meanes I can To thee onelie earlie and late doo I still call and crie for mercie according as thou hast giuen mee in commandement For when I call to memorie the time of my life euill dispent I quake to thinke vpon thee yea and my spirit faileth me so sore am I afraid of thy iudgements Yet well pondering the processe of thy grace mercie promised me in Christ I cease to despaire knowing that thou O GOD hast not forgotten thy gifts of grace and that thy power to haue compassion is not waxen faint but that both thou canst and wilt put backe thy wrath most iustlie conceiued against me for my sinne In full trust whereof O Lord I come vnto thee beseeching thee to hide my life with Christ within thee and vnder the shadowes of thy wings to defend me that thy grace couenant may be with me euermore Turne not thy mercie from me O Lord nor bring me downe to destruction as I haue deserued but shew thy grace and fauour vnto me that I may liue and being exalted through thy righteousnesse praise thy name most ioifullie Remember my corrupt nature O Lord how short my life is and that thou madest not man for nothing No man can deliuer himselfe from death no man can saue his owne soule from hell thou onelie O Lord must do it namelie to such as beleeue in thee This life passeth as doth a dreame or grasse in the field which to daie is greene and to morrow drie If thou be displeased then we be lost if thou chafe then we shrinke for feare for through sinnes we be dead vnto thee with whome a thousand yeares be but as one daie yea as the least minute of an houre Certesse Lord if thou haue respect to our sins who shall continue Shew me therefore how manie be the daies of my life that I may dispend them wiselie to the praise of thy name least that I foolishlie trusting vpon long life suddenlie might perish come to death Come Lord now vnto vs and comfort vs. Come O God and hide not thy face from me that I be not like vnto those that be hurled into the pit of perdition And after this night of calamitie ouerpassed let the pleasant morning of comfort luckilie shine vpon me that betimes I may heare and feele thy goodnesse for in thee is all my trust Deliuer me this night from the snare of Sathans gard which hunt in the darke how to plucke me from thee Let me not stand in the feare of the night-euill of vnbeleefe and of thy strait iudgement neither let me be afraid of the fleeing arrowe in the daie time Let me not be in feare of that horrible pestilence creeping in through darkenesse I meane let me not be ignorant how detestable my sins be that I dissemble them not nor qualifie them Let me not dread that middaie diuell which abuseth thy Church vnder a title and pretence of holinesse neither let Sathan though he change himselfe into an Angel of light strike anie feare in me But both on the right side and on the left as well in the night as in the daie that is as well in aduersitie as prosperitie and as well in spirituall businesse as in corporall let thy holie Angels diligentlie wait vpon me that I do not stumble then
shall I tread vnderfoot that hellie dragon Yea so shall I of dutie be bound alwaie with couragious spirit to praise and hallowe thy name not onlie in the morrowe when all things shall chance to my harts desire to ascribe all to thy goodnesse without anie deseruing on my behalfe but also in the night of trouble and aduersitie when I shall call vnto mind thy most faithfull and trustie promises that I despaire not thus to praise thy meere and speciall grace and blesse thee saieng Blessed art thou O Lord God of our fathers for thou art praise and honour worthie and to be magnified for euer Blessed be the glorie of thy holie name for it is worthie to be praised aboue all to be magnified for euer Blessed art thou O father O Sonne and O holie Ghost for thou art worthie to be praised and aboue all to be magnified for euer Blessed be thou in the firmament of heauen for thou art praise-worthie for euer O giue thanks vnto the Lord all his creatures for he is kind-harted and mercifull yea his mercie endureth for euer Oh speake good of the Lord all ye works of his in all places of his dominion and let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord and giue him thanks for his mercie endureth for euer O that all men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men Praise thou the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits yea and all that is within me praise his holie name for his louing mercie and for his truth which endureth for euer worlds without end Amen Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. The second Psalme MY God my God remember me forsake me not suffer me not to be lost sith both night and daie I crie to thee heare me my Lord. Our father 's trusted in thee and thou helpedst them whensoeuer they called vpon thee at no tune thou failedst them but wast alwaies at hand to assist them Come foorth father most deerelie beloued in my hart restore me from Sathans kingdome Thou drewest me foorth of my mothers wombe and hast preserued me vnto this daie Of thy benignitie and mercie which I beseech thee denie me not at this my neede go not awaie from me for anguish and pensiuenesse of hart drawe nigh vnto me and yet is there none that can helpe me but thou onlie Let me escape from these dangers through thy Christ my sauiour who for my sake hath suffered so spitefull and bitter paines who for me was sore vexed cruellie scourged wounded nailed and hanged on the crosse Let me escape I saie for his bloud sake which he so largelie shed for vs to cause vs obteine forgiuenesse of our sinnes and enioie the new and euerlasting couenant made betwixt thee and vs. Stand not farre from me O Lord my refuge and strength come neere and helpe me deliuer my life from the sword and my soule from the wood dogs from the Lions iawes restore me betweene the hornes of the Unicornes heare thou me Then shall I blowe abroade thy name with all praises vnto my brethren and in the assemblie of the holie persons I shall commend thee Despise not the praiers of the poore turne not awaie thy face heare my crie for I will record this thy goodnesse among the miserable painefull and troublesome consciences that they thereof may take hart of comfort growe in hope cleaue more feruentlie vnto thee blowe abroade thy most glorious name and giue thee euerlasting thanks for their saluation Amen Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. The third Psalme OUT of the furthest angles of the earth on euerie side thou shalt with a mightie voice call men to iudgement Lord God omnipotent to whome nothing is hid Open our eares that we may heare this thy promise I shall be your God In thee constantlie beleeue we with thy foison we be filled Prudentlie thou dost declare and testifie that of our goods and sacrifices thou hast no need and doest not either regard or measure them for all be thine and in thee it lieth to make the things we now possesse to be ours or not ours Thou onlie requirest sacrifices of thanke sgiuing let vs therefore disclose the bottome of our harts to thee let vs knowledge thee to be our God Let vs halowe thy name in all things flowe in thy word render thanks both in weale and wo require thy succours in straits and necessities in which time thou hast promised to helpe vs then shall we so deliuered blase thy name Lord God most iust true of promise and deerest Father thee beseech I to send succours vnto me euen of thine infinite goodnesse For thy renowmes sake for Iesus Christs sake thy beloued sonne and for his pretious bloud largelie shed for vs on the crosse haue mercie vpon me so that once purged I may come againe in fauour with thee Pitie me heare me out of the straits of this sinfull flesh wherewith on euerie side I am hampered in Set me at large againe rid me from mine enimies which seeke to drawe me awaie from thy true seruice In thy comfort let me reioice and be full of spirituall ioie let me euer brute thy name not vnmindfull of thy benefits Releeue me most pitifull God according to thy word which is the truth Most tender father shew me that thy ioifull health Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the begin c. The fourth Psalme THy clemencie and blessing most mightie God we craue and require of thee full instantlie Let thy countenance shine vpon vs haue compassion vpon vs that here in earth wee may find out the waie which leadeth vnto thee and may attaine thy saluation among the Gentils O that all people would confesse thee with louing harts for thy manifold benefits and pleasures which they haue receiued at thy hands who dost with iustice gouerne men and art their leader vpon earth Powre downe Lord thy goodnesse and continuall blessings vpon vs and then shall the earth yeeld vnto thee glorie and praise and to vs fruits for meate Thou God the father blesse vs thou God the sonne blesse vs and thou God the holie Ghost blesse vs yea thou holie blessed and glorious Trinitie grant vs thy continuall blessing O that all the coasts of the earth Lord God would feare and stand in awe of thee Would God that we also might studie to worke no man either pleasure or displeasure that should be against thy will but that we may doo all things according to thy commandements Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. A contemplation and praier exclaming of the carefull passions of the soule and bodie WO is me carefull carcase and filthie defiled flesh conceiued and borne in sinne depriued of originall iustice compared to a beast in Adam fallen as a
rotten apple from a liuing tree What haue I gotten by my fall Darknes care miserie affliction sicknesse paine anguish and finallie dreadfull death And alas what shall I be hereafter A stinking carion woormes meate foode for fire dust and claie doong and forsaken rotten consumed blind poore and naked troden vnder the feete of my posteritie and forgotten of all men not knowing where my bodie is which shall vanish like a shadowe and my life shall wither like a leafe and fade as a flower O holie God the more our bodies doo increase the neerer death doth approch the clocke of our conscience doth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand Death approcheth with his sharpe dart and bloudie chariot Awaie saith he to euerie liuing wight For what is he that shall not see death and come to nothing Oh vncertaine life but most assured death His net is cast ouer all flesh now I doo reioice then I lament now am I whole then sicknesse doth come now haue I friends then am I forsaken now at libertie soone after in bondage now yoong then age drawes neere And thus I neuer remaine in one state made light and proud in prosperitie desperate in aduersitie withered and old with care despised in pouertie flattered when I am in health and finally vncertaine when or where I shall die But yet I most humblie praie thee deere father for Iesu Christs sake which suffered a shamefull death for my sins to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great mercie and take not thy holie Ghost from me and lead me not into temptation but deliuer me for into thy hands I commend my soule O thou God of truth Amen An Hymne of the state of all Adams posteritie I Am the fruit of Adams hands through sin lockt in satans bands Destined to deth the child of ire a flaming brand of infernall fire Borne I was naked bare and spend my time in sorowe care And shall returne vnto the dust and be depriued of carnall lust Yet thou father didst Iesus send to pardon them that did offend We laud him in the work of might that we be blessed in his sight The second meditation of the dreadfull daie of iudgement O What feare and sorowe shall happen to the reprobates when they shall stand helpelesse before the terrible dreadfull throne of God to render accounts of all thoughts words works I saie the acts of the flesh and bloud in the extreame day when he shall come with fire and then all creatures in heauen earth and hell shall tremble at his presence Then shall all guiltie consciences be opened euils endlesse punished where that Iudge will not be corrupted That daie doth come that daie is at hand and where as pure harts shall be accepted and no bribes of vaine gifts shall be preferred but iustice without mercie vnto the vngodlie infernall torments to the wicked endlesse care and affliction to the idolater fornicator extortioner persecutour disobedient murtherer blasphemer theefe false witnesse bearer vsurer heretikes witches and malefactors and to all the vessels of reprobation Where as shall be heard wailing crieng lamenting and gnashing of teeth then they mourne that shall neuer die hell fire neuer bee quenched nor the Iudge intreated but the wicked still molested with dolor agonie dread and in his paine absent from God present with diuels monsters infernall This is the second death when both bodie and soule shall remaine in paine as long as God is which is euerlasting This daie is at hand when the elect and all the Saints Patriarchs Prophets Martyrs and all the blessed shall receiue their rewards not of themselues but onlie of Iesu before whom all the blessed shall kneele and cast off their crownes and giue honour to him that sits on the seate whose holie name is blessed of all tongues and kindreds Amen Amen This is the daie when all teares shall be wiped from the carefull eies of the seruants of God which shall neuer be molested nor of worldlings be afflicted but euerlastinglie glorified with the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God who of his mercie defend vs from damnation and that vnspeakeable paine which wee through sinne haue deserued euer to be punished withall but yet are through Iesus preserued by whome we are elected redeemed iustified and brought from sinne death and hell to whom be laud and praise in the world of worlds of Angels and men Amen The Hymne of the daie of iudgement SWéet Iesus of thy mercie our pitifull praiers heare That we may be on thy right hand when thou shalt appeare For thou shalt come with heauenlie power and sit on the throne None shall iudge the quicke and dead but thou Christ alone O Christ cast vs not awaie in that daie of ire When thou shalt send before thée a hot consuming fire To purge all creatures defild with Adams sinne Then a new heauen and earth O Lord thou wilt beginne Then the elect shall be blessed vpon thy holie hill But the wicked shall be damned that haue withstood thy will Thy shéepe shall be safe and defended in the fold The goats shall wander in hunger storme and cold Thy Saints shall behold thée in thy throne of light The reprobates shall euer haue fearefull things in sight Wailing in wretchednesse with euerlasting paine Yet Lord be mercifull our liues are but vaine Our flesh shall fade death hath digd our graue Yet of thy mercie Lord thy sinfull creature saue And blesse vs in the time of grace before the daie of ire When the corrupt elements shall be purgd with fire We laud thee Father c. A generall praier wherein we commend our selues and the whole state of Christs Church vnto GOD. O God thou Father and God of my life suffer me neither to haue a proud looke nor a proud thought turne awaie all voluptuousnesse from me let not the intisements of the world beguile me let not the concupiscence of the eie deceiue me let not the lusts of the flesh take hold vpon me let not rancor and malice reigne in my hart O Lord God for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesu Christs sake I beseech thee that thou wilt not giue me ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind So be it Unto thee Lord almightie the King of mercie bée now and euer eternall honour glorie Unto thee the same Lord of mercie I doo commit my soule and bodie most humblie beseeching thee for thine abundant mercie sake to take the cure of me and to haue mercie on me I doo commit also vnto thy mercie my faithfull friends and well-willers liuing beseeching thee to forgiue vs all and to haue mercie vpon vs and giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawe and to the glorie of thy name that we may doo that which thou requirest of vs that it will please thee of thy mercie to saue and defend vs from all perils bodilie ghostlie this night
the holie Ghost liueth and reigneth one God world without end Amen SAue vs O good Lord waking and keepe vs sleeping and be so mercifull to vs that with Christ we may wake and quietlie to rest in peace So be it The conclusion after Euening praier O Lord Iesu Christ that art in heauen perfect God and man heare my praiers haue mercie vpon me and praie vnto thy father for me Be thou my mercifull mediator vnto thy father that I might find mercie for my sinnes at all times and thy holie Angels to guide me this night and all the time and daies of my life and at the generall daie of iudgement that I may be partaker of that ioifull voice of thine saieng Come hither ye blessed and possesse euerlasting life Amen The Blessing GOD euen our owne GOD blesse vs and graunt vnto vs and all our faithfull and deere freends his continuall benediction and health Yea let thy mightie hand and outstretched arme O Lord be still my defence thy mercie and louing kindnesse in Iesu Christ thy deere sonne my saluation thy true and holie word my instruction thy grace and holie spirit my comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end So be it ¶ Certaine godlie sentences written by the Ladie E. T. Vse inuocation of Gods holie name Thinke vpon the needie once a daie The life to come forget not Further the iust sute of the poore Prefer Christ his kingdome Offend not in euill doing Set little by the iudgement of man but feare the iudgement of God Be at peace with all men Vse to be acquainted with the godlie Helpe to pacifie displeasure Hastilie iudge not anie bodie Kill anger with patience VVith pitie rebuke Make much of modestie Harbour a harmelesse hart Let no good deed Speake in season He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life In being well occupied thinke not long Lose as little time as ye may Be alwaies one Fauour the friendlesse Be not vnthankefull Trust not the world Deceiue none Rather take hurt than do anie Auenge not Let once be amended Fauour not flatterie Looke cheeflie on your selfe Do not forget your charge Let your mind be occupied well Vse pleasures after a meane Once you were not heere Awaie you must and turne to dust Finis ê™ E. T. The Praiers made by the right Honourable Ladie Frances Aburgauennie and committed at the houre of hir death to the right Worshipfull Ladie MARIE Fane hir onlie daughter as a Iewell of health for the soule and a perfect path to Paradise verie profitable to be used of euerie faithfull Christian man and woman A fruitfull praier to be said in the Morning AL mightie God and most mercifull father the fountaine of all felicitie from whom onelie proceedeth all good gifts most humblie I beseech thee of thine abundant mercie exceeding kindnesse so to direct and gouern me this daie and euer with thy good guiding Spirit that all my thoughts words and deeds may onelie be occupied in thy seruice faith feare and loue and so assist and strengthen me with thy grace O most mercifull and louing father for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake that neither sinne death hell nor Sathan haue the dominion and vpper hand of me Indue my hart with the true vnderstanding of thy true and liuelie word that I may be readie and prone manfullie to fight vnder the standard of my glorious captaine Iesus Christ against the world the flesh and that cruell Serpent the old Leuiathan which hunteth continuallie like a roring Lion seeking the vtter destruction of my soule Make me constant in time of temptation that when or at what time my rebelling and sinfull flesh shall intise me to lust after the pompes and vanities of this wicked world I may by a strong liuelie and vnspeakable faith through the bitter torments that my Sauiour Christ Iesus suffered for me and all that faithfullie beleeue and call vpon him so mortifie and subdue the old Adam that I may be dead and buried from sinne and all iniquitie and the new man Christ Iesus may continuallie dwell and reigne in me by whose meanes I shall be garnished and decked by the means of a fruitfull faith with immortalitie and heauenlie blessednesse Uouchsafe O Lord I beseech thee according to the multitude of thy mercies to looke vpon me and by thy celestiall prouidence so illuminate the eies of my soule that I may continuallie watch for the glorious comming of thine annointed son Iesus Christ Roote out O Lord in and from me the vile and corrupt branches of rapine deceit auarice luxurie concupiscence and all vngodlinesse let the motions of my mind altogether depend vpon thee prepare my tongue to publish thy praise let my lips be locked vp from all scurillitie and vncomlie talke let mine eares loath and abhor to heare thy glorious and blessed name blasphemed and thy truth to be by anie Sectarian ill spoken of slandered keepe and defend me vnder the wings of thy comfortable protection from all errours schismes and detestable heresies Make me without faining firmelie and constantlie to build vpon the truth wherein is perfectlie set forth thy great mercie and diuine iustice Let the zeale of thy promises in all distres be my chiefest ioie and consolation giue me grace from aboue that as I make my boast of thy mercies and louing kindnesse by vertue whereof I am by my Sauiour Christ Iesus quickened from death to life and in his deerest death and pretious bloud-shedding regenerated and borne anew not of water but of the spirit by faith So Lord I may with thine abundant loue shewed to me ward and the whole posteritie of Adam I may be afraid wilfullie or of a set purpose to transgresse thy commandements and so incur therby thy displeasure that the effects of thy iustice in the day of thy comming to iudgement be pronounced against me to the vtter destruction of bodie and soule Make me alwaies willing good Lord to heare thy word by the power wherof my faith is increased and there withall plant in me perfect loue and obedience and so direct my footesteps in this vale of miserie that I may tread the path that leadeth to thee with whom my soule thirsteth to rest euen as vehementlie as the Hart longeth after the water brookes Grant this O mercifull God for the honour and glorie of thy name sake Amen A fruitfull praier to be said at the going to bed of euerie Christian. MOst mercifull Father I most wretched and vnwoorthie sinner prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy heauenlie grace yeelding vnto thee most humble and hartie thanks that hast of thine exceeding loue and fauour preserued me this daie from all perill and danger humblie beseeching thy diuine Maiestie this night to preserue me for the loue of thine onlie sonne and my sweet Sauiour Iesus Christ mediatour and aduocate who continuallie pleadeth and maketh intercession to thee for me and all the rest of thy chosen children presenting his bloudie
no meanes escape but that I must needs be a praie vnto one of them Strengthen me therefore O Lord that neither the one with carnall lusts neither the other with delectable pleasures nor Sathan himselfe with all his craftie and subtile deuises get the dominion ouer me Thou hast bought me thou hast paid for me take thou me saue keepe and defend me be alwaies readie at the voice of my crieng powre into me thy grace patientlie to abide thy diuine will and pleasure in all things Make me both at this present and all the daies of my life to haue in mind and profoundlie to roote in my hart the mysteries of thy painefull passion and so to be filled with the remembrance thereof that sin may no more enter into me and that Sathan mine old enimie may well perceiue that he hath neither part nor fellowship in me but that I am both bodie and soule altogether thine to whome be all praises world without end Amen A praier vnto God the holie Ghost O Holie Ghost O blessed and holie spirit comforter of them that be afflicted thou proceeding from the Father and the Sonne art the true instructor and teacher of the diuine and heauenlie veritie Wherefore I with all humilitie praie thee to renew and make in me a cleane hart to graffe a right spirit in me to guide and gouerne me that I may thinke nothing speake nothing doo nothing but that onlie which shall please thee And whereas I haue not ceased to offend my Lord God and maker and most greeuouslie to transgresse against Iesus my redeemer and sauiour I praie thee that I may haue inward sorowe repentance and shame thereof and that euer hereafter I may performe my dutie as I ought to doo and so bring foorth the fruits of repentance that the passion of Iesus Christ may defend me from all sinne and wickednesse and bring me to the ioies of paradise So be it A godlie praier for the true worshipping of God which may be vsed in the Church before common praier STablish our harts and minds O most gratious God in the true woorshipping of thy diuine maiestie make vs to beleeue thy holie and sacred Gospell wherein we are dailie and hourelie instructed to loue feare honour and obeie thee to hate sinne and iniquitie to renounce all superstitious ceremonies whereby thy worship is defaced thy glorie prophaned and thine honour greatlie diminished Giue vs the grace to hate sinne and iniquitie to renounce and forsake the vanities and wanton pleasures of this wicked and sinfull world Arme vs we beseech thee to mortifie and bring vnder the rebellious appetites and straieng lusts of the flesh And finallie giue vs power from aboue to withstand Sathan the prince of darknesse and all his damnable ministers who by diuers temptations prouoke and allure vs from godlie puritie and perfect integritie which passeth onlie from Christ Iesus vnto vs who is the fulnesse of our perfection and holinesse to all kinds of euill impietie and vncleannesse by meanes whereof thy worship is greatlie prophaned and of a set purpose contemned Make vs constant to skirmish against the world sinne death and hell and by the power of a fruitefull faith giue vs grace to resist and bridle the concupiscence of our flesh in such sort that our soules may triumph with victorie and continue constant in woorshipping thee from whom passeth the fulnesse of our ioie Prepare our harts and minds good Lord now and euer to spread foorth the glorie of thy name Kéepe our tongues from all filthie talke and vncomelie gesture least by the exercise of such sinne we contemne thy worship and prouoke thee to displeasure and indignation Set thou a watch before the gates of my mouth that my lips by thy grace may be alwaies made open to sound foorth thy praise and euerlasting glorie Be mercifull to our offences thinke thou not on our vnrighteousnesse but vpon thy clemencie Forgiue them freelie and pardon gratiouslie our sinnes make vs faithfull in Christ Iesus Shorten the dangerous daies of iniquitie increase the number of thy chosen and peculiar Saincts Hasten thy comming O sauiour Christ that we with the felowship of the Saints heauenlie Angels and the blessed companie of Martyrs may celebrate thy praise and worship thee in thy glorious kingdome before the father our God and the holie Ghost to whome be praise for euer Amen Another praier that we may liue so vprightlie in this life that at the last we may dwell in the euerlasting tabernacle O Lord seeing that the righteous shall dwell in thy tabernacle graunt me I beseech thee a pure and vndefiled soule O what is the shape of the earth wherein Gods enimies haue abiding in comparison of the woonderfull beautie of heauen wherein righteousnesse doth dwell in comparison of that place wherein Angels Archangels all good men yea and God himselfe is abiding What are the pleasures of the world wealth honour companie of our parents and friends wherein all our pleasure and sweetenesse is mixed with sowrenesse and sorowe wherein euerie perfection hath his imperfection What is all this to the vnspeakeable ioie in the kingdome of God What is the companie of friends heere in comparison to the companie of Abraham Isaac and Iacob the Patriarches and Prophets and all the Saints of God Oh the felicitie of euerlasting life which is without all discommodities perpetuall without all perill and molestation Oh the glorious maiestie the singular mirth and passing ioies of the life to come The eie hath not seene nor the hart of man is able to conceiue in anie part the happie estate of the blessed soules in heauen Oh how amiable are thy tabernacles My soule hath a desire to enter into the courts of the Lord. My hart and my soule reioice in the liuing God blessed be they that dwell in thy house they may be alwaies praising thee One daie in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere I had rather be a dore-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of vngodlinesse The Lord God is a light and defence My soule is athirst for God euen for the liuing God When shall I come before the presence of my God My flesh longeth after thee in a barren and drie land where no water is Good Lord remember me and graunt that I may weare the white garments of innocencie with thine elected in thine euerlasting kingdome Amen A praier against the felowship of the vngodlie PRotect and defend me O heauenlie Father and most mercifull God from the felowship of the vngodlie men which dailie imagine mischiefe in their harts to harme the innocent Keepe me from the counsels of the foolish and vngodlie which speake proud things against the glorie of thy blessed name Defend me from faithlesse and deceiptfull ones whose guiltie stomaches are gorged with grudge enuie malice hatred disdaine and all vncharitablenesse For their throtes are like vnto an open sepulchre or swallowing graue their tongs are giuen
to slander and backbite their neighbours the poison of Adders lieth hidden vnder their lips and in fine they as thine enimies blaspheme thy holie and blessed name and contemne thy testimonies O Lord giue me thy grace to be conuersant with good and godlie men such as fauour thy glorious Gospell and doo their indeuour to practise thy precepts to the glorie of thy holie and blessed name Make me by their example to exercise my selfe in the heauenlie veritie that thereby I may be instructed in the liuelie knowledge of thy commandements and obtaine such wisdome from aboue that by faith I may cleaue to thee and the felowship of those that feare thy holie name and so auoide the companie of the wicked and vngodlie worldlings which haue laid snares to intrap mee Graunt this O most mercifull Father for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake who euer liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost to whome be all laude glorie power and praise for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said before or after the Sermon MOst mightie GOD which by thy word hast made all things whose voice the flouds and hils doo knowe whose heast both quicke and dead heauen and hell obey at whose displeasure the diuels in hell doo tremble let thy word so lighten our harts that by our good works we may testifie our profession seeing that the tree which beareth not fruit shall be cut downe throwne into the fire Grant that I may not onelie be a hearer but also a dooer of thy holie word that so finallie I may be partaker of thine euerlasting ioie and blisse O Lord grant me wisdome to knowe thee and grace to followe thee in true humilitie that as thou didst suffer to be spitted at and smitten of thine enimies so we may beare the displeasures of the world and rage of our enimies with patience Thou hast blessed the little ones and reuealed vnto them the things hidden from the wise For thou wilt haue mercie where it pleaseth thee O set thy feare alwaies before mine eies make me to vnderstand wisdome secretlie and graffe thy faith so in my hart that I may both knowe thee and loue thee and glorifie thy holie name for euer Amen A praier for faith O Blessed Sauiour Iesus sonne of the euerliuing God the vnspeakeable ioie of thy seruants most present cōfort to sinners which camest into the world to saue offenders which so louedst the world that thou sparedst not thy most pretious bloud to redeeme the losse of our first father Adam and to make vs coheires of the forfeited inheritance with thy selfe that all which beleeue in thee might be saued Good Lord which hast promised to them that knocke it shall be opened and that they which seeke shall find grant I beseech thee that I may search thy holie lawes and find the truth of thy holie word that I may alwaies constantlie confesse and shew thee and thy goodnesse as well in my words as liuing Inspire me with thy holie spirit that I may knowe thee stedfastlie trust in thee and serue thee in praiers and well-dooing all the time of my life O most mercifull Lord and Sauiour of the world for the glorie of thy name sake I beseech thee to heare my praiers My soule reioice in God my sauing health for hee hath been good to thee he hath kept thee from the snare of the hunter and blessed thee The Lord is a mercifull God let all the earth feare him let the mouths of all men sound praises vnto him God is a good Lord and dailie increaseth his good gifts to his seruants the Lord will increase my faith in him and I shall be saued So be it A praier to be said before the receiuing of the Lords Supper OMnipotent GOD and father euerlasting whose mercie is infinite and whose kingdom hath none end vouchsafe I beseech thee of thine exceeding goodnes to increse our faith that as thy ghests repaire to the table of thy sonne Iesus Christ who hath left vnto vs before he gaue his bodie to be crucified and his bloud to be shed largelie on the crosse for our redemption as a pledge of his great loue and abundant kindnesse the celebration of his glorious supper wherein as it were in a looking glasse the death of our great maister the high shepheard of our soules Iesus Christ is most liuelie set foorth vnto vs. Giue vs grace therefore from aboue rightlie to vnderstand the diuine mysteries offered vnto vs thereby and not to wrest or wring the same contrarie to thy will Let it be far from our thoughts good Lord to leaue thine eternall veritie and to build on the doctrine of men who following their owne imaginations run headlong to the gaping gulph of danger and destruction Plucke the scales of ignorance from our eies that we may cleerlie descerne and behold by the light of thy glorious Gospell how we may truelie communicate and participate the fruits of thy grace represented vnto vs in this comfortable Sacrament Indue vs plentifullie with such pure knowledge that we may not once thinke or saie after anie grosse forme or carnall maner we feede vpon or eate thy flesh reallie or carnallie but make vs alwaies constantlie to beleeue that thy glorious bodie is ascended vp into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of thy Father concerning thy humanitie and cannot be thence remooued till the time that thou shalt come with legions of Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead before whose presence shall run a consuming fire And moreouer wee doo most humblie beseech thee so to confirme vs in the truth of thy blessed testament that we may confesse thy diuine nature to be equall with the Father and the holie Ghost and to beleeue that thy power is not a power particular but a power generall and such as doth and shall gouerne in heauen and earth in the deepe and lowe waters yea and in the nethermost parts of hell Strengthen vs therefore good Lord that stand least that in falling from the true knowledge of thee we perish euerlastinglie And sith thou hast called vs by thy word as thy ghests to this blessed banket wherin y e mouths of our carnall bodies are fostered fed with bread and wine so Lord confirme our faith in thee that the mouths of our soules may feed spirituallie vpon thy sweetest flesh and drinke thy deerest blood and so be nourished to euerlasting life and heauenlie blessednesse Which reward as a dowrie due thou hast promised to all those that faithfullie build vpon thee which art the rocke and strong piller of our saluation And as these most holie mysteries must set foorth vnto vs most liuelie thy death and passion so make vs thankefull to thee for the same and thereby giue vs grace to print in our harts thy great loue and exceeding clemencie that sparedst not to giue thy bodie to the most vile shamefull and slanderous death of the Crosse and thy bloud to be shed
neckes Giue vs patience to suffer whatsoeuer it shall please thee to laie vpon vs. Giue vs grace alwaie to call and crie vpon thy holie and blessed name and faithfullie with teares to saie vnto thee continuallie Spare vs good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy pretious bloud neither yet good Lord be thou angrie with vs for euer Graunt this O mercifull father for the loue of thy onlie sonne Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise ascribed foreuer Amen A praier for patience in trouble and meekelie to suffer aduersitie GRatious Lord and omnipotent God whose mercie is euerlasting and infinite bowe downe thine eare and harken vnto this my praier which I make before thy diuine Maiestie most humblie beseeching thee of thine accustomed goodnesse to indue me with the works of mercie and deedes of charitie and aboue all things to giue me patience in aduersitie meekelie to suffer and patientlie to take whatsoeuer it shall please thee to laie vpon me and neuer to murmur or to grudge thereat but alwaies to thinke thy louing and gentle correction to be much lesse than the deserts of my great and manifold offences Againe if I be not vnder correction then am I not thy child For what father is he who correcteth not his children whome he most intirelie loueth This then is an euident token that thou louest vs when as thou correctest vs. For as the scripture saith Whome God loueth him he chasteneth Thou seest all things thou vnderstandest and knowest all things so that not so much as one little sparowe lighteth vpon the ground without thy knowledge yea our verie thoughts are foreknowne vnto thee Thou disposest and orderest all things as seemeth best to thy holie will and pleasure By thy helpe I may doo all things without thee I can doo nothing When thou powrest vpon vs thy creatures thy good gifts and benefits when thou bestowest vpon vs prosperitie health wealth and such like thou dooest it to this intent that we acknowledging the same should thereby be incouraged to serue honour and humblie obeie thee and alwaies praise and magnifie thy glorious name Contrariwise when thou strikest vs with thy rod of correction as plaging vs with great mortalitie suffering our enimies to inuade vs robbers for to spoile vs pouertie to oppresse vs or fire to consume those things which thou hast lent vs for the maintenance of our bodies in this mortall life thou doest it to put vs in mind that we haue transgressed thy commandements that we haue not harkned vnto thee neither done that which is acceptable in thy sight but willinglie falling into the puddle of sin and following our owne appetites haue prouoked thy iust wrath and indignation against vs. Thus thou dealest with vs O Lord to the intent that we suffering bodilie punishment and feeling the smart of the same may thereby be admonished of our dutie and with true compunction of hart desire to be released from thy scourges which we haue deserued and worthilie receiue and then acknowledge our selues to be lost children and straieng sheepe may both see and be ashamed of our vnbrideled affections and wilfulnesse which haue brought vs to calamitie and miserie and with the true penitent to saie We are not worthie most mercifull Father to lift vp our eies or voice vnto thee for our manifold sins and wickednesse Neuerthelesse presuming vpon thine aboundant mercie who refusest none that doo call vppon thee most lamentablie we doo crie Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners being now greeuouslie afflicted with the burden of punishment and affliction which thou hast laid vpon vs. Put thou therefore awaie displeasure conceiued against vs thy poore creatures and grant vs that beeing warned by this we may euer heereafter serue thee in newnesse of life and neuer commit anie thing which shall displease or offend thee This O heauenlie father I acknowledge to be our dutie But though I for my part haue not performed the same as I ought to doo yet I beseech thine inestimable goodnesse not to execute the rigour of thy iustice vpon me but to state thine hand and before thou giue me anie greater wound to behold my humilitie and repentance which being not able to recompense and satisfie the trespasses which I against thee haue committed doo offer vnto thee according as the poore widowe did all that which I am able to giue that is a sorowfull contrition of hart for my former offences done and passed Thy iustice as it is right so is it rigorous to sinners Thou art so gealous and so much doest detest sin that thou sparest not to punish thy verie elect and chosen seruants when as they fall into it Who was more acceptable in thy sight than that holie Prophet King Dauid of whome thou thy selfe didst saie I haue found a man according to mine owne hart euen Dauid my seruant yet neuerthelesse diuers and sundrie waies didst thou punish him when that he had swarued from thy testimonies Thou sufferedst him to be molested with the insurrection of his owne sonne thou didst send the prophet vnto him to offer him the choice of plagues which thou wouldest send vpon him for his wicked liuing but when he with sorowfull sighes and trickling teares turned vnto thee confessing his fault crauing pardon and promising amendment of life thou forgatest thine anger and forgauest his offence Other of thy chosen vessels thou hast permitted to be greeuouslie tormented vexed by sundrie troubles and aduersities onlie to trie their faith and stedfastnesse towards thee As thou didst suffer that patient man Iob to be most cruellie intreated by that enimie of all mankind to haue his houses burned and spoiled his cattell taken awaie his seruants driuen into bondage his children to be slaine his owne bodie to be afflicted with most loathsome diseases plagues and sores And all this thou didst not for anie euill deede of his but to shewe thine omnipotencie and power For when thou hadst tried him to the vtmost and found that his enimie the diuell could not preuaile against him or by anie paine and greefe cause him to blaspheame and speake euill of thee thou diddest reduce him to health thou diddest enrich him againe thou diddest restore vnto him againe his children friends familie and all his goods with much more than euer he before possessed shewing most manifestlie that thou wilt reward them most plentiouslie which do loue thee folowe and obserue thy commandements Wherefore I beseech thee to giue me grace that whatsoeuer waie it shall please thee to visit me with thy punishment I may take it patientlie and saie with patient Iob Naked came I into this world and naked shall I returne to the earth againe the Lord giueth the Lord taketh awaie euen as it pleaseth the Lord so be it Suffer me not to despaire or to thinke that thou dealest vniustlie with me but to saie Shall I receiue
this perfect quietnesse may be in anie I will not affirme peraduenture it is not necessarie to be For Paule in this life notwithstanding his high perfection and grace had a motion of the flesh to vexe and trouble him And when he thrise desired God to be deliuered from the said motion he onelie had this answere Paule my grace is sufficient for vertue is made perfect by vexation Paule was vexed by pride that he should not be proud to be perfect and strong in God he was caused to be weake and feeble For he caried the treasure of heauenlie reuelation in a fraile and brittle vessell that the honour and victorie should onlie be in God not in himselfe This one example of Paule is erudition and learning in manie things when that we be entised and moued to sinne that we diligentlie call to almightie God by praier Remember that Dauid the Prophet King Salomon and Peter the Apostle notwithstanding they were great lights and examples of holinesse yet they fell into greeuous and great sinnes whome almightie God peraduenture suffered to fall for this cause speciallie that thou shouldst not despaire Lift vp thy selfe therefore vpon thy feete and with high courage and bold stomach returne againe into battell against thy enimies not onlie more fierce and bold but also more ware and diligent And thinke with thy selfe what intollerable and inuincible temptations Christ suffered for thee wherein there appeared no helpe comfort aide nor defence anie where wherein God and the whole world seemed to be his most cruell and malicious enimies when that he cried alowd My GOD my GOD why hast thou forsaken me Trulie this was a most greeuous painefull and bitter temptation which Christ suffered for vs that he might make the waie of the crosse easie for vs. Therefore prepare thy selfe patientlie to drinke of that cup which Christ Iesu thy head hath so willinglie dronke on for the saluation of all mankind And seeing therefore that Christ so willinglie put himselfe in subiection and dipped himselfe in those so horrible and intollerable sorowes and calamities our most louing and heauenlie father willing the same out of doubt he also vnderstandeth and knoweth our infirmitie out of doubt he taking compassion on vs will not extremelie deale with vs but will rather beare with our imbecillitie and weakenesse Doth not he himselfe calling all men vnto him saie Come vnto me all yee that labour and are heauie laden and I will refresh you What greater comfort I praie you can be giuen vs How could Christ speake more mercifullie vnto vs There be manie things that greeuouslie vexe and trouble man but what thing can more cruellie vexe and torment his conscience ouerwhelmed with sinne than when he doubteth of the mercie of God When he dreadeth least God be his aduersarie and will reiect him When he is not able to conceiue this faith of his mercie and doth imagine himselfe to be cast awaie as a drie member that is cut off Be present heere O Iesus Christ with thine aide and helpe heere we haue neede of thy comfort let not this blacke violent and horrible tempest of troubles ouerthrowe and drowne wretched man But there is no cause why we should doubt Christ is true he will make his promise to appeare he will helpe vs and refresh vs. Therefore whereas thy faith is not strong ynough whereas thou feelest thy selfe to doubt of Gods mercie and hast well-neere no faith at all streightwaies call vpon God bewaile thy miserie and lacke of beleefe before him seeke for his aide and succour by feruent praier and he will both helpe and refresh thee he hath taken vpon him thus to doo and he will bring it to passe But take heede thou cease not to call vpon God beseech thou without ceasing the father of all consolation and comfort with sighes from the bottome of thine heart that he turne not his face from thee laie thy weakenesse vpon him and powre out into his bosome all things which trouble and torment thee Crie out with his disciples O Lord increase my faith Likewise saie thou with the father of the lunatike childe Lord I beleeue helpe thou mine vnbeleefe make haste O Lord to helpe me before that I oppressed with this weight be drowned O most louing and most mercifull father Lord God of my health our onlie helpe and refuge enter not into iudgement with thy seruants Christ is my righteousnesse redemption and innocencie which suffered most bitter and cruell death for my sake Let those things moue thee O father of all compassion haue mercie vpon me for thy sonnes sake confirme and strengthen my hart by faith in Christ comfort me with the consolations of the holie Ghost that I may enioie the true ioies of euerlasting life through the merits of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen A godlie meditation of the vnspeakable ioies of heauen and the intollerable paines of hell verie often to be remembred O God my Lord my harts delight with whom my soule longeth to dwell in that heauenlie Ierusalem wherein is continuall health eternall felicitie happie libertie and perfect blessednesse where men shall be like vnto the Angels of God and iust men shall shine as the Sunne in the euerlasting kingdome wherein is no heauinesse no sorrowe no greefe no feare no labour no death no disease no lacke no hunger no thirst no cold nor heate no wearinesse of fasting nor temptation of the enimie no will to sinne nor power to doo euill no old age no lame or deformed person no feare of pouertie or weaknesse by disease but a quiet harbour of all ioie and euerlasting happinesse where men in the societie of Angels shall continuallie dwell without anie infirmitie of the flesh For there is infinite ioie and eternall blisse from whence none shall be remoued that once by thy prouidence shall enter therein There is rest from labours peace from the enimie a new kind of ioie and delight such as no hart can conceine saue onlie by taking a maruellous delight and exceeding pleasure in the beholding of thee my Lord God my glorious redeemer and the heauenlie comforter which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne O heauenlie Ierusalem thou art sweet and beautifull in all thy ioies and delights There are no such miseries in thee as we feele and suffer in this poore and miserable life There is in thee no darkenesse nor change of time the shining of the Moone the twinkling brightnesse of the Stars giueth not light in thee but onlie the God of all power glorie maiestie the light of lights For in thee the Sun of iustice giueth light to those that are adopted in his bloud to euer-during blessednesse The bright and immaculate Lambe a most beautifull light is thy light that doth illuminate his chosen children The King of kings is in the middest of thee enuironed on ech side with his
the almightie and victorious conquerour sweete Iesus Christ we are the adopted sonnes of thy Father and made fellowe-heires with thee our perfect Emanuel In whose name with all humilitie and lowlinesse of hart and mind I come vnto thee in this great extremitie of sicknesse and danger of death beseeching thee to be present with me to forget mine offences to thinke vpon thy mercies And although I haue not deserued so much as the least drop of thy fauour by meanes of the great burden of my sinnes which are in the presence of thy diuine Maiestie most ouglie and loathsome to behold yet respect thou not O Father mine iniquitie but haue an eie I beseech thee to the merits of my Sauiour Christ Iesus to whom as my Mediator Sauiour and Redeemer I appeale who hath promised comfort and sweete consolation to all those that in his name flie vnto thee for releefe I confesse that woorthilie thou hast visited me with this sicknesse and disease and yet not according to the multitude of my sinnes but in the fulnesse of miseration and fatherlie pitie Giue me grace therefore in these bitter brunts of death who vehementlie at this present beginneth to combat with fainting and feeble life constantlie to cleaue vnto thee Let not the pleasures of this wicked world be a let or impediment for me to come vnto thee let not my fraile and feeble flesh subiect to sinne which hath through my transgression made me a bondman to death mooue me to despaire in thy great mercie neither yet let the caueling aduersarie the enimie of mankind at my last end triumph ouer me Giue me patience to suffer and gladlie to beare and abide this thy scourge and visitation and so fortifie me in soule and bodie that so long as life shall endure in me I may neuer cease to call vpon thy holie and blessed name Yea and when death is most busiest make thou me most constant yea when he seeketh most stronglie to assaile my feeble bodie giue me thy grace good Lord that I may in spirit hart mind and all the powers of my soule giue praises vnto thee that of thy grace and inestimable kindnesse hast sent thy sonne Christ Iesus to ransome me by his bloudie death and passion from the power of hell Giue me grace therfore now that thou hast appointed thy messenger death to finish the daies of my pilgrimage and to call me by his summons from out of this vale of miserie and wretchednesse to build stedfastlie vpon him and faithfullie to hope for life and saluation in alone through him Let the remembrance of my former wickednesse be no more thought vpon let mine offences be blotted out of thy glorious sight Behold my sorowfull true repentant hart which come vnto thee with teares not building on my merits but vpon thy mercies Though I be sinfull thy sonne my Sauiour is righteous though I be wicked yet he is most holie though I be full of impietie yet he is full of all goodnesse though I haue greeuouslie offended thee yet he hath fullie contented thee though I haue transgressed thy lawe yet he hath fulfilled the same and hath promised in his bloud to wash awaie their sinnes that by faith continue in him constant to the end I therefore in this my great and painfull agonie beholding death to be at the gates of my bodie come vnto thee by the vertue of a fruitfull faith beseeching thee when thou shalt see it meete and conuenient that he shall dissolue the bands of this vading life which endureth but a while for a thousand yeeres are as yesterdaie in thy sight to take my soule into thy glorious and blessed hands and so to confirme me in thy truth that at the last when it shall please thee by the sound of a trumpe to raise my bodie from the graue when and in which time bodie and soule shall vnite and come before thy presence I may by faith in thee passe ouer the mount of my corruption shake off the bands of sinne be set free from death and destruction and being by the vertue of thy righteousnesse made holie I may triumph with happie victorie ouer sinne death and all the powers of hell and enter with thee and the felowship of thy chosen Saints into euerlasting rest Grant this most louing Father for Christ Iesus sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be rendred all laud glorie honour and praise for euer Amen The Lord God be mercifull to me pardon and forgiue me my sinnes looke vpon me with his gratious and blessed countenance preserue me from the second death and euerlasting destruction of bodie and soule The Lord God iustifie me in his death and bloud cloath me with his euerlasting righteousnesse and register my name in the booke of life The Lord God comfort my guiltie conscience with the euerlasting light of his bountifull fauour and lot my place among his Saints in his heauenlie kingdome The Lord God for his mercies sake after this my bodilie death giue me the fruition of his presence in his rich palace of endlesse glorie to whose mercifull protection I commend with all humilitie and reuerence my soule Lord Iesus preserue me Lord Iesus comfort me Lord Iesus refresh me Lord Iesus praie for me For onlie into thy hands that hast redeemed mee O Lord God of truth I commend my soule Amen A deuout meditation to be vsed after praier REmember not O Lord God thine anger against me an offender but be mindfull of thy mercie towards me a true penitent Forget that through pride I haue prouoked thee to ire and fauourablie harken vnto my praier What is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O bountifull Iesu be thou my Sauiour rise vp in thine owne strength to helpe me Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard In thy goodnesse doo I trust in thee is my helpe And forasmuch as thou hast willed that we should without ceasing seeke and sue vnto thee behold I beeing counselled and foretold by thy commandements doo now both aske seeke and knocke But thou which commandest me to aske graunt that I may receiue thou biddest me seeke make me to find thou hast taught me to knocke open vnto me that stand knocking strengthen me that am weake restore me that am lost reuiue me that am dead by sinne make me to serue thee to liue to thee to giue my selfe wholie to thee I knowe my God that because thou madest me I owe my selfe vnto thee and for that thou hast redeemed me I should owe thee more than my selfe But behold I haue no more to giue neither can I giue my selfe vnto thee vnlesse thou make me willing therevnto Take thou me draw me vnto thee that as I am thine by creation so I may be thine by following of thee which liuest and reignest for euer and euer Amen A Praier deciphering in Alphabet forme the name of the right Woorshipfull Ladie MARY FANE M MOst mightie art thou Lord in all thy deedes
surelie haue perished in my trouble The lawe of my God is more deerer vnto me than thousands of siluer and gold yea all the riches in the world is nothing woorth in comparison of thy word For it is more comfortable than the most costliest and pretious restoratiue that anie Physician can make For it comforteth nourisheth and preserueth the soule leading it vnto life euerlasting Oh Lord God of hosts who is like vnto thee Thy truth most mightie God endureth for euermore I will alwaies giue thanks vnto thee for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed on me The righteous shall heare thereof and reioice with me yea and the vnrighteous shall feare the Lord and saie Doubtlesse there is a GOD that defendeth his seruants and he also doth punish the wrong dooers Thou art the God that dooest woonderous things O Lord who may be compared vnto thee For thou deliuerest me thy poore oppressed seruant from the hand of my strong enimie yea from such a one as was too mightie for me to deale withall Thou hast I saie mightilie defended me and now O Lord be mindfull of me and command my spirit to be receiued in grace when it is thy good pleasure Amen An instruction for Christians conteining a fruitfull and godlie exercise as well in wholsome and fruitfull praiers as in reuerend discerning of Gods holie Commandements and Sacraments translated out of French into English by a right vertuous and godlie Matrone and Gentlewoman named Mistresse DORCAS MARTIN Psalme 119. verses 37 133. From vaine desires and worldlie lusts Turne backe mine eies and sight Giue me the spirit of life and power To walke thy waies aright Direct my footesteps by thy word That I thy will may knowe And neuer let iniquitie Thy seruant ouerthrowe The Lords praier OUr Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this daie our dailie bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen The Articles of the Christian faith I Beleeue in God the father Almightie maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onlie sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holie Ghost Borne of the virgin Marie Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into hell The third daie he rose againe from the dead He ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almightie From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beleeue in the holie Ghost The holie Catholike Church The communion of Saints The forgiuenesse of sinnes The resurrection of the bodie And the life euerlasting Amen The ten Commandements of Almightie GOD Exod. 20. The Preface HEarken O Israel I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage The first Table _1 THou shalt haue none other gods before me 2 Thou shalt make thee no grauen image neither anie similitude of things that are in heauen aboue neither that are in the earth beneath nor that are in the waters vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor woorship them For I am the Lord thy God a gealous God visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vpon the third generation and vpon the fourth of them that hate me and shewing mercie vnto thousands in them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him giltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember the Sabboth daie to keepe it holie Sixe daies shalt thou labour and doo all thy workes but the seauenth daie is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not doo anie worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maide-seruant nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in sixe daies the Lord made the heauen and the earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seauenth daie therfore the Lord blessed the Sabboth daie and halowed it The second Table _5 HOnour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may bee prolonged vpon the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt not kill 7 Thou shalt not commit adulterie 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour 10 Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house neither shalt thou couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his maide nor his oxe nor his asse neither anie thing that is thy neighbours The Summe THou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine hart with all thy soule and with all thy mind This is the first and the greatest commandement And the second is like vnto this Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two commandements hangeth the whole Lawe and the Prophets Matth 7. verse 12. Whatsoeuer ye would that men should doo to you euen so doo ye to them For this is the Lawe and the Prophets Iohn 15. verse 12. This is my commandement that ye loue one another as I haue loued you Iohn 13. verse 35. Heereby shall all men knowe that you are my disciples if ye loue one another A praier to be said in the Morning when one awaketh Our helpe be in the name of the Lord who hath made heauen and earth O My God and father I most humblie praise and thanke thee for this that of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie it hath pleased thee to watch for me this night whiles I slept preseruing me from so manie kinds of dangers wherevnto this miserable life is subiect O Lord I beseech thee bring into my memorie thy other great and innumerable benefits also according as I may be able to comprehend them to the end that I may likewise render thanks for the same least I be vngratefull towards thy maiestie as thou hast done me this good not to forget that thou alone hast preserued me from all inconuenience And herewithall I beseech thee most gratious father through thy mercie to continue this thy fatherlie care which thou hast for me vntill such time as I shall rest in that happie sleepe whereof they reioice which sleepe in peace through our Lord Iesus Christ thy sonne who in the vnitie of the holie Ghost liueth and reigneth God with thee eternallie So be it The exercise of an housholder with his familie to praie in the Morning O Our God Father Sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to giue vs grace to passe this night to come vnto this daie present vouchsafe now also to bestowe this goodnesse vpon vs that we may emploie our selues altogether to thy seruice in such wise that we neither thinke saie or doo anie thing but onlie to please thee
when thou openest thy hand they are satisfied with good things O Lord in whom consisteth the fulnesse of all good things vouchsafe to extend thy blessing vpon vs thy poore seruants sanctifie vnto vs thy gifts which we receiue of thy liberalitie that we may vse them soberlie and purelie according to thy good will and by this meanes to knowledge thee to be the Father and author of all goodnesse still seeking principallie the spirituall bread of thy word whereby our soules may bee nourished eternallie through Iesus Christ thy sonne our Lord So be it Matthew 4. verse 4. MAn liueth not by bread onlie but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Grace after meate LEt all nations praise the Lord let all people sing praise vnto him For his mercie is multiplied vpon vs and his truth endureth for euer We render thanks vnto thee O Lord God for all the benefits that we receiue continuallie at thy hand for that it pleaseth thee to sustaine vs in this corporall life ministring vnto vs all our necessities and speciallie for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate vs into the hope of a better life which thou hast reuealed vnto vs by thy holie Gospell We beseech thee not to suffer our affections to be here rooted in these corruptible things but that we alwaies haue an higher respect waiting for our Lord Iesus Christ vntill he appeere in our redemption So be it A praier to be said before sleepe Exhortation LEt vs all fall downe humbling our selues before the high and soeuereigne Maiestie of our good God and Father acknowledging vs to be as we are namelie poore and miserable sinners praieng hartilie vnto him as followeth O Lord God Father eternall we beseech thee that it will please thee to cast the eie of thy fatherlie mercie vpon vs thy poore seruants not laieng to our charge so manie faults and offences whereby we are worthie to be brought vnto thy iudgement and whereby wee cease not to prouoke thy wrath against vs. And forasmuch as we are too vnwoorthie to appeare before thy holie Maiestie vouchsafe to receiue vs in the name of thy welbeloued sonne our Lord Iesus Christ accepting the merits of his death and passion for a recompense of all our faults regarding rather the obedience which he hath rendred vnto thee and not the manifold faults that we dailie commit against thy Maiestie O Lord God seeing it hath pleased thee to create the night for mans rest so as thou hast ordeined him the daie to trauell grant vs grace so to take our bodilie rest this night that our soules may alwaie watch vnto thee that our harts be lift vp in thy loue and that we so renounce all earthlie cares that we succour our selues according as our infirmitie requireth Let vs neuer forget thee but let the remembrance of thy goodnesse and grace continue alwaie printed in our memorie and by this meanes our consciences also shall haue their spirituall rest as our bodies take theirs Furthermore let not our sleepe be excessiue to accomplish the ease of our flesh beyond measure but onelie to satisfie the frailtie of our nature that we may be disposed to serue thee Moreouer let it please thee to preserue vs vnderfiled both in our bodies and in our spirits and to keepe vs against all dangers that our verie sleepe may be to the glorie of thy name And seeing the daie is not so passed but that we haue offended thee manie waies according as we are poore sinners so that all is now hid through the darknesse that thou sendest vpon earth vouchsafe also to burie all our faults through thy mercie least we thereby bee taken from thy presence Let it please thee also O Lord God to illuminate vs by thy holie spirit in the true vnderstanding of thy holie will and bring to passe also that we may yeeld vnto thee the loue and feare that true and faithfull seruants doo owe vnto their masters and children vnto their parents seeing it hath pleased thee to shew vs such grace as to receiue vs into the number of thy seruants and children Amen The praier of the Church of the faithfull to speake the word of God with all boldnesse Acts 4. verse 24 c. O Lord thou hast made the heauen the earth the sea all things that be in them Which through thine holie spirit hast said by the mouth of Dauid thy seruāt Wherfore haue the nations raged the people haue imagined vaine thoughts The kings of the earth haue assembled and the princes are come togither against the Lord and against his Christ For trulie Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentils and the people of Israel haue gathered themselues together in this citie against the holie child Iesus whom thou hast annointed to doo those things which thy hand and thy counsell hath determined to be done And now Lord behold their threatnings giue vnto thy seruants that they may speake thy word with all boldnesse so that thou stretch foorth thine hand that healing signes and woonders be done by the name of thy holie child Iesus Amen ¶ The maner how to examine such yong persons as be willing to receiue the Supper of our Lord Iesus Christ Mother IN whome beleeue you Child In God the Father and in Iesus Christ and in the holie Ghost Mother The Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost are they more than one God C No. M Must God be serued after his owne commandements or after the traditions of men C He must be serued according to his owne commandements and not according to the commandements of men M May you accomplish Gods commandements of your selfe C No. M Who is it then that accomplisheth them in you C The holie spirit M And when God giueth you his holie spirit can you perfectlie accomplish them C No. M And yet notwithstāding God cursseth reiecteth all such as do not sincerelie fulfill his cōmandements C It is true M By what meanes then shall you be saued and deliuered from the cursse of God C By the death passion of our Lord Iesus Christ M How is that C Because that by his death he hath restored life vnto vs and reconciled vs vnto God his father M And whome praie you vnto C To God M In whose name praie you C In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ who is our aduocate and intercessor M How manie Sacraments are in the Christian Church C Two M Which be they C Baptisme and the Lords Supper M What is the signification of Baptisme C It hath two parts For our Sauiour doth therein represent vnto vs the remission of our sinnes then our regeneration or spirituall renouation M And the Supper what signifieth it vnto vs C It signifieth vnto vs that by the communion of the bodie and bloud of our Lord Iesus Christ our soules are nourished in hope of the life euerlasting M What is it that the bread and wine which
are giuen vs in the Supper doo represent vnto vs C They represent vnto vs that the bodie and bloud of Iesus Christ haue such vertue towards our soules as the bread and wine haue towards our bodies M Understand you that the bodie of Iesus Christ may be inclosed in the bread and his bloud in the wine C No. M Where then must we seeke Iesus Christ to enioie him C In heauen in the glorie of his father M What is the meanes to come vnto heauen there as Iesus Christ is C It is faith M It behooueth vs then to haue true faith before we can well vse this holie Sacrament C It is so M And how may we haue this faith C We haue it by the holie spirit that dwelleth in our harts and assureth vs of Gods promises which are made vnto vs in the Gospell Unto God the Father of whom and by whom and in whome are all things And vnto Iesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer of the world And vnto the holie Ghost be honour and glorie for euer So be it The true summe of all Christian Religion Mother MY child art thou a Christian Child Yea by the grace of God whereas of nature I was a child of wrath as well as others M Art thou certaine that thou art a Christian C Yea through faith and the holie spirit who giueth witnesse vnto my spirit that I am the child and heire of God M What is it to saie a Christian C It is the same which by faith in Iesus Christ hath receiued the holie spirit as a child of God dooing his dutie in time and place M What is the dutie of a Christian C It is for to knowe God for to serue him in spirit and truth according to the doctrine of Iesus Christ M In how manie points consisteth the true Christian adoration and the true seruice of God C It is faith which is the onelie foundation of Christians M The faith commeth it of vs C No for it is the gift of God M Where lieth this faith C In the hart for with the hart we beleeue to righteousnesse with the mouth we confesse to saluation M Be we then bound to render a reason of our faith and hope C Yea to all men that demand it of vs so that it be done with wisedome gentlenes reuerence and gratious words M And he that confesseth not Iesus Christ in time and place doth he not renounce him C Yea for he that is not with him is against him he that gathereth not with him scattereth abroade M Giue me then a reason of thy faith and first what confession makest thou of the Christian faith C The same that the Church holdeth being founded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles which is brieflie comprehended in our Creede M Canst thou make confession in the common language C Yea I thanke God M Saie it with an high voice and pronounce it well C I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. M Beleeuest thou that thou art saued by this faith of the Church C Yea well if I haue it in my selfe as the first word sheweth I beleeue in God For the iust shall liue by his owne faith M What is it to beleeue in God C It is a full assurance and hope to trust and commit all to him according to his promises in Iesus Christ M Can we haue this faith in perfection whiles we be in this world C No. For we haue neede with the Apostles to require augmentation of faith The Lord increase it in vs and make vs perseuere in it vnto the end Of Inuocation Mother WHat is the second part of Christian adoration and seruice of God Child It is inuocation whereby we haue all our refuge vnto our father through faith in the name of Iesus Christ M Why puttest thou inuocation after faith C Because it is one of the greatest and principall fruite of the same For whosoeuer calleth vpon the name of the Lord in faith shall be saued M Haue we commandement to call vpon God onlie and not vpon others C Yea euen as we are commanded neither to beleeue nor worship anie other but him alone M Should we not praie to the father in the name of other but of Iesus Christ C No. For the father hath giuen vs none other aduocate but him who onlie is verie God and verie man and we haue no promise to be heard in the name of anie other but in his name onlie M Yea but we knowe not what we ought to praie as apperteineth C Iesus Christ teacheth vs by his holie spirit according to the forme that he hath giuen vs. M Rehearse it in the common language to the end that we all may vnderstand it and be edified C Our father which art in heauen c. M Wherefore will he that we call him father C To declare the loue that he beareth towards vs in Iesus Christ to the end that in full assurance and boldnesse we may come to him onlie and not to be afraid of him no more than a child is of his father M What doth this word our shew C The vnitie and charitable brotherhood which ought to be heere well practised among vs according as the communion of Saints requireth M Seeing that God is euerie where and filleth heauen and earth ought not we to seeke and worship him in all his creatures C No. For he is a spirit and incomprehensible wherfore he willeth that in Iesus Christ we seeke and worship him in spirit and truth lifting vp our hearts aboue all corruptible things M What conteine the sixe petitions comprehended in this praier C The three first all y t which makes for the aduancement of the honor and glorie of God which we ought to desire with our whole hart and before all things M And the three last what doo they conteine C Our entertainement and saluation which is also the glorie of God M Why addeth he to the end For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer C To shew that the dignitie efficacie of our praiers consisteth not in vs but altogether in that good father by Iesus Christ working in vs by the holie spirit M Then is it to saie that we all will liue and die in his obedience subiection and glorie C Yea acknowledging him to be the author of all goodnesse and vnto whome onelie apperteineth the true maiestie roiall with all power and glorie for euer M What is the conclusion of this praier C It is that all our desires requests and actions of grace be addressed vnto God alone through Iesus Christ confirming vs throughlie in substance vnto that which it conteineth as vnto the perfect rule of all true godlinesse M Why is this word added to the end Amen or So be it C To assure vs that our praier made thus in truth and according to his will is trulie heard Of Obedience Mother WHat is the third point of Christian adoration and
seruice of God C It is to obeie the lawe of God in true charitie out of a pure hart and out of a pure conscience and of faith vnfained M What is this charitie here required C It is to loue God with all our hart soule vnderstanding and power and our neighbour as our selfe M This true obedience and charitie proceedeth it not of faith C Yea all the good works here commanded which God hath prepared that wee should walke in them M Faith then it is not an opinion vaine and fleshlie to entise vs to sinne more boldlie and to liue in all carnall libertie C No. For if we by faith be trulie graffed in Iesus Christ and call vpon God to saluation we will no more bring foorth the works of the flesh but the fruits of the spirit M Which are the works of the flesh C Adulterie fornication filthinesse outragiousnes idolatrie enimitie strife emulation anger altercation sedition sects enuie murther dronkennesse gluttonie and things like vnto the same M And which are the fruits of the spirit C Loue ioie peace patience benignitie goodnesse faith caurtesie temperance M Seeing we are all carnall euill and seruants of sinne haue we power of our selues to doo good and to keepe vs from euill C No not so much as to thinke anie good thing For it is God that worketh in vs both the will and the deed according to his good will M We must not then doo euerie one of vs what seemeth vnto him good and right what good nature inclination or free will soeuer he alledge C No. For of vs can come nothing but perdition but ail our goodnes aid saluation comneth of God onlie M Our reason wisdome and intent can the same be the rule to knowe and discerne of our works whether they be good or euill C No. For we haue all but one Lawe-giuer who hath giuen vs the true and perfect rule out of the ten commandements of the lawe M What conteine the foure commandements of the first table C How God declareth himselfe to be our God and therefore by good right he requireth of vs faith homage adoration obedience and dutie M And the six commandements in the second table what doo they conteine C Our office and dutie towards our neighbour which is to doo vnto him as we would be done vnto our selues and not to doo vnto him that which wee would not to be done vnto our selues M Go to recite now this holie lawe C Harken O Israel I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thee out of the land of Aegypt c. as Exodus 20. M And how is it that Iesus Christ accomplished in vs this lawe so perfectlie C In giuing vs his holie spirit who ingendreth in vs a continuall desire and mind to doo all that the lawe commandeth vs as neere as we can M And this obedience so vnperfect doth it please God C Yea by this that our imperfection is not imputed vnto vs bicause of Iesus Christ whose iustice and perfect obedience is ours through faith M Alas who shall giue vs the hart and the power to doo the will of God which he here hath declared vnto vs by his holie ordinances C It shall be euen he himselfe by his spirit in the name of Iesus Christ his sonne whom he hath giuen vnto the death to deliuer vs from the condemnation of the lawe and from the bondage of sinne that is to saie from eternall death Of Confession Mother WHat is the fourth point of Christian adoration and seruice of God C It is the solemne confession or acknowledging that we make in the Church through the vse of the Sacraments M What confession C Of all good things both generall and particular which we receiue in the Church through the communion that we haue with Iesus and togither among our selues one with another M Doo we not dailie make such a confession vnto God in hearing his word and calling vpon him seeking to obeie him according to the benefits which hee hath giuen vnto vs Sacraments Child YEa certainlie But we make it also through the exercise of the Sacraments in greater force and edifieng M Shew the reason C Bicause they are annexed to the preaching and promises of the Gospell to mooue our soules and bodies to praise God with greater confirmation of our faith and loue M Understandest thou not that there is one like saluation by preaching and by the Sacraments offered vnto all as well to the faithfull as to the vnfaithfull C Yea but the vnfaithfull in respecting this saluation receiue nothing but the word outward signes to their condemnation M Neuerthelesse the Sacraments doo not signifie and represent lesse to one than to the other C It is certaine For God is alwaie true and vseth not to teach lies M The Lord then hath ioined the Sacraments with the preaching and promises of the Gospell as the seales are ioined with the letters and instruments which they confirme C Yea to print seale them the more in our soules bodies to mooue all our senses vnto this confession M The Sacraments then are vnto vs great succor and comfort C Yea in our infirmities disquietnesse and temptations which come dailie vnto vs as well from the diuell and the world as from our owne flesh M Which are the Sacraments that the Lord Iesus hath instituted in his Church C Baptisme and the Supper putting end vnto Circumcision and to the Paschall Lambe M How is it that he himselfe hath authorised and sanctified them C In that he would receiue Baptisme in his owne bodie and to be the first administrator of the Supper M Where is it y t the Lord commandeth Baptisme C In S. Matthew the last Chapter And Iesus came and spake vnto them saieng All power is giuen vnto me in heauen and in earth Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost teaching them to keepe all those things that I haue commanded you M Is Baptisme a washing of bodilie filthinesse C No. For so little water can doo nothing to vs. M From what filthinesse then are we there washed C From spirituall filthinesse which are our sinnes M We come then into the world all filthie and corrupt C If we were not conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie we should not haue to doo with baptisme M In whose name be we baptised C In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost who is our onlie and verie true God in three persons M And with what water are we washed and regenerated C With the water of life which is the holie spirit in the bloud of Iesus Christ M Baptisme then representeth vnto vs assureth vs of the full remission of our sinnes and exchanging of our wicked nature C Yea and by the same both we and our children are receiued into the Church as partakers of the couenant
to call vpon him in my greatest extremities and he as you your selues see hauing heard me hath exalted me into this most large roome Wherefore I hauing experience that the Lord worketh for me and that he is so neere at hand vnto me God forbid that I should feare the power or the threats of anie man For the Lord himselfe is the chiefe leader of those that helpe me so that I can not doubt at all but that I shall see with mine eies those enimies which remaine iustlie punished of him Oh how far better is it to trust in the Lord than in men How far better is it to trust in the Lord than in anie men how excellent soeuer they be Behold manie nations compas me about but I calling vpon y e Lord shal most vndoubtedlie destroy them They compasse me in I saie they beset me round about but calling vpon the Lord I shall most vndoubtedlie destroie them Mine enimies in great multitudes compasse me like swarmes of Bees but I shall forthwith stiffle them as though they were cast into the fire and calling vpon the Lord I shall most vndoubtedlie destroie them For in deede before the most cruell enimie did so sore thrust at me that I seemed euen now readie to fall but as I was falling the Lord supported me Therefore I accompt him mine onlie strength I acknowledge him to be my Sauiour and praise him in my song Heereof come those voices of those that sing and reioice together with me out of their tabernacles now doubtlesse the Lord hath aduanced the power of his most strong right hand The Lord hath now exalted that his right hand now the Lord hath shewed foorth the power of his most strong right hand Behold me then that am yet aliue and about to set foorth the works of God For though he hath striken me verie sore yet hath he spared me life I praie thee therefore let that gate now at the length be open vnto me which onlie the louers of righteousnesse must go vnto that I being entred thither may praise the Lord. For it is consecrate vnto the Lord therefore is it open to the iust alone Heere will I praise thee O Lord because thou giuing eare hast deliuered me For the stone which the verie chiefe builders haue so stubbornelie as yet reiected as nothing fit is not onlie now counted in the building but euen as a principall it vpholdeth the whole weight of the verie building Uerelie it is a worke of God indeede which maketh all the beholders thereof to be amazed Go to then seeing the Lord hath commanded this most ioifull daie to shine vnto vs let vs passe it wholie in mirth becomming Saincts and saie I beseech thee O Lord preserue the Queene that is giuen vs from heauen I praie thee I saie I praie thee O Lord giue the Queene ELIZABETH all prosperitie Let hir haue prosperitie and blisse that commeth to gouerne vs in the name and commandement of God We wish prosperitie to you also that are the neerer inhabitants of the house of the Lord. Iehoua is the onlie God who shineth vnto vs binde the Lambe with cords that is brought to the hornes of the altar Thou art my God I will praise thee thou art my God I will sing thy praises most lowd Confesse that the Lord is exceeding good for his bountious goodnesse is euerlasting * Glorie be therefore vnto thee ô blessed Trinitie the Father Sonne and holie Ghost as alwaies it hath bin continuallie is and euer shall be worlds without ending So be it The praier O Almightie GOD most gratious Lord and heauenlie Father behold I thine handmaid prostrate here before the throne of thy diuine Maiestie meeklie confesse thee to bee my mercifull God my highest King and euerlasting Sauiour and humblie I acknowledge thee the Souereigne Lord aboue all lords the highest King of all kings and the onelie omnipotent Creator wise preseruer and woonderfull ruler of all thy creatures in heauen and earth high and lowe visible and inuisible and my selfe also to be the worke of thine hands the sheepe of thy pasture a subiect and seruant to thy most high and sacred Maiestie and a child depending alone and wholie vpon thy diuine and fatherlie prouidence for all things And bicause I knowe vnthankfulnesse doth greatlie displease thee For it is the root of all spirituall euill and the onelie thing that dammeth vp the fountaine of thy godlie mercie for euer I will giue thanks vnto thee O Lord least I be vnthankfull to thee my God my deliuerer and Sauiour And I yeeld thee now most humble and hartie thanks for that it hath pleased thee of thy singular mercie to giue mee this especiall honour first to suffer for thy glorious truth much extreme miserie feare care imprisōment perill of bodie trouble of mind hazard of life and danger of death by sicknesse fire conspiracie and sword and afterward blessedlie protecting and preseruing me from so manifold dangers and miraculouslie deliuering me out of the hands of all mine enimies to call me to this excellent state roiall dignitie of a Prince and as this daie to cloath me with the garments of honour to set the Crowne of gladnesse and diademe of dignitie vpon mine head to put the scepter of righteousnesse the globe of glorie and the sword of thy power into mine hands and to annoint and consecrate me thine handmaid QVEENE of this Realme that I might bee the principall member and chiefe instrument in the same to aduance thy glorie and further thy Gospell for the which I suffered Yea to be thy peoples Ioseph their Moses their Iosua their Dauid their Iosias their Samuel and their Salomon finallie to be their Deborah their Iael their Hester their Iudith and their Elizabeth that is their rest staie and staffe of Maiestie their shepheard and ring-leader in the waie of vertue holinesse zeale and sincere religion Which maruellous worke of thine oh gratious GOD for thy name sake giue me grace not onlie this daie but all the daies and time of my life to remember and solemnize with woorthie thanks-giuing that with the Queene of Saba I may continuallie blesse thee and saie Blessed be thou O Lord my GOD which thus hast loued me and thy people to set me in thy throne as QVEENE and to establish them for euer by making me their Gouernour ouer them in thy steed to execute thy iudgement and iustice Neither can I now forget but thankfullie also call to my remembrance all thy other great mercies O mercifull God shewed towards me since my comming vnto the Crowne namelie how often in thy mightie and maruellous mercie thou hast deliuered vnto mee my Counsell the wicked attempts malignant deuises and mischeeuous practises wrought and conceiued of all my common craftie and cruell enimies Sathan and his ministers who to exalt themselues and to rob mee both of thy people kingdome peace and religion euen of verie malice and deadlie hatred haue by all diuellish meanes
did this woman continue still in praier and said It is truth Lord that thou saiest it is not meete to cast the childrens bread vnto dogs But yet Lord the dogs doo eate of the crums which fall from the childrens table And thou Lord reioicing in hir great constancie didst saie O woman great is thy faith be it vnto thee as thou desirest Now therefore sweet and mercifull Lord Iesu as thou diddest vouchsafe to accept and heare the praier of Cornelius and of this woman of Canaan so I hartilie beseech thee to heare my humble praiers which I make daie and night before thee not onelie that thou shouldest deliuer me from bodilie oppressions but also from the spirituall power of the diuell that after this mortall life I may come to thy blessed presence in the euerlasting kingdome where thou reignest God with the Father and the holie Ghost AMEN G GIue eare Ô LORD and let all my sorrowfull complaints which go foorth of vnfeined lips come before thee that my mouth may shew foorth the woorthie praise of thy name Psalme 17. verse 1. THy praise is a great thing O Lord for it proceedeth out of the fountaine whereof no sinners drinke There is no glorious praise in the mouth of a sinner Deliuer me therefore O Lord from the waie of sinners and my tongue shall magnifie thy righteousnesse and my lips and my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise Thou hast the key of Dauid which shuttest and no man openeth and openest and no man shutteth Therefore open thou my lips as thou hast opened the mouths of infants out of whose mouths thou hast established thy praise Trulie the Prophets and Apostles and all other thy Saints praised thee despised themselues The sucklings extoll thy fame and glorie which they knowe through thy heauenlie and celestiall grace Thy friends which spreading thy glorie haue conuerted innumerable soules from sinne vnto vertue and true felicitie Thy beloued haue openlie preached thy bountious gentlenesse and mercifull fauour which thou shewest in thy deere sonne vnto all the world Now therefore mercifull God giue me true humilitie that thou maist stablish thy praise by my mouth Make me as one of the infants and sucklings that I may euer hang on the paps of thy wisdome For thy paps O Lord are better than wine and thy wisdome better than riches Make me as one of thy friends or beloued that I may constantlie abide in thee that my mouth and voice may among the sucklings extoll and set foorth thy praise saieng and singing Ozanna in the highest AMEN I I Am filthie and vncleane before thee Ô LORD If thou therefore sprinkle me with Isope I shall be cleane If thou wash me I shall be whiter than snowe Psalme 51. verse 7. I Sope Lord is a lowe herbe it is hot and of a good sauour which signifieth nothing else but thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ which humbled himselfe vnto death euen vnto the death of the Crosse which with the heate of his feruent loue loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud which also with the redolent and sweet sauor of his beneuolence and righteousnesse hath replenished the world Therefore with this Isope shalt thou O holie Father sprinkle me when thou shalt powre vpon me the vertue and bloud of thy deere sonne Christ when he through faith shall dwell in me when through loue I am ioined with him when I shall imitate and followe his humilitie and passion then shall I be cleansed from all mine vncleannesse Then shalt thou wash me with mine owne teares which flowe out of the loue of thy sonne Christ Then shall I sigh till I be wearie then shall I water my bed euerie night with my teares so that it shall swimme in them and then Lord shalt thou wash me and I shall be whiter than snowe AMEN N NOT euerie one that saith to me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen Matth. 7 verse 21. THy will is O heauenlie father that we do beleeue in thy beloued sonne whome thou hast sent Thy will is that we beleeue that he whome thou hast sent is come in the flesh And thy will is that we imitate and keepe his saieng Thy will is also that we should heare him For thou spakest from heauen saieng This is my welbeloued Sonne in whome I delight heare him Giue me therefore O heauenlie father a stedfast faith a strong faith yea such a faith that no tribulation that no vexation that no persecution may cause me to denie thy Son whom thou hast sent but that I may with a pure and constant faith confesse him to be come in the flesh for the redemption of the world and that I may imitate and folowe him that I may keepe his saieng who was deliuered for my sinnes and was raised againe for my iustification Giue me also O holie father a perfect hearing and not a corrupt hearing but that I may through the teaching of the holie Ghost heare thee out of the Prophets out of the Apostles out of the pen of the Euangelists and out of the mouth of thy Spouse the Catholike Church to whome thou saiedst I will send you a comforter euen my spirit which shall leade you into all truth Grant me O Lord this spirit for there is none that can saie Iesus is the Lord but by this thy holie spirit AMEN A A Sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit a contrite and humble hart ô GOD shalt thou not despise Psalme 51. verse 17. A Broken and troubled spirit and not broken and troubled flesh pleaseth thee O Lord. For the flesh is broken and vexed because it hath not the carnall things that it desireth or else feeleth in it selfe things which it hateth The spirit is broken and vnquieted for his fault because it hath offended against God whom it loueth He soroweth that he hath sinned against his maker and redeemer and that he hath not regarded such a good and louing father This broken and sorowing spirit is vnto thee O Lord a sacrifice of most sweet sauour which notwithstanding hath his confection of most bitter spices euen of the remembrance of his sinnes For when our sinnes are gathered together into the morter of the hart and beaten with the pestle of compunction and made into powder and moistened with the water of teares therof is made an ointment and sacrifice most sweet which being offered to thee O Lord thou wilt not despise Marie Magdalen which was a great sinner made such an ointment and put it into the Alablaster boxe of hir hart She feared not to enter into the Pharises house and there humbling hir selfe at thy feete sweet Lord washed them with hir teares wiped them with hir heare and annointed them with most pretious ointment and ceassed not to kisse them Surelie Lord hir sacrifice was right acceptable and pleased thee so that thou preferredst it aboue the Pharisie which
thou wouldest nourish faith in thy seruant that I may neuer wauer in thy heauenlie doctrine Increase obedience that I neuer turne from thy precepts fortifie constancie that entring into thy steps I be not pulled backe nor through the terrour or intisements of Satan ouerthrowne but may perseuere in thee which art the true waie vnto death Build my sure trust that accustomed with thy promises I neuer waxe old in the exercise of vertue but forgetting those things which are past I may cōtinuallie striue to com to perfecter Accept my contrite hart the woonted sacrifice of thy delight the oblation of these my petitions granting the summe of my requests Blot out all mine offences for thine owne sake and increase thy grace in me that I may in all things carrie vpright swaie and equall iudgement gouerne thy people in the light of thy word and feare of thy lawes and dailie more and more die to my selfe and liue and be led by thy spirit fearing nothing but thee than the which nothing is greater or mightier louing nothing beside thee than whom nothing is more to be beloued glorieng in nothing but in thee which art the glorie of all Saints requiring nothing beside thee which art the best desiring nothing but thee which art the full and perfect felicitie with the Father and the holie Ghost aboue the starrie firmament to whome be praise both now and euer Amen The KINGS Heast or GODS familiar speech to the QVEENE Collected out of the holie Psalmes of good King DAVID as they are learnedlie expounded by THEODORE BEZA Wherein almightie GOD after a diuine sort speaking vnto hir Maiestie as he sometimes did vnto Dauid though not in so mysticall maner doth first declare his mercifull prouidence in preseruing hir and his gratious goodnesse in exalting hir to the Crowne exhorting hir therewithall humblie to acknowledge his souereigntie ouer all earthlie powers and to worship him Secondlie he describeth vnto hir Grace the woorthie properties that are required to bee in euerie godlie Prince and wise Gouernour for the maintenance of his glorie and their estates Thirdlie he exhorteth hir Maiestie to the faithfull discharge of hir office and dutie in his feare and seruice to the increase of vertue and suppressing of vice And so shewing the commodities that will insue thereby to hir and hir people he fourthlie promiseth not onelie to be hir continuall defender against all hir enimies but also to blesse hir and hir Realme with manie large sweet and comfortable benefits both corporall celestiall and to make hir partaker of all his ancient mercies promised long since to hir father Dauid namelie vpon this condition if finallie she perseuere in the perfect loue and due obedience of hir spirituall spouse Christ Iesus ¶ The first Chapter of the HEAST ELIZABETH thou Uirgin mine the KINGS Daughter and fairest among women most full of beautie and maiestie attend a litle to my Heast and marke what I shall say Thou art my Daughter in deede this daie haue I begotten thee and espoused thee to thy King CHRIST my Sonne crowned thee with my gifts and appointed thee QVEENE to reigne vpon my holie mount Zion Behold I which am the onlie Lord by full right and authoritie of all men and doo my selfe gouerne the Empires and Kingdoms as the greatest King of all and most mightie Monarch of the whole world euen I the most high God and celestiall father haue elected thee a chosen vessell of high honour and price in my house and to that end haue mightilie preserued thee and miraculouslie deliuered thee out of so manie so great dangers and now at the last haue brought into thy subiection the people ouer whome thou hast authoritie It is I and none other which haue consecrated thee vnto my selfe and annointed thee with holie oile to be the Queene the Mother and the Nursse of my people in Israel and who onlie haue giuen thee this most excellent and goodlie heritage which thou possessest in peace Thee I saie O Daughter ELIZABETH haue I raised vp and chosen out a pure and perfect virgin from the rest of the whole people and that because I loued thee most deerelie aboue them all so that now thou maiest worthilie reioice and glorie of thy dignitie and honour yet by my singular power and benefit and for none other cause but that it hath pleased me thy God to exalt thee aboue others and to embrace and receiue thee into my speciall grace and fauour Therefore to the intent I might alwaies vse thy diligent seruice faithfull ministerie and dutifull endeuour in this great businesse and high office of a Queene and kinglie Gouernour and that by thy power receiued from me my people may be defended and cherished behold I haue ordeined a Lampe for thee mine annointed and powred foorth vpon thee all my bountie that none is able to be compared vnto thee yea I haue adorned thee most bountifullie and beautifullie with all my gifts and graces incomparable which shall neuer be taken from thee Now then O deere daughter consider diligentlie with thy selfe awhile what maner of husband thou art coupled and conioined vnto learne of him alone thy spouse Christ mine onlie Son I meane to whom as this daie I married thee what he requireth of thee namelie that thou shouldest forget thine owne Nation thy Fathers house and all other worldlie things now that thou art come vnder his authoritie and into the familie and spirituall societie of thy heauenlie Bridegroome Now therefore I saie bee wise O QVEENE bee learned thou Iudge of the earth that with all the Emperours Kings and Potentats of the world thou maist giue place vnto the Lord and resigne vp vnto him the honour of all glorie and power Giue I saie vnto the GOD of gods and King of kings euen the verie God of glorie the maiestie and dominion due vnto his name and fall downe and worship him doo vnto him all possible reuerence that giueth power to his people and blesseth both prince and subiect with his continuall benefits and reioice in him with feare and trembling O kisse this my sonne Christ thy spouse betimes least he be angrie and then thou suddenly perish when his wrath shall flame foorth Worship the Lord I saie with due worship and trust in him alone as she that wholie dependeth vpon his mercie fauour and protection so shalt thou be blessed and thy throne shall neuer be shaken Confesse who it is that hath set thee in so high a place far aboue other men that are thy subiects and remember also this that I the most high God am present with thee and thine assemblie of States and Senatours who haue not debarred my selfe of mine authoritie ouer you neither am I present as an idle beholder but as your Iudge also And knowe this assuredlie that as you are honoured in deed with that name Gods whereby mine authoritie ouer all men is declared And albeit I haue embraced you
praier to bee vsed of all christians 2 l. pag. 139. Before one begin his worke 2. l. pag. 226. Another to the same purpose ibid. Before one begin to studie his lesson 2. l. 227. Before or after the sermon 2. l. pag. 162 231. At burials 2. l. pag. 168. Before the receiuing of the holie communion 2. l. pag. 163. After the receiuing of the Lords supper 2. l. 166. ¶ Graces A praier before meate 2. l. pag. 229. A praier after meate ibidem ¶ Confessions Lamentations and complaints A confession before morning praier 2. l. 103. Another before euening praier 2. l. pag. 117. A confession of a penitent person for his sinne 2. l. pag. 148 149 153. An humble confession of sinnes to the glorie of God 2. l. pag. 37. A lamentation complaint of a sinner bewailing the ignorance of hir blind life led in superstition with hartie repentance in faith to obteine remissiō through Christ 2. l. pag. 42. A christian bewailing of miserable ignorance and blindnesse of men 2. l. pag. 60. ¶ Contemplations Of Christs passion 2. l. pag. 111. Of the carefull passions of the sinfull soule bodie 2. l. pag. 128. ¶ Meditations Of the spirituall loue betweene CHRIST the bridegroome and the faithfull soules of his church the brid 1. l. pa. 8. Of the inward loue of the christian soule towards Christ 2. l. pag. 1. Of the soules slauerie by sinne and redemption by Christ ibid. Of the soules affinitie with Christ 2. l. pag. 5. Of the soules infidelitie and apostasie from God 2. l. pag. 10. Of the intire affection and loue of God towards the sinfull soule of man 2. l. pag. 15. Of the vnion of life and death in the faithful soule by Christ 2 l. pa. 21. Of the longing of the soule by death to feed with Christ 2. l. pag. 24. Of the trust the soule hath in the merits of hir redeemer against the dread of hel and feare of damnation 2. l pag. 27. Of the incomprehensible loue of Christ to the sinfull soule of man and of the benefits that come of a true faith 2. l. pag. 31. ¶ Of true faith and what it worketh in the soule of a sinner 2. l. pag. 45. Of the great loue of God towards mankind and of the inward beholding of Christ crucified 2. l. pag. 49. Of the glorious victories of Christ ouer all enimies 2. l. pag. 51. Of the schoole of the crosse wherevnto wee ought to submit our selues and of the booke of the Crucifix wherein we ought often to looke 2 l. pag. 58 Of the miserable ignorance and blindnes of men much to be bewailed 2. l. pag. 60. Of the fruits and rules of true Christianitie to be followed 2. l. pag. 64. Of the fruites of infidelitie and of the office of weakelings to be eschued 2 l. pag. 66. Of carnall gospellers by whose ill liuing Gods truth is shamefullie slandered 2 l. pag. 69. Of the vertues and properties of Gods children following their vocation 2. l. pag. 73. Of amendement of life in all estates 2. l. pag. 77. ¶ Of our frailtie and miserie 2. l. pag. 113. Of the dreadfull day of iudgement 2. l. pag. 129. Of the vnspeakeable ioyes of heauen and the vntollerable paines of hell 2. l. pag. 198. ¶ Praiers ¶ The Lords praier 2. l. pag. 221. The Creed or articles of christian faith 2. l. pag. 222. The ten commandements 2. l. pag. 222. ¶ The praiers also Of Hagar 1. l. pag. 1. Of Naomic 1. l. pag. 6. Of Hannah 1. l. pag. 6. Of Abigael 1. l. pag. 8. Of Sarra Tobit 1. l. pa. 39. Of Iudeth 1. l. pag. 41. 43. Of Q. Hester 1. l. pag. 46. Of Susannah 1. l pag. 48. Of the Church 1. l. pa 48. Of the woman of Canaan 1. l. pag. 49. Of the fiue foolish Virgins 1. l. pag. 49. Of the Queenes Maiestic 2. l pag. 1. 35. 36. Of Q Katherin 2. l. pag. 37. 80. c. Of L. Iane Dudly 2. l. pag. 98. Of Ladie Tirwit 2. l. pag. 103. c. Of the L. Aburgaueny 2. l. pag. 139. Of Agnes the Martyr 2. l. pag. 214. Of Eulalia the martyr ibid. Of An Askew the martyr idid Of Mistres Bradford 2. l. pag. 215. Of a certeine godlie Gentlewoman ibid. Of mistres Dorcas Martin 2. l. pag. 221. ¶ Proper praiers to be vsed onelie of the Queens most excellent Maiestie 3. l. pag. 253 c. 261. 273. 275. 276. 277. 279. 280. 297. The Kings heast 3. l. pag. 307. The Queenes vowe 3. l. pag. 321. ¶ Praiers to God the Father 2. l. pag. 121. 154. To God the Sonne 2. l. pag. 156. To God the holie Ghost 2. l. pag. 157. To the blessed Trinitie 2 l. pag. 114. ¶ Alphabeticall praiers desifering the name of the Queens Maiestic 3. l. pag. 280. 297. 303. The name of the L. Aburgaueny 2. l. pag. 207. 213. ¶ For the whole estate of Christes church 2. l. pag. 131. For faith 2. l. pag. 162. For the true worship of God 2. l pag. 158. For remission of sins and to obtaine a vertuous life 2. l. pag. 144. For the obtaining of grace and mercie 2. l. pag. 147. 150. 152. For to be purged from fin and vncleanenesse 2. l. pag. 151. For the obtaining of mercie and mittigating of miseries 189. 190. c. For wisedome to gouerne well 3. l. pag. 279. For humilitie 2. l. p. 170 For the obtaining of Gods grace and all good gifts of the spirit 2. l. pag. 170. For to liue vprightlie and to dwell in the euerlasting tabernacles 2. l. pag. 159. 168. 169. For patience and meeknesse to beare all afflictions 2. l. pag. 184. For the preachers to speake the word of God boldly 2. l. pag. 231. ¶ Against presumptuous pride and vaine glorie 2. l. pag. 172. Against couetousnesse and too much care of the world 2. l. pag. 173. Against lieng and eull imaginations 2. l. pag. 173. Against the feare of worldlie casualties 2. l. pag. 192. Against the fellowship of the vngodlie 2. l. p. 161 Against all vices generallie 2. l pag. 174. ¶ In time of sicknesse For a sick child 1. l. p. 49 Of tho sick at the houre of death 2 l. pag. 202. To die in faith c 2. l. pag. 168. ¶ In time of plague In the time of any common plague c 2. l. p. 180 ¶ In time of battell In the 2. lamp pag. 178. ¶ In time of anie trouble In banishment 1. l. pa. 1. Against barrennesse 1. l. pag. 6. Against enemies of the Church c 1. l pag. 8. A lamentation of miseries and plagues for our sinnes 1. l. pag. 25. c. 28. 33. 34. 38. To be deliuered from reproch 1. l. pag. 39. For deliuerance from enemies 1. l. pag. 41. For strength to ouercome all enemies 1. la. pag. 43. For deliuerance out of the hands of traitours c 1. l pag. 46. 2. l. pag. 36. Of one wrongfullie condemned to death 1. l. pag. 48. Of
cleathed that mortalitie might be swallowed vp of life For if they be found cloathed and not naked mortalitie shall be swallowed vp of immortalitie and they shall walke with GOD in white araie Being about to arise and sitting vpright in your bed praie O LORD Iesu Christ which diddest vouchsafe to die for our sinnes and diddest rise againe for our iustification haue mercie vpon me and by that thy glorious resurrection I beseech thee raise me vp out of the bed of vices and sepulchre of all my sinnes wherein I haue long lien to newnesse of life For except I be raised vp by thee I shall lie still for euer in darkenesse shame and miserie O therefore put foorth thine hand and mercifullie raise vp againe not onlie my bodie but my mind and hart also to the true knowledge and loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art And giue me dailie part in the first resurrection to the intent that I may receiue some part in the latter resurrection and be in the number of those thy faithfull ones ouer whom the second death shall haue no power but are receiued into life euerlasting Arise depart for this is not your rest Mich. 2 verse 20. I will arise now out of my bed to open to my beloued that knocketh and I will go about the citie by the streets and by the open places and will seeke him whom my soule loueth Cantic 3 verses 1 5. Meditation COnsider how fowle the fall of Adam and Eue was by reason of their sinne and transgression and so of euerie one of vs by them from the high excellent and honourable estate of Gods grace into shame and miserie Againe thinke vpon the inestimable benefits of Christ Iesus by whose helping hand we dailie arise againe from our naturall and originall declining and fallings and be thankfull vnto him therefore In your arising as you step out of your bed praie I Arise and enter into this daie to doo all things in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost who hath made me redeemed me sanctified me and preserued me He rule me keepe blesse and lead mee into all good works and so direct and confirme me therein that after ths fraile life ended I may obteine a ioifull resurrection with blisse perpetuall Amen I laid me downe and slept and rose againe for the Lord sustained me Psal 3 verse 5. If you be risen with Christ thinke vpon those things that be aboue Col. 3 verse 1. Being risen blesse and praie thus GOd be mercifull vnto me and blesse me this daie and euer and shew me the light of his countenance and be mercifull vnto me that I may knowe his way vpon earth and his sauing health among all nations God euen our owne God giue mee his continuall grace peace mercie and blessing And I beseech thee O Lord Iesu Christ which being reuiued from death to life broughtest againe to mortall men that most desired and greatlie longed for daie which the Lord made Grant that I being now raised vp from the death of sinnes to the life of grace may walke in all Christian obedience and at the last daie of the resurrection of all flesh when thou shalt be made manifest in our life I also may then be openly known and appeere before thee in glorie and ioifullie triumph ouer sinne death and hell saieng O death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie Thanks be vnto GOD which hath raised me from the death of sleepe and giuen me victorie ouer all mine enimies through our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Blessed holie and happie for euer is he that hath part in the first resurrection for on such the second death hath no power Reuel 20 verse 6. The vngodlie shall not be able to stand in iudgment neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous Psal 1 verse 6. In apparelling your selfe praie CLoath mee O Christ with thine owne selfe that I may be so farre from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof that I may cleane put off all my carnall desires and crucifie the kingdome of the flesh in me Be thou vnto mee a garment to keepe me warme and to defend me from the cold of this world If thou be absent deere Lord all things will be vnto me foorthwith cold weake and dead but if thou be with me all things will be warme liuelie fresh and cheerefull Grant therefore that as I compasse this my bodie with this garment so thou wouldst cloath me wholie but especiallie my soule with thine owne selfe So be it Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercie meekenesse loue peace Col. 3 verse 12. Let not him that putteth on his harnesse boast himselfe as he that putteth it off 1 Kings 20 verse 11. Meditation CAll to mind a little how we are incorporate into Christ and how he dooth cloath vs gouerne and nourish vs and vnder his wings protection and prouidence preserueth vs. A consideration of our inward corruption by the outward easement of the bodie OH wretch that I am what am I but a rotten carcase woorms meat a stinking coffin and food for fire Againe what am I O Lord Euen a darke dongeon wretched earth a child of wrath a vessell meet for dishonour begotten in vncleannesse liuing in miserie and dieng in distresse Out vpon me vile wreth What am I Wo is me Lord. O Lord spare me Alas my maker what shall become of me I am a sacke of doong a coffin of rottennesse full of lothsomnesse and stinch blind poore naked subiect to manie exceeding necessities woting neither when I came into the world nor when I shall go out mortall and miserable whose daies passe and glanse swiftlie awaie as a shadowe or bubble of water now flourishing and by and by withering now aliue now dead Oh spare me a little Lord for my daies are nothing and be mercifull vnto a wretch that is not ashamed to acknowledge hir vilenesse before thee The glorie of mortall man is but doong and wormes meate 1. Mach. 2. verse 62. Meditation COnsider the miserable state of the bodie by the excrements that issue out of the eies nose mouth eares hands arme-pits fundament féete and other parts thereof and thinke that no Bocardo no little ease no dungeon no prison no sinke no pit is so irkesome lothsome and euill a prison for the bodie as the bodie is for and of the soule by reason of sinne and filthie affections that haue their dwelling therein Thinke also what madnesse it is thus to pamper our bodies with delicate meats to obeie the lusts therof prouoking to euill and desire continuallie with S. Paule the dissolution thereof and to be out of this stinking prison VVashing your hands praie thus WAsh my soule O God with the water of thy diuine grace from all the filth and pollusion of sinne wherewith it is altogither defiled in thy sight Sprinkle it
sinnes and wickednesse my great ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards thee for all thy mercifull benefits so aboundantlie powred vpon me through Iesus Christ which wouldest vouchsafe he being thine owne deere darling in whome was and is all thy whole pleasure and delight to giue him for me to the verie death of the Crosse yea and that when I was thine vtter enimie of mercie inestimable and loue incomprehensible Who euer sawe such a thing God became man and was crucified for me that by his death I might liue Alas that euer I should become so wicked a wretch and vnkind a creature to displease so louing kind and mercifull a God and father Oh forgiue me forgiue me for thy great mercie sake for thy truth and promise sake and I will neuer trespasse againe against thy diuine Maiestie anie more but will gladlie serue thee in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life by the grace and assistance of thy good and holie spirit the which I beseech thee to giue me also that he may gouerne me and guide my hart in thy true faith feare and loue that in all my deeds words and thoughts I may glorifie thy holie name which liuest and reignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome be all honour glorie praise thanks power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes proper for the Sabaoth daie OH my most mercifull father the father of mercies and God of all consolation and comfort my God my father I most wretched sinner confesse and acknowledge my selfe vnfeinedlie with hart mind mouth now before thee to haue most greenoushe offended thy high Maiestie and goodnesse I recognise and acknowledge my selfe to be full of sinne full of vnfaithfulnesse and a seruant vnprofitable For all thy holie commandements haue I transgressed and broken First I haue not set all my whole beleefe confidence trust and hope in thee I haue not loued and honoured thee with all my hart with all my soule mind and powers of my soule Secondlie I haue diuided thine honour and worship from thee and giuen it to thy creatures and dead things imagined of mine owne fond fantasie I meane in the adoring and worshipping of images Thirdlie I haue abused thy most holie name by false and deceitfull swearing to the hinderance of my neighbour and idlelie and vainlie haue I vsed thy holie name I haue not said nor done neither thought all things to thy glorie Fourthlie in the Saboth daie I haue not giuen my selfe to hearing reading learning the holie Scriptures neither haue I giuen meate to the hungrie drinke to the thirstie lodged the harbourlesse clothed the naked visited the sicke comforted nor releeued the poore and men in prison For I haue not expended of how great weight these words of thy sonne my Sauiour Christ are neither beleeued him saieng In as much as ye haue done these things vnto one of the least of these my brethren ye haue done it vnto me Matth. 25. But I haue bestowed and spent my gold and siluer after my lewd lust and concupiscence in excesse of meat and drinke in gorgeous apparell of my bodie of my children seruants and house c. where I should not haue bestowed it or else not so largelie delicatelie nicelie and excessiuelie haue bestowed it as I haue not regarding in the meane time to suffer the deere beloued brethren of Iesu Christ to go naked and to perish for cold and hunger I haue I saie not ceased from mine owne sinfull will and lusts praieng at all times thy will and not mine to be fulfilled Furthermore I haue not honoured my father and mother I haue not so much set by them esteemed them and had them in such reuerence as thou commandest me nor obeied them neither comforted releened or helped them I haue slaine I haue broken wedlocke I haue stolne I haue sold by false weights and measures and borne false witnesse finallie I haue coueted my neighbours house I haue desired his wife his seruant his cattell his other goods vnlawfullie Thus most greeuouslie haue I sinned infinit waies O Lord omitting and leauing thy commandements Oh Father to fulfill the desire of my flesh the world and the diuell Wherefore I crie thee mercie my God most mercifull father and most humblie I desire and beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest to thy deer sonne mine onelie whole and entire Sauiour Iesu Christ to haue mercie on me and to forgiue me most miserable sinner euen in his bloud and for his pretious death sake For when I went about to seeke thee to trust vnto thee or to doo anie thing to thy glorie yet would not this lust and concupiscence that contagious originall poison and fleshlie dregges drawne of our father Adam suffer me perfectlie to doo that I would haue done Through this naturall concupiscence I striue and fight dailie against the holie Ghost in me which vnlawfull lust and desire I knowledge to be a greeuous sinne against thy highnes if thou shouldest iudge me straitlie after thy Lawe without the which concupiscence I cannot be Wherefore I being a wretched yea a most abhominable wretched sinner in my selfe cleerelie destitute of all righteousnesse of all godlinesse of all holinesse and all deseruings am come now by faith before thee vnto Christ his mercie seate and righteousnesse vnto his goodnesse deseruings and satisfactions desiring thee O most mercifull father for his deaths sake that his righteousnesse his wisedome his holinesse his goodnesse his merits and satisfactions may be mine and serue for my forgiuenesse and saluation For like as thou gauest me him to die for my sinnes euen so beleeue I that thou hast giuen me with him all his to be mine and to serue me for my saluation Wherefore glorie honor worship empire and rule be to thee oh father with the sonne and the holie ghost for euer world without end So be it Another Confession of sinnes for Sundaies to be vsed in the forenoone or afternoone O Most mercifull Lord God my tender and deere father vouchsafe I hartilie beseech thee to looke downe with thy fatherlie eies of pitie vpon me most vile and wretched sinner which lie heere prostrate in heart before the feete of thy bottomlesse mercie For I haue sinned against the throne of thy glorie and before thee O most deere Father insomuch that I am not worthie to be called thy daughter Yet neuerthelesse forasmuch as thou art the God and Father of all mercie and comfort and againe desirest not the death of a sinner but like a true Samaritan takest thought for my sillie wounded soule make me I praie thee by infunding of thy pretious oile of comfort into my wounds ioifullie to run with the lost sonne into the lap of thine euerlasting pitie For lo thou art my hope and trust in whom I onlie repose my selfe hauing in thee full confidence and faith And so I saie with a verie faithfull
hart trusting in thy mercie I beleeue in thee O God the Father in thee O God the Sonne and in thee O God the holie Ghost three persons and one true and verie God besides whom I acknowledge none other God in heauen aboue nor in earth beneath Yea and I poore sinner doo accuse my selfe vnto thee deere Father that I haue sore and greeuouslie offended thine almightie goodnesse and diuine Maiestie in committing of mine exceeding greeuous and manifold sinnes and wickednesse For I haue not kept the least of thy most blessed commandements like as thy righteousnesse may require and demand the same of me I haue I saie not honoured thee like my God nor dreaded thee like my Lord loued thee like my Father trusted in thee like my Sauiour and Creator Thy holie and dreadfull name vnto which all honour and glorie belongeth haue I vsed in vaine I haue not sanctified the Saboth and holie daies with works which be acceptable vnto thee nor instructed my neighbour in vertue accordinglie I haue not honoured my father and mother nor beene obedient vnto them through whom as by an instrument thou hast wrought my comming into this world The high powers and rulers which take their authoritie of thee I haue not beene willinglie obedient vnto I haue not kept my hart pure and cleane from man-slaughter yea had not thy mercie and grace defended me the better I should haue committed the verie deed also I likewise am not pure from theft nor from adulterie nor from false-witnesse-bearing but haue in my hart and mind wished and desired my neighbours goods and things I haue folowed the great Prince of the world Satan which hath beene a lier from the beginning in concupiscence of the flesh in pride of liuing in lieng in deceitfulnesse in lecherie in hatred and enuie in backbiting in despaire and also in mis-beleefe My fiue wits also haue I fowlie mis-vsed and spent in hearing seeing smelling tasting and also feeling which thou hast giuen me to vse to thy honour and glorie and also the edification and profit of my neighbour But in what maner soeuer I haue offended and sinned against thine eternall Maiestie for no man knoweth throughlie his sinnes as the Prophet witnesseth whether it hath beene by daie or else by night yea euen from my childhood vnto this daie were it in works words deeds or thoughts secretlie or openlie O my mercifull God I am sorie for it euen from the bottome of my hart yea my soule mourneth for sorrowe most mercifull Father that I am not a thousand times sorier than I am Howbeit in token of great repentance though all harts be knowne well inough to thee I doo knocke and strike my breast and saie in bitternesse of hart and soule Lord God Father haue mercie Lord God Sonne haue mercie Lord God holie Ghost haue mercie Spare me of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie good Lord now and all the daies of my life hereafter and let me haue part of thine abundant grace so as I maie change my sinfull life and put out of me the old man with all his concupiscences and also that I maie die vnto the world and that the world may be a crosse vnto me and so go foorth in a new life Strengthen me O Lord in a true humble hart in perfect loue hope and trust in thee Giue my soule grace to desire thee onlie in thee onlie to reioice and repose my selfe and that I may vtterlie renounce and forsake the vaine affiance of this world so that thou maist find me readie with the good seruant and wise virgins in the midnight of death which shall suddenlie steale vpon me like a theefe ere I be aware Be thou vnto me at that time of need O Lord a tower of strength a place of refuge and a defensible God namelie against the face of the feend who like a roring Lion shall be then most readie to deuoure me and against desperation which then shall be busie to greeue me Let then thy comfort cleane fast vnto me thy mercie keepe me and thy grace guide me Fetch then againe Lord God Father that which thy puissant might hath shapen Fetch then againe Lord God Sonne that which thou hast so wiselie gouerned and bought with thy pretious bloud Take then againe Lord God holie Ghost that which thou hast kept and preserued so louinglie in this region of sinne vale of miserie Three persons and one true and also verie God to whom be all laud and praise for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes and praier for mercie and grace commonlie called Conditor coeli OH maker of heauen and earth King of kings and Lord of lords which of nothing didst make me to thine image and likenesse and diddest redeeme me with thy pretious bloud whom I a sinner am not woorthie to name to thinke on neither to call vpon I most humblie desire thee and meekelie praie thee that gentlie thou behold me thy wicked seruant and haue mercie vpon me which hadst mercy of the woman of Canaan Marie Magdalen which didst forgiue the Publican and the theefe hanging on the Crosse Unto thee I confesse my sinnes most holie Father which if I would I cannot hide from thee Haue mercie on me O Christ for I am a wretch and haue sore offended thee in idolatrie in superstition in blasphemie in prophaning of thy Saboths in disobedience to my gouernours in pride in couetousnesse in gluttonie in lecherie in vaine glorie in hatred in enuie in murder in adulterie in theft in lieng in backbiting and false-witnesse-bearing in sporting in dalliance in dissolute wanton laughing in idle words in vncleane thoughts in hearing in tasting in touching in thinking in sleeping in working and finallie in all waies in which I a fraile woman and most wretched sinner might sinne My default my most greeuous default Therefore I most humblie praie and beseech thy gentlenesse which for my helpe didst descend from heauen which didst hold vp Dauid that he should not fall into sinne haue mercie vpon me O Christ which didst forgiue Peter thine Apostle that did forsweare and forsake thee Thou art my Creator and helper my maker and redeemer my gouernour my Father my Lord and God my King and my spouse Thou art my hope my trust my strength my defense my redemption my sanctification my life my helth and resurrection Thou art my stedfastnesse my refuge succour my light and onlie hope I therfore most hartilie and humblie desire thee to helpe me defend me and make me strong comfort me make me stedfast make me merie giue mee light and visit me reuiue me againe which am dead for I am thy making and thy worke Oh Lord despise me not I am thy seruant thy bond-woman although euill although most vnworthie and a detestable sinner But whatsoeuer I am whether I be good or bad I am alwaies thine Therfore to whom shall I flee except I flee vnto thee If thou cast me off who
Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or saie thus as you enter into the Church O How amiable are thy dwellings thou LORD of hosts My soule hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord my hart and my flesh reioice in the liuing God When shall I enter in to behold thy face When shall I come to appeare before thy presence O God For one daie in thy courts is better than a thousand else where I had rather be a doore-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the vngodlie Yea like as the Hart desireth the water brookes so longeth my soule after thee O God My soule is a thirst for God yea euen for the liuing God Now therfore I come into thy house O Lord euen vpon the multitude of thy mercies and in thy feare doo I enter thy tabernacle and will worship thee God grant it according to thy will Amen As you passe by the people in the Church vnto your Pue salute the congregation and saie PEace be within thy wals O Ierusalem and plentiousnesse within thy palaces For my brethren and companions sakes I will praie for thy peace and wish thee now prosperitie yea bicause of the house of the Lord our God I will seeke to doo thee good and saie Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord. The Lord prosper you I wish you good lucke in the name of the Lord So be it Being placed in your Pue call to mind these sentences of holie Scripture following IT is written My house shall be called a house of praier vnto all nations but ye haue made it a den of theeues and an house of marchandise Matth. 21 verse 13. Ye shall keepe my Saboths and feare with reuerence my Sanctuarie I am the Lord. Leuit. 19 verse 30. Holinesse becommeth Gods house for euer Ps 93 ver 5. The Lord will vtterlie destroie euerie enimie that doth euill in his Sanctuarie that prophaneth his holie temple polluteth the dwelling place of his name Psal 74 verse 3. When thou commest into the house of God therefore keepe thy foote and drawe nigh that God which is at hand may heare that thou giue not the offerings of fooles For they knowe not but to doo euill Eccles 4 verse 17. Be not hastie with thy mouth I saie and let not thine hart speake anie thing rashlie before God For God is in heauen and thou vpon earth therefore let thy words be few Eccl. 5 verse 1. A Meditation wherein is shewed how we ought to be verie intentiue to the Psalmes and praiers in the Church WHen thou entrest the temple to pray or sing Psalmes leaue behind thee the heapes of wauering thoughts and forget vtterlie the care of outward things that thou maist giue all thine attendance to diuine matters For it is vnpossible for him to speake with God that talketh with the whole world in silence Intend thou him that intendeth thee heare him when he speaketh to thee that he may hearken to thee when thou praiest to him so shalt thou shew a carefull and due reuerence in magnifieng God and a christian attendance in giuing heed to his holie word Understand not this as though I performed that I speake of yet I striue to doo it repenting the omission of it in time past and sorowing that I am not able to attaine it presentlie But thou to whom God hath beene more liberall of his graces inclined his sacred eares towards thee with hartie praiers in sighs and teares beseech him most humblie to pardon thee all thy riots and excesse Extoll and magnifie him in the excellencie of his works with spirituall songs For this is most pleasing to the mightie Iehoua as him selfe doth witnesse The sacrifice of praise shall honour me O how happie wert thou if it were granted thee to behold with spirituall eies the araie of the celestiall princes that go before them that praise God in the midst of the damsels plaieng with their Timbrels Thou shouldest see doubtlesse with what endeuour and cheerefulnesse they accompanie them in singing assist them in praier in meditation comfort them protect them in time of rest direct them in all their affaires and businesse Uerelie the heauenlie powers doo loue their felowe-citizens and doo exceedinglie ioie in the societie of those that are free heires of saluation they with longing looke for our comming and earnestlie attend that the ruines and dis-peopling of their heauenlie citie may be filled vp againe in the multitude of our companies They doo curiouslie inquire and willinglie heare all good of vs. They be carefull messengers betweene God and vs and beare a faithfull witnesse of our dooing They disdaine not now to be our seruants that shall be our felowes we haue made them reioice in our conuersion and repentance Let vs haste then to fulfill their ioies ouer vs. Wo be vnto thee then that louest a returne to thy vomit and impuritie Dooest thou thinke to haue those witnesse for thee in iudgement whom thou hast bereaued of so great and long hoped-for ioie They reioiced ouer vs when we gaue our names first to Christ as if they had seene vs pulled out of hell gates But what will they doo then when they shall see those turned backe from the gate of Paradise who had alreadie almost one foote in heauen Wherefore though our bodies be on earth let vs set our harts on the highest heauens let vs run thither not with bodilie members but with spirituall affections desires and longing where not the angels onlie but the Creator of angels doth long looke for vs. God the father looketh for vs as his owne sonnes and heires to commit the rule of all his treasure vnto vs. God the sonne looketh for vs as his deere german brothers and coparteners that he may present God his father with the fruite of his natiuitie and price of his owne bloud The holie Ghost also looketh for vs for he verelie is that bountie and benignitie wherein from euerlasting we were predestinate to saluation and no doubt he wisheth our predestination accomplished Seeing then the whole court of heauen doth so earnestlie looke and wish for vs let vs with all zealous affection seeke after it For with great shame and a large cōfusion shall he come thither that is lead with a cold and luke-warme desire but whosoeuer in the strength of continuall praier and dailie meditation is alwaie conuersant there shall both from hence depart with securitie and there be receiued with triumphing ioie Therefore wheresoeuer thou be still praie within thy selfe If thou chance to be far from thy closet seeke no place For thou to thy selfe art a place If thou be in thy bed praie and praie often in the temple And in prostrating thy bodie lift vp thy mind to God For as there is no time wherein we doo not vse and enioie the goodnesse mercie of God so there ought to be no moment wherein his almightinesse ought not to
age of the fulnesse of Christ which is the head by whom the whole bodie being coupled and knit together by euerie ioint for the furniture thereof according to the effectuall power which is in the measure of euerie part receiueth increase of the bodie vnto the edifieng of it selfe in loue O most holie Father keepe vs by thy name that wee may be one in thee and that among vs which are beleeuers there may be one hart and one mind O Christ our onlie Sauiour and Mediatour which before thy passion didst praie that we might be one in thee euen as thou art in thy Father grant that thy Church may be at concord and agree in one true faith and confession Let there continue among vs a godlie counsell let there be one agreement in faith one mind in praier that we may growe vp in thee and that all our harts may be coupled togither by the bond of the spirit vsing thy gifts as they should be to the aduancement of thy glorie and to the common profit both of thy Church and Common-weale and walking woorthie our calling wherevnto we are called with all humilitie and gentlenesse with all lenitie forbearing one another through charitie being carefull to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace Represse the furiousnesse of Satan which soweth dissention among thy flocke to weaken our faith and to hinder our praiers whereby thy glorie is defaced Grant therefore that we prooue not desirous of vaine glorie prouoking one another and enuieng one another that we bite not one another to our destruction For of emulation springeth contention which being once inflamed boile out into mortall diuisions And as manie as maintaine emulations contentions and factions are carnall and walke as men Wherefore take from vs the zeale of the flesh which is foolish and let all enuie wrath pride and arrogancie be far from vs. Likewise let vs auoid foolish and vnlearned questions knowing that they engender strife and contention and serue for nothing but to the subuerting of the hearers ingraffing of errors Where a desire of strife is there certainlie God dwelleth not and they which raise tumults of nothing and disquiet thy flocke those wilt thou O sonne of God destroie Come holie spirit replenish the harts of the faithfull here assembled and else where and inflame in them the fire of thy loue which once didst gather the nations into the vnitie of the faith through the diuersitie of tongues Ioine our harts togither that wee may nourish christian concord among vs and that wee all glued as it were together in louing harts may be of one mind in thee so shall thy pure doctrine zealouslie be mainteined and no false interpretation of the scripture obstinatelie be defended Bring home to thy fold all such as are turned from the vnitie of true religion that thrre may be one pastor and one fold To such as are gone out from vs grant constancie that they may continue with vs teaching the Gospell to the saluation of the hearers And if it happen that anie contrarie to the doctrine which they haue learned raise dissention and offences grant that we may auoid them least the harts of the simple through their sweet persuasions and flatterie be deceiued O God author of peace and concord giue grace that euerie of vs may thinke the same thing acording to our Sauior Christ Amen ⧠The Letanie O God the Father of heauen haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Father of heauen haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer of the world haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer c. O God the holie Ghost proceeding from the Father the Sonne haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holie Ghost proceeding from c. O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three persons and one God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sinnes spare vs good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most pretious bloud and be not angrie with vs for euer Spare vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from the crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnesse of hart from pride vaine glorie and hypocrisie from enuie hatred and malice and all vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and all other deadlie sinnes and from all the deceits of the world the flesh the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightening and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battell and murther and from sudden death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of hart and contempt of thy word and commandement Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mysterie of thy holie incarnation by thy holie natiuitie and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agonie and bloudie sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy pretious death and buriall by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the comming of the holie 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 daie of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners doo beseeth thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holie Church vniuersallie in the right waie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to keepe and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and Gouernour We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to rule hir hart in thy faith feare and loue and that she may euermore haue affiance in thee and euer seeke thy honour and glorie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to be hir defender and keeper giuing hir the victorie ouer all hir enimies We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of thy Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy word and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it foorth and shew it accordinglie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the counsell and all the Nobilitie with grace wisdome and vnderstanding We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to mainteine truth We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe all thy people We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue to all nations
heare the praiers of thy people which they shall make in this place of thy holie temple behold now that thou hast shut vp heauen and there is no raine giuen vnto the earth but a drought doth vtterlie destroie the fruites of the earth for our sinnes and iniquities we come vnto thee and confesse our sinnes wherewith we haue prouoked thee thus to anger against vs and thy creatures for our sakes We I saie whome thou dooest iustlie thus afflict with drought and barrennesse of the earth returne vnto thee with all our harts in fasting weeping and mourning beseeching thee by hartie and earnest praier to haue mercie vpon vs and deale not with vs as we haue righteouslie deserued Heare thou now in heauen and pardon the sinnes of thy seruants and giue raine vnto the land that thou hast giuen the people to inhabit Heare O Lord I saie the crie of man and beast and open the treasures of the heauens and giue vnto vs moderate showres to water the earth that our cattell may bee satisfied and our drought ceasse Oh Lord hast thou vtterlie reiected vs or doth thy soule abhorre thy people for euer that thou hast so long plagued vs with drought and want of water Our iniquities in deede testifie against vs and our rebellions are more than can be numbred For we haue sinned against heauen and against thee and haue beene verie noisome to the earth and all thy creatures therin But O Lord thou hope of Israel thou comfort helpe and sauiour of all that are in trouble haue mercie vpon vs haue mercie vpon vs and doo not abhorre vs nor cast vs off for euer O Lord are there anie among the gods of the Gentiles that can send raine Or can the heauens of themselues giue showres to the earth Is it not onlie thou O Lord our God which hast made heauen and earth and dooest all things by thy mightie power that must doo it O saue the people therefore that call vpon thee O let the daie come wherein thou wilt vouchsafe to heare vs O Lord when I saie thou wilt heare the heauens and the heauens may heare the earth the earth heare the corne and the wine and the oile and they all heare one another and thou heare Israel that thou maist haue mercie vpon vs and cause to come downe for vs the raine euen the first raine and the latter raine in the first and second moneths in due seasons vpon the earth that our barns may be full of wheate and our presses abound with wine and oile our cattell serue to labour by thy blessing that both man beast may cease their mourning and haue cause to reioice in thy mercie Graunt vs this O father for Iesus Christs sake our onlie mediator and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie now and for euer Amen Another praier for the fruits of the earth O Lord God almightie King of heauen and earth which of thine abundant goodnesse doost adorne and replenish the earth with all kind of fruit and graine whereby the life both of man and beast is susteined we beseech thee euen for thy free mercie that thou wouldest vouchsafe to blesse our feelds and ground and to make them prosperouslie to yeeld their corne and increase For without thy blessing and fauour neither can the earth of it selfe bring foorth anie whit nor we by our paines make the same to prosper Wherefore grant to all things springing from the earth a meet temperature of aire that luckilie they may take and increase Keepe our fruit vpon the face of the earth from all infection of the aire from thunder haile from vntimelie showers from too great drinesse and ouermuch heate from woormes hurtfull and beasts deuouring it before their prime and from all other corruption that our land in thine anger be not desolate and denie vs fruit enioieng hir wofull Sabboth Shut not vp the heauens in thine indignation for our sinnes that it be not as iron nor the earth as brasse wherby it can not be tilled ploughed nor sowne and so come to a verie plaine and vtter wildernesse but of thy goodnesse giue vs both the earlie and latter raine that we may haue abundance of all fruit and a ioifull haruest with a plentifull vintage O God send a gratious raine vpon thine inheritance and giue thy blessing that our ground may bring foorth hir fruit Cause thy raine to powre downe in due season that it may be raine of blessing whereby both trees may giue their fruit the ground yeeld foorth hir graine Grant also that the aire be pure from infection our bodies free from sicknesse to our whole Realme peace and quietnesse that safelie without trouble we may enioie thy gifts Driue awaie and repell from vs malediction and the destroier Giue vs not in stead of raine dust and ashes but open thy good treasures and visit the land with thy blessing make it drunken and enrich it abundantlie Thy riuer O Lord is full of water prepare our corne and dispose our earth to prosper water abundantlie the furrowes of the same and cause the raine to descend into the vallies thereof make the same soft with showers and blesse our buds Crowne the yeere with thy goodnesse and let thy clouds drop fatnesse let them drop vpon the pastures of the wildernesse and make the little hils reioice on euerie side Let the plaines be replenished with sheepe and the vallies with corne that the inhabitants of the earth may reioice and be merie O Lord thou causest grasse to growe for cattell and herbs for y e vse of man thou bringest foorth bread out of the earth wine to make glad the hart of man oile to make the countenance cheerfull bread for to strengthen the hart Haue therefore a care O heauenlie Father of the seed and other things springing from the earth keepe them both in cold raine ice and snowe from the beating of winds and iniurie of weather Preserue them in extreame heat drinesse moistnesse and such like that they perish not afore their time Roote out the destroier that there be neither blasting mildew nor grashopper neither caterpiller hurting the fruits of the earth Keepe vs O Lord in the time of dearth that we perish not for hunger nor be confounded in the perilous time For thou art our God and Creator which satisfiest the thirstie soule and fillest the hungrie with goodnesse which hast said I will not faile neither forsake thee whereby being faithfull we may saie The Lord is with vs therefore we will not feare what man can doo vnto vs. Behold we miserable great sinners doo confesse our wickednes with groning griefe of hart crieng vnto thee which art in heauen Heare our praiers in thy dwelling place be mercifull to thy people which haue sinned against thee and forgiue vs all our iniquities wherein we haue transgressed against thee By our sinnes wee haue brought all these
for not worthilie preparing themselues and for misvsing the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and manie died thereof as thine holie Apostle Saint Paule hath taught vs. Since which time O Lord as the Monuments of thy Church and other Chronicles doo declare thou hast from time to time so plagued with pestilence not onelie cities but also whole countries for these and other like causes that we may iustlie looke for the comming of our Sauiour so manie and so horrible pestilences haue beene among vs alreadie All which causes O Lord for the which thou hast so afflicted thy people are through the malice of Satan and our wilfull consenting vnto him growne so ripe in vs that were it not for the exceeding greatnes of thy mercie and compassion we should all presentlie perish and that woorthilie so horrible and outragious are our iniquities For we loath not onelie the plentifull prouision of wholesome victuals and apparell which thou hast giuen vs for our bodies more abundantlie than to manie nations trauelling by all meanes to get wherewith to pamper our flesh with wines spices silks and other vaine costlie and delighting things but the pretious Manna of our soules thy holie word and Sacraments we can not awaie with we are so full that we are glutted therewith We so little esteeme the heauenlie kingdome which our Sauiour hath so deerlie prepared and kindlie promised to vs that we abhor it and are readie to stone those few that commend it and exhort vs for our owne good to trauell thitherward better liking and crediting those false prophets the Epicures and Atheists that with their lies discourage vs therefrom What murmuring and grudging make we against the ministers of thy word which thou of thine especiall goodnesse hast in mercie giuen vs How despise wee our bishops preachers and other ministers of thy holie Sacraments whom thou hast commanded vs to reuerence and honour Did not we through our wicked liues wretchedlie leese the Arke of thy holie word and the true ministration of Sacraments not manie yeeres agone which the popish Philistines tooke from vs And now when thou through thy plagues laid vpon them hast miraculouslie sent it againe see how hold we be with the Beth-samites vnreuerentlie to receiue it For manie make of it a gazing-stocke to serue their eies and tongues rather than a lawe to obeie and followe in their liues Yea the knowledge of thy truth goodnesse and mercie breedeth in manie of vs a carelesse securitie and a contempt of thy holie ordinances For we presume vpon thy mercie and promises not regarding the conditions nor anie of thy commandements which in our baptisme we vowed to obserue Yea we make thy Gospell a cloke of our couetousnesse vnder colour whereof we seeke our owne lucre and hide all our wicked and filthie practises If the Corinthians deserued to be plagued for abusing thy holie Sacraments how much more are wee woorthie of fierce wrath that not onelie abuse it but also abhor contemne it bicause it is ministred as it ought For thou knowest O Lord what a sort there are which bewitched with the diuell and the Popes doctrine doo vtterlie abhor Christs holie communion and sauing for feare of the lawe would neuer come at it In what sort these receiue and how they be prepared is not vnknowne vnto thee How rashlie also and vnaduisedlie and vnprepared the common multitude doo frequent it partlie appeareth in that manie of them neuer forgiue old offences nor reconcile themselues nor in anie thing doo amend their old sinnes and vices Seeing then that we Lord the common sort and multitude doo thus abound in all kind of wickednesse how can it be but that thou of thy iustice must suffer our magistrates to offend also in somewhat to the end thou maist iustlie take vengeance of our sinnes For these manifold heapes of sinnes and wickednesses O Lord thou hast iustlie at this present sent this dangerous pestilence among vs as thou hast often and long time threatened by the mouthes of thy faithfull preachers who continuallie haue called vpon vs to staie thy wrath by earnest repentance amendement of life but we haue alwaies beene deafer and deafer The delight in our sinnes not onlie stopped our eares but also hardened our harts against their hartie and friendlie admonitions And in that we now O Lord doo begin to feele and acknowledge our sinnes it commeth more of thy rigour in plaguing vs than of anie good inclination of our selues Mollifie therefore O Lord our flintie harts with the suppling moisture of thy holie spirit Make vs to reuerence thee as children for loue of thy mercies and not to dread thee like slaues for feare of punishment Seruants Amen Maister or Maistres O deere Father reclaime vs thy lost children O mercifull Sauiour pitie vs thy putrified members O holie Ghost repaire vs thy decaied temples O holie and glorious Trinitie haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Seruants Amen Maister Grant vs O Lord such true repentance as may through the bloud of our Sauiour blot out the staines of our heinous iniquities Forgiue vs our sinnes O Lord forgiue vs our sinnes for thine infinite mercies sake Seruants Amen Maister Forgiue vs our blasphemies idolatries and periuries Forget our vaine and outragious oths As thou hast by thy rigour and plagues forced vs to acknowledge thee to be our iust and righteous Lord so let vs through thy mercie and forgiuenesse feele thee to be our mild louing Father and giue vs grace for euer hereafter to reuerence this thy glorious name Seru. Amen Maister Take from vs O God the care of worldlie vanities Make vs content with necessaries Plucke awaie our harts from delighting in honours treasures and pleasures of this life And ingender in vs a desire to be with thee in thine eternall kingdome Giue vs O Lord such taste and feeling of thine vnspeake able ioies in heauen that we may alwaie long therfore saieng with thine elect Hasten thy kingdome O Lord take vs to thee Seru. Amen Maister Make vs O Lord obedient to thy will reuealed in thy holie word Make vs diligent to walke in thy commandements Forgiue vs our contempt and murmuring against the magistrates and ministers whom thou hast in thy mercie appointed make vs obedient vnto their godlie lawes doctrine Saue and preserue O Lord thine annointed our QVEENE ELIZABETH that she in thy grace and feare may long reigne amongst vs. Giue peace to all Christian nations Mooue vs by thy spirit to loue one another as the members of our bodie that we may all doo thy will in earth as it is in heauen Seru. Amen Maister Dig out of vs O Lord the venemous roots of couetousnesse and concupiscence or else so represse them with thy grace that we may be contented with thy prouision of necessaries and not to labour as we doo with toile strength guile wrong and oppression to pamper our selues with vaine superfluities Feed our soules O
Lord dailie with the true Manna of thy heauenlie word and with the grace of thy holie Sacraments Giue vs grace continuallie to read heare and meditate thy purposes iudgments promises and precepts not to the end we may curiouslie argue therof or arrogantlie presume thervpon but to frame our liues according to thy will that by keeping thy couenants we may be sure of thy promises and so make our election and vocation certaine through our constant faith vertuous and godlie liuing Seru. Amen Maister Confirme vs O Lord to the image of our Sauiour So lighten the lamps of our harts with the fire and burning flames of thy loue that no enuie rancor hatred or malice doo remaine in vs to quench it but that we may gladlie forgiue whatsoeuer wrong is or shall be either maliciouslie or ignorantlie done or said against vs. And here Lord in thy presence for thy Maiestie is euerie where we forgiue whatsoeuer hath beene by anie man or woman practised against vs beseeching thèe of thy goodnesse likewise to forgiue it And further for thy mercies sake and for our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake we beseech thee O deere Father to forgiue vs these horrible and damnable sinnes which we haue committed against thy Maiestie for which thou hast now iustlie brought the pestilence and plague vpon vs. Let the ceasing thereof we beseech thee certifie vs of thy mercie and remission Seru. Amen Maister We knowe O Lord the weakenesse of our selues and how readie we are to fall from thee Suffer not therfore Satan to shew his power and malice vpon vs. For we are not able to withstand his assalts Arme vs O Lord alwaies with thy grace and assist vs with thy holie spirit in all kinds of temptations Seruants Amen Maister Deliuer vs O deere father from all euils both bodilie and ghostlie Deliuer O Lord from trouble of conscience all that are snarled in their sins Deliuer O Lord from feare of persecution and tyrannie our brethren and sisters that are vnder the crosse for profession of thy word Deliuer O mercifull father those that for our sinnes and offences are alreadie tormented with the rage of pestilence Recouer those O Lord that are alreadie striken and saue the rest of my houshold and else-where from this greeuous infection Seruants Amen Maister Finallie O Lord God which for our innumerable sinnes dooest heere fatherlie correct vs to the end we should not feele the rigour of thy seueare iudgement in eternall condemnation we humblie submit our selues vnto thy grace and pitie beseeching thee for our Lord Iesus Christes sake that although we haue iustlie deserued this plague now laid vpon vs yet it may please thee in the multitude of thy mercies to withdrawe thy rod from vs. Grant O Lord true repentance of our sinnes which as it did in that good King Ezekias may deliuer vs from the plague laid vpon vs and cause those that be sicke heere in my house or otherwhere to recouer Or if thou haue determined to take a number of vs out of the miseries of this present euill world giue vs the comfort of thy holie spirit that may make vs glad and willing to come vnto thee Giue vs grace O Lord so to prepare our selues that we may be readie with the wise virgins to enter into life with our sauiour Christ whensoeuer it shall please thee to call vs. Seruants Amen Maister Grant this O deere father for Iesus Christes sake our onlie Mediator Aduocate Lord Redeemer and Sauiour to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie world without end and in whose name we altogether with one hart and voice crie furthermore and praie vnto thee as he in his holie word hath taught vs saieng Maister and seruants altogether Our Father c. Other Psalmes and praiers to be said in the time of anie common plague sicknesse or other crosse and visitation of God by the Maister and Mistresse with their familie O Come let vs humble our selues 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 the sheepe of his hands Come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for he hath smitten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shall be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from his heauie wrath and will pardon vs and we shall not perish For we knowledge our faults and our sinnes be euer before vs. We haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hot and thy heauie displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast made vs heare of the noise of warres and hast troubled vs by the vexation of enimies Thou hast in thine indignation striken vs with greeuous sicknes and by and by we haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement wind Indeede we acknowledge that all punishments are lesse than our deseruings but yet of thy mercie Lord correct vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortened that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shall be confounded neither anie that call vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onlie Lord who woundest and dooest heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hell and bringest barke againe Our father 's hoped in thee they trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure Oh remember not the sinnes and offences of our youth but according to thy mercie thinke vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie 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 we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake for thy holie name sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we doo not powre out our praiers before thy face trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughlie from our wickednesse and cleanse vs from our sinnes Turne thy face from our sinnes and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane harts O God and renew a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes for thy name sake So we that be thy people and sheepe of thy pasture shall giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies bee shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the
all the earth full of patience forbearance pitie and repentance ouer the wickednesse of sinfull people declaring the sharpnesse of thy iudgements for their amendment and deliuerance from punishment Thou O Lord hast promised according to thy bottomlesse bountie and goodnesse a penitent spirit not to iust and righteous Abraham Isaac and Iacob which haue not offended against thy Maiestie but to those that are ouerwhelmed with the tempestuous tides of their transgressions We O Lord haue offended and our fathers haue committed sinne in thy sight We haue defiled our selues in the filthie puddle of iniquitie and therefore beholding in the verie heauens such dreadfull tokens of thy wrathfull indignation hanging ouer our heads for our monstrous and prodigious life we bow before thee the knees of our harts beseeching thee to be gratious vnto vs and to open thine eares to our praiers We haue sinned O Lord we haue sinned and we acknowledge our misdeeds humblie beseeching thee to forgiue vs our offences O forgiue vs and deliuer vs not ouer to destruction with our iniquities neither laie thou vp in store vengeance against the daie of iudgement O reserue not for vs the whip of wo and wretchednesse but in mercie pardon our misdeeds and let not the fierie flames of thy furie and wrath waxe hot against vs to burne and consume vs in our iniquities Amen In the time of warre O Almightie God King of all kings and Gouernor of all things whose power no creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustlie to punish sinners to be mercifull vnto them that truelie repent saue and deliuer vs we humblie beseech thee from the hands of our enimies abate their pride asswage their malice and confound their deuises that we being armed with thy defence may be preserued euermore from all perils to glorifie thee which art the onlie giuer of all victorie through the merits of thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ our Lord Amen In time of rebellion or intestine warre O Most mightie and mercifull Lord God which art King of glorie and Lord of hosts the Gouernour of all creatures the onlie giuer of all victories 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 defend O good Lord thy seruants and our gouernour vnder thee our most gratious and souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth and all hir faithfull subiects and people committed to hir charge And especiallie at this time O Lord haue regard to those hir trustie louing and obedient subiects which be sent into the north parts of this Realme or ouer the seas to the aid of such as be persecuted for the profession of thy holie name to withstand the crueltie force and power of certaine false and vnfaithfull subiects yea rather cursed rebels and wicked traitours and all those which be common enimies as well to the truth of thine eternall word as to their owne naturall Prince and countrie and manifestlie against the Crowne and Realme of England which thou hast by thy diuine prouidence assigned in these our daies to the gouernement of thy seruant our souereigne Ladie and most gratious Queene to the great comfort of all vs hir louing subiects and faithfull commons thy most glorious name be praised therefore O Lord God of hosts which by thine Angel therevnto appointed doost minister both warre and peace and which diddest giue vnto Dauid both courage and strength being but a little one vnarmed and vnexpert in feates of warre with his sling to set vpon ouerthrowe the great huge giant Goliah our cause now being iust and being forced to enter into warre and battell we most humblie beseech thee most gratious God so to turne the harts of these rebels thine and our enimies to the desire of peace that no Christian bloud be shed or spilt Or else grant O Lord that with small effusion of bloud and to the little hurt and damage of thy seruants who doo ieopard their liues for the defence of thy holie Gospell our Queene Realme against the aduersaries thereof we may to thy glorie obteine the victorie and that the warres being ended the rebels soone put to flight and vanquished we may all with one hart and mind knit togither in godlie concord and vnitie laud praise thee which art our God O most mercifull Father if it be thy holie will make soft and tender the stonie harts of all those I saie that exalt themselues against thy truth and seeke either to trouble the quietnesse of this Realme of England or to oppresse the Crowne of the same and conuert them to the knowledge of thy sonne the onelie Sauiour of the world Iesus Christ that we and they may iointlie glorifie thy mercies Lighten we beseech thee their ignorant harts to embrace the truth of thy word or else to abate their crueltie O most mightie Lord that this our Christian Region with others that confesse thy holie Gospell may obteine by thine aid strength suertie from all our enimies without shedding of Christian and innocent bloud whereby all they which be in feare of their crueltie may be comforted and finallie that all Christian realmes and especiallie this Realme of England may by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of the Gospell and enioie perfect peace quietnesse and securitie and that we for these thy mercies iointlie all together with one consent hart and voice may thankfullie render vnto thee all laud and praise that we knit in one godlie concord and vnitie among our selues may continuallie magnifie thy glorious name And furthermore for as much as it is thy good will and pleasure to appoint vs in the number of subiects we most humblie beseech thee O heauenlie Father to giue vs faithfull and obedient harts vnto our dread souereigne Ladie the Queenes most excellent Maiestie and to the high powers and godlie rulers that are in authoritie vnder hir noble Grace that there may be found in vs no disobedience no vnfaithfulnes no treason no falsehood no dissimulation no insurrection no commotion no conspiracie nor anie kind of rebellion in deede word or thought but all faithfulnesse obedience quietnesse subiection and humilitie and whatsoeuer else becommeth faithfull subiects vnder so good and so gratious a Prince that we liuing heere in all lowlinesse of mind may at the last daie through thy fauour be lifted vp into euerlasting glorie where thou O most mercifull Father with thy sonne and the holie Ghost liuest and reignest one verie true and perfect God for euer and euer Amen A thankes-giuing for the suppression of rebellion or insurrection O Heauenlie and most mercifull Father the defender of those that put their trust in thee the sure fortresse of all them that flie to thee for succour who of thy most iust iudgements for our disobedience and rebellion against thy holie word and for our holie profession whereby we haue giuen
we be tied and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pitifulnesse of thy great mercie loose vs for the honour of Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen The end of the Letanie Praiers to be vsed before and after the first and second lessons the Gospell and Pistle and before and after the Sermon or Homilie Before the first or second lesson praie BLessed Lord which hast caused all holie Scriptures both in the old and new Testaments to be written and red for our learning grant vs that we may now in such sort heare them reade them marke learne and inwardlie digest them that by patience and comfort of thy holie word we may embrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen After the first or second lesson praie GRatious God and most mercifull father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie father for Iesu Christs sake Amen Or thus THanks be vnto thee O our celestiall father through Christ our Redeemer that thou hast so cleerelie by thy Patriarchs Prophets and Apostls reuealed vnto vs these so secret mysteries of our saluation in Christ for whose sake also we beseech thee to giue vs the verie feare and faith in thee that we constantlie beleeuing thy truth and following that thou commandest vs in thy word may by no meanes hinder thy glorie or the course of thy word by our lewd conuersation but in all obedience helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome to the perpetuall praise of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Before the reading of the Epistle or Gospell praie ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who by thy holie spirit in thy seruants the Apostles and the Euangelists hast left vnto vs the storie of the doctrine and deedes of our Sauiour Christ that thereby as he is in deede so we might beleeue him to be thy Sonne and the Sauiour of the world put our trust in thee through him that so beleeuing we might attaine to euerlasting life grant vs we beseech thee the same most holie spirit to open our harts and lighten our minds that by the reading and hearing of the same our faith in thee through him may continuallie be strengthened till we attaine to the end thereof euen the saluation of our soules through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen After the reading of the Epistle or Gospell WE giue thee thanks most mercifull Father for that it hath pleased thee in great mercie towards vs to cause the holie writings and traditions of the Apostles and Euangelists to come to this our time place and eares that thou hast vouchsafed also to open reueale thy holie will vnto them to approue thy sonne so manifestlie to the world and to confirme vnto vs by them the truth of thy Gospell that in the mouth of so manie faithfull witnesses we might haue more full assurance in thy mercifull promises Helpe vs O good Father we beseech thee that by thy grace we may doo in deede that which we now by them doo vnderstand And least heerein we be through thy iustice more greeuouslie condemned and punished if that we neglect to doo thy will which through thy grace thou hast reuealed graunt vs the fruit of this thy care towards vs in the strength of faith that hauing read and heard so notable things in this his holie storie and acts and writings of the holie Apostles recorded and left vnto vs by so true and most faithfull witnesses appointed and ordeined therevnto by thee we may now by the effectuall working of thy holie spirit receiue and acknowledge him for thine onlie sonne and our onlie sauiour to the saluation of our soules and the glorious praise of thy name and so being lead from one witnesse to another we may according to thy holie word go from faith to faith till we atteine to the euerlasting life which thou hast prepared for vs in thy sonne to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and praise both now and for euer Amen Before the Sermon or Homilie read some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the attentiue hearing of the word Deuteronomie 18. THE Lord said to Moses I will raise them vp a Prophet from among their breethren like vnto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speake vnto them all that I shall command him vnto him shall yee harken And whosoeuer will not harken vnto my words which he shall speake in my name I will require it of him Psalme 119. GReat is the peace they haue which loue thy lawe and they are not offended at it Prouerbs 8. BLessed is that man or woman that heareth me watching dailie at my gates and giuing attendance at the posts of my doores For he that findeth me findeth life and shall obteine fauour of the Lord but he that sinneth against me hurteth his owne soule and all that hate me loue death Prouerbs 28. HE that turneth awaie his eare from hearing the lawe euen his praiers shall be abhominable VVisdome 3. WHo so despiseth wisdome discipline is miserable and their hope is vaine and their labours are foolish and their works vnprofitable and their wiues are vndiscreet their children wicked and their of-spring is accursed Ecclesiasticus 5. BE humble to heare the word of God that thou maist vnderstand it and make a true answere with wisdome Be swift to heare good things and followe the word of peace and righteousnesse Luke 11. THE Queene of the South shall rise in iudgement with the men and women of this generation and shall condemne them For she came from the vttermost parts of the earth to heare the wisdome of Salomon and behold saith Christ of himselfe a greater than Salomon is heere speaking vnto you Iohn 8. HE that is of God heareth Gods word Yee therefore heare them not because ye are not of God Reuelation 2. LET him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith to the Churches or congregation c. A praier for the heedfull hearing of Gods word FOR as much O most mercifull God as faith without the which it is impossible to please thee in anie thing we doo commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God in so much as he or she that turneth awaie his eare frō hearing the lawe euen his praier shall be abhominable and turned into sinne yea bicause also it is a farre more blessed thing to heare and keepe thy word than to haue had the honour to haue borne or nursed thine owne sonne grant vs grace therefore I
that they may speake the mysteries of Christ and manifest them as they ought to doo so shall their dooings bee profitable vnto the godlie Assist them also with thine especiall grace that they disgrace not their doctrine by impuritie of life but let their conuersation answer vnto the doctrine which they teach and preach and especiallie for the pastor of this parish and shepheard of my soule heere present from whose mouth I learne thy blessed will I hartilie praie that thou wilt keepe him in religion sincere and pure from enorme offences in outward conuersation Endue him with a long and healthfull life if it be thy good pleasure that manie a good daie and yeare he may continue in preaching the gladsome voice of thy gratious Gospell among vs without contention and strife And O sonne of God which art the Lord of all the flocke worke thou effectuallie by thy preachers speake thou within vs to our harts the blessed will of thine eternall father and confirme thy doctrine in our minds by thine holie spirit Grant that we may trulie knowe and discerne the same from the howling of woolues and from the inchanted songs of seducing hirelings And grant that we may knowe thee euen as thou knowest thine heauenlie father and to walke religiouslie and righteouslie in thy sight shewing our selues to be of that holie seede which praiseth thy name for euermore Come holie spirit open mine hart and eares that I may conceiue the profit of thy whoalesome doctrine and the sweet comforts reuealed in thy holie word by the preaching of the Gospell O Lord I acknowledge with teares my sluggishnesse and carelesnes in seeking thy truth and bewaile the wretched coldnesse and hardnesse of my hart beseeching thee to endue me with an vnfeigned longing and an ardent desire of holie Sermons Grant that in this life I may worship the feet of the preachers of peace and reuerence the true dispensers of thy mysteries thy faithfull ministers with double honor and none otherwise to obeie their godlie sermons than I would if a voice should sound from the heauens Let me not for the blemishes and imperfections of some particular men vnreuerentlie conceiue of thy whole ministerie Worke also within me that despising thy word deliuered vnto vs I neuer seeke after strange reuelations or violent rauishings both besides and contrarie to thy word but bearing alwaies in mind the order which thou hast appointed may constantlie embrace thy word manifested in thy Church Finallie impart such grace vpon vs that we may imitate and followe the good works of holie men casting off the old man by putting on the new which is created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Amen A praier that God would both feede and defend his Church to be vsed before the Communion O Heauenlie heardman and nursse of all things liuing which of thy meere goodnesse satisfiest all creatures that haue life suffer not thy Church to pine awaie and be famished for lacke of the food of thy blessed word but feed vs continuallie with thy goodnesse Suffer not thou O Lord which giuest sustenance to all flesh thy faithfull seruants to be depriued of perfect doctrine and most pure and sound Sacraments which are indeede the food of eternall life but feed vs continuallie with Angels food that is with thy holie word and with Christ Iesus whereby our harts may bee made righteous strong to him-ward Let vs not like the children of Israel loath this heauenlie manna which thou so mercifullie and aboundantlie powrest downe vpon vs neither let vs lust againe after the flesh-pots of Aegypt least thy wrath being kindled against vs also thou cause it not onelie to cease and to fall no more from heauen vpon vs but also thou smite vs with most greeuous plagues as thou diddest the Israelites But rather as new-borne babes remembring how it is written that man shall not liue by bread onlie but by euerie word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God let vs hartilie desire the sincere milke of thy word let our soules delight in fatnesse let vs come earelie and late to the waters to buie and eate to satisfie our hunger and thirst let vs harken diligentlie vnto thee and eate that which is good and labour continuallie without wearinesse for the meate that perisheth not O Lord let vs neuer see the daie wherein thou shalt be prouoked to send a famine in our land againe a famine I saie not of bread nor a thirst of water but of the hearing of thy word O God Far bee that famine from vs good Lord. Neither let vs anie more deserue to be cast out of our owne cities townes and houses and to wander in strange lands from Sea to Sea from the North to the South from East to West running to and fro like hunger-starued wretches to seeke the food of thy word as we sometimes haue done O Lord and yet not find it least by that meanes we doo not onelie perish in bodie but also in soule for lacke of thy word which is the verie food thereof But let thy word O God be still neere vs euen in our mouthes and in our harts the word of truth I saie which now is preached taught and receiued and feed thou vs whensoeuer the famine either of bodie or spirit vexeth vs. O our father giue vs this daie our daily bread that we may walke in the strength thereof daie and night vntill we come to the holie hill of Horeb. Behold Lord according to thy commandement we doo open our mouths wide fill thou it full of thy heauenlie dainties as thou hast promised Lord euermore giue vs the bread of life and of heauen that we may stedfastlie beleeue in thee For behold O Lord we come vnto thee as though we were famished let vs not therfore go awaie vnfed We are an hungred let vs not be sent awaie fasting Our minds alas hunger and thirst greatlie after toies and gauds of this world and we haue nothing to set afore it because wee are poore and beggerlie wretches But thou O Lord art rich in all good things and the most plentifull giuer of the dainties of heauenlie satietie O therefore we beseech thee giue vs somewhat to eate giue meate I saie vnto the wearie wandering souls yet not such as they lust after but such as is conuenient for them that being refreshed of thee which art the liuing and heauenlie bread wherewith when we are once well fed and that our strength is come to vs againe we may ascend vnto more high things and neuer heereafter hunger or thirst anie more after vanities Amen Another praier to be vsed at the Sermon before a Communion THou vsest O most mightie God to preserue those thy children whom thou hast louinglie adopted with no lesse care and diligence than if they were sheepe and the same alwaies fed led of thee being their most louing shepherd toward their owne health and perfect commoditie who so long as they haue thee
for their Maister and Gouernour they shall be destitute neither of the meate nor drinke of thy most wholesome doctrine and Sacraments Whereby it is manifest that if we pine awaie so long as we liue in this miserable and wretched life for the hunger and thirst of true and perfect goodnesse it happeneth for this cause in that wee haue forsaken thee and followed strange guides wherof and of none other come the great perils and miserable troubles of mind which fall vpon vs. Wherefore we humblie beseech thee O most faithfull and louing shepheard to call vs backe from errours into the right and perfect waie Correct the vices of the wandering and straieng flocke with the rod and sheephooke of thy righteousnesse so that we may feed at length orderlie purelie and chastlie of the most wholsome delicates of thy sacred word blessed Sacraments by which meanes the whole head hart and all the powers of our mind may be made fat and well liking and we alwaies so vnderpropped with thy louing mercies as we may finallie enioie in thy house the souereigne delights and deinties of euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier to be said before the Sermons at the Court. ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who hast in thine infinite wisedome hidden honour in shame and life in death that thou mightest make foolish the wisdome of this world and that hee that glorieth should glorie in the Lord giue vs grace that we stumble not as some did at the base estate and small shew that outwardlie appeared in thy sonne but that rather denieng our owne wisedome to seeke for our saluation where thou hast hidden laid it vp for vs that is in the simple ministerie of thy Gospell that it may haue such place amongst vs as it may reforme both Kingdoms and Courts and our priuate houses and persons that we may ioie in the present light of that lampe to our feet and followe it whither it goeth giuing no rest to the dealers of it till they haue satisfied our hungrie soules withall assuring our selues that we shall not want things needfull for this life but shall be nourished by thee haue thine assistance and helpe to deliuer vs from all trouble and finallie the enioieng of thy presence where anie trouble shall not come neere vs anie more but we shall be satisfied and haue perfect ioie in the sight of thee our most louing God and Father in Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be praise and glorie for euermore Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who hast annointed thy sonne with thy holie spirit and sent him to preach the Gospell that we who before were in prison and bondage to sinne and to death might by him be set at libertie and haue our wounded harts healed by faith of his sweete doctrine grant vs that we loue not bondage rather than libertie nor death rather than life but that we may so receiue his word as we may attaine to euerlasting freedome and life by it And for as much O Lord as thou declarest that for contempt of thy word thou dooest oftentimes withdrawe the preachers of it euen from those to whom they seemed especiallie to haue beene sent grant vs so to receiue the teachers of thy truth as they may be continued amongst vs to our euerlasting comfort in thee to whom with the sonne and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie for euer Amen Another praier against hardnesse of hart and contempt of the word of God FOr as much as thy sacred doctrine O most mightie God is especiallie taught in the sacred Church wherby both thou thy selfe art manifestlie knowne singularlie preached and highlie magnified and we also thereby still called to heauen and heauenlie things it behooueth vs as manie as professe to be of thy schoole greatlie to reioice to be there and as thy faithfull Disciples with all our harts to desire for to giue diligent eare vnto thee alone and thy most wholsome instructions For thou hast oftener than once as thou diddest vnto the Israelites both by thy sacred Scriptures and also through the ministers of thy blessed word protested vnto vs on this wise Giue eare vnto me O my people acknowledge me trulie to be thy God not in words I saie onelie but in mind verelie and with a perfect and most pure worshipping But we alas haue turned our harts from thy holie words and so wretchedlie despised the doctrine of thy sacred lawe and Gospell that we haue alwaies hitherto beene a slander vnto the same But now are we verie hartilie sorie for it who trusting in the death and bloudshedding of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour doo with great feruencie and most earnest praiers lamentablie call vpō thee for pardon of all our sinfull crimes And seeing we acknowledge thee to be our onlie God we earnestlie desire thy gratious goodnesse to grant vs this request that we may now and from hence-foorth for euer giue eare onelie vnto thy diuine Maiestie and honour thee alone neither make anie thine equall or prefer anie thing before thee Suffer not our sinfull hart which of nature is disposed vnto euill to be hardened at thy fatherlie and friendlie admonitions make the same soft we hartilie praie thee with the inspiration of thy good grace and holie spirit neither suffer vs whom thou of thine infinite goodnesse and not for our merits sake hast chosen to be thy blessed people and sheepe of thy pasture to striue struggle against thy blessed commandements like vnto the stiffe-necked Iewes who wouldest oftentimes put therto the traill of thy mightie power But grant thou O most deere and excellent Father who speakest alwaie peaceable matters and those things which are for our singular commoditie that we which haue heretofore beene maruellous rebellious stubborne burdenous and troublesome vnto thee may now become thy tractable conformed and obedient children and euer hereafter haue so great a regard to thy blessed words that with verie attentiue minds we may giue good eare to those things which thou speakest and willest vs to doo So dooing we shall not onlie be saued adorned with glorie but also euerie thing of ours shall be replenished with goodnesse truth righteousnesse and peace Faith shall abound and through the same shall we be plentiouslie iustified through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of hart and contempt of thy word and commandement good Lord deliuer vs. That it may please thee to giue to all thy people increase of grace to heare meekelie thy word and to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of the spirit we beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the waie of truth all such as haue erred are deceiued to strengthen such as doo stand and to comfort and helpe the weake-harted and to raise
vp them that fall and finallie to beate downe Satan vnder our feete we beseech thee to heare vs good Lord Amen A verie necessarie praier against hypocrites false teachers and deriders of the Gospell WHosoeuer they be O almighty God that make a true account of sincere goodlinesse and pure religion are exceeding sorowfull if they see the sacred Church scattered wholesome doctrine derided the praises of thy diuine name had in contempt and such things as appertaine to a deuout woorshipping of thee turned vnto heathenish gewgawes and voluptuous pleasures To the intent therfore these things may in no wise happen as now vnto vs which we see not to be far off we powre foorth dailie before thee with great submission these our dolfull complaints That thou wouldest first of thine exceeding great goodnesse and louing mercie blot out all our heinous sinnes and offences being in a maner infinite and exceeding greeuous committed not onelie through weakenesse and ignorance but also done oftentimes both maliciouslie and of set purpose Be fauourable I saie O God vnto our greeuous sinnes and turne awaie from vs in such sort the most fierce wiles and subtil laiengs await of Antichrist as thy sacred Church be not depriued of all blessed ioie and spirituall gladnesse O Lord I beseech thee shew some experiment and proofe of thy selfe declare thy name and thy power amongst those thy spitefull enimies Bring downe Antichrists kingdome with all his vngodlie sects and schismaticall factions Certes ouerlong it hath oppressed vs yea and at this verie daie it still letteth hindereth and holdeth vnder foote verie manie which else speedilie would haue run to the kingdome of libertie and beleeued the Gospell Pull it therfore downe O Lord with all his stumbling blocks euill examples peruerse doctrine and neuer suffer it to recouer againe Lord thou both seest and right well perceiuest how the cruell malicious and vngodlie Antichristians would inuade the Church being so puft vp with pride inflamed with furie scorning as well diuine lawes as humane with like statelinesse and equall contempt dooing nothing with courtesie and faithfulnesse but practising mischiefe and naughtinesse and endeuouring so much as in them lieth that thy blessed word may no where flourish that true religion might be vtterlie extinguished that the perfect inuocating and calling vpon thy glorious name might be quite rooted out and to bring all things to naught by forged tales mens traditions politike deuises diuelish deceipts and verie much outrage But as for thy beloued Israel sith she hath by thy great mercie enioied so long peace and blessed tranquillitie let hir be ioined more and more vnto thee hir welbeloued so as she may continuallie laie sure hold vpon thy worthie praises Suffer not the mouths of hir good and wholesome instructors to be closed vp and put to silence Permit not thy due honour to be had in obliuion nor yet let the hymnes and songs wherwith thou art highlie praised and celebrated be vsurped of such as will haue the same in derision and scorne Finallie we humblie beseech thee O excellent father that what wrath or indignation so euer is due vnto vs by reason of the heinous sinnes we haue wickedlie committed thou wouldest yet for the glorie of thy famous name turne it frō thy sanctified Church thy deere spouse and powre out the same rather vpon them who with an enimielike rage and most malicious affection imagine nothing else but quite to marre and vtterlie laie waste thy blessed heritage and in deede be no lesse aduersaries to thy blessed name than of our peace and quietnesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for vnbeleeuers that all men may embrace the Gospell VNto thee doo we crie O Lord father and maker of all men which art rich vnto all that call vpon thee and which commandest the light to shine out of darkenes For thou wilt that all men should be saued and come to the knowledge of the truth And therfore of thy great loue thou diddest call vs to the participation of the lot of the Saints in light which are by nature the children of wrath and of death aliens and strangers from the testaments of promise hauing none hope and without God in the world but now are fellowe Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ beeing the head corner stone which susteineth the whole building by his word of power Heare vs thy seruants making supplication for such as yet haue not hard the sound of thy Gospell neither knowe thy name but sitting in darkenesse and in the shadowe of death haue their minds darkened and are alienated from the life of God by the ignorance that is in them and are caried awaie vnto dumbe idols and fained gods euen as they are led and run to worship that which is no God Giue grace that thy word may be knowne among them and preached in euerie land and the sound there of go out into the ends of the world that thou also maist be found of them which sought thee not and famous among such as neuer asked after thee Send foorth thy word that they may be healed and walke no more in the vanities of their mind O God father of our Lord Iesu Christ King of glorie giue them the spirit of wisedome and reuelation through the confessing of thee inlighten their minds that they may knowe what the hope is wherevnto thou hast called vs and how pretious the glorie is of thine inheritance in the Saints and how excellent the greatnesse of his power is toward vs which beleeue according to the working of his mightie power which thou hast wrought in him when he was raised by thee from the dead and placed at thy right hand in heauenlie places aboue all principalities powers Open the harts of vnbeleeuers that hearing thy word they may acknowledge thee the onlie true God and Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent and may worship thee the father in the sonne and the sonne in thee the father with the holie ghost euen as thou hast reuealed thy selfe Take the vaile from the harts of the Iewes least being blinded in the reading of the old Testament they stumble at the stone and rocke of offence by incredulitie and hardnesse of their harts that thy Sonne Christ crucified and preached be not vnto them a stumbling blocke and thy Gospell the sauour of death vnto death but that being conuerted by true faith to the knowledge of thee the father in the sonne their face being vncouered they may behold thy glorie knowing by the writings of the Prophets the Messias which thou hast appointed to be the Sauiour of the world Likewise gather thou the Gentiles to whome the Gospell the word of the Crosse is meere foolishnesse into thy congregation that they may embrace thy ministerie casting off all fleshlie wisedome and leade all their cogitations captiue to the obedience of the Gospell Moreouer our praier and
and of thy free mercie that we are made heires and partakers of thy promise in Christ Iesu through the Gospell which bringeth vs tidings and full assurance of the euerlasting riches of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie Blessed be God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenlie things by Christ and hath chosen vs in him before the foundations of the world that we should be holie and without blame before him in loue who hath predestinated vs to be adopted through Iesus Christ vnto himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will whereby he loueth vs by his beloued in whom we haue redemption in his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace wherein he hath abounded towards vs in all wisdome and vnderstanding and hath opened vnto vs the mysterie of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himselfe euen vntill the dispensation of the fulnesse of time that he might gather in one all things both which are in heauen and which are in earth euen in Christ by whom also we are chosen when wee were predestinated according to the purpose of him which maketh althings after the counsell of his owne will that we might be to the praise of his glorie which hoping haue beleeued in Christ when we heard the word of truth euen the Gospell of saluation And this grace thou didst extend toward vs not by the works of righteousnesse which we had done but according to thy mercie thou sauedst vs and didst call vs with an holie calling not according to our works but according to thine owne purpose grace which was giuen to vs through Christ before all times and is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hath abolished death and brought life and immortalitie vnto light through the Gospell To thee therefore which art of power to establish our harts according to the reuelation of the mysterie which was kept secret since the world began but now is opened and published among all nations by the Scriptures of the Prophets at the commandement of the euerlasting GOD for the obedience of faith to thee we saie God onelie wise be praise through Iesus Christ for euer Amen We beseech thee that according to the operation and working of thy mightie power we may continue constant in true faith and wholesome doctrine and at no time forsaking the wisedome opened in the Gospell may followe the iudgement of worldlie reason and fleshlie vnderstanding which thou hast beesotted and altogither confounded in searching thy hidden mysteries For thy spirituall wisedome dooth farre exceed all wisedome and vnderstanding of the creatures wherevnto flesh can not attaine neither can our bloud reueale nor yet the naturall man although he be indued with great sharpenesse of wit and worldlie vnderstanding perceiue the same Grant we beseech thee that we may be thy simple sheepe and little-ones receiuing from thee the word of truth without contradiction and disputation and that in the articles of faith we bring not fleshly wisedome but being made void of our proper vnderstanding may bring our minds into a godlie captiuitie Let thy Sonne which descending from aboue brought with him the eternall wisedome of the Gospell from thy bosome and was made a sacrifice on our behalfe but now exalted to thy right hand bestoweth his gifts let him we beseech thee shine in our harts Likewise cause thine holie spirit to instill into vs his diuine light and breath vpon vs the new flame of thine heauenlie knowledge till departing into the eternall life we may behold thee the onlie and true God face to face which liuest and reignest in perpetuall glorie Amen Another thankes-giuing after the Sermon WE render vnto thee O heauenlie father most hartie thanks for this spirituall heauenlie nourishment of thy blessed word wherewith our soules are not onelie well refreshed at this present but also our faith is strengthened our loue kindled and our conscience quieted Wee most humblie beseech thee to giue vs grace not onelie to be hearers of thy word but dooers also of the same not onelie to loue but also to liue thy Gospell not onlie to fauour but also to followe thy godlie doctrine not onelie to professe but also to practise thy blessed commandements that whatsoeuer we outwardlie heare and inwardlie beleeue we may shew foorth the same in our conuersation and liuing vnto the honour of thy holie name the comfort of our Christian brethren and the health of our soules Amen Another O GOD wee haue heard with our eares and our fathers and preachers haue declared vnto vs the noble works that thou hast done of old time for vs. Grant therefore we beseech thee O thou heauenlie husbandman that this seed of thy word now sowne amongst vs may take such deepe root in our harts that neither the burning heate of persecution cause it to wither neither the thornie cares of this life doo choke it but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirtie sixtie and an hundred fold as thy heauenlie wisedome hath appointed to the glorie of thy holie name Amen Another praier or thankes-giuing after the Sermon I Giue thee most humble thankes Lord Iesu Christ that thou hast vouchsafed euen now abundantlie to refresh and feed vs with the food of thy word And I beseech thee that the vnderstanding and knowledge of this thy word may be wholsome comfortable and effectuall in vs that this heauenlie seed now sowne doo not die or perish in vs without fruit Keepe our harts O Lord inuiron and compasse them about with the inclosure or hedge of thy grace and by thy holie Angels preserue and watch ouer the same that the infernall fowle bird Satan pull not out thy sacred word out of our harts But prepare our breast and make apt our harts vnto thee good Lord that they may firmelie keepe thy word and that they may alwaie sticke and be as new and fresh in our memories Giue vs also strength possibilitie and power that our life may answere to thy doctrine heard Giue increase also to thy word O heauenlie husbandman that in vs it may augment growe and that by thy holie speech and heauenlie eloquence it may not onlie bring vs to the knowledge of thy will but also that we may execute accomplish and fullfill that thou commandest and willest and so perseuering to the end may at the last aspire to thy celestiall kingdome Amen Another O Gratious God and most mercifull Father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie Father for Iesus
Christs sake Amen Another praier for the accomplishing of Gods will reuealed in his lawe SUCH truelie are to be accounted right happie amongst mortall men O most good and mercifull God as haue thy sacred lawe alwaie set out before the eies of their mind which they make as a patterne to begin their life by and as a rule to proceed by when they haue begun so that if they shall happen to go astraie their fault may both be amended thereby and they also leade a more vertuous life according vnto iustice These shall liue blamelesse and when their dooings shall be examined by vpright iudgement they shall not be ashamed which will greatlie auaile if it be diligentlie practised from the tender age But I hartilie acknowledge and earnestlie confesse O most deere father that all mans policie is altogether vnprofitable and none accompt at all to be made thereof vnlesse thou be present with thy blessed spirit and dooest direct our minds For otherwise what gaine may we haue by hearing or meditating of thy holie lawe than a cold and verie hurtfull knowledge Wherefore my earnest request is that thou wouldest not onlie minister strength vnto vs by thy grace for the accomplishing of these things which thou commandest in thy diuine lawe but also to bring this vnto good effect so that we may haue more felicitie in them than in all our owne deuises and take a greater delight in the continuall practise and due execution thereof than in anie fleshlie or worldlie pleasures through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for strength speedilie to accomplish Gods diuine lawe WHen as we on the one side doo consider the weaknes of our strength O most mightie God and contrariwise the absolutenesse and perfectnesse of thy blessed lawe we euidentlie perceiue that for the obteining thereof thy most puissant helpe will stand vs in verie great steed First therefore teach vs the true waies of thy holie commandements moreouer illuminate in such sort our mind and vnderstanding as we may be able to incline with great feruencie vnto those things which thou hast both taught and commanded Furthermore it is needefull for thee to graunt vs power and abilitie to performe whatsoeuer we haue learned of thee otherwise it shall profit vs little or nothing at all to haue knowledge vnlesse some part of obedience be either performed or at least-wise begun in vs which the lewd inclination of our sinfull harts doth greatlie hinder and finallie our senses and corrupt affections are woonderfull huge aduersaries heerevnto Succour thou vs therfore we humblie beseech thee with thy good grace and aboundant fauour forgiuing whatsoeuer we haue committed and doo dailie after a most sinfull manner against thy sacred lawe neither let it be imputed vnto vs for our eternall destruction And in the meane season O good God quicken and lift vs so vp with thy vnspeakable louing mercie which we see offred vnto vs in the benigne promises of thy holie scriptures that thou wouldest not permit vs to swarue from thy sacred lawe which thou hast vouchsafed to set before vs who doo with much feruencie desire to be vnseparablie annexed vnto thee But grant that we may execute with an exceeding feruent desire the charge which is left vnto vs so that we may maruellous speedilie bestir our steps and feet towards the fulfilling of thy blessed lawe Cause thou vs O excellent father we humblie beseech thee to cut off and cast aside all delaies and that contrarie to the expectation of the vngodlie who alwaies cast lets to entrap vs we may be obedient to thy sacred precepts so that all those which honour and loue thee purelie may accompanie vs that like as the earth is euerie-where replenished with thy inestimable goodnes so the number of thy true and faithfull suppliants may be dailie more and more greatlie augmented through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier to be vsed of anie excommunicate person or notorious sinner before the dooing of open penance in the Church for true conuersion and repentance c. ETernall and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ thou that by the mouth of thy holie Prophets and Apostles hast plainelie pronounced that thou desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that he may conuert and liue who also hast sent thine onelie sonne to suffer the cruell death of the crosse not for the iust but for such as find themselues oppressed with the burthen of sinne that by him and his aduocation they may haue accesse to the throne of thy grace being assured that before they crie they shall find fauour and mercie Unto thee most mercifull God doo I miserable wretch crie whome for my filthie life lewd conuersation and proud contempt of thee and thy holy lawe thou to the griefe dolour of manie good Christian harts dooest iustlie scourge and punish by the censures of thy Church and hast woorthilie cut off secluded and reiected by excommunication from thy mysticall body making me now a spectacle to God to angels and to men Unto thee I saie O Lord and maister of all power which callest offenders vnto thee by waie of iudgement and affliction and knowest the hardnesse of our harts which haue no power of our selues to returne and rise vp doo I come and that in the name of thy Sonne my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to acknowledge before thee and this congregation my heinous sinnes wherewith I haue too shamefullie polluted my selfe and offended thee and thy Church And heere prostrate at the feete of thy Maiestie I craue mercie and pardon of thee and aske forgiuenesse of all the world especiallie of this congregation whome I confesse I haue offended Most humblie beseeching thee O father of mercies to looke vpon me with thine eies of pitie euen as thou lookedst sometime vpon the sinfull woman taken in adulterie and vpon Marie Magdalen in the banket which prostrating hir selfe at thy feet bitterlie did bewaile hir wickednesse Likewise fauour me as thou didst the Publicane standing a far off in the Temple without lifting vp his eies vnto heauen for shame but striking his brest onelie said Lord be mercifull vnto me a sinner And first O God that thou wilt pierce through my hardened hart and moue it by the power of thy holie spirit in such sort that I may come to a true knowledge of my sinnes and feele in my soule and conscience the terrour of thy iudgement vpon all offenders Especiallie O Lord that as I haue offended thy Maiestie and a great number of this thy Christian congregation by my detestable fact and greeuous sinne so beeing armed by thy grace to endure this mortification of my flesh like as my Sauiour Iesus suffered for me in his flesh I may now subiect my selfe to the iust ordinance of thy Church and not refuse openlie heere to acknowledge and confesse my faults and that with all Christian patience and true humiliation giuing to thee the glorie of thy name before the face
with thy presence fill me with thy comfort spirituall deinties Make my faith strong to beleeue thy word and promises that being made holie as thou art holie I may now holilie taste and see how sweet thou art in this life by inchoation and in the life to come perfectlie pleasantlie and perpetuallie enioie thy heauenlie table O our Father giue vs this daie our dailie bread that we may walke in the strength thereof daie and night vntill we come to thy holie hill of Horeb. My sweet Lord let me feed vpon thee My life enter into my soule O sweet loue O louing sweetnesse let my bellie eate thee and my soule be refreshed by thee the heauenlie Bridegrome For thou art the bread and fountaine of life yea all things indeede whereby the righteous liue which loue thee Thee doo I couet loue and woorship with whome I shall dwell reigne and be blessed Upon thee doo I call for my soule which thou preparest to receiue thee through the desire which thou breathest into it Come therefore O purger of sinnes thou which art the curer of wounds the strength of the feeble the comforter of the sorowfull the worship and honour of all them that liue and the onelie health of the dead Come I saie O blessed Trinitie and enter into my soule come I beseech thee and haue mercie vpon me make me meete for thee that thou maist possesse that which thou hast both made and redeemed sanctified and preserued that I may haue thee as a seale vpon my hart Giue me thy selfe O God my God restore thy selfe vnto me for nothing else can suffice thy seruant and mercifullie graunt vnto me according to the multitude of thy great mercies that my basenesse may please thy Maiestie my vilenesse thine almightie power O sweet Christ O Charitie my God dulcet honie snowie milke the foode of Angels make me to growe in thee that I may eate thee with a sauorie taste Make me to ouercome the enimie of my saluation that thou maist vouchsafe to giue me according to thy promise to eate of the tree of life which is in the middest of the Paradise of God and of the Manna that is hid and that I may one daie or other be called vnto the Lambes supper and eate bread at thy table in the kingdome of GOD among the blessed ones O deere God I praie thee let my mind thus kindeled with the loue of thee flie euen till it come to the beautie of thy celestiall house to the throne of thy glorie and there let it be fed at the dining table of the heauenlie citizens in the place of full feeding by the plentifull running streames and pleasant pastures Behold Lord I stand at the doore and knocke I beseech thee by the bowels of thy mercie wherewith thou being the daie-spring from an high hast visited vs open the hand of thy pitie to a wretch that knocketh and vouchsafe mercifullie to bid me enter into thee that I may rest with thee dwell with thee and sup with thee and thou with me and that I may be refreshed to the full of thee which art the liuing sweet white-bread and heauenlie repast wherewith when I am once fed and that my strength is come perfectlie vnto me againe I may ascend vnto the more high things neuer from hencefoorth hunger or thirst anie more so greatlie after vanities So be it When ye are about to receiue the bread lift vp your hart and eies vnto God in heauen and saie O Father I hartilie thanke thee who hast giuen thine onlie begotten son to take vpon him our naturall bodie which bodie was once offered to thee vpon the altar of the crosse for the health welth and saluation of all sinners for whose sake O father I beseech thee to haue mercie vpon me and in remembrance of whose most bitter death and painfull passion with all possible thanks for all thy benefits brieflie comprised therein I now in trembling and feare receiue this holie bread to feed therby in my soule on Christs blessed bodie which was giuen for me and that onelie by faith to mine euerlasting comfort and saluation and thine eternall glorie Amen Or thus O Heauenlie Father and blessed God I render vnto thee most hartie thanks for all thy benefits which thou hast shewed vnto me most wretched sinner but especiallie for that most sweet smelling sacrifice which thine onlie begotten sonne offered vnto thee on the altar of the crosse by giuing his most pure vndefiled bodie vnto the death for the redemption of mankind In remēbrance wherof according to thy welbeloued sonnes ordinance I now receiue this holie bread most intirelie beseeching thee that I may both be partaker of the merits of thy deere sonnes bodie breaking and also lead a life woorthie of so great a benefit vnto the glorie of thy name Amen When you see the wine behold it with your corporall eies For as Christ saith it is wine but lift vp your soule vnto Christ in heauen whose bloud is there alwaie fresh and liuelie before the Father to sprinkle and quicken thee and praie saieng O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of the liuing GOD which being vpon the crosse with thy hands spred abroad for the redemption of all mankind diddest drinke the most bitter cup of thy passion I beseech thee vouchsafe now to drawe the mouth of the soule that thirsteth after thee vnto the high flouds and flowing streames of thine eternall abundance and satietie yea drawe me wholie vnto thy selfe which art the liuing well to the intent I may according to my capacitie drinke of that wherevpon I doo liue O my God my life thou didst saie with thy holie and blessed mouth If anie man thirst let him come vnto me and drinke O well of life grant vnto my thirstie soule alwaie to drinke of thee that according to thy holie and true promise waters of life may flowe out of my bellie O well of life replenish and fill my mind full of the riuer of thy pleasures make my hart to be drunken as it were in thy loue that after the maner of them that be drunken with wine which forget all things saue the cup so I may forget all vaine and earthlie things and continuallie haue nothing else in my remembrance but thee onelie thy bitter death thy painfull passion and pretious bloud-shedding Come I praie thee into my hart and make it drunken with the abundance of thy plentifulnesse so that I may forget all temporall things make me I saie throughlie drunken with thy cup that I may forget euen my selfe and vtterlie renounce all mine owne vngodlinesse sinne O Christ which art the euerlasting suffisance that shalt be giuen to the hungrie and thirstie refresh vs continuallie with the most exquisite and well furnished banket of thy blessed Sacraments and make vs drinke plentiouslie of the holie cup of thy blessed spirit and grace Let the inspiration of thy most sweet spirit succeed like springs of water
vnto thee by repentance and through consideration of this new and eternall couenant touching the remission of sinnes made with vs be erected and vpholden vnto a liuelie and puissant hope O sweet Iesu grant that being fast linked vnto thee by this holy mysterie I may receiue power strength from thee beleeuing thy promises and be wholie addicted therevnto without anie doubting that so my conscience in feare and troubles may haue perfect consolation Suffer me not to be separated from the members of thy bodie which is the Church whereof thou art head fulfilling all in all but graunt that abiding in thy word and kingdome I may be without fault in the foundation and without sinne against my conscience and walke worthie this Sacrament forsaking vtterlie and renouncing the diuell and all idolatrie all vices and carnall desires which fight against the soule For we cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the diuels too Make me also to remember that by this Sacrament I am bound to doo good vnto others For as manie graines of corne doo make one loafe and manie grapes make one wine so being manie yet are we but one loafe and one bodie in asmuch as we all participate of one bread and drinke of one cup. Ioine vs therefore togither O Sauiour of the world at this common banket through the band of loue that we may be fastened vnto thee our head that as thou didst die for vs so we againe may not feare to suffer and to giue our liues for the glorie of thy name that we neuer be separated from thee neither in life nor death Make vs also hartilie to loue one another like the true and liuelie members of thy bodie that if neede require we may giue our liues for our brethren Suffer not concord of minds to be broken For he that receiueth the mysterie of vnitie and keepeth not the bond of peace he doth not receiue the mysterie for himselfe but a testimonie against himselfe Giue grace therefore that leauing aside all wrath fiercenesse maliciousnesse and enuie we may forgiue one another euen as thou forgiuest vs and beare one with another for the better auoiding of strife dissention sectes and pernicious heresies Keepe this thine ordinance and right vse of thy Sacrament amongst vs euermore that this good worke and diuine ceremonie may alwaies be a note and badge of our publike profession whereby we are knowne from pagans and tokens of loue confession and thankefulnesse Remoue awaie all abuses and prophanations of this holie and sacred supper together with the horrible and idolatrous adorations inuented by Sathan and his members to the shamefull deforming of thy godlie goodlie institution but maintaine I humblie beseech thee the true and vnpolluted vse thereof till thy pleasure is to returne in the clouds to iudgement with great power and glorie that it neuer be out of remembrance and last of all at our resurrection from death appoint vs places of thine heauenly table where we may taste the new wine in the kingdome of thy father abiding with thine elect Angels and blessed Saincts for euermore Amen A meditation of the trust which a Christian soule ought to haue in the passion of our Lord Iesu with a thanks-giuing vnto God for the manifold benefits thereof I Might despaire verelie because of my manifold sinnes and negligences without number if it were not that thy word O God was made flesh and dwelt amongst vs. But I can not neither dare I now despaire because that seeing when we were enimies we were reconciled by the death of thy Sonne who being obedient vnto thee to the death yea euen to the shamefull death of the Crosse hath taken awaie the hand-writing of our sinnes and nailing the same to his crosse hath crucified both sinne and death How much more are we now reconciled and saued by him For all the hope certitude and surenesse of all my trust is in his pretious bloud which was shead for vs and for our saluation In him doo I take hartening and by meanes of him who sitteth at the right hand of God and sueth for vs I looke backe with a carelesse eie and now trusting in him in whome I am alreadie risen againe and receiued alreadie mounted vp into heauen and there doo sit among the Angels I haue a desire to come vnto thee not hauing mine owne righteousnesse but that which I haue through the same thy Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ For the which O most mercifull God and most gentle louer of mankind we giue thee thanks who through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when we were lost through our sinnes most maruellouslie didst deliuer and recouer vs againe To thy goodnesse I saie doo I giue thanks and manifold praises doo I shew foorth to thee with all my hart mind which through the vnspeakable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed of thy maruellous goodnesse to loue vs wretches and vnworthie to be beloued didst send the same thine onelie begotten Sonne from thy bosome vnto our Common-weale to saue vs sinners which were at that time the children of perdition and damnation I render vnto thee all possible thanks for his holie incarnation and natiuitie and for the blessed virgin Marie his mother vpon whom he did vouchsafe to take flesh for vs and for our saluation to the intent that like as he is verie God of God so he might be verie man of man I giue thee condigne thanks for his passion and crosse for his death and resurrection for his ascension into heauen and his seate of his Maiestie on thy right hand I giue thee thanks I saie for that most sacred shedding foorth of his pretious bloud wherewith we are redeemed and also for the most holie and quickening sacrifice of his blessed bodie bloud which this daie and dailie in thy Church we feed of and drinke of wherewith also we are washed cleansed and sanctified are made partakers of the onelie high diuinitie Finallie I giue thee thanks for the maruellous and vnspeakable charitie and loue wherewith thou didst loue vs vnwoorthie persons and didst saue vs by thine onelie and beloued sonne For so thou didst loue the world that thou gauest thine onlie begotten sonne to the intent that none which trulie beleeue in him shuld perish but haue euerlasting life And this thing verilie is euerlasting life to knowe thee and also Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent to be verie God by an vpright faith and works woorthie for such a faith Wherefore with all my hart and mouth I doo confesse praise and blesse thee O God the father vnbegotten and thee O God the sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost and comforter To thee O blessed trinitie be all glorie and praise thanks togither with all power dominion and might in the world of worlds for euer Amen A meditation to be vsed after the receiuing of the holie Communion to stirre vs vp through the
how can I yeeld thee woorthie thanks the debt I owe thee being so great and mine abilitie to discharge the same so small With all my hart and with all my might and power I thanke thine infinite liberalitie for hauing created me to thine owne likenesse and similitude and for hauing for my conseruation created likewise so great varietie of other creatures and much more doo I laud blesse thee for that with thy pretious death and bloud-shed thou hast redeemed me ye a O Lord now I doo with all my bowels and powers of my body soule thanke thee blesse thee adore thee for hauing left vs this he auenlie and most woorthie Sacrament and for giuing me miserable wretch the grace eftsoons to receiue it that eftsoones I may thereby be made partaker of the fruit of thy redemption And bicause these my thanks and praises be slender weake and vnwoorthie of such gifts as I haue receiued I beseech thy sweet sonne Iesus Christ to supplie my want Here vouchsafe to sound perpetuall peales of praises for me euerlastinglie to adore thee for mee to reuerence thee for me and to offer the continuall sacrifice of thanks-giuing for me And yet for that all that I can doo is finite is not correspondent to the value of the benefit I haue this daie receiued being infinite Those most holie and gratefull thanks which thou Lord Iesu gauest to thy Father minding to grant vs this so inestunable a gift euen those same which are infinite doo I offer both to him and thee together For verelie beleeue I that for this cause didst thou yeeld them that so incomparable a gift should not be destitute of condigne graces and thanks And now doo I humblie beseech thee of thy most bonntifull clemencie that seeing it hath pleased thee to satiate and honour me with thy most worthie presence in this venerable and redoubted Sacrament thou wilt also vouchsafe to grant me thy grace to be alwaies gratefull and to answere woorthilie to this most happie visitation This hath alwaies beene thy woont my Sauiour and Redeemer that where through thy goodnes thou hast vouchsafed to enter there hast thou departed of thy blessings most abundantlie heaping grace vpon grace and mercie vpon mercie Thou enteredst into Matthew the Publicans house and from a Publican thou madest him thy Disciple an Apostle Thou enteredst into Zacheus house when by and by he was changed from his old custome and health was giuen to all his houshold Thou enteredst into Sunon Peters house drauest awaie the ague from his wiues mother leauing hir whole and comforted Eft soones didst thou enter into Martha good Marie Magdalens house and what tongue can tell the spirituall riches thou gauest to that house and the ineffable graces thou endowedst those two sisters with Finallie the figure of this Sacrament to wit the arke of the old Testament because it entred into Obed Edoms house was cause that thy blessings were powred vpon him and all his paieng plentifullie for the harborough that in that house was offered thee Wherefore O most sweet and welcome ghest seeing through thy goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed this daie to enter into my poore cottage send downe withall thy holie blessings thereon by meanes whereof I may woorthilie answer vnto this thine incomparable mercie Cleanse and fine this house Lord from all the filth thou seest in it Repaire and doo some cost on it least it decaie and fall to ruine driue out the darkenesse in it with the glistering beames of thy light adorne and decke it vp with the vertues and graces of the holie Ghost that being thus cleansed repaired adorned and illuminated it may please thee to dwell therein and neuer to depart Tarrie still with me O Lord my comforter the night draweth nigh without thee shall I remaine in darkenesse and so be sore endangered O therefore I saie tarrie thou still with me and depart not from this lodging Thou hast affirmed O eternall truth how thy whole delight is to dwell with the children of men and how thou standest knocking at the doore ready to euter and sup with such as shall open and let thee in Behold how I haue giuen thee free entrance into me and thou of thy goodnesse hast admitted me to the sweet supper of thy most sacred bodie Abandon me not therfore my souereigne Lord ne depart thou from me drawe me after thee knit and tie me fast to thee yea drawe me quite out of my selfe sith I am much better in thee than in me In thee I liue in me I die in thee I remaine firme and constant in me I decaie and come to naught Renew me therefore O my sanctifier and through loue transforme me into thee grant me so to liue in thee as that I onlie liue to thee I onlie loue thee I onlie delight in thee that thou be mine onlie ioie mine onlie comfort mine onlie foode wherewith my soule may in such sort be refreshed as that all other meats seeme loathsome and vnsauorie to it This onlie haue I chosen this onlie shall suffice me with this alone will I liue contented satisfied and happie vntill the desired daie come when I shall feed of thee in another forme and enioie thee continuallie in the companie of all the elect and blessed Saincts of the celestiall court where with the Father and the holie Ghost thou liuest and reignest euerlastinglie Amen Another fruitfull meditation of the Christian soule exhorting to thankefulnesse newnesse of life and holie conuersation in deepe consideration of the great benefits of Christ receiued in the Sacrament to be read after the receiuing of the holie Communion in the Church if time serue or at home especiallie on Easter daie THat thou maist not doubt O my soule of so great wealth and felicitie as is wrought for thee in these holie mysteries of Christ whereof now thou hast beene a partaker by his glorious death and resurrection let vs a little refresh our selues with the contemplation thereof as it were chaw the cud by calling them often to our remembrance that so taking great delite in the sweet taste thereof we may the lesse feele or perceiue the bitternesse of this miserable life Go to therefore O my soule call to mind now I saie and wee that therefore thou hast receiued into thine owne possession the euerlasting veritie euen our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to confirme to thy conscience the truth of all this matter Thou hast receiued him if in true faith repentance of hart thou hast receiued him if in purpose of amendment of life thou hast receiued him for an euerlasting gage and pledge of thy saluation Thou hast receiued his bodie which was once broken and his blood which was once shed for the remission of thy sinnes thou hast receiued his bodie to haue within thee the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost for to dwell with thee to indue thee with grace to strengthen thee against thine
enimies to helpe thy weaknesse to possesse thee with peace and gladnesse to make thee thankfull to thy redeemer and carefull to lead a godlie conuersation and to comfort thee with their presence in weale and wo thou hast receiued his bodie I saie to indue thee with euerlasting righteousnesse to assure thee of perpetuall blisse and life eternall For with Christ by true faith art thou my soule quickened againe from death of sin to life of grace and in hope translated from corporall and euerlasting death to the euerlasting life of glorie in heauen where now from hencefoorth thy conuersation indeed should be and thy hart and desire alwaie fixed and set Doubt not therfore O my soule of the truth of this matter how great and high so euer these mysteries and things be For it becommeth thy God to doo no little deeds how impossible so euer they seeme to thee But praie to God hartilie that thou maist haue faith to perceiue these great mysteries that by faith thou maist certeinlie knowe and beleeue nothing to be impossible with God Onelie bring thou faith I saie to Christs holie word and Sacraments and thou shalt well feele and perceiue the benefits of Christ conteined therein to thy comfort Let thy repentance shew thy faith also let thy purpose of amendement and obedience of thy hart to Gods lawe hereafter declare thy true beleefe And now endeuour thy selfe O my soule to saie with S. Paule From hencefoorth my conuersation is in heauen from whence I looke for a Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ which shall change our vile bodies that they may be made and fashioned like to his glorious bodie which he shall doo by the same power whereby he rose againe from death and wherby he shall be able to subdue all things vnto himselfe For else what shall it auaile thee O my soule to bee escaped and deliuered from the filthinesse of the world through the knowledge of thy Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ if thou be intangled againe therewith and be thereby ouercome againe Certeinlie it had beene better neuer to haue knowne the waie of righteousnesse than after it is knowne and receiued to turne back-ward againe from the holie and most righteous commandements of God giuen vnto thee so shall the prouerbe be verified of thee where it is said The dog is returned to his vomit againe and the sow that was washed to hir wallowing in the mire againe Oh what a shame were it for thee O my soule being thus so cleerelie and freelie washed from thy sinnes to returne to the filthinesse thereof againe What a great follie were it thus indued with righteousnesse to loose it againe Yea what wilfull madnesse were it to loose the inheritance that thou art now set in for the vile and transitorie pleasures of sinne Finallie what vnnaturall vnkindnesse should it be where thy Sauiour Christ of his meere mercie is come to thee to dwell within thee as thy ghest to driue him from thee and to banish him violentlie out of thee and in stead of him in whome is all grace and vertue to receiue the vngratious spirit of the diuell the founder of all vnrighteousnesse naughtinesse and mischiefe Oh my soule how canst thou find in thy hart I saie to shew such extreame vnkindnes to Christ Iesus which hath now so gentlie called thee to mercie offered and giuen himselfe vnto thee and is now entred into thee Yea how darest thou be so bold to renounce the presence of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost for where one is there God all whole in Maiestie together with all his power wisedome and goodnesse is and fearest thou not the danger and perill of so traiterous a defiance and departure O my soule aduise thy selfe well what thou dooest consider the dignitie thou art now set in and how thou art therfore cleansed washed sanctified and renewed that thou shouldest from hencefoorth sinne no more but serue God in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of thy life that in the end thou maist reigne with him in euerlasting life If thou refuse so great grace whereto thou art called what other thing dooest thou than heape vp thy damnation more and more and so prouoke God to cast his heauie displeasure vpon thee and by his iust plagues to reuenge this thy mockage of his holie Sacraments in so great abusing of them Be verie warie and well aduised therefore I saie O my soule how from hencefoorth thou dooest behaue thy selfe and let not follie loose that thing which grace hath so pretiouslie offered and purchased Let not wilfulnesse and blindnesse put out so great light as is shewed vnto thee but applie thy selfe to liue in Christ that Christ may still liue in thee whose fauour and assistance if thou haue then hast thou euerlasting life alreadie within thee then can nothing hurt thee whatsoeuer is hitherto done amisse and committed Christ thou seest hath offered thee pardon and cleerelie receiued thee into his fauour againe in full suretie whereof thou hast him now presentlie inhabiting and dwelling within thee Onlie take good hart vnto thee shew thy selfe thankefull in thy life and determine with thy selfe to refuse auoid detest and abhorre all such things in thy conuersation as should offend the eies of his mercie Endeuour thy selfe now I saie O my soule that waie to rise vp againe which waie thou hast fallen into the pit or sinke of sin as if by thy tong thou hast offended now thereby rise againe and glorifie God therewithall accustome it to laud and praise the name of God as thou hast therewith dishonoured it And as thou hast hurt the good name of thy neighbour or otherwise hindered him so now intend to restore it to him againe for without restitution God accepteth not thy confession nor yet thy repentance It is not ynough to forsake euill except thou set thy courage to doo good By what occasion soeuer therfore thou hast offended I saie turne now the occasion vnto the honouring of God and profiting of thy neighbour True it is O my soule that sin is strong and affections vnrulie yea and hard it is to subdue and resist thy nature so corrupt and leauened with the sowre bitternesse of the poison which thou receiuedst by thé inheritance of thine old father Adam but yet neuerthelesse be of good cheere for Christ thy Sauiour hath ouercome the world and all other enimies for thee Sin shall not haue power ouer thee for thou art now vnder grace though thy power be weake yet Christ is risen againe to strengthen thee in the battell his holie spirit shall helpe thine infirmities In full trust therefore of this confidence O my soule take a good hart vnto thee I saie be of a good courage in the Lord and put vpon thee all the holie armour of God that thou maist stand fast against the enimies which would againe assault and subdue thee and bring thee againe into their thraldome slauerie and bondage
be most expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen When the people arise to depart out of the Church saie thus to thy selfe RIse vp O Lord arise and let thine enimies be scattered yea let all them that hate thee and prophane thine honour flee before thee but gather the Saincts togither continuallie and let them neuer depart from thy Church So be it So soone as you be out of the Church dore saie BLessed bee the glorie of the LORD out of his place Going homeward from the Church meditate and praie as followeth O Christ whose home is heauen and whose house is a place of ioies eternall I thanke thee for all thy great mercies shewed towards me especiallie for vouchsafing mee yet time to repent and liue godlie grant also I beseech thee that being trulie humbled before thee this daie I may by my good life declare that I haue not come to Church in vaine and that with the penitent Publicane I may returne home now to my house vnder thy protection imbettered and iustified both before God and man and in all holie obedience glorifie thee both at home and abroade in my life and in my death Amen Another BEhold me O Lord I praie thee a poore seelie woorme here creeping walking bodilie on earth for a time in this life which is our pilgrimage and passage to our home and make me more mindfull of mine euerlasting home and very desirous to returne to the house of the liuing that hauing mine affections inflamed by thy holie spirit I may vtterlie contemne all earthlie things and couet euermore to be present with thee that my conuersatoin may be in heauen whither grant mee at the length to come there in my long home with thy children to be partaker of thy glorie and to reioice as thy child bicause of this my euerlasting home and the great glorie thereof For I knowe O Lord that if mine earthlie house of this tabernacle my bodie were destroied I haue a building of thee euen an habitation not made with hands but eternall in heauen for the which I sigh desiring to be further clothed with my house which is from heauen that mortalitie might be swalowed vp of life bicause I knowe that as long as I am at home in the bodie I am absent from thee therefore had I rather to be absent from the bodie and to be present with thee O Lord neuerthelesse whether I be at home or from home I am of good comfort and alwaies of good cheere in thee beseeching thee in mercie to grant me grace to endeuour my selfe so to walke by faith in thy feare after the inward appearance that when we shall all appeare before the iudgement-seate of Christ euerie one to receiue the works of his bodie according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad I may be found accepted vnto thee Amen When you enter into your house praie THY fauour and grace O God being my guide I enter into this my materiall house and home beseeching thy mercie so to blesse and preserue my comming in and my going out both now and euer that thy peace O God which passeth all vnderstanding may be euermore therin and that I neuer turne back or be deformedlie scattered abroad from thee vntill thou bring me home from this painfull pilgrimage whereas be the first fruits of my spirit So be it Being come home praie LORD blesse vs and make our houses Churches of thy saints linked in one confession and religion that being by thee made all of one mind in this house we may with the deuout Galileans praise thee for thy benefits both now and euer O Lord now fashion conforme me by thy holie spirit in this house of my peregrination that herein enioieng the benefit of perfect peace most seemelie quietnesse and comlie order I may make thy mysteries my songs vntill it shall please thee to lead me vpward vnto the peace of thy children euen into thy holie house and mansion place where thou hast placed vs and where we shall will or desire nothing else but to tarrie and remaine for euer For whilest we are clad with this bodie we doo as it were go astraie and are strangers vnto thee neither haue we here anie abiding place for euer but we must seeke for one that is to come To the which thou bring vs that camest from thence to redeeme vs Iesus Christ the righteous to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all possible praise and endlesse glorie now and for euer Amen Praiers before meate on Sundaie ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who hast taught vs that outward things defile not a man but those that proceede from the hart grant vs so to esteeme cleane that thou pronouncest cleane as that by praier and thankes-giuing the vse of thy creatures made for our benefit may be sanctified vnto vs and of the other part so to abhorre the pollusion of sinne which onelie thou declarest to be common and vncleane that wee may auoid by thy grace all murders adultries thefts false-witnesse-bearing vnlawfull desires and concupiscence and whatsoeuer thou hast forbidden touching our dutie towards men or seruice and obedience vnto thee that being thus sanctified by thy grace we may alwaies haue free accesse vnto thy sanctuarie in this life and be receiued into the heauenlie Ierusalem where no Canaanite nor vncleane person shall enter in the life to come through Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer Amen Another O Sonne of God which by thy miraculous multiplieng of a few fishes and loaues of bread didst feed fiue thousand of thy people in the wildernesse both inwardlie with spirituall comfort and outwardlie with corporall food thereby shewing thy selfe in deed to be the Creator susteiner of all things we beseech thee who onelie giuest vs the breath of life and knowest what we need and alone canst giue a reason why after this maner thou wilt feed vs with corporall things and not as thou dooest the startes without anie nourishment Giue vnto thy Church of thy wisedome such things as are necessarie for the sustentation of this life wherein the ioies of the life eternall and to come doo begin And albeit somtime we lacke diuers things although thine aduersarie throweth stones at vs for bread yet by thy power strengthen vs that we faint not And that we which liue not by bread alone or by our owne industrie being armed with thy word and promise the spirituall food and sword of our soule may receiue comfort thereby and being protected by thee after a woonderfull sort to liue and glorifie thee both here and in the world to come Amen Another praier before meat to be vsed that daie that you haue receiued the holie Communion WE thanke thee O eternall housholder for that after the banket of paradise troubled
exceeding riches that thou hast For if to thine enimies which loue thee not as the most part of this world be if to them thou giuest so plentifullie thy riches heere what shall we thinke that with thy selfe thou hast laid vp for thy freends How good thou art all creatures generallie and particularlie do teach What creature is there in the world which thou hast not made for our commoditie I will not saie how that thou mightest haue made vs creaturs without sense or reason if thou hadst would But amongst all things none dooth so teach vs thy great loue towards vs as dooth the death of thy most deerlie beloued sonne who suffered the paines and terrors thereof yea and of hell it selfe for our sakes If this thy loue had beene but a small thing it would neuer haue lasted so long nor Christ would neuer haue died Praiers and meditations to be vsed in the foure seasons of the yeere and first In the Spring-time ALmightie renewer of all things Lord Iesu which hast made this most goodlie world for our sakes which hast garnished the heauens with so manie lights vnto the vse of the daie and the night which temperest the earth with sundrie times and seasons ordeined by thee to be the nourisher of man and beasts and now thou being restored to life all things renew and confirme to vs the hope of resurrection promised by thee The medowes afore being withered waxe greene againe with new grasse the herbs are garnished with diuers gems of flowers the corne herbeth seeds buried in holes shoote foorth trees being dead afore waxe yoong againe with new boughes and being goodlie decked with new blossoms giue vs hope of fruit The sunne it selfe increaseth the grace of his light brieflie the whole face of nature springing againe whithersoeuer we turne our eies dooth speake out and preach thy goodnesse towards mankind wherethrough with sundrie solaces thou dooest ease and mitigate to vs being through our fault driuen out of Paradise our deserued exile Grant I saie O good God that we which being borne againe through baptisme haue put off the old man made now a new creature neuer slide againe to old age but that we may be euer greene with perpetuall innocencie by the pleasant breathing on of thy spirit that we may be adorned dailie more and more with the flowers of vertues proceeding to fruit woorthie of that Gospell which with the Father and the holie Ghost reigne through all worlds Amen In the Summer MOst wise Gouernor and Ruler of all things Iesu Christ behold the yeere obeieng thy commandments waxeth hot with the feruour of the sunne preparing ripe fruits vnto the vse of thy seruants humblie we beseech thee which art our true Sunne without whom nothing is bright in our soules neither bringeth foorth anie fruit stretch the beames of thy grace into the earth of our spirits that daily they may waxe hot more more with the fire of thy gratious loue and that they may bring foorth sundrie fruits of wholesome good works For thou hast witnessed in thy holie Gospell that thou art singularlie delighted with this meate and drinke This is the raine that thy feruent loue thirsted for this is also the meate that the holie Apostle Paule hungered for euen before he vnderstood and did knowe what it meant Thou camest into the world to send fire among vs neither diddest thou desire anie thing more than that it should be kindeled except our hart be touched with the beames of thy grace Increase Lord Iesu that that thou hast giuen finish that that thou hast begun vntill we growe to perfect men vnto the measure of thy fulnesse Thou hast put off mortalitie but thou hast not put off loue towards vs but euen now fulfillest the office of a mightie and friendlie Aduocate for vs with God the Father to whom equall in power and authoritie thou reignest with the holie Ghost Amen In Haruest WE giue thanks vnto thee most mercifull Father maker of heauen and earth that by thy good prouidence the yeere is waxen ripe powring out vnto vs plentious abundance of victuals grant we humblie beseech thee that as thy bountiousnes ministreth sundrie and rich abundance of fruits to the susteining nourishment of our bodies so by the grace of thy spirit without which there is no good thing brought foorth is nourished or liueth let the affection of godlinesse waxe ripe and be made vp in our minds that abiding in the faith of thine onelie begotten Sonne through all our life wee may be fruitfull in good works and also receiue a plentifull haruest in the resurrection of the iust by the same our Lord Iesu Christ which liueth and reigneth with thee in the companie of the holie Ghost for euer Amen In Winter O God the most wise maker and gouernor of the world at whose commandement by time appointed course is changed and turned into it selfe by the same behold as it were the old age and death of the yeere Winter is come whose sadnesse and incommodities be more easie vnto vs bicause of the plesantnes of the Spring time which shall shortlie succeed According to the ensample of the yeere our inward man flourisheth in his childhood is feruent in youth waxeth ripe in mans age falleth awaie and dieth in his old age but the hope of liuing againe asswageth the houre of death which is sure vnto vs euen for this cause that thy sonne hath promised it which is the euerlasting truth which also can no more be deceiued or deceiue than hee can cease to be thy sonne Through this thy sonne our inward man knoweth no old age or death but by his gift it euer flourisheth with innocencie it is euer feruent in the studie of godlinesse it euer bringeth foorth fruit and powreth out that that she hath receiued vpon other and as much as the bodies courage faileth so much more the spirit flourisheth We beseech thee that thou wilt maintaine and increase those things which thou hast vouchsafed to giue vs through thine onelie begotten sonne which liueth and reigneth with thee for euermore Amen Another praier to be said at all times and seasons of the yeere O Euerlasting GOD Creator of all things in whose hands lieth the disposition of all times and seasons qualifie we beseech thee the inclinations of thy creatures heauen and earth with such naturall and kindlie moderation as may most serue to the commoditie health and welfare of all mankind that we may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfortable sustentation dulie honoring and praising thy holie name therefore Mortifie within vs the old roots of our natiue iniquitie killing them as it were with the winter of a cold lust to ensue them Sowe the seeds of thy grace within vs that wee may spring vp in all godlinesse Send vs the feruencie of thy spirit that we may shew foorth the ripe fruits of a liuelie faith that when it shall be thy good pleasure to appoint thy final
harts and clense our filthie soules from sinne Daugh. And by thy spirit and gifts of grace make vs a holie life for to beginne The praier Mother O Lord GOD most mercifull father who as vpon this daie placing thy seruant our most deer Souereigne and most gratious Queene Elizabeth in the Empire of this kingdome diddest deliuer thy people of England from danger of war and oppression both of bodies by tyrannie of conscience by superstition restoring peace and true religion with libertie both of bodies and minds and hast continued the same thy blessings without all desert on our part now by the space of these foure and twentie yeeres We who are in memorie of these thy great benefits assembled here togither most humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to grant vs grace that we may in word deed and hart shew our selues thankfull and obedient vnto thee for the same and that Elizabeth our vertuous Queene through thy grace may in all honour goodnesse and godlinesse long and manie yeeres liue and reigne ouer vs and we obeie and enioie hir Maiestie with the continuance of thy great blessings which thou hitherto hast by hir thy blessed minister powred vpon vs hir people This we beseech thee to grant vnto vs for thy deere Son Iesus Christs sake our Lord and Sauiour Daughter Amen Or else saie thus WE yeeld vnto thee most mightie and mercifull father immortall thanks for that it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie and fatherlie bountie after the stormes of so manie troublesome times to conduct vs as vpon this daie out of banishment and exile into the comfortable port of tranquillitie by the hand of thy most gratious seruant and our deere Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth When we were as sheepe wandering astraie in the wildernesse thou ordeinedst hir Maiestie to bee our shepheard to gather vs againe into thy sheepefold When we had beene long tossed hither thither with the outrage and cruell furie of tyrannicall persecution like a poore weather-beaten barke that hath beene continuallie tormoiled and tossed on the perilous surges of the outragious and swelling seas finding no sure rode nor harborough wherein to rest but continuallie in danger either to sinke into the sands or to be ouerwhelmed with waues or violentlie to be dashed in peeces against the maine rocks Euen then I saie when we despaired vtterlie of safegard standing stil in feare of the hazard of euerlasting confusion thou cōmittedst the helme to be guided by hir Graces wisedome who at last conducted vs into the hauen of this long desired peace and tranquillitie Therefore whereas thou hast placed hir in the regal throne to be our Dauid our Iosias our Samuel yea to be our shepheard and ring-leader in the waie of true holinesse and sincere religion Inspire hir mind with the manifold blessings of thy grace that she may walke all the daies of hir life in the path of thy commandements and happilie discharge hir dutie in that stewardship and dispensation which thou hast committed to hir Maiesties hands Inflame hir mind more and more with the loue of thy holie Gospell that all hir deeds thoughts and practises may tend to the propagation and planting of thy word and Christian religion in these hir Maiesties dominions Incline the motions of hir vertuous disposition aboue all things to seeke thine honour and glorie to sowe the seeds of the Catholike faith abundantlie in all places to cut off the brood of superstition and idolatrie to constitute true preachers of thy word and stablish euerie where thine holie Gospell and true religion Preserue hir most mercifull Father as hitherto thou hast most miraculouslie done from the diuelish deuises and practises of hir enimies that she may haue a long and happie reigne among vs to the aduancement of thy glorie and ioie and comfort of all vs hir subiects Let hir naturall disposition continue to hir foes terrible to hir subiects amiable to hir offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull indifferent to all men and in all respects parciall in no point neither in causes ecclesiasticall nor yet in matters concerning politike gouernement Assist hir most mercifull Father with the might of thy heauenlie spirit to quaile the pride of the triple-headed Romish Cerberus to banish his beggerlie ceremonies to abridge the terme of his reigne and finallie to cut off and preuent the seeds that continuallie striue to spring vp from abhominable superstition and idolatrie Grant hir grace most mercifull Father to run the remnant of hir race in the right path of thy commandements declining neither to the right hand nor to the left but so vsing all times thy heauenlie word as the rule and compasse to direct hir course Preserue hir Grace most mercifull Father in continuall health of bodie and quietnesse of mind that she may be alwaies able to rule the bridle of hir high charge and to execute right and iustice to all sorts and degrees to the aduancement of thy glorie and the vniuersall commoditie of hir Maiesties subiects And finallie grant O most mercifull Father that when it shall please thee to end the terme of hir daies in this world thou wilt make hir partaker of the celestiall ioies which are prepared for them that feare and loue thee since the foundation of the world Grant this most mercifull Father for thy deere Sonne our Lord Iesus Christs sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost three persons one God be all glorie honour and praise world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing and praier vnto God for the preseruation of the Queenes Maiestie and the Realme ALmightie God and most mercifull Father which in thy great mercies hast both giuen vnto vs a peaceable Prince and gratious Queene and also haft hitherto verie often and miraculouslie saued hir from sundrie great perils and imminent dangers and by hir mercifull vnbloudie and gratious gouernement hast preserued vs and the whole Realme from manifold mischiefs and dreadfull plagues wherewith nations round about vs haue beene and yet be most greeuouslie afflicted haue mercie vpon them O Lord and grant vs grace we beseech thee for these thy great benefits that wee may be hartilie thankfull and obedient vnto thee to flie from all things that may offend thee and prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs and to order our liues in all things that may please thee that thy seruant our Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth and we thy people committed to hir charge may by thy protection be continuallie preserued from all treacherous deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils both bodilie and ghostlie and by thy goodnesse may be maintained in all peace and godlinesse Grant this O mercifull Father for thy deere sonnes sake our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another meditation to be vsed especiallie vpon the 17. daie of Nouember wherein the godlie English giueth thanks to God for the
praiers for hir life and safetie and shall dailie wish all prosperitie vnto hir And seeing the safetie of all the families of our nation consisteth in the preseruation of hir Maiestie let vs hartilie as we haue good cause praie incessantlie for hir Grace and for the safetie and welfare of the Church and of all those that loue and fauour hir therein Defend O God with thine owne hand this woorthie woman and sacred Queene whose endeuour thou hast vsed to restore peace to thy Church and religion to thy people O saue this woorthie Princesse Elizabeth I saie whome for this purpose thou hast indued with most rare and singular wisedome power constancie and roiall gifts of grace And grant that all men may dutifullie honour and obeie hir as a prince of peace a mother of Israel a nurse of thy Church woorthilie for hir vertues set ouer vs by thee O God to reigne Finallie grant that in this gouernement of our pastor chiefe shepheard there may want neither integritie vprightnesse in taking of counsell neither wisedome in performing all hir enterprises according to thy will Then shall wheate be reaped euerie-where with full handfuls in the verie tops of the mountaines the corne growing as high as the trees of Libanus and there shall be such a multitude of inhabitants in the cities that they may almost seeme like plants springing out of the earth yea then shall hir noble memorie and roiall fame be for euer euen durable as the sunne and our Queene Elizabeth be an example of all pietie and felicitie vnto all kingdoms nations of the world which shall accept hir blessed among women But vnto thee O Lord the Prince of the celestiall companies and the author of all things for so woonderfull rare gifts in hir Maiestie shall all possible praise be especiallie giuen yea the fame of thy glorie be praised and magnified for euer and euer and let it fill both heauen and earth So euen so let it be O God Amen Another dailie praier for the perpetuall happinesse of our sacred and most gratious Souereigne and Queene Elizabeth O Almightie God King of kings and Lord of lords in thine hand is all power both in heauen and in earth thou confirmest kingdoms againe doost alter them according to thine heauenlie pleasure we praise thee we magnifie thee we extoll thine holie name for that it hath pleased thee to appoint ouer vs a good and gratious Queene which dooth gouerne with counsell and rule with wisdome Grant hir we beseech thee continuall peace long life and much happines and deliuer not hir Maiestie into the hands of hir enimies Rule thou hir mind that she may serue thee alwaies in feare and reioice in trembling let hir maintaine and imbrace pure religion defend hir people in the profession of Christs Gospell against all errors and superstition whatsoeuer Giue hir wisedome and vnderstanding to doo such things as are gratefull in thy sight profitable for vs hir subiects and hurtfull to none O God eternall Father heare the petitions of Elizabeth our Queene in all hir troubles the name of Christ our Sauiour glorifie hir and the comfortable aid of the holie Spirit vphold hir now and euermore Be mindfull of hir grace for hir good Lord remember all hir offerings make hir praiers acceptable in thy sight Giue to hir according to hir harts desire fulfill all hir petitions and prosper all hir purposes that we may reioice in thy saluation and triumph in the name of thee our God Blesse hir Lord euermore that wee may knowe that hir protector is in the clouds Harken vnto hir from thy holie heauens Oh send hir helpe from thy sanctuarie and aid hir from aboue by thy mightie right hand which bringeth saluation Let all hir enimies plainlie knowe O GOD that thou wilt saue thine annointed For though some trust in horses and other in chariots yet will we remember the name of our God they shall fall and be ouercome but wee couragiouslie will persist O Lord protect hir Maiestie and heare vs when we call vpon thee that in thy strength she may reioice and mightilie triumph in thy saluation Grant hir the desire of hir hart and denie not the petitions of hir lips For thou hast preuented hir with notable blessings and put a crowne of pure gold vpon hir head She hath asked life of thee and thou wilt giue hir a long life Great is hir glorie in thy saluation honour and fame hast thou put vpon hir Thou hast ordeined hir for exceeding blessednesse and doost comfort hir hart with thy cheerfull countenance And why Bicause she delighteth in Christ and doubteth not of thine euerlasting mercie O God that giuest victorie vnto kings and didst deliuer Dauid from perill of the sword saue and redeeme our deere Queene Elizabeth and deliuer hir from the hands of the children of another deuotion than she is whose mouth vttereth vanitie and their right hand is a right hand of falshood Yea let hir hand O Lord light vpon hir enimies and thy right hand find out all such as hate thee and enuie hir prosperitie Put them into a burning fornace in the time of thy displeasure the Lord in his anger shall consume them and fire shall deuour them Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth and their seed from the sonnes of men bicause they intended euill against thee and imagined mischiefe against the innocent which they could not bring to passe Therefore wilt thou turne them into flight and bend thy bowe against their faces Triumph O Lord in thy vertue and we will sing out thy glorie and commend thy power Saue our Queene O mercifull God in despite of all hir enimies which either secretlie or openlie go about to bring hir life to the graue or hir glorie to the dust Lord shield our Souereigne exalt thine annointed let thine hand assist and thine arme strengthen hir Neuer let hir foes preuaile against hir nor the child of wickednesse bring hir to destruction Banish from hir Court all hir priuie enimies and preserue hir euermore from dissembling friends Mercie and iudgement be Queene Elizabeths song vnto thee O Lord let hir sing thy magnificall mercies Worke in hir roiall hart an endeuour to be fullie instructed in the perfect waie of thy roiall lawes for so much as thou hast made hir Queene ouer this Relme With thy grace open hir hart instruct hir and lead hir vp and downe in the midst of hir people in perfectnesse of hart Let hir neuer set before hir eies anie diuelish thing Cause hir to detest the worke of back-sliding from God let that take no hold in hir Driue far awaie from hir the men of froward harts let hir not once be acquainted with euill persons Who so priuilie slandereth his neighbor let hir destroie him Who so hath also a proud looke and an hautie stomach cause hir to loath him Settle hir eies vpon such in the land as are faithfull that they may dwell
sakes but for thy name sake and through the merits of Iesus Christ our onlie guide and chiefe shepheard who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost now and euer Daughter Amen For all Vniuersities and Schooles Mother BLesse thou therefore O Lord with the dew of thy spirit all Uniuersities and Schooles that sith it hath pleased thee that from them as by thine appointed meanes we should haue our preachers and teachers they may be there instructed in all godly knowledge and learning and be made fit to walke woorthilie in their vocation at what time soeuer it shall please thee to call them forth Grant we besech thee that as they ought to be lights and nursses vnto their countries euen so they may giue vnto them a godlie and perfect life and nourish them vp in good and sound doctrine to thy glorie our comfort and the discharge of their duties And for bicause that now a daies charitie waxeth cold and the number of couetous worldlings is much increased which seeke rather to keepe backe their liuings and to plucke awaie from them rather than to bestowe anie thing to the maintenance of their studie blesse thou them therfore with all things sufficient to the seruice of thee and increase of good learning that the lacke thereof be no hinderance to the building of thy house and to the setting foorth of thine honour and glorie And remooue from among vs most mercifull Father whatsoeuer is occasion of let or hinderance vnto all those that couet knowledge to the sanctifieng of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen For the good estate of this Realme Mother BEcause also thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee in the daie of troble promising that thou wilt heare our praiers we therefore humblie beseech thee to be fauourable vnto this our Realme and not to visit our offences so sharpelie neither to giue vs to drinke of so bitter a cup as vnto our iudgement it seemeth thou hast prepared for vs. What are we O Lord that wee may abide the force of thy iudgments We denie not but that we haue most woorthilie deserued whatsoeuer punishment thou hast euer hertofore powred forth vpon anie other nation But sith thy name is now called on among vs sith we make no account of anie helpe but onlie in thee sith we acknowledge our offences and humblie desire pardon for the same in Iesus Christ O let not thy iust iudgements laie hold vpon vs if it be expedient for vs and more to thy honour and glorie that we taste of thy mercie Thou hast hitherto dealt exceeding mercifullie with vs thou hast planted among vs a goodlie vineyard and that of the best plants thou hast walled it round about and watered it plentifullie with the dew of thy blessing in so much that thou couldest haue done no more for vs than thou hast done neither hast thou dealt so with other nations But we alas wretched sinners contrarie to the deserts of this thy louing kindnesse haue brought foorth wild grapes which thou hatest in steed of good and sweet grapes which thou lookest for Wee haue taken thy word into our mouthes but we haue hated to be reformed thereby yea we haue vtterlie despised thy holie word and had the preachers thereof in derision and so haue we made open the readie waie vnto all our damnable works blasphemie idolatrie murther adulterie pride couetousnesse disobedience sensualitie vnmercifulnesse oppressions slanders vnthankfulnesse whatsoeuer else our corrupt natures casting aside grace and discipline is woont to bring foorth And whilest we did all these things thou heldest thy peace and winkedst thereat therefore did we foolishlie imagine that thou art like vnto vs and delighted with sinne as we are And thus haue we in all our works prouoked thy diuine Maiestie to greeuous displeasure against vs. But now O holie God seeing that by thy long sufferance thou hast so mercifullie striken our hard harts with secret consideration of our miserable estate we beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to giue vs likewise a repentant hart sorowfull for all our former misdeeds that thereby we may also attaine to the promises which thou hast annexed therevnto namelie that thou breake not downe the wall of this thy vineyard that thou suffer it not to be eaten vp or troden downe that thou laie it not waste so that briers and thorns growe vp therein And that thou command not the clouds not to raine vpon it neither that thou turne our roote into rottennesse neither yet that thou make our buds to rise vp like dust bicause we haue cast off thy lawe O Lord God of hosts and contemned thy word O holie one of Israel O make vs not a byword vnto our neighbours and a scorne vnto those that dwell about vs but rather grant we beseech thee that hencefoorth we may hartilie repent and walke before thee in newnesse of life to thy honor and glorie to the example of our neighbours to the conuersion or confusion of our enimies and to our euerlasting comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen A praier for repentance Mother ALthough our infirmities doo euidentlie appeare and by diuers waies shew foorth themselues vnto vs almightie and most mercifull God yet in nothing more than that we cannot perceiue and behold our owne wickednesse in such sort as it is indeed With our tongs we can not but confesse because thou thy selfe hast said it that we are altogither vnrighteous that there is not one of vs that doth good that we all imagine mischiefe But although we are driuen by thine eternall truth outwardlie to confesse the same yet haue we no such inward feeling thereof as we ought to haue because we are altogither closed vp in our owne stubbernesse and selfe-loue Wherfore it commeth to passe that we can neither repent vs of that we should amend neither yet hartilie acknowledge that we certainlie knowe to be within vs. But O holie God how long shall we be cleane without vnderstanding How long shall our flesh haue dominion ouer thy good spirit in vs How long shall the cloud of our vnsensiblenesse darken and blemish our inward sight Uerelie our sinnes haue deserued that not onlie thou hide thy face awaie from vs for a time but that thou shouldest vtterlie cast vs off from thy fauour and grace to eternall damnation But sith that thou art wont to deale more mercifullie euen with the sonnes of men and vnto vs also hast giuen a good likelihood thereof in that that now thou hast striken our harts with some feeling of our owne wretchednesse which putteth vs in good comfort and hope that thou hast done it to this end to the intent that thou maist bestowe larger graces on vs also therefore we are somewhat emboldened although we are but dust and ashes humblie to desire of thee that in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ euen now at the length thou wilt vouchsafe to giue vnto vs the
be ransomed with his owne goods and that one man woman might loue another the more hartilie God I saie appeared in the shape of a man to the end that both bodie and soule might be made blessed by renewing the eie of the mind in his Godhead and the eie of the bodie in his manhood so that whether man went in or out he might find food in him laid vp in store by him in his humane nature Most iniurious therefore is that man or woman to Gods diuinitie that so by hating of their brethren and sisters their owne flesh contemne Christ and offend his humanitie The Thanks-giuing ILift vp my hart vnto thee O God for it is verie meet right and my bounden dutie that I should at all times in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie father almightie and euerlasting God because thou didst giue Iesus Christ thine onlie Sonne to be borne as this daie for me and all mankind who by the operation of the holie Ghost was made verie man of the substance of the blessed Uirgin Marie his mother and that without all spot of sinne to make vs cleane from all sinne Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the holie companie of Saincts and Uirgins in heauen I laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie Holie Holie Lord God of hostes heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high Amen 3. On Newyeares daie Of Christ his circumcision in the flesh The Preface CIrcumcise the foreskin of your hart and be no more stiffenecked Deuter. 18. Be ye circumcised in the Lord I saie and cut awaie the foreskin of your hart and euill affections all ye inhabitants of Iuda and Ierusalem Iere. 4. For the circumcision of the hart which consisteth in the spirit and not in the letter is the true circumcision whose praise is not of men but of God Rom. 4. Yea we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and reioice in Christ Iesus and haue no confidence in the flesh Philip. 3. For circumcision verelie auaileth if thou keepe the lawe but if thou be a breaker of the ordinances of the lawe thy circumcision is made vncircumcision c. Rom. 2. Oh that my waies were made so direct that I might keepe thy statutes so shall I not be confounded Order my steps in thy word and so shall no wickednesse haue dominion ouer me I will keepe thy ceremonies O forsake me not vtterlie Halleluiah The Praier O Lord Iesus Christ Sonne of the liuing God we thanke thee forasmuch as after thy decree concerning the redemption of mankind from the beginning thou hast beene present with thy Church outwardlie by speaking vnto hir by thy ministers and inwardlie by kindling thy light and righteousnesse in the harts of the faithfull Thou hast ratified thy promises by outward signes and ceremonies whereby euerie man may applie the benefits vnto himselfe So did thy burnt offerings and sacrifices testifie of thee which afterwards should be slaine The flames of fire which from heauen did set on fire the offerings did witnesse of thy presence that as manie as should behold thy benefits with a true faith thou wouldest quicken with the sacrifice of thine holie spirit which inflameth true knowledge and good motions within the godlie That life was giuen to them of thy meere mercie the first parents did knowe full well when it was said that a woman shall bring foorth And because the mediator was called that seed of the woman and withall promised to be the subduer of Sathan they knew that he should be both God and man The same promise was repeated vnto Abraham the father of the faithfull And forasmuch as restraint was made vnto a certaine nation thou didst adde a new rite of circumcision whereby not onelie the posteritie of Abraham was discerned from other nations but also it was a testimonie admonishing of the seed to come which was Christ who should take our weake flesh vpon him and beare our nature and bring both Iewes and Gentils vnto eternall felicitie Wherefore we yeeld thee humble thanks forasmuch as hitherto thou hast continued this sound of thy person and office notwithstanding the great raging of thine enimies for appearing at the length in the flesh for giuing thy selfe vnto vs for a Newyeares gift of inestimable price for being made vnder the lawe a cursse to saue vs wretches from the cursse of the lawe and to restore vs vnto innocencie lost through sinne For which cause thy blessed will was as vpon this daie to be circumcised in the flesh and now first of all to shead thy pretious bloud for vs that are of vncircumcised harts and lips and all to shew that thou camest in deede of the verie seed of Abraham and wast subiect to the lawe cursse and condemnation for vs and that our corrupt nature by thy holinesse might be sanctified and haue through thee an obedience to answere the same withall We beseech thee therefore grant vs the true circumcision of the spirit that our harts all our members being mortified from all worldlie and carnall lusts we may in all things obeie thy blessed will and heere staie our selues and put our trust in thee that thus hast humbled thy selfe so lowe for vs that we may be exalted by thee And from our harts we praie thee ioine vs to that holie companie that did wait for thy redemption before it came and doo reioice in it now it is come and performed and with the sacred host of Angels to giue all glorie renowme vnto thee for bringing thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding vpon the earth and declaring so great kindnesse and good will towards vs as to giue thy selfe and thereby euerlasting ioie and blisse for a Newyeares gift of worthie memoriall and inestimable value to be our owne for euer and euer Speake hencefoorth to our harts with thy louelie voice Lighten the lampe of our minds with thy heauenlie knowledge Confirme vs with thy blessed Sacraments which are the certaine tokens of thine vndoubted regeneration and quickning of vs. Oh take awaie the cursse the wrath of God damnation the works of the flesh and the diuell Grant me I beseech thee that thy grace may dailie mortifie my concupiscence of pleasures in things of this world that is of wealth riches glorie libertie fauour of men meates drinks apparell ease yea and life it selfe that the horror and impatiencie of more greeuous things may be weakened and I accustome my selfe to denie my will in more easie and pleasant things of this life and for euer become obedient and readie in all Christian patience to doo thy good will in all things hartilie and willinglie to serue thee and doo whatsoeuer may please thee Make me I saie through the effectuall power of thy grace and holie spirit working in me most miserable wretch to hate abhor flie and subdue all adulterie whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lusts
with a crowne of the more glorie for it and to the intent that thou mightest likewise ouercome sathan in thy members as thou hast afore done in thine owne person Giue thou we beseech thee vnto vs thy souldiers O Lion most victorious of the tribe of Iuda strength against the roring Lion which continuallie wandereth to and fro seeking whome he may deuour Thou being that same Serpent the true giuer of health and life that was nailed on high vpon a tree giue vnto thy little seelie ones wilinesse against the deceiptfull awaitings of the most subtil serpent Thou being a Lambe as white as snowe the vanquisher of sathans tyrannie giue vs thy little sheepe the strength and vertue of thy spirit that being in our owne selues weake and feeble and in thee strong and valiant wee may withstand and ouercome all assaults of the diuell so that our ghostlie enimie may not glorie ouer vs but being conquerours through thee we may giue thanks to thy mercie which neuer leauest them destitute that put their trust in thee who liuest and reignest God for euermore world without end Amen 7. On Thursedaie next before Easter commonlie called Maundie Thursedaie Of Christ his last feast or institution of the Sacrament of the Supper and of his great humilitie in washing his disciples feet afterward The Preface I Saith Wisedome haue killed my victuals drawne my wine and prepared my table Come now vnto me all ye poore in spirit that are emptie and an hungred come ye fat and rich also vpon earth that go astraie and faint for thirst Come I saie O freends eate of my meate woorthilie and worship me drinke of my wine purelie and glorifie me Make ye merrie at my table holilie and praise me O welbeloued For it is I that satisfie the mouth with good things and fill the hungrie soule with spirituall deinties Yea my flesh is meate in deed and my bloud is drinke in deed which I haue prouided for my people and he that eateth me euen he shall liue by me Happie and blessed therefore are they that are called to the Lambs supper for they shall eate Manna euen Angels food in the kingdome of heauen Lord bid me vnto this feast and grant that I may sup with thee and thou with me Lord wash not my feet onlie but my hands and head also for I am altogither vncleane and if thou wash me not I shall remaine filthie still O wash me therefore throughlie from my wickednes and cleanse me from my secret faults and purge me from my presumptuous sinnes For I haue sinned I haue offended oh forgiue me and haue mercie on me The Praier O Blessed Sauiour and deere Redeemer Iesu Christ which in the holie mysterie of thy last Supper with thine Apostles didst deliuer thy blessed bodie and bloud vnder the forme of bread wine and ordeinedst that as thy bodie was broken and thy bloud shead for vs so we should thankefullie celebrate and keepe a solemne memorie of thy death till thou come Grant vs we beseech thee euer stedfastlie to beleeue and kindlie to acknowledge thine infinite and almightie power thine incomprehensible loue towards vs and that we may alwaie worthilie receiue the same blessed Sacrament according to thy holie ordinance that thereby we may obtaine increase of all goodnes in vnitie of spirit with thee our head and by thee and thy spirit with all the companie of them that be trulie thine which be thy spirituall and mysticall bodie and our spirituall and Christian brethren and sisters Suffer vs not also we beseech thee to fall into anie slothfull and carelesse negligence whereby we should vnkindlie forget so inestimable a benefit but rather at all occasions with minds woorthilie prepared for so holie an action thankefullie to renew the memorie of thy so infinite loue towards vs and to receiue the grace which thereby is offered vnto vs to the ioining of vs continuallie neerer vnto thee till we be ioined without anie separation vnto thee through thee Finallie as in thine owne blessed person thou hast giuen an example of perfect loue whereby in humblenesse and meekenesse we should serue one another as thou being the Lord and maister of vs all didst vouchsafe after thy last Supper to wash the feet of thy disciples and seruants grant vs that louing and meeke spirit of thine whereby we may be far from disdaine and despising of our brethren and readie in all good things to be dutifull and seruiceable vnto them in thee and for thee that as thou hast left vs in commandement we may loue one another as thou hast loued vs and thereby be knowne to be thy disciples especiallie O Christ that we may be faithfull in our loue toward thee who for our sakes wast content to be vnfaithfullie and vnfriendlie betraied of him that had liued familiarlie with thee that thou mightest thereby assure vs of thine euerlasting loue and mercie To thee therfore with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie now and for euer Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie on me 8. On Good Fridaie Of Christ his passion and shamefull suffering for our sinnes Leuiti 23 27 c. THIS is the daie of reconciliation to make an attonement for you before the Lord your God therefore shall it be an holie conuocation vnto you And you shall humble your selues this daie in fasting and praier and offer sacrifice made by fire vnto the Lord. And whatsoeuer soule it be that thus humbleth not himselfe this daie euen he shall be cut off and destroied from among his people Let this be a lawe and ordinance in your generations and in all your dwellings for euer saith the Lord. The Preface CHrist now once in the end of the world through the eternall spirit offered himselfe a Lamb without spot to God suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust died for all and was killed vpon the altar of the crosse as perteining to the flesh but was quickned in the spirit to put awaie sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ became sinne and a cursse for vs to redeeme vs sinners from the cursse of the lawe and to reconcile vs vnto the blessing and fauour of God his father that we should be made the righteousnes of God in him Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ was obedient vnto the death euen vnto the most vile and shamefull death of the crosse to deliuer vs from death hell and damnation and to translate and bring vs into the kingdome of God his father Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ being in the forme of God tooke on him the forme of a seruant and made himselfe of no reputation but for the ioie that was set before him endured such blasphemie railing euill speaking against him of shamelesse sinners and when he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered threatened not but committing the vengeance to him that iudgeth righteouslie despised
whither soeuer I turne me I may behold aboue me thee crucified and whatsoeuer I see it may appeare to me ruddie with thy most pretious bloud that thus be holding I may fixe my sight in nothing but onlie in thee which liuest and reignest one God world without end So be it I haue sinned I haue offended my God my God haue merceie on me A praier wherein through commemoration of Christes passion we desire pardon of our sinnes and continuance in vertue and godlinesse BEhold O pitifull Father thy most pitifull Sonne which suffered for me being so wicked Behold O most mercifull King who suffered and remember as thou art louing and kind for whom he suffered Is not this O my Lord that innocent whō although he were thy Sonne thou didst deliuer to redeeme and ransome a seruant Is not this the author and beginner of life which being led as a sheepe to be killed and being made obedient to thee euen vnto death was not afraid to take vpon him the most cruell and sharp kind of death Call to remembrance O thou distributer of all health that this is he whome although thou didst beget him by thy power yet notwithstanding thou wouldest haue to be made partaker of thine infirmitie and weakenes Trulie this same is thy God head which did take vpon him thy nature which was hanged vpon the gibbet of torment or crosse which in the flesh which he had taken vpon him did suffer sorrowfull punishment Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord my God towards the worke of thine vnspeakable pitie Looke on thy deere Sonne whose whole body is stretched foorth Marke the harmelesse hands and pure which doo drop and distill downe innocent bloud And I beseech thee be pacified and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Consider his bare and naked side being thrust through cruellie with a speare and renew and wash me with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flowe from thence Marke the vnspotted feet which haue not stood in the waie of sinners but alwaies haue walked in thy lawe how they are pierced through with sharpe nails and make perfect my steps in thy paths and make me of thy louing kindnesse to hate all waies of iniquitie Remoue from me the waies of iniquitie and make me of thy mercie to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O King of holie men by this holie one of all holie ones and by this my redeemer to make me runne the waie of thy commandements that I may be vnited and knit vnto him in spirit which did not disdaine to be clad in my flesh Doest thou not looke vpon and marke O pittifull Father the head of thy most deerelie beloued Sonne a yong man how it leaned vpon his shoulders when it was past the most pretious death Behold O my most gentle creator the humanitie and gentlenes of thy beloued Sonne and haue compassion vpon the feeblenes of thy weake and feeble handie-worke Behold O most glorious parent the torne and rent members of thy most kind louing child and remember gentlie what substance I am of Behold the paines of him that is God and man and release and loose man which is thy creature out of miserie bondage of sinne Behold the punishment of him that did redeeme and pardon the offences of them that be redeemed This is he O Lord whome thou didst strike for the sinnes of the people although he be thy welbeloued in whome was found no guile and yet neuerthelesse was he reckoned amongst them that were full of iniquitie Looke downe therefore O Lord thou louer of labouring and laden harts with the eies of thy pittie see the altar of the crosse where thy sonne thine onlie beloued babe is slaughtered Behold O father of heauen this thy bleeding babe whom for our sakes thou hadst made vnder the lawe a curse therof in giuing him to the death euen the acursed shamefull death of the crosse that he might thereby redeeme vs wretches that were his enimies from the lawe and from the curse and condemnation of it O looke vpon him I saie which is the sauiour of the world and who in his sufferings and in his life and death hath fulfilled all the prophesies behold him that was made a castawaie of the Iewes and a scorne of the Gentiles which endured treasonable hate of his friends and deadlie terrors in his troubled soule that we might haue peace of conscience and be reconciled vnto thee And let his shame and ignominie I praie thee be our honour and triumph his wounds our medicine his curse our blisse and his death our life finallie so lighten our minds I beseech thee with thy holie spirit that we may be able to conceiue and vnderstand the height and depth the length breadth and by all meanes the infinite measure of this so exceeding loue towards vs that the sight and knowledge of so great loue may so inflame vs with the loue of thee againe that all our thoughts and deeds may wholie be set vpon thee shewing our thankfulnesse vnto thee in all obedience vnto thy word and glorieng in nothing but in thy Christ and him crucified that in the end we may inioie the full fruit of all his passions and of this thine vnspeakable loue towards vs in our euerlasting saluation through Iesus Christ our onelie Lord and redeemer to whom with thee O father and the holie Ghost be giuen all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another godlie meditation or praier wherin we declare vnto God the Father that the passion of his Sonne before rehearsed was for our reconciliation and attonement with God BEhold O almightie God Father of my Lord Iesus Christ I beseech thee of thy benignitie and gentlenesse to haue mercie vpon me because of the most pretious thing that I could find the same I haue offered deuoutlie vnto thee the thing of most estimation that I could imagine I haue presented humblie vnto thee I haue left nothing but I haue declared it vnto thy Maiestie There is nothing remaining that I may adde more because I haue committed and betaken my whole hope vnto thee I haue sent vnto thee mine aduocate and spokes-man euen thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus I haue sent thy glorious child to be a mediator betwixt me and thee I haue sent I saie an intercessor by whome I trust to get pardon and forgiuenes of my sinnes In a word I haue sent the word which word as I haue said was sent for my misdeeds And behold I haue rehearsed vnto thee the passion of thy most holie Sonne Iesus Christ which passion I beleeue was suffered for me I beleeue that the God-head which was sent of thee did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature in the which he thought not scorne to suffer buffets bonds spittings mocks yea he tooke vpon him to suffer the crosse nailes and dart I beleeue also that his manhood being of this my nature during
death for our sinnes grant that thy holie spirit may worke that faith in vs whereby we may be made partakers of that righteousnes which hee hath for those that trust in him And because without the blessed hope of rising againe from the dead our faith is in vaine and we are yet in our sinnes therefore we beseech thee to confirme and strengthen it in vs that as thou hast alreadie raised vp Christ our head so we may be assured thou wilt also raise vs vp that the bodie may be ioined to the head And furthermore as thou hast left this holie storie of thy Sonne that we might beleeue in him and by faith obtaine euerlasting life so we beseech thee worke the fruit of it in vs in constant faith to the saluation of our soules and thy euerlasting glorie to whome with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie now and for euer Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who according to all that had beene written before in y e lawe of Moses and in the Prophets that it behooued the Sauiour of the world to suffer death and to rise againe from the dead the third daie and that repentance and forgiuenes of sinnes should bee preached amongst all nations in his name and so from point to point hast fullie accomplished all these things in Christ Iesus thine onlie Sonne whome thou didst raise from the graue as this daie not onlie to liue againe in this world but euen to sit at thy right hand and prouiding for our infirmitie hast giuen vs a great manie of witnesses both of holie men and women vpon the earth and of Angels from heauen to confirme the truth of this matter vnto vs that we might haue strong assurance of saluation in him through faith Open our minds to vnderstand the holie Scriptures and grant vs stedfastlie to beleeue this thy Gospell that by this faith being made one with him we may receiue the forgiuenes of our sinnes and the estimation of righteous men in thy sight through him And furthermore also grant that by this his mightie conquest whereby he hath triumphed ouer the last enimie which is Death in raising himselfe againe vnto life we may both rise with him from the death of sinnes to the life of grace by leading a new conuersation and sit with him at thy right hand in hope hauing our life hid in him that when he shall appeare to come to iudgment our life also heere being led in the obedience of faith may then be made manifest and we receiue that which we now in faith possesse and in a blessed hope looke and wait for at his comming which is the saluation of our soules to the glorie of thy name to whome with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all praise and honour now and for euer Amen A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord for it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father almightie euerlasting God but chieflie we are bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. For he is the verie paschall Lambe which was offered for vs and hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world who by his death hath destroied death and by his rising to life againe hath restored to vs euerlasting life Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 10. On Ascension daie Of Christ his glorious ascending into the heauens in the sight of his Apostles The Preface GOD is gone vp with a merrie noise and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet Glorie to God on high Halleluiah He humbled himselfe vnto the death wherefore God also hath highlie exalted him and set him on his right hand in heauenlie places far aboue all powers and dominion Halleluiah God is gone vp on high and hathled captiuitie captiue and receiued gifts for men Halleluiah He that descended first into the lowe parts of the earth is euen the same also that ascended vp far aboue all heauens to fulfill all things Halleluiah God is gone vp with a merrie noise the Lord is ascended in great triumph Halleluiah Lift vp your head O ye gates and be ye lift vp ye euerlasting dores that the King of glorie may enter in Halleluiah Yea be thou exalted Lord in thine owne strength so will we praise thy power perpetuallie and euermore sing Glorie to God on high Halleluiah The praier THou O Christ sonne of God fortie daies after thy resurrection continuedst in the world to the vnspeakable comfort of thy Church which being expired thou ascendedst gloriouslie in the sight of thy Saints into the heauens We yeeld thee most hartie thanks for this thy benefit beseeching thee most humblie to number vs among the saints and souldiers which wait vpon thee triumphieng The hand-writing dependeth on the testimonie of our giltie conscience to our condemnation but by thy death the sentence of condemnation is abolished and thy bloud washeth vs from all our sins The enimies of thine elect euen the diuell and death are lead bound and the whole companie of the saints both in heauen and earth is filled with ioie speake of thy victorie and benefits Thy Saints in heauen visiblie doo behold thy glorious victorie Thy Saints in earth are saued by faith for the ornament and glorie of the kings daughter is glorious within In the sight of manie godlie auditors of thine and of thy holie mother the blessed virgin Marie thou wast carried visiblie from the earth in the clouds into heauen Thou gauest a taste of eternall life to thine Apostles wondering at thy departure and preachedst to them of thy returne into iudgement Thou hast glorified thine humane nature with vnspeakable glorie and placed the same on the right hand of thy Father vpon the throne of triumph and victorie as hauing for our sakes vanquished all our enimies But thine humane nature is not onelie aboue as be thy Saints but is exalted also to such a light as cannot be attained to by anie creature Thou reignest visible with the Father replenishing the whole celestiall congregation with righteousnes and diuine glorie Gouerne thou also in this mortall life outwardlie in thy ministerie and inwardlie in our minds Thou hast ascended on high and lead captiuitie captiue to bestowe thy benefits vpon man Before thy departure thou renewedst the institution of thy ministerie thou gauest thy disciples a commandement to preach to all nations for which thy goodnesse we giue thee most hartie thanks for therby thou hast called vs to the societie of thy Saints Assist vs with thy spirit that we may beleeue the Gospell and keepe for euermore the
euerliuing and immortall thou art now risen from death for vs. Thou art now ascended to thy Father and our Father and sittest at the right hand in glorie grant that we also in hart and mind may thither ascend and with thee continuallie dwell Suffer vs to come neere vnto thee that we may kisse thee Yea Lord thou louer of our soules come thou rather vnto vs and kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that we may be glad reioice in thee Drawe vs that we may runne after the sauour of thy sweet ointments that we may behold thee in righteousnes and when thy glorie shall appeare we may be satisfied For in thy presence there is fulnes of ioie and on thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore So be it Halleluiah A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord God for it is verie meete right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father almightie euerlasting God through thy most deere beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who after his glorious resurrection manifestlie appeared to all his Apostles and in their sight ascended vp into heauen to prepare a place for vs that where he is thither we might also ascend to reigne with him in glorie Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O God most high So be it 11. On Whitsundaie or the feast of Pentecost Of the sending of the Comforter euen the spirit of truth The Preface THE spirit of the Lord filleth the round compasse of the world and vpholdeth all things Halleluiah The spirit of wisedome is louing and will not absolue him that blasphemeth with his lips Halleluiah The holie spirit of discipline flieth from deceipt and withdraweth himselfe from thoughts that are without vnderstanding Halleluiah This therefore is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loue darkenesse more than light Halleluiah But O Father leaue vs not comfortlesse but come vnto vs and giue vs the Comforter euen the holie spirit of truth which the world can not receiue that he may abide with vs and dwell within vs for euer Halleluiah Come holie Ghost and teach vs in all thy waies and bring all things to our remembrance whatsoeuer God hath commanded vnto vs that we may speake with new lips and magnifie God according to his will Halleluiah Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Halleluiah Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Halleluiah O giue me the comfort of thy help againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Halleluiah Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the world and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier IF ye loue me keepe my commandements and I will pray the Father and he shall giue you another Comforter that he may abide with you for euer euen the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receiue c. Oh heauenlie speech to be had in perpetuall remembrance Thou O Christ promisest such as keepe thy commandements such as in faith and a good conscience obeie thee to bee loued intirelie of thy Father and their brests to be the inhabiting place of thy diuinitie Nothing is more lamentable than to be cast from God into feare and fire vnquenchable nothing more comfortable than to haue thy fauour and to be loued of God This so excellent a benefit thou doest promise to thy disciples wherfore ingraffe vs to the blessed companie which thy Father doth loue whose sinnes are forgiuen through thy deserts and they are receiued into mercie and the inheritance of eternall life through thy death Neither is it thy will to haue vs present in loue and by the imputation of thy righteousnes onlie but also by a naturall participation and reall conformitie with God in deed Man deceiued by the diuell forsooke God his gouernour conceiued so highlie of himselfe that he would rule himselfe without God Let God defend thy life the rest seeke from thy selfe saie the wise men of this world and they commend that man whose onlie hope dependeth vpon himselfe But O lamentable darkenesse how shamefullie doth man fall without God assist How miserablie doth he perish whome God forsaketh Wherefore taking pitie on our wretched state thou restorest the ancient order interrupted through sinne and wilt that the harts of the faithfull shall againe be made y e dwelling place temple of diuinitie The God-head in deed is euerie where vpholding as long as hee thinketh good the whole frame of the world and the substance of euerie particular thing therein and againe destroieng all when he thinketh good so to doo notwithstanding he abideth onlie in the soule which receiueth Christ into it doo the Father and the word breath of their spirit and link it to themselues in like light righteousnesse and life In the Sonne the glorie of the Father doth shine and filleth that humane substance which the word through an eternall couenant coupleth to himselfe with the same spirit and powreth it into the harts of beleeuers to make them like vnto him For the word through the same spirit quickeneth both his owne and our flesh And this is the beginning of eternall life in this miserable world This spirit imprinteth the image of God which the word present in our minds doth speake in our soule kindeling a light and knowledge conformable to the Gospell turneth vs to the true seruice of GOD and stirreth vp in our wils so holie motions agreeing to the lawe of Christ as shine in that humane nature of Christ now glorified who cureth our infirmitie He commeth from the Father sent by the Sonne to renew vs according to the image of Christ He returneth to the Sonne and Father to couple vs vnto God to make intercession for vs with grones vnspeakable and to mooue the hart of eternall God vnto mercie and compassion towards vs. Such is our nature that through Gods spirit we reason christianlie and thinke godlie then how can it be but that the spirit must raise godlie cogitations good motions in our minds which is by nature a God and therefore substantiallie doth he mingle himselfe with our spirits springing in our nature but regenerated by him to imprint in vs another light and newnesse than is naturall wisdome and righteousnesse and therefore manie sighes doo we fetch euen these deepe sighes And thou word dwelling in our minds be thou present and kindle our harts by thy blast Conuert vs Lord and we shall be conuerted Turne vs to the acknowledging of our sinnes erect vs by the preaching of the Gospell and grant that through faith we may receiue the promise of the spirit Strengthen vs that we may retaine so
the Sonne we worship thee we praise and glorifie thee and with our whole hart we thanke thee for all thy benefits especiallie for calling vs by the voice of thy Gospell vnto the Christian congregation for illuminating vs with thy gifts for sanctifieng vs with a stedfast faith and for keeping vs hitherto in the same For by the fount of the wholesome lauour that is by the water of holie Baptisme being powred into vs thou dooest continuallie worke in vs regeneration and renewing of the inward man Harken we beseech thee vnto our supplication and teach vs miserable women which by the proper strength of our onlie reason can by no meanes trust in or approch to Christ our Lord and Sauiour teach vs O our God what thy pleasure is and leade vs into all truth For without thine assistance none can saie that Iesus is the Lord. O blessed Lampe of light fill the inward parts of the faithfull with the holie oile of thy manifold heauenlie gifts and graces without the which nothing is light and pleasant in man but euerie thing darke obscure and hurtfull Wash thou that is filthie water that is drie heale that is wounded bow the obstinate cherish the frosen and reclaime them which wander Giue to the faithfull trusting in thee the reward of wel-doing the entrance into happines and euerlasting comfort Thou in thy gifts seauen-fold which art the spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisedome and vnderstanding the spirit of counsell and strength the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord inspire into vs through the preaching of the Gospell thine heauenlie wisedome about thine essence and dinine pleasure which is hid from the world Grant that we may knowe the Father and the Sonne by thee and may alwaies beleeue that thou art the spirit of them both so worship one God in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie whose will is that not one should perish but be conuerted liue and that as manie as beleeue in the Sonne should haue euerlasting life For the Father sent the Sonne not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued O lightener of the mind powre vpon vs thy new light and purge the horrible darkenes of our minds so that we may see knowe our chiefe Father whome pure eies onlie doo behold O thou heauenlie comforter giue vnto vs a testimonie and grant vnto our minds a token of the certaintie of our beleefe so that we doubt not neither wauer about thy diuine goodnes towards vs. Make our harts quiet and secure that with a full trust and confidence we may approch to the throne of thy heauenlie grace receiuing by adoption the right of children and inflamed with spirituall ioie in all boldnesse and libertie may crie Abba Father Thou most faithfull aduocate strengthen vs against all the assaults and temptations of sathan so that we may neuer doubt of thy diuine prouidence and predestination whereby we are chosen and called in Christ vnto euerlasting life and neuer being stroken with a seruile feare and oppressed with dreadfull doubtings may in a rage flee and forsake our God O surpassing comforter leaue vs not destitute of thine aid and patronage but vouchsafe euermore to be present with vs in our crosses troubles least otherwise we faint but rather make vs to reioice in tribulations knowing that a crowne of life is laid vp for such as loue him O thou teacher of men instruct vs how and what we ought to praie for according to thy will that we may be heard and make thou intercession for vs with sighes that can not be expressed O thou cleanser of the heart giue vs the simplicitie of mind without gall and bitternes which descendedst in Iordan vpon our Lord and Sauiour Christ in the likenes of a dooue that we may be void of bitter enuie and contention in our harts and haue no roote among vs that bringeth foorth gall and woormewood O thou substantiall flame proceeding from the breast of the Father and his eternall Sonne lighten our harts with the fire of chaste and burning loue Thou which appearedst as vpon this daie at the feast of Pentecost vnto the Apostles in clouen tongs like fire see our coldnesse and comfort vs with thy quickening heate and breathings that we may receiue thy chrisme and annointment O thou ghest of the soule make thee a mansion place within the secret parts of our hearts that we may be an house for thy diuinitie which may dwell perpetuallie in our members and neuer depart from vs through our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord GOD. For it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father the almightie euerlasting GOD through Iesus Christ our Lord according to whose most true promise the holie Ghost came downe this daie from heauen with a sudden great sound as it had beene a mightie wind in the likenes of fierie tongues lighting vpon the Apostles to teach them and lead them to all truth giuing them both the gift of diuers languages and also boldnesse with feruent zeale constantlie to preach thy Gospell vnto all nations whereby we are brought out of darknesse and errour into the cleere light and true knowledge of thee and of thy Sonne Iesus Christ Therefore with Angels and Archangels with all the blessed cōpanie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hosts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 12. On Trinitie Sundaie An acknowledgement of the almightie Trinitie and his vndiuided God-head essence power and maiestie The Preface WHen Iesus was baptised in the water lo the heauens opened and the spirit of God descended like a dooue and lighted vpon him and behold there came a voice from heauen saieng This is my deerlie beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Holie holie holie Lord God almightie Halleluiah There are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holie Ghost and these three are one Holie holie holie Lord God of Saboth Halleluiah The Praier O Most high Trinitie one onlie power and vndefiled maiestie our God God almightie the beholder and searcher of mine hart I the abiect and hindmost of all thy seruants confesse and acknowledge thee and being the least member of thy Church I woorship thee with a due sacrifice of praise for so much as I am able and can according to that which thou hast vouchsafed to endue me withall And forasmuch as I am destitute of outward gifts to offer vnto thee those vowes of praise which I haue of the gift of thy mercie behold willinglie and gladlie I offer them vnto thee which be an vnfeigned faith and a
Lord God heauenlie King God the Father almightie O Lord the onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ O Lord God Lambe of God Sonne of the Father that takest awaie the sinnes of the world haue merrie vpon vs. Thou that takest awaie the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. Thou that takest awaie the sinnes of the world receiue our praiers Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father haue mercie vpon vs. For thou onlie art holie thou onlie art the Lord thou onlie O Christ with the holie Ghost art most high in the glorie of God the Father to whome be all kingdome power honor and glorie world without end Amen 13. On euerie Sundaie holidaie or weekedaie Of Christ his second and last comming to iudgement The Preface THE kingdome of heauen is neere at hand euen at the doores Take heed watch and praie The sonne of man shall come as a theefe in the night suddenlie and vnwares at an houre that ye knowe not Take heed watch and praie Euen Iesus which was taken vp from vs into heauen shall so come againe to gather vs vnto him as he was seene to haue gone into heauen Come Lord Iesu Behold he commeth with clowdes and euerie eie shall see him yea euen they which pierced him through and all kindreds of the earth shall vaile before him Come Lord Iesu Our God shall come and shall not keepe silence there shall go before him a consuming fire and burne vp his enimies on euerie side the hilles shall melt like waxe at the presence of the Lord a mightie tempest shall be stirred vp round about him Come Lord Iesu He commeth he commeth to iudge the earth and with righteousnesse to iudge the world and the people with equitie and truth Come Lord Iesu Therefore yet a verie little while O my soule take heed watch praie and he that shall come will come and will not tarrie Come Lord Iesu Surelie I come shortlie saith Christ and my reward is with me to giue to euerie one according as his works shall be either good or bad For I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Blessed are they that watch and keepe my commandements vnto the end Come Lord Iesu Euen so saith the spirit and the bride Come Lord Iesu come quicklie Amen Amen Halleluiah The praier to haue Christs sudden comming euen in our remembrance and that we may be in a readinesse against his most glorious appearing The Preface Vt supra Iesus The Praier BEholding O heauenlie Father the daie of accompts ouer all flesh to be euen now at hand namelie the last daie the daie of iudgement the great and notable daie of the Lord wherein the whole generation of mankind from the beginning of the world shall rise againe shall appeare both in bodie and soule before the presence of the most iust iudge thine eternall Sonne and our righteous God to receiue their owne doome for weale or wo for life or death for ioie or paine and that eternallie with the saincts in heauen or for euer with the diuels in hell we beseech thee most humblie O gratious God to haue mercie vpon all thine inheritance dispersed in these our euill and dangerous daies in the midst of this wicked most sinfull and vntoward generation vpon the face of the earth amongst whome we are most miserablie entangled contemned cruellie dealt withall and stirred to all abhominations O heauenlie Father we acknowledge before thee in our selues the greatnesse of our owne frailtie our corrupted lust to lewdnesse the fulnesse in our selues of our owne iniquitie and our accustomed inclination at all times to wickednesse O Father of mercies tender vs in our weakenes haue compassion vpon our infirmities pardon our sinfulnesse and grant vnto vs thine holie spirit to worke speedie mortification in vs to keepe lowe the pride of our flesh to humble our soules in thy sight to strengthen vs in righteousnesse to feare alwaies thy iudgements to thinke vpon thy wrathfull indignation and vpon the houre of the vengeance to come when thou for our wickednesse shalt turne awaie thy face from vs. Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs for Christ Iesus thy Sonne sake and so prepare all our harts soules and bodies to the necessitie of the time that we may haue therein good regard to our selues that our harts be not ouercharged with excesse of eating surfeting and dronkennesse or otherwise vexed with the cares of this wretched world to hinder vs and to drawe vs backe from our carefull attendance or diligent waiting for the Lords sudden comming to iudgement but that we may continuallie attend wait watch and praie for the speedie appeerance of his glorious Maiestie that when he shall at the rising againe of all flesh by the sound of the last trumpet come to iudge both the quicke and the dead we may be then in a readinesse to meet him aboue in the heauens and there to stand before his presence to behold the glorie of his most gratious countenance to see how in mercie he shall separate vs from the wicked as sheepe from the goates to set vs also on his right hand to giue the sentence of blessing vpon vs and to commend vs vnto the kingdome of thee his heauenlie Father which he himselfe hath prepared and so pretiouslie purchased with the price of his own bloud there with him with thee O Father and with the holie Ghost to liue in euerlasting ioie and felicitie Grant this O heauenlie Father euen for the onelie merits sake of that thy deere Sonne and our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen Another meditation of the signes which shall appeare before the end of the world IT is thy saieng O Sonne of God that in the last and doting age of the world both greater and more greeuous miseries and confusions among men should bee than euer were and also for all that that thou which art the defender of thy Church in the midst of such calamities and crueltie of thine enimies wilt preserue some remnant of the faithfull that thy seruice be not vtterlie extinguished before the end of this world Wherefore being oppressed through the intollerable burden of miseries heaped therefore vpon vs bicause the sins of this withering world are most greeuous and lamentable but especiallie for that Sathan thine enimie seeth the daie of iudgement to be verie nigh at hand wherein his abhomination shall openlie be laid before all thy chosen creatures and he be cast hedlong into eternall torments which makes him extreamelie to rage against thy chosen flocke and to seeke by all meanes that possiblie he can to withdrawe vs from thee and to make vs blaspheme thy sacred Maiestie Wee as it standeth vs vpon flie vnto thee with all humblenesse of mind in these our extremities The whole frame of this world groaneth also with thine elect and earnestlie desireth to be renewed Therefore according to thy gratious admonition we call into mind the signes
that light should be made and so not onlie bodies shining with noble light yet vnreasonable were made but besides also other spirituall natures as Angels were brought foorth into which thou powredst the beames of thy light of thy wisedome of thy righteousnesse and life and appointedst a companie of them which remained in their innocencie to euerlasting righteousnes and life that alwaies they might behold the countenance of the eternall Father being replenished with perfect goodnesse Thou hast ordeined and constituted in a woonderfull order that most excellent nature of all Angels to serue thy Church to defend the weake and feeble companie of men which in this life turne vnto thy Sonne our verie Michael Thou commandest those heroicall and valiant spirits to protect thy Church kingdoms and godlie schooles and places where thy Church doth abide calling vpon thee in feare and continuing in thy seruice We thanke thee from our harts for this great and vnspeakable benefit beseeching thee most humblie mercifullie to grant that they which alwaie doo thee seruice in heauen may by thine appointment succour and defend vs here in earth Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted teach vs to confesse this thy goodnesse and following the example of thine holie Angels to serue thee and thy congregation in true and sincere humilitie Compasse our Churches Common-weales and houses with the watch of thine Angels driue awaie from vs and our houses diuels thine enimies lieng blasphemous cruell murdering and incestuous spirits which through extreme hatred of thee and thy Sonne torment man labouring to bring it about that all flesh may blaspheme thee Represse the rage of them in their members in false teachers in the enimies of thy truth in Turks and other tyrants which persecute vs. Helpe vs in this world being ingraffed into that Church which thou dooest protect and may continue faithfull vnto the death and afterward being translated into eternall life be like the Angels yeelding immortall thanks vnto thee for thine infinite benefits Amen 19. On Saint Luke the Euangelists daie It is neither herbe nor emplaster that restoreth vs to health but thy word O Lord which healeth all things O Omnipotent almightie and euerliuing God which calledst Luke the Physician whose praise is in the Gospell to be a Physician of the soule it may please thee by the wholsome medicine of his doctrine to heale all the diseases of our soules And as by thy Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ thou hast commanded vs to praie that labourers may be thrust into thy haruest so grant vnto vs for the same thy sonne Bishops of thine owne instructing good shepherds sound preachers faithfull workmen and godlie ministers which may faithfullie ouersee and by thy word of saluation prosperouslie gouerne thy Church being deerlie bought with the pretious bloud of thine onelie Sonne Giue vnto vs such teachers as are both learned in thy word and commended for their good liuing direct them being illuminated with thine heauenlie light that they may rightlie deliuer and diuide vnto vs the principles of good doctrine the word of truth and the Gospell of life and open the difference betweene the lawe and the Gospell teach vs to beware of the leauen of the Pharisies and the contagious doctrine of mans traditions informe vs in all spirituall wisedome and bring vs by the operation of thine holie spirit vnto perfection both in the eies of God and sight of the world Grant that their labours may take good successe to the increase of thy celestiall haruest Giue them grace to continue constant in their profession fearing neither the hatred nor ingratitude of this world beleeuing certainlie that such as despise them are despised of thee and that thou neither wilt of thine holinesse nor wilt of thy iustice suffer such blaspemous impietie to go vnpunished Amen 20. On Simon and Iudes daie Apostles Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another ALmightie God which hast builded thy congregation vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesu Christ himselfe being the head corner stone grant vs so to be ioined togither in vnitie of spirit by their doctrine that we may be made an holie temple acceptable to thee And O Lord Iesu Christ which after this maner diddest comfort thine Apostles whom the world would hate and abhorre saieng I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Separate vs we humblie beseech thee from the darknesse idolatrie and wickednesse of this world and ioine vs to that companie among which thy Godhead dooeth dwell Grant that in true loue we may be ioined vnto thine eternall Father through thy spirit which is the bond of peace Make vs nothing to dread the sinister iudgements of the world neither yet for anie perils to forsake thy truth but patientlie suffer the iniuries from which thy selfe wast not free Let vs alwaies thinke that the seruant is not greater than the maister and so togither with thee and thine Apostles suffer those troubles and crosses which of God for our sinnes and amendement shall be laid vpon vs Amen 21. On All Saints daie Let the righteous be glad and reioice before God let them also be merie and ioifull WE thanke thee O almightie God our heauenlie Father for that of thine infinite mercie through our Lord and Sauiour and working of thine holie spirit thou gatherest out of mankind an euerlasting Church hast knit togither thine elect in one communion and felowship in the mysticall bodie of the same thy Sonne Christ our Lord defendest the same mightilie against the rage of the diuels and tyrannie of his members yea and hast promised one daie by thy Sonne to raise the same from death and to adorne it with vnspeakable glorie We beseech thee haue mercie on vs for the sake of the same thy Sonne our Mediator and Sauiour and grant vs grace so to followe thy holie Saints in all vertue and godlie liuing that we may come to those vnspeakable ioies which thou hast prepared for them that vnfeinedlie loue thee And gather from among vs euermore some religious companie which may serue thee in faith and a good conscience Assist that in this life that benefit of eternall life may begin that we may in a contrite hart obeie thee patientlie suffer the troubles which accompanie thy Gospell shew our selues meeke and mercifull hungring and thirsting from our hart after thy righteousnesse and seeking for the food of our soule aboue all things Make our ioie perfect and reioice in deed looking through faith vpon that blessed companie of Angels and men which enioie thy visible presence among whom thy Sonne is whom they see face to face and filled with vnspeakable delight here discoursing of thy woonderfull wisedome both in gathering and preseruing thy Church bring vs gratious Lord vnto the blessed cōpanie of thy Saints in this world and afterward make vs citizens of thine eternall kingdome togither
health and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse Thou shalt open my lips O Lord and my mouth shall shew thy praise For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I giue it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit a broken and contrite hart O God shalt thou not despise O be fauourable and gratious to Sion build thou the walles of Hierusalem Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnesse with the burnt offerings and oblations then shall they offer yong bullocks vpon thine altar 5. Domine exaudi Psal 102. HEare my praier O Lord and let my crieng come vnto thee Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble incline thine eares vnto me when I call O heare me and that right soone For my daies are consumed awaie like smoke and my bones are burnt vp as it were a firebrand My hart is smitten downe and withered like grasse so that I forget to eate my bread For the voice of my groaning my bones will scarse cleaue to my flesh I am become like a Pellicane in the wildernesse and like an Owle that is in the desert I haue watched am euen as it were a Sparowe that sitteth alone vpon the house top Mine enimies reuile me all the daie long and they that are mad vpō me are sworne togither against me For I haue eaten ashes as it were bread and mingled my drinke with weeping And that because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast taken me vp and cast me downe My daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered like grasse But thou O Lord shalt endure for euer and thy remembrance throughout all generations Thou shalt arise and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vpon hir yea the time is come And why thy seruants thinke vpon hir stones and it pitieth them to see hir in the dust The heathen shall feare thy name O Lord and all the kings of the earth thy Maiestie When the Lord shall build vp Sion and when his glorie shall appeare When he turneth him vnto the praier of the poore destitute and despiseth not their desire This shall be written for those that come after and the people which shall be borne shall praise the Lord. For he hath looked downe from his Sanctuarie out of the heauen did the Lord behold the earth That he might heare the mournings of such as bee in captiuitie and deliuer the children appointed vnto death That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion and his woorship at Hierusalem When the people are gathered togither and the kingdomes also to serue the Lord. He brought downe my strength in my iournie and shortened my daies But I said O my God take me not awaie in the midst of mine age as for thy yeares they endure thoroughout all generations Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the heauens are the worke of thy hands They 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 yeares shall not faile The children of thy seruants shall continue and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight 6. De profundis Psal 130. OUt of the deepe haue I called vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Oh let thine eares consider well the voice of my complaint If thou Lord wilt be extreame to marke what is done amisse oh Lord who may abide it For there is mercie with thee therefore shalt thou be feared I looked for the Lord my soule doth wait for him in his word is my trust My soule flieth vnto thee Lord before the morning watch I saie before the morning watch O Israell trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercie and with him is plentious redemption And he shall redeeme Israell from all his sinnes 7. Domine exaudi Psal 143. HEare my praier O Lord consider my desire hearken vnto me for thy truth and righteousnesse sake And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified For the enimie hath persecuted my soule he hath smitten my life downe to the ground he hath laid me in the darkenesse as the men that haue beene long dead Therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate Yet doo I remember the time past I muse vpon all thy works yea I exercise my selfe in the works of thy hands I stretch foorth my hands vnto thee my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirstie land Heare me O Lord and that soone for my spirit wareth faint hide not thy face from me least I be like vnto them that go downe into the pit O let me heare thy louing kindnes betimes in the morning for in thee is my trust shew thou me the waie that I should walke in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Deliuer me O Lord from mine enimies for I flee vnto thee to hide me Teach me to doo the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy louing spirit leade me foorth into the land of righteousnesse Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy righteousnesse sake bring my soule out of trouble And of thy goodnesse slaie mine enimies and destroie all them that vexe my soule for I am thy seruant Glorie be to the Father to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Heerevnto you may adde as occasion and time will serue these select and notable Psalmes of Dauid as they are at large in the Psalter that is to saie the 5 7 13 17 22 25 31 35 42 43 55 56 57 69 71 77 86 88. Other Psalmes or Praiers compiled out of holie Scriptures verie necessarie to be vsed of the afflicted soule for obteining the remission of sinnes and mitigation of miseries O Lord of lords GOD almightie great and dreadfull which by thy word hast made heauen earth the sea all things conteined in them Nothing is able to resist thy power thy mercie is ouer all thy works All things be vnder thy dominion and rule both man and beast and all liuing creatures Thou art mercifull to whome thou wilt and hast compassion on whome it pleaseth thee Thy counsell shall stand for euer and whatsoeuer thou wilt shall be done Power dominion and glorie is thine which art aboue all things and in all things and in vs all Thou art Father of mercies and God of all grace peace and comfort which wilt not the death of a sinner nor delightest in the damnation of soules O Lord God which art rich in mercie and of thine especiall loue towards vs euen when we were thine enimies didst send into the world thine onelie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ that whosoeuer beleeueth dulie in him
and happie in the works of our vocation take into thy custodie for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Be gratious and fauourable oh Lord to all men and euen to our verie enimies and according to thy good will and purpose forgiue them their sinnes conuert vnto thy truth all those whom thou hast appointed in Iesus Christ to saluation Be mercifull O God to all our brethren and sisters that suffer anie kind of persecution or affliction whether in mind or in bodie especiallie such as suffer for thy name and Gospell giue them patience constancie and stedfast hope till thou send them full and good deliuerance of all their troubles Be gratious to all those whom thou hast coupled and linked to vs in loue and friendship whose harts thou hast mooued to praie for vs to wish vs good to succour and helpe vs in our necessities grant vs all thy blessing and holie spirit to sanctifie vs in the vnitie of faith and dwell in vs for euer Finallie oh Lord haue mercie vpon mine husband children and familie which thou hast giuen vs make me to be content with him as thy gift and increase thy feare in our harts that we may trulie loue thee and one another of vs in thee so that we may be pure both in soule and bodie and may godlie liue togither according to thine holie ordinance Giue him an hart of wisedome and vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaie before mine eies that as Ioseph cast off all surmises of the mis-behauiour of Marie his spouse and obeied the word of thine holie Angel so he may beare with mine imperfections and bee obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Oh Lord giue vs the power of thy spirit to gouerne our selues holilie and to rule and bring vp these our children and familie in all godlie feare nurture information of the Lord and knowledge of thy holie word and that we may be alwaies vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thine holie name Plant in mine hart all vertues that be necessarie and requisite in a Christian woman giue mee grace so to vse them and all other good gifts which I haue receiued at thy mercifull hands as may be most to thy glorie and praise to my consolation and saluation and to the profit of thy Church Behold Lord although I am but dust earth and ashes yet I haue taken vpon me and am bold to come and make these petitions and requests vnto thee not trusting in mine owne woorthinesse or righteousnesse which I doo acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled but onlie in thy great mercie and promise and through the merits of Christs death bloud-shedding to laie mine humble praiers before thee requiring mercie pardon and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy grace to doo thy will all the daies of my life and to obteine all these my petitions O therefore heare me speedilie good Lord forgiue me fauourablie O Lord and tarie not ouerlong but for thine owne sake doo it and for thy deere Sonne Iesus Christs sake in whom all thy promises are Yea and Amen which is our onelie Redeemer Mediator Sauiour and Iustifier to whom with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise now and euer Amen Another good and godlie praier to be said at all times of euerie Christian both man and woman O Almightie and euerlasting GOD Father Sonne and holie Ghost thou that hast made heauen and earth and all things in them conteined haue mercie vpon me poore wretched sinner dailie assaulted with all kind of miserie and wretchednesse I beseech thee O Father for the loue of thy Sonne Iesus Christ consider my weakenesse frailtie and imperfection and haue mercie vpon me Increase thy graces in me my souereigne Sauiour my deere Redeemer and mine onelie Iustifier For I come vnto thee O Lord according to the words of our Sauiour Christ who hath said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are laden and I will ease and refresh you Oh most mercifull Father ease me of and from the great burden of my sinne which I haue vnrighteouslie committed against thee either in thought word or deed and refresh my soule dailie with thy mercies Sprinkle me with the sweet hysop of thy mercie and then shall I be cleane wash me and then shall I be whiter than snowe Powre vpon me ioie and gladnesse and make my bones reioice which thou hast smitten Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Oh giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked that sinners may be conuerted vnto thee Deliuer me from bloud guiltinesse O God thou that art the God of my health that my tongue may praise thy righteousnesse Open my lips O Lord then shall my mouth shew foorth thy praise Consider mine imperfection and helpe it with thy mercies Remember thine old woonted mercies and faithfull promises made vnto our forefathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all other Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and other thy Saints in our Sauiour Christ Iesus who being compassed with infirmitie and weakenesse of the flesh came vnto thee O Lord as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of their health and saluation and thou mercifullie susteinedst them keepedst them deliueredst them in all their temptations and tribulations If their feet at anie time slipt or went out of the waie and committed sinne against thee yet thy mercie was alwaies readie so that thou by thine holie spirit diddest procure them to repentance so that they turned againe vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe thou mercifullie acceptedst at their hands For bicause they were desirous to liue perfectlie in thy sight thou preseruedst them so that they were found faithfull before thee O Lord thou art the same and thy yeeres endure for euer I beseech thee O Father beare mine imperfection and helpe it likewise with thy mercie if at anie time I happen to fall and commit sinne against thee as thou saiedst by thine holie Apostle Paule Let thy grace at all time be sufficient for me in such wise that I may immediatelie turne againe by true repentance vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe accept alwaies at mine hands for Iesus Christs sake so shall I be found perfect before thee For although the spirit bee willing yet is the flesh vntoward and weake Therefore doo I not leaue mine owne righteousnesse before thee For I knowe and confesse in me that is to saie in my flesh is nothing but plaine miserie wretchednesse and sinne Therefore doo I come vnto thee and beseech thee for Christes sake to extend thy mercifull hand towards me
protection and keepe vs and all ours this night that the diuell haue no power ouer vs. Be thou watchfull ouer vs O eternall Sauiour least the subtill tempter apprehend vs. For thou art made for vs an euerlasting protector For behold whether we sleepe or wake whether we liue or die we are thine thou art our Creator and redeemer Stand therefore on our behalfe in the watch with the armie of thy celestiall warriers thine Angels which being filled with perfect goodnesse and perpetuall integritie behold thy face alwaies in the heauens Expell from vs and our houses wicked spirits which bee our mortall enimies that they damage vs in no case and deliuer vs from persecutors which laie snares for our destruction Turne not away thy mercie and truth from vs. O God assist vs that peaceablie we may rest and sleepe in quiet We will laie vs downe in peace and sleepe For thou Lord alone makest vs to dwell in safetie without danger Hide vs in thy tabernacle O Lord that sitting in thy secret place and abiding vnder the shadowe of thy wings we may saie vnto thee Lord thou art our keeper and our refuge O God we will trust in thee and will feare no danger And although we were in extreame darknesse yet will wee not feare Though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death yet will we dread none euill for thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe they doo comfort vs. Let thy mercie O God followe vs all the daies of our life that we may dwell in thy house in longnesse of daies praising thee euermore with the Sonne holie Ghost one true God reigning worlds without end Amen Another more large Euening praier with Confession O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie we acknowledge and confesse that we be not woorthie to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy Maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and grant our requests if we consider our owne deseruings For our consciences doo accuse vs and our sinnes beare witnesse against vs and we knowe that thou art an vpright iudge which dooest not iustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faults of all such as transgresse thy commandements Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to command vs to call on thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then to helpe vs when we feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death desperation we vtterlie renounce all worldlie confidence and flie to thy souereigne bountie as our onlie staie and refuge beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continuallie prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligence and vnkindnesse which haue neither woorthilie esteemed nor in our liues sufficientlie expressed the sweet comfort of thy Gospell reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Sonne who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompense for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lord forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holie spirit that we may rightlie way them and earnestlie repent for the same and so much the rather O Lord because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsaken can not praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorowfull mind the conscience oppressed hungering and thirsting for thy grace shall euer set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but woorms dust yet thou art our Creator and we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our Father and we thy children thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer we the people whom thou hast bought thou art our God and we thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord neither according to our deserts punish vs but mercifullie chastise vs with a fatherlie affection that all the world may knowe that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sins from the bottome of his hart thou wilt put awaie his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finallie we humblie thanke thee O mercifull Father by thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour for all thy benefits bestowed vpon vs from the beginning of the world to this time for our election our creation our redemption our sanctification continuall preseruation and namelie for that of thy mercie and goodnesse thou hast preserued vs this daie and all the time of our life hitherto from all misfortunes hurts and dangers bodilie ghostlie And forsomuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordeined him the daie to trauell and that whither we sleepe or wake liue or die we are alwaies thine grant O deere Father that we may so take our bodilie rest this night that our soules and harts being kindled with the light of thy countenance may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our deliuerance out of this mortall life And in the meane season take thou O God care and charge of vs and all ours that we perish not in the works of darkenesse and that we not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations may fullie set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee Furthermore that our sleepe be not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desires of the flesh but onlie sufficient to content our weake nature that enioieng sweet sleepe and comfortable rest both in bodie and mind we may healthfullie and ioifullie rise againe and be the better disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation and perfect obedience of thy word to the glorie of thy holie name and profit of thy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we furthermore make our humble petitions vnto thee not onlie for our selues but for all others whome thou wouldest we should continuallie praie for saieng as he in his holie word hath taught vs Our Father which art in heauen c. O Lord increase our faith strengthen it in thy manifold sweet promises and grant vs a perfect continuance therein to our liues end whereof we humblie make our confession saieng I beleeue in God c. Let thy mightie hand and out-stretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercie and louing kindnes in Iesu Christ thy deere Sonne our saluation thy true holie word our instruction thy life holie actions our imitation thy grace holie spirit our comfort consolatiō vnto the end in the end and the blessing of God almightie Father Sonne and holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs now euer Amen A forme of generall praier to be vsed in priuate houses and families euerie Euening O Lord prepare our harts to praier for if we praie with our lips onlie our praiers
are abhominable O teach vs therefore by thy holie spirit to praie rightlie according to thy will and giue eare gratiouslie to our calling O Gratious Lord louing Father according to thy commandement we doo heere present our selues before thy Maiestie humblie prostrating our selues before thy throne of mercie acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our harts that we be miserable sinners dailie breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deede wherein we iustlie deserue euerlasting damnation and to be vtterlie throwne from thy presence Yet O Lord we see thy goodnesse againe towards vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes hast sent thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ to take vpon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therefore good Lord and through him doo we come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that we feeling the greeuousnesse of our sins and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release and ease of them in that we be through thy holie spirit assured and stedfastlie beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant O Lord that we being assured heereof in our conscience may through thy holie spirit be renewed in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and to studie to liue acording to thy blessed will during this whole life We doo not onlie praie for our selues O Lord but also for all the whole Church especiallie such as be persecuted for thy word grant vnto them that whither it be by death or life they may glorifie thy name to their liues end Be mercifull to this Church of England and Ireland we beseech thee good Lord and preserue euerie part and member of the same especiallie thy seruant Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernour Grant hir all such gifts as be needfull for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glorie and the benefit of this Common-wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouernement of thy Church according to the prescriptrule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of all superstition idolatrie and relikes of Antichrist to the gouerning of hir subiects in all peace and tranquillitie Defend hir O Lord from all conspiracies treasons and rebellions and so worke in the harts of all hir subiects that knowing hir authoritie doth come from thy heauenlie Maiestie they may with obedient harts humblie obeie hir in thee and for thee Preserue the whole Counsell the Magistrates of the Realme that being lightened by thy holy spirit they may defend the truth suppresse wickednesse and mainteine equitie Behold all the pastors and preachers of thy word blesse their labours increase the number of them place ouer euerie Church a painefull watchman remoue all idle lubbers and confound the power of Antichrist and turne the harts of the people that they may be obedient to the truth Blesse the two Uniuersities Cambridge and Oxford and all the students of the same with all the Schooles of learning Behold all those that be afflicted with anie kinde of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastlie for our selues heere gathered togither we render most hartie thanks to thy Maiestie O Lord which hast hitherto from our infancie preserued vs by thy mercie from all perils and dangers both of soule and bodie wherevnto fraile man is subiect that thou hast sent vnto vs all things necessarie for this present life as health food apparell and such like which manie of thy deere children doo want being notwithstanding as pretiouslie bought with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be and yet lie in miserie and calamitie oppressed with pouertie nakednesse imprisonment and banishment in which case also deere Father thou mightest haue brought vs saue onlie that thou dealest heerein more fauourablie with vs than with them For the which thy louing kindnesse we giue thee hartie thanks desiring thee that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorablie in mercie preserued vs by thy protection and euen presentlie this daie hast brought vs past all the dangers thereof so we beseech thee good Lord in like fauour behold vs this night that we taking our naturall rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be so defended that our bodies resting our soules may be occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towards thy children still looking for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ for our full redemption Grant that our sleepe be not immoderate according to the lusts of the flesh but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature that being thus refreshed both the bodie the mind may be more able to doo their seuerall office and function in that vocation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant that wee laieng our bodies downe to rest may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death that as we doo laie downe our bodies in bed so we may be thereby admonished that hereafter they shall be laid down in graue to be consumed to dust earth and ashes from whence they were taken that we hauing this before our eies may be stirred vp in minde warilie to walke in this our pilgrimage not knowing when the time shall be of our departure but alwaies be found readie with our lamps of pure faith clearelie burning that we may be accepted to meet the bride groome when our mortall earthlie and corruptible bodies shall be made like to the glorious bodie of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioie consolation togither with all the elect children of GOD continuallie lauding with all the heauenlie multitude the glorious Maiestie of thee our Lord God and heauenlie Father in our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ In whose name for these thy mercies and whatsoeuer else thou knowest to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church we praie vnto thee as he himselfe hath taught vs saieng Our Father which art in heauen c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable felowship of the holie Ghost be with vs preserue and keepe vs this night and euermore Amen VVhen you vncloth yourselfe and make you vnreadie to bedward praie THis our life and weake knit bodie by reason of sinne by little and little shall be dissolued and so shall be restored to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanitie which by our foolishnes we haue wrought to our selues O most meeke Father so doo thou vntie and loose me for thou hast knit me togither that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I go least I be had vnprepared vnto thy tribunali and iudgement
seate And as I willinglie now put off my garments which in the morning I shall put on again so let me not vnwillinglie put off this my bodie whensoeuer by death it shall please thee O God to call me especiallie for that I knowe that after the night of this world is expired I shall receiue it on againe in much better light to immortalitie So be it Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences and be content with Ioseph to put off your prison apparell that you may put on new I haue put off my cloaths how shall I put them on O Lord I will confesse my wickednesse and that of my selfe I haue nothing Cant. 5 3. VVhen you wash your feete praie thus to your selfe O Most meeke and louing Iesu the perfect paterne of all humilitie who being Lord of heauen and earth didst not disdaine to wash thy Disciples feet and wipe them cleane with the towell wherewith thou wast girt and that for our example to teach vs to loue and serue one another in thee haue mercie on me a miserable sinner which from top to toe both within and without am altogither polluted and defiled with sinne in thy sight And with Peter I humblie beseech thee vouchsafe now to wash me in the sweet bath of thy pretious bloud from all the filth and pollusions of my sinnes that I may be whiter than snowe Wash thou I saie not my feet onelie O Lord but my hands and head yea my verie hart soule and conscience also For if thou wash me not I shall haue no part with thee but if thou wash me I shall be cleane euerie whit in all parts yea cleaner than the glasse O wash mee therfore cleane from mine vncleannesse and doo awaie all my sinnes negligences and ignorances yea so purge and scowre all mine affections by thy grace and mercie that with both my feete that is to saie with perfect loue to thee and true charitie to my neighbor I may walke in the paths of thy peace by the direction of thy spirit and at the last come pure and cleane vnto thee my purifier to the confusion and shame of mine enimies which in the daie of my death shall most busilie watch to trip and ouerthrowe me so shall I blesse and praise thee with thine elect and holie Saints in euerlasting happinesse Amen I haue washed my feete how shall I file them againe Cant. 5 3. Another O Most mercifull Iesu which gentlie sufferedst that sinfull woman Marie Magdalen to approch vnto thy presence and to wash thy blessed feet with hir teares to wipe them with hir heare and to kisse and annoint them with costlie oile and diddest greatlie commend this hir fact to all posteritie haue mercie on me a more sinfull woman in thy sight and grant me grace likewise continuallie to wash thy feete with the teares of true contrition to wipe them with the heare of mine obedience to kisse them with the kisses of feruent loue of thee and thy Saints and to annoint them with the sweet oile of deuout praiers confessions and thanks-giuing that I may obtaine by thy mercie forgiuenesse of all my manifold sinnes and feele my selfe much bound vnto thee for my saluation Finallie let me thine handmaid be a seruant I praie thee to wash the feet of the seruants of my Lord make me I saie of the number of those holie matrons that willinglie wash the feet of thy Saints that minister vnto them that are in aduersitie that are continuallie giuen to euery good worke and be well reported of for their vertues through Iesu Christ our Lord Amen Wash you make you cleane take awaie the euill of your works from before mine eies cease to doo euill and learne to doo well Esai 1 16. VVhen you enter into your bed praie I Enter into my bed and laie mee downe to rest in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost The Lord Iesu Christ which was crucified dead and buried for me blesse preserue and keepe me both bodie and soule and raise me with him at the last daie by the power of his glorious resurrection to life euerlasting Amen And grant O God I beseech thee that as I am not afraid now to enter into my bed and to dispose my selfe to sleepe so I may not be afraid or loth to die but rather cheerfullie prepare my selfe thervnto and euermore desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ my Sauiour Amen Being new laid in your bed saie this Psalme O Lord thou hast searched me out knowne me thou knowest my downe lieng and mine vprising thou vnderstandest all my thoughts long before Thou art about my path and about my bed and spiest out all my waies For lo there is not a word in my tongue but thou O Lord knowest it altogither Thou hast fashioned me behind and before and laid thine hand vpon me Such knowledge is too woonderfull and excellent for me I can not attaine vnto it Whither then shall I go from thy spirit Or whither shall I go from thy presence If I clime vp into heauen thou art there if I godowne to hell thou art there also if I take the wings of the morning and remaine in the vttermost parts of the sea euen there also shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me If I saie Peraduenture the darkenes shall couer me then shall my night be turned to daie yea the darknesse is no darkenesse with thee but the night is as cleere as the daie the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike For my reines are thine thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe I will giue thanks vnto thee for I am fearefullie and woonderfullie made Maruellous are thy works and that my soule knoweth right well My bones are not hid from thee though I be made secretlie and fashioned beneath in the earth Thine eies did see my substance yet being vnperfect and in thy booke are all my members written which daie by daie were fashioned when as yet there was none of them How deere are thy counselles vnto me O God O how great is the summe of them If I tell them they are more in number than the sand when I wake vp I am present with thee Trie me O God and seeke the ground of my hart prooue me and examine my thoughts looke well if there be anie waie of wickednesse in me and leade me in the waie euerlasting Let me neuer imagine mischiefe vpon my bed as doo the vngodlie that set themselues in no good waie and can not sleepe before they haue done some harme but make me to abhorre the thing that is euill and to commune with mine owne hart and in my chamber to be still that with the Saincts I may be ioifull with glorie and reioice on my bed with them that praise thee daie and night Finallie grant that I may behold thy presence in righteousnesse and when I awake vp after thy likenesse bring
to passe that I may be satisfied with it and glorifie thee eternallie Amen The Praier THE daie now ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished we shall rest in death Nothing is more like this life than euerie daie nothing more like death than sleepe nothing more like to our graue than our bed O Lord our keeper and defender grant that I now laieng me downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the crafts and assaults of the wicked enimie and grant furthermore that when I haue tunne the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercie call me vnto thee that I may liue and watch with thee for euermore And now O gratious God giue me to take my rest in thee bring to passe that thy goodnesse may be euen in sleepe before mine eies that sleeping I be not absent from thee but may haue my dreames to drawe me vnto thee and so both in soule and bodie may be kept pure and holie for euer Amen I will laie me downe in peace and take my rest for it is thou Lord onlie that makest me dwell in safetie Psal 4. 9. Another praier to be vsed of the husband and wife so soone as they are laid in their bed O Lord our GOD our protector and defender which diddest gratiouslie preserue and keepe thy seruant holie Tobie when he laie with his wife Sara by the gard of thine holie Angel so that Sathan was bound and had no power ouer them keepe vs also O King of kings and Lord of lords this night and euermore that that subtill Serpent by no meanes haue power to vexe or greeue vs but that we may slepe this night in the remembrance of thee into whose tuition and keeping we commit vs both bodie and soule which hast bought redeemed vs with the pretious bloud of that immaculate Lambe thy deere sonne and our deere beloued Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie Amen Meditation REmember now that you be néerer your end by one daies iournie than you were in the morning Also that this troublesome daie is past and night come and ther withall rest quietnesse and pleasant sléepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches all alike for the time euen so after the tumults troubles temptations and tempests of this life if we beléeue in Christ we haue prepared for vs an hauen and rest most pleasant ioifull and perpetuall VVhen you put out the candle saie THE light of the vngodlie shall be put out and the light of his candle shall not shine the light shall be darke in his dwelling and his candle shall be put out with him yea full often shall the candle of the wicked be put out and their destruction shall suddenlie come vpon them so that all shall be horror and full of darknes with them O Lord let not our candle be put out nor the light that is in vs be turned into darknesse but lighten thou our candle and make thou our darknesse to be light yea lighten thou our darknesse we beseech thee O Lord that we sleepe not in death and by thy great mercie defend vs from all perils and dangers of this darke and dredfull night and lighten illuminate thou euerie darke corner of our habitation with thy light that our candle go not out by night for the loue of thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A little while after saie O God although we were in extreame darkenesse yet will we not feare and though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death yet will we dread none euill For thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe doo comfort vs. Now therefore that we lie in darknesse be thou our protector bring vs to thy light and saue vs from vtter darkenesse where is weeping and gnashing of teeth that we may behold thee in that cleere light of the perpetuall morning where shall be no darknes no night nor need of anie candle or materiall light but thou Lord wilt inlighten vs with vnspekable glorie So be it VVhen you feele sleepe to be comming and dispose your selfe to rest praie O Lord Iesu Christ my watchman and keeper take me to thy care grant that my bodie sleeping my mind may watch in thee be made merie by some sight of that celestiall and heauenlie life wherein thou art the King and Prince togither with the Father the holie Ghost where thine Angels and holie spirits be most happie citizens Oh purifie my soule keepe cleane my bodie that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer Amen Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit For thou hast redeemed me ô Lord thou God of truth Psal 31 6. Another praier to be said last of the husband and wife before they giue themselues to sleepe O Lord assist vs that peaceablie we may now rest and sleepe in quiet Let our eies sleepe but let our harts wake vnto thee O lighten thou our eies that we sleepe not in death that Sathan hurt vs not and our enimie saie I haue preuailed against thee but watch ouer vs O eternall sauiour least the subtill tempter ouertake vs and we sleepe a perpetuall sleepe and wake no more For thou art made our euerlasting helper and protector Giue vs this night a good sleepe that quietlie without cares and anguish of mind we may take our rest Let not troublesome dreams and vaine fantasies and apparitions of the night nor the diuell disquiet vs. Defend vs this night from vncleane and troublesome spirits let not their rushings ragings and misrule disquiet vs. Keepe vs good Lord from sights of Sathan from snares and illusions of the diuell But admonish our soules of miseries to come euen as thou didst arme the Patriarches and Prophets by dreames and visions in the night when sleepe came vpon them from dangers nigh at hand through thine heauenlie oracles so gouerne and preserue vs in sleepe that our soules come not into danger danger neither fall vpon the swoord and pit of perils Let vs not sleepe in sinne and contempt of saluation as doo the children of night and darkenesse but make vs of the number of those which sleepe in Iesus and whome thou O Lord in the resurrection of the iust comming of thy Son shalt not suffer to be preuented with sleepe but wilt bring with thine elect to meete him in the clouds that whether we wake or sleepe we may liue togither with him and obteine euerlasting saluation through the merits of his death passion In thy name O sweet Iesu will we giue sleepe to our eies and slumber to our eie lids O Sauiour of the world saue vs Lord watching and keepe vs sleeping that in peace we may both rest and wake and let our sleepe be sweet and healthfull to our bodies that waking in the morning we may rise in good health and delight in thee our
God Grant also that both being in bed asleepe and awake we may alwaies remember our death which is a passing to an immortall life and withall our ioifull resurrection to euerlasting glorie Finallie at our last gaspe when our harts pant our strength faileth our sight departeth our hearing is deafe our mouth dumbe when our feet cannot go nor our hands feele when all our senses forsake vs giue vs O blessed Trinitie some sense of eternall life that we may tast in this world the beginning of thine euerlasting ioie and at our departure out of this world behold by faith thy diuine presence and so sleepe quietlie to eternall life Amen Amen Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord into thy hands we commend our soules because thou hast redeemed vs. Lord Iesu receiue our spirits At mid-night if you happen to awake praie HAue mercie vpon me O God after thy great goodnesse according to the multitude of thy mercies doo awaie mine offenses Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me I will remember thee O God in my bed and thinke vpon thee now that I am waking because thou hast beene mine helper Euen now in the night season while thou holdest mine eies waking I saie will I thinke of thee my creator and make my praiers vnto thee my redeemer and God of my life that my soule may not refuse hir comfort In my bed now by night will I seeke thee whom my soule loueth O let me find thee and my soule embrace thee For with my soule doo I desire thee now in the night season and with my spirit within me will I seeke thee in the morning Yea at mid-night I will arise vp to giue thanks vnto thee O Lord because of thy righteous iudgements and in the night watches I will lift vp my hands towards thy holie place and blesse thee and powre out my hart before thee and saie Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie on me a most miserable sinner From the snares of the diuell O Lord deliuer me from the mid-night euill defend me and in the houre of death helpe me Our father which art in heauen c. Meditation AT mid-night there was a crie made Behold the bridegrome commeth go out to meet him blessed are those virgins whom the Lord when he commeth shall find waking O my soule let vs therfore take héed watch and praie that wée may bée found prepared with our Lamps burning readie to enter with our spouse and Lord Iesus vnto the wedding In the night when you heare the clocke strike praie THE clocke of our conscience dooth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand O mercifull God grant vnto me therefore I beseech thee a happie houre blessed departure out of this life whensoeuer it shall please thee to call me hence and cause my soule to flie out of this bodie Be mercifull vnto me O God be mercifull vnto me a most miserable sinner and deliuer me from the houre of temptation death and damnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Meditation HE that hath ears to heare let him heare The daie of the Lord will come as a théefe in the night Watch therefore because yée know neither the daie the time nor the houre when the sonne of man will come to iudgement VVhen you giue your selfe to sleepe againe and commend your selfe last to God Praie INto the hands of thy vnspeakable mercie O Lord I commend my wretched soule and bodie my senses speech counsell thoughts works all things belonging vnto me my lieng downe and rising vp my faith and conuersation the whole course and end of my life the daie and houre of my departure out of this world finallie my death buriall rest and resurrection beseeching thee O Lord now suffer mine eies to sleepe mine eie lids to slumber the temples of my head to take some rest that my bed may comfort me and my couch giue me some refreshing Grant that I may so sleepe gouerne and end my life that I may sleepe in peace and rest in thee Sticke thou to me O my God euen to the end that sleepe with rest and rest with quietnesse quietnesse with euerlastingnesse may receiue me For lo I giue my selfe once againe to sleepe and rest in the name of thee O Father Sonne and holie Ghost euermore crieng and saieng Haue mercie on me O glorious Deitie Haue mercie on me O triumphant humanitie Haue mercy on me O blessed Trinitie and receiue my spirit yea rather thy spirit into thy holy hands send me a ioifull resurrection with all thy Saints elect people Amen Amen The Conclusion NOt vnto vs O Alpha not vnto vs O Omega but vnto thy name O Iehoua be giuen all the glorie for thy louing mercie and for thy truths sake For thou hast directed the thoughts of our harts and prospered the works of our hands vpon vs euen thou I saie O Lord hast gouerned all our counsels enterprises from heauen hast gratiouslie wrought all our works for vs. O let our mouthes therfore be filled with thy praise and make vs continuallie thankefull that we may giue woorthie honor and glorie to thée for so great graces and manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs. And now forsomuch as thou hast giuen euerie one of vs that portion of thy graces that hath pleased thée and hast commanded vs to occupie and vse them to thy honor till thou come grant vs whether we haue receiued little or much that we doo not idelie or slothfullie neglect our dutie herein Suffer vs not I saie O swéet Christ with the rest of the world to fall asléep in the pleasant vanities of this life and to forget the waiting for thy comming but rather stirre vs vp by thy holie spirit faithfullie to vse thy gifts giuen vnto vs and in all warie watching fasting and earnest praier continuallie to prosper and go forward in our holie calling prouoking one another by good example to followe thée in true worship and due obedience and grant that all ambition vaine glorie hypocrisie and dissimulation being remooued our chéefe care may be in all our dooings studies and labours euer to séeke the increase of thine honor and the aduancement of thy kingdome and so with a single eie respecting the praise which is of thée looke and wait for the reward and recompense of our labours not of men but of thée that in that daie of thy second comming which shall be sudden and fearefull to the wicked we may with ioie and comfort méet thy sonne in the aire and when thou shalt heare our accounts we may also receiue of thée through our redéemer Iesus not onlie praise and commendation as thy good and faithfull seruants whose liues are hid in thée but also obtaine the finall
Turne thou vs vnto thee O Lord and so we shall be turned renew our daies as in old times But thou hast vtterlie banished and reiected vs and thou art exceedinglie angrie and displeased against vs. The praier and thankesgiuing of Sarra Tobits wife which in hir virginitie with fasting and weeping for the space of three daies and three nights she made to be deliuered from the shame and reproch wherewith hir fathers maids vpbraided hir Tobit 3 11. BLessed art thou O Lord my God and thine holie and glorious name is blessed and honourable for euer Let all thy works praise thee for euer O God of our fathers which when thou art wroth shewest mercie and in the time of trouble thou forgiuest the sinnes of them that call vpon thee Unto thee O Lord turne I now my face vnto thee lift I vp mine eies and saie I beseech thee O Lord loose me out of the bonds of this rebuke or else take me vtterlie awaie from out of the earth that I may heare no more anie reproch Thou knowest O Lord minc innocencie that I neuer had desire vnto man and that I haue kept my soule cleane from all vncleanlie lusts Thou knowest O Lord I say that I am pure from all sinne with man and that I haue neuer polluted my name nor the name of my father in the land of my captiuitie I haue not kept companie with those that passe their time in sport neither haue I made my selfe partaker with them that walke in light behauiour I am the onelie daughter of my father neither hath he anie man child to be his heire neither anie neere kinsman or child borne of him to whom I may keepe my selfe for a wife An husband haue I consented to take not for my pleasure but in thy feare and my seuen husbands are now dead one after another and why should I liue to endure so great reproch as to be counted a murtherer of my husbands Now peraduenture either I haue beene vnwoorthie of them or else were they vnmeete for me But if it please not thee that I should die as I desire for thou happilie hast kept me to another husband command then to looke on me to pitie me that I doo no more heare reproch For why thy counsell is not in the power of man but euerie one that serueth thee is sure of this that if his life be in trieng he shall be crowned and if he be in trouble that God no doubt shall deliuer him if his life be in chastening that he shall haue leaue to come vnto thy mercie For thou hast no pleasure in our damnation And why After a storme thou makest the weather faire and still after weeping and heauinesse thou giuest great ioie Thy name O God of Israel be praised for euer Amen And at the same time were hir praiers heard before the maiestie of the great God The praier of Iudith which she made with fasting and teares for the deliuerance of hir people the Bethulians out of the hands of Holophernes and the Assyrians host that besieged their citie Iudith 9 2. O Lord God of my father Simeon which gauest him a sword for a defence against the enimies and to take vengeance of the strangers which vsed violence in their vncleannesse and opened the wombe of the maid Dinah and defiled hir that rauished the virgine and discouered the thigh with shame and polluted the wombe to hir reproch confusion For thou hadst commanded that it should not so be yet they the Sichemites I meane did things for the which thou gauest their princes to the slaughter For they were deceiued and washed their beds with bloud And hast striken the seruants with the gouernors the gouernors vpon their thrones Thou that gauest their wiues for a praie and their daughters to be captiues and all their spoiles for a bootie vnto thy children and seruants the Israelites that thou louedst which were mooued with thy zeale and abhorred the pollution of their bloud and called vpon thee for aid O God O Lord my God heare me also a widowe and helpe mee I beseech thee For thou hast wrought the things afore and these and the things that shall be after and thou considerest the things that are present and the things that are to come For the things which thou dost purpose are present and saie Behold we are heere and looke what thou hast taken in hand and deuised it came euer to passe For all thy waies are readie prepared and thy iudgements are put in thine euerlasting foreknowledge O looke now vpon the armies of the Assyrians like as it was thy pleasure sometime to looke vpon the host of the Aegyptians when they being weaponed persecuted thy seruants and put their trust in their chariots horsemen and in the multitude of their men of war but thou lookedst vpon their host casting a thicke darknes before them And when they came into the deepe the waters ouerwhelmed them euen so Lord behold and let it go with those Assyrians which are multiplied by their power and haue exalted themselues with horses horsemen which glory in the strength of their footmen that trust in shield speare and bowe and do not knowe that thou only art the Lord our God which breakest the battels and destroiest the wars from the beginning The Lord is thy name and it apperteineth vnto thee to be called Lord. O lift vp thine arme now like as euer from the beginning and breake thou their strength by thy power cause their force to fall by thy wrath For they haue purposed yea and make their vaunt and boast to vnhalowe and defile thy sanctuarie to pollute the tabernacle where thy glorious name resteth and to waste spoile and cast downe with sword and weapons the horns of thine altar Behold their pride and bring to passe O Lord that the blasphemie of this enimie Holophernes may be cut downe with his owne sword and send thy wrath vpon their heads Giue into mine hand which am a widowe the strength that I haue conceiued that he may be taken with the snare of his eies in me and that thou maiest smite him with the lips of my loue Smite I saie by the deceit of my lips the seruant with the prince and the prince with the seruant O giue me a stedfast mind that I may despise him and his strength and that I may destroie him This shall bring thy name an euerlasting remembrance if thou abate his strength and ouerthrowe him by the hand of a woman For thy power O Lord standeth not in the multitude of men nor thy might in strong men neither hast thou anie pleasure in the strength of horses neither was there from the beginning anie proud persons that pleased thee But in the praier of the humble and meeke hath thy pleasure beene euermore Thou I saie O Lord art the helpe of the humble and little ones the defender of the weake and the protector of them that are
welspring of all goodnesse and faithfull promise I did leaue thee But whither went I Into a place where nothing was but cursednesse I haue left thee my trustie friend and louer worthie to be beloued aboue all others I haue put thee aside O welspring of all health somnes by mine owne wretched will yea I haue forsaken thee full of beautie goodnesse wisedome and power and sought to withdrawe me from thy loue I haue accepted thy great enimies that is the diuell the world and the flesh against whome for my sake thou foughtedst so sore on the crosse to set me at libertie which was by them of long time a prisoner and slaue and so bound that no man could cause me to humble my selfe And as for the loue and charitie that I should haue had towards thee they did quench it so that the name of Jesus my deare husband which before I had found so sweet was to me tedious and hatefull so that oftentimes I did iest at it and when I haue heard the Gospell preached or taught the word which I haue hard hath not tarried with me but as a feather doth in the winde I went neuer yet to heare thy word preached but for a fashion onlie which was a worke of hypocrisie I was also annoied when I hard speake of thee because I was more willing to go at my pleasure Now brieflie to conclude all that thou didst forbid me I fulfilled and all that thou commandedst me to do I did eschue and this was the cause why I loued not thee But yet Lord for all that I did thus hate thee and forsake thee ran awaie from thee and betraied thee should I giue place to anie other Hast thou suffered that I should be mocked either yet beaten or killed Hast thou put me in darke prison or banished me for euer setting naught by me Hast thou taken awaie thy gifts and pretious iewels againe from me to punish me for my vnfaithfull fruits Haue I lost my iointure which thou promisedst me through mine owne offence done against thee Am I accused by thee afore the eternall father for a naughtie woman Hast thou forbidden me thy presence as I haue deserued and that I should neuer appeare in thine house O most true husband pure and perfect friend the most louing among all louers Alas thou hast done otherwise for me For thou hast diligentlie sought for me when I was going into the most deepe place of Hell where all euils are done When I was farthest from thee both in hart and mind and directlie out of the waie then didst thou louinglie call me backe saieng My deare daughter hearken and see and vow thine eare toward me forget that strange nation with whome thou hast run astraie and also the house of thine owne father where thou hast dwelt so long and then shall the King of all faithfulnesse desire thy beautie But when thou Lord sawest that thy sweete and gratious calling did not profit me then begannest thou to crie to me with a lowd voice saieng Come vnto me all you which are wearilie loden with labour for I am he that shall plentiouslie refresh you and feed you with the bread of life Alas sweet Lord vnto all these sweet words would I not hearken but rather doubted whether it were thou that so spake vnto me or else a fabulous writing that so said I was so foolish that without loue I read thy word I considered not the comparison of the Uineyard which brought foorth thornes and briers in stead of good fruit and that it signified me that so had done I knew also that when thou didst call the barren wife saieng Returne Shulamite that thou didst speake it that I should forsake my sinnes Yet for all these words did I as though I had vnderstood neuer a whit But when I had perused the Prophet Ieremie I confesse that I had in the reading thereof feare in my hart and bashfulnesse in my face I will tell it yea with teares in mine eies and all Lord for thine honor to suppresse my pride Thou hast said by that holie Prophet If a woman haue offended hir husband and is so left of him for going astraie with other if he therevpon refuseth hir is she not to be esteemed polluted and of no value The lawe doth consent to put hir in the hands of iustice or to driue hir awaie and so neuer to take hir againe Thou hast made a separation betweene thy bed and mine saith he vnto me and placed forren louers in my roome committing with them fornication yet for all this thou maist returne to me againe for I will not alwaies be angrie against thee Lift vp therfore thine eies and looke about thee on euerie side and then shalt thou well see into what place thy sinne hath lead thee and how filthilie thou liest in the earth O poore soule looke where thy sinne hath put thee euen vpon the high waies where thou didst waite and tarie to beguile them that came by euen as a theefe doth which is hidden in the wildernesse Therefore thou in fulfilling thy wicked pleasure hast with fornication infected all the earth which was about thee thine eies thy forehead and thy face haue lost all their good maner for they were such as an harlot hath and yet thou hadest no shame of thy sinne And the surplus that Ieremie saith constreineth me to knowe my wretched life and to wish with sorowfull sighes the houre the moneth the daie the yeare and time that my life might haue an end yeelding my selfe condemned and worthie to lie for euer in the euerlasting fire The same feare which proceedeth of thee and not of my selfe putteth me rather in hope than in despaire as often as I do remember my sinne For as soone as thou knowest my will bowing vnder thine obedience then putting in me a liuelie faith thou didst vse great clemencie so that after I knewe thee to be that same Lord Maister and King whome I ought to haue feared then found I my feare not quenched but mixed with loue beleeuing that thou art so gratious gentle and sweete and so pitifull an husband that I which should rather haue hid me than to haue shewed my selfe was not then in feare to go foorth and to looke for thee so seeking I found thee But what didst thou then Didst thou refuse me No Lord but rather hast excused me Hast thou turned thy face from me No for thine eie so sweetlie penetrated my hart that wounding it almost to the death it did giue to me remorse of my sinnes Thou hast not put me backe with thy hand but with both thine armes and with a sweet and manlie hart thou didst meete with me by the waie and not once reprouing my faults embracedst me I could not see in beholding thy countenance that euer thou didst once perceiue mine offences wherefore thou hast done so much for me as though I had neuer broken promise with thee For thou didst
doo so shalt thou practise with ease hauing a guide and amend with profit hauing a zeale It is easier to see these than to learne begin at the easiest to come to the harder see thou hir confession that thou maiest learne hir repentance practise hir perseuerance that thou maiest haue like amendment despise thy selfe in eschewing vice that thou maiest please God in asking grace let not shame hinder the confession which hindered not the offense Be thou sure if we knowledge our sinnes God is faithfull to forgiue vs and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnes Obeie the Prophets saieng Declare thy waies to the Lord. Thus far thou maist learne to knowe thy selfe next this be thou as diligent to releeue thy selfe in Gods mercie as thou hast beene to reueale thy selfe in thine owne repentance For God hath concluded all things vnder sinne bicause he would haue mercie vpon all who hath also borne our sinnes in his bodie vpon the tree that we should be deliuered from sinne and should liue vnto righteousnes by whose stripes we be healed Here is our anchor here is our shepheard here we be made whole here is our life our redemption our saluation and our blisse let vs therefore now feed by this gratious Queenes example be not ashamed to become in confession Publicanes since this noble Ladie will be no Pharisie And to all Ladies of estate I wish as earnest mind to followe our Queene in vertue as in honour that they might once appeare to prefer God before the world and be honourable in religion which now be honourable in vanities so shall they as in some vertuous Ladies of right high estate it is with great comfort seene taste of this freedome of remission of the euerlasting blisse which exceedeth all thoughts and vnderstandings and is prepared for the holie in spirit For the which let vs with our intercession in holines and purenes of life offer our selues to the heauenlie father an vndefiled host to whom be eternall praise and glorie throughout the earth without end Amen The Lamentation or Complaint of a sinner made by the most vertuous and right gratious Ladie Queene CATHERINE bewailing the ignorance of hir blind life led in superstition verie profitable to the amendment of our liues The first Chapter Of an humble confession of sinnes to the glorie of God WHEN I consider in the bethinking of mine euil and wretched former life mine obstinate stonie and vntractable heart to haue so much exceeded in euilnesse that it hath not onelie neglected yea contemned despised Gods holie precepts and commandements but also imbraced receiued and esteemed vaine foolish and feined trifles I am partlie by the hate I owe to sinne who hath reigned in me and partlie by the loue I owe to all Christians whom I am content to edifie euen with the example of mine owne shame forced and constrained with my hart and words to confesse and declare to the world how ingrate negligent vnkind and stubborne I haue beene to God my Creator and how beneficiall mercifull and gentle he hath been alwaies to me his creature being such a miserable and wretched sinner Trulie I haue taken no little small thing vpon me first to set foorth my whole stubbornesse and contempt in words the which is incomprehensible in thought as it is in the 12. Psalme Who vnderstandeth his faults Next this to declare the excellent beneficence mercie and goodnesse of God which is infinite and vnmeasurable Neither can all the words of Angels and men make relation thereof as apperteineth to his most high goodnesse Who is he that is not forced to confesse the same if he consider what he hath receiued of God doth dailie receiue Yea if men would not acknowledge and confesse the same the stones would crie it out Trulie I am constrained and forced to speake and write thereof to mine owne confusion and shame but to the glorie and praise of God For he as a louing father of most abundant and high goodnesse hath heaped vpon me innumerable benefits and I contrarie haue heaped manifold sinnes despising that which was good holie pleasant and acceptable in his sight and choosing that which was delicious pleasant and acceptable in my sight And no maruell it was that I so did For I would not learne to knowe the Lord and his waies but loued darknesse better than light yea darknesse seemed to me light I embraced ignorance as perfect knowledge and knowledge seemed to me superfluous and vaine I regarded little Gods word but gaue my selfe to vanities and shadowes of the world I forsooke him in whom is all truth and followed the vaine foolish imaginations of my hart I would haue couered my sinnes with the pretence of holinesse I called superstition godlie meaning and true holinesse errour The Lord did speake manie pleasant and sweet words vnto me and I would not heare he called me diuerslie but through frowardnesse I would not answere Mine euils and miseries be so manie and so great that they can accuse me euen to my face Oh how miserablie and wretchedlie am I confounded when for the multitude and greatnesse of my sinnes I am compelled to accuse my selfe Was it not a maruellous vnkindnesse when God did speake to me and also call me that I would not answere him What man so called would not haue heard Or what man hearing would not haue answered If an earthlie Prince had spoken either called I suppose there be none but would willinglie haue done both Now therefore what a wretch and caitife am I that when the Prince of princes the King of kings did speake manie pleasant and gentle words vnto me and also called me so manie and sundrie times that they can not be numbred and yet notwithstanding these great signes and tokens of loue I would not come vnto him but hid my selfe out of his sight seeking manie crooked and biwaies wherin I walked so long that I had cleane lost his sight And no maruell or woonder For I had a blind guide called Ignorance who dimmed so mine eies that I could neuer perfectlie get anie sight of the faire goodlie streight and right waies of his doctrine but continuallie trauelled vncomfortablie in foule wicked crooked and peruerse waies Yea and bicause they were so much haunted of manie I could not thinke but that I walked in the perfect and right waie hauing more regard to the number of the walkers than to the order of the walking beleeuing also most assuredly with companie to haue walked to heauen wheras I am most sure they would haue brought me down to hell I forsooke the spirituall honouring of the true liuing God and worshipped visible idols and images made of mens hands beleeuing by them to haue gotten heauen yea to saie the truth I made a great idole of my selfe For I loued my selfe better than God And certainlie looke how manie things are loued or preferred in our harts before God so manie are taken and esteemed for idols and false
of the physician Behold Lord how I come to thee a sinner sicke and grieuouslie wounded I aske not bread but the crums that fall from the childrens table Cast me not out of thy sight although I haue deserued to be cast into hell fire If I should looke vpon my sinne and not vpon thy mercie I should despaire For in my selfe I find nothing to saue me but a dunghill of wickednesse to condemne me If I should hope by mine owne strength and power to come out of this maze of iniquitie and wickednesse wherein I haue walked so long I should be deceiued For I am so ignorant blind weake and feeble that I can not bring my selfe out of this intangled and wayward maze but the more I seeke means waies to winde my selfe out the more I am wrapped and tangled therein So that I perceiue my striuing therein to be hinderance my trauell to be labour spent in going backe It is the hand of the Lord that can and will bring me out of the endlesse maze of death For without I be preuented by the grace of the Lord I can not aske forgiuenesse nor be repentant or sorie for them There is no man can auow that Christ is the onlie Sauiour of the world but by the holie Ghost yea as S. Paule saith no man can saie The Lord Iesus but by the holie Ghost The spirit helpeth our infirmitie and maketh continuall intercession for vs with such sorowfull gronings as can not be expressed Therefore I will first require and praie the Lord to giue me his holie spirit to teach me to auow that Christ is the Sauiour of the world and to vtter these words The Lord Iesus and finallie to helpe mine infirmities and to intercede or intreate for me For I am most certaine and sure that no creature in heauen nor earth is of power or can by anie meane helpe me but God who is omnipotent almightie beneficiall and mercifull welwilling and louing to all those that call and put their whole confidence and trust in him And therefore I will seeke none other meanes nor aduocate but Christes holie spirit who is onlie the aduocate and mediatour betweene GOD and man to helpe and releeue mee The third Chapter VVhat true faith worketh in the soule of a sinner BUt now what maketh me so bold and hardie to presume to come to the Lord with such audacitie and boldnesse being so great a sinner Trulie nothing but his owne word For he saith Come to me all ye that labour and are burdened and I shall refresh you What gentle mercifull and comfortable words are these to all sinners Were he not a frantike madde beastlie and foolish man that would runne for aide helpe or refuge to anie other creature What a most gratious comfortable and gentle saieng was this with such pleasant and sweete words to allure his verie enimies to come vnto him Is there anie worldlie Prince or Magistrate that would shew such clemencie and mercie to their disobedient rebellious subiects hauing offended them I suppose they would not with such words allure them except it were to call them whome they cannot take and punish them being taken But euen as Christ is Prince of princes and Lord of lords so his charitie and mercie exceedeth and surmounteth all others Christ saith If carnall fathers do giue good gifts to their children when they aske them how much more shall your heauenlie father being in substance all holie and most highlie good giue good gifts to all them that aske him It is no small nor little gift that I now require neither thinke I my selfe worthie to receiue such a noble gift being so ingrate vnkind and wicked a child But when I behold the benignitie liberalitie mercie and goodnesse of the Lord I am encouraged boldened and stirred to aske such a noble gift The Lord is so bountifull and liberall that he will not haue vs satisfied and contented with one gift neither to aske simple and small gifts and therefore he promiseth and bindeth himselfe by his word to giue good and beneficiall gifts to all them that aske him with true faith without which nothing can be done acceptable or pleasing to God For faith is the foundation ground of all other gifts vertues and graces and therefore I will praie and saie Lord increase my faith For this is the life euerlasting Lord that I must beleeue thee to be the true God and whom thou didst send Iesus Christ By this faith I am assured and by this assurance I feele the remission of my sins This is it that maketh me bold this is it that comforteth me this is it that quencheth all despaire I knowe O my Lord thine eies looke vpon my faith S. Paule saith We be iustified by faith in Christ and not by the deeds of the lawe For if righteousnes come by the lawe then Christ died in vaine S. Paule meaneth not here a dead humane and historicall faith gotten by humane industrie but a supernall and liuelie faith which worketh by charitie as he himselfe plainlie expresseth This dignitie of faith is no derogation to good works For out of this faith spring all good works yet we may not impute to the woorthinesse of faith or works our iustification before God but ascribe and giue the woorthinesse of it wholie to the merits of Christs passion and refer and attribute the knowledge and perceiuing thereof onlie to faith whose verie true and onlie propertie it is to take apprehend and hold fast the promises of Gods mercie the which maketh vs righteous and to cause me continuallie to hope for the same mercie and in loue to worke all maner of waies allowed in the Scripture that I may be thankfull for the same Thus I feele my selfe to come as it were in a new garment before God and now by his mercie to be taken iust and righteous which of late without his mercie was sinfull and wicked and by faith to obteine his mercie the which the vnfaithfull can not enioie And although S. Iohn extolleth charitie in his Epistle saieng that God is charitie and he that dwelleth in charitie dwelleth in God Truelie charitie maketh men liue like Angels and of the most furious vnbrideled and carnall men maketh meeke lambes Yea with how feruent a spirit ought I to call crie and praie to the Lord to make his great charitie to burne and flame my hart being stonie and euill affected that it neuer would conceiue nor regard the great inestimable charitie and loue of God in sending his onlie begotten and deere beloued sonne into this vale of miserie to suffer the most cruell and sharpe death of the crosse for my redemption Yea I neuer had this vnspeakeable and most high charitie and abundant loue of God printed and fixed in my hart duelie till it pleased God of his meere grace mercie and pittie to open mine eies making me to see and behold with the eie of liuelie faith Christ crucified to be mine
shall be depriued Then this Crucifixe is the booke wherein God hath included all things and hath most compendiouslie written therein all truth profitable and necessarie for our saluation Therefore let vs endeuour our selues to studie this booke that we being lightened with the spirit of God may giue him thanks for so great a benefit The fift Chapter Of the glorious victories of Christ ouer all enimies IF we looke further in this booke we shall see Christs great victorie vpon the crosse which was so noble and mightie that there neuer was neither shall be such If the victorie and glorie of worldlie Princes were great because they did ouercome great hostes of men how much was Christes greater which vanquished not onelie the Prince of this world but all the enimies of God triumphing ouer persecution iniuries villanies slanders yea death the world sinne and the diuell and brought to confusion all carnall prudence The Princes of the world neuer did fight without the strength of the world Christ contrarilie went to warre euen against all the strength of the world He fought as Dauid did with Golias vnarmed of all humane wisdome and policie and without all worldlie power and strength Neuerthelesse he was fullie replenished and armed with the whole armour of the spirit And in this one battell he ouercame for euer all his enimies There was neuer so glorious a spoile neither a more rich and noble than Christ was vpon the Crosse which deliuered all his elect from such a sharpe and miserable captiuitie He had in his battell manie stripes yea and lost his life but his victorie was so much the greater Therfore when I looke vpon the sonne of God with a supernaturall faith and light so vnarmed naked giuen vp and alone with humilitie patience liberalitie modestie gentlenesse and with all other his diuine vertues beating downe to the ground all Gods enimies and making the soule of man so faire and beautifull I am forced to saie that his victorie and triumph was maruellous And therefore Christ well deserued to haue this noble title IESVS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE IEWES But if we will particularlie vnfold and see his great victories let vs first behold how he ouercame sinne with his innocencie confounded pride with his humilitie quenched all worldlie loue with his charitie appeased the wrath of his father with his meekenesse and turned hatred into loue with his so manie benefits and godlie zeale Christ hath not onlie ouercome sinne but rather he hath killed the same in asmuch as he hath satisfied for it himselfe with the most holie sacrifice and oblation of his pretious bodie in suffering most bitter and cruell death Also after another sort that is he giueth all those that loue him so much spirit grace vertue and strength that they may resist impugne and ouercome sinne and not consent neither suffer it to reigne in them He hath also vanquished sinne because he hath taken awaie the force of the same that is he hath cancelled the lawe which was in euill men the occasion of sinne Therefore sinne hath no power against them that are with the holie Ghost vnited to Christ in them there is nothing worthie of damnation And although the dregs of Adam do remaine that is our concupiscences which in deede be sinnes neuerthelesse they be not imputed for sinnes if we be trulie planted in Christ It is true that Christ might haue taken awaie all our immoderate affections but hee hath left them for the great glorie of his father and for his owne greater triumph As for example When a Prince fighteth with his enimies which sometime had the souereigntie ouer his people and subduing them may kill them if he will yet he preserueth and saueth them and whereas they were Lords ouer his people he maketh them after to serue whome they before had ruled Now in such a case the Prince doth shew himselfe a greater conquerour in that he hath made them which were rulers to obeie and the subiects to be Lords ouer them to whome they serued than if he had vtterlie destroied them vpon the conquest For now he leaueth continuall victorie to them whome he redeemed whereas otherwise the occasion of victorie was taken awaie where none were left to be the subiects Euen so in like case Christ hath left in vs these concupiscences to the intent they should serue vs to the exercise of our vertues where first they did reigne ouer vs to the exercise of our sinne And it may be plainelie seene that whereas first they were such impediments to vs that we could not moue our selues towards God now by Christ we haue so much strength that notwithstanding the force of them we may assuredlie walke to heauen And although the children of God sometime do fall by fariltie into some sinne yet that falling maketh them to humble themselues and to reknowledge the goodnesse of God and to come to him for refuge and helpe Likewise Christ by his death hath ouercome the Prince of diuels with all his hoast and hath destroied them all For as Paule saith it is verified that Christ should breake the Serpents head prophesied by God And although the diuell tempt vs yet if by faith we be planted in Christ we shall not perish but rather by his temptation take great force and might So it is euident that the triumph victorie and glorie of Christ is the greater hauing in such sort subdued the diuell that whereas he was Prince and Lord of the world holding all creatures in captiuitie now Christ vseth him as an instrument to punish the wicked and to exercise and make strong the elect of God in Christian warfare Christ likewise hath ouercome death in a more glorious manner if it be possible because he hath not taken it awaie but leauing vniuersallie all subiect to the same He hath giuen so much vertue and spirit that whereas afore we passed thereto with great feare now we be bold through the spirit for the sure hope of the resurrection that we receiue it with ioie It is now no more bitter but sweete no more feared but desired it is no death but life And also it hath pleased God that the infirmities and aduersities do remaine to the sight of the world but the children of God are by Christ made so strong righteous whole and sound that the troubles of the world be comforts of the spirit the passions of the flesh are medicines of the soule For all maner things worke to their commoditie and profite For they in spirit feele that God their father doth gouerne them and disposeth all things for their benefit therefore they feele themselues sure In persecution they are quiet and peacefull in trouble they are without weerinesse feares anxieties suspicions miseries and finallie all the good and euill of the world worketh to their commoditie Moreouer they see that the triumph of Christ hath beene so great that not onelie he hath subdued and vanquished all our enimies and the power
counted as sheepe appointed to bee slaine neuerthelesse in all these things wee ouercome through him that loueth vs. For I am sure that neither death nor life neither Angels nor rule neither power neither things present neither things to come neither quantitie or qualitie neither anie creature shall bee able to depart vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. They are not by this godlie faith presumptuouslie inflamed nor by the same become they loose idle or slowe in dooing of godlie works as carnall men dreme of them so much the more feruent they be in dooing most holie and pure works which God hath commanded them to walke in They wander not in mens traditions and inuentions leauing the most holie and pure precepts of God vndone which they knowe they be bound to obserue and keepe Also they worke not like hirelings for meede wages or reward but as louing children without respect of lucre gaine or hire They be in such libertie of spirit and ioie so much in God that their inward consolation can not be expressed with tongue All feare of damnation is gone from them for they haue put their whole hope of saluation in his hands which will and can performe it neither haue they anie post or piller to leane to but God and his smooth and vnwrinkled Church For he is to them all in all things and to him they leane as a most sure square piller in prosperitie and aduersitie nothing doubting of his promises and couenants For they beleeue most surelie they shall be fulfilled Also the children of God be not curious in searching the high mysteries of God which be not meet for them to knowe neither doo go about with humane and carnall reasons to interpret Scripture persuading men by their subtile wits and carnall doctrine that much knowledge of Scripture maketh men heretikes without they temper it with humane doctrine Sophistrie Philosophie and Logicke wherewith to bee seduced according to the traditions of men after the ordinances of the world and not after Christ S. Paul doth most diligentlie admonish vs which arts are not conuenient meet to be made checkmate with Scripture For the Scriptures be so pure and holie that no perfection can be added vnto them For euen as fine gold doth excell all other mettals so doth the word of God all mens doctrines I beseech the Lord to send the learned and vnlearned such abundance of his holie spirit that they may obeie and obserue the most sincere and holie word of God and shew the fruits thereof which consisteth chieflie in charitie and godlie vnitie that as we haue professed one God one faith and one baptisme so we may be all of one mind and one accord putting awaie all biting and gnawing For in backbiting slandering and mis-reporting our Christian brethren we shew not our selues the Disciples of Christ whom we professe In him was most high charitie humilitie and patience suffering most patientlie all ignominie rebukes and slanders praieng to his eternall father for his enimies with most perfect charitie and in all things did remit his will to his fathers as the Scripture doth witnesse when he praied in the Mount A godlie example and lesson for vs to followe at all times and seasons as well in prosperitie as in aduersitie to haue no will but Gods will committing and leauing to him all our cares and greefes and to abandon all our policies and inuentions For they be most vaine and foolish and indeed verie shadowes and dreames But we be yet so carnall and fleshlie that we run headlong like vnbrideled colts without snaffle or bridle If we had the loue of God printed in our harts it would keepe vs backe from running astraie And vntill such time as it please God to send vs this bit to hold vs in we shall neuer run the right waie although wee speake and talke neuer so much of God and his word The true followers of Christs doctrine haue alwaies a respect and an eie to their vocation If they be called to the ministerie of Gods word they preach and teach it sincerelie to the edifieng of others and shew themselues in their liuing followers of the same If they be maried men hauing children and familie they nourish and bring them vp without all bitternesse and fiercenesse in the doctrine of the Lord in all godlinesse and vertue committing the instruction of others which apperteine not to their charge to the reformation of God and his ministers which chieflie be Kings and Princes bearing the sword euen for that purpose to punish euill dooers If they be children they honour their father and mother knowing it to be Gods commandement and that he hath thereto annexed a promise of long life If they be seruants they obeie and serue their maisters with all feare and reuerence euen for the Lords sake neither with murmuring nor grudging but with a free hart and mind If they be husbands they loue their wiues as their owne bodies after the example as Christ loued the congregation and gaue himselfe for it to make it to him a spouse without spot or wrinkle If they be women maried they learne of S. Paule to be obedient to their husbands and to keepe silence in the congregation and to learne of their husbands at home Also they weare such apparell as becommeth holinesse comlie vsage with sobernesse not being accusers or detractors not giuen to much eating of delicate meats and drinking of wine but they teach honest things to make the yong women sober minded to loue their husbands to loue their children to be discreet chaste houswifelie good and obedient vnto their husbands that the word of God be not euill spoken of Uerelie if all sorts of people would looke to their owne vocation and ordeine the same according to Christs doctrine we should not haue so many eies and eares to other mens faults as we haue For we be so busie and glad to find and espie out other mens dooings that we forget and can haue no time to weigh ponder our owne which after the word of God we ought first to reforme and then we shall the better helpe an other with the straw out of his eies But alas we be so much giuen to loue and to flatter our selues and so blinded with carnall affections that we can see and perceiue no fault in our selues And therfore it is a thing verie requisite and necessarie for vs to praie all with one hart and mind to God to giue vs an heauenlie light and knowledge of our owne miseries and calamities that we may see them and acknowledge them trulie before him The twelfe Chapter The conclusion with a Christian exhortation to the amendement of life IF anie man shall be offended at this my lamenting the faults of men which be in the world fantasing with themselues that I doo it either of hatred or of malice to anie sort or kind of people verelie in so dooing they shall doo me
it is thy good will and gratious pleasure to regard the humble and lowlie man giue me such meekenesse from aboue that I may continuallie present thee with the sacrifice of a gentle meeke and contrite spirit that I may auoide the plagues and punishments which thou hast prepared for the proud and haughtie minded Graunt this good Lord for Iesus Christ his sake mine onlie mediator aduocate who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost in glorie permanent euerlasting Amen A praier against couetousnesse or too much care of the world GOod Lord seeing that it is thy pleasure that we shall not be carefull for worldlie things if a sparowe falleth not on the ground without thy fore-sight how much more care doest thou take for vs thy children Good Lord thou feedest the birds of the aire and cloathest the lillies of the feeld which take no care Wherefore good Lord so prouide for our necessitie and sicknesse we beseech thee that we casting all our care vpon thee may cheeflie studie to please thee and serue thee which liuest and reignest king of all kings for euer Amen A praier against lieng and euill imaginations O Lord cleanse my hart I beseech thee from all vnpure wicked cogitations and thoughts and giue me a cleere conscience shamefast eies innocent hands and a tongue to tell the truth seeing that there is nothing hid that shall not be discouered Good Lord I beseech thee to search my thoughts and renew in me thy holie spirit Direct my feete in thy waies that walking after thee in the path of the righteous I may passe through this vale of miserie bearing thy banner stoutelie in my warfare and obtaine euerlasting ioie the promised hire to such as here haue patientlie borne thy crosse and valiantlie fought with the armour of faith against temptations and all euils Vouchsafe O Lord to graunt my petitions I most humblie beseech thee for thy onlie begotten sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake Amen A necessarie praier in Meeter against vices O Lord my God make thou my hart repentant for to be The spirit of contrition do thou ingraffe in me Unto mine eies let there be giuen aboundant teares of wéeping And let my hands be occupied with often almes giuing O thou my King quench out of me all foule fleshlie desire And with the loue of thée alone set thou my hart on fire O my redéemer driue awaie the spirit of pride from me And graunt to me that great treasure of méeke humilitie Take from me O my Sauiour the furious rage of ire The shield of patience giue to me the which I do desire O Creator roote out of me all spitefulnesse of mind And graunt in stead thereof againe méekenes that I may find O bountifull father giue me a faith that shall endure With hope agréeing therevnto and charitie most sure O thou my guide kéepe from my lips all lieng vanitie And from my mind driue far awaie all vaine vnconstancie All wauering take thou from my hart from my mouth scoffing With all proud lookes and gluttonie backbiting slandering Couetousnes wipe cleane awaie with curiositie The fond desire of vaine-glorie with all hypocrisie Let me neuer the poore despise nor yet the weake oppresse And let me not blaspheme for then I die remedilesse O thou which didst me forme make take all rashnesse from mée And leaue me not such a mind as will not with peace agrée Take from me ydlenesse and sloth and heauie lumpishnesse Take from me disobedience and eke all stubbornesse O my God for thy déere sonnes sake I humblie beséech thée To graunt me the works of mercie with aboundance of pitie That I may thée both loue and feare and eke pitie the poore Make me good men alwaies to loue and wicked to abhor Make me so little to estéeme those things that worldlie bée With hart voice that I may craue in heauen to be with thée Amen A thankesgiuing for benefits receiued at Gods hand O Most mercifull Father I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy great benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner of thy free mercie onlie Thou hast of thy fatherlie loue brought me vp tenderlie and instructed me in thy holie lawe Thou hast giuen me knowledge and vnderstanding Thou hast preserued me from manie dangers and euils which diuers men haue felt Thou hast blessed me with health quietnesse ioie plentie and wealth which a number doo want Thou hast taken care of me and done all things for me Lord though I can deserue nothing but punishment by thy iust displeasure yet good Lord I trust to thy goodnesse crauing mercie and not iustice And for thy mercie sake I beseech thee to continue thy grace and to increase thy good gifts towards me and haue me in thy protection till my liues end Good Lord blesse me that I may enioie the fruits of the earth and vse them to thy honour and glorie Good Lord be thou mine aid and guide in all my dooings my buckler and defence in all dangers that I may freelie and ioifullie sing praises to thee which liuest and reignest one God almightie and incomprehensible worlds without end Amen Another thankesgiuing for the goodnesse of God to vs. O Almightie God and euer-ruling King whose infinite power and maiestie our wits can not comprehend whose glorious brightnesse with our mortall eies we can not behold whose woonderous works and manifold mercies the tongs of men can not sufficientlie declare Good Lord I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy singular great gifts and benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner Good Lord thou hast blessed me with knowledge with increase and plentie of all things thou hast giuen mee friends health and rest that I should eate my meate with ioie and praise thee in all thy gifts and works I knowe that I haue no good thing but it commeth from thee and oulie for thy mercies sake thou hast so regarded me thy seruant Wherefore good Lord I beseech thee to graunt me thy grace withall that I may vse these thy gifts to thy honour and glorie and the comfort of them that neede that vsing the talent which thou hast lent me I may become a good seruant and obtaine eternall blisse the promised hire to such as doo well Uouchsafe good Lord for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to heare my praiers Almightie God refresh me with thy grace I beseech thee comfort me with thy mercie and blesse me that safe from all euils free from feare of all dangers in peace and quietnesse I may sing praises to thy holie name and reioice in thee with thine elected for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said in time of quietnesse and prosperitie GIue vs good Lord the comfortable healthfull spirit of thy grace and aboundant fauour that we may without ceasing make our continuall boast of thy praise We know and from the bottome of our harts confesse that thou hast dealt more louinglie with vs
than thou hast done with our next neighbours whose painefull miseries and bloudie broiles may be a sufficient warning vnto vs to hate our sin and iniquitie least the like calamitie or euer we be aware do compasse and hedge vs round about Giue vs grace therefore in time of peace and happie prosperitie so to walke that thy fatherlie blessings be not withdrawne nor taken from vs and the rod of thy sharpe correction laid vpon our neckes euen in such sort as thou hast visited our brethren in other countries whose bodies by the meanes of ciuill dissention haue beene made a praie to the sword We heare and vnderstand that not far off but euen hard at the gates of our borders the father is readie in armes to seeke the destruction of his sonne the sonne is as greedie to gape for the bloud of his father We heare how violentlie the brother thirsteth after the bloud of his brother friend is against friend neighbour against neighbour yong men are murthered old men are suddenlie slaine manie a wife is husbandlesse manie a child is desolate and fatherlesse The cruell harted enimie spareth none he maketh hauocke no teares can staie him from his affectioned tyrannie The tender infants are haled from the earnefull paps of their weeping mothers and torne to peece-meale before the sorowfull eies of their carefull parents Old age is contemned godlie matrones are abused virgins are defloured and rauished by violence a spectacle of extreame crueltie for vs to behold and a glasse of great carefulnesse for vs to looke vpon that haue worthilie deserued like or far greater punishments Yet with-holdest thou from vs thy scourge although our offences are so great and diuers that might heape vp the sentence of thine exceeding iustice against vs. In place of war and bloudie battell thou hast giuen vnto vs prosperitie and perfect peace In place of penurie dearth and scarsitie thou hast giuen vs increase fulnesse and great plentie In stead of discord and dissention thou hast sent vs vnitie and concord and by thy celestiall prouidence we are defended from the cruell enimie and from the domesticall and ciuill war And besides these thy gratious gifts to heape vp our consolation and ioie thou hast giuen vs thy true and liuelie word as a lanterne to direct vs and guide our footesteps from vanitie to vertue from wickednes to godlie wisdome from licentious libertie to newnesse of life and godlie conuersation Besides all these thine inestimable graces freelie bestowed vpon vs thou hast giuen vs godlie and zealous Preachers which plentiouslie breake vnto vs out of thine eternall testament the bread of life whereon good Lord giue our soules such power to feede by faith that they may be nourished to eternall ioie and we by the diligent obseruing and obeieng of thy commandements may be preserued from all kind of dissention and peaceablie enioie the fruits of pure peace trustie tranquillitie Grant this O mercifull Father for thy son Christs sake our onelie Sauiour and Redeemer Christ Iesus Amen A godlie and fruitfull praier to be said in time of bloudie battell O Lord our heauenlie Father and euerliuing God we 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 and 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 sharpelie kindled against vs euen as it hath beene against thy chosen people Israel in the daies of our forefathers who glorieng in their wickednesse were plagued in the fulnesse of thine indignation The sword of their enimies beset them round about and hemmed them in on euerie side The Iebusites the Ammonites the Philistines and the Amorites oppressed them diuerselie their strong holds were rased their cities were besieged their houses were ransacked their goods and their riches were caried awaie by force of the bloud-thirstie enimie their yoong men were led awaie captiue their virgins were wofullie defloured But in fine when thou Lord God didst behold their hartie and earnest contrition thou didst withdrawe thy frowning countenance sentest them speedie and safe deliuerance One while thou Lord sentest them Moses to bring them out of the seruitude of Pharao the stonie and stubborne-harted king of the Aegyptians another while Iephthah set them free from the sword of the Ammonites wherewith they were greeuouslie afflicted and to make thy power and excellent glorie fullie knowne thou gauest Samson much fortitude to bridle the proud Philistines Ouer besides these thou of thy loue and miraculous goodnes hast made feeble women mightie and victorious conquerors Debora was a shield to thy people Iudith comforted the distressed Bethulians cut off the head of proud Holophernes that thy selfe good Lord when thou beholdedst their teares and hartie sorowe for their offences didst prepare thy selfe to go foorth with their hoasts Thou thy selfe I saie with the breath of thy nostrils didst confound and ouerthrowe their enimies So good Lord be thou now present with vs in the fulnesse of thy diuine power looke vpon vs with the eies of thy fauourable pitie Forget our corrupt and most filthie offences let our contrite and sorowfull harts be a meane to vanquish thy displeasure conceiued against vs be thou present with vs in this time of necessitie and trouble set thy hand to helpe and assist vs against the enimie be thou present with vs in this time of perill and danger go thou foorth with our hosts then shall we be assured to preuaile let not the multitude of furious foes dismaie vs. For victorie we doo knowe consisteth not in the power nor strength of manie men horses armour nor weapons but it is thou O mercifull Father that giuest the conquest where and to whom thou pleasest To thee therefore in this great extremitie we flie and appeale beseeching thee of thine inestimable loue and kindnesse for the loue of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to looke vpon our true repentant harts and in the fulnesse of thy miserations and pities to set vs free from the power of the raging enimie and to pardon our sinnes and greeuous offences that hencefoorth we may vow and dedicate our harts and minds wholie to walke in integritie and newnesse of life which grant good Lord to whom with thy sonne Christ Iesus and the holie Ghost be praise and glorie attributed for euer and euer world without end Amen A godlie praier to be said in time of anie common plague priuate affliction or trouble OEternall and euerliuing God the Father of all consolation comfort vouchsafe of thine infinite loue and kindnesse to strengthen mee with thy heauenlie grace patiently to beare and with meekenesse to suffer this crosse of affliction and trouble which thou hast laid vpon me for the vse of sinne and iniquitie I knowe O gratious and louing Father that my deserts are such as woorthilie haue prouoked thee
prosperitie at the Lords hand and not to be content with aduersitie And alwaie to thinke vpon this Happie are they whome thou doest punish For though thou make a wound thou also giuest a plaister though thou smitest thy hand maketh whole againe Mine iniquitie is great but be thou merciful vnto my wickednes O deliuer me from thine anger and presse me not further than I shall be able to beare But now that I acknowledge that whatsoeuer trouble thou hast sent me or wilt laie vpon me is either for the punishment of mine iniquitie or for the triall of my constancie I may with repentant Dauid find remission of my sins and with patient Iob release of mine aduersitie and obtaine such fauour in thy sight that thou neuer againe so greeuouslie punish me but that I may so passe this life that I may afterward liue with thee to whome be honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another praier in trouble and aduersitie HAue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me most miserable creature which doo that which I ought not feare that which I haue most iustlie deserued If I weigh with my selfe the wickednesse that I haue done the punishment thereby deserued is not halfe so great as the sinne that I haue committed But thou art a mercifull God and thy iudgements are right neither dooest thou at anie time punish vs vniustly Thou almightie God madest vs when as we were not and when as we were lost and damned thou didst miraculouslie restore vs. I knowe and I am sure that our life is not led by sudden and vncertaine motions but is disposed and directed by thee thou hast a fatherlie care of vs all but especiallie of such as doo put their whole trust and confidence in thy mercie Therefore I humblie praie and beseech thee that thou wouldest not deale with me after my deseruings but according to thy great mercie which doth exceede the sinnes of the whole world And as often as thou dooest punish me outwardlie giue me grace inwardlie with patience to beare the same and that thy praise neuer depart out of my mouth Order my dooings euen as shall be most necessarie both for my bodie and soule Thou onlie hast power ouer all things thou knowest all things to thee be all honour for euer Amen Another praier in trouble for the obteining of mercie BEhold out from the bottome of my hart doo I crie vnto thee O Lord beseeching thee that thou wouldest saue me from the bottomlesse pit of hell I knowe that there is mercie with thee doo not therefore marke what I haue done amisse Enter not into iudgment with thy seruant for then can I by no meanes be iustified in thy sight The remembrance of mine offences is greeuous vnto mee and therefore I right humblie craue pardon thereof My hart is troubled my soule is vexed there is no health in my flesh Forsake me not mine onlie staie and comfort despise not my contrite hart open the bosome of thy mercie take cleane awaie mine iniquitie bring my soule out of tribulation turne the extremitie of thy iustice into thy tender mercie And when thou shalt come to iudge the quicke and the dead be not reuenged on me by eternall damnation but to take mee amongst thine elect into the blessed state of saluation Grant this O Father for Christ his sake our mediator and aduocate Amen Another O Lord my God although I haue committed that whereby I am an offender can I make my selfe not to bee thy creature Though through sinne I haue lost my cleannesse and puritie haue I also taken awaie thy goodnesse and mercie Though I haue committed that wherefore thou maiest condemne me hast thou not done that whereby thou maiest saue me True it is O Lord that my conscience doth shew me that I haue deserued damnation but thy mercie exceedeth all offension Spare me O God bicause it is not vnpossible for thy power it is not vnmeete for thy mercie it is not vnaccustomed or yet contrarie to thine infinite goodnesse Wherefore thou which hast created me doo not destroie me Thou O Iesu which hast redeemed me doo not condemne me Thou which hast made mee let not thy worke be cast awaie by my wickednesse Wipe awaie all that is mine and draweth me from thee and knowledge all that is thine in me and may bring mee vnto thee which liuest and reignest one God in persons three to whom be all honour now and euer Amen Another praier wherin the penitent longeth for comfort HOw long O Lord wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me How long wilt thou bee angrie with thy seruant How long shall I abide mourning and solitarie as the bird that hath lost hir yoong O Lord thinke on me in thy mercies and doo not correct me in thy wrath for then shall I become as the dust and smoke in the wind O Lord forsake not thy seruant Israel whom thou hast chosen My hart being comforted in thy mercies shall reioice and I will sing vnto thee and praise thee in thy good works and miracles which thou hast done in our fathers time So be it Being tempted by the ghostlie enimie as all that feare God are to doubt in anie article of the Catholike faith to despaire in Gods mercie to yeeld to melancholie fansies to be vexed with vnkindnes of friends or the malice of enimies to be troubled with sicknesse or anie other waies oppressed with griefe of bodie and mind saie deuoutlie as followeth I Humblie accept most mercifull Iesus this heauie temptation which now I suffer at the hands of thy diuine prouidence and would a greater if thou please to laie it on me for thy sake who hast ordeined this from the beginning for the tender loue thou bearest to the health of my sinfull soule and I most hartilie thanke thee for it I confesse I haue deserued woorse for my sinne and vnkindnesse towards thee and am not woorthie to receiue anie comfort or consolation at thy hands Therfore to the honour of the passion and death which thou willinglie sufferedst on the crosse I offer my selfe to sustaine this or anie other aduersitie with all my hart not seeking otherwise ease or reliefe than in and by thee O Lord and as thy good will and pleasure shall appoint Yet this one thing I craue and beseech thee for the tender loue thou bearest to me and all mankind for in me is no vertue or ought that good is to helpe and assist me with thy holie spirit as my trust is thou wilt who promisest that no man shall be tempted more than he shall be able to beare And giue me all what euer shall be necessarie to sustaine with patience this crosse and temptation which thy diuine wisdome hath appointed for me to the intent that I bearing the same willinglie with thee here in this world may conceiue assured hope to be partaker of thy glorie in the world to come Grant this my request most mercifull
and to obey thy good will to the end that by this means all our works may be to the praise of thy name and to the edifieng of our neighbours And as it hath pleased thee to cause thy Sunne to shine vpon the earth to lighten vs corporallie vouchsafe also by the cleerenesse of thy spirit to illuminate our vnderstandings and our hearts to direct vs vnto the streight waie of righteousnesse Euen so to what thing soeuer we may applie our selues let our chiefe end purpose be alwaies to walke in thy feare to serue and honour thee looking for all our wealth and prosperitie from out of thy holie blessing to the end we enterprise nothing which shall not be agreeable vnto thee Moreouer let vs so trauell for our bodie and for the life present that we alwaie haue a further regard namelie to the life of heauen which thou hast promised vnto thy children Neuerthelesse let it please thee to be our protector both touching the bodie and touching the soule strengthening vs against all temptations of the diuell and deliuering vs from all the dangers that may come vnto vs. And because there is nothing well begun which doth not continue vouchsafe to receiue vs into thy holie gouernance not onlie for this present daie but for our whole life continuing and increasing dailie thy grace in vs till thou hast brought vs vnto the full coniunction of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who is the true Sun-light of our soules shining daie and night without end perpetuallie And to the intent that we may obteine these graces of thee O vouchsafe to forget all our faults past pardoning vs them through thine infinite mercie as thou hast promised vnto all them that seeke thee with a good heart Heare vs O father of mercie for thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake So be it Out of the 143 Psalme 8 Let vs heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning for in thee is our trust O shew vs the waie that we should walke in for we haue lift vp our hart vnto thee 9 Deliuer vs O Lord from our enimies for we haue cried vnto thee 10 Teach vs to doo thy will for thou art our God A praier to saie before one begin his worke THE Lord God and Father vouchsafe to assist vs through his holie spirit and by him to gouerne and guide vs in such sort as all that we shall doo saie or thinke may be to his glorie in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it Another praier to the same purpose O Our God Father and Sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to command vs to trauell for the sustentation of our necessitie vouchsafe through thy grace so to blesse our labour that thy blessing may extend vnto vs without the which also we are not able to continue And let such fauour of thine serue vs for a testimonie of thy bountifulnesse and assistance and that we by the same may knowe the fatherlie care which thou hast for vs. Moreouer let it please thee O Lord to assist vs by thy holie spirit to the end that we may be faithfullie exercised in our estate and vocation without anie guile or deceit but that we rather regard to followe thine ordinance than to satisfie our owne desire of gaine And if it please thee to prosper our labor giue vs also a willing mind to succour those that are in necessitie according to the abilitie which thou hast granted vs so yet that we mind not to lift vp our selues aboue those which haue not receiued of thee such liberalitie And when thou wilt handle vs with greater pouertie and necessitie than our flesh shall desire let it please thee O Lord to shew vs this grace euen to knowe that thou through thy bountifulnes wilt continuallie nourish vs least we be tempted with mistrust but that we patientlie abide vntill thou replenish vs not onelie with thy corporall gifts but also with thy spirituall graces that we may still haue more ample matter and occasion to thanke thee sincerelie to staie our selues vpon thine onlie goodnesse Heare vs O Father of all mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it A praier to saie afore one begin to studie his lesson Out of the 119 Psalme verses 9 18 34. WHerewithall shall a yoong man redresse his waie Euen in taking heede therevnto according to thy word Open thou mine eies that I may see the maruellous works of thy lawe O giue me vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy lawe yea I shall keepe it with my whole hart O Lord which art the fountaine of all wisdome and knowledge seeing it hath pleased thee to giue mee the meanes to be instructed in the age of mine infancie to make mee knowe how to gouerne the whole course of my life holilie and honestlie vouchsafe also to illuminate mine vnderstanding which of it selfe is blind that it may comprehend the learning which shall be taught me O vouchsafe to confirme my memorie for to keepe it well O let it be thy pleasure to dispose my hart to receiue it willinglie and with such a desire as is conuenient that through mine ingratitude the occasion that thou offerest me be not lost For to doo this vouchsafe to powre vpon me thy holie spirit the spirit I saie of all vnderstanding veritie iudgment prudence and learning which may make me able to profit well to the end that the trauell which shall be taken to teach me be not lost And to what studie soeuer I applie my selfe make me to reduce it vnto the true end namelie to knowe thee in our Lord Iesus Christ to haue full affiance of saluation and life in thy grace and to serue thee vprightlie purelie according to thy good pleasure so as all that I shall learne may be as an instrument to aid me vnto the same And seeing thou promisest to giue wisdome vnto babes and to the humble and to confound the proud in the vanitie of their owne minds likewise to shew thy selfe vnto those that are of a right hart and contrarilie to blind the wicked peruerse vouchsafe to bring me vnto true humilitie whereby I may yeeld my selfe apt to learne and obedient first vnto thee secondlie to my superiours whom thou hast ordeined to rule and to teach me Furthermore vouchsafe to dispose my hart to seeke thee without feinednesse renouncing all carnall and euil affections and that in such sort I may prepare my selfe now to serue thee once in that estate vocation to the which it shall please thee to ordeine me when I shall come to age Heare me O Father of mercie through our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Psalme 25. verse 13. THe Lord sheweth his secrets vnto them that feare him and maketh them to knowe his couenant A praier or grace to saie afore meate ALl things wait vpon thee O Lord and thou giuest them meate in due season when thou giuest it them they gather it and
would be seene of men verelie I saie vnto you they haue their reward But when thou praiest enter into thy Chamber and when thou hast shut the dore praie thou to thy father which is in secret and thy father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openlie And when thou praiest babble not much as the heathen do for they thinke that they shall be heard for their much babbling sake Be yee not like them therefore for your father knoweth whereof yee haue neede before yee aske of him After this maner therfore praie yee Our father which art in heauen halowed be thy name c. Matth. 6. Watch and praie for you knowe neither the daie nor yet the houre when the sonne of man commeth in his glorie all the holie Angels with him Then shall he sit vpon the seate of his glorie and before him shall be gathered all nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepheard diuideth the sheepe from the goates and then he shall set the sheepe on his right hand and the goates on the left Then shall the King saie to them on his right hand Come yee blessed children of my father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world for I was an hungred and yee gaue me meate Then shall the King saie vnto them that shall be on the left hand Depart from me ye curssed into euerlasting fire which is prepared for the diuell and his Angels For I was an hungred and yee gaue me no meate I was thirstie and ye gaue me no drinke Then shall they answer him saieng Lord when sawe we thee an hunged or a thirst or naked or sicke or in prison and did not minister vnto thee Then shall he answere them saieng Uerelie I saie vnto you in asmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not vnto me And these shall go awaie into euerlasting paine but the righteous to life eternall Matth. 25. As Iesus sate in mount Oliuet his disciples came vnto him secretlie saieng Tell vs when these things shall be and what signe shall be of thy comming and of the end of the world And Iesus answered and said vnto them Take heed that no man deceiue you for manie shall come in my name saieng I am Christ and shall deceiue manie Yee shall heare of warres and of the fame of warres but see that you be not troubled for all these things must come to passe but the end is not yet Matth. 24. And there shall be signes in the Sunne and in the Moone and in the Stars and in the Earth the Sea and the waters shall roare and mens harts shall faile them for feare and for looking for those things which shall come on the earth Behold the figge tree and all other trees when they shoote foorth their buds ye see and knowe of your owne selues that Summer is then nigh at hand So likewise yee when ye see these things come to passe vnderstand that the kingdome of God is then nigh at hand Luke 21. But of that daie and houre no man knoweth no not the Angels of heauen but my father onlie As the time of Noah was so shall likewise the comming of the sonne of man be For as in the daies before the floud they did eate and drinke marie and were maried euen vnto the daie that Noah entered into the ship and knew of nothing till the floud came and tooke them all awaie so shall also the comming of the sonne of man be Matth. 23. Take heede to your selues least your hearts be ouercome with surfeting and dronkennesse and cares of this world and that daie come on you vnwares For as a snare shall it come vpon all them that sit on the face of the earth Watch therefore continuallie and praie that ye may obtaine grace and flie all this that shall come and that ye stand before the sonne of God Luke 21. Take heed watch and praie for ye knowe not when the time is As a man which is gone into a strange Countrie and hath left his house and giuen authoritie to his seruants and to euerie man his worke and commanded the porter to watch Watch therefore for yee knowe not when the maister of the house will come whether at euen or at midnight whether at the cocke-crowing or in the dawning least if he come suddenlie he should find you sleeping and that I saie vnto you I saie vnto all men Watch and praie Matth. 13. Be sober and watch for your aduersarie the diuell as a roring Lion walketh about seeking whome hee may deuoure whome resist yee stedfastlie in faith Finallie let vs in all our praiers remember to praie for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie that it will please the almightie God to prosper hir in all hir affaires and send hir a long and triumphant reigne ouer vs that she may ouercome all hir enimies and that after this painefull life ended she may reigne with Christ in his heauenlie kingdome there to receiue a glorious crowne that neuer shall perish So be it FINIS THE THIRD LAMPE OF VIRGINITIE Conteining sundrie formes of diuine meditations Christian praiers penned by the godlie learned to be properlie vsed of the QVEENES most excellent Maiestie as especiallie vpon the 17. daie of Nouember being the daie of the gladnesse of hir hart and memorable feast of hir coronation so on all other daies and times at hir Graces pleasure Wherevnto also is added a most heauenlie HEAST spoken as it were in the person of GOD vnto hir Maiestie conteining his diuine will and commandement concerning gouernement and a right godlie and Christian Vow vttered againe by hir Grace vnto God comprehending the heroicall office and dutie of a Prince faithfullie compiled out of the holie Psalmes of that Princelie Prophet King DAVID as they are learnedlie explaned by Theodore Beza verie profitable to be often read and meditated vpon of hir Maiestie and all other Christian Rulers and Gouernours to the glorie of God the benefit of his Church and their owne euerlasting ioie and comfort in the holie GHOST PSALME 45. Audi filia vide inclina aurem tuam obliuâ—scere populâ—… tâ—â— domus patris tui Et concupiscet Rex formam tuam quia ipse est Dominus tuus ipsum adorabis Omnis gloria filiae Regis intùs est 1582 Right godlie Psalmes fruitfull Praiers and comfortable Meditations to be said of our most vertuous and deere Souereigne LADIE Queene ELIZABETH as at all times at hir Graces pleasure so especiallie vpon the 17. daie of Nouember being the memorable daie of hir Maiesties most ioifull deliuerance out of trouble and happie entrie to hir blessed reigne The 18. Psalme of DAVID which he made for the first beginning of his gratulation and thankesgiuing vnto God in the entring into his kingdome for the maruelous mercies victories and graces of God towards him paraphrasticallie explaned and opened by that godlie learned man
setting foorth of thy most glorious inuisible and eternall Maiestie in this my fraile earthlie and visible maiestie may cleerelie shine and appeare in me to the benefit of thy Church farre and neere And that I remembring whose minister I am may first aboue all things in a perfect zeale of thy house and loue of thy people euer seeke thy honour and glorie and studie continuallie to preserue thy people committed to my charge in wealth peace and godlinesse Deere Father so blesse mee so loue mee so in the spirit of counsell prudence knowledge and fortitude sanctifie strengthen and direct me that in a perfect faith feare and loue as in thy sight I may walke vprightlie without offence giuing in the obedience of thy holie word and fulfilling of thy blessed commandements all the daies of my life and may be a true follower of that King which is the Souereigne ouer the holie hill of Zion whose seate and kingdome endureth for euer Giue mee grace both thankfullie to acknowledge thy manifold great benefits bestowed vpon mee and also faithfullie and diligentlie to discharge my dutie towards thee and thy people in executing thy iudgements indifferentlie without parcialitie to the aduancement of thy kingdome the establishment of my throne and the vniuersall comfort and commoditie of all thy people Make me good Lord of an entire affection and perfect hart towards thee and of an humble and gentle spirit towards all vnder my gouernement after the example of Christ our eternall King who to fulfill thy will O GOD did vouchsafe to take flesh of the virgin Marie and became man for man that man might become a God vnto men and who also did verie much abase and humble himselfe as a seruant euen vnto the death of the Crosse to redeeme both Prince and people out of thrall and bondage of sinne Sathan death and hell Let my naturall affection and disposition I saie O Lord continue to my foes terrible to my subiects amiable to mine offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull to all men indifferent and parciall to none that being guided by thee to gouerne thy people iustlie in all godlie peace and quietnesse I may be able with a good conscience to witnesse of mine integritie before thee and all the world as thy faithfull seruants Moses Samuel and Nehemias somtimes did of theirs and boldlie and trulie with them saie Behold here I am beare record of me before the Lord before his annointed Whose oxe or whose asse haue I forceablie taken awaie Or whom haue I done anie wrong to Or whom haue I iniured or hurt Or of whose hand haue I receiued anie bribes to blind mine eies therewith and I will restore it you that my people seeing and well perceiuing my motherlie affection faithfull gouernement carefull diligence and diligent watchfulnesse ouer them by all meanes to doo them all the good I possiblie may or can in thee may woorthilie witnesse rightlie answere and iustlie confesse and saie of me to thy glorie and my perpetuall praise as the Israelites heretofore said of Samuel That I haue not grieued them nor troubled my land by oppression or iniurie that I haue not hurt them nor taken ought of anie mans hand nor by anie meanes either by my selfe or others willinglie abused my power or dealt vniustlie with my people Oh kindle more and more in my hart I beseech thee most holie Father a pure zele aboue all things to promote thy glorie and a vigilant care not onelie to serue thee my selfe sincerelie but also to haue thee diligentlie serued of my familie people And to this end vouchsafe I praie thee both to adorne me with all thy heauenlie gifts and also to blesse my whole familie court and houshold with thy graces and vertues that all these both high and lowe one and other which are placed therein vnder me may for their vertuous life true faith and right religion towards thee their God and for their loiall harts and conscionable obedience towards me their Prince and Mistres and for their entire affection and charitie one towards another as brethren and lastlie for their hartie loue and naturall good-will they beare to their Commonwelth and countrie be an example and patterne of true godlinesse and puritie both in religion and life for all the whole Realme and countrie yea the whole world besides to followe as their head fountaine and light Moreouer O blessed God as hitherto by thy mightie protection thou hast preserued me and in thy great mercie maugre the heads of all mine enimies miraculouslie hast deliuered me and established me in this my kingdome thus long in admirable peace and blessed quietnesse all glorie and praise be rendered vnto thy glorious name therfore so I beseech thy gratious goodnesse O Lord in like mercie to blesse preserue maintaine keepe and defend me and my Realme still from all both forreine and domesticall conspiracies treasons deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils imminent and to come both bodilie and ghostlie publike and priuate that I may still gouerne blessedlie ouer a blessed people and my Realme and people by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of thy Gospell and happie enioieng of perfect peace and quietnesse both outward and inward Thou O Lord of hosts hast ordeined me the Gouernour ouer thy people and made my people to be thy people and thou Lord art become our God yea and our great and mightie God besides whom wee haue none other God I knowe also my God that thou triest the hart and hast pleasure in righteousnesse behold therefore I offer vow and dedicate my selfe willinglie and entirelie in the vprightnesse of my hart to serue and worship thee onelie for euer with ioie and therfore am I thine handmaid bold to praie this praier vnto thee beseeching thee for euer to keepe me and to helpe me in this my good purpose of holie seruing and worshipping of thee For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all to speake of O direct thou continuallie the thoughts of my mind and prepare my hart euermore vnto thee Giue vnto me thine handmaid a perfect hart to keepe thy commandements thy testimonies and thy statutes and cause me to vse my power lawfullie to the reforming both of thy house and estates according to the prescript rule of thy written word reuealed will that so it may please thee O Lord God to confirme for euer thy mercifull promises made vnto me in my father DAVID and to blesse the throne or house of thy seruant with thy blessing that it may continue and be established before thee for euer And that this may the better come to passe to the glorie of thy name the benefit of thy Church and wealth of my Realme as I hartilie wish and desire remoue far from thy Church far from me O excellent father all those which fall from thee by infidelitie and are through obstinate wilfulnesse traiterous rebels to thy sacred
assist me most puissant Prince of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may be truelie able to aduance iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseech thee thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience towards mee thy minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holie spirit that I may perseuere in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Grant this oh mightie God of hosts for the merits and passion of thy deere sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ AMEN The praier of King SALOMON for Wisdome to gouerne well Wisd 9. O GOD of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things with thy word and ordeined man through thy wisdome that he should haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made and gouerne the world according to equitie and righteousnesse and execute iudgement with an vpright hart Giue me wisdome which is euer sitting aboue thy seate and put me not out from among thy children For I thy seruant and handmaid am a feeble person and of a short time and yet lesse in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdome be not with him he shall be nothing regarded Thou hast chosen me to be a QVEENE vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Thou hast commanded mee to maintaine thy Church which from the beginning thou hast chosen Oh send out of thy holie heauens therefore vnto me that thy wisdome wherewith thou madest the world gouernest thy works and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight right in thy commandements Send hir I saie from the throne of thy Maiestie that shee may be with mee and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandements For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all things and she shall leade me soberlie in all my works and preserue mee by hir power and glorie so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouern thy people righteouslie and be well and woorthie to sit in my fathers throne Amen Holie Praiers and godlie Meditations desciphering in Alphabeticall forme the Roiall name of our vertuous Souereigne Queene ELIZABETH properlie to be vsed of hir Maiestie ELIZABETH E ENter not into iudgement with thy seruant O LORD for no flesh is righteous in thy sight PSALME 143 verse 2. O GOD which dwellest in light that no man can attaine O God which art hid and canst not be seene with bodilie eies nor comprehended with anie vnderstanding neither expressed with the tongue of men or Angels O my God what is it to be righteous in thy sight It is that wee should bee without sinne before thee which no man euer was since the fall of Adam For which cause the holie Prophet DAVID saith in this wise Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight O vnhappie that I am loden and burdened with sinne who shall haue pitie or compassion on mee or whither shall I go My sinnes are euer before me mine vnrighteousnesse condemneth me What shall I doo Shall I despaire God forbid For mercifull meeke and louing is my Sauiour My refuge therfore shall be in my God for certaine I am he will not forsake his owne image neither wil he forsake the worke of his owne hands Wherfore most meeke louing and mercifull Father to thee come I all sad and sorowfull But what shall I saie vnto thee I will saie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight And againe I will with the Prophet powre out before thee the words of sorrowe I will hartilie beseech thee saieng Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me according to thy great mercie not after the mercie of men but after thy great mercie which is incomprehensible which is vnmeasurable and which passeth all sinnes without comparison According therefore vnto that thy great mercie by the which thou hast so loued the world that thou gauest thy sonne for it by the which thou hast taken awaie all our sinnes by the which through his crosse thou hast lightened all men by the which also thou hast restored all things in heauen and in earth wash me I saie O Lord wash me in his bloud restore me in his resurrection and iustifie me by thy grace and fauour and the redemption which is in Christ AMEN L LORD looke thou no more on my sinnes but according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities Psal 51. verse 1. THy mercie O Lord is the abundance of pitie thy compassions are the works and processe of thy mercie by the one thou lookest gentlie on the poore and wretched by the other thou forgiuest the multitude of sinnes O sweet and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ the sorowfull and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet she washed them with hir bitter teares she wiped them with the heares of hir head thou forgauest all hir sinnes and sentest hir awaie in peace this was good Lord one of thy compassions Peter thrise denied thee and forsooke thee with an oth thou mercifullie lookedst on him and he beholding thee bitterlie wept and thou Lord forgauest him which was another of thy compassions The theefe on the Crosse was saued with one word Paule in the furious madnesse of persecution was called and by and by was filled with the holie Ghost these all Lord are thy pitifull compassions Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD with whome is no alteration neither shadowe of change and sith there is but one Mediatour and attonement betweene God and man that is Christ Iesus which endureth for euer why doost thou not powre out thy plentious compassions vpon vs as well as thou didst vpon our forefathers Why standest thou so far O Lord and hidest thy face in the needfull tune of trouble Hast thou forsaken vs Or are all thy mercies spent and none left O Lord my God I hartilie beseech thee most humblie praie thee that thou wilt according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities that as thou hast drawne and receiued innumerable sinners vnto thee and hast made them righteous in thy sight euen so thou wilt vouchsafe to drawe and take me and also to make mee righteous through thy grace and so to clense and purifie my hart that after all mine iniquities and vncleannesse put out it may be as a cleane table in the which thy finger O GOD may write the lawe of thy loue and charitie AMEN I IN the daie of trouble I will call on thee ô LORD Psa 120 vers 1. Because thou hast said In what houre so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will no more
in his owne sight was righteous O Lord great is thy power great is thy might which declareth it selfe most chieflie in sparing and hauing compassion on sinners shewing to vs that a contrite and humble hart thou wilt not despise Accept therefore sweete Lord Iesu this my sacrifice of praise proceeding out of a broken and sorowfull hart And if it be vnperfect amend thou the fault mercifull Lord which onlie art of power to doo it that it may be an holie and acceptable sacrifice inflamed with the feruent heate of thy bountious charitie that it may be acceptable vnto thee or at the least that thou despise it not I knowe well that I shall find fauour in thy sight and that heereafter none of thy Saincts either in heauen or in earth shall despise me Accomplish therefore in me euen now O Lord that which I so oft do craue of thee which is that thou wilt haue compassion on me according to thy great mercie and that also thou wilt receiue me for a sacrifice of righteousnesse for a holie oblation for a burnt sacrifice of good liuing and for a Calfe to be offered vpon thine Altar or Crosse by the which I may passe this vale of miserie vnto that ioie which thou preparest for them that loue thee AMEN * ANOTHER ELIZABETH E ENgraue thy lawes in the depth of my heart O Lord that being instructed in thy commandements I may serue thee in feare and reioice in thee with trembling and take hold vpon thy discipline in all things least at anie time thou become angrie and I perish from the right waie Amen L LORD giue me helpe from my trouble for vaine is the helpe of man in thee I haue strength and thou bringest vnto nothing those things which trouble me let my soule be subiect vnto thee For from thee proceedeth my patience For thou art my God and Sauiour my helper and I will not depart from thee In thee is my helth and my glorie thou art the God of my helpe and my helpe is in thee Amen I I Haue broken thy fold and wandered long as a lost sheepe let me returne O Lord bicause I haue not forgotten thy commandements The misdeeds and ignorances of my tender yeers remember not Lord but according to thy mercie haue mind on me For thy goodnesse O Lord keepe my soule and deliuer me let me not be ashamed bicause I haue trusted in thee Turne my heauinesse into ioie cut off my sacke of sorowes and gird me with gladnes that my glorie may signe vnto thee and I shall not be greeued Z ZORobabel King of Iuda in the depth of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercie and receiued by the mouth of Aggeus thy Prophet sweete comfort and knowledge of thy fauour and grace yea after thy determination to destroie the whole kingdome of the heathen thy right hand did preserue him and thine incomparable mercie did choose him for a seale to thy selfe Lord this happie King in thy goodnesse was but an earthlie creature and then could he haue no righteousnesse in himselfe to moue such thy compassion If it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies that surmount the iniquities of the whole world and that thou didst onlie vouchsafe to behold in him the image of thy selfe bow downe thine eies Lord and behold the selfe-same in me Certifie my conscience with remission of my sinnes that my sorowfull soule may be at rest within me Send downe thy holie spirit to remaine with me that I may become with that good King thy chosen seale and seruant and so graunt thy people that I may with them and they with me neuer deserue further than to tast of thy rod of fauorable correction but that all my labours and studies may euer bend to the performance of thy holie will and discharge of my dutie Amen A ARise and illuminate my mind most benigne Sauiour that I sleepe not at anie time in death least mine enimies saie they haue preuailed against me They which trouble me will be glad if I be cast downe but I haue fixed my hope in thy mercie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for no liuing creature shall be iustified in thy sight I will euer looke vpon the Lord for he shal be on my right hand that I be not mooued For this my hart is glad and my tongue reioiceth yea moreouer my flesh shall rest in hope Amen B BE thou vnto me O Lord in the daie time a defendour and in the night season a place of refuge that thou maist saue me for thou art my strength and vnto thee I flie Lord God deliuer me from the hand of sinners and from the Lawe-breaker and the wicked dooer for thou Lord art my patience thou art my hope euen from my youth In thee I am confirmed euen from my mothers wombe thou art my protector in thee shall be my song for euer and euer Amen E EUER my tongue shall be telling of thy rich mercie and woonderous works O Lord for thou hast caused me to passe through fire and water and led me into a fresh place thou hast giuen my soule life and hast not suffered my feete to fall According to the multitude of my sorowes thy comforts haue made my soule merrie My soule is like a Sparowe taken out of the Fowlers snare Thou hast deliuered my life from death and my hands from bloud that I may please thee O Lord in the light of the liuing Amen T THOU art iust O Lord and all thy commandements be true and all thy waies mercie truth and iudgement And now Lord be mindfull of me take not reuengement of my sinnes remember not mine offences neither the offences of my fathers because we haue not obeied thy precepts Giue me an hart of vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaies before mine eies that I may be obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Lord giue vnto me the power of thy holie spirit to rule and gouerne thy people committed to my charge in all godlie feare and knowledge of thy word and that I may be vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thy holie name Amen H HEALE me Lord and I shall be healed saue me and I shall be saued My life cleaueth vnto the earth Quicken me according to thy word according to thy mercie releeue me and I will keepe the testimonies of thy lips Helpe me Lord so shall I be safe and I will from hencefoorth studie thy righteousnesse Thy mercies are manie O Lord according to thy word restore my health AMEN REGINA R REgard my praiers O thou God of my life leaue me not in the thoughts of euill Deliuer me from the wicked man let not the foote of pride come vpon me and to vaine-glorie giue me not Take from me all sinfull lusts let no desire of vncleannesse take hold vpon me giue me not ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind but correct me in thy mercie
oppresse thee before thy face I will slaie all thine enimies and fill them with shame and confusion My mercie shall neuer faile thee my truth shall neuer forsake thee and thou trusting to my fauour shalt lift vp thine head most high crowned with euerlasting glorie I will cause thee to haue one hand vpon the sea and another vpon the flouds and thou shalt call mee thy Father thy God and thy safe tower And I will place thee as my first begotten Daughter in the sacred familie of the Kings of the whole world euen in a throne most high aboue others Yea thou being a pure Uirgin borne of my kindred shalt be so highlie exalted of IEHOVA which hath decreed this from all eternitie that thou shalt sit a glorious QVEENE ouer a mightie people and shalt haue rule dominiō ouer all thy subiects without exception Euen I the mightie IEHOVA will giue vnto thee in Zion a kingdome of stabilitie ouer all the ends of the earth in the which kingdome thy power shall be so great that the more enimies thou hast the more excellent and more euident shall thy fame and renowme be to all nations And the people shall willinglie and obedientlie offer themselues to be gouerned by thee after the infinite victories which thou shalt haue ouer the enimies that vexe thee And the daie shall come that when thou hast ouercome all thine enimies thou shalt muster all thine armies to appeare before thee and to make a triumph also in garments of triumph which shall be holie most pure and most shining Then I saie Ô QVEENE thou shalt behold the multitude of thy most chosen yoong men and beautifull virgins which the morning of that most heauenlie light shall bring foorth vnto thee by powring downe hir most plentifull deaw vpon the earth Yea I will arme thee with a double edged sword in thy hand wherewith thou maist punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the proud people and also maist drawe their kings and nobles bound in chaines and iron fetters and execute the iudgement appointed and commanded by me thy Lord God vpon them And this verelie is the dignitie the honour and renowme that I will giue thee O daughter whome I haue receiued into my fauour euen to bring into subiection vnto thy kingdome the people far and wide and sauing thine owne nation to make an horrible slaughter of the rebels and traitors euerie-where that go about to ouerthrowe the Monarch which ruleth and shall rule both far and neere I will defend thee I saie O my deere Daughter with euerlasting mercie and my couenant made with thy father DAVID shall be established for euer in his generation Thy throne shall be as the Sunne before me it shall continue as the Moone in all ages and be as stable as heauen it selfe For I the holie one haue once sworne by mine owne selfe and neither will I breake my promise nor violate my couenant nor will change anie of those things that I haue spoken to DAVID thy Father These things haue I promised of old I saie and now will I vndoubtedlie bring them to passe If thou my Daughter keepe my commandements and do not violate the ordinances that I haue commanded thee but order thy selfe and thy people by the rule of the lawes that I haue prescribed vnto them So shall all things be in good order and nothing confounded yea the verie foundations of the earth also shall be firme and remaine stable Peace righteousnesse and iudgement and all good things else shall remaine safe and sure amongst men Neither will I suffer that in this thy dangerous iournie and perillous pilgrimage thou shouldest so stumble that thou shouldest fall or be compelled to go backe and though manie doo lie in wait for thy destruction yet I preuenting all dangers will bee thy watchfull keeper For seeing that I haue taken in hand freelie of mine owne good will to call thee to this excellent estate of a Prince haue hitherto bene verie carefull to defend thee and my people Israel I will not now once slumber much lesse will I be so deepe in sleepe that I will suffer thee to be oppressed Therefore let this be a thing certainlie determined vnto thee and bee thou comforted and confirmed with this onlie hope in all distresse that I the Lord am thy keeper and a shadowe for thee against all stormes and that I am present by thee and will neuer faile thee And as I was present of old when thou returnedst out of the Egypt bondage of the spirituall Pharao so now also I will be present with thee against y e heate of the Sunne in the daie-time against the noisome humors which the Moone vseth to raise in the night season For like as the Citie Ierusalem is compassed round about with massie mountaines so I the Lord stand round about thee and thy people trusting in me on euerie side and will neuer forsake you But as I haue done hitherto so surelie I will continue to defend them that loue vertue and to bind thee vnto me by new benefits I will bring to passe that thou shalt enioie a stable peace and sure tranquillitie and that thou shalt see Ierusalem flourishing so long as thou doest liue Yea I the Lord will so blesse thee from heauen with most plentifull blessings that by the power of my Maiestie all thy counselles and enterprises shall prosper and haue good successe continuallie I will preserue thee safe against all discommodities and defend thy life from violence yea which waie soeuer thou shalt go or ride I euen I thy mightie maker and God will be with thee when thou goest foorth and commest in from place to place and not onlie in this temporall voiage or iournie but for euer will I gouerne and guide thee Thou shalt neuer be laid open to the reproch of men Thy Crowne shall neuer be cast to the ground nor thy selfe reiected All thy fortresses and cities shall stand vnassaulted and thy forts and strong castels and holds shall not be battered nor laid open with breaches to the spoile of passengers The edge of thy sword shall neuer waxe blunt thy scepter neuer broken nor thy crowne cast downe into the dust nor thy power stained But I will minister continuall power and cause of ioie vnto thee ô QVEENE and take awaie all courage and force from thine enimies so that they shall not be able to arise or stand against thy mightie power Finallie this my league which I haue made with thee shall neuer be abrogated For I will come downe from my Sanctuarie to helpe thee euen frō the mount Zion to strengthen thee in all dangers And when thou callest vpon me by praier I will heare thy petitions and grant vnto thee that thy hart desireth and accomplish all thy purposes so that thou doubtlesse shalt bee preserued and deliuered a waie by me that haue annointed thee to be QVEENE CAP. V. THus I saie my deere Daughter
earth of old to continue alwaie most stable firme and vnmoueable So that thou Lord onlie maist iustlie challenge vnto thy selfe the authoritie of the kingdome in deede ouer all nations vpon the earth who art that most gelous and dreadfull IEHOVA vnto whome all the Emperours Kings and Gouernours in the world shall bow submit themselues and doo their homage and diuine seruice with their scepters and crownes cast vnder thy feete and who dooest declare thy selfe verie terrible to all the potentates and powers of the world and cuttest off their courage strength and glorie throwing it in the dust euen as the Gardener doth twist and proine his Uine CAP. II. AND therefore most worthilie ascribing and resigning vp the honour and glorie of all empire kingdome rule power and dominion vnto the holie secret maruellous and renoumed name of thy most high and sacred Maiestie which art the father of lights ancient of daies the sauiour of all beleeuers and the onlie redeemer strength glorie and hope of Israel and of all the ends of the earth euen Alpha and Omega the first without beginning and the last without ending that shalt come to iudge both the quicke the dead God blessed for euer Amen I according as it is meete and my verie bounden dutie doo now meekelie confesse and protest to thy perpetuall praise that it is thou O most mercifull God and none other which in the beginning when I laie as a rude lumpe without shape being shut vp in the secret place of my mothers wombe didst forme fashion and nourish me and at the time appointed and set downe in thy booke didst drawe me foorth of the darke caue wherein I was fashioned and broughtst me foorth of the bowels of my mother as it were a midwife So that the verie bowels within me are thine owne by good right and authoritie because thou ioining all my sinewes and bones togither hast made me a mortall woman and couered me within my mothers wombe For there is no King or Queene that had anie other beginning of birth for all men haue one entrance into life and one going out in like manner Which worke of thine surelie when I behold in my selfe it is so wonderfull O Lord that I should vtterlie shew my selfe most senselesse and vnthankefull vnlesse I praise thee for the same and confesse that thy works are exceeding maruellous in deede seeing I doo perceiue the thing so manifestlie as it is So soone also as I thy workemanship came foorth a reasonable creature into this world I receiued like aire as other men and was committed vnto thee my Creator at what time thou didst declare thy selfe to be my God and causedst me to looke vp vnto thee when I did hang yet on my mothers breasts Euen in my verie cradle and swadling clouts O God thou hadst a speciall care regard ouer me and tookest in hand fatherlie to foster and gouerne me so manie yeares ago and to leade and guide me from my tender yeares vnto this daie Euer since I was borne I saie thou my God hast defended me from dangers both when I was strong and in the floure of my youth neither hast thou forsaken me now being in my middle age nor wilt I trust when I am graie-headed O mine inlightener it is thou that hast taught and instructed me with the knowledge of thee from my childhood hitherto Therefore haue I depended wholie vpon thee alone vpon thee I saie O excellent Father haue I set all my hope euen from mine infancie and will doo so still euen vnto mine old age CAP. III. NEither hath thy prouidence and mercie towards me ceased at anie tune For surelie thou hast made me a singular euerlasting example of thy fauour mercie to all men in that thou beholding me alwaies with thy pleasant countenance and obseruing continuallie with thine heauenlie eie what iniurie soeuer was offered me hast not onelie woonderfullie comforted and preserued me in all my troubles but also oftentimes most miraculouslie saued and deliuered mee out of most great and manifold miseries imminent perils and multitudes of mightie enimies wherewith I haue beene assaulted enuironed vexed afflicted persecuted and turmoiled from my tender age Yea so tenderlie O God hast thou loued mee that thou hast not suffered me to be intrapped of thousands of aduersaries that rose vp against me saieng in their harts Hir God can not helpe hir But being the iudge of mine innocencie my glorie my shield and my valiant Champion thou hast thy selfe smitten downe all mine enimies brought me safelie out of distresse and lift vp my head aboue all mine aduersaries Thou hast deliuered my life I saie foorth of the present doores of death staied the teares of mine eies and established my feete that I did not fall for any temptation so that I walked safe sound before thee among the liuing that praised thee And that I liue now to praise thee I may onlie thanke thee my deliuerer who hast caused me thus to taste feele and enioie the most comfortable sweetnesse of thy goodnesse mercie and fauour And though I was forsaken of all men and the most mightie together with my neerest friends had mee in contempt though the superstitious aduersaries I saie heaued vehementlie against me and with great violence sought to cast me downe and laie mine honor in the dust yet hast thou my God by thine owne hand repulsed driuen out all those mine irreligious foes which so wickedlie resisted thy purpose and to their confusion of faces hast exalted me to the highest degree of dignitie Wherefore great cause of continuall ioie and hartie reioicing hast thou O Lord giuen vnto me thine handmaid which acknowledge my selfe mightilie and miraculouslie preserued by thy power Doubtlesse now thou hast woonderfullie deliuered in deed thy QVEENE that was annointed by thee and hast heard me out of the highest Sanctuarie granted vnto me that which I requested in my praiers For I put my trust neither in chariot nor horses men nor munition but onelie remembred thy name and called vpon thee in all my troubles and lo thou ô KING of heauen hast heard me in all my necessities and giuen me my harts desire accomplishing all my purposes I required this thing onlie of thee that I might escape aliue and safe from persecution but thou hast not onelie strengthened and comforted me out of Zion and placed me here in thy dominion and empire in safetie but also hast granted vnto me a life that shall neuer faile and that bicause I onelie set my hope still in thee in whom all power remaineth as I oftentimes by good experience haue prooued Yea thou O most excellent Father hast done a notable worke woorthie to bee set foorth in writing to all posteritie and to be limmed out in gold to euerlasting memorie bicause O Lord thou hast not despised the praiers and teares of thy most miserable people but from thy holie throne hast looked downe vpon me and them to
heare the mournings of the prisoners thy persecuted members and to loose them foorth of bonds and fetters of whose life it was vtterlie despaired that in Zion once againe thy name O Lord and thy praises I saie in Ierusalem might be published by my ministerie as it is this daie manie nations and people running together to worship thee who hast now shewed thy selfe much more glorious therein than at anie time before Therefore O God which art indeed the Gouernor and Lord ouer all people in heauen and in earth thou art our God by a peculiar right and mine onlie honor For so great glorie haue I attained by this thy defence and saluation and so bright is the glittering of this honour wherewith thou hast crowned me that I may woorthilie triumph in thee being thus preserued and deliuered by thee and also condignelie celebrate this daie wholie to thee with banners displaied which hast so gratiouslie granted all the petitions of thine handmaid Namelie for that thou Lord being euer mindfull of thy promise and word which is of force for euer and prouiding for thine owne onlie glorie didst so mercifullie and miraculouslie preserue me from dangers and rebuking euen Kings and Princes for my sake so pretious and deere was my bloud in thy sight that none should touch thine Annointed nor doo me anie harme at the time appointed by thee thou allowing iustifieng and commending me as innocent whom others did maliciouslie condemne as guiltie of wickednesse didst most faithfullie and freelie performe thy promises towards me and changing my miserable estate into blisse didst bring me foorth glad and ioifull whom thou hadst appointed thine elect handmaid and chosen seruant to gouerne thy people and affaires in this kingdome CAP. IIII. WHerefore I humblie acknowledge that it is thou O almightie GOD which raisest vp the abiects and exaltest the miserable from the dunghill to place them among the Princes of the people and which somtime laiedst helpe vpon one that was mightie and didst exalt one chosen of the people my father DAVID thy seruant I meane whom thou tookest from the sheepfold and with thy holie oile didst annoint and broughtest to feed thy people and inheritance in Israel Euen thou O God I saie the selfe-same good God it is I confesse which hast also consecrated ELIZABETH to thy selfe to gouerne thy people ouer whome thou dooest chieflie rule and who hast vouchsafed in like fauour and in as great mercie to call me out of the prison to the palace and to appoint me to be the Prince and Pastor to feede the posteritie of Iacob and most deere people of Israel with the spirituall food of thine eternall word My preferment Lord and promotion I knowe is come neither from the east nor from the west from the south nor from the north neither as I haue well perceiued was it in mine owne power to exalt my selfe and to mount vp out of so great miserie to so high dignitie But it was thou my KING and my God euen thou most iust Gouernour of all things which bringest to passe mightie things farre passing the condition of mankind and rulest the state of kingdoms to whom alone it belongeth and in whose power and authoritie it is to cast downe whom thou wilt and to exalt whom it pleaseth thee which hast exalted mee thine handmaid and giuen vnto me thine absolute authoritie ouer all the great Princes and people of England that I should gouerne the verie Magistrates Commons thereof by the direction of thy word wisdome and counsell Yea I take thee to record O Lord against the slanders of all men that I neuer desired this honour as though I had deserued it neither laboured that I should be brought vnto this dignitie nor that I am now proud being promoted by thee thervnto nor that I doo so much as thinke or reioice that I am brought to this Kinglie office by bloud birth or by mine owne endeuour or power But alwaies I haue and still will confesse and humblie acknowledge to thy glorie that it was thou onlie O Lord my Redeemer and Sauiour vpon whome I did earnestlie call and set mine eies which at what time it pleased thee to heare me didst vouchsafe to embrace me with thy speciall grace and fauour and to bestowe this so great a benefit vpon me First to choose and take me onelie out of the rest of the people and to exalt me aboue others and then to consecrate mee to thy selfe and to annoint me with thy holie oile to be the QVEENE of this Realme and that not for anie desert of mine at all I saie but onlie bicause it so pleased thee to vse my seruice and endeuour in this so weightie businesse to defend thy people by my power receiued from thee Finallie it was thou O heauenlie KING who fauouring me thine handmaid more than I deserued didst richlie apparell mee in the roiall robes and all ouer cloathedst and beedeckedst me with statelie garments brodered with gold and pretious stones and as vpon this daie settedst me in the regall throne and causedst me most gloriouslie to come foorth from the yuorie Palace of my Coronation accompanied with manie noble Princes goodlie Uirgins and bearing the diademe or Crowne of pure gold vpon mine head At what time also thou madest the most fragrant odours of my sweet garments so spread it selfe that nothing was more pleasant vnto the beholders who as then vpon that happie daie so continuallie euer since doo runne together and presse in great multitudes vnto me to see me and to declare their thankefull harts to thee for me and their good willes they beare toward me in thee euermore they crie with lowd voices and ioifull harts vttering foorth to the praise of thy name and my great comfort these and such like hartie praiers vnto thy Maiestie for mee saieng God saue the QVEENE God saue the Queene ELIZABETH So that I may now iustlie saie O most excellent father that this is the daie in deede wherein thou hast chieflie shewed thy mercie vnto me and that this daie thou didst as it were beget me a deere Daughter vnto thy selfe in that as vpon this daie thou didst so gratiouslie annoint me thy Minister and Queene to deliuer thine afflicted Church to reigne vpon thy holie mount Zion there to declare to all nations the woonderfull works that thou hast done for me and thy people Israel as I doo at this present Go to therefore O my soule returne now to thy rest and take thine ease seeing that so notable a change of thine estate is happilie wrought by the Lord for he hath well deserued thereby euerlasting praise for his mercie The third part conteining three Chapters CAP. I. BUT O Lord my God who am I thy sinfull seruant that thou hast been thus mindfull of me And what haue I deserued who of all others haue least deserued and am thy most vnworthie handmaid that thou shouldest thus regard me and exalt me to so high dignitie
most readie to exceeding mercie and of whome a man may almost doubt whether thou be more slowe to wrath or more prone to pardon For is there anie thing O Lord void of thy goodnesse Naie what is there in this whole world anie where which doth not testifie thy clemencie and euen of it selfe set foorth thy glorie in this point that thou dooest suffer so manie generations and ages to passe and succeede in this world that is defiled so manie and fundrie waies and that thou dooest cause thy chosen people to knowe and declare by experience what thy dominion and power is that is to saie to be publishers of thy praise and valiant acts for committing the glorie of thy kingdome to their posteritie Wherefore by good right O Lord I will giue vnto thee due and conuenient praise declare thy woonderous works euen with a sounding voice that all may heare as it becommeth me all men to whom thou grantest the vse of this life to doo both diligentlie and continuallie As for me I will still call to mind the multitude of thy miracles and woonderous works wrought for me and I will consume all my life daies in praising thee therefore so long as I shall remaine aliue It shall be my speciall care to publish thy renowne with songs of praise And would to God that my songs might be so plesant and acceptable vnto thee as I with glad hart and cheerefull mind will celebrate thy so manie and so great benefits bestowed vpon me And be it far awaie and God forbid O my soule that euer we should forget the Lord our God But let rather my right hand forget hir cunning and all plaieng of instruments and let the tongue of euerie one of vs rather cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes than that it should be once vnmindfull of him or at anie time abandon the due deserued praises belonging to his most holy glorious mightie and eternall name and Maiestie O all ye creatures in heauen and earth agree yee vnto me and saie herevnto with one hart and mouth Amen Praise ye the Lord praise thou thy God O my soule Amen Amen The fift and last part of the Vow diuided also into fiue Chapters CAP. I. AND now O Lord my God and King I thine handmaid being appointed QVEENE by thee after such a maner of bountifulnesse as neuer was heard doo consecrate this song vnto thee both of mercie and iudgement wherevnto I doo vow and bind my selfe before thee this daie to performe them in the gouernment of the kingdome as thou both fatherlie requirest of me and gratiouslie hast commanded And first I will endeuour my selfe wholie to pietie and godlinesse and will labour diligentlie to preserue and to amplifie thy Church that thy pure worship may be continuallie exercised therein with as great care deuotion and holinesse as is possible I will go I saie into thy sanctified house O Lord euen into the holie habitation of thy most true wisdome will I enter that I may there learne thy iudgements and vnderstand thy will reuealed to doo to the vttermost of my power whatsoeuer thou requirest and commandest a King to doo For I doo testifie before thee that I desire nothing more than to visite and behold thy glorious Maiestie in thy Sanctuarie and therefore will I hasten speedilie to stand in the porches thereof to taste and see those visible signes of thy power and Maiestie shewed commonlie therein For doubtlesse thy goodnesse that offereth it selfe as it were there to be handled and felt is more sweet by far than life it selfe which causeth my soule so much the more to be inflamed with earnest desire to seeke thy face to see thy glorie and to set foorth thy praises with all my power Especiallie that the people which are holie vnto thee my God might assemble together by tribes and thousands after the maner apointed of thee to powre foorth praises and praiers and to celebrate thy holie name to the safetie and preseruation of all the families of our nation that loue and fauour thy truth to all posteritie Yea euen I my selfe O God with my father DAVID will gladlie go foorth with the multitude and lead thy people as he was woont into thy holie house O God with the voice of ioifull praisings and thanksgiuings as those that obserue thy sabaoths and festiuall daies most glorious vnto thee before the face of all people I will present my selfe often before thine altar not onlie with my hands washed in water but rather purified from all wickednes that I may openlie stablish thy praise and celebrate thy woonderfull works There will I sound foorth thy renowme with lowd voice with all my hart satisfied with the fatnesse and marowe of thy most holie delicates I will lead my life therein I saie O God setting forth thy magnificence and there will I lift vp mine innocent hart and hands with others and openlie amids the whole multitude call vpon thy name wherein is my safegard For there is nothing that I loue more deerlie than that Temple wherein thou hast set thy seate of glorie euen the house of thy Maiestie and holie Citie wherein the tribunall seate of my father DAVID left to his posteritie to minister iustice indifferentlie to euerie one is firmelie placed And why should not I doo so Why should not my soule I saie he thus inflamed and the zeale of thine house euen consume mee with feruent desire and hartie longing to seeke thy face O Iacob Seeing I haue had experience so oft of thy gratious goodnesse and miraculous helpe and seeing thou O Lord my God hast set thy house in Ierusalem that thy true worship might be by my diligence holilie exercised therein Therefore O God I euen I thine handmaid to whom thou hast appointed the kingdome will reioice and praise thee in thy sacred Sanctuarie and ioine my selfe as companion with those that doo worship thee trulie and deuoutlie therein neither will I be far or long from thence if I be Lord it shall be full sore against my will through some vrgent necessitie of my calling or office in this life And though I be absent in bodie at anie time from thy house as manie times it commeth to passe by reason I change my place so often yet I make a vow I will doo that I am able to wit whersoeuer I become I will cleaue vnto thee in my hart wholie and will not cease to thinke of thee and to meditate of thy manifold benefits powred vpon me Yea Lord thou knowest that I am accustomed to rise at mid-night when other doo soundlie sleepe and setting aside all other cares as she that is euer mindfull of thy statutes I doo watchfullie thinke how I may please thee and keepe thy commandements and how I am woont to preuent the twy-light in the morning with my lowd praiers yea that I am so farre from following the example of the wicked who lie snorting in sin securitie that contrariwise
name onlie is most excellent and his praise aboue heauen and earth Praise the Lord O my soule and all that is within me praise his holie name My mouth shall speake the praises of the Lord and let all flesh giue thanks vnto his holie name for euer and euer Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the c. A Psalme of Gods presence in the Church THE Lord hath chosen Zion to be an habitation for himselfe he hath longed for hir saieng This shall be my rest for euer here will I dwell For I haue a delight therein Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall be their God with them The Lord is in his holie Temple euen among thousands of thine Angels as in the holie place of Sinai Gods seate is in heauen the Lord is in the midst of the holie place euen of the Tabernacle of the most high This is Gods hill euen an high hill in the which it pleaseth him to dwell yea the Lord will abide in it for euer As the hilles stand about Ierusalem euen so standeth the Lord round about his people from this time foorth for euermore Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. Another Psalme of the beautie of Gods house and the soules delight to be therein O GOD wonderfull art thou in thy holie places euen thou God of Israel It is well seene O God how thou goest how thou my God and King goest in the Sanctuarie The singers go before the musicians follow after in the midst are the virgins plaieng with the timbrels Thou Lord hast giuen thy word plentiouslie and great is the companie of the preachers The Lord is King he sitteth betweene the Cherubins the Lord is great in Zion and high aboue all people Thou O God art gone vp on high thou hast led captiuitie captiue and receiued gifts for men yea euen for thine enimies that thou Lord mightest dwell among them Righteousnesse and equitie are the habitation of thy seate mercie and truth shall go before thy face Glorie and worship are before thee power and honour are in thy sanctuarie This therefore shall be my resting place here will I dwell O Lord euen in the temple and tabernacle of the mightie God of Israel For I haue a delight therein Lord here is verie good being for vs. For such as bee planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God They shall bring foorth more fruit in their age and shall be fat and well liking that they may shew how true thou my Lord and strength art and that there is no vnrighteousnesse in thee Yea blessed is the man whom thou choosest and receiuest vnto thee he shall dwell in thy courts and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of thy house euen of thy holie temple Blessed I saie are they that dwell in thy house they will be alwaie praising thee For in thy temple doth euerie man speake of thine honour and that bicause holinesse becommeth thine house O God for euer This therefore shall be my resting place euen here in thy temple will I dwell For it is a good thing for me to be here continuallie in thy tabernacle before thee my God for euer Yea here doo I wait for thy mercie and louing kindnesse O God euen in the mids of thy temple O when wilt thou come vnto mee that I may walke in thy house with a perfect hart and praise thy name for euer Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. A psalme for the prosperitie of the Church and that all people may praise and blesse the Lord. REturne O Lord to thy many thousands of Israel Arise now I saie to come into thy resting place thou and the arke of thy strength when the people are gathered together and the kingdoms also to serue the Lord. O thou shepheard of Israel thou that sittest vpon the Cherubins be fauourable and gratious vnto Zion build it vp and let thy glorie and worship appeere therein throughout all generations Decke hir priests with health and hir Saints shall reioice and sing Let the priests be clothed with the white reines of righteousnesse and let thy Saints sing Psalmes with ioifulnesse Giue vs thy word still plentiouslie and let the companie of the godlie preachers be great Let none touch thine annointed ones nor doo thy prophets anie harme O Lord saue thy people and giue thy blessing vnto thine inheritance feed them and set them vp for euer Let the congregation of the people come about thee O God that they may offer the sacrifice of righteousnesse and shew foorth thy praises within the ports of the daughter of Zion In this daie of thy power let the people make their humble supplication before thee and offer the free-will offrings with an holie worship In the Temple let euerie man speake of thine honor euerie good man sing of thy praise without ceasing O let the nations reioice and be glad let the people praise thee O God yea let all the people praise thee and all creatures both in heauen and earth blesse thee and saie Blessed be thou O Lord God of our fathers For thou art praise and honor-worthie yea and to be magnified for euermore Blessed be the holie name of thy glorie For it is worthie to be praised and magnified in all worlds Blessed be thou O God in the holie Temple of thy glorie For aboue all things thou art to be praised yea and more than worthie to be magnified for euer Blessed be thou in the throne of thy kingdome For aboue all thou art worthie to be praised and well spoken of and to be more than magnified for euer Blessed be thou that sittest vpon the Cherubims lookest through the deepe For thou art worthie to bee praised and aboue all to be magnified for euer Blessed be thou in the firmament of heauen For thou art praise and honor-worthie for euer Blessed be the Lord God euen the God of Israel which onlie doth woonderous things and blessed bee the name of his Maiestie for euer and the earth shall be filled with thy Maiestie Amen Amen Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time foorth for euermore Blessed I saie be the Lord God of Israel from euerlasting and worlds without end and let all the people saie Amen Amen Blessing and glorie and wisdome and thanks and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euermore Amen Amen Amen A praier to be vsed at your first comming into the Church for a pure and cleane soule SEeing that by the good motion and happie conduction of thy holy spirit O gratious God I am now entred into this thy holy house the Church and most sacred place on earth to worship thee and forasmuch as holines apperteineth to thee O Lord for thou art holie and nothing
vnholie may appeare before thee graunt that both now at this present and so oft heereafter as I shall enter into this holie place and Tabernacle of the congregation and appeare before thee I may be throughlie sanctified both bodilie and ghostlie by the diuine graces of thy spirit the better therein to serue and worship thee The which thing that I may euen now this daie the better accomplish and doo according to thy will as I hartilie desire and to the glorie of thy name and the full discharge of my christian dutie I most entirelie beseech thy Maiestie first to sanctifie purifie cleanse make happie and keepe holie my wretched soule and sinfull bodie the posts whereof deere father are sprinkled with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne who most deerelie bought them O comfortable ghest of the soule leaue not our houses desolate cease not to fill vs by thy continuall presence with thy life and righteousnesse Dresse cleanse and sweepe the foreletten cottage once againe I saie good Lord with the beesome of thy celestiall grace and heauenlie felicitie from all the pollution and filth of sinne and wickednesse Once againe O Christ vouchsafe to cast out of the house of my soule that vncleane spirit and foule feend Sathan mine old ghest and enimie with the finger of God and when he is cast out of me giue me grace to watch still continuallie by hartie and earnest praier that he enter not againe into me For being once mine old ghest he knoweth euerie hole and corner of my house Therefore grant me grace to watch continuallie I saie O Lord by feruent praier and vertuous works proceeding from a firme faith least he returne into the house from whence hee was cast out and finding it emptie swept and garnished he go and take vnto himselfe seuen other foule spirits worsse than himselfe and they enter in also and dwell there with him and so mine end be woorsse than my beginning which God forbid Oh suffer not the holie house Lord of thy Diuinitie and Temple of the holie Ghost my bodie and soule I meane cleansed with thy bloud and decked with thy righteousnesse to bee by my mortall enimies defiled spoiled or made a cage of vncleane birds a dungeon of diuels a den of theeues a hell of wicked spirits and a sinke of sinne through delectation in sinne and infidelitie Withdrawe not thy hand from me let me not returne vnto my vomit like the dog let not mine end be worse than my beginning as hapned to Caine Saule Iudas Arius and manie mo But as by thy great mercie my body and soule are made the temple tabernacle of y e holie spirit so by the same thy rich mercie infinite goodnes grant that the same may now become thy holie habitation sacred seate of euerlasting glorie and so be purified cleansed throughlie sanctified and made cleane by thy diuine inspiration and gratious presence that no heapes of soile dregs of dust or remnants of filth be to be found in any priuie or secret corner of this thy spiritual temple to offend y e celestiall eies of thy diuine maiestie so shall thy holie Hall which is my clensed soule in all reuerence deuotion godlie worship this daie and euer resound in the Church all places of thy dominion with thy perpetuall praises to thine eternall glorie Amen Another praier to serue God sincerelie in the Church O LORD God our celestiall Father whose fidelitie and truth is stablished in the high heauens among thy chosen beleeuers who also art woonderfull in the congregation of the faithfull and most mightie of all power and present euerie-where beholding all things done in all places on earth Forasmuch as thou O gratious God hast chosen this house that thy name might be called vpon therein and that it should be an house of praier and petition for thy people mercifullie promising therewithall that wheresoeuer two or three be gathered together in thy name there thou wouldest be in the middest of them and whatsoeuer they beleeuing asked of thee it should be done vnto them Behold we therefore whome by thy grace thou hast elected to be thy people and heritage and with whome thou hast made an eternall couenant and promise to helpe heare assist and confirme in all goodnesse righteousnesse and holinesse doo heere now at this present through the motion of thy good spirit assemble and gather our selues together in thy name with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and according to our bounden dutie with one mind and mouth in spirit and truth to laud and magnifie thy holie name and maiestie Humblie beseeching thee O Lord to haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners to purge vs and iustifie vs through faith from all our offences old and new to inflame and lighten the lamps of our harts with the oile of sanctification which is thy holie spirit and so there-through to sanctifie our soules to prepare our harts and dispose all our members wholie to true pietie godlinesse and deuotion that we may be woorthie continuallie to lift vp in this holie place of thy glorious presence and diuine habitation pure harts innocent hands and most feruent praiers vnto thee in heauen Grant also O gratious God that we with one hart and voice in all holinesse and godlinesse trembling dread Christian reuerence humble obedience spirituall worship and diuine seruice may incessantlie giue all honour and glorie vnto thee and for euer to celebrate thy most holie name and Maiestie in this thy holie temple as it apperteineth euen by offering vp dutifullie vnto thy diuine Maiestie the most sweet and acceptable sacrifice of broken and contrite harts of zealous and true repentance of humble and vnfeined confession of pure and incessant praier and of most woorthie and condigne lauds and praises that so wee may continue blessed in thy holie mountaine for euer and in the end according to thy faithfull promise obtaine euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen How the soule should rightlie worship and praise the Lord in all places O GOD the true and the souereigne life of whom in whom all things doo liue whatsoeuer things doo liue trulie and in happie state O God euen goodnesse and goodlinesse from whom through whom in whom are all good goodlie things which art good and goodlie God whose faith quickeneth hope erecteth and loue linketh vs. God who hast commanded vs to praie vnto thee and makest thy selfe to be found and openest to him which knocketh God whom none seeketh but the admonished and no man findeth but the purged God whom to knowe is life whom to serue is to reigne whom to loue is the saluation and ioie of the soule Thee both with my lips and with mine hart and with all my strength I doo praise blesse and worship To thy clemencie and goodnesse I doo yeeld humble thanks for all thy benefits and to thy Maiestie doo I sing holie holie holie O blessed Trinitie
For God there is all in all whome they doo alwaies behold and by beholding him continuallie they burne the more in loue towards him They loue and they praise him they praise and they loue him all their worke is to praise God without ending without fainting without toiling O happie yea and euermore happie shall I be if after the resolution of this mortall bodie I may heare those celestiall songs of melodie which are sung vnto the praise of the eternall King by those citizens of the supernall countrie and by the companies of the blessed spirits Happie then yea much happie should I be might I be counted woorthie to sing those sugred songs and to wait on my King my God and my Captaine to behold him in his glorie according as he hath promised saieng Father I will that they whome thou hast giuen me be with me euen where I am that they may behold my glorie which I had with thee before the foundation of the world And in another place If anie man serue me let him followe me For where I am there shall also my seruant be And againe He that loueth me shall be loued of my father and I will loue him and will shew mine owne selfe vnto him Another godlie and Christian praier for the Church and congregation presentlie assembled ALthough the holie Scriptures doo teach vs euerie where that the heauen O most good and mercifull God is thy dwelling place yet the same doth in such wise set out thine infinite goodnesse as the Church is both called and also is in deede thy sanctified house wherein thou most frequentest wherein also thy blessed name is lifted vp with high praises the faithfull instructed in thy sacred words and the holie Sacraments dulie receiued And therefore the godlie hauing an especiall regard to the honour of thy glorious name most earnestlie with a feruent mind and vehement affection doo continuallie stir vp one another to make holie assemblies with woonderfull exhortations to the intent the pure worshipping and holie inuocating of thy blessed name might onlie be therein practised Now therefore and at what time so euer we shall come together in the holie congregation our earnest request is that wee may be there with cheerefull and verie desirous minds For thou trulie hast of an exceeding liberalitie adorned thy holie Church with most flourishing right excellent gifts neither is there anie thing pretermitted that apperteineth to hir garnishing which may either belong to the spirituall decking and beautifieng thereof or to the plentious enriching of it in abundance of all heauenlie good things Which seeing they haue proceeded most fullie from thee this onlie remaineth that thou wouldest be present with vs and them which are assembled together in the name of Iesus Christ and so condescend vnto our feruent praiers who thereby doo call vpon thee as the members thereof may be annexed together with a perpetuall concord Cause all our meetings I saie good father to be in such sort as we may render due honour vnto thee Let the sacred Scriptures be heere purelie and sincerelie interpreted and let thy glorious kingdome from daie to daie be more and more inlarged making all these things to be established with thy ioious peace and the tranquillitie of thy holie spirit yea so long as we praie for the quietnesse and felicitie heereof Let vs procure substantiall and perfect good things both to our neighbours and also vnto thy blessed house and holie sanctified Church And cause that those Citizens which doo credit the sacred doctrine of thy holie Church may by thy excellent benefit become frends and faithfull brethren one to another and in the end beeing quite deliuered from thrall bring thou to passe that one daie we may altogether repose our selues in the true and most holie Ierusalem through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for the increase of the Church THE Church is vnto thee O most good and mercifull GOD as a most roiall Queene espoused to the intent she may bring foorth vnto thee a most plentifull and holie seede Wherefore forasmuch as thou hast coupled hir vnto thee to be thy wife by faith and that she is reputed of the vngodlie as a barren woman because shee seemeth to haue left off child-bearing grant hir to be made vnto thee through thy sacred word and holie spirit afruitfull and ioifull mother of manie holie and vertuous children by whome thy glorious name may be exalted with perpetuall praises in thine holie house euen as it becommeth them Let hir be glad with a perfect and substantiall ioy for the great number of hir most faithfull religious sonnes and daughters Multiplie increase the issue of thy sacred Church I saie O God with a plentifull and an innumerable issue and let hir ingender godlie children vnto thee dailie more and more euen such as are worthie of such a father mother and to be partakers of thy blessed spirit Grant that we may altogether aspire vnto the loue of thee our most delectable bridegroome and that throughour labour laid together in stead of our forefathers who are now alreadie gathered vnto thee manie mo faithfull religious and holie children may be begotten vnto thee anew with whom we may alwaies in our posterities set out celebrate thy famous honour most noble praises Shine thou downe out of Zion O God euen from thine exceeding high vnapprochable light vpon the virgin thy blessed Church preserue hir from the number of perils which she is in cōtinuall danger of Let hir not fall to ruine nor be as a lampe despised in the opinion of the rich welthie men of this world but let thy mountaines glister and giue their light as lamps of fire Yea let righteousnes saluation breake forth out of zion as a shining light and burning lamp that all men may see it and glorifie thee Let the lamps of hir loue I saie O God be as coales of fire and a verie vehement flame of the Lord to dazell ouercome and consume hir enimies after a woonderfull and miraculous manner and cause the seuen lampes of the Uirgins euen all thy spirituall gifts and graces O GOD in the Saincts to burne bright and cleere without anie quenching before thy throne for euer Let thy Church be as a flourishing Uine spreading it selfe far abroade so that Antichrist with all his craft and industrie may not be of force to cut and hew it downe And euen as thou O Lord hast euerie where maruellouslie replenished the earth with thine inestimable goodnesse so in like manner be so good as to let the number of thy true and faithfull suppliants bee dailie more and more greatlie enlarged Let there bee continuall labouring in thy beloued Church by doctrine and example to nurture the blessed children so that their works may be a singular ornament thereof to thy glorie and the increase of all manner of vertue Let hir I saie be made dailie like vnto a most fruitefull woman that
vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs an hart to loue and dread thee and diligentlie to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekelie thy word and to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of the spirit We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the waie of truth all such as haue erred and are deceiued We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to strengthen such as doo stand and to comfort and helpe the weake-harted and to raise vp them that fall and finallie to beate downe Sathan vnder our feete We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to succour helpe and comfort all that be in danger necessitie and tribulation We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by land or by water all women labouring of child all sicke persons and yoong children and to shew thy pitie vpon all prisoners and captiues We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes and all that bee desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to haue mercie vpon all men We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to forgiue our enimies persecutors and slanderers and to turne their harts We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindlie fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enioie them We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to endue vs with the grace of thy holie spirit to amend our liues according to thy holie word We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Grant vs thy peace O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Haue mercie vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. The Versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes The Answere Neither reward vs after our iniquities Let vs praie O God mercifull father that despisest not the sighing of a contrite hart nor the desires of such as be sorowfull mercifullie assist our praiers that we make before thee in all our troubles and aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs and gratiouslie heare vs that those euils which the craft and subtiltie of the diuell or man worketh against vs be brought to naught and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may be dispersed that we thy seruants being hurt by no persecutions may euermore giue thanks vnto thee in thy holie Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy name sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble works that thou diddest in their daies and in the old time before them O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thine honour Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne c. As it was in the beginning is now and euer c. From our enimies defend vs O Christ Gratiouslie looke vpon our afflictions Pitifullie behold the sorrowes of our harts Mercifullie forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauourablie with mercie heare our praiers O sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon vs. Both now euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Lord Christ The Versicle O Lord let thy mercie be shewed vpon vs. The Answere As we doo put our trust in thee Let vs praie WE humblie beseech thee O Father mercifullie to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glorie of thy name sake turne from vs all those euils that we most worthilie haue deserued and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercie and euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of life to thy honour and glorie through our onlie mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for the Queenes Maiestie O Lord our heauenlie father high and mightie King of kings Lord of lords the onlie ruler of princes which dooest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vpon earth most hartilie we beseech thee with thy fauour to behold our most gratious souereigne ladie Queene Elizabeth and so replenish hir with the grace of thy holie spirit that she may alwaie incline to thy will and walke in thy waie Indue hir plentifullie with heauenlie gifts graunt hir in health and wealth long to liue strengthen hir that she may vanquish and ouercome all hir enimies and finallie after this life she may attaine euerlasting ioie and felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for Bishops and Curates ALmightie and euerlasting God which onlie workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops and Curates and all congregations committed to their charge the healthfull spirit of thy grace and that they may trulie please thee powre vpon them the continuall dewe of thy blessing Grant this O Lord for the honour of our Aduocate and Mediatour Iesu Christ Amen A praier of Chrysostome ALmightie God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and dooest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfill now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen 2. Corinth 13 verse 13. THE grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the fellowship of the holie Ghost bee with vs all euermore Amen ¶ Other godlie Collects and praiers to be vsed after the Letanie as occasion serueth and first In time of drought for raine O GOD heauenlie father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessarie to their bodilie sustenance send vs wee beseech thee in this our necessitie such moderate raine and showers that we may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort and to thy honor through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another ALmightie God mercifull Father who in thy holie word hast promised to
most comfortable nor preaching by monsters most ouglie nor preaching by fire most strange nor preaching by earthquakes most terrible neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stirre vp our stonie harts and awake vs from our sinnes We feare oh Lord that the Turks with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing will condemne vs in the last daie which if they had beene so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word and sweete promises of thy Gospell or thy woonders both in heauen and earth which we haue seene no doubt their righteousnes would haue shined at this day to our great shame and confusion Thou hast no lesse warned vs oh Lord of thy fearefull displeasure heauie plagues at hand for our great wickednesse than thou didst the Israelits of the horrible destruction which came vpon them whom thou first in mercie didst call to repentance by the preaching of thy word but when no warning would serue thou didst send them monstrous and fearfull signes and tokens to declare that thy visitation was not farre off But they like vnto vs at this daie did alwaies interpret these things after the imagination of their vaine harts promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads Which things when we doo call to mind for as much as they are written for our learning example warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgments For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deere and chosen children in token of thy great wrath against sinne what shall we looke for who doo no lesse deserue thy fearfull scourge and of mercie it is that thou dooest thus long forbeare vs but liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare and crie unwardlie in our soules Come Lord Iesu holie and true in all thy dooings and shorten our daies bring this our pilgrimage to an end suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sinne vnto the daie of vengeance least we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate which shall neuer see thy louing countenance It maketh vs to crie to thee O Lord let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein we doo nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lord in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thine heauie displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame and confusion though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercie Lord and with fatherlie correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not awaie from vs. To thee we flie for succour vnder the wings of thy mercie shall be our refuge vntill thou turne thy wrathfull countenance from vs. We knowe that thy mercie is aboue all thy works and euen as great as thy selfe therefore will we saie with holie Iob Though thou kill vs yet we put our trust in thee Thou camest to comfort and plucke out of the dungeon of hell such wretches as we are Thou art the good Samaritane that camest to heale our deadlie wounds Thou art that good Physician that camest to cure our mortall infirmities Thou art the good shepheard that camest to seeke vs wandering lost sheepe and to bring vs to thy fold againe And more than that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh and bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations borne the burden of our sinnes Therefore at thy hands we looke for mercie against the daie of vengeance And though thou punish vs yet our hope is and euer shall be that thy rod shall no further touch vs than shall make to thy glorie our commoditie and the strengthening and increase of our faith Let this thy preaching sundrie waies O Lord be sufficient for our warning and grant that we may speedilie and from the bottome of our harts repent endeuour to doo thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy word and frame our liues according to the same that we may here liue in thy feare all the daies of our life and after this our sinfull course is ended may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our onelie redeemer Amen A Psalme of thankes-giuing for deliuerance from the plague or anie other kind of sicknesse trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gratious vnto thy land thou hast turned awaie the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken awaie all thy displeasure turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull 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 feete haue slipped thy mercie O Lord helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorowes that we had in our harts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lords word did we reioice in Gods word did we comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon me in the time of trouble and I will heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when we were poore needie sicklie and in heauinesse the Lord cared for vs he was our helpe and our sauiour according to his word In our aduersitie and distresse he hath lifted vp our heads and saued vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth he hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holie temple the oblation of thankes-giuing with great gladnesse wee will sing and speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour We will giue thanks vnto the Lord for he is gratious and his mercie endureth for euer The Lord is full of compassion and mercie long suffering plentious in goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the heauens and his gratious goodnesse reacheth vnto the clouds Like as a father pitieth his owne children euen so is the Lord mercifull vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holie one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes of thankes giuing 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 we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euerie daie will we giue thanks vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speake the praises of the Lord and let all flesh giue thanks to his holie name for euer and euer Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his Maiestie world without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. In the time of anie particular or
finallie let him not defile the euangelicall function by anie meanes no not with the least suspicion of glorie or lucre neither let his mouth speake wickednesse nor his tongue set foorth deceit but as he dooth preach thy lawes and take thy couenant in his mouth so grant he himselfe also may not hate to be reformed nor at anie time cast thy holie word behind his backe And now bicause thou O Lord so mercifullie offerest vnto vs thy saluation I am to desire thee furthermore in the behalfe of this congregation present that we also for our parts may of our owne accord willinglie receiue the same saluation of the Gospell now so gratiouslie offered vs that as thy preachers for their parts doo publish thy glorious name so we as greene grasse may receiue the heauenlie dew of thy doctrine and that the barren earth of our harts may be thereby moistened with the liuelie water of thy grace and holie spirit to fructifie in the same Grant that we may receiue these holie things high mysteries and most pretious pearles not as dogs or swine to tread them contemptuouslie vnder our feete as wicked Atheists and vngodlie contemners of thy Gospell to our damnation but as thy children and those that are of God and sheepe of his fold with all meeknesse obedience christian feare and reuerence grant that we may both heare receiue and fulfill them to thy glorie and our saluation Furthermore as thou in mercie openest their mouth to speake vnto vs so giue vs grace to open our harts and eares to receiue the wholesome instructions and fatherlie admonitions which proceed thereout O giue vs grace I saie to applie our harts to instruction and our eares to the words of knowledge Let vs be still desirous of thy heauenlie kingdome Let the holie bread of thy Gospell and foode of heauenlie dainties be onlie sweet vnto vs and sauorie in our mouths that we may depart well refreshed and full fraught with the largesse and plentie of thy word and Euangelike feast Make thou vs true Conuerts and more and more to increase and growe from faith to faith vertue to vertue Let vs neuer loath this heauenlie Philosophie but let vs be as the learned that are taught of thee and made meet by this thy preacher to receiue thy doctrine to our health The preacher heere present is vndoubtedlie thy mouth and messenger whom thou hast sent O therfore let vs not dare either barbarously to misvse our selues towards him in word deed or thought or scornefullie disdaine to be taught of him but with all feare of thy Maiestie and reuerence towards him let vs with all attentiue and ghostlie greedinesse marke his words well to followe whatsoeuer shall be godlie vttered by him And finallie touch thou so our harts we beseech thee O God to beleeue thy word and to repent with speed that the preaching of thy Gospell may take place in vs to practise the works of faith and shew foorth fruits worthie the same so that we with this and all other thy preachers and they togither with vs leading a right vertuous and godlie life according to the rules prescribed in thy word may be brought in the end vnto thee the chiefe shepheard of our soules where wee may iointlie be partakers of eternall good things and most excellent felicitie thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another IN this great darknesse of our soules O Lord thou shinest vnto vs with the lightsome lampe of thy grace but in nothing so effectuallie as in preaching of thy word Great is the haruest as thou thy selfe hast said and the workemen are few The most part of men are ignorant and wrapped in miserable blindnesse and few there are that teach thy word trulie and as they ought I beseech thee therefore that thou wilt send foorth workemen into thy haruest send teachers O Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by thy spirit of godlie wisdome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will seeke not themselues but thee because they are godlie and can so doo because they are wise and vnderstand Giue to the preacher of thy word heere present out of the treasures of thy wisedome that which he may powre vpon vs to our saluation And in vs open the windowes of our harts that they may receiue into them the most holie and wholsome light and that the good seede which falleth vpon vs be not choaked with thornes or withered awaie with drought nor be deuoured by the fowles of the aire but may growe vp in good ground and that fruitefullie with great increase to thy glorie and our saluation Amen Another praier to be vsed of anie hearer of Gods word I Giue thee most hartie thanks O eternall God father of our Lord Iesu Christ for that it hath pleased thee of thine vnspeakable mercie and goodnesse in all ages continuallie to send into the world men woonderfull in the gifts and knowledge of thy will to be renuers and spreaders foorth of thy truth Like thanks I ascribe vnto thy sacred Maiestie for allowing vs shepheards and preachers in these our daies for the gathering together of thy Church out of all mankinde to the building of the bodie of Christ Humblie I beseech thee gratious God continue alwaie among vs thy pure word through thy Ministers gather vnto thy selfe an euerlasting congregation and so instruct mine hart with thy spirit of truth that vnfeinedlie I may assent to thy wholesome word proue a liuelie member of thy bodie and be incorporated into that societie which both in this world doth sincerelie confesse thee and euermore extoll thy holie name Keepe those preachers which thou dooest and wilt giue in the certaine knowledge of thy blessed will that they may from time to time both open vnto vs thine intent concerning the repairing of mankind the saluation and redemption of our soules through thy free mercy and also teach vs how to liue in new obedience and to abstaine from carnall desires which fight against the soule Inspire the ministers and preachers of thy word with thine holie spirit that they may vtter thy will purelie as they haue receiued it from thy hands reteining the forme of whoalsome words and sounding onlie that doctrine which is vttered by thy sonne out of thy bosome For otherwise departing from the order of faith and the rule of thy word they will greatlie obscure the light of thy doctrine and obtrude vpon vs the vanitie of their owne inuentions Wherefore let them speake thy word not deceiptfullie but sincerelie euen as from thee and in thy sight Grant also that by transforming thy ministerie into policie they lord not ouer thine elect neither contend about superioritie and primacie in the Church but onlie to seeke the glorie of thy name and the saluation both of themselues vs. Giue them libertie of speech boldlie without feare to blame and rebuke all false doctrine blasphemous superstition and abuses in the Church Open vnto them the doore of vtterance
supplication is not onlie for those aboue mentioned but also for such as either although they resist not thy truth and pure religion openlie and obstinatelie professe our religion yet mingled with manie superstitions and abuses worshipping and calling vpon Saints departed out of this life or be addicted to outward ceremonies and rudiments of this world burdening their consciences with mans obseruations and traditions of their fathers or trusting to their owne righteousnesse or rather to the works and deedes of the flesh refuse and make little accompt of thy righteousnesse which is the true iustification and go about to establish their owne righteousnesse But Christ is the end of the lawe for righteousnesse to as manie as beleeue and another foundation can no man laie than that is laid in thy sonne the Messias which is the waie the truth the life and the end of the lawe For by his perfect obedience and fulfilling of the lawe by his innocent and bitter death hee hath restored vnto vs saluation and perfect righteousnesse that euerie one which beleeueth on him might not perish but haue euerlasting life O God the sight of the blind bring them home againe which through ignorance either are intangled in doubtfull labyrinths and grosse errours or countenance polluted religion that lightened by thy spirit they may returne into the right waie And such as with impudent faces and stiffe neckes doo obstinatelie with an affected ignorance withstand thine holie spirit whose senses the god of this world hath blinded that the light of thy glorious Gospell shine not ouer them represse and bridle their malice that by slaughter and persecutions they neither trouble nor destroie thy Church Amen After the Sermon reade some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the diligent obseruing and following of Gods word beard Deuteronomie 28 verse 1. IF thou shalt obeie diligentlie the voice of the Lord thy God walke in his ordinances and obserue keepe and doo all his commandements which I command thee this daie then all these blessings shall come on thee and ouertake thee Blessed shalt thou be in the citie and blessed in the field c. But and if thou wilt not obeie the voice of the Lord thy God to keepe and doo all his commandements and his ordinances which I command thee this daie then all these curses shall come vpon thee and ouertake thee Curssed shalt thou be in the citie and curssed in the field c. as in the whole Chapter Ecclesiasticus 35. WHO so keepeth the lawe bringeth offrings inough he that holdeth fast the commandements offereth an offering of saluation Matthew 7. WHO soeuer heareth of me saieth Christ these words and doth the same I will liken him to a wise man which hath builded his house on a rocke c. But whosoeuer heareth these my words and doth them not shall be likened vnto a foolish man which hath builded his house vpon the sands c. Luke 11. BLessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Luke 12. THE seruant that knoweth his maisters will and doth it not shall be beaten with manie stripes Romans 2. THE hearers of the lawe are not righteous before God but the dooers of the lawe shall be iustified Iames. 1. WHerefore be yee dooers of the word and not hearers onelie deceiuing your owne selues For if anie heare the word and doo it not he is like vnto a man that beholdeth his naturall face in a glasse For when he hath considered himselfe he goeth awaie and forgetteth immediatlie what manner of one he was But who so looketh in the perfect lawe of libertie and continueth therein he not beeing a forgetfull hearer but a dooer of the worke shall bee blessed in his deed Iohn 15. NOw are yee cleane through the word which I haue spoken vnto you Abide in me and I in you c. I am the vine yee are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth foorth much fruit For without me can ye doo nothing If yee abide in me and my word abide in you aske what yee will and it shall be done vnto you Reuelation 2. FOR he that ouercommeth and keepeth my words vnto the end to him will I giue power ouer nations Reuelation 3. REmember therefore how thou hast heard and receiued and hold fast and repent Hold that I saie which thou hast that no man take thy crowne and watch Then giue thanks and praie vnto God after the Sermon and saie IMmortall praise and thanks be giuen vnto thee O almightie God and most mercifull father who hast giuen vs so pretious a gift of thy holie word and vouchsafed vs to heare so glad tidings of thy sacred Gospell by the hand of this thy minister who presentlie by thy mercy hath vttered it vnto vs. And seeing thou hast delt so gratiouslie with vs in the free publishing of thy Gospell amongst vs this foure and twentie yeeres that it seemeth thou hast euen lifted vs vp to heauen with the cities wherein our Sauiour taught most in his being vpon the earth and hast now in a manner throwne them downe to hell and left in them a terrible and a fearfull example of thy iudgements against those that walke not woorthie the graces offered vnto them Grant vs so to profit by this their chastisement and correction that as of thy grace thou hast reuealed thy will vnto vs which otherwise we could neuer haue knowne so now strengthen vs O Lord that we neuer refuse thy Gospell in vnbeleefe nor seeke in the persons of the preachers of it anie causes and pretences of our infidelitie but hauing thy word alwaies in our harts and thy praises in our tongues we may walke woorthie thy so great graces bestowed vpon vs and haue our conuersation in heauen that after wee may be taken vp thither vnto thee alwaies to glorifie thee with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost Amen A thankes-giuing for the knowledge of God in his word WE giue thee thankes O Father Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast hid the mysterie of thy word which is the Gospell of our saluation by thy Sonne from the wise and men of vnderstanding in this world and hast reuealed the same to babes of base degree certeinlie such was thy good pleasure Thou hast giuen vs all things in thy Sonne whom none knoweth but thou Father neither dooth anie knowe thee except thy Sonne and he to whom thy Sonne shall reueale thee We worship thee we praise thee we glorifie thee we giue thee thanks for the hid wisedome which thou didst determine before the world for our glorie which was neuer knowne to the princes of this world nor at anie time to the sonnes of men as it is now reuealed by the spirit to whom the communion of the mysterie which was hid from all ages but is now opened to thy Saints to whom thou wouldst haue made knowne what be the riches of this glorious mysterie It is thine owne working
Iesus Christ our Lord and onelie Sauiour to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all honour glorie praise and thankes-giuing not onelie of me miserable sinner and vnwoorthie wretch but also of all men Angels and creatures both in heauen and in earth from this time foorth for euermore Amen Luke 15 verses 6 7. Reioice with me saith Christ For I haue found my sheepe which was lost yea I saie vnto you there is ioie in heauen in the presence of the Angels of God ouer one sinner that repenteth more than ouer ninetie and nine iust persons which neede no repentance A praier to be vsed for the conuersion of anie notorious sinner that doth open penance in the Church PItifull God omnipotent Lord and mercifull Father who for that good will thou bearest vnto vs in Iesus Christ thy deere sonne wilt not the death and destruction of a sinner but rather that he by the inspiration and moouing of thy holie spirit conuert and liue who also doost witnesse the vertue and strength of thy word to be such that it causeth the mountaines to shake the rocks tremble and the flouds to drie vp behold we thy children and people here prostrate before thee most humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake pitifullie to looke vpon all sinners and especiallie vpon this our sister here present who once was baptised in thy name and hath professed hir selfe subiect to this religion and vnto the discipline of thy Church though Satan alas now for a while hath so blinded hir that wilfullie shee hath contemned both the one and the other But O Lord as thou alone knowest so maist thou alone change and mollifie the harts of the impenitent sinners thou I saie which by the voice of the prophet Nathan awakedst Dauid from his deadlie securitie and who without anie prophet didst beate downe the pride of Manasses in the prison after that he had filled Ierusalem with all kind of impietie thou which turnedst the hart of Peter at the onelie looke of thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ after that fearfullie with horrible imprecations hee had thrise denied and openlie forsworne thee thou which openedst the eies of the blind excommunicate man and causedst him to beleeue thy saiengs which forgauest the woman taken in adulterie sentst hir awaie vncondemned of thee hir accusers thou I saie O Lord whose mercies without measure endure for euer To thee doo we praie for this our sister heere presentlie punished and dooing open penance for hir offences earnestlie desiring thee O father of mercies first so to pierce and moue hir heart with the feare of thy seuere iudgements which sufferest no child of thine to go vncorrected in this world to the end they may escape vnpunished in the world to come and so to open hir eies that she may begin to see and vnderstand how fearefull and terrible a thing it is to fall into thy hands and to prouoke thy wrath and indignation against hir Let it please thy Maiestie by the vertue of thy holie spirit so to mollifie hir hard hart I saie that she may now at length feele how greeuouslie she hath offended both against thee and the Church and giue hir thy grace to acknowledge accuse and damne as well before vs whome she hath offended as before thy presence this hir contempt and sinne so notorious and damnable least that by hir obstinacie and wilfull rebellion thy Church and congregation being further prouoked be compelled with greefe of harts to cut hir quite off from thy mysticall bodie whome we O Lord vnfeinedlie desire to receiue within the Church as a liuelie member of thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Heare vs mercifull father call backe againe this our deere sister from eternall destruction where-into Sathan would leade hir that we all who before thy presence euen for hir rebellion and transgressions doo mourne may receiue hir againe with gladnes and ioie and so render praise and honour vnto thee before this thy holie congregation We grant our selues O Lord vnworthie whome thou shouldest heare because we cease not to offend thee by our continuall transgressing of thy holie precepts Looke not vpon vs mercifull father in this our corrupt nature but looke downe to thy deere sonne whome thou of thy meere mercie hast appointed our head high Bishop aduocate mediator and onlie propitiator In him and in the merits of his death we humblie beseech thee mercifullie to behold vs and suffer not the most innocent bloud of thy deere sonne shead for vs and this our penitent sister to be prophaned by the tyrannie and sleight of Sathan but by the vertue of the same let our sister be brought to vnfeined repentance and conuersion that so she may escape that fearfull indignation into the which she appeareth to haue fallen Grant I saie O Lord vnto this our sister the repentance of the hart and sincere confession of the mouth to the praise of thy name to the comfort of thy Church and to the confusion of Sathan And vnto vs grant O Lord that albeit we cannot liue altogether cleane from sinne and void of offences yet that we fall not into the like horrible crimes of impietie and contempt to the dishonour of thy holie name to the slander and offence of our brethren and sisters and infamie of thy holie Religion and Gospell which we professe Let thy godlie power O Lord so perpetuallie assist and strengthen our weakenesse and conduct vs in all the course of our whole life that neither the craft of Sathan nor the tyrannie of sinne drawe vs vtterlie from the obedience required in true Christians but that contrarilie beeing subiect to the voice of thy Church and to the ministers of the same vnder thee by holinesse and innocencie of life we may declare to the wicked generation what difference there is betweene the children of light and the children of darkenesse that all men seeing our good works may praise thee in the daie of visitation This we aske of thee O heauenlie Father in the boldnesse of our head and mediator Iesus Christ praieng furthermore as he hath taught vs Our Father c. Another praier to be said of the beholders of anie offender in the Church or else-where ALmightie God and most mercifull father whose iudgements are vnsearchable and whose waies are past finding out teach vs to iudge wiselie of this our sister and all other afflicted with thy hand not condemning them but rather profiting by them that their example may leade vs to repentance and bringing foorth such fruits as thou requirest of all those that are planted in thy Church least by continuing fruitlesse we prouoke thee at the last to the cutting of vs downe And because thou hast giuen vs a sauiour able to heale all our infirmities deliuer vs by him O Lord from all the bonds of Sathan that being set at libertie by him we may fore-see the straight doore and enter into it leauing the wide gate that leadeth
beeing made thine adopted children we may by the sanctification of thy spirit inherit the euerlasting kingdome through the same Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie for the fruits of Baptisme thus MOst heauenlie and eternall father we thy humble seruants entirelie desire thy fatherlie goodnesse that as thou hast begun in vs a newe birth washed vs with the fountaine of regeneration whereby we are made members of thy bodie and elected into the number and felowship of thy Church and congregation so thou wouldest powre vpon vs the grace of thy spirit to direct our liues according to this beginning in holinesse and purenesse that we may mortifie the lusts of the flesh resist the assaults of Sathan and auoide the alurements of the wicked world remembring alwaies that Baptisme doth represent vnto vs our vocation quenching those sparks of concupiscence that we all drawe from the old Adam and quickning vs in those good fruits of Christ our Sauiour who continuallie preserue vs with his holie spirit for euer and euer Amen Or praie for the continuance of the true institution of the Sacraments thus O Most mightie and most mercifull God by whose power the heauens and earth and all things therein are created who hast placed euerie thing in a most excellent order and hast framed man after thine owne similitude and image raising him from hell to heauen from wo to ioie from damnation to saluation and hast giuen him through thy sonne Iesu Christ a most sure bond of thy promise made in the beginning to mankind for the redemption of the world sending thine onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ to performe the same who made one onelie oblation and sacrifice for the sinnes of the whole world and did ordaine and institute two most holie Sacraments to continue the remembrance of the same make vs euer mindfull we beseech thee of these thine inestimable treasures Continue oh Lord this thy fauour towards vs. Let not tyrants preuaile against thy Church but let thy mightie power be shewed that the sacred rites may cōtinue in thy Church that the enimies may be ouerthrowne as the Turke who would vtterlie destroie those most holie Sacraments which thou hast ordeined for our saluation as the Anabaptists which like heretikes alter thy most holie institution as the Atheists who bred in them great corruption Conuert them we beseech thee O Lord and establish vs in the truth of thy holie spirit by thy mightie power that both now and euer wee may continue in the right institution of thy Sacraments which thy Sonne our Sauiour Christ hath left most perfect vnto vs to the endlesse ioie and consolation of our soules To whome therefore with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise world without end Amen Prouerbes 9. verse 1. WIsedome hath built hir house and hewen out hir seauen pillers she hath killed hir victuals drawne hir wine and prepared hir table she hath sent foorth hir virgins and crieth vpon the high places of the citie saieng Who so is simple let him come hither and to him that is destitute of wisedome she saith Come and eate of my meate and drinke of my wine that I haue drawne Canti 5. I AM come saith Christ vnto his spouse the Church into my garden my sister my spouse I gathered my mirrh with my spice I ate my honie-combe with my honie I dranke my wine with my milke Eate ô freends drinke and make ye merrie ô welbeloued Reuelation 19. HAppie and blessed are they which are called vnto the Lambes supper Christian praiers to be said before at and after ye receiue the holie Communion and first An effectuall meditation of the right Christian beleefe in the holie Sacrament of the Lords supper and of the woorthie and fruitefull receiuing the same to our comfort and saluation to be diligentlie read before you receiue O My soule let vs now carefullie consider first whether we bee come namelie to the celestiall table heauenlie banket greate feast costlie repast and sumptuous supper of the most puissant glorious mightie and magnificent King of kinges and Lord of lordes Iesus Christ thy most mercifull maker righteous redeemer souereigne sauiour and deere spouse and that of necessitie as both forced therevnto by his iust commandement and also allured and inuited by his mercifull promises Secondlie O my soule let vs rightlie knowe and diligentlie marke what things are heere presentlie set before vs on this holie Table and prouided for vs in this blessed banket to taste of namelie that the deintie dishes and the refection and meate which we must in verie deede seeke for onelie in this sacred supper are no vaine ceremonies no bare signe no vntrue figure of a thing absent no earthlie bodie no carnall meate nor anie fleshlie substance but as the sacred Scripture saith and other holie men doo rightlie tearme and call them The Bread and Cup of the Lord a heauenlie refection the sweet deinties of our sauiour the nourishment of our soules an inuisible meate a spirituall foode a ghostlie substance which all are heere now most mercifullie offered and exhibited vnto vs and all other faithfull soules as the soueraigne preseruatiue against death the conseruatorie to euerlasting life the comfortable medicine of the soule the salue of immortalitie the pledge of eternall health the defence of faith the hope of the resurrection the memorie of Christ the annuntiation of his death finallie the communion of the bodie and bloud of the Lord Iesus in a maruellous incorporation which by the holie Ghost the verie bond of our perfection with Christ is through faith wrought in the soules of the faithfull whereby not onlie their soules doo liue to eternall life but also they surelie trust to win to their bodies a resurrection to immortalitie In the which also we may not onlie heare see taste and knowe the mercie of God our Creator sealed the sanctification by Christ our redeemer towards vs confirmed the remission of our sinnes through the holie Ghost our comforter and regenerator fullie satisfied and established but also most sensiblie and effectuallie to our further comfort in deed feele wrought in vs the tranquillitie of conscience the increase of faith the strengthening of hope and the long spreading abroad of brotherlie loue and kindnesse with manie other sundrie maruellous graces and benefits of God most profitable vnto vs. Which things well considered and weighed my soule O with what feruent affection and earnest zeale ought they now to inflame our hart and kindle our mind greedilie to couet and desire the participation of these most holie mysteries yea often to long and hunger after this healthsome bread and continuallie thirst for this diuine heauenlie and blessed food Thirdlie and lastlie O my soule let vs aduisedlie call to mind and well vnderstand the cause wherefore wee are now come vnto this holie table of the Lord which indeed is onlie to this end that we should now be godlie ghests not idle gazers hungrie eaters not steruing
lookers on to feede our selues and not to hire others to feed for vs that so we may liue by our owne meate and not perish for hunger while other deuoure all We are come togither I saie O my soule with this congregation assembled presentlie to celebrate a sacrifice not priuatelie in one kind for the dead nor to make a mysterie a sacrifice nor of a communion to make a priuate eating nor of two parts to haue but one nor yet to applie it for the dead and so we to loose the fruit that are aliue No no my soule God forbid that we should come to celebrate this holie mysterie after anie such sort or to anie such vse or purpose For that were to declare our selues vnwoorthie of the Lord yea to be accursed of him for committing such spirituall blasphemie and robberie But knowe that we are come hither now publikely and openly at this the Lords boord to minister doo that which he himselfe a little before his death vouchsafed in his owne person most wiselie kindlie and louinglie to inuent prouide institute ordeine doo establish and command as a most necessarie waie and meane for it the better to take some place in vs and not to be frustrate of it end and purpose Yea to doo that which his holie Apostles also afterward togither with the godlie fathers in the primitiue Church both vsed practised authorised and confirmed according as it was deliuered and giuen by the first author thereof onelie that is to saie euen openlie and publikelie to celebrate in the Lords most happie commemoration and remembrance at this his holie table the heauenlie memorie of that most maruellous worke and deere bought benefit of our redemption and saluation wrought by Christ Iesus to our endlesse consolation profit commoditie and eternall saluation in his with all reuerence named most pretious death painfull crosse bloudie passion And wite thou well O my soule that like as Moses Aaron and Phinees long since did somtimes eate Manna in the wildernesse then spirituallie vnderstanding those visible things euen so now we in like maner spirituallie vnderstanding these holie mysteries for it is the spirit that quickeneth and giueth life the flesh profiteth vs nothing as saith our Sauiour must here also spirituallie hunger spirituallie taste spirituallie eate the flesh of Christ and spirituallie drinke his bloud indeed in these holie mysteries by faith onlie and assured constant beleefe that the blessed bodie of Christ was crucified and his pretious bloud shed vpon the Crosse for our saluation And so receiue this the Lords supper euen for a token badge or cognizance of this faith and saluation in Christs merits declaring therby euermore his death and passion with thanks-giuing vntill he come Neither must we now so much as once dreame of anie grosse or carnall eating or fleshlie feeding or thinke that we are come at this present to feed our senses and bellie to corruption for that were baselie to abiect and bind our selues to the elements and creatures and so to declare our selues drowned in deed in the dirtie lake of blindnesse and ignorance but onlie and in truth to nourish and feed our inward man to immortalitie and life euerlasting namelie that as our outward man is nourished by letting in this bodilie meat into the stomach that is helthsome and sound to be digested so our inward man may be spirituallie fed and satisfied by receiuing the meate thereof into our soule and hart sound and whole in faith And therfore we shall not need now at this present time in dooing these things to whet our teeth O my soule but as S. Cyprian saith with sincere faith to breake and diuide this holie bread For surelie without faith which indeed is the onelie instrument most necessarie in the right vse of all these holie mysteries it is impossible to please God heerein neither can the vnbeleeuers and faithlesse folke feed vpon the Lords pretious bodie nor enioie the eating and drinking of this so high and diuine nourishment of spirituall food Yea to haue anie other eating than spirituallie by faith onelie is plaine idolatrie It behoueth vs therfore O my soule diligentlie to ponder weigh and consider of these things that now at the last we may not onelie vnfeinedlie and thoroughlie trie prooue and examine our selues our owne consciences and liues but also humblie acknowledging our faults vnto God hartilie repenting our former sinfull life asking mercie of GOD the Father for Christs sake and gladlie forgiuing all our offenders effectuallie and carefullie there withall plucke vp euen the verie roots of heathenish infidelitie and all distrust in Gods mercifull promises to the end we may thereby in verie deed shew our selues liuelie plants of the fruitfull oliue liuing branches of the true vine and woorthie members of Christs mysticall bodie euen such as haue our life our abiding our vnion and as it were our incorporation with him Finallie O my soule we must not now like chattering Iaies so much regard or consider these earthlie elements and terrene creatures which we see with our corporall eie and still remaine so but especiallie and in deed haue respect to the heauenlie graces and benefits which our faith beholdeth in and by them Neither must we by anie meanes cleaue to these inferiour or base things which lie here beneath and are visiblie discerned but leauing them altogether wee must rather resemble and plaie the parts of the Egles who flie mount vp thither where the dead bodie lieth that is giuing credit to the words of Christ who saith The words that I speake are spirit and life And againe remembering that God willeth such as will be true worshippers of him to worship him in spirit and truth we must now so behold the bread and wine with our naturall eies that we may neuerthelesse especiallie lift vp the eies of our mind to heauen and looke vp by faith vpon the holie bodie and bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ God and man as he is there sitting at the right hand of God his Father in equall glorie power and maiestie alwaies seeking it there where the sunne of righteousnesse euermore shineth continuallie holding fast and still cleauing by faith onlie to the rocke whence we may sucke in deed the sweetnes of euerlasting saluatin So shall we O my soule now repenting hartilie our former fowle life being in perfect loue and charitie with all men maruelling with reuerence and feare at these sacred things now touching these holie and fearfull mysteries with our mind receiuing them with the hand of our hart and taking them fullie with our inward man by faith onelie be sure at this holie table euen now presentlie to receiue not onlie the outward Sacrament but the spirituall thing also not the figure but the truth not the shadowe but the bodie and that not to death but to life not to our destruction but to our saluation which God euen our owne God for his mercies sake grant vs now effectuallie to
penitent from the kissing of thy blessed feet And in likewise despise me not nor put me awaie as vnwoorthie from the receiuing of thy bodie in the blessed Sacrament for my sinnes and wickednesse but grant thou me cōpunction of hart plentie of weeping tears to wash awaie my sinnes wickednesse so that with a pure hart and cleane conscience I may this daie receiue the Sacrament to my soules helth that I may obtaine and possesse thereby euerlasting life with all holie Saints in heauens glorie and in this present life with the holie spirit to be replenished and neuer to admit other louer besides thee Grant me blessed Iesu so to receiue the Sacrament of bread and wine that I may be woorthie to bee accounted for a member of thy mysticall bodie heere in earth And though as yet I be not worthie to be numbered among the simplest and lowest of thy seruants but rather to be reiect and out-cast for my sinfulnesse yet good Lord of thine infinite power thou maist make me able equall and like to the meanest of thine elect seruants Come thou Father of the fatherlesse come thou comforter of the comfortlesse come and cleanse my soule from all contagiousnesse of sinne For it is not conuenient and according there to be anie vncleannes where thou the spouse of virginall chastitie shouldest come in and dwell Come therefore and sanctifie my soule and make it cleane by thy gratious presence that no heapes of soile or remnants of sinne be to be found in anie least cranie or corner of thy spirituall house or temple my bodie and soule I meane to offend the celestiall eies of thy diuine Maiestie so shall thy holie hall which is my cleansed soule ring and resound with thy perpetuall praises to thy glorie Come I saie O God and apparell my naked soule with the rich ornaments of thy vertue and grace and with the white raines of thy righteousnesse and innocencie that I may delight thee therein to abide And as thou disdainedst not to touch the sore leapers with thy holie hands so good Lord vouchsafe to annoint my simple soule with the ointment of remission and pardon that in this life by stedfast hope firme faith and perfect charitie I may so increase in vertue from daie to daie that I may atteine to the glorious fruition of thy Godhead in the kingdome of heauen where I may see thee face to face and praise thee with all thine elect and chosen Saints worlds without end Amen Another verie deuout praier before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Most sweet and louing Lord Iesu Christ whom now I deuoutlie and hartilie desire to receiue this daie thou knowest mine infirmities and necessities which I suffer in how manie euils and vices I lie wherewith I am often greeued tempted troubled and vnquieted and defiled Unto thee doo I come for remedie vnto thee doo I earnestlie praie for comfort and helpe I speake vnto thee who knowest all things vnto whom euen all my verie secret thoughts are manifest and who onlie canst perfectlie comfort and helpe me Thou knowest what good things I lacke before all things and how poore and beggerlie I am in vertues Behold I stand before thee requiring grace and mercie Feed and cherish thy hungrie begger kindle my coldnesse with the fire of thy loue lighten my blindnesse with the bright cleerenesse of thy presence turne all earthlie things into bitternesse vnto me all heauie greeuous hard painfull and contrarie things into patience to me Lift vp my hart vnto thee in heauen and suffer me not to wander or go astraie from thee vpon the earth Thou onlie from this time foorth for euermore dooest waxe sweet vnto me because thou onelie art my meate and my drinke my loue my ioie my sweetnesse Oh would to God thou wouldest vouchsafe altogether to enflame burne and euen consume me with thy presence and to change me into thy selfe that I may be made one spirit with them by grace of the inward vnitie and softning of thy feruent loue Suffer me not to depart an hungred nor thirstie from them but worke mercifullie with me as thou hast often heeretofore maruellouslie wrought with thy Saincts What maruell is it if I should be altogether set on fire inflamed with thee and should faile in my selfe and be changed Sith thou art a fire euer burning and neuer failing a loue purifieng the hart and lightening the vnderstanding Behold therefore I wretched sinner not presuming of mine owne merits but trusting onlie of thy mercie and goodnesse am bold to come in trembling and feare vnto this thy table of most sweete deinties O most holie Lord Iesu Christ For I haue an hart and bodie defiled marred and polluted with manie faults and offences a mind and a tongue not chastlie nor warilie kept Therefore O holie Deitie O dredfull Maiestie I wretched caitife in great perplexitie of mind taken vnwares betwene many troublsome straights doo now run againe to thee the fountaine of all mercie Unto thee doo I hasten me to be healed and cured vnder thy protection doo I flie And whome I can not endure as a Iudge I earnestlie desire to haue a Sauiour To thee O Lord doo I open and shew my woundes vnto thee doo I vncouer and detect my shamefastnesse I knowe that my sinnes are great for the which I am sore afraid but I hope and repose my trust in thy great mercies which are infinite surpassing number Turne thine eies of thy mercie towards me O Lord Iesu Christ heauenlie King euerlasting God man crucified for man heare me trusting in thee and haue mercie vpon me full of all miserie and sinne Thou which art the flowing fountaine and vndrainable wel-spring of all mercie and pitie I beseech thee from the bottome of my hart that thou wilt forgiue me all my sinnes and in this life so to purge awaie the rust and filth thereof that in the life to come they may not be imputed vnto me O God of vnspeakable pitie whose power is infinite without whome I can not possiblie resist sinne comfort and helpe me so greatlie that I neuer heereafter anie more commit anie mortall or deadlie sinne and from hencefoorth may ouercome all the temptations of the diuell that I may direct my whole life thoughts words and works altogether vnto thee and that thou maist in the end of my life so preserue and keepe me that Sathan vrge me not with his terrours and feares and so bring me into desperation O flowing fountaine of charitie make my mind free from all the creatures which might drawe me from thy loue and fauour that in thy loue I may profit go forward and preuaile that now verelie and in the end of my life I may worthilie receiue thee and so my soule being powred out of the sacke of my bodie doo thou in mercie bring it vnto the euerlasting palace of thy heauenlie father to see and behold the cleere renowmed glasse of the holie Trinitie Remember thy
creature O Lord whome thou hast redeemed with thy pretious bloud Wo is me that euer I haue offended thee but now I purpose by thy grace to amend my life Take from me therefore O mercifull father all my sinnes and iniquities Cast out of my soule all the filthie fowle matter of the venemous contagion and infection of sinne and by thine ancient and accustomed mercies powre thy heauenlie medicine and preseruatiue of thy loue into my wounds which may refresh and restore me to my former puritie and cleannesse that being purified both in bodie and mind I may deserue and be made fit thorough Christs merits woorthilie to tast of these most holie mysteries Come this daie O Lord and minister vnto my sicke and languishing soule some heauenlie cordiall of comfort not because I am iust but a sinner because not the whole but the sicke haue neede of a Physician O verie true Charitie in which is euerlasting felicitie O the onlie hope of my soule haue mercie vpon me and blot out all my misdeeds Thee doth my hart expect and desire fulfill my lust and longing which thou hast put in me euen as thou wouldest I am thine O Christ forsake me not as vnmeete or a stranger Let thy right hand alwaie preuent me and defend me from all euill Come O Lord whome I wretch haue sore offended and forgiue and forget all mine offences for the which thou hast shead thine owne most pretious hart bloud Come sweet Lord and giue me the meate of eternall health Come O vnspotted sacrifice deliuer me from euerlasting death Come thou Physician of the weake and diseased Come thou food of the hungrie Come Lord visit this house dedicated and consecrated in thy name And behold I come to thee whome with all my hart I couet and desire towards whome with all earnest consideration of mind I aspire and studie to attaine whome with all mine entrailes I hartilie loue and embrace whose blessed bodie and bloud in these holie mysteries I earnestlie desire to receiue that thou maist alwaies abide in me and neuer forsake me or depart from me O most sweet father So be it Another ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who most louinglie callest vs to the participation of all good things in Christ Iesu giue vs also grace woorthilie to esteeme the honour thou vouchsafest vs of in bidding vs to the marriage feast of thy Sonne so that we may esteeme of nothing in comparison of it And seeing few are chosen though manie be called giue vs also O Lord a liuelie faith working by loue as a seemelie garment for so great a solemnitie that being entred by thy fauour into thy house we dishonest it not and so honourable a companie as thou hast called vnto it by our wicked conuersation that as vnwoorthie we be not cast out againe but in all our behauiour may doo honour vnto both that we may alwaies remaine with thee and enioie the happinesse thou hast prepared for vs in thy Sonne the full fruition whereof because thou hast deferred to the rising vp againe of the dead strengthen in vs O Lord the blessed hope of this resurrection that according to thy promise thou maist make vs like to thine Angels that are in heauen and the glorious estate of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and praise now and for euer Amen Another O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which delightest in those bankets whereby men approch to the companie of thy celestiall wel-fare we beseech thee conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Graunt that with Marie Magdalen casting our selues before thy feete we may earnestlie with teares bewaile our offences and againe lifting vp our hand vnto thee we may laie hold on thee and embrace thee as she did Kisse thou vs with thine holie kisse and by thy spirit powred into vs stirre vp in vs a new life which may annoint thee by true confessing of thy goodnesse and delight thee with the sweet sauour of true inuocation and new obedience Grant also that in this life we may worship thy feet which bring tidings of peace And forasmuch as in this last age of this world the messengers of peace are vitterlie to weepe assist vs that we may be touched with the miseries of thy Church and studie to our power to mitigate them and so be made members of that companie vnto whome thou hast forgiuen much and which againe entirelie doth loue thee and againe being called out of the vale of teares may come to thy heauenlie banket which shall be without teares without grudging without greefe sinne and offences in the house of thy father where be manie ample dwelling places Amen Another praier to be said a little before you receiue the Bread O God which art rich in mercie and in all good things the most plentifull giuer and bountifull bestower of the deinties of celestiall satietie and heauenlie repast giue meate to my soule that is wearie and faint not such as it lusteth after but such as is conuenient for it For lo I a poore wretch come now vnto thee which art rich a sinner vnto thee which art mercifull O let me not returne home contemned and despised with nothing I begin an hungred let me not leaue off fasting I come vnto thee as though I were famished O let me not go awaie vnfed Although before I eate I sigh and sorowe yet good Lord I beseech thee giue mee somewhat to eate For behold with that godlie heroicall matrone of Canaan Matth. 15 verse 21. I come vnto thee and saie Lord helpe me according to thy promise for I feele the burthen of thy displeasure euen my miseries and vncleannesse and suffer not the sight of mine owne vnwoorthinesse to withdrawe me from thee Make me sweetlie and reuerentlie to reason with thee as thy holie spirit enforced that good woman to doo in these and the like words I am vnwoorthie I am giltie and vncleane I am a dog I was an outcast from thy house and courts I haue barked against the glorious maiestie of thee and thine eternall father I am defiled with the filth of idolatrie with fowlenesse of life with the spots of disobedience against thee but haue mercie vpon me O sonne of God which appearedst in the flesh and becamest a worme to wash vs from our sinnes which were vncleane beasts Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me For behold I am vnto thee euen as the little whelpe nigh famished for lacke of meate and drinke wearied with seeking about for releefe and almost dead I fall downe before thy glorious table where the sweet ypocrasse and pretious nectar of immortalitie is tasted The Fathers Prophets Confessors and Virgins most excellent lights of thy Church sit alreadie at thine heauenlie table they feede vpon the meate of eternall glorie O suffer me to eate of the crums Thou art the bread of life repell my hunger satisfie my desire
and let not perpetuall food be wanting to our weakenesse wherewith to feed and replenish vs. Let me taste of the pleasant riuers of the holie Ghost that I may be refreshed and that my soule may be cooled with the sweet liquors thereof so that I burne hencefoorth with no iniquitie or lust to sinne Make me to quaffe hartilie the cup of thankes-giuing yea let my bowels be filled with the pleasant wine of thy loue and refresh me continuallie with the most sweet riuers of thy heauenlie consolation Thou art my life whereby I liue the hope that I sticke vnto the glorie that I desire O giue me vnderstanding cheere vp my loue Lift thou vp my soule and drawe the mouth of my spirit which thirsteth after thee vp to the water streames that are aboue Uouchsafe sweet Iesu in the midst of my monings sore complaints and deepe sighs of my hart to take vp my sad and sorowfull mind to the top of the high mountains euen to the beds of sweet spices putting me in a place of pasture by the riuers of sweet waters where thou preparest a table diuerselie furnished for thy friends against they come to refresh mine appalled spirits to cheere vp my heauie hart make it merie Through the which deinties I being at the length well refreshed may forget my manifold miseries and the vanities of this life and rest in thee which art the true peace euerlasting passing all vnderstanding Lord God which art the sanctifier of the Saints I beseech thee consecrate and make me meete for thy dwelling and continue thou euer with me vouchsafe all to besprinkle me with the bloud of thy onlie begotten sonne by which one souereigne thing both in bodie and soule I may be reuiued with a maruellous comfortable ioie O Lord these are thy great benefits wherewith thou wilt releeue the want of thy thirstie children grant I beseech thee that I may drinke on thy cup with a glad mind willing hart pure conscience and clensed spirit and bring to passe by thy mercie that this drinke which I shall now drinke may be to my health and saluation Finallie grant O good God that I may through thy most rich spirit and his eternall deinties enioie the princelie palace of heauen and quaffing verie abundantlie of the well-spring of life which is with thee I may by the excellent benefit of thy glorious passion death resurrection and light behold the brightnesse of perpetuall felicitie and see thee face to face where my mind may be fed and full satiate with the meate and drinke of life without end For like as the hart thirsteth after the water springs so thirsteth my soule after thee O Lord my GOD and King Amen When you are about to receiue the wine or cup praie I Thanke thee deere father that thou didst not spare thine onelie and most deerlie beloued sonne Iesus Christ to shed euen his most pretious bloud vpon the altar of the Crosse for to wash awaie our sinnes In remembrance whereof I now in trembling and dread drinke of this cup humblie beseeching thee O Father that the crucifieng of his blessed bodie and shedding of his pretious bloud may be meritorious to my saluation Amen Or else thus O Blessed and mercifull Father thy loue towards me sinfull creature is so exceeding great and vnspeakable that I can not but giue vnto thee most humble thanks namelie for the shedding of the most pretious blood of thy deere sonne Iesu Christ by the vertue whereof thy wrath stirred vp against me wretched sinner is pacified my ransome is paid the lawe is fulfilled mine enimies are ourcome and put to flight In remembrance of this so noble a victorie and of so great a benefit I am come vnto this thy table O mercifull father to drinke of this cup desiring thee that as my outward man is comforted by the drinking of this wine so likewise my inward man may be comforted and made strong by true faith in the pretious blood of thy most deere sonne O Lord and my heauenlie Father giue me thy holie spirit which may so rule and gouerne my hart that I neuer be vnthankfull nor forgetfull of this thine exceeding kindnesse but to traine my life according to thy blessed will that whatsoeuer I doo speake or thinke may be vnto the glorie of thy blessed name and the health of my soule through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen After you haue receiued the holie Communion giue God thanks and saie I Thanke thee good Lord of thine infinite goodnesse that thou this daie hast fed me with thy blessed bodie bloud in the Sacrament desiring thee meeklie that this Sacrament which I haue receiued may be to me a purgation and clensing of my sins a fortitude spiritual strength against my frailtie a sure defence against worldlie troubles and aduersities a purchasing of grace and pardon a medicine of life and a continuall remembrance of thy blessed passion so that in the waie it may conduct me when I stumble it may vphold me and when I am fallen it may raise me so that by good continuance in thy will to euerlasting glorie it may bring me And so order the tallage and taste of my hart that I neuer seeke other sweetnesse but thee that I neuer seeke other louer but thee nor none other comfort beside thee so that I care for none other delight but thee nor anie other honour but thine And giue mee such perfect loue towards thee wherewith I may come to as great merit in heauen as though I had spent all my life daies in the remembrance of thy blessed passion and gratiouslie deliuer me from all tribulations of bodie and soule captiuitie anguish and perils This grant not onlie vnto me but also vnto all thine elect and chosen Christian people heere and else-where for thy holie name sake Amen Another thanks-giuing after the Communion I Thanke thee O Christ Lambe of God for offering thy selfe vpon the altar of the crosse to thy Father an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet sauour to God for our sinnes to reconcile vs vnto him for certaintie whereof and confirmation of our faith thou hast instituted on our behalfe this holie Sacrament of the supper that as oft as we receiue the same we may celebrate thy memorie and with thankes-giuing remember the merit and fruit of thy passion I beseech thee by thy bitter death stirre vp our minds that by often receiuing this thine ordinance and institution we may consider how bitter a death thou didst suffer on our behalfe and how great the loue was which draue thee to take so cruell and shamefull a death to saue vs and withall continuallie yeeld as we are bound hartie thanks vnto thee for the same and after the like sort answer to our power that vnspeakable good will by our good life and carefull obseruation of thy commandements and may when either through frailtie of our flesh or by anie other fault preuented we sinne runne by and by
by thine owne name and sealed me with thy blood that the remembrance of thee should be euermore with me and that he should neuer depart from my hart who for my sake shunned not the crosse Thou hast annointed me with the oile wherewith thou thy selfe wert annointed that I might be called a Christian after thy name Christ Behold thou hast registred me vpon thine hands to the end that the remembrance of mee might be alwaies present with thee yet notwithstanding so as if the remembrance of thee be alwaies present with me Thus then haue thy loue thy grace and mercie alwaies preuented me For thou hast oftentimes deliuered me from manie and great perils O my deliuerer When I went astraie thou broughtest mee backe againe when I was ignorant thou taughtest mee when I sinned thou diddest chastise me when I haue beene in heauines thou hast cheered me when I haue beene in despaire thou hast recomforted me when I haue beene fallen thou hast lifted me vp when I haue stood thou hast vpholden me when I haue gone thou hast guided me when I haue come thou hast receiued me when I haue slept thou hast watched me and when I haue cried vnto thee thou hast heard me O Lord where shall I haue words to vtter the signes of thy singular loue toward me considering thine innumerable benefits wherin thou hast brought me vp from the beginning Namelie euen from the benefit of the creation when at the first beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine owne image in honouring and aduancing me among the creatures which thou madest and innobling me with the light of thy countenance which thou imprintedst vpon the lampe of my hart thereby disseuering me as well from sensible as from senselesse creatures and abasing mee but little beneath the Angels And yet was all this but a small matter in the sight of thy Godhead For without ceassng thou hast dailie nourished this vnprofitable woorme which stinketh with sinne with all the singular and exceeding great store of thy good gifts and benefits and thou hast as it were suckled and strengthened me thy little tender babe with the teates of thy comfort For to the intent that I should wholie serue thee thou hast appointed all thy creatures to serue me These and manie other good turnes hast thou done vnto me O Lord my God the life of my soule for all which I render vnto thee againe most humble and hartie thanks-giuing beseeching thee O Lord that it may be a pleasure to me wretch that I am to be alwaies talking of them alwaies thinking vpon them and alwaies giuing thee thanks for them O my God shew me I saie how much I am bound to loue thee make it appeare to me how much I ought to please thee Open me the doore of thy light that I may enter in and both knowe acknowledge vnto thee with my whole hart that thy mercie is great toward mee and that thou hast deliuered my hart from the bottome of hell so as I might euer praise thee for all thy good gifts and loue thee with all my hart and with all my soule and with all my mind and with all my strength yea and that with the verie bowels and intrailes of my hart and of all my sinewes O Lord my God the blessed sweetnesse of all that delight in thee whose name is woonderfull and praise woorthie through heauen and earth So be it Another forme of thanks-giuing vnto God for all his benefits and praier for grace to confirme and increase the same O Most highest almightie and eternall God whose glorie replenisheth heauen and earth If thy holie and celestiall powers doo neuer cease in lauding thy most holie Maiestie how should we cease earthlie and lowlie seruants which are redeemed with the pretious bloud of thy onelie sonne And for as much as thy louing kindnesse and fauour in especiallie worketh towards vs we also ought continuallie to giue thanks for thy great goodnesse but haue mercie O mercifull father For the necessitie of this life dooth not suffer vs to thanke thee continuallie Wherefore though not continuallie as I ought I worship thee my maker with trembling feare I giue thee thanks for all thy benefits that when I was nothing thou madest mee gauest me a liuing soule quickened with thy holie spirit formed mee with thine owne image that it might be able to receiue thee which art the high God By thy prouidence thou hast brought me to those things that are expedient for me giuen to me knowledge and true faith in thee and planted a godlie mind in me and instructed me in the mysteries of thy holie word Sacraments But oh Lord how dare I recite thy benefits by number seeing thy louing kindnesse is an vnsearchable bottomlesse sea and an innumerable For I can not so soone giue thanks for thy benefits shewed of old as new haue euen ouerwhelmed me Oh Lord how great a benefit is this that I may to thee giue thanks For what fellowship hath vnrighteousnesse with righteousnesse What partaking darkenesse with light What agreement filthinesse with puritie Follie with wisedome Mortalitie with thee that art immortall Oh my vilenesse Oh thy goodnesse Yea though the spirit were readie yet is the flesh fraile but thou O Lord if thou wilt canst make me strong And so O most mercifull father vouchsafe that I may euer giue thanks and laud to thee For what good gift did I euer desire of thee but thou first willedst it to me Who better knoweth what is good for me than thou And because I need a mediator accept thine innocent Sonne Iesus Christ with his crosse and passion bloud-shed death and resurrection for me I haue not this deserued but thou father of thy mercie and truth hast by the same thy deerelie beloued Sonne promised and giuen vs thy mercie and fauour Open therefore O my mercifull Father for this thy deerelie beloued Sonnes sake euen this daie thy woonted hand of mercie and fulfill my mind and hart with a good will and let thy right hand defend me And if my sinnes which I acknowledge to be great and innumerable therefore I repent and am hartilie sorie doo let thy goodnesse O father wipe them awaie for this is thy glorie to forgiue sinnes and therefore no flesh may reioice before thee for thou Lord onlie art pure and without sinne Haue mercie vpon me thy bondseruant and vppon all people and O father bring them vnto the knowledge of thee that art onlie God and of Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent the onlie sauiour and redeemer mediator and aduocate for vs and after this present life bring vs to eternall blisse and felicitie by the deere merits of thy Sonne Iesus Christ For thine is the power kingdome and glorie for euer Amen Another to the same effect HOnour and praise be giuen to thee O Lord God almightie most deere father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath
pleased thy gratious goodnesse freelie of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks be giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifieng vs with thy holie spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessitie for sauing vs from all dangers of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in all our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we acknowledge to haue receiued of thine onlie goodnesse euen so we beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake to grant vs alwaie thy holie spirit whereby we may continuallie growe in thankefulnesse towards thee be led into all truth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towards thee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere father to receiue thy word anie more in vaine but grant vs alwaie the assistance of thy grace and holie spirit that in hart word and deede we may sanctifie and doo woorship to thy holie name that we may help to amplifie thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may bee hartilie well content with thy good will and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O father without the which we can not serue thee but blesse thou so all the works of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to be chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be merciful O Lord vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our Captaine and defender in all temptations Hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from all inconuenience and end our liues in the sanctifieng and honouring of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ On the seuenteenth daie of Nouember commonlie called The Queenes daie Sundrie formes of Christian praiers and thanks-giuings vnto God for the preseruation of the most vertuous Ladie Elizabeth our most deare and dread souereigne Quéene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. verie necessarie to be vsed as generallie of all faithfull subiects continuallie so especiallie of the Mother and hir Daughter vpon the seuentéenth daie of Nouember and euerie Sabboth and holie daie in honourable remembrance of that ioifull Sabboth rest and peace from carefull mourning which that memorable seuententh daie brought to vs the banished exiles of England and persecuted members of Christ by the most happie entrance of hir most roiall and excellent Maiestie into this hir Emperiall Crowne and kingdome A Psalme Mother COme O all you that feare God come hither I praie you and giue eare a while and reherse with me y e great benefits that he the Lord hath bestowed vpon vs. Daughter For lo when the most mightie men gathered their power against vs and laie in wait for our life they conspired togither to worke our destruction as though the Lord had determined the same and exhorted one another saieng God hath forsaken them therefore persecute them now flieng awaie and take them being destitute of all helpe Moth. These men our aduersaries I saie wheresoeuer we remoued or went by sea or by land laie in wait most diligentlie for vs yea multitudes of the cruell enimies did not ceasse craftilie to enuiron and beset vs round about and ran vpon vs with gaping mouthes like raging and roring lions of malicious minds to bring vs to extremitie and to deuoure vs. Daugh. For thy sake O Lord alone were we killed euerie daie neither were we in anie better condition than sheepe appointed of butchers to the slaughter Moth. Manie of vs wandered in the waste wildernesse and sought strange cities commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst ouerwhelmed with the shadowe of death and being cast downe by the burthen of our miseries laie downe flat cleauing to the earth Daugh. The bands of death compassed vs round about and bound vs most wicked men like most raging flouds made vs afraid enuironing vs round about Moth. We were snared and cast fast bound with chaines into most darke dungeons yea we tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water Daugh. Then we called vpon the Lord in these extremities We called vpon the Lord I saie and he heard our voice out of his high palace and receiuing into his eares the crie that we made vnto him he deliuered vs from our miseries and distresse Moth. He gathered vs home which were scattered from the East the West from the North South and brought vs from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking the fetters and giues of iron in peeces Daugh. The Lord hath deliuered our life from death he staid the teares of our eies and established our feet that they did not fall he hath brought vs out of our distresse Hence haue we our light whereby he causeth vs to shine and hath driuen awaie our darkenesse Moth. Therfore will we praise thee O Lord among the nations and will sing lauds vnto thy Maiestie yea we will declare thy power and will shew foorth thy praise and mercie earlie in the morning because thou hast defended vs and wast our refuge in extreme dangers Daugh. Oh acknowledge and declare ye openlie that the Lord is good for his bountious goodnesse is for euer Let all the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confesse that his louing kindnesse is perpetuall Praise ye the Lord. Moth. Glorie be to the Father and to the c. Daug. As it was in the beginning is now c. ¶ The Versicles Mother O Lord shew thy great mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Daughter And grant thine euerlasting helth and saluation vnto vs. Moth. O Lord saue Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernor Daugh. Which putteth hir onlie confidence in thee O God hir tower Moth. Oh send hir still continuall helpe from thy most holie place Daugh. And euermore from dangers all defend thou hir most roiall Grace Moth. O let not the infernall fo haue anie aduantage of hir Daugh. Nor let the wicked enimie once approch to hurt hir Moth. Indue hir ministers alwaie with righteousnesse and equitie Daugh. And make thou thy chosen seruants full ioifullie to praise thee Moth. O Lord saue thy people from all perils and dow them with thy gifts Daugh. And blesse thou thine inheritance with all thy bountious benefits Moth. In our time O Lord giue vs thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding Daugh. Bicause none other God dooth fight for vs but onelie thou our King Moth. O soften thou our hardened
rapine and murder the people killed strangled starued spoiled and mocked bound and caried awaie to be sold as beasts in the market to seruitude and slauerie there to consume their daies in miserable thrall and sorows the kingdome and inheritance transported to the possession of the destroier who raised vp in thy wrath and armed with the power of thy displeasure ministreth due punishment for the sinne and disobedience of ech reuolting nation that falleth away from thee and will not be reconciled to grace witnesse of all the states empires kingdoms tongues nations peoples and kindreds of the earth from the beginning of the world to this daie but in these latter daies speciallie of the Iewes Aegyptians Armenians Graecians Italians Hungarians Polonians and others whose seruile thrall and calamities ought neuer to be out of our remembrance which should mooue vs continuallie to behold the blessing of thy loue and the heauie sorrowes of thy displeasure Wherefore in the abundance of thy mercies and louing kindnesse and for loue of thy deere Sonne whom through the gift of thy grace we professe in the truth of his Gospell we beseech thee O mercifull Father fauourablie to looke vpon this Realme and people of England Turne not awaie thy face O Lord take not thy grace and holie spirit from vs let vs still enioie the blisse and comfort of thy louing countenance keepe vs in thy waie and couer vs vnder the shadowe of thy wings suffer vs not to be taken from thee make vs to followe and to put our whole trust and confidence in thee then shall we be safe Thy mightie hand O God giueth the victorie and in the power of thy fauour shall the enimie be vanquished and his strength brought to nothing Safe is the citie where thou O Lord art the watch-man but who so standeth out of thy tuition he is a readie praie vnto y e destroier therefore go not farre from vs O God For thine elect sake were the heauens and the earth with all their implements formed made of nothing for their preseruation maintenance was rule gouernment deuised and stablished And for their sakes are empires kingdoms countries and nations preserued saued and blessed and for iniurie and ignominie done to them and to thy truth and holie name are they changed plaged subuerted and destroied Great is thy mercie compassion O Lord long suffering ready to forgiue behold vs O Father and haue mercie vpon vs remember not our iniquities nor the iniquities of our forefathers take not iust vengeance of our sinnes neither reward thou vs after our deserts Spare vs good Lord spare vs and for thy sweet Sonnes sake Christ Iesus our Sauiour haue mercie vpon vs. Yea Lord haue mercie vpon vs and vpon our posteritie holding continuallie thy holie hand ouer vs and blesse vs. Increase our faith make our children childers childrē obedient to thy word and through holie conuersation in thy Sonne our redeemer make vs and them acceptable vnto thy selfe O GOD that being sanctified in faith and loue toward thy heauenlie will and Maiestie we and they may be deliuered from thy wrathfull displeasure for euermore Powre foorth abundance of thy grace and blessing vpon our Queene that in the fulnesse of thy gratious fauour she may haue long life in health and happie daies aided with faithfull vertuous prudent counsellers and ministers to doo all things to the nourishing and maintenance of true religion and vertue Increase the light of thy Gospell the number of faithfull and godlie preachers and ministers of thy word whose industrie and labour by the peace and tranquillitie of thy Church may largelie augment the number of thy Saints to the glorie of thy name and to the ioie and blessing of the land and people For the preseruation and continuance whereof in the bowels of thy fatherlie care and fauor remember vs O louing God Leaue neither vs nor our posteritie headlesse neither put vs ouer to the yoke of a strange nor irreligious Prince but after the blisse-full daies of this thy gratious handmaid our Queene whom O Father let it please thee to reserue in happie and ioifull state to the end giue peace and concord to thy people with a vertuous wise godlie and fortunate Prince whose constant zeale care industrie and endeuour towards the cherishing and aduancement of thy truth and glorie may purchase thy fatherlie loue and furtherance to fill the land and people with all maner of blessings as thy heauenlie wisedome knoweth necessarie where beautified with vertue and godlinesse it shall prosper and triumph in continuall peace and victorie giuing honor and gladsome thanks to thy glorious Maiestie that with thy deere Sonne our Lord and Sauiour and with the holie Ghost reignest in vnitie of power glorie and dominion praised for euer and euer Amen Another verie godlie praier meete to be said of all true subiects in time of anie priuie conspiracie or open rebellion for our gratious Souereigne Queene Elizabeth and for the present state O Almightie God King of kings Lord of lords the onelie God and gouernour of all things thou art he by whom alone kings doo reigne Thou most high bearest the rule ouer the kingdoms of men Thou in Christ thine onelie Sonne being the most gratious Father of thy chosen Church doost for the comfortable nourishing of it dispose the roiall state among men Through this thy grace it is come to passe that we the English nation now a portion of the same thy Church doo enioie the gouernement of Elizabeth our Queene whom thou hast against all practises of thine and hir aduersaris deliuered out of perils and by thy mightie hand brought to reigne ouer vs. Mercifullie guiding hir thou hast made hir to vs a mother to thine afflicted flocke a nurse in that benefit which we haue in libertie in true religion and common peace maruelouslie protecting hir thou hast kept hir to defend vs to vse and hold this benefit quietlie And euen now in thy mightie maruelous mercie thou hast discouered the practises of such craftie cruell enimies as purposed to spoile hir of vs vs of hir and both hir and vs of thy religion and of peace determining to deliuer vs ouer to the tyrannie of that shamelesse man of Rome and the bloudie sword In which purpose of mischiefe if thou haddest permitted them to preuaile we had suffered for our sinnes at thy hand O Lord most iustlie but at their hands most vnnaturallie and vniustlie For we doo offend thy Maiestie manie waies we offend not them anie waies yet such is their wickednesse that they will hate vs onelie bicause we in truth doo professe to serue thee For this cause they conspire against thee O God like hypocrites against our Queene like traitours against our Commonwelth and countrie like spoilers against vs euen as Cain did against Abel But thy great goodnesse hath deuised better for vs than they doo Thou hast spared vs whom they would haue spoiled
thy wisedome hath vnfolded their wickednesse thy prouidence hath preuented their purpose All honour praise with thanks-giuing in the congregation and by euerie member thereof be giuen to thee O GOD of grace O Lord of pitie O Father of mercie for euer and euer And now we beseech thee O mercifull Father be not prouoked with our sinnes to giue vs ouer to the lust of our enimies doo not make vs a reproch to these heathen Let not the Iewes the Turke the Papist in our ouerthrowe triumph against thee saieng Where is now their God But of thy rich mercie in Christ forgiue our sinnes by thy renewing spirit amend vs and worke out this good worke which thou hast begun among vs. Confound bring to naught the attempts of these and the like enimies as thou didst at Babel infold them in the follie of their owne counsels as thou diddest Achitophel by thine Angel sinite their force as thou didst to Senacherib in their desperate attempts let them be drowned as was Pharao in their treasons ouertake them as thou didst Absolon If anie of them are to be conuerted turne them as thou diddest Manasses otherwise let them feele their due punishment as did Dathan with his conspirators that of these also may be left an example of thy iustice to the posteritie We doo likewise most humblie beseech thee to continue thy goodnesse towards vs euer of thine old woonted mercie deliuer our Queene Elizabeth from euill direct hir in the true knowledge of thee to acknowledge thy benefits towards hir and hir dutie towards thee Kindle more and more in hir hart zeale to serue thee hir selfe and to haue thee serued of vs entirelie Guide hir still to gouerne vs iustlie in godlie peace Giue vnto vs also which are subiects thankefull harts to thee faithfull to hir in thee charitable towards all men that all which liue vnder hir gouernment counsellers ministers and euerie other in their place and calling may be throughlie sanctified in holinesse to liue before thee Thus prolonging hir reigne ouer vs doo thou in hir plant thy religion among and in vs so that it may with power reforme and rule vs and remaine to our posteritie after vs that the praise of thy name may continue in the harts mouths of the English nation that England may saie for euer The Lord be praised A thanks-giuing vnto God for his benefits bestowed vpon this Realme of England in suppressing the late Rebellion with praier for the preseruation and prosperous estate of our gratious Queene Elizabeth ALmightie and euerlasting God the maker of heauen and earth and Lord of all creatures by whose mightie hand the humble and lowlie are aduanced and the proud and stubborne are thrust vnder foote We thy seruants giue thee most hartie thanks for thy great and bountifull goodnesse which thou hast of late without our deseruing bestowed vpon vs both in deliuering vs from the cruell tyrannie and bondage and persecution wherewith we were of late oppressed and also in restoring vs againe to our former peace and quietnesse and to the free exercise of our faith by the direction of thy sacred Gospell still maugre the heads of all our enimies mainteined by thee amongst vs to our comfort For which thy singular benefits and gratious liberalitie O excellent father because we are in no wise able to render vnto thee woorthie thanks therfore we make our humble sute and request vnto thee O Lord that it may please thee for thy holie name sake to accept our good willes in this behalfe and to giue vs grace all the daies of our life to remember this maruellous worke of thine that partlie by the Christian deuout and feruent praiers of thy humble handmaiden our most gratious Queene and other of thy people and partlie by the sure confidence and trust that hir Grace euermore did put in thee thou hast without the force or strength of men put down not onlie hir enimies but also thine and all those that did both fight against thee and thy truth and trauelled by all meanes to disanull and quite ouerthrowe the state of the Church and religion now established which woonderfull and myraculous act as thou hast most gratiouslie begun so we beseech thee for thy tender mercies sake to go forward with it and so to establish it as thy glorie may be aduanced thereby and all the craftie deuises and malicious assaults of the diuell and his ministers cleane ouerthrowne and subdued And now O Christ thou King of kings Prince of peace Ruler of Israel haue mercie vpon our most deere souereigne Ladie Elizabeth and grant that as thou hitherto hast most singularlie blessed hir and adorned hir Maiestie with manie thy speciall good graces blessings and benefits for thy glorie and to our comfort so with all thankefuluesse therefore vnto thy Maiestie we continuallie hartilie and faithfullie praie thee that the ioie of thy heauenlie countenance may still most gratiouslie shine vpon hir to humble hir soule before thee to be hir guide and director to sheeld preserue and defend hir from the will and power of all hir enimies and that both thine and hir aduersaries may from time to time be made thine and hir footstoole and be euer kept vnder hir feet as mire in the streets or as thinne scoom filthie fome light chaffe withered haie or burnt stubble before the wind We beseech thee also O Lord thou scepter of Israel that hir scepter may yet growe greene burgen fructifie and flourish in the fruits of true happinesse with glorie victorie princelie honor dutifulnesse healthfull sweetnesse tendernesse beautie and comlinesse in hir most roiall state and calling euen as the Palme-tree safelie and well set in a soile of all happinesse and that hir throne regall may steddilie stand for euer without winding shaking swaruing tottering or nodding euen as the seate of Salomon and that the daies of hir Graces regiment may be vnto vs for thy glorie as the daies of heauen and after this life ended make hir partaker of the brightnesse of thine and thy fathers euerlasting glory among thine annointed and elect in the celestiall kingdome of euerlasting renowme Grant this O Christ thou most mercifull King and Gouernor that sittest vpon the seate of Dauid and hast obteined an euerlasting kingdome for all the chosen Israelites euen for thy mercies sake Amen Another praier for the Queene and the estate of this Realme GRatious Lord and most mercifull Father we acknowledge thee Lord of lords and the King of kings creating at the beginning and ruling all things euermore in heauen and earth according to thy woonderfull wisedome power and our selues to be thy poore seruants the worke of thy hands and the sheepe of thy pasture subiected to thy high Maiestie and depending vpon thy fatherlie prouidence for all things Neuerthelesse seeing thou in thy wisedome annointest Kings and Queenes appointing them to rule ouer the people to sit as lieutenants in thy seate to minister iustice and most
and properlie vpon all the holie Feasts and Saints daies throughout the yeere as they fall in order and are commonlie kept here in the Church of England and Ireland And first vpon the principall Feast daies of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ that is to saie On Aduent Sundaie In memorial of Christ his First comming in the flesh Christmas daie In memorial of Christ his Natiuitie and birth On New yéeres daie In memorial of Christ his Circumcision On Twelfe daie In memorial of Christ his Apparition On Ashwensday the 1. day of Lent In memorial of Christ his Fasting On First Sundaie in Lent In memorial of Christ his Temptation On Maundie Thursdaie In memorial of Christ his Last Supper On Good Fridaie In memorial of Christ his Passion On Easter daie In memorial of Christ his Resurrection On Ascension daie In memorial of Christ his Ascension On Whitsundaie In memorial of Christ his Sending of the holie Ghost On Trinitie Sundaie In memorial of Christ his The blessed Trinitie On Euerie Sundaie holie-day and working-day In memorial of Christ his Last comming to iudgment 1. On Aduent Sundaie Of the comming of Christ in the flesh The Preface BE of good cheere and feare not O you that are of a fearfull hart for behold your God commeth his owne selfe to take vengeance on his enimies and will deliuer you Hosanna to the sonne of Dauid O daughter Zion be glad O daughter Ierusalem reioice For lo the King commeth vnto thee euen the righteous thy Sauiour lowlie meeke and simple riding vpon the fole of an asse and bringing his recompense with him Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord. Out of Zion hath God appeared in perfect beautie Hosanna in the highest Remember me O Lord according to thy fauor that thou bearest vnto thy people O visit me with thy saluation Hosanna Shew me thy waies O Lord and teach mee thy path Hosanna in the highest Hosanna The praier THE time is now at hand when the Church calleth into mind the benefits of the sonne of GOD which taking vpon him our fraile nature appeared to the world and came to visit vs in great humilitie And at the last daie and resurrection of all mankind will come againe in his glorious Maiestie to iudge both the quicke and the dead and shew himselfe both to punish his enimies with euerlasting paines and to adorne his Church and chosen people with eternall glorie Wherefore O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which as this daie in roiall pompe didst enter into the holie citie Ierusalem for a publike testimonie of thine appearing remooue all impediments we praie thee that may hinder thy comming and make a plaine and most easie waie for thy selfe vnto vs. Gather vs we beseech thee into that companie which are prepared to receiue thee the King of all kings and which set foorth thy glorie in spirituall songs not onelie this daie through all the world but also continuallie and beare palmes of victorie before thee and spred their garments in the waie for ioie of thy comming Assist vs that being greatlie separated from the damned crue of diuels and wicked persons wee may sound and set foorth thy truth in perfect confession and righteousnesse all the daies and time of our life Bee thou our King both here in this world and hereafter in the world to come replenishing vs against all the wicked enterprises of thine enimies and making vs though babes and littleones to extoll and magnifie thy name for euer Keepe vs thy weake children depending vpon thee and running vnto thy lap euen as infants vnto their parents Make vs to followe thy words which through thy spirit doo sound within vs and powre thy wisedome into vs miserable men and women that the pride and power of thine enimies may be confounded Grant that with gratefull minds we may publish abroad thy glorious victorie according to our calling and abilitie cherish thy ministers and venter both our life liuing for the maintenance of thy truth Moreouer blesse vs O thou blessed seed of Abraham by the vertue of thy presence number vs among thy chosen which haue their names from thee And finallie giue vs grace now in the time of this mortall life so to cast awaie from vs the works of darknes and to put vpon vs the armour of light that in the last daie of thy second comming in the clouds we may rise through thee to life immortall and so being adorned with that glorie which thou hast receiued from thine eternall Father we may perpetuallie praise and extoll thy Maiestie both heere in this world and for euermore in the world of worlds to come Amen Hosanna to thee O sonne of God in the highest Hosanna 2. On Christmas daie Of the natiuitie and birth of Christ our Sauiour The Preface A Child is borne vnto vs and a sonne is giuen vnto vs. Glorie be to God on high Unto vs is borne this daie in the citie of Dauid a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Halleluiah The Lord sent a word vnto Iacob the same is come into Israel an euerlasting Prince of peace Halleluiah Mercie and truth are met togither righteousnesse and peace haue kissed each other truth shall flourish out of the earth and righteousnesse hath looked downe from heauen vpon vs to speake peace vnto his people and gladnesse to his Saints Halleluiah Of the fruit of thy bodie will I set vpon thy throne and in Zion shall I make the horne of Dauid to flourish Halleluiah The Sunne commeth foorth of his tabernacle the heauens as a bridegroome out of his chamber and reioiceth as a Giant to run his course Halleluiah He shall giue his Angels charge ouer thee to keepe thee in all thy waies they shall beare thee in their hands that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone Halleluiah For thou art fairer than the children of men full of grace are thy lips bicause God hath blessed thee for euer yea God euen thine owne God hath annointed thee with the oile of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes Halleluiah Therefore in this daie of thy power shall the people offer the free-will offerings with an holie worship bicause the dew of thy birth is of the wombe of the morning Halleluiah Glorie be vnto God on high in earth peace and good will towards men Halleluiah Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier NOW is the ioifull time wherein all Saincts both in heauen and earth doo magnifie and praise almightie God for the incarnation of his onlie begotten Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ who as this daie was borne of the pure Uirgin Marie the which also the holie Angels of the Lord did celebrate with a most heauenlie song And no doubt the blessed companie of the elect departed out of this world enioieng the comfortable sight of God replenished with eternall wisedome light and righteousnesse yeeld most humble thanks vnto the Sonne of God their Sauiour and Redeemer for his incomprehensible goodnesse declared vnto mankind
the shame and endured the crosse and suffered for vs wretches leauing vs an example that we should likewise followe his steps by whose stripes we are healed Wo and alas that euer I sinned Oh my soule come therefore let vs laie awaie that that presseth downe and the sinne that hangeth so fast on and let vs run with patience vnto the battell that is set before vs loking vp vnto Iesus the captaine and finisher of our faith and onelie reioice in the crosse of Christ And seeing we haue redemption by his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of our sins past present and to come and for as much as we knowe how we are redeemed from our old vaine conuersation not with corruptible things as siluer and gold but euen with the pretious bloud of Christ who in his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his bodie on the tree that we being deliuered from sinne should liue vnto righteousnesse who suffered also for vs in the flesh that we hencefoorth should liue as much time as remained in the flesh not after the lusts of men but after the will of God and reioice onelie in the crosse of Christ Let vs take heed we walke not with those that are enimies to the crosse of Christ and crucifie him dailie afresh by blasphemie and all maner of vngodlinesse whose bellie is their God whose glorie is their shame and whose end is eternall damnation both of bodie and soule but rather with those that haue their consciences purged from dead works to serue the liuing God Let vs now passe the rest of the time of this our abode here in trembling and feare and euer reioice in the crosse of Christ For it is sufficient for vs that wee haue spent the time that is past of this life after the will of the Gentiles walking in wantonnesse in lusts in excesse of wines in excesse of eating and drinking and in excesse of riot and abhominable idolatrie Therefore I crie wo and alas that euer I sinned out vpon me wretch that thus greeuouslie haue offended O God my God I aske thee mercie haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me wo is mee that euer I transgressed Oh my soule let vs now esteeme to knowe nothing saue Iesus Christ and him crucified Yea God forbid that we should reioice in anie thing but in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified to vs and we vnto the world that being crucified with Christ we may liue with God And hauing now libertie to enter into the holie place in the bloud of Iesus by the new liuing waie which he hath prepared for vs through the vaile of his flesh let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue and good works and drawe nigh with a true and penitent hart in assurance of faith sprinkeled in our harts from an euill conscience to meditate dailie of his mercies and to giue him thanks continuallie for the benefits of his passion our eternall redemption and still to reioice in the crosse of Christ Iesu our Lord and saie The Praier O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of the liuing God both with mouth and hartie affection wee glorifie thee and praise thy name with immortall thanks for that of thine infinite good-will towards mankind thou vouchsafest to become an intercessor for vs vnto thine heauenlie Father for bearing his horrible wrath conceiued against vs through our sinnes and for offering thy selfe to death to adorne vs with eternall glorie Thou wast hanged on the crosse made a cursse for vs ouerwhelmed with sorowes too heauie for flesh and bloud to beare Thou sufferedst the displeasure which is a consuming fire of GOD. Thou shedst thy bloud from thy whole bodie at thy death thy members beeing pierced Oh Christ oh sweet Iesu thou shedst thy pretious bloud I saie sixe seuerall times from sundrie parts of thy blessed bodie afore and in thine execution for vs miserable sinners as namelie first in thy Circumcision which was the beginning of our redemption secondlie in thy praier in the garden which was for the earnest desire of our redemption thirdlie in thy whippings and fourthlie in thy crowning with thornes which was for the reward of our redemption for by thy stripes were we healed fiftlie in thy crucifieng and nailing on the crosse when thy hands and feet were bored through to fasten thee thereon which was the price of our redemption sixtlie and lastlie in the wounding and piercing of thy blessed side yea of thy verie hart thou hanging dead on the crosse which was the true sacrament of our redemption whereby we are cleansed purified and washed from all our sinnes Among these thy diuers torments both afore in thy execution thy spirits being resolued through the sense of the infinite anguishes which thou sufferedst and enduredst oh Christ thou vtteredst diuers words partlie by reason of intollerable greefe and partlie of thine vnspeakable goodnes Oh teach vs by thy wisedome reuerentlie to listen vnto them and to put them carefullie in the bottome of our minds At thy death mankind was seuered into two parts Thou the head of the pensiue Church hangedst vpon the crosse redie to yeeld vp the Ghost Under the crosse stands thy louing mother Marie a few godlie women and Iohn thy weake disciples moorning through the rage of the Iewes hide themselues Nichodemus and Ioseph of Aramathie to the great greefe of their minds are faine to hold their tongs and to winke at the outragious crueltie of their nation against thee The gracelesse Iewes the vngodlie souldiers of Pilate and Herode laie hold on thee mocke thee blindfold thee buffet thee pierce thee plaie for thy garments The epicures and tyrants the high Priests and their parasits haue thee in derision laugh in their sleeues to see how thy death is conspired and they may walter in all superstition and wickednesse All this while the multitude of Ethniks in all quarters of the world celebrate their filthie and vngodlie feasts in the great dishonour of thy name Thou beholdest this diuersitie of men which seest all things both in heauen and earth and beeing in deed humble and meeke in hart thou powredst out a most charitable praier on this wise Father forgiue them for they knowe not what they doo These be the words of thy priesthood Thou which art the chiefest Priest bedewed with thine owne bloud entring into the holiest of holie places touchest the brest of the Father and searchest enen his secret counsell Thou praiest not onlie for thy weake auditors to be strengthned but also for thy verie enimies which put thee so shamefullie to death if they will returne vnto repentance yea and for all mankind thou praiedst and namelie for all and euerie one which should beleeue in thy name O most mercifull intercessor we include our selues in these thy generall praiers recited before thine agonie repeated on the crosse yea vttered from the beginning of the world and standing at the right hand of thy
Father making intercession for vs sounded continuallie in the eares of God Worke so that we be not found in the number of those into whome sathan hath entred which blaspheame thee despise thy benefits and destroie themselues vtterlie Increase our faith and knowledge of thee that the eternall Father through thy sacrifice being pleased may forgiue all our sinnes and receiue vs into that companie which is glorious in thine eies Under the crosse standeth thy noble but sorowfull mother hir sister and other good women with thy disciple Iohn whome thou louedst O blesse vs and of thy goodnes ioine vs to that companie In thy mother there shineth a notable light and strength of faith she beholdeth in thee hir Sonne those sights than which none could be more greeuous in this world she sawe the rage of thine enimies and thine intollerable torments yet she beleeued notwithstanding the greeuousnes of thy paine the shedding of thy pretious bloud the flight of thy disciples the crueltie of thine enimies and the odiousnes of thy death she beleeued I saie O the force of faith that thou wast God by nature and shouldest rise againe and reigne euerlastinglie ouercome death and the diuell and subdue all thine enimies O Sonne of God kindle within vs we praie thee the like sparks of faith giue vs grace with thine elect neuer to be ashamed to stand vnder thy crosse And as thou euen of an entire good will mercifullie among thy seruants didst speake vnto and comfort thy pensiue and moorning mother so speake vnto vs and thy troubled Church in miserie comfort hir with thy sweet voice and presence Thou commendedst thy mother to thine Apostle Make vs vnfeignedlie to loue the Church thy sweet and true mother and grant that euerie of vs may cherish the same louinglie and mainteine it to the vttermost of our powers Especiallie guide the Preachers that they may loue the mother nourish the vnitie of pure doctrine auoid the seed of heresies and remooue all stumbling-blockes all occasions of hindering of faith and praier in yoong Christians At thy sides hang two theeues punished for their sinnes according to the lawe and their deserts whereof one desperatelie powring out blasphemous speeches the other godlie requiring thy fauour he ended his daies All mankind Lord doo likewise hang in miseries for their sinnes whereof some are so captiued in their minds that at the point of death they scoffe blaspheme and desperatelie to their vtter condemnation finish their daies but giue vs grace we beseech thee that we may imitate the example of the gratious theefe which before his passage out of this life moued by infallible arguments of thine almightinesse and mercie required pardon of his offences and obteined the same according to his request Giue grace that we may imitate his hartie repentance his sorowe for sin his notable faith his zealous confession and other good works of his We beseech thee mercifull Lord be mindfull of vs. O Lord be mindfull of vs. Thou sittest in the kingdom of thy Father we are in the miseries of the world but be thou mindfull of vs. Begin thy kingdome in vs heere in this world and in euerie combate of our conscience especiallie at the point of death pronounce to our hearts this comfortable absolution This daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise Shew vnto vs thy paradise that departing out of this life we may find rest for our soules Open to our soules the gates of Paradise place them in the seates of immortalitie and state of blisse where thy Father togither with the blessed companie of Angels and men sheweth himselfe euen as he is In the meane while thy combate is not yet finished thou criedst in most pittifull maner My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Thy diuinitie was not then separated from thy humanitie which neuer lost that which once it tooke neither surcessedst nor dooest thou surcesse at anie time to be equall and one with thine eternall father but then was the houre of thy humiliation wherein after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner thy diuinitie hid it selfe as it were and would haue this obedience to be showne and thought not best to destroie the Iewes thine enimies and murtherers Yea it hid it selfe that the streames of Gods displeasure against the sinnes of men should so fall vpon thee O Christ that they should wrestle with extreame torments such as for a certeine space thou perceiuedst no comfort notwithstanding thy diuinitie confirmed thine humane nature which was to suffer all the passions For thy diuinitie could not suffer anie passion at all therefore it confirmed the same that there might be a sufficient satisfaction for the sins of men For they which haue endured most greeuous torments could neuer abide these for if God comfort vs we may abide the punishment of men and then it may be said Though bodies greefe did feele Yet had their soules great ioie And vertuous hope did strengthen so That paines did naught annoie But intollerable is it for a creature to suffer the punishment of God and be saued thereby Wherefore O Sonne of God in displeasure bee mindfull of thy mercie be thou our protection that the wrath of thine eternall father doo not destroie vs. Euen a little taste of Gods displesure bursteth in peeces all the bones of men like a lion And therfore by and by after thou vtteredst the like complaint saieng I thirst thy soule languished through the greatnesse of thy paines Thy spirits were resolued through thy woonderfull greefe of hart Thy bowels dried awaie and no moisture abode in them and therefore trulie didst thou both inwardlie thirst and desire some vertue and comfort from thy Father and outwardlie to haue thy bodie refreshed O Iesu Christ which art the fountaine of eternall life giuing the water which quencheth all thirst from whose bellie springeth the well of life suffer vs not to taste such a greeuous thirst as did that merciles rich glutton in hell which neuer was quenched but with the godlie to saie My soule stucke vnto my iawes I had no quietnes in my bones Lord in thy iudgements correct me not in thy furie least I come vnto nothing If thou obseruest iniquities O Lord Lord who shall be able to abide Thus doo thy Saincts crie I saie in their troubles Wherefore kindle not thy wrath altogither against vs. Cease not to comfort our weake nature striuing against thy iudgements with the iuice of thy word and comfortable waterings of thy spirit Unto thee did thine eternall Father manifest his presence and comfort for our sakes when some while after being better quieted thou saiedst It is finished Thou gauest thanks to thine eternall father for helping thee whereby the sacrifice of welfare to the elect for euermore was fulfilled Oh most sacred Priest imprint within vs this celestiall conclusion this notable finishing of thy sacrifice that vndoubtedlie we may thinke that by this sacrifice the remission of sinnes and life eternall is purchased for vs.
Afterward being deliuered from all feares thou criedst with a great voice Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Grant that in our departure out of this world we may vtter the same words Make vs to feele the presence of thy father comforting vs being pleased through thee and may know that with our bodies our soules doo not perish let vs not iest as Epicures doo saieng O fugitiue flattering pale curst naked soule whither goest thou Thou hast prepared for vs O Sonne of God a large and a pleasant place In thy Fathers house are manie resting places We feare no torments Thou hast deliuered vs from the paines of hell There is no purgatorie Thy Father embraceth our soules in his mercifull armes laieth them in Abrahams bosome replenisheth them with quietnesse with light and ioie vnspeakable till our bodies also raised againe appeare with them in his euerlasting kingdome In this faith giue vs grace to leaue this world and to rest with thee for euer and euer Amen Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie vpon me God forbid that I should reioice but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified to me and I vnto the world Or thus A fruitfull meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to be read often O Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of the euerliuing and almightie God by whome all things were made be ruled and gouerned thou the liuelie image of the substance of the Father the eternall wisedome of God the brightnesse of his glorie God of God light of light coequall coeternall and consubstantiall with the Father thou which of the loue thou haddest to mankind when hee was fallen from the fellowship of God into the societie of sathan and all euill didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediatour betweene God and man taking to thy God-head our nature as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man also the heire of all and most mercifull Messias which by the power of thy God-head and merits of thy man-hood hast made purgation of our sins euen by thine owne selfe whilest thou wast heere on earth being now set on the right hand of thy Father for vs euen concerning our nature in maiestie in glorie power infinite I pray and humblie beseech thy mercie to grant me at this present to reherse some of thy passions and sufferings for me the last night that thou wast heere before thy death that thy good spirit might thereby be effectuall to worke in me faith as well for the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affections comfort in my crosses and patience in all afflictions Amen IN the middest of thy last Supper with thy deere Apostles these things could not but be before thee namelie that they all would leaue thee the most earnest would forsweare thee one of the twelue should most traiterouslie betraie thee which were no small crosses vnto thee Iudas was admonished of thee to beware but when he tooke no heed but went out to finish his worke contemning thine admonition and counsell he could not but vexe thy most louing hart After supper there was contention amongst thy disciples who should be greatest after thee yet dreaming carnallie of thee and thy kingdome and hauing this affection of pride and ambition busie amongst them notwithstanding thy diligence in reproouing and teaching them After thine admonition to them of the crosse that would come thereby to make them more vigilant so grosse were they that they thought they could with their two swords put awaie all perils which was no little greefe vnto thee After thy comming to Gethsamane heauinesse oppressed thee and therefore thou wouldest thy disciples to praie Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellowes that thy hart was heauie to death Thou didst will them to praie being carefull for them also least they should fall into temptation After this thou wentest a stones cast from them and didst praie thy selfe falling flat and groueling vpon the earth but alas thou feltest no comfort and therefore thou camest to thy disciples which of all other were most sweet and deere vnto thee but lo to thy further discomfort they passe neither of thy perils nor of their owne and therefore sleepe apace After thou hadst awaked them thou goest againe to praie but thou foundest no comfort at all and therefore didst returne againe for some comfort at thy deerest freends hands but yet againe alas they are fast asleepe wherevpon thou art inforced to go againe to thy heauenlie Father for some sparkle of comfort in these thy wonderfull crosses and agonies Now heere thou wast so discouraged and so comfortlesse that euen streames of bloud came running from thine eies and eares and other parts of thy bodie But who is able to expresse the infinitenes of thy crosses euen at thy being in the garden All which thou sufferedst for my sake as well to satisfie thy Fathers wrath for my sinnes as also to sanctifie all my sufferings the more gladlie to be susteined of me After thy bloudie praier thou camest and yet againe foundest thy disciples asleepe and before thou canst well awake them lo Iudas commeth with a great band of weaponed men to apprehend thee as a theefe and so doth leading thee awaie bound to the high Bishops house Annas so from him to Caiphas Heere now to augment this thy miserie behold thy disciples flie from thee false witnesses be brought against thee Thou art accused condemned of blasphemie Peter euen in thy sight forsweareth thee Thou art vniustlie striken for answering lawfullie Thou art blindfeeld striken and buffeted all the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas house of their cruell seruants In the morning betimes thou art condemned againe of the Priests of blasphemie and therefore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate by whome thou art openlie arraigned as other theeues and malefactors were And when he sawe that thou wast accused of malice and that his wife had sent a messenger vnto him saieng Haue thou nothing to doo with that iust man for I haue suffered manie things this daie in a dreame by reason of him yet he did not dismisse thee but did send thee to Herod where thou wast derided shamefullie in comming and going to him and from him all the waie wonderfullie especiallie after Herod had apparelled thee as a foole Afore Pilate againe therefore thou wast brought and accused falslie no man did take thy part or speake a good word for thee Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged and to be handled most pitifullie to see if anie pitie might appeare with the Prelates but no man at all pitied thee Barrabas that notable theefe and murtherer was preferred before thee all the people head and taile was against thee and cried out Crucifige hang thee vp Uniustlie to death wast thou iudged Thou wast crowned with sharpe thornes that pierced thy braines Thou wast made a mocking stocke Thou wast
the lowest bottoms of the darke vallie and least the shadowe of the earth should come betweene and separate it from thee that art the bright sunne of righteousnes and least it once hid with the clouds of darknesse should not haue libertie but be letted to looke for heauenlie things which be aboue Therefore I doo assaie to go vpward vnto the ioies of quietnesse and peace and vnto the delectable and pleasant state of light O hold mine hart with thine hand bicause it cannot be drawne vnto high things without thee Thither doo I make haste whereas most chiefe and principall peace reigneth and continuall quietnesse shineth foorth Hold and gouerne my spirit and take it according to thy will that thou being a guide vnto it it may ascend into the region and countrie of plentifulnesse wheras thou feedest Israel euerlastinglie with the food of truth to the intent that there at the leastwise with my swift cogitation and thought I may come nigh thy wisedome which remaineth aboue all things ouerpasseth all things and gouerneth all things But alas there be manie things which when my soule would flie vnto thee doo crie out vpon it Command them all O Lord to hold their peace and speake not vnto me As for my soule it selfe let it giue neuer a word to answer Let it passe by all things Let it clime aboue althings that be created come vnto thee And that it may fasten the eies of faith vpon thee which art the onlie Creator of all things Let it couet vnto thee and be bent towards thee Let it thinke vpon thee by meditation and contemplation let it laie thee before hir eies for it selfe Let it roll and tosse thee in hir hart thee I saie which art the true and chiefe goodnesse and the ioie that will remaine without ending There are surelie manie contemplations in the which mans soule is maruellouslie fed of thee but in none of them is my soule so much delighted or yet hath so good rest in as in thee and when as it thinketh vpon thee and hath thee onelie in contemplation Oh how much is thy sweetnesse O Lord How maruellouslie dooest thou inspire the harts of them that loue thee How delectable is thy loue the fruition whereof they haue that loue nothing but thee they seeke nothing else they couet nothing else happie are they whose onelie hope thou art which haue no trust but in thee onlie and all their whole worke is praier Blessed is he that sitteth solitarie alone and holdeth his peace and standeth vpon his ward that he is set to keepe continuallie daie and night that yet whilest he is in this fraile bodie he may be able to taste somewhat thy pleasures I require thee by those thy wounds which bring health vnto vs which wounds thou sufferedst vpon the crosse for our health out of the which thy pretious bloud wherewith thou redeemedst vs did distill and drop downe wound this my sinful soule for the which also thou didst vouchsafe to die wound it I saie with the fire and mightie dart of thy great charitie For the word of God is liuelie and effectuous and more pearcing and sharpe than anie two edged sword Thou O chosen dart and most sharpe sword which art able by thy power to pearce through the hard shield or buckler of mans hart fasten and strike the shaft of thy loue in mine hart that my soule may saie vnto thee I am wounded with thy charitie so that foorth of that same wound of thy loue teares may flowe most plentiouslie both daie and night Strike O Lord strike I beseech thee this most indurated and hardened hart and mind of mine with the sharpe dart of thy loue and pearce it deeper deeper into the innermost parts thereof by thy mightie power and so bring out of my head aboundance of water and out of mine eies a verie well of teares continuallie running through the great affect and maruellous desire to see thy glorie that I may moorne daie and night without taking anie comfort in this life vntill in thy heauenlie wedding chamber I may see thee my welbeloued and beautifull spouse my God and my Lord and that there when I see thy glorious maruellous and beautifull face full of all sweetnes togither with them which thou hast chosen then I saie I may worship humblie thy Maiestie and there at the last being replenished with heauenlie and vnspeakable reioicing of euerlasting gladnesse I may euer crie out with them that loue thee saieng Behold that which I haue long desired now I haue obteined for I am ioined in heauen vnto him whome when I was in earth I loued with all my strength with all my charitie I embraced him vnto whome with all my loue I did sticke and cleaue Him doo I praise blesse and woorship that liueth and reigneth God world without end Amen Another praier to Christ ascended and reigning in glorie OH good Christ our first begotten brother and tender-harted Ioseph Oh naturall Sonne of that father to whome we are made children of adoption through thee Oh our head reigning on high in glorie forget not vs thy poore members heere on earth where-into abasing thy selfe thou cammest downe and sufferedst for vs most cruell death Out of this thy throne of maiestie and glorie thou puttest vs in assured hope and confidence that we also shall atteine to this blessed place whither thou art gone before to take possession for vs. Oh our strong tower of defence and succour what can hurt vs now trusting in thee Most vnhappie are they which are ignorant of thee and most happie are they which alwaies behold thee Blessed are they which haue knowne thee heere in the daies of this mortalitie but more blessed are they which see thee in the heauens and shall see thee reigning with thy Father in ioies incomparable Oh Lord the onelie ioie and comfort of our soules shew vs thy louing countenance embrace vs with the armes of thy mercie Receiue vs O good Ioseph thy yonger brethren with the kisse of comfort Powre into our harts thy holie spirit Plucke vs vp from the earth and earthlie things Open our eies and lift them vp vnto thee Open thy mouth and call vs vnto thee Open our eares that we may heare thee so that whatsoeuer wee doo speake or thinke it may be directed vnto thee alone our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen Another THou Lord didst put awaie Marie Magdalen from thee kissing of thy feet because thy flesh was not yet exalted and she knewe not yet the dignitie of thy clarified bodie and beautified with the glorie of immortalitie but was addicted onlie to thy bodilie presence She yet sought thee liuing among the dead neither was it knowne to hir that thou wast equall with thy Father wherefore thou wouldest not suffer hir so much as to kisse thy feet because it was a thing vnworthie for thy Maiestie O thou mightie Lion of the tribe of Iuda thou conqueror of hell and death
which shall come before the finall destruction of this world and thanke thee for thy goodnesse in foretelling vs of them We lift vp our heads vnto thee which art aloft on the right hand of the eternall Father and in faith and praier looke for that ioifull daie when thou wilt appeare most gloriouslie in the clouds for the deliuerance of thy people out of these calamities Gouerne vs by thy word and spirit O most mightie protector that wee may bee watchfull and shun the cares of this transitorie world which withdrawe the mind from the exercise of godlinesse and choke all vertuous motions raised by thine holie spirit and flie from wantonnesse bellie-cheere and vnlawfull pleasures which both cause thy spirit to forsake our minds and make our bodies the receptacles of vnpure spirits whereby we are caried being secure vnto abhominable wickednes and from thence vnto euerlasting destruction Finallie purge thou our harts by thy spirit and let thy knowledge appeare in vs which may both expell our grosse darknesse and inflame in vs godlie motions that all the daies of our life we may continue in the true and sincere confession of thy name And for so much as thou hast promised to defend vs and to mitigate our paines grant that wee may both escape euils to come and stand ioifullie before thee at thy returne Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father as in the destruction of Ierusalem thou hast left a fearefull example of thy horible iudgements against the contempt of the Gospell and the wickednesse of men threatenest such plagues to come for like wickednesse vpon the world as shall cause men to die for feare of them before they come grant vs so to read thy truth and to be obedient vnto it that when the signes of these things shall come which shall astonish the wicked wee may hold vp our heads with comfort waiting for our redemption so neere at hand watch with continuall praier that we may escape all these things which shall come vpon the world in that daie and that wee may stand before thy Sonne when he shall come to iudgement and be receiued of him to euerlasting glorie to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen A godlie meditation of the comming of Christ to iudgement and of the reward both of the faithfull and vnfaithfull O Lord Iesu Christ the Sonne of the euerliuing God by whom althings were made are ruled and gouerned as of thy loue for our redemption thou diddest not disdaine to bee our mediator and to take vpon thee our nature in the wombe of a virgin purelie and without sinne by the operation of the holie Ghost that both thou mightest in thine owne person woonderfullie beautifie and exalt our nature and worke the same in vs also first abolishing the guiltinesse of sinne by remission then sinne it selfe by death and last of all death by raising againe these our bodies that they may be like vnto thine owne glorious and immortall bodie according to the power wherewith thou art able to subiect all things vnto thee As I saie of thy loue for our redemption thou becamest man and that most poore and afflicted vpon earth by the space of three thirtie yeeres at the least in most humilitie and paiedst the price of our ransome by thy most bitter death and passion for the which I most hartilie giue thanks to thee so of the same thy loue towards vs in thy good time thou wilt come againe in the clouds of heauen with power and great glorie with flaming fire with thousands of Saints with Angels of thy power with a mightie crie showt of an Archangell and blast of a trumpet suddenlie as a lightening which shineth from the east c. When we thinke least euen as a theefe in the night when men be a sleepe thou wilt so come I saie thus suddenlie in the twinkeling of an eie all men that euer haue beene be and shall be with women and children appearing before thy Tribunall iudgment seate to render an account of all things which they haue thought spoken and done against thy lawe openlie and before all Angels Saints and diuels and so to receiue the iust reward of thy vengeance if they haue not repented and obeied thy Gospell and so depart from thee to the diuell and his angels and all the wicked which euer haue beene be or shall be into hell fire which is vnquenchable and of paines intollerable endlesse hopelesse euen from the face of thy glorious Maiestie and mightie power But if they haue repented and beleeued thy Gospell if they be found watching like wise virgins with their lamps and oile in their hands if they be found readie apparelled with the wedding garment of innocencie if they haue not hardened their harts and hourded vp the treasure of thy vengeauce in the daie of wrath to be reuealed but haue vsed the time of grace the acceptable time the time of saluation that is the time of this life in the which thou stretchest out thy hand and spreadest thine armes calling and crieng vnto vs to come vnto thee which art meeke in hart and lowlie For thou wilt ease all that labour and are heauie laden If they haue visited the sicke and prisoners comforted the comfortlesse fed the hungrie cloathed the naked lodged the harbourlesse if they haue not loden their harts with gluttonie and surfetting and carefulnesse of this life if they haue not digged and hid their talent in the ground dooing no good therewith but haue been faithfull to occupie thy gifts to thy glorie and haue washed their garments in thy bloud by hartie repentance then shall the Angels gather them togither not as the wicked which shall be collected as fagots and cast into the fire but as the good wheate that is gathered into thy barne Then shall they be caught vp to meete thee in the clouds then shall their corruptible bodie put on incorruption then shall they be indued with immortalitie and glorie then shall they be with thee and go whither thou goest then shall they heare these ioifull words Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning c. Then shall they be set on seates of Maiestie iudging the whole world then shall they reigne with thee for euer then shall God be all in all with them and to them then shall they enter and inherit heauenlie Ierusalem and the glorious restfull land of Chanaan where it is alwaies daie and neuer night where is no maner of weeping teares infirmitie hunger cold sickenesse enuie malice nor sinne but alwaies ioie without sorowe mirth without measure pleasure without paine heauenlie harmonie most pleasant melodie saieng and singing Holie holie holie Lord GOD of hosts c. Finallie the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither hath it entered into the hart of man that they shall then inherit and most surelie
enioie although heere they bee tormented prisoned burned solicited of Sathan tempted of the flesh and intangled with the world wherethrough they are inforced to crie Thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesu c. How amiable are thy tabernacles Like as the hart desireth the water brookes so longeth my soule after thee O God Now Lord let thy seruant depart in peace I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ We moorne in our soules waiting for the deliuerance of our bodies c. Oh gratious Lord when shall I find such mercie with thee that I may repent beleeue hope and looke for these things with the full fruition of those heauenlie ioies which thou hast promised and prepared for all them that feare and loue thee and so rest with thee for euermore Amen 2. Peter 3 10 11 12. The daie of the Lord will come as a theefe in the night in the which the heauens shall passe awaie with a noise and the element shall melt with heate and the earth with the works that are therein shall be burnt vp Seeing therefore that all these things must be dissolued what manner persons ought yee to be in holie conuersation and good liues looking for the hastning vnto the comming of God by the which the heauens beeing on fire shall be dissolued and the elements shall melt with heate ¶ Other godlie Praiers to be vsed vpon euerie Saincts daie as they fall orderlie in the yeare And first 1. On Saint Andrewes daie My hart is readie O God my hart is readie prepared to séeke thée and to followe thy Lawe O let me not go wrong out of thy commandements WE thanke thee O Sonne of God head and keeper of thy Church for gathering to thy selfe out of the vncleane companie of men an holie Church which is knit to thee in true confession righteousnesse and life Manie times didst thou repeate thy promise touching the bringing of man fallen into thy fauour againe and by the continuall preaching of thy Ministers hast giuen vs the light thereof Thou didst in like manner appoint a tower and ordeine the Commonwealth of Moses in the middest of that part of the world inhabited from whence it might be heard of all mankinde At the length thou appearedst in the flesh brakest the bands of the old testament and entredst into a new couenant with vs and calledst thine holie Apostle Andrew and the rest to be the publishers and witnesses of thy truth and gauest them authoritie to preach and sufficient testimonie that they publish the truth Mainteine among vs this light that we may giue credit to thy Ministers and their writings as to a voice sounding from heauen that we may be citizens of that companie which is builded vpon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles in which building thou art the corner stone bearing the whole house by the word of thy power Grant that imitating the examples of Saint Andrew and the rest of the holie Doctors and Apostles who by thy grace readilie obeied the calling of thy Sonne Iesus Christ and followed him without delaie we also being called by thy holie word may likewise foorthwith giue ouer our selues obedientlie to followe thee and thy holie commandements Of them it it is said They went foorth and sowed their seed with teares but they shall returne with ioie Giue also to thy Church in all ages for euermore faithfull and holie teachers which may be fishers of men reteine the forme of sound doctrine dispense thy mysteries faithfullie and gather to thy kingdome great companies till the number of thine elect being filled the net shall be cast off and thy whole Church enioie thy visible and blessed sight for euermore Amen 2. On Saint Thomas daie I beléeue O Lord helpe mine vnbeléefe and increase my faith LOthsome is the darkenesse and horrible the streames of diffidence and mistrust euen in the elect as the Apostle Thomas albeit he had sensiblie heard the voice of the Sonne of God seene the miracles which bare testimonie that he taught and preached the truth yea albeit in mind inwardlie he beheld the presence of his Lord yet beleeued he not the resurrection of Christ which is the principall article of our faith neither gaue he credit to such as had seene the Lord liuing againe which doubting thou didst suffer in him for the more confirmation of the faith But confirme thou vs as thou didst confirme this thy weake disciple Thomas and grant vs so perfectlie and without all doubt to beleeue in thy Sonne Iesus Christ that our faith in thy sight neuer be reproued Strengthen our frailtie by thy liuelie presence Appeare to vs in the night that humane darkenesse doo not extinguish the light in vs. Bring thy gifts into houses shut vp into our poore cottages which are in great danger by reason of thine enimies Speake thou vnto vs with thy blessed voice outwardlie by thy word and inwardlie by thy spirit working thy peace within vs that filled with the sense of thy presence we may rest coupled through thee in the spirit vnto thine eternall Father Take vs vp being fraile and fallen downe in this life Shew vs thy woonders that in the fight of our conscience with the displeasure of thine eternall Father we may remember thy merits Laie vs miserable and weake ones in thy side and wounds that we may be hid and couered from the wrath of God and sucke from thy bodie the water which washeth all our vncleannesse and the liuelie nourishment of thy bloud which may strengthen vs into euerlasting life that we be not vnbeleeuers but in the number of the faithfull and from our hart may imitate that noble confession of this thine Apostle Saint Thomas and against all the blasphemous spirits and thine enimies acknowledge that thou art the Lord and our God euen that God which from the beginning hath beene present with his Church both externallie by his Ministers and inwardlie by the secret working of his holie spirit which may euermore defend his Church against the rage of his enimies and by a couenant with mankind knitteth the faithfull to his owne flesh Grant O Sonne of God and mightie Iehoua that firmelie we may beleeue this thy promise depend vpon thee hope of thine aid against hope begin our saluation from thy word reuealed that beleeuing in thee our Sauiour which art Christ our high Priest King we may find eternall life in thee Amen 3. On Saint Steeuens daie VVho was the first that was martyred and shed his bloud for Christ crucified They gather themselues togither against the soule of the righteous and condemne the innocent bloud O Christ our Lord and sauiour which with greefe of hart didst bewaile the ingratitude of the Iewish nation which both vnkindlie contemned thy benefits killed thy Prophets most cruellie we beseech thee make vs euermore to haue in mind and acknowledge the greatnesse of thy loue towards mankinde Thou art that naturall hen Thou begettest to thy selfe a
congregation by the egge and singular seed of thy first promise made in Paradise Thou gatherest such as beleeue and depend thereon vnder thy wings by thine intercession against the wrath of God which is a consuming fire and by thy liuelie heate thou nonrishest them powring vpon them thy spirit which is a substantiall fire flowing from the brest both of thee and thine eternall Father expelleth the coldnesse of our nature and quickneth such as are ingraffed in thee vnto a new life Thou encounterest with Kites rauening birds raging spirits and all the mortall infernall enimies for the safegard of thy poore chickens Wherefore keepe vs we humblie praie thee among thy chickens which with a woonderfull and entire affection acknowledge thy voice when thou callest which couer themselues vnder thy wings and drawe from thy brest most godlie comfort in their greefe of hart and strength against all enimies And O comfortable ghest of the soule leaue not our houses desolate cease not to fill vs by thy continuall presence with thy life and righteousnesse giue vs the true comfort of mind that before all worldlie things we may prefer the confession of thy truth euen as that reuerend old man Zacharie father of Iohn Baptist betweene the temple and the altar with his bloud as with a pretious burnt sacrifice did confesse thee to bee the Messias sent frō thine eternall Father Saue vs from bloud-shedding O Lord our Sauiour that we wrap not our selues in paines most intollerable wherwith thine enimies which haue defiled themselues with the innocent bloud of thy martyrs are oppressed And as thy glorious martyr and trustie Deacon of thy Church Steeuen when most heinous faults were laid vpon him as though he had proclaimed defiance both to God and his Church did continue constant in thy faith vsing a most excellent and effectuall forme of praier for his enimies thy persecutors conteining the summe of true doctrine sawe the heauens open and thee O Sonne of God standing on the right hand of thy Father to whom at the point of death he commended his soule so assist vs with thy grace that wee by his example may learne both to loue and praie for our enimies and that we feare not the peruerse opinions of the wicked world Be thou with vs in trouble according to thy promise open to vs the heauens shew vs thy liuelie countenance by thy good presence comfort our sorowfull minds make it knowne vnto vs that thine eternall Father is pacified through thee And finallie when our soules shall depart frō our bodies receiue them we hartilie beseech thee into thine almightie hands Giue grace that quietlie we may rest and fall asleepe till at the resurrection of mankind thou bringest thy Church and chosen to thy visible presence in the heauens where thou remainest and watching full tenderlie ouer thy flocke thou placest the same at the right hand of thy Father Amen 4. On Saint Iohn the Euangelists daie Being the Disciple whom Christ so deerlie loued and who at the resurrection of Christ was 22. yeeres old and liued in all eightie nine yeeres With the bread of life and vnderstanding shall the Lord féed him and giue him the water of wholsowe wisedome to drinke O Sonne of God full sixtie and seuen yeeres did thy beloued disciple Iohn among great miseries greeuous combats spread abroad thy Gospell in Asia the lesser where much idolatrous seruice curiositie and Greekish lightnesse was vsed He rested himselfe not onelie corporallie vpon thy bosome or shoulders being conuersant with thee in the earth and loued of thee as thy kinsman but spirituallie also drue from thy breast the spirit of wisdome replenishing his mind and hart with heauenlie light strength of faith and celestiall vertues He sawe the wofull destruction of his countrie and beheld the tragicall ouerthrowe of his nation He sawe the decaie of that Common-weale that was ordeined of God and of that temple which in all the world was the onelie temple of God He encountered with Ebion and Cerynthus most wretched heretikes which were the trumpets of Sathan to blowe abroad damnable opinions which as the first Cain by the prouocation of the diuell did contumeliously deale with the Sonne of God derided his promise And as afterward the nations by their monsterous multitude of feined gods did reiect Christ and his benefits so in a desperate boldnes did they set themselues against heauen and blasphemouslie detract from the Sonne of God his diuinitie But thanks be to thee O Sonne of God which art the substantiall image and word of the eternall Father thou hast by the doctrine and authoritie of this thy blessed Apostle Euangelist S. Iohn not onlie inlightned thy Church greatlie with the bright beames of thy heauenlie light of diuine knowledge but also by the testimonie of thy iudgement with horrible punishment cut off those blasphemers and heretikes that troubled thy Church and deliuered the truth of that article vnto vs. O preserue this light among vs henceforward that we may attaine thereby to thine euerlasting gifts and suffer vs not to bee wrapped anie more in idolatrous darknesse and superstition which is contrarie to thy glorie Mo enimies also Lord hath Sathan stirred vp to deface this thy truth and glorie euen the horrible power of the Turks which with brazen faces both blasphemouslie deale with thee and persecute thy Church confessing thy truth but suffer not O Sonne of God suffer not we beseech thee the true knowledge of thee by the power of Sathan and his ministers to be blotted out but keepe for thy selfe an holie seed among vs which against all the gates of hell may professe thee to be the eternal Sonne of the euerliuing God to whom the whole societie of Saints with one consent doth ascribe all power all knowledge all heauenlie vertues and willeth all praiers and supplications to bee directed to thee alone which art God alone Maintaine also among vs the true sense of the difference betweene humane righteousnesse and thine Grant that willinglie we may obeie thee leading vs vnto the exercises of true repentance vnto the crosse vnto troubles and vnto death where our will is truelie bound and obeieth altogither Giue grace likewise that we mooue not vnnecessarie strife through pride ambition and curiositie as did Samosatenus Arrius and manie mo but may followe thee and in our vocation both in teaching and learning and liuing may continue in the truth of doctrine that we may be found in that companie which thou louest intirelie and wilt prouide for vntill thou returne Amen 5. On the holie Innocents daie VVhich washed their garments in the bloud of the Lambe euen in their infancie by the crueltie of Herod The soules of the righteous are in the hands of God and there shall no torment touch them O Sonne of God in the time of thine humiliation euen from thy natiuitie and infancie trulie diddest thou taste the streame of mans miserie Poorlie thou wast borne naked and despised in
that thou art the Sonne of the liuing God our King and Sauiour And for asmuch as great is the rage and mightie the power of thine enimies which fight against the truth mercifullie defend thy Church sounding foorth this thy wisedome defend the same we beseech thee against the verie gates of hell And as thou hast giuen to the Apostle Saint Peter manie excellent gifts and commandedst him earnestlie to feed the flocke wherby at the infancie as it were of thy Church he was a glorious light of the Gospell and publisher of the truth so keepe among vs thy ministerie and send godlie preachers which may godlie and rightlie vse the keies in comforting and correcting Make we beseech thee all Bishops and pastors diligentlie to preach thy holie word and the people obedientlie to followe the same that in this life we may be and abide citizens of the blessed fellowship which thou dooest protect and receiue the crowne of euerlasting glorie as heires of thine eternall kingdome Amen 15. On Saint Iames the Apostles daie When my father and my mother forsake me thou O Lord takest me vp therefore I made haste and prolonged not the time to kéepe thy commandements O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which camest into this world to giue thy life for manie stirre vp our hearts vnto the true cogitation of thy benefits and obedience which was a sufficient ransome for the sinnes of all mankinde pacifieng the wrath of God and giuing euerlasting life to as manie as approch vnto thee in true faith We besech thee forsomuch as in vs doth as in thy disciples did sticke great vncleannesse heale our minds by thy spirit Quench in vs our vaine desires of superioritie which maruellouslie doo boile within the harts of men Grant that the ministers may knowe rightlie the difference betweene ciuill policie and religion that they cast not vnto thee in mockerie purple neither pricke thine head with a crowne of thornes but may serue thy Church in humilitie as faithfull dispensators of thy mysteries folowing thine example in whome perfect humilitie appeared when thou flangest thy selfe downe vnder Angels men Assist vs also that we may drinke of thy cup be baptised with thy Baptisme in true calling vpon thee and perfect patience in all our aduersities And grant that as thine holie Apostle Iames leauing his father and all that he had without delaie was obedient vnto thy calling and most willinglie followed thee so we forsaking all worldlie and carnall affections may be euermore readie to followe thy commandements till thou drawe vs vp vnto the sight of thy visible kingdome which is y e right hand of thine eternall Father Amen 16. On Saint Bartholomew the Apostles daie I beleeued and therefore will I speake that I may walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing O Christ Sonne of God great was the weakenesse and sluggishnesse of thy disciples both in thy last supper when they contended about superioritie and worldlie gouernement in thine agonie when they slept and as great is the wickednes and securitie of this last age which making warre for wealth vnder the cloake of fauoring the Gospell seeketh after honor and promotion sleepeth soundlie and is nothing moued with the blasphemous idolatrie wherein the whole world is wrapped to thy great dishonor yea the greeuous punishments which thou sendest euerie-where doo nothing terrifie them from their sinne But O Sonne of God breake our deadlie sleepe teach the hearts of our ministers that they must not be ambitious neither striue about excellencie nor transforme the Gospell into ciuill policie but assist vs that we may all thinke of thy commandement which is Learne of me for I am meeke and lowlie in heart Powre vpon vs such vertues as thou hast in thy selfe most aboundantlie Thou destroiedst not mankinde which had offended thee but flangest thy selfe vnder all Angels and men and tookest this miserable flesh of ours vpon thee that to saue and serue vs trulie in great humilitie Thou O Sonne of God which hast giuen grace to thine Apostle Bartholomew trulie to beleeue and to preach thy word grant wee beseech thee vnto thy Church both to loue that he beleeued and to preach that he taught And as thou sittest for euer at the table of the Father in which all heauenlie wisedome doth abound so place vs miserable ones in the lowest seates of that thy table where thine Apostles and teachers which haue instructed manie vnto righteousnesse doo shine as the lights of the Church and differ in woonderfull glorie from other inferiour members albeit it sufficeth vs so we gather crooms from thy table which filleth such as eate and digest them with euerlasting ioie Amen 17. On Saint Matthewes daie Incline my hart vnto thy testimonies and not to couetousnesse IT was thy saieng O Christ Sonne of God that the sicke need the Physician wherefore we humblie beseech thee heale vs miserable folkes with thine heauenlie Physicke Be mercifull vnto vs sinners and feed vs with the deintie dishes of thy spirituall comfort Haue mercie on the Church whose whole bodie is greeuouslie afflicted through manifold diseases and euils The teachers sit as doo the merchants for gaine they transforme the Gospell into an outward pompe and bait for preferment Wherefore keepe thou some sound part which may vnfeignedlie acknowledge thee to be the onlie and best Physician which hast deliuered vs from the cursse of the lawe and restored vs to life and righteousnesse And grant O blessed Sonne of God that as thou didst call Matthew from the receipt of custome to be an Apostle and Euangelist so giue vs grace to forsake all couetous desires and inordinate care of riches and to followe thee in all things thou hast commanded Furthermore thou O Christ hast taught that the church of the new testament is not tied vnto the Mosaicall gouernement neither vnto the ceremonies and traditions of man hast reprooued also the Pharisaicall error which in all ages hath shamefullie obscured the light of thy Gospell that ceremonies are to be preferred before the works of the morall lawe Continue this light among vs. Grant that we may woorship thee not in the works and precepts of men but in obseruation of thy commandements and woorshipping thee in spirit and truth Worke O worke within vs an obedience answering to thy lawes in both tables that retaining faith and a good conscience we may sit with thee for euermore in thy celestiall kingdome after our resurrection Amen 18. On Saint Michaels daie and all Angels O praise the Lord yée Angels of his yée that excell in strength and fulfill his commandement O Almightie euerlasting and euerliuing God which before all times didst beget a Sonne in thine owne image in whome shineth the heauenlie light which no creature can apprehend as it is in deede albeit some taste and sparke thereof thou bestowest vpon men by lightening them by thy Sonne to vnfeigned repentance sorowe for their sinne Thou commandedst
stirred vp thy goodnesse to displeasure Yet when thou sawest their tribulation and their lowlie submission vnto thee Thou diddest remember thy promise and by and by hadst pitie and compassion vpon them according to the multitude of thy mercies Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God omnipotent haue mercie vpon me for I am a miserable a wretched creature Make me whole I beseech thee whom thou hast striken for my sinne and iniquitie My soule is troubled greatlie and how long O Lord wilt thou not looke towards me How long wilt thou reiect my praier thus crieng out vnto thee Wilt thou heare me at no time How long wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me Where be thine old mercies O Lord whom thou hast stablished in thy truth Wilt thou now O Lord God cease to shew mercie Or wilt thou withdrawe thy goodnesse in displeasure Hast thou cast me awaie for euer that thou wilt neuer hereafter be pleased with me Thine hand is not weakened but it may helpe and thine eares be not stopped that they refuse to heare How long shall my mind be troubled with painfull and heauie thoughts How long shall sorowe torment mine hart How long shall mine enimie haue the vpper hand of me Looke towards me Lord GOD and heare my praier Giue light to mine eies for I haue slept too long in death and my sinnes haue preuailed against me Turne againe O Lord turne againe and deliuer my soule and saue me for thy great mercie sake Lo now is the accepted time now be the daies of health and grace In death who shall remember thee In hell who shall laud or praise thee He that liueth he that liueth shall praise thee and shall make thy mercie knowne Lord rebuke me not in thine anger nor punish me in thy great displeasure Cast not thy darts at me nor laie not thy heauie hand vpon me For I haue borne thine anger a long while of the cup of thy high displeasure I haue droonke verie deepe There is no health in my flesh for feare of thy displeasure I haue no peace nor rest when I behold my sinnes Mine iniquities be gone ouer mine head and like an heauie burden they dailie presse me downe The wounds in my soule doo fester and stinke euen through mine owne follie I am a wretch cast awaie from thy fauour and presence and go moorning all the daie long My soule is full of filthinesse and no part of mee is whole and sound Wherfore mine enimies doo persecute me the more the greatnes of my paine maketh me to rore and crie My heart fainteth and trembleth within me and my strength is gone awaie O Lord thou knowest my desire and thou seest my necessitie Forgiue me all my sinnes O Lord God almightie for thine owne sake and put out of thy sight my hainous offences for according to thy goodnesse thou hast promised forgiuenesse of sinnes to them that doo pennance Haue mercie on me Lord for the glorie and honour of thy name and be no longer displeased with me and then thou shalt surelie be knowne to be iust and true in thy words shalt ouercome when thou art iudged For by this thy great grace shall be knowne that thou takest mercie on them which haue not whereof they may glorie in thy sight And all the dwellers on the earth shall learne and knowe thy goodnesse when thou shalt confer and giue thy benefits to vs for thy great name sake and not after our euill waies and wicked deeds Uerelie Lord God except thou shew vnto vs thy manifold mercies the world shall not haue life nor they that dwell therein And if thou helpe vs not with thy goodnesse how may they which haue offended be raised vp from their sinnes Haue mercie on me O good Father haue mercie on me and for thy glorious name be no longer angrie with me Take me a sinner vnto thy mercie for the name of thy holie Sonne Iesu whome thou hast sent to be the obteiner of mercie for our sinnes through faith in his bloud Behold holie Father behold thy child whome thou hast chosen behold thy welbeloued Sonne in whome thy soule delighteth vpon whome thou hast put thy holie spirit and sent him to preach the Gospell to the poore to heale them which for their sinnes be sorowfull and contrite to comfort them that mourne to preach pardon to the prisoners and sight to the blind Behold thy little one which was borne for vs behold thy Sonne which is giuen to vs whome thou hast not spared but giuen to death for vs all to be a sweet offering and sacrifice to thee Uerelie he tooke vpon him in his bodie our infirmities and he bare our paines He was made weake for our sinnes and he was wounded for our offences The correction for our peace was laid vpon him and by y e strokes that he suffered our wounds were healed All we went astraie like sheepe euerie one followeth his owne waie and thou O Lord puttest on him our iniquitie striking him for the offences of thy people He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to be stricken he turned not awaie his face from them that scorned him Through his loue and mercie he hath redeemed them that were lost and by his bloud shead on the crosse he hath pacified all things in heauen and earth He gaue himselfe to death and made his praiers for them which were offenders Looke O mercifull Father and consider who it is that thus did suffer and remember I beseech thee for whome he hath suffered For this is that innocent whome thou gauest to death for vs euen then when we were sinners and shall we not being now iustified by his bloud much rather be saued from wrath through him If we when we were yet enimies were reconciled to thee by the death of thy Sonne shall we not being reconciled much rather be saued by his life Behold that pure and immaculate Lambe which taketh awaie the sinnes of the world by whose pretious bloud we are redeemed from our iniquities Looke vpon that most meeke innocent which like a Lambe was led to his death and being most cruellie intreated once opened not his mouth Behold thine onlie Sonne whome although thou begattest of thine almightie power substance and nature yet thou wouldest he should be partaker of mine infirmitie Which being God in nature thought it no rauine to be equall with God but made himselfe lowe taking vpon him the shape of a seruant and comming in the similitude of sinfull flesh condemned sinne in the flesh submitting himselfe vnto thee O Father euen to the death of the crosse and there put out the hand-writing that was against vs conteined in the lawe written and taking it out of the waie fastned it to his crosse on the which he spoiled potestates and powers and made a shew of them openlie and triumphed ouer them in his owne person Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord God and looke vpon
the worke of thine ineffable goodnesse Behold thine owne sweet Sonne how all his bodie was drawne and stretched foorth on the crosse Looke vpon all the parts of his bodie from the crowne of the head vnto the sole of the foote and no paine shall be found like vnto his paine Behold O louing Father the blessed head of thy deere Sonne crowned with sharpe thornes and the bloud running downe vpon his godlie visage Behold his tender bodie how it is scourged his naked brest is stricken and beaten his bloudie side is thrust through his heart panteth his sinewes bee stretched foorth his godlie eies dazell and leese their sight his princelie face is wanne and pale his pleasant tongue is inflamed for paine his inward parts waxe drie and starke his armes both blew wanne be stiffe his bones be plucked one from another his beautifull legs be feeble and weake and the streames of bloud issuing out of his bodie ranne downe apace vpon his feet Looke O my Father vpon the humilitie and gentlenesse of thy deere Sonne and pitie the infirmitie of thy weake handie-worke Behold O glorious Father the bodie of thy deere Sonne all to rent and torne and remember I beseech thee of how small substance I am Looke vpon the paine of him that is both God and man and release the miserie of man whome thou hast made Behold the greeuous suffering of the Redeemer and forgiue the sinne of hir that is redeemed Keepe me from all euill waies and teach me by thy holie spirit to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O thou king of holinesse by him that is most holie by this my Redeemer Christ that thou bring me againe into the right waie that I may be vnited and made one with him in spirit which abhorred not to be vnited with me in flesh Make me to go perfectlie in thy paths and to hate all wicked waies Wash my hart from malice and clense me from my secret sinnes Clense me O holie Father with the bloud of the new testament of thy welbeloued Sonne which hath loued vs and washed vs with his bloud from our sinnes and hath redeemed vs from all iniquitie Purifie my heart by the sanctification of thy spirit and the sprinkling of the bloud of thy Sonne from all filthinesse of sinne and euill conscience O God almightie be mercifull vnto me a sinner for thy glorious name sake and remember my sinnes no longer For thou art God gratious and mercifull and patientlie dooest suffer vs and wouldest that no man should perish but y t all men should returne to penance Make me O Lord God to returne from mine euill waies and wicked thoughts Remember not the sinnes and abhominations of my youth according to thy mercie be mindfull of mee for thy goodnesse sake O Lord. Looke not vpon me with a grienous countenance for there is no man that dare speake for me Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for if thou accuse me I shall neuer be quit For if thou O Lord marke my sinnes and iniquitie who shall not fall before thee This is certaine and sure that then in thy sight no man liuing shall be iustified seeing thou hast found iniquitie euen in thine Angels How much rather in man which is abhomination and filthinesse and dwelleth in the earthlie house of his bodie and drinketh iniquitie as it were water Who is cleane from filthinesse when all be corrupted trulie not one no though he haue liued but one daie on the earth and though his moneths may be easilie numbered Of a truth there is no mortall man which hath not done wickedlie nor there is anie righteous on earth which doth good and sinneth not Yet because mercie is in thy hand O Lord although thou be dreadfull my hope is in thee in whome my soule trusteth My soule looketh for thee because mercie and plentifull redemption is with thee For this I knowe assuredlie that thou wilt not cast me awaie for euer but although thou cast me awaie for my sinnes awhile yet thou wilt haue mercie vpon me againe according to the multitude of thy mercies For thou O Lord art full of pitie and mercie and wilt not turne thy face awaie from vs if we will returne to thee Thou art our God full of sweetnesse veritie and patience and disposest all things by mercie The fountaines of thy goodnesse be euer full and flowe ouer thy grace neuer decaieth All thy waies be mercie and truth to them that seeke out thy couenant and testimonies How gentle and louing the father is to his children so gentle and louing art thou O Lord to them that feare thee and for the aboundance of thy mercie thou dooest pardon our infirmities Thou knowest thine owne handie-worke thou remembrest what we are thou seest we are flesh and of no strength Thou hast not forgotten that this world is full of vnrighteousnesse and wickednesse and that it is wholie set and bent on euill Yea neuerthelesse thou art mercifull and full of grace and like a mercifull Lord forbearest to punish sinners when they repent themselues and returne from their sinnes Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God my sauiour for the glorie of thy name and deliuer me and forgiue me my sinnes for thy name sake O righteous Father looke not straitelie vpon the multitude of my sinnes but looke on the face of Iesus thy holie Sonne which being without sinne bare our sinnes in his bodie on the tree of the crosse Turne awaie thy face from my sinnes and put out all mine iniquities Make a cleane hart in mee O God and renew mee with a right spirit Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thine holie spirit from me Giue me againe the comfort of thy helpe and stablish me with thy mightie spirit Mollifie mine hart O Lord GOD that I may returne to thy paths for I haue wandered ouer long in the waie of errour Turne me to thee and I shall be turned for thou art my maker and I am the claie and worke of thine hands Turne not thy face awaie from me nor go not from thy seruant in thine anger Be mine helper and forsake me not despise me not O Lord which art my God and my health Amen Another Psalme for the remission of sinnes O Most mightie GOD of Angels and of men whose iudgements be vnsearchable whose wisedome is profound and deepe Neare the praiers of thy seruants and cast not awaie the humble suits of thy poore creature and handie worke For as long as I shall liue I will speake vnto thee and I will not hold my peace so long as the breth is in my bodie I doo turne my soule vnto thee and I set mine eies directlie vpon thee Let thine anger be turned awaie from me I beseech thee and grant that I may find grace and fauour in thy sight According to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me all my sinnes Plucke me awaie from mine heinous offences and heale my soule which
pilgrimage to walke with a good conscience and pure mind both before thee and towards all men in my dooing that I be not a reader of thy holie word and a talker onlie but that it may appeare also in my life and conuersation Regenerate my hart with the spirit of grace dailie more and more giue me an inward taste and feeling of thy fauour and mercie towards me in Christ Iesu our Lord that I may knowe thee to be my God and Father and my selfe to be thy child for euermore Assist thy seruant against this world with the vaine pompe pleasures and beautie thereof that it may be vnto me as vile dust filth and slime that I may vse it as though I vsed it not and that it may serue me and I not it that I may take my part thereof vnto my necessitie with thanks-giuing that I doo not vse thy creatures voluptuouslie but that I may liue soberlie and godlie in this present life to thy glorie Preserue and defend thy seruant from all false opinions that I be not deceiued and caried awaie in the errour of the wicked but that I may growe in grace and knowledge of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord giue me wisedome knowledge and vnderstanding to perceiue those false lieng and flattering spirits which doo deceiue the harts of innocents and begile vnstable soules Giue me also O Lord a right a reuerent and a pure iudgement and vnderstanding of thy holie word and to auoide all rash iudgements and peruerse interpretations that I may neuer swarue from the true sense and meaning therof and grant that my cheefest felicitie may be in the same thy holie word in hearing reading and talking of it and in watching praier fasting mortifieng mine owne will and members O Lord plant in me true obedience to thy lawe and let not the cares of this world choke thy word in me Make me to lift vp my hart oftentimes to thee and if I chance to fall or slip make me to thinke on thee and to be sorie with a stedfast purpose of amendment Oh Lord I offer vp my selfe whollie with all my crooked and corrupt nature so much as it is in will and works vnto thy mercie to be corrected and reformed at thine owne will and pleasure O let not the hand of the vngodlie cast me downe but saue my soule O my Lord God whither it bee through prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gaine sickenesse or health life or death Aid strengthen succour and defend thy seruant in all aduersities tribulations and temptations and suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength Increase my ioie and comfort in thee and thy holie spirit that I may reioice in all trouble and affliction and imbrace the same to my consolation and comfort and thinke my selfe happie when I am counted woorthie to suffer anie trouble for thy name sake Take from mine hart the thoughts of earthlie comforts onlie set before mine eies the ioie of the crosse of Christ that I may take comfort therein and despise the shame for the great reward that is laid vp in heauen for all those that with patience suffer in aduersitie and continue in well-dooing vnto the end Oh Lord take from me I saie a carefull hart in all worldlie things let them be vile vnto me for thy sake and grant that neither pouertie oppresse me and driue me to despaire or falshood neither wealth and prosperitie lift me vp to forget thee or my selfe but that in prosperitie I may be thankfull and in aduersitie patient and humble Lord let me be merie without lightnesse sad without mistrust sober without dulnesse fearing thee without desperation trusting in thee without presumption let me not be merie with the ioie that is without thee and let me desire nothing besides thee Good Lord giue me ioifulnesse of hart and peace of conscience continuall gladnesse and consolation in thy word and promises that I may euermore be thankfull vnto thee and praise thy name for euer Let thy kingdome come vnto me which is righteousnesse peace and ioie in the holie Ghost long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faithfulnesse meekenesse temperance strength and patience with all such like vertues as are prescribed vnto me in thy holie word Grant me O God a tender louing and mercifull hart towards my brethren long amitie and perfect patience to beare all things well that thy prouidence shall see meet to laie vpon me Of thy fatherlie mercie O God leaue me not to my selfe but stand thou alwaies by me For I am too weake of mine owne power to doo anie thing that is good but my righteousnesse and strength lieth onelie in thee Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee requiring mercie in thy sight and the assistance of thy grace that I may bee strengthened with power in the inward man and be armed at all assaies with thine holie complet armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the sheeld of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the swoord of the spirit which is thy holie word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and bee found woorthie through Christ to receiue a crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee in purenesse of mind Now therefore O Lord I giue ouer my selfe into thine holie hands desiring thee for Christs sake that I thus armed may remaine vnder the protection and strong defence of thy power and that thine holie Angels may pitch their tents round about me and compasse me alwaies And I beseech thee O Lord giue vnto thy seruant the strength of thine holie spirit to subdue this bodie of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may bee made obedient both in will mind and members to doo thine holie will that when thou shalt appeare to reward euerie one according to their deeds I may reioice and not be ashamed of thee at thy comming Moreouer O Lord I beseech thee thinke vpon all thy people which are straied here and there from the farthest part of the earth which be entered into couenant with thee and are minded to walke after thy will Grant O Lord that we may growe togither in loue through the knowledge of thy word to keepe the vnitie of the spirit through the bond of peace to the vtter confounding of errour and all false opinions and to keepe vs cleane from all hypocrisie and superstition and to make vs strong in all trouble and affliction O heauenlie Father grant vnto me and all other I saie wheresoeuer they be dispersed throughout the vniuersall world which professe thy holie word so to liue that we may die to sinne and lead a godlie conuersation walking innocentlie before thee Rule and confirme our harts with thy spirit O Lord lighten our minds and guide vs alwaies with the lightsome lampe of thine holie Gospell Gouerne and preserue thy Church and defend those Realmes and Cities that giue succour and harbour to thy people make vs all diligent
that we may willinglie and gladlie loue honor serue and obeie all superior powers in thee and for thee that we may ioifullie receiue thy Gospell plentiouslie bring foorth the fruits thereof and in all things chieflie applie our selues to the maintenance of thy true worship and setting foorth of thine honor and glorie Daughter Amen For the ignorant Mother VNto the ignorant also that their eies may be opened that it would please thee to shew thy countenance vnto them that they may knowe thee and thy Church which they condemne as errours because their eies are closed vp in darknes that as their zeale is now in simplicitie without knowledge so they may haue in stead of it a godlie zeale grounded on perfect knowledge so that thy Gospell may fructifie in them also to the glorie of thy holie name Daugh. Amen For the malicious persecutors Mother EUen vnto the malicious persecutors also that they may either at the length receiue thy grace so often and so mercifullie profered vnto them and so acknowledge their malice and returne vnto thee to thy great honor and glorie when thou shalt be praised euen by the mouth of thine enimies or else if they haue vtterlie giuen ouer themselues vnto continuall hatred of thee and thy word and vtterly reiected all kind of discipline that then thou take them awaie from among vs to thy great honor and glorie also when as thy little flocke being deliuered from their tyrannie and oppression shall ioifullie sing vnto thee of thy continuall goodnesse and woonderfull deliuerance Daughter Amen For those that are afflicted for Christs sake Mother VNto vs all that are troubled persecuted and cruellie handeled for thy name sake that although it please thee to make a sharpe triall of our faith that our enimies may be either ashamed or confounded thereat yet that thou leaue vs not so much destitute of thy grace that we be not able to stand to the vttermost proofe thereof Consider O Lord the greatnesse of our infirmities And although our sins haue deserued thy wrath yet let the equitie of the cause which is thine for the which we are troubled purchase vnto vs thy fauour and mercie Giue vs therefore grace to continue to the end willinglie and ioifullie to beare whatsoeuer crosse it shall please thee to laie vpon vs and alwaies to be readie to defend and set foorth thine honour and glorie in whatsoeuer triall it be And if we must needs drinke of the cup of triall yet giue leaue vnto thy chosen to drinke the flowre of it and reserue the bottome and dregs thereof for the proud and obstinate enimies of thy Gospell according to thy mercies promised in Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen For all estates in generall Mother AND finallie be thou mercifull vnto vs all that are of the houshold of faith of what estate or calling soeuer we be that we all remembring to what end thou hast created vs and how dangerous a thing it is to walke so farre vnworthie of our vocation as we now cōmonlie doo may hartilie repent vs of our licentious dissolute and wicked life and euer crie vnto thee for pardon of the same And grant O heauenlie father that the denieng or vnfruitfull receiuing of thy word be not laid to our charge to our vtter confusion but that now at the length we may not onlie receiue it but speedilie learne to bring foorth the fruits of the same that applieng our liues to the exact rule thereof and walking before thee in holinesse and righteousnesse with continuall thanks and praise for all thy mercies shewed vnto vs euer seeking thine honor and glorie in all our dooings may at the end of this our short and wearie peregrination be taken vp vnto thee to euerlasting rest and quietnesse prepared for all beleeuers through the merits of Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen For increase of true preachers complaining of the lacke herein Mother AND now O heauenlie Father according as wee are taught by thy sonne we humblie beseech thee mercifullie to bow downe thine eies and to behold how great and plentifull thy haruest is and euen now readie to be cut downe O thrust thou foorth good and faithfull laborers into it to reape and gather it into thy barns For though thy haruest be great yet are the labourers verie few Behold O Lord the miserable estate of these daies how thy seelie sheepe wander vp and down without a shepheard Euerie one almost goeth by about his own priuaite imaginations accounting it no part of his dutie or charge to be mooued therat or to take pitie on their great miserie The better sort see it lament it But Lord how few are those that busilie seeke the redresse thereof their owne priuate cōmodities set apart Surelie thy sheepe euen thy sheepe O heauenlie shepheard are in perilous case they are gone astray euerie one after their owne waies euen to their owne destruction they are on the barren mountaines almost vtterlie famished for lacke of food of themselues are not able to returne to the fold And in all these things euen they to whom thou hast giuen the charge of them can for the most part either sleepe sweetlie or if they awake then can they be content other waies to occupie themselues But O Lord wilt thou also alwaies sleepe and neuer arise vp to be reuenged on these so manifest iniuries Wilt thou neuer displace these carelesse hirelings and raise vp in their places such as shall be vigilant pastors ouer their charge although our sinnes deserue no redresse Neither yet giue vs anie hope to find mercie in this matter Yet for thy name sake and for thine honour and glorie O Father we cease not dailie to present our selues before thee as euen now at this present humblie beseeching thee in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ to raise vp among vs like as thou hast begun manie good shepheards such as will not let for anie paines or discomfiture to seeke out thy wandering sheepe and to defend vs from the bloud-thirstie iawes of the rauening woolues Good guides such as will both shew vs the waie and they themselues lead it vnto vs yea and carie home the poore and faint vpon their backs Good and faithfull distributers of thy word and mysteries such as will giue vs food in due season breaking vnto vs the liuing bread and giuing vs to drinke of the water of life That whereas now manie of vs are almost perished with famine therefore are becom lothsome and ill liking in thy sight we may therby through thy helpe be recouered from all lothsomnesse and ill liking and be restored againe to our former plight and beautie that we may be strong and growe in all grace and godlinesse And altogither in the safetie of thy fold with one hart and voice declare thy mercie and goodnesse and woonderous works and sanctifie thy holie name for euer Grant thou this O heauenlie Father and Lord of the haruest not for our