pray enter into thy chamber and the doare being shut pray thy Father in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret wil rewarde thee And when you pray speake not much as the heathens doe for they think to be heard in their much speaking therefore be not likned to them for your Father knoweth what you need before you aske him Therefore so you shal pray OVr Father which art in heaueÌ„ Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdome come Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen Geue The grecke Acton epionsion Supersubstantial Bread vs this day our daily bread And forgeue vs our trespasses as we forgeue them that trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation But deliuer vs from euil Amen S. Ambrosius lib. 3. de virginitate Repeate often in thy chamber psalmes with our Lordes praier either when thou awakest or before thou goest to sleepe A deuout Meditation or exposition vpon this our Lordes praier out of S. Chromatius Bishop of Aquileia in cap. 5. Mathei O How faithful blessed a praier is this vnto vs whose order was instituted by the Doctor of life and heauenly maister And how blessed may we also be if we obserue not onely with duty of mouth but with most faithful deede of coÌ„uersation these wordes of our Lordes praier Therefore our Lord ordained this forme of praying for his Disciples for the hope of mannes saluation saying Our Father which art in heauen How great is the loue of our Lord toward vs how exceeding his mercy and piety who haith bestowed a guift of such grace vpon vs that him which is our Lord and god we which are but seruants may lawfully cal our Father By which name he doth not onely demonstrate vs now to be the seruants but also the sonnes of God Therefore because we haue obtained the grace of so great a guift that we are made not onely seruants but sonnes also we ought to do and behaue our selues as the children of god that by spiritual doing we may prooue our selues to be that which we are called according to that of Iohn He that is borne of God committeth 1. Io. 3. not sinne because his natiuity of god doth keepe him and the deuil toucheth him not But he that committeth sinne is not of God but of the deuil because the deuil sinneth from the beginning And therefore keping the sacrament of our heauenly natiuity we ought to be free from al sinne that we may deserue truly to be called or be the sonnes of god And the holy prophets knew the grace of this diuine mercy in which it is permitted vnto vs to cal god our Father as Isay saith For thou art our Father because Abraham haith not knowne vs Israel Is 63. haith not knowne vs but our Lord our Father from the beginning thy name is vpon vs. Likewise also Malachy witnessith in his booke saying For there is one Father Mal. 2. of vs al. How great is the mercy of our Lord We which before by our owne wil had chosen the deuil for our father now being borne againe by water and the holy Ghost begin to haue god our Father And therefore we ought to walk as the children of God lâ—st doing otherwise theÌ„ becometh gods children we be holden guilty vnder the vsurpation of so great a name Therefore he saith Our Father which art in heauen hallowed be thy name not because the name of god can be hallowed of any man when he halloweth al men which saith by the prophet Be you holy as I also am holy saith our Lord. Lâ—uit â—0 But therefore we request his name to be hallowed that it may be hallowed in vs by the workes of iustice by the merit of faith by the grace of the holy Ghost which sanctification that we may receaue by such guifts the ayde of his mercy is necessary but he that is the fountaine of euerlasting holinesse needeth not any sanctification Then he saith Thy kingdome come Likewise we do not aske that he should be King who is King of euer-during worldes whose kingdome haith neither beginning nor end but that the kingdome which is celestial which he haith promised vnto vs may come But it is a signe of great confidence and sincere conscience confidently to aske that this Kingdome of our Lord may come And therefore because we alwaies pray that the Kingdome of God may come we must shew our selues such in the faith of our Lord and his commaundements that we may be worthy of his kingdome to come After this he saith Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen where also there is the like maner of vnderstanding for no man can resist or hinder god that he do not what he wil seing al thinges both in heauen and earth consist by his wil But we pray that his wil may be done in vs. And the wil of God is that beleuing in him with al our heart we fulfil those thinges which he haith commaunded to be done of which wil of god the Apostle witnesseth saying The wil of god is your sanctification that 1. Thes 4. you abstaine from carnal concupiscences Therefore when â—e say Thy wil be doâ—e in earth as it is in heauen This we pray that as the wil of god is faithfully kept of the Angels in heauen so also we must with a Religious and faithful deuotion desire the helpe of gods assistance or Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen that as in heauen that is in holy and heauenly men the wil of god is fulfilled so also in earth that is we pray that the wil of god may be done by beleefe of faith and knowledg of the truth in them which haue not yeâ— beleeued Then he saith Geue vs this day our dayly bread This saying of our Lord we vnderstand two waies first that we do not aske any thing but our daily foode For we are not commaunded to aske riches or superfluity of worldly thinges but our daily bread which to Christians that liue by faith is onely necessary for this present life as the Apostle saith Hauing foode wherewith to 1. Tim. 6. be couered with these we are content But wâ— must consâ—der that this is spiritually commaunded vnto vs that we aske our daily bread that is that heauenly and spiritual bread which we daily receaue for the curing of our soule and hope of eternal saluation of which our Lord saith in the Gospel The heauenly Io. 6. bread is my flesh which I wil geue for the life of the world And therefore we are commaunded daily to aske this bread that is that through the mercy of God bestowing it we may deserue â—aily to receaue the bread of the body of our Lord. And forgeue vs our debtes as we also forgeue our debtors This is plainely a iust and necessary saying for al men First that we acknowledge our selues to be sinners
A NEW MANVAL OF OLD CHRIstian Catholick Meditations praiers faithfully collected translated without any word altered or added except in tytles of Chapters citations of places some few merginal annotations for the most part taken forth of holy Scriptures or the holy Fathers within the first four huÌ„dred yeares of Christ And not any one in probable opinion after the first sixe hundred yeares nor forth of any Authour but such as are by al english Christians accompted Sainctes and to be in heauen that none professing Christ can except against them or any of them Is 35. 8. This shal be vnto you the direct way so that fooles can not erre by it 1617. TO ALL ENGLISHE Christians of all degrees My dearest beloued AS you professe your selues in Religion to be Christians so I am most assured none of you wil be so prophane and impious as willingly to be deemed people without Religion or to haue the most odious and impious name of irreligion or atheisme ascribed vnto you Al that be Doctors Preachers Rabines in Religion among you do teach that euery christian at least must vndoubtedly hold all pointes of faith which they call fundamental substantial namely those articles Creede which the Apostles of Christ deliuered vnto Christians Then the first principal of them which are I beleue in God the Father almighty maker of heauen earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord are principally to be embraced Denyal of the first denieth god affirming prouing such denyers atheists Doubting or denyal of the second condemneth al beleefe in Christ and the some of christianity and taketh away al articles of christian Religion substantial or not substantial if any such can be in a true Religion which I may not now dispute but onely demonstrate this If there be a God almighâ—y maker of heauen earth both you and I and all thinges els are his worke and creatures we haue receaued our essence being al of him In al thinges we depende of him he of none but independant and we owe and must pay and render vnto him al diuinâ— worshippe praiers supplications â—oueraigne dutie and Adoration If Iesus Christ be his Sonne our Lord came to redeeme the world he tauhgt true Religion vnto it And that Religion could not dyâ— with him whose death was death to death but foundatioÌ„ and life of religiâ—n and life redemption to vs and al to thâ— end that shal be saâ—ed The scriptures say He shal reigne for euer and of his Kingdome there sbal be Luc. 1. 28 Dan 7. 14 17. noe ende Al people Tribes tongues shal serue him His Father haith geuen him Mich. 4. 7 Dan. 3. 100. Dan. 4. 31. Ps 2. 7. the nations his Inheritance his possession the eudes of the earth The law of the Gospel teacheth and al good Christians doe and must beleueâ— that the law of Moyses was but teÌ„porary a pedagoge to Christ and in him euacuated and ended That Christ was the Messias taught an euerlasting Law no other to succeede it the world shoulde neuer want a true Religion the eternal King and Bryde-grome must haue subiects a Spouse for euer The Iewes and Thalmud acknowledg that the Law of the Messias was to succeede that of Moyses when it had reigned two thousand yeares and this of the Messias to endure for euer Mahumet that monster such a preteÌ„ded reformer as in these dayes haue prouâ—d many freely confesseth the truth longe continuance of the Religion of Iesus Christ and was vnborne when it had ruled aboue sixe hundred yeares Your english protestant Doctors and ruleâ—s in Religion are farre deuided froÌ„ the Romane Church yet they freely and generally graunt It was pure and immaculate sixe hundred yeares neare that seducers time For my purpose your good and contentment at this time I aske noe more but this to which al but atheists haue geuen allowance That we are bound to pray and the doctrine praiers vsed in the primatiue Church within the first sixe hundred yeares are holy to be vsed and frequented except you will not allow his warrant that said It behoueth alwaies to pray and not to be weary 1. Thes â— Pray without intermission or any of you shaâ— be so desperate to equal or preferr your selues in pride to Lucifer to think therâ— is any time thought word oâ— dâ—ede wherein you neede not the helpe of God or are not dependant of him Therfore to make alsecure in these vnfortunate dayes of dissention in Religion and take all euasion away froÌ„ all euen those that seeke to excuse excuses in sinne I haue collected this manual of psal 104 old Catholick deuotions such to be breefe as the title thereof enformeth you And such as by the best testimony of God him self his holy Primatiue Church and best learned Saincts thereof together with your owne conscience and al preseÌ„t consent neither wil nor can deceaue you Yet I haue not in this Treatise but slenderly in respect handled any controdersies of this time but propose vnto deuotion Meditations and Praiers dayly necessarily to be vsed of al priuate and vnlearned persons which may pretend daunger to besâ—duced in so great variety of doctrines The contentes wil appeare either in a particuler Table or if that be omitted in the titles of the Chapters and spiritual Exercises If any desire better to enforme their vnderstanding of the cheifest questions in Religion handled in these dayes by this Religious maner methode of disputing by the praiers them selues of the primatiue Church Sainctes thereof although they may câ—â—iâ—ctâ—râ— by â—he great wordes brags of many desiring to be called learned that none of the Romane Church wherof â—amâ—â—â—eâ—st vnworthy â—an performe it for that religion or châ—ife points therof I remit them to my late booke dedicated to our present Queene and her Ladies of that order in disputing and subiect where they shal find the doctrine of the external sacrifising Preisthood external Sacrifice Transubstantiation real presence of Christes blessed body bloud there Inuocation and patronage of the blessed Virgin Mary al holy Angels and Sainctes both in general and particular Purgatory Praier for the dead inuincibly I confidently affirme it wil mantaine it and demonstratly proued by the prayers them selues of the primatiue Church holy Fathers within the first fiue hundred yeares of Christ The serious consideration of these two workes I commend to your equal Iudgments and best deuotions to geue sentence how you haue bene led or nusled vsed or abused in this so vrgent and important businesse And I make euen the vnlearned and enemies to be Iudges in this cause whether the mouth of â—hose that speak vniust things be stopped or noe that at least we of one ps 62. nation kingdom and kinred with one faith and minde may singe that holy songe with the heauenly Angels Glory in the highest to God
accompting me in the number of the iust and making me heire of the inaccessible glory of thy sonne God which I desire o my Lady and Mother of God may after this exile by thy godly intercession and patronage be graunted vnto me and vnto al that humbâ—y runne to thee and fasten their hope in thee by the grace mercy and bounty of thy onely begotten Sonne our Lord God and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom is due al glory honour power and adoration with the Eternal Father and holy and viuificant Spirit now and euer world without end Amen An other out of the same S. Ephrem in Lament Mar. super pas dom O Pure and immaculate and blessed Virgin Mother of thy mighty Sonne and of the God of al without offence perfect and most sacred the hope of the dispayring and guilty we praise thee we blesse thee as most ful of grace who brought forth Christ God and man We al fal down to thee al cal vpon thee and besech thy helpe Deliuer vs o Virgin holy intemerate from al necessity approaching froÌ„ al teÌ„ptations of the deuil Be thou our reconciliatrix and Aduocate in the hour of death Iudgment and deliuer vs from the vnquencheable fyre to come the outward darknesse and vouchsaife vs the glory of thy Son o Virgin and Mother most sweete and gentle For thou alone with the God of Christians art our most secure and holy hope To whom be glory honour renowne rule for euer Amen Another of S. Ephrem ser de laud. Sanstiss Dei Genitr Virg. Mar. OInuiolate perfect wholly pure and chast Virgin Mary Mother of God Queene of al our most glorious Lady higher then the inhabitantes of heauen brighter then tâ—e beames and shyninges of the sunne more honoured then the Cherubim more holy then the Seraphim and incomparably more glorious then al the other celestial Armes the hope of the Fathers glory of the Prophets praise of the Apostles honour of Martirs ioy of Sainctts light of the most accepted Abraham Isaac and Iacob The Ornaments of Aaron brightnesse Iud. 6. of Moyses and Flease of Gedeon the crowne of the company of holy Princes al Sainctes virgins brightnesse farre exceeding and splendor inaccessible the Golden Censor most cleare Lantherne most bewtiful vessel bearing the Manna of heauen the Heb. 6. Table which brought the written Law vnto mortal men the true Arke most Apoc. 8. diuine Charter most prudent and wise wise Princesse of al and illuminating Virgin most holy comfortesse and guider of al most sacred Maiden O flamming Bush vnburned and florishing Rodde of Aaron For verily thou art the Rodde and thy Sonne the Floure For from the roote of Dauid and Salomon did spring Christ our creatour god and Lord omnipotent and alone most high Thou broughtest forth god and man Thou a Virgin before birth in birth and after his birth God thy creatour putting on flesh without seed in thy virginal wombe did not take away those keyes of the oriental gate that is euer shutt and preseruing thee o most bewtiful such a one as thou was before his birth By thee we are reconciled to Christ our God thy most sweete Sonne Thou art the onely adnocatrix and helper of sinners people destitute of helpe Thou the most saife Hauen of theÌ„ that fuffer shipwrack Thou art the comfort of the world Thou art the receptacle of orphanes redemption and deliuery of captiues Thou the exultation of the sick consotion of the sadde and health of al. al. Thou art the strength of MonKes and Eremites and hope of the secular Thou art the glory crowne and ioy of virgins Thou art the gladnesse of the world O Lady Princesse Queene most excellent exceding blessed Maiden most honoured and Lady of ladies most pure and chast We flee vnder thy defence o holy Mother of God defend and keepe vs vnder the winges of thy piety and mercy Haue mercy on vs that are defyled with the filth of sin who with very manifould offences and transgressions haue offended the Creator our god Iudg of al lest the most pernicious Sathan be insolent glory against vs lest the detestable enemy arise against vs lest we see thy seruants to fal from hope of thee or lest the tongue of detractors calumniate vs. We haue none other hope then in thee o most sincere Virgin Farr from our Mothers armes o our Lady we wretches are dedicated vnto thee and called thy Clients Therfore suffer vs not by the malignant Sathan to be led to the gates of hel For thou art our hauen o Virgin immaculate and president O holy helper we are wholy vnder thy tuission and protection Therfore we flee to thee the onely woman and with often teares o most blessed Mother besech thee and fall downe vnto thee humbly crying and praying lest thy sweete Sonne our Sauiour geuer of the life of al for many sinnes which we haue committed take vs away and like a Lyon teare our wretched soules or cut vs vp as the barren figge tree But we entreat that we may come securely to Christ enter into those pallaces of the blessed where there are not teares nor mourning nor vexation not greife not calamity not death not torment not want of place THE HOLY CREDE Or Articles of our Faith deliuered to the Church by Tradition by the holy Apostles of Christ as testify these primatiue Sainctes S. Clem. Rom. Ep. 1. Amb. Ep. 81 ad Siriac ser 38. Aug. ser 181. de temp Ireu lib. 1. haer ca. 2. l. 3. c. 4. Hier. ad Pamach Ep. 61. â—a 9. Leo ser 11. de pass dom Ep. 13. ad Pulcher. Aug. ser cont Euâ—ych Max. Taur Ep. Hom. de trad Simb paschas praef lib. de Sanct. and others I Beleue in God the Father almighty maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onely SoÌ„ne our Lord. Which was conceaued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Maâ—y Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried Descended into hel The third day he arose againe from the dead Ascended into heauen Sitteth at the right haÌ„de of God the Father almighty FroÌ„ thence he shal come to iudge the quick and the dead I beleue in the holy Ghost The holy Catholick Church The communion of Sainctes The forgeuenesse of sinnes The resurrection of the body And life euerlasting Amen Direction out of S. Ambrose lib. 3. Virgin We ought to repeate daily the Creede as the seale of our heart in the houres before day To which when we are afraide of any thing we must runne continually For when is a souldier in campe a warriar in battaile without his signe of warfare to be decerned by A Meditation or breife exposition vpon the same Creede out of S. Clem. Ep. 1. translated by Ruffinus within 400 yeares of Cirist Ruffinus in praef ad Gaudent in Reâ—ogn vasen Conc. can 6. Alexan. 1. Ep. ex Conc. Rom. Anaclet
Ep. 3. IT greatly behoueth al men that are called by the Christian name truly to beleue and acknowledg the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost one God and Lord and with al their The duty of â— Christian mind and al their heart and al their power to loue him and their neighboures as them selues and to be instructed to perfect Doctrine to accoÌ„plish these thinges For faith and Charity are â—he foundation of al Goodnesse Heb. 11. and without Faith no man can can please god Therefore Christ being risen from death ascended into heauen after the holy Ghost was sent the Apostles hauing the knowledg of tongues bestowed vpon them being yet together coÌ„posed the Symbole which the true beleuing Church now holdeth euery one of them saying what he thought That when they should depart one from an other they might preach this rule throughout al natioÌ„s Wherefore so they taught proposing a suÌ„me of the whole Catholick faith in which both the integrity of our beleefe and the equality of one god omnipotent that is the holy Trinity is declared the mistery of the Incarnation of the Sonne of god who for the saluation of mankind descending froâ— his Father in heauen vouchsaifed to be borne of a Virgin and by what meanes when he suffered death how being buried he arose and in his flesh it self ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of the Father and shal come to be our Iudge and how he bestowed remission of sinnes to them that be regenerate in holy baptisme the refurrection of mankind in the same flesh for the life to come For Symbole in greeke is called in latin a Collection And this the said Apostles amonge them selues by the holy Ghost as before is said for the good of vs. It is also named a signe because by this he that truly beleueth is knowne Therfor esaluatioÌ„ of their soules euerlasting life is by good workes prepared to al that beleue the thinges contained in the fore said Symbole An other Meditation vpon the same out of S. Maximus Episc Thaur hom de tradit Symboli WHen among our Fathers as the booke of Iudges maketh mention certaine Tribâ—s of Israel fel to ciuil warres among them selues and because of the like habit of one people there could be no distinction to know the souldiers by that Tribe which had the iustest cause of war because it worthily by the help of god presumed of victory ordained to it self a signe in a secret speach that those whom one liknesse of armour coÌ„founded the mistery of their watch-word might distinguish Which example as I suppose the blessed Apostles imitating deliuered the mistery of the Symbole to the Church of God which they armed against the malice of the deuils fury that because vnder one name of Christ there would be a difference of beleuers the signe of the Symbole might make distinction betwene the true faithful and the misbeleuers And he that was a stranger from faith and enemy of the Church might appeare either as one not baptised that knew it not or as an heritik that had corrupted it A Meditation necessary for a direction to al professing Christ crucified vpon that word of our Creede Crucified Ciril Hieros Catech. 4. Illumin MAny others haue bene crucified but what other that was crucified is there whose inuocation expelleth deuils Therefore let vs not be ashamed of the Crosse of Christ But if any man doth hide it signe thou thy self openly in thy fornead with the Crosse that the deuils seeing thâ— signe of the King may with trembling fleâ— faâ—re of Make this signe when thou eatest when thou drinkest and sitting and standing and speaking and walking breifly in al thy businesse An other of S. Ephrem ser de cruce Dâ—mini DOminus regnauit a Ligno Our Lord haith â—eâ—gned from the tree The Crosse ruleth which al Nations adore Tâ—e Câ—â—sse is the hope of christians the Resurrection of the dead staffâ— of the lame comfort of the poore bridle of the riche subuersion of the proud The Crosse the triumph against deuils a father of orphanes and pupils counseler of the iust comfort ease of the afflicted kâ—eper of infantes head of men crowne of old men a light to them that sitt in darknesse magnificence of Kinges freedom offeruantes wisdom of the vnlearned philosophy of the barbarous The Crosse the preaching of the Prophets companion of the Apostles glorifying of Martyrs shamfastnesse of virgins ioy of Preistes The Crosse fouÌ„dation of the Church and security of the world destruction of the temples of Idols scandal of the Iewes strength of the weake medicine of the sâ—ck food of the hungry and fountain of the thirsty This it is which fastned in the midle Mat. 27. Marc. â—5 of the earth in the place of caluary presently budded forth the best branch of grapes of our life This planted in Luc 23. Io. 19. Phil. 2. Eph. 4. the midle of the earth most prudently haith comprehended the endes of the world On this Christ our God being exalted ledde agaiue captiuity captiue which was detayned by the tyrant beneath In that Christ destroyed the most deuouring belie of hel and stopped the working and wyde open gaping mouth of the deuil He being seene death did tremble and quake for feare and dismissed al free which from the first man vnto that time it had held vnder her rule and tyranny Another of S Chrisostome aduer gent. demonst c. et hom 55. in Matth. THe Crosse which was cursed which was abominable a signe of death is made a thing more noble then Diademes and Crownes For the head is not so adorned with a kingly crown as with the Crosse which is more worthy then any ornament that which in former times al so much abhorred now they so much seeke to haue the signe thereof It is now found in euery place with Princes subiects men women Virgins the maryed bound and free Al men oftentimes signe them selues therewith making it on our noblest member for it is daily figured on our forhead as vpon a piller So it shyneth on the holy Table so in the ordinations of Preists so againe with the body of Christ in the Mistical supper Meruelous is this grace no man is ashamed of it no man bluÌ„ssheth at it thinking that it haith bene the signe of a cursed death but al men are more adorned with it then with â—rownes of Diademes or many Iewels and chaines beset with precious stones Hieronimus Ep. 128 ad Fabiol Exod. 28. Thou shalt make a plate of the purest gold c fastning it on the forhead c. THat which in times past was demoÌ„strated in the golden plate is shewed in the signe of the Cross Then the signe according to the saying of Ezechiel was fastned on the forhead of them that mourned now we that beare the Crosse do say O Lord the light of thy coâ—ntenance is signed Hier. inc 9. Ezech. vpon vs. Kâ—l
none vpon whom you shal see the signe Thou In the old characters of the Hebrewes which the Samaritanes vsâ— to this day the last letter is Than hauing the similitude of a Crosse which is made in the forheades of Christians and signed by often forming it with our hand A praier after the Creede out of S. Hilary l. 1â— Trin. in fine PReserue o Lord this Religion of my faith vnspotted and til my soule departeth from me geuâ— me this voice of conscience that I may alwaies kepe that which I haue professed in the Symbole of my Regeneration when I was baptised in the Father and the Sonne and the holy Ghost that is may worship thee our Father thy Sonne together with thce and may deserue thy holy Spirit which is of thee by thy onely begotten Sonne Because there is a fitt witnesse for my faith vnto me saying Father al my thinges are thine and thine are mine my Lord Iesus Christ remayning in thee and of thee and with thee alwaies God who is blessed for euer Amen An other inter oper sancti Cipriani de Symb. which som ascribe to S. Cip. others to Ruffinus OVr Lord vouchsaife to graunt vs that keeping the Faith which we haue receaued after our course is eÌ„ded to expect the crown of Iustice laid vp in stoare and to be found among them that rise againe to euerlasting life to be deliuered from confusion and euerduring reproach by Christ our Lord by whom to God the Father almighty with the holy Ghost be glory and rule world without end Amen Meditations and praiers vpon those wordes of the Creede Communion of Sainctes may be vsed before Iournay or other busines Gen. 48. THe Angel which haith deliuered me froÌ„ al euils blesse these children The Angel of our Lord wil put him Ps 33. self in the compasse of them that feare him and deliuer them He haith geuen his Angels charge Psal 90 of thee that they kepe thee in al thy waies When thou didest pray with teares Tob. 12. buriedst the dead left thy dinner and hiddest the dead in the day in thy house and buriedst them in the night I did offer thy praier to our Lord. I am Raphael the Angel one of the seauen which stand before our Lord. The vision was this Onias which Mach. l. 2. c. vlt. had bene high Preist houlding out his handes to pray for al the people of Israel and after this an other man appearing meruelous for age and glory and with habit of great comlinesse about him and Onias answearing to haue said This is a louer of his brethren the people of Israel this is he that prayeth much for the people and al the holy Citie Ieremy the prophet of god The four and twenty Elders fel downe before the Lambe hauing euery Apoc. 5. one Harpes and Phials of Gold ful of sweete odores which are the praiers of Sainctes A Praier of Iudas Machabeus 2. Machab. cap. vlt. O Lord who hast sent thy Angel 4. Reg. 10. Tob. 21. vnder Ezechias king of Iuda and killed an huÌ„dred fourscore and fiue thousand of the army of Sennacherib and Eccl. 48. Is 7. 1. Mac. 7. c. now o Lord of heauens send thy good Angel before vs in feare and trembling of the greatnesse of thy strength that they which come against thy holy people may be affraid A Meditation out of S. Ciprian de mortalitate WE must consider and think with our selues that we haue renounced the world and liue here a while as strangers and pilgrimes Let vs embrace that day which appointeth euery one to his dwelling house which restoareth vs being deliuered from hence and freed from worldly snare to paradise and the heauenly kingdome What man being a pilgrime farr of would not hasten to returne to his Country Who seeking with speede to saile vnto his frendes would not wishingly desire a prosperous winde that he might quickly embrace his dearly beloued frendes We accompt Paradise to be our Country haue begonne to haue the Patriarkes for our parents Why do we noâ— make hast and runne that we may see our country and salute our parents A great number of our deare frendes expect vs there a frequent and abundant company of parents brethren children desireth vs now secure of their owne immortality and yet careful for our saluation What great and common ioy is it both to them and vs to come to their sight and embracing What pleasure is there of the heauenly Kingdomes without fear of dying with eternity of liuing How exceeding and euerlasting felicity There is the glorious company of the Apostles there the nuÌ„ber of reioycing prophets there innumerable people of Martyrs crowned for their victory of combate and suffering there Virgins triumphing which haue subdued the concupiscence of flesh and body with the force of continency there the merciful rewarded which haue done the workes of Iustice with feeding liberally rewarding the poore haue translated their earthly patrimonies to the â—elestial treasures Let vs with a greedy wishing hasten vnto these that we may desire soone to be with these and come to Christ S. Leo ser in Epiph. Dom. c. 4. Confirme your frendships with holy Angels enter into the City of god whose inhabitation is promised vnto vs and ioyne your selues in company with the patriarches Prophets Apostles and Martyrs Reioyce in such thinges as they ioy in Couet their richesse and by good emulation seeke to obtaine their suffrages S. Euseb Emiss hom de S. Stephano LEt vs enquire what neede or reason there is seeing the holy Martyrs being placed in that light of paradise neede not humane praises why they are celebrated with so great affections of men Why are their Reliques God reueling them so manifested to the world Doubtlesse for many causes First they are worshiped of careful men that they may make intercessioÌ„ for their diligent worshipers Againe that whilest they are proposed to posterity for an example of deuotion and faith they may alwaies be encreased with new merits now renowned for their vertues they may also be amplifyed by the profits of others And further that the old enemy euen before Iudgment may see the punishment of his malice by which he vnderstandeth that he haith fought for the glory of Sainctes that whom he seeth here now honoured he nedeth not doubt but there they wil be reuenged That when the whole world doth celebrate the crowne of the martired the killer of Martyrs must nedes bewaile his victory S. Augstin lib. meditat cap. 20. O House of God bright beutiful I haue loued thy comlinesse and the place of the habitation of the glory of our lord my possessor and maker Let my pilgrimage sigh vnto thee day and night Let my hart be open vnto thee Let my mind inteÌ„d thee Let my soule desire to come vnto the felowship of thy blessednes I speake vnto him that made thee that he may possesse me in thee
morning and saluation in tyme of trouble S. Athanasius l. de virginitate siue meditatione Whether thou rysest or sittest or doest any worke or eatest or goest to bed to sleepe or rysest from bed let not the praise of god be absent from thy lippes S. Ephrem de Panoplia Defend thy selfe with the signe of the crosse signing therewith thy sitting downe and rysing vp thy bed whatsoeuer thinges thou passest by first signe them in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghost S. Ambros l. 3. virgin Repeate often in thy chaÌ„ber our lordes prayer either when thou awakest or before thou goest to sleepe Our father which art in heauen halowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy c. S. Ephrem ser de laudib sanctiss virg Mariae O Lady o ful of grace moue my tongue and my lippes to sing praises vnto thee and especially that angelical soÌ„ge which the Angel Gabriel did sing vnto thee Haile Mary ful of grace our lord is with thee blessed art thou amoÌ„g women c. S. Ambros sup l. 3. virginit We ought daily to rehearse the Crede in the houres before day I beleue in god the Father almighty maker of heauen and earth and in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our lord c. S. August l. mediat cap. 40. O Lord god omnipotent I commend to thee this day and euer my soule my body my seing hearing tast smelling touching my thoughtes affections speach deedes and al my both external and internal thinges sense and vnderstanding memory my faith and beleefe perseuerance into the hand of thy power that thou vouchsaife to keepe them dayes and nightes houres momeÌ„ts O holy Trinity heare me and preserue me from al euil from al scandal from al mortal sinne from al deceiptes and infestations of deuils and enemies visible and inuisible by the praiers of the Patriarkes by the merits of the Prophets by the intercession of the Apostles by the constancy of Martyrs by the faith of Confessors by the chastity of Virgins and by the supplication of al thy Sainctes that haue pleased thee from the beginning of the world S. Ambrosius in hymn O holy Father now that we haue refreshed our body with sleepe we arise and besech thee to be present with vs praying vnto thee Let our tongue cheifly praise thee and the feruour of our minde seeke after thee to be the beginning of our works Let darknesse geue place to light and the night to day that al offence which the night haith brought may sodainly fal downe We humbly besech thee to cut of al occasion of sinnes that we may praise thee for euer S. Ambros hym ad laud. fer 2. O Brightnesse of the Fathers glory light of light and fountaine of light the day that doth lighten the day and true â—unne come downe into vs shyning with eueâ—lasting brightnesse and infuse into our senses the beame of the holy Spirit With our praiers we cal vpon thee Father Father of eternal glory Father of effectual grace to abaÌ„don our pronesse to sinne informe our diligent actions blunt the teeth of the enemy prosper our aduersities geue vs grace to do our dutie gouerne and rule our minde Aurelius Prudentius in Cathemerin hymn Matâ—tin O Night darknesse confused misty cloudes of the world depart away the skye is bright Christ doth come this hour is profitable for al mâ—â— for euery one to do his businesse that he affecteth souldier Citizen Mariner workman plowman Marchant But we that know thee alone o Christ do learne to pray vnto thee with a pure and single mind thee we besech weping vpon our knees we liue by this art we begin these duties now the Sunne is risen and shyneth Haue a care of our senses and reguard to al our life let so many thinges obscured with darknesse be purged with thy light Commaund that al vncleanes being taken away we continew such as we were made in baptisme Whatsoeuer the night of this world haith infected vs with the dark cloudes thereof Thou the light of the sunne vouchsaife to illuminate with thy cheaâ—ful countenance Let that darknesse now cease which hitherto haith drawne vs headlong with vnhappy steps in wandring errour Let this light bestow clearnes vpon vs make vs cleane that we speak no subtilty and think of nothing that is of darknesse Let the whole day be so spent that neither our tongue nor hand nor eyes commit any sinne nor any offence defyle our body For he that behouldeth al thinges from aboue is present that continually seeth our actions from the beginning of morning to the euening He is witnesse he is arbitrator he behouldeth whatsoeuer mannes minde conceaueth he is the Iudge whom no man can deceaue Missa S. Iacobi Apost receaued Concil Constantinop 6. general Can. 32. LEt vs pray to our Lord to forgeue vs our sinnes and graunt pardon to our offences and deliuer vs from al tribulation anger dauÌ„ger necessity That we may spende al our daies in perfection peace and without sinne Let vs al aske of our Lord the Angel of pâ—ace the faithful guide keper of our soules and bodies Let vs aske of our Lord pardon remission of our sinnes offences Let vs aske of our Lord thinges that are good and profitable to our soules bodies that he wil geue peace to the world Let vs aske of our Lord that we may finish the rest of our life in peace and health Let vs aske of our Lord that we may perseuer in Christian and sincere faith to the end without sorow greif or infamy and a good defence before that fearful and dreadful Tribunal of Christ Let vs aske of Christ for thou art that good Annunciation Illumination Sauiour keeper of our soules and bodies God and thy onely begotten Sonne and thy most holy spirit now and euer and world without end Amen Miss Mozarab The grace of God the Father almighty the loue of our Lord Iesus Christ the communication of the holy Ghost be with vs for euer Meditations and prayers for the morning I Loue them that loue me and they Pro 8. that watch to me in the morning shal finde me In the morning I wil watch vnto Is thee I haue cryed to thee o Lord and Ps 87. in the morning my prayer shal come before thee It is good to confesse vnto our lord Ps 91. sing vnto thy namâ— o most highest to shew forth thy mercy in the morning The people did offer their prayers Exod. â—6 Ps 62. daily in the morning In the morning I wil meditate on thee because thou hast bene my helper The kingdoÌ„ of heaueÌ„ is like an househoulder Mat. 20. that went forth earely in the morning to hyre workemen into his vineyard S. Clem. Roman constitut 55. Apostol l. 2. c. 63. Exhort the people dayly to frequeÌ„t the church in the morning euening and neuer at al to be absent S. Clem.
before shal be blessed now and euer Amen A prayer meditating vpon the Maiestie of God out of S. Augustine CoÌ„f. l. 1. c. 4. WHat art thou o my God what art thou I besech thee but my lord God for who is lord but our lord and who is god but our God O highest o best o most mighty most omnipoteÌ„t most merciful and most iust most secret and most preseÌ„t most beutiful most strong stabâ—e and incoÌ„preheÌ„sible immutable chauÌ„ging al thinges neuer new neuer old renuing al things bringing the proud into ould age and they are ignorant alwayes doing euer quiet gathering and not wanting bearing and filling and protecting creating and norishing and perfecting seeking when nothing is wanting vnto thee thou louest yet art not truobled thou art ieleous and art secure thou repentest and greuest not thou art angry art quiet thou chaÌ„gest thy workes yet chaungest not thy counsaile thou receauest what thou findest neuer lost thou art neuer poore yet reioycest with gaine neuer couetous and yet exactest vsery There is largely bestowed vpon thee that thou mightest be in debt yet who haith any thing that is not thyne Thou payest debtes owing nothing giuest debtes loosing nothing And what do we say my god my life my holy sweetnesse or what doth any man say when he speaketh of thee and woe to theÌ„ that speake not of thee A prayer for al people out of S. Clement Const l. 8. c. 18. WE besech thee o lord for thy holy church which is dispersed through al places which thou hast gotteÌ„ with the precious bloud of thy Christ that thou wil vouchsaif to keepe it â—uiet and in tranquillity to the end of the world And we also intreat thee for al Episcopal order rightly handling the word of truth for al preisthood for deacons the whole Cleargy that being taught of thee thou wilt replenish them with the holy Ghost Also we besech thee o Lord for our King and al that are placed in authority that by them we may peaceably liue and perseuering in quietnesse and coÌ„cord through al the time of our life may glorify thee by Iesus Christ which is our hope For Bishops Preists Deacons Subdeacons Lectors Singers Virgins Widowes Lay people for al whose names thou knowest Also we besech thee for this Citie al that dwel in it For those that be sicke that suffer cruel seruitude for banished persoÌ„s such as haue suffered forfaiture of their goodes For al that trauel by sea and vndertaking farre iournaies that thou wilt be an assister helper aider of them al. Also we besech thee for them that hate persecute vs for thy names sake for those that be forth and in errour that thou wilt bring theÌ„ to good and appease their fury Also we besech thee for the Cathecumens of the Church and such as be vexed of the aduersary and for our brethren that be penitents that thou wilt perfect these in faith deliuer the other from vexation of the euil receaue the penance of these and pardon them and vs our offences Also we pray for them that are letted by iust cause or absent that keping vs al in godlinesse thou wilt gather vs together into the Kingdome of thy Christ god of al sensitiue and intellectual nature and our King constant in good inculpable and without sinne because vnto thee is al glory worship thankes-geuing honour adoration to the Father and Sonne and the holy Ghost both now and euer world without end Amen Out of the same S. Clement Const l. 7. c. 4 7. so by him appointed A prayer for morning Athanas l. de virg When day appeareth say the Himn Gloria in excelsis c. GLory in the highest to god and in earth peace to men of good wil we praise thee we celebrate thee we blesse thee we glorify thee by the great high preist we adoare thee god vnbegotten one vnaccessible alone for thy great glory o Lord heauenly king God Father omnipoteÌ„t o Lord god Father of Christ the immaculate LaÌ„be which taketh away the sinnes of the world receaue our prayer thou that sittest vpon the Cherubim Because thou alone art holy thou alone Lord Iesus Christ of god of al created nature of our king by whom glory honour and worship is vnto thee A Praier out of S. Ciprian Tom. 3. HAgios Hagios Hagios Holy Holy Holy O holy of holies Father of our Fathers God of Abraham God of Isaac God of Iacob God of Apostles God of Prophets God of Virgins God of the wel liuing God of the faithful God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ we humble cal vpon thee and also besech thee o only begotten Sonne who was begotten of the mouth of the highest before the disposing of the world and by mistery brought forh of the wombe of Mary the holy Virgin Vouchsaif to bestow vpoÌ„ vs that pray spiritual encrease of holy desire and integrity of heart that our brest by holy baptisme renewed may perseuer saife from carnal sinnes We aske with an vnspotted faith an vncorrupted mind with a strong deuotion loue continual that thou wilt suffer vs to florish in thy holy Church because vnto thee we bend our knees and bow downe our neckes to whom Angels and Archangels thousandes of thousandes of Martyrs the queare of the Apostles and glory of Prophets â—o make ioy to whom al birdes do singe praises whom the tongues confesse of thinges celestial terrestrial and infernal Al waters in heauen and vnder heauen confesse thee the insensible thinges perceaue thee Thou art alone and besides thee and without thee there is none We besech thee o Lord Father omnipotent who art conspicable to the onely Sonne whose Angels and Archangels obey thee O Lord Father we pray to thee to geue vs a sound mind a pure innocency deuout sincerity holy coÌ„science pure sober chast walking in glorious faith against al deceipts of the world Graunt vs a brest defended against al threatninges of the deuil carnal inticements that we may cary sounde the signe of euerlasting saluation lest we be entangled with the deadly snares of the violent and cruel enemy Put away from vs al vncleannes of the world and al perswasion of the deuil let him be snared throwne downe and ouercome and put away from vs as froÌ„ Sara thy seruant Asmodeus the most Tob. 8. wicked deuil suppressed by the holy Angel Raphael And as thou wert present with Tobias so vouchsaife to be present vnto me And as thou shewed mercy vnto Dan. 3. et 14. the three children in the fornace and to Daniel so vouchsaife to deale with vs thy seruantes Thou which hast raised the dead lightâ—ed the blynd geuen hearing to the deafe speach to the duÌ„me going to the lame soundnesse vnto leepers so also geue to vs thy seruaÌ„tes who with al the power of our mynd beleeue that thou wert borne suffered art to come to iudge the quick dead Assist vs as
thou didest assist thine Apostles in bandes Tecla in the fyre Paul in persecutions and Peter in the waues Thou who sittest vpon the seauen Thrones at the right hand of the Father looke vpon vs and deliuer vs from the destruction of eternal death one in one the Father in the Sonne the Sonne in the Father the holy Ghost by whom and with whom is to thee in the holy Church Honour Power Glory Maiesty Authority Benedictiō Immortality both now for euer alwaies and world without end Amen A Praier to auoide damnation out of S. Andrew Archbisbop of Cesarga soone after S. Basile OVr Lord graunt that we shewing forth by liuely workes sincere and true faith in Christ may neuer heare that terrible voice of Christ Amen Amen I say vnto you I Math. 25. Luc. 13. know you not And that other Departe from me al you workers of iniquity But But may heare with open eares that blessed and euery way desireable saying Come you blessed of my Father possesse Ib. the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world By the grace clemency and mercy of him who for vs willingly did vndergoe the Crosse that is of Christ god and our Lord with whom to the Father together with the holy and vinificant Spirit be glory now and euer and world without end Amen A Praier to the blessed Trinity out of S. Augustine Medit. ca. 32. O Blessed Trinity with my lips and heart and al the power I am able I praise I blesse I worship thee and to thy clemency and goodnesse geue thankes for al thy benefites and sing an Himne of glory vnto thee holy holy holy I cal vpon thee to come in me and make me a temple worthy of thy glory I besech the Father by the Sonne I beseeh the Sonne by the Father I besech the holy Ghost by the Father and the Sonne that al vices may be driuen away from me and al holy vertues planted in me Keepe me the worke of thy handes hoping in thee and trusting onely in thy mercy Keepe me I besech thee here and euery where now and euer within with out that no place for the enemies lye open in me Thou art god omnipotent the keeper protector of al that trust in thee without whom no man is saif no man deliuered from daungers Thou art god and besides thee there is not any other god neither in heauen aboue nor in earth beneath who dost wonderful and meruelous and vnscrutable thinges without number Praise becometh thee honour be cometh thee himne becometh thee To thee al Angels to thee the heauens and al Potestates do say Himnes and sing laudes incessantly as creatures to their Creator seruantes to their Lord souldiers to their King euery creature doth magnifie euery spirit doth praise thee blessed and vndeuided Trinity An other praier to the blessed Trinity out of the same S. Aug. Meditat. cap. 33. GRaunt vnto me o Lord that so long as I am in this fraile body my heart may praise thee my tongue may praise thee and al my bones may say O Lord who is like vnto thee Thou art god omnipotent whom three in parsons and one in substance of Deity we worship and adore The Father not begotten the Sonne the onely begotten of the Father the holy Ghost proceeding from both and remaining in both the holy and indeuided Trinity one god almighty who when we were not hast mightily made vs and when by our offence we were loste by thy piety and goodnesse thou hast meruelously repaired vs. Suffer vs not I besech thee to be vngrateful for so many benefites and vnworthy so many mercies I do besech intreate and desire thee increase my faith increase my hope increase my Charity Cause vs by that I doe thy grace to be alwaies stedfast in faith and effectual in worke that by right faith and worthy workes of faith by thy mercy we may come to eternal life that there seeing thy glory as it is we may adore thy Maiesty and may say together whom thou shalt make worthy to see thy glory Glory be to the Father that haith created vs Glory to the Sōne who haith redemed vs Glory to the holy Ghost that haith sanctified vs Glory to the highest indeuided Trinity whose workes are inseperable whose rule remaineth without end Praise becommeth thee Himne becommeth thee al honour is due to thee To thee benediction and glory to thee thankes-geuing to thee our God honour power and strength for euer Amen A praier for al true beleeuers both deceased and liuing out of S. Basil in Anaphora or whosoeuer in the primatiue Church authour ther of but commonly attributed to S. Basile O Lord creatour of bodies and soules remember at thy heauenly Altar al those that are departed forth of this wretched world and refresh them in thy Tabernacle ful of al bewty Passe them ouer beyond the horrible mansions of torment and place them in thy most lightsome Tabernacles Deliuer them from the wāt of light and darknesse and take them forth of tribulation and greif and let thy countenance appeare peaceable vnto them neither enter into iudgment with them nor seuerely examine their former life but whether in word or worke they haue sinned as men in flesh forgeue abolish their errours And conuerted haue mercy on vs which yet beliuing For behould daily we moue thee to anger by our filthy and detestable maner of liuing Because there is one alone that haith not sinned and deliuereth from sinne our Lord and our Sauiour Iesus Christ by whom we al hope to obtaine mercy remission of sinnes A praier for remission of sinnes by the intercession of the B. Virgin al Sainctes out of S. Augustine Med. cap. 35. O Holy and most merciful Lord be not made vntreatable vnto me because of my sinnes but for thy goodnesse receaue the praiers of thy seruant and graunt me the effect of my petition and desire the glorious Virgin Mary thy Mother my Lady together with al thy Sainctes making intercession and praying and obtaining it Amen The vsual Hymne of the Church Te Deum We praise thee God composed first as witnesith S. Dacius Bishop of Milane lib 1. Cron. ca. 10. betwene S. Ambrose his predecessour S. Augustine when he was baptised WE praise thee God we confesse thee our lord Thee the euerlasting Father al the world doth worship To thee al Angels to thee the heauens and vniuersall powers To thee the Cherubim and Seraphim with vncessible voice do cry out Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Saboath Ful are the heauens and the earth of thy maiestie of glory Thee the glorious Queare of the Apostles Thee the laudable number of Prophets Thee the whyte cloathed army of Martyres do praise Thee the holy church throughout the world doth confesse The Father of infinite maiestie Thy venerable true onely Sonne And also the holy Ghost the comforter Thou o Christ the King of glory Thou art
the euerlasting sonne of the Father Thou about to deliuer man didest not abhorre the virgins wombe Thou hauing ouercome the sting of death hast opened for beleeuers the kingdome of heauen Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father Thou art beleeued to be the Iudge that shal come We therefore beseech thee succoure thy seruants whoÌ„ thou hast redeemed with thy pretious bloud Make vs with thy Sainctes to be rewarded with glory O Lord saue thy people and blesse thy inheritance And gouerne them and extoll them for euer Euery day we blesse thee And we praise thy name for euer and for euer and euer Vouchsaife o Lord this day to keepe vs without sinne Haue mercy vpon vs o Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Let thy mercy o lord be vpon vs euen as we haue hoped in thee In thee o Lord I haue hoped let me not be confounded for euer The Hymne of the Angels Luc 2. with the additioÌ„ by S. Hilarius ANd with the Angel there was a multitude of the heaueÌ„ly army praysing god and saying glory in the highest to god on earth peace to men of good wil. We praise thee we blesse thee we adore thee we glorifie thee we geue thakes vnto thee for thy great glory O Lotd god heauenly King God Father omnipotent O Lord onely begotteÌ„ sonne Iesus Christ O Lord god Lambe of god soÌ„ne of the Father who takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vpoÌ„ vs. Who takest away the sinnes of the world receaue our prayer who sittest at the right haÌ„d of the Father haue mercy vpon vs. Because thou alone holy thou alone lord thou alone most highest o Iesus Christ with the holy Ghost in glory of god the Father Amen A prayer desiring pardon and grace by Christes passion out of S. Isaac l. de contemptu mundi c. 29. O Lord that didest weepe ouer Lazarus and poure forth the teares of thy coÌ„passioÌ„ on him receaue the teares of my bitternesse heale my passions with thy passions cure my wounde with thy woundes cleanse my bloud with thy bloud and mingle with my body the sweete odour of thy quickning body Let that gawle which was geueÌ„ to thee to drink by thy enemies make my soule sweete from the bitternesse which the enimy aduersary haith drunke vnto me Let thy body that was stretched forth vpon the wood of the Crosse lift vp to thâ—e my mind which by the deuils is drawne downeward Thy head which thou leanedst downe on the tormentes of the Crosse lift vp my head that is buffeted of my enemies Thy most holy handes crucified with nailes raise me vp to thee from confusioÌ„ of perditioÌ„ as thy most sacred mouth haith promised Thy face which receaued buffetinges and spittinges vpon it make cleane my face defiled with cursed iniquities Thy soule which thou gauest vp first being on the Crosse bring me to thee in thy glory I haue not a sorowful heart to seeke thee I haue not repentaÌ„ce nor compunctioÌ„ that bring againe childreÌ„ to their inheritance O Lord I haue not entreating teares my mynd is darkned with worldly thinges nor can looke vnto thee with greefe and my heart is withered for multitude of temptations and can not be warmed with teares of thy sweetnesse But o Iesus Christ the treasure of good thinges geue vnto me perfect repentance a sorowful heart That thereby I may hasten with my soule to seeke thee for without that which is al goodnesse I shal be an AlieÌ„ Therefore o Iesus Christ geue me thy grace The Father which from eternity without tyme begott thee renew in me the light of thy image I haue forsakeÌ„ thee do not thou forsake me I haue gone out from thee goe thou forth to seeke bring me into thy pastures number me among the sheepe chosen in thy sight and place me with them in the portion of the riches of thy sâ—crets whose habitacle is a clensed heart in it let be seene the brightnes of thy reuelations which are the consolation and refreshing of those which haue laboured for thee in tribulations and al kinde of afflictions of which graunt we may be worthie by the grace and holinesse of our Sauiour then and in the world to come Amen Augustine l. med cap. 11. With al our heart and mouth we confesse praise and blesse thee god the Father vnbegotten thee the onely begotten Sonne thee holy Ghost comforter holy and indiuided Trinity praise be to thee world without end Amen Other meditations and praysinges of god for the morning as opportuni tie is or for varietie Direction out of scripture IN the middest of the Church I wil Ps 21. see Ps 34. 83. 112. 116. c. praise thee You that feare our Lord praise him al you seede of Iacob glorify him Al Nations praise our Lord al ye people praise him because his mercy is confirmed vpon vs and the truth of our Lord remaineth for euer Reioyce and praise together you deserts Is 52. see c. 49. et Zach. 2. of Ierusalem because our Lord haith comforted his people redemed Ierusalem Our Lord haith prepared his holy arme in the eyes of al Nations and al the endes of the earth shal see the saluation of our god Daughter of Syon praise o Israel cry Sophon 3. out for ioy and reioice in al thy heart daughter of Ierusalem our Lord haith taken away IudgmeÌ„t haith ouerthrone thine enemies the King of Israel is lord in the midst of thee thou shalt not feare euil any longer At midnight Paule and Silas praying Act. 16. did praise god Direction out of S. Basile l. quaes diffuse explicat quaest 37. WE ought to preuent the morning and rise to praier lest the day find vs sleeping and in bed according to him that saith Mine eyes haue preuented the morning Ps 118. that I might meditate thy wordes of which thinges they must at no time be negligent whose purpose is to liue agreably to the glory of god and his Christ A Meditation before praier out of S. Nilus lib. de oratione PRaier is a communication of the minde with god Therefore in what state ought the minde to be that it may be stretched forth to his Lord. If Moyses when he endeuored Exod. 3. to come to the Bush which he saw was forbiden vntil he loosed the showes of his feete how must not he that wil see and conuerse with him which excedeth al sense and cogitation cast away froÌ„ him selfe al troubled knowledg Thou caÌ„st not pray purely if thou be entangled with earthly thinges and businesse and burdened with daily cares As he which is is bound can not runne so the mind that serueth passions can not behoulde the place of spiritual praier for it is drawne hither and thither with troubled cogitations and haith no fixed setled state If thou consider thy condition thou wilt rather weepe protesting thy self a wretch by the example of Isay because Is
15. 16. 17. and taken me forth from the wicked time Therefore I wil confesse speake praise vnto thee and blesse the name of our Lord. Heu heu heu o Lord god behould Ierem. 32. thou hast made heauen and earth in thy great strength and stretched arme nothing wil be dificult to thee who shewest mercy on thousandes and payest the iniquitie of the parents into thâ— bosome of their children after them o most strong great and mighty the Lord of hostes is thy name great in couÌ„saile incomprehensible in cogitation whose eyes are open vpon al the wayes of the children of Adam that thou mayest render to euery one according to his wayes and according to the frute of his inuentions Blessed art thou o lord god of our fathers Dan. 3. and to be praised and exalted for euer And the blessed name of thy glory holy and laudable and exalted in al worldes Blessed art thou in the holy temple of thy glory and exceedingly to be praised and eminently glorious for euer Blessed art thou in the throne of thy kingdome and superlaudable and extolled for euer Blessed art thou who behouldest the depthes and sittest vpon the Cherubim and laudable extolled for euer Blessed art thou in the firmament of heauen and laudable and glorious for euer I wil ioy in our lord and reioyce in Habacue 3. god my Iesus A breefe excercise of meditations prayers for such as desire to obserue al canonical houres of prayer vsed in the primatiue church stil among the religious And first for prime or first houre of the day THe sunne is risen and man shal Ps 103 goe forth to his labour and worke vntil euening A wise man wil geue his heart early Ecclesiast 39. to watch to our lord that made him wil make his prayers in the sight of the highest The kingdome of heauen is like to a Math. 20. man that is an houshoulder which went forth in the morning to hyre workmen into his vineyard and hauing made couenant with the workmen for a penie a day he sent them into his vineyard And very earely the first of the sabothes Mare 16. they come to the monument the sunne being now risen we must preuent the sunne to blesse Sap. 16. thee and worshippe thee when the day appeareth wheÌ„ morning was come al the cheefe Maâ—h 17. Preiâ—â—es and aunâ—iâ—nts of the people consulted togâ—ther against Iesus that they might put him to death and they bring him bound and deliuered him to Pontius Pilate the presâ—dent From the holy primatiue Fathers AT these houres let vs yâ—ld thaÌ„kes S. â—enedictus in Regula S. Châ—â—sâ—st l. â— de orando Deum to our Creatour Matins Prime c. We ought in forsaking our beddes to preuent the sunne rysing with diuine worshippe Tel me with what countenance wilt thou behould the sunne except first thou hast adored him that sendeth that most sweete light to thy eyes Meditate in the holy sâ—riptures Athanasius l de virginitate haue the psalter and learne the psalmes let thâ— sunne rysing see a booke in thy handes A meditation out of S. Athanasius ser in id profecti c. inuenietis pullum alligatum c. THe scribes pharasies came together into the court of Caiphas tooke counsaile against Iesus For those most desperate men were ignorant that his death would geue vnto vs immortalitie and this descending procure vnto vs our ascending into heauen for our lord arose the third day from the deade hauing spoyled hel trodden the enemy vnder foote abolished death broken the boundes of sinnes wherewith we were holden deliuered those that were bound saying arise let vs depart hence being deliuered from the seâ—uitude of the deuil Therefore let vs acknowledge our benefactor let vs glorifie the Father with the Sonne and holy Ghost let vs confesse one deitie for so ordering our life we shal possesse the kingdome of heaueÌ„ in Christ Iesus our lord An other meditation out of S. Ciprian de orat dominica BEsides the houres which were auÌ„ciently vsed now both the spaces and Misteries are encreased For also we must pray in the morning that the resurrection of our lord may be celebrated by morning prayer If in the holy scriptures Christ be the true sunne and the true day no hour is excepted from Christians but God ought often alwayes to be adored that we which are in Christ that is in the sunne and the day apply our selues to supplicatioÌ„s and to pray al the day A meditation and prayer out of S. Andreas Bishop of Cesaraea in Capadocia c. vlt. in Apocalip SVrely our Lord is a consuming fyre warmeth the soule which chastly and quietly conuerseth with him although it be could with sinne maketh it capable of that fyre which was borne to consâ—me vncleanes Euen also as the sunne whylest it doth more forceably reflect vpon a vessel of glasse ful of water by a certaine kind of boyling and refraction draweth fyre out of it though being could Therefore this being so let vs exhibite our selues not as a filthy and earthen vessel or such as cannot receaue impression of the heauenly beames but as the Temple Cor. 6. of the holy Ghost and cleane and bright glasse to the sunne of iustice that is to Christ who would al men to be saued and 1. Tim. 2. come to the knowledge of truth and doth bestow and offer vnto al so plentifully and without offence the grace of his brightnesse although it be not equally participated of al but according to the measure of the purity of the inward eye Our merciful Lord that for our sake suffered in flesh that is Iesus Christ our God graunt that we may obtaine this pure and chaist eye of minde To whom together with the Father and holy and viuificant spirit is due al glory honour and adoration now and euer for euer Amen A praier for this hour out of S. Clement Constit S. Apost lib. 8. cap. 44. O God of spirites and al flesh in comparable wanting nothing who hast geuen the sunne to guiâ—e the day and the moone starres to rule the night Behould vs now with thy merciful eyes and receaue our morning geuinges of thankes haue mercy vpon vs for we haue not stretched forth our handes to a straung God for there is not any new god to vs but thou euerlasting and infinite who hast geuen vnto vs by Christ that we might be by him hast bestowed vpon vs that we might be wel Now by him make vs worthy of euerlasting life to whom with thee and the holy ghost be glory honour and worship for euermore Amen A Praier out of S. Andâ—eas of Cesarea super cap. 47. GOd almighty graunt that our conuersation and order of life be such that it may be cause of confusion and deiection vnto the deuils and bring occasion of gladnesse vnto the Angels that together with
them we may celebrate a fâ—â—â—â—uity with voice of exultation aâ—d sounde of confâ—ssiâ—n and may geue thankes for victory obtained against the wicked deuils vnto Christ one god with whom glory is due to the Father and holy Ghost now and euer and world without end Amen A Meditation vpon Christs being brought before Caiphas out of S. Leo ser 6. de pas Domini IEsus being brought to Caiphas cheife of the Preistes whether the Scribes and al the preistly order were assembled false testimonies are sought against our Lord and Caiphas to exâ—ggerate the enuy of the speach which he heard râ—nâ— his garmentes not knowing what he signified by this maâ—nesse depriued him self of preistly â—onour O Caiphas where is the Rationale of thy brest Where is thy Girdle of continency Where is thy Superhumerale of vertues Thou spoilâ—st thy selfe of that mistical and consecrated attyre and with thine owne handes pullest into Peeces thy Pontifical vestiments forgeating that precept which thou hadst red of the cheife Preist He Leuit. 22. shal not lay of the Cidaris from his head and shal not breake in sunder his garments But thou from whom this dignity was now alienated thou thy self to thy self art executioner of reproach And to manifest the end of the old Testament belongeth the same rending in peeces of the preisthood Meditations and Praiers for the 3. Isodor l. 1 eccl offic c. 19. Hour or midle space betwene Sunne rising Noone Direction out of Scripture PIlate againe answearing said vnto Marc. 15. them what wil you then that I do to the King of the Iewes But they againe cryed crucify him c. And it was the Third Hour Sodainly there was made a sound from Act. 2. heauen and there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire and it sate vpon euery one of them and they were al replenished with the holy Ghost v. 15. c. It is the third Hour of the day Direction out of the Fathers Ignatius Epist ad Trallian At the Third Hour Christ by his Fathers permission receaued sentence of Pilate At the Sixt Hour he was crucified And at the Ninth Hour yelded vp the Ghost And before the Sunne setting was taken from the Crosse and buried in a new Sepulchre We finde that in making praiers the Ciprian de orat domin see S. Hieronim epist 122. c. 16. ad Eustochium three childreÌ„ with Daniel obserued the Third Hour Sixt Hour and Ninth Hour doubtlesse in mistery of the Trinity which was to be manifested in the last times it was after made manifest that they were misteries in old times that before the iust men praied in that maner For the holy Ghost descended vpon the Disciples at the Third Hour who fulfilled the grace of our Lordes promise Make your praiers early in the morning S. Clem. Coâ—st S. Apost l. 8. c. 4. at the Third Hour c. At the 3. Hour because at that hour our Lord had sentence of Pilate A Meditation out of S. Basile l. q. diffus explicat q. 37. ABout the Third Hour let vs arise to praier remembring the guift of the spirit which was geuen to the Apostles about the Third Act. 2. Hour Let vs pray al with one minde that we also may be made worthy to recâ—aue sanctification asking of him direction and instruction to that which is profitable according to him that said O god create in me a new heart and renew Ps 50. a right spirit in my bowels Cast me not away from thy face and take not thy holy Spirit from me Restoare vnto me the gladnesse of thy saluation and confirme me with thy principal Spirit And in an other place Thy good Spirit wil lead me into the Ps 142. right land A Meditation of Christes bearing his Crosse out of S. Leo. ser 8. pass Domini OVr Lord deliuered ouer to the wil of raging men to the scorne of his Kingly dignity was commaunded to be the bearer of his owne punishment that it might be fulfilled which Esay the Prophet had foreseene saying Behold a Child is borne Is 9. a sonne is geuen vnto vs whose rule is vpon his shoulders Therefore when our Lord bore the tree of his Ctosse which he would turne into the scepter of his power this surely was a great scorne among the eyes of the vngodly but it was shewed for a great mistery to true beleuers because the most glorious câ—Ì„querour of the deuil the most mighty subduer of the enemies strengthes in a bewtiful shew did carrie the Trophee of his triumphe and bore vpâ—n his shoulders of inuincible patience the signe of saluation to be adored of al Kingdomes as though euen thâ—n he would with the Image it self of his worke confirme al his followers and say He that doth not take his Crosse and Math. 10. follow me is not worthy of me A prayer out of S. Basile de Ieiunio concione 1. OVr Lord that haith brought vs vnto this instaÌ„t of tyme vouchsaife to giue vnto vs as to men in cumbate that to these cumbates we may shew firmnes and strength of constancie and come to the appointed day of crouning now of the remembrance of his sauing passion and in the world to come of retribution according to our life in the iust iudgment of Christ him selfe To him be glory for euer Amen An other out of the same Father l. exercitam ser 6. HE that cometh vnto god ought to embrace pouerty and in al thinges to be perced through with the feare of god according to him that said Perce my flesh with thy feare I haue feared for thy iudgmentes Our Lord graunt vnto vs that with al perfection we may receaue those thinges that are referred to the glory of god and shew forth frutes worthy of the spirit according to the wil of god and cooperation of our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A prayer for graces of the holy Ghost out of the masse attributed to S. Marke the Euangelist O Ruler our lord Iesu Christ the eternal word of the Father without beginning who for our saluation didest become like vnto vs in al thinges excepting sinne who sent thy holy Disciples and Apostles to preach and teach thy gospel and to cure al sicknesse and infirmities in the people now also o Lord send forth thy light truth and illuminate the eyes of our minde that we may vnderstand thy diuine wordes graunt that we be fitte hearers of them not onely hearers but that we may be made doers of thy word that we may encreace and bring forth good frutes from thirtie to an hundred that we may be accompted worthy of the kingdoÌ„ of heaueÌ„ And let thy mercies soone lay hould on vs for thou art our Euangelisme or message of good Sauiour keeper of our soules and bodies o Lord god and we offer vnto thee glory and thankes-giuing thrice holy himne to the Father and the Sonne and holy Ghost
Angel of peace good and profitable thinges christiaÌ„ Princes a peaceable euening night and without sinne al the time of our life with out offence let vs mutually commend one an other to the liuing God by his Christ A thankes-giuing for the night Cap. 42. O God without beginning end creator of al thinges king of al thinges intelectual sensible who hast made the day for the workes of light and the night for the rest of our weaknesse for thine is the day and the night for thou hast ordained the light and sunne o gentle and good lord now patieÌ„tly recâ—aue this our euening thanksgeuing who leadest vs by the length of the day and bringest vs to the beginning of the night preserue vs by thy aÌ„noiÌ„nted geue vnto vs a quiet euening and night without sinne and make vs worthy of euerlasting life by thy Christ by whom to thee be glory honour and worshippe in the holy Ghost for euer Amen Cap. 43. O God of Fathers and lord of mercy who by thy wisdome hast made man a reasonable creature and among thinges in earth alone deare to god geuen authority vnto him to rule them and by thy senteÌ„ce hast appointed Princes preistes them for security of our life these for iust seruing of thee o Lord omnipotent now harken vnto vs and shew thy mercy vpon this people bending downe the neckes of their heart and blesse them by Christ by whom thou hast illightned vs with the light of knowledge renealed thy selfe â—â—to vs to whom with thee and the 〈◊〉 Ghost is due worthy adoration of al reasonable and holy nature for euer Amen A MeditatioÌ„ praier for euening out of S. Athanasius hom desemente MAny are carelesse in their praiers al the day long busie them selues about worldly affaires and contemne the holy workes of prayers To this man our Sauiour Math. 12. Marc. 3. Luc. 6. 1. Tim. 2. may say stretch forth thy hand as Paule saith I wil men to pray in al places lifting vp holy handes And let vs stretch forth our handes and not onely in the day but by night also In the night stretch Ps 133. forth your handes to the holies and blesse our Lord and let vs reach forth holy handes those that be washed among innocents Ps 25. that caling vpon the God of al thinges we may enioy his helpe by Christ Iesus our Lord by whom glory be to God together with the holy Ghost now and â—uer and world without end Amen A prayer of S. Policarpus O God Father of thy beloued Euseb eccl Hist l. 3. cap. 15. Nicephor eccl Hist l. 3. c. 35. blessed sonne Iesus Christ by whoÌ„ we haue receaued knowledge of thee God of Angels powers and of al creatures and the whole kind of iust men al which do liue before thee I blesse thee who hast vouchsaifed to bring me to this day and this hour Thou art true and without falshood o God therefore both in al thinges I praise thee and blesse thee and glorify thee by the eternal God and high Preist Iesus Christ thy welbeloued soÌ„ne by whom and with whom to thee with the holy Ghost be glory both now and for euer hereafter Amen S. Ephrem paraenes 42. I Haue sinned against heauen and before thee o Lord god omnipotent and I am no more worthy to be called thy child or lift mine eyes vpward and behould the highnesse of the heaueÌ„s because of the multitude of my sinnes nor to vtter thy glorious name with the defiled lippes of me a sinner For I haue made my selfe vnworthy both of heauen and earth because I haue prouoked thee most best lord to anger I besech thee o Lord I besech thee cast me not away from thy face depart not from me lest I a wretch do perish For except thy grace had defended me I had bene lost I should be as dust before the face of the wynde as though I had neuer appeared in this life For since the time I haue forsaken thy way no time haith bene ioyful vnto me For if any day by chance hath seemed more pleasant that was the most bitter of al. But I trust hereafter thy grace which comforteth me may prouide for my saluation And now suppliant I flee vnto thee and besech that thou wilt receaue me againe that haue erred from the path of iustice Poure out on me the multitude of thy mercies as thou didest long agoe vpon the prodigal sonne vnthriftely loasing the Luc. 7. Math. 9. Marc. 2. Luc. 5. Luc. 23. riches of thy grace I haue defiled my life haue mercy on me o God and remember not my life brought to extreme villannies Haue mercy on me as thou long agoe tookest mercy on the offender and publican Haue mercy on me as thou tookest mercy on the theife for he when he conuersed on earth was despised of al men as lost and desperate But thou receauedst him and made him an inhabitant of the delightes of paradise Therefore receaue the repentance of thy vnprofitable seruant for I also am contemned and reiected of al for thou didest come o Lord not to cal the iust but sinners vnto penance Glory be to thee honour and adoration is due to thee with the Father and holy Ghost now and world without end Amen A prayer vpon the passion of Christ out of S. Ambrose medit c. 6. O Holy Father behold thy most holy sonne suffering so cruel thinges for me haue respect o most merciful King who it is that suffereth and in thy bounty remember for whoÌ„ he suffereth O my Lord is not this that innocent whom to redeme a seruant thou hast deliuered thy sonne Is not this the authour of life which as a sheepe led vnto slaughter and made obedient vnto thee euen vnto death feared not to vndergoe the kind of most cruel death Remember o dispenser of our whole saluation that this is he whom although thou begottest of thy power yet thou wouldest haue him become partaker of my infirmity Verily this is thy deity which haith put on my nature That ascended the tree of the Crosse that in his assumpted nature suffered greauous punishmeÌ„t O my Lord god reduce the eyes of thy maiesty vpon the worke of vnspeakable piety Behold thy sweete sonne stretched forth in al his body Looke vpon his guiltles handes streaming with holy bloud and pacified forgeue the sinnes which my handes haue committed Consider his naked side pearced with a speare renue me with that holy fountaine which I beleue to haue flowed from thence See his immaculate feete which stoode not in the way of sinners but alwaies Ps 1. walked in thy law fastened with cursed nailes perfect my goinges in thy pathes Ps 16. and bountifully graunt that I may hate al the waies of iniquity Ps 118. O King of Sainctes I besech thee by this holy of holies by this Redemer of me make me to runne the way of
thy commaundementes Ps 118. that I may be vnited to him which did not abhorte to be inuested with my flesh Wilt thou not attend o holy Father vnto the head of thy yong dearest beloued SoÌ„n hanging down his bewtiful necke resolued into most precious death Behold o most meeke Creatour the humanity of thy beloued Sonne and take mercy vpon the infirmity of thy weake creature His naked breast is white his bloudy side is redde his stretched intrales do drye his comly eyes do faint his kingly mouth is pale his longe armes be stiffe his marmour thyghes doe hange the water of his blessed bloud doth beweâ—e his pearced feete Behold o glorious Genitour the torne meÌ„bers of thy most grateful child and with bounty remember what my substance is Vew the paine of God a man and release the misery of man created Behold the punishment of the Redemer and forgeue the offence of him that is redemed This is he o my Lord whom thou hast striken Is 53. for the sinnes of thy people although he be thy welbeloued in whom thou hast wel Math. 3. pleased thy self This is that Innocent in whom deceipt was not founde and yet he was deputed among the wicked Is 53. A Praier out of S. Ciprian in his Tom. 3. praier before his Martyrdome O Lord holy Father holy God holy and holy my god For who is greater then thou art I render thankes praise to thee God of Abraham God of Isaac and God of Iacob God of our Fathers God of the Apostles and God of the Prophets and God of Martyrs who wast before the disposing of the world God of the liuing to come to iudge the quick and the dead which art the true God who sittest vpon the Cherubim Seraphim the seate of thine honour and behouldest the depthes which seest al thinges before they be brought forth who hast power to kil and restoare againe and Dan. 3. might to make the withered to florish Thou Lord ruler of al thinges deliuer me from this world and heare me praying Wo vnto my sinnes when thou shalt rise vp to crush the earth together vnder what clifter of the rockes shal I hyde my self from before thy power To what mountaine shal I say fal vpon Math. 25. me and vnto what hil couer me from before the feare of our Lord when thou shalt arise to bruse the earth I pray thee o Lord help me Iudge me not according to my doinge for I haue obeyed nothing in thy commaundementes Hear me praying as thou hardest Ionas from the bely of the whale Ion. 2. et 3. so heare me and cast me forth from death to life Blotte out al my sinnes and heare me praying as thou didest heare the three children in the fournace Dan. 3. of fire Ananias Azarias Mizael sent thine Angel with a showre of dew and Nabuchodonosor ruler of the kingdome was confounded Heare me praying as thou didest heare Daniel Dan. 14. from the Lyons denne and sent Abacuc the Prophet and he brought him diner Heare me praying as thou didest heare Tobias and Sara while they Tob. 3. prayed in the entry of their house then the Angel Raphael offered for them their prayers And so heare thou my prayers and admitte my petitions to thy holy Court and presently send thy holy Angel which may blot out al my sinnes as thou didest driue the vncleane spirit from Sara the daughter of Raguel and illighten my heart as thou diâ—â—st illuminate the eyes of Tobias Heare me praying as thou didest heare Susanna Dan. 13. amonge the handes of the Elders so deliuer me froÌ„ this world because thou art the louer of a pure conscienâ—e I besech thee o Father of Maiesty who in the end of times hast taken mercy on vs sending vnto vs Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord God Sauiour borne of the Virgin Mary by the holy Luc. 1. Ghost And I besech thee sonne of the liuing God which hast wrought so many miracles I besech thee o sonne of the liuing God for al my sinnes coÌ„mitted Thou thy self hast made a Testament for vs. Aske and you shal Math. 7. receaue knock and it shal be opened vnto you Whatsoeuer you shal aske my Father in my name I aske it of my Father that you may receaue it I aske that I may receaue I seeke that I may finde I knocke that it may be opened vnto me I aske in thy name that thou maist aske of thy Father and it may be geuen to me I am ready for thy name to shede a sacrifice of bloud and vndergoe what torment soeuer Thou art o Lord my helper and defender defend me from mine aduersary Thy Angel of light protect me because thâ—u hast said that what beleuing yâ—u shal aske bâ— praier shal be geuen vnâ—â— you Euery man is a lyer Thou art true as thou hast promised thou hast power o Lord to geue me al thy heauenly sacrament that I may be worthy to see the face of thy Sainctes Let the spirit worke in me Thy wil be done in me because I haue freely promised al the daies of my life my selfe vnto thee which sufferedst vnder Pontius Pilate a good confession who crucified did descende and didest treade vnder foote the stinge of death Death is subdued the enemy the deuil is vanquished Thou didest arise againe appeared to thine Apostles Thou sittest at the right hande of the Father which art to come to iudge the quick and the dead Thou shalt rule deliuer me from the hand of him that seeketh my soule By thy name deliuer me froÌ„ the aduersary power that thou maist geue help to bind mine enemy because thou art a potent approuer and aduocate of the praiers and petitions of our soules Day and night make intercession for my sinnes present my praier to thy Father And thou o Lord holy Father vouchsaife to haue tespect vpon my praiers as thou didest respect the guiftes of Abel Vouchsaife to deliuer me from the euerlasting fyre and punishment and from al torment which thou hast prepared for the impious by the good blessed Iesus Christ our Sauiour by whom to thee be praise honour power glory for euer Amen Other Meditations and Praiers for Euening neare Night IF I shal geue sleepe to mine eyes Ps 131. c. vntil I finde a place for our Lord. When it was Euening c. Ioseph taking Math. 27. the body wrapt it in a cleane Sâ—ndone and laid it in his owne new monument A Meditation out of S. Iohn Climacus grad 7. 28. AT time of thy prayer stande Grad 7. tremblng nor behaue thy self otherwise then one areigned before the Iudge that both by thine inwarde and outward behauiour thou maist procure to thy self the fauour of the iust Iudge To them that pray rightly praier is Grad 28. a Court and Iudgment and Tribunal of our Lord before the Tribunal seate that is to be hereafter
Meditat. cap. 33. GLory to the Father which created vs glory to the Sonne who redemed vs glory to the holy Ghost who haith sanctified vs glory to the highest indeuided Trinity whose workes are inseperable whose rule remaineth without ende Praise becometh thee Himne becometh thee al honour is due to thee blessing and brightnesse to thee thanks geuing to thee honour to thee power and strength to our God world without end Amen Meditations prayers before meate WHen thou shalt eate and Deut. 8. shalt be fâ—lâ—ed blesse thy Lord thy God c. â— They shal eate and praâ—â—e our Lord. Is 62. Math. 14. He blessed and brake and gaue the loues to his diâ—ciples Whether you eate or drinke c. 1. Cor. 10. do al thinges to the glory of God S. Chrisost hom 79. ad popul Antioch de orat ante med IT is needful for vs both comming vnto and going from table to geue thankes to god For a man prepared to this wil neuer fal into druÌ„kennes or insolency wil neuer be broken with surfet but hauing expectatioÌ„ of prayer imposed for a brâ—dle vpon his senses wil with due modesty take of al thinges set before him and fil his soule and body with much blessing For a table taking beginning from prayer wil neuer faile but more plentifully then a fouâ—taine wil bring vs al good thinges Therefore let vs not pretermit so great a profit for it is absurd that our SeruaÌ„ts should geue thankes vnto vs and goe away with blessing if they receaue from vs any part of those thinges that be set before vs and we which enioy so many good thinges not to render so much honour to god S. Athanasius l. de virginit siue meditat EAte thy bread geuing thankes to god in this maner Blessed be god who norisheth me from my youth who geueth foode to al flesh fil our heart with ioy and gladnesse that in al thinges hauing sufficient we may abound in euery good worke in Christ Iesus our Lord with whom to thee be glory honour rule to gether with the holy Ghost world without end Amen When thou shalt sit at table and begin to breake bread signing it three tymes geue thankes in these wordes We geue thankes to thee o Father for thy holy resurrectioÌ„ by Iesus Christ whom thou hast made knowne vnto vs that as this bread was somtyme dispersed in many cornes now gathered together is made but one so thou wilt vouchsaife to gather together thy church from the endes of the world into thy kingdome because thyne is power and glory world with out end Amen S. Clem. Rom. lib. 7. Constitut Apost cap. 48. et S. Chris in cap. 16. Mat. idem hab Precat Syr. apud Seuer Patriar Alex. de eisdem GLory be to the Father and to the SoÌ„ne to the holy Ghost O Lord god graunt this thy nurishment and fulnesse and plenty vpon this Table which thou hast prepared for thy seruantes and worshipers and multiply it in thy blessinges and goodnesse which doe not passe away nor faile because thou art good merciful ouer euery creature which thy holy handes haue framed o Father and Sonne and holy Ghost world without ende Amen Aurelius Prudent Cathomer in Himn ante cibum O Good Christ Crosse bearer maker of light omnipotent holy word begotten borne of the Virgin but before mighty in thy Father before the starres earth Sea were made I besech thee with a fauourable aspect bow downe thy sauing face with a chearful countenance and shyne vpon vs that vnder the honour of thy diuine power we may receaue this foode Praiers and Thankes after meat S. Athanas lib. de virginitate supra WHen thou shalt rise from table againe geuing thankes three times thou maist say Our gentle and merciful Lord haith geuen meate to those that feare him Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the holy Ghost And againe after the glorification ended finish thy praiers with these wordes God omnipoteut and our Lord Iesus Christ a name that is aboue al name we geue thankes vnto thee and praise thee because thou hast vouchsaifed to make vs partakers of thy good thinges thy earthly good thinges We aske thee and cal vpon thee o Lord that thou wilt geue vs heauenly meate graunt that we reuerene and feare thy venerable and precious name that we breake not thy commaundements Place thy name iustifications in our heartes sanctify our spirit and soule by thy beloued Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ with whom to thee be glory rule world without end Amen Precat Syriac apud Seuerum Patriarch Alexand. in precat GLory be to god for his goodnesse glory to god for his blessinges glory to god who haith fed vs glory to god that haith filled vs glory to our merciful god who haith taken mercy on vs al by the intercession of the Mother of god Mary and al Sainctes world witâ—out end Amen Prudentius supr himn post cibum NOw we haue fed our bodies and receaued foode which the weakenesse of our body requireth let vs geue praise to god the Father the Father that holdeth and ruleth the Cherubim his sacred seate and his Seraphim leaning vpon his highest Throne S. Chrisostom in cap. 16. Math. GLory to thee o Lord glory to thee o holy glory to thee o King because thou hast geuen vs meate in gladnesse fil vs with the holy Ghost that we may be found without shame in thy sight when thou shalt render to euery one according to their workes Amen A priayer before receauing the B. sacrament out of S. Hierome apud Eusebium Cremon de morte Hieron sic Trithem l. de scriptor Verep l. prec et alii O Holy Iesus thou whose magnificence Euseb Cremon scholler to S. Hierom l. de morte Hieronim Tom. 4. oper S. Hieronim Basil impress An. 1565. is so great that no creature can expresse it whom the heauens sea and al thinges which are contained in their circuite cannot receaue thou at thy pleasure ruling preseruing al thinges art contained vnder so smal a portion of bread not by peeces but wholly and perfectly inseparably O vnspeakable admiratioÌ„ o nouelty of al nouelties eyes behold whytnes taist perceaueth sauour smelling sent touching findeth subtilty but hearing presenteth to the heart that those accidentes are not in thee but exist alone without subiect for thou art not bread as seemeth to humane sence but whole Iesus Christ as thou sittest god and man at the right hand of the Father in heauen Haile bread of life who deceâ—dedst from heauen geuing life to those that worthely receaue thee surely hee that worthely receaueth thee although his soule be seperated from his body by temporal death he shal not die eternally For that seperation is not death but a passage from death to life O great vnsearchable mistery The accideÌ„tes of bread are broken by peeces and yet thou remanest whole perfect Christ in euery parcâ—l as thou wast before O noble banquet in which vnder the forme of bread wine whole Christ God and man is receaued and so whole in the forme of bread and eâ—ery parcel therof and in the forme of wine and euery drop thereof as in the forme of the whole bread and wine together For al perfect and whole Christ remaineth vnder the forme of bread euery least parcel thereof the same in the forme of wine and euery drop thereof Missa Rom. D. Petro Apost asscripta And vsed in the primatiue church O Lord Iesus Christ let not the receauing of thy body which I vnworthy presume to take come to me to Iudgment and condemnation but by thy piety let it profit me for defeÌ„ce of soul body receauing cure who liuest and reignest with God the Father in vnity of the holy Ghost God world without end Amen Laus Deo
vnited Praier is the seale of Virginity fidelity of matrimonie a sheild to trauailers a keepeâ— of the sleeping trust of the waking Praier is a conuersation and conference with God a contemplation of thinges not seene a sure confidence of thinges desired an estate of the same honoure with Angels a going forward and increase of good thinges an ouerthrowe of thinges that be euil an amendement of sinners â—he fruit of thinges present are representation of thinges to come Praier made the whale an house vnto Ionas Reduced Ezechias from the Ionas 3. 4. Reg. 20 Dan. 1. dores of death to life for the 3. children it changed the flaming fyre into a cooling wynde erected a Trophee of victory for the Israelites against the Amalacites Exo. 17. 4. Re. 29. and in one night slew with aÌ„ inuisible sworde one hundred foure scoare and fiue thousand of the Assirians And we may finde examples not to be numbred of such thinges as are already chanced by which it is manifest that among those thinges which in this life be embraced and esteemed pretious nothing is to be preferred before praier When where and how to pray out of S. Chrisostome homil contra Pseudoprophetas HEare the Apostle crying Pray ye without intermission that is â— Thes 5. at al time both night and day and euery hour both when thou art about thy worke in thy Iournay kepest thy flock tillest thy ground sleepest Expect not our Lordes day or festiual day or disterence of places For the name of God is not confined with place for in his hand are al the endes of the ps 94. earth Therefore Dauid the Prophet praying euery day and night expected not differeÌ„ce of places but weping said admonishing his soule O my soule blesse god in al place of his domination Therefore ps 10â— expect not day or hour but pray euen when thou art at home and in thy iournay when thou lyest downe and when thou rysest and in euery place pray vigilantly diligently not requesting riches not honour or glory not prosperity nor any thing els of this world transitory or vnprofitable for al these thinges are corruptible ende in corruption whether thou namest the greitest riches or preeminent humane glory or any thing els of such thinges as be on earth with which meÌ„ vse to be puffed vp But pray for thy saluation alone pray for the necessities of thy neboures and pray with humility with teares with contrition and knock coÌ„tinually or rather without ceasing and daily for euery one that asketh receaueth Math. 7. and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shal be opened Perfection and attention in praier out of S. Ephrem ser de viâ—ginitate FOllow the steps of the holy Fathers which haue bâ—ne eminent in virginal chastity and chast and religious life in praiers and fastings Loue the exercise of diuine thinges desire Praier the familiar conference with God For euery holy and pure praier conuerseth familiarly with God The praier of them that perfectly desire God with gladnes and much tâ—ust continually pearceth heauâ—n it self In it the Angels and Arch-angels râ—ioycâ— and present it before the Throne of the holy high Lord of al. For then the greatest ioy shyneth vnto them if at any time they offer before our holy Lord the praiers of iust men that loue God Therefore study in life vertues to be a follower of tâ—e holy Fathers Walke in the pathes of their way and life kepe the vertue of coÌ„tinency as they did execute it in mind execute it in spirit execute it in body execute it in habit also in meate and speach behoulding cogitation and laughter that in all thinges thou maist proue a perfect chaÌ„pion Looke to thy self lest at any time in praier thy minde wander hither and thither but when thou standest praying to god order thy self before him with feare trembling Cut out of thy heart al thoughts cares of earthly thinges be wholly in time of praier as an heauenly Angel so stâ—iue that thy praier may be holy and pure vnspotted and irreprehensible that when the heauenly gates shal see it ascend vp ward reioycing they may of their owne accorde presently be opened that the Angels and Archangels seeing it may al reioycing meete it and offer it before the holy and high throne of our immaculate lord Theâ—fore be thou alwaies in praier ioyned to God as the Cherubim Seraphim Cause god alwaies to rest in thy soule that thou maist there be found ful of coÌ„fidence in that terrible dredful hour when Christ our Lord shal come to render vnto euery one according to his Ro. 2. Apoe 22. work To whom be glory and power world without end Amen An other out of the same S. Ephrem â—er Asc de vita Rel. paren 50. AS if a man standing before a King and talking with him being called by his felow seruant should leaue the honourable glorious speach of the King and turne him self to talk with his seruant euen so a Religious man in the time of his singing that draweth his minde from god and turneth him self to fables and toyes with others Therefore let vs consider before whom we are placed For as the Angels with great feare trembling do stand before the Creatour singing himnes vnto him euen so ought we in the time of praier and singing to appeare before god with a pure heart and with reuerence and feare lest we be thought to stand before him and intende to praiers onely in body but in minde in the meane time to be occupied with earthly businesse For euen as a ship boate that is carried vp downe with waues of the sea euen so a Monk whose minde is distracted with businesse and cares of the world An other out of the same S. Ephrem de orand Deum TAke heede thou ceacest not to pray as often as thou canst kneele downe when thou can not call vpon God in thy minde both at euening morning and none-time If thou put praier before thy worke rising forth of thy bed shalt take the beginning of thy motions from praier sinne wil not enter into thy soule Praier is a conference with God equal honour with the Angels promotion of the good auersion from the wicked and amendement of sinners There is no possession in mannes life more precious then praier Neuer suffer your selues to be seperated froÌ„ this neuer depart from this but as our Lord saith let vs pray that our labour be not in vaine Mat. 6. The deuotion and attention to be vsed in praier out of S. Ciprian de orat dom WHen we are at praier we oâ—ght to attende and geue our selues with all our heart to praiers Let al carnal and worldly cogitation depart Let not the minde then think vpon any thing but that alone which it praieth Therefore the Preist before praier when he haith said the Preface prepareth the mindes
of Preface at Masse the brethâ—en saying Sursum corda Let our heartes be vpward that when the people answeareth Habemus ad Dominum We haue them vnto our Lord they may be admonished to think oÌ„ nothing but our Lord. Let your breast be shut against the aduersary and open to god alone Let it not suffer the enemy of god to come into it in time of praier for he often times sodainly creepeth and entreth in and craftily decâ—iuing calleth our praiers from god that we may haue one thing in heart and an other in voice when not onely the sounde of the word but the minde and sense ought to pray with pure intention vnto our Lord. And what a sluggishnesse is it to be carried away with foolish prophane cogitations when thou entreatest our Lord as though there were any thinge which thou rather shouldest think on then that thou speakest with god How doâ—st thou desire to be heard of God when thou hearest not thy self Wilt thou haue god to remember thee when thou askest thou remembrest not tâ—y self This is not to beware of the enemy this is when thou praiest vnto god by negligence of praier to offende the maiestie of God Where and with whom we may pray out of S. ClEment Rom. IF because of misbeleuers we can not goe to the Church but the wicked occupy the place thou must flee from that place because it is prophaned by them For as the preists do sanctify holy thinges so the impious defile them If the true beleuers can not assemble together neither at home nor in the Church let euery one by them selues singe reade pray or two or three gathered together For Where there be two or three gathered together in Mat. 16. my name there am I in the middest of them Let not the godly pray neither at home with an heritike for what society is there â— Cor. 6 betwene light darknesse Times of praier out of S. Ierome ALthough the Apostle biddeth vs alwaies to pray and to those 1. Thes 5. that be holy sleepe it self is a Praier yet we ought to haue deuided houres of praying that if peraduenture we be detained with any work the time it self may admonish vs to do our dutie There is no man that is ignorant of the thirde hour sixt hour ninth hour morning also and euening Let vs not go to meate except we pray nor depart from the table before we geue thankes to our creatour We must rise twice or thrice in the night meditate such thinges as we can say by memory out of the Sctiptures When we go forth of our lodging let vs be armed with praier wheÌ„ we come forth of the streete let praier meete with vs before we sit downe Let not the body take rest before our soule be fed At euery action at euery going forward let our hand make the signe of the Crosse PRAYERS AND ME ditations in particular and first vpon our Lordes Praier The salutation of the Angel to our B. Lady the Creede of the Apostles With the Primatiue Catholick introduction to all praier before them AL whatsoeuer you do in word or work al tbinges in the name of Col. 3. our Lord Iesus Christ geuing thankes to god the Father by him God forbid that I should glory but in the Gal. 6. Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ The Crosse is made on the forhead of Ieron in c. 9. Ezech. the Christians and signed by often framing it with our hand In the name of the Father and of the Missa Ethiop ascribeâ—â—â— S. Mathew Apostle Mozar in Miss S. Iacobi S. Ephrem de panopl. Sonne and of the holy Ghost Amen Humble thy self vnder the mighty hand of God that he may exalt thee in the kingdome of heauen which our Sauiour haith promised to the humble But in stead of a sheild defend thy self with the signe of the Crosse signing therwith al thy members thy heart Signe thy affections thy going in thy going forth in al times Thy sitting downe and rysing vp thy bed and whatsoeuer thinges thou passest by First signe them in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost for that armour is most forcible no man can euer hurt thee if thou shalt be defended with it For if any man carry with him the signe of aÌ„ earthly King no man dareth to hurt him how much more can or ought we that beare such a signe of the heauenly Emperour feare any man Neuer omitt to be signed and thou shalt destroy the snares which the deuil haith laide for thee S. Ephrem ser de sanct â—râ— dom The Crosse triumpheth which all nations people Tribes and tongues adore in which let vs glory with blessed Paule saying God forbid I should Gal. 6. glory but in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ by whom the world is crucified vnto me and I to the world Let vs paint and engraue on our gates forheades eyes mouth in al our partes this viuificant signe Let vs be adorned and armed with this inuincible armour of Christians For it is the vanqueresse of death hope of the world light of the endes of the whole earth Opener of Paradise profligatrix and destructresse of heresies the strength of the orthodoxal Faith a great and sauing custody perpetual glory of the right beleuers of the Church Therfore o christian omit not to beare about al daies and nightes houres and moments and in al places this armour doe nothing without it but whether thou sleepest or wakest or eatest or drinkest or trauailest or sailest or passest waters or dost any other thing euer signe arme al thy members with this sauing and quickning signe of the Crosse and thou shalt neuer be affraid of the day feare or the arrow flying in the day psal 90. or businesse walking in darknes froÌ„ ruine noone-time denil If thou shalt be assisted with this defence euil thinges shal not come vnto thee scourge shal not approch thy tabernacle For so soone as they see this signe presently al aduersary powers terrified depart and goe away This signe haith quashed the errour of Idoles this haith sanctifyed the whole world this haith driuen away darknesse and restoared light this haith gathered together the nations from the east and west and north and south and ioyned them together in Charity into one Charity into one Faith into one baptisme This signe is the impregnable bulwarke of true beleuers What mouth or what kinde of tongue shal be able worthily to praise this victorious armour of the great King Christ our God Of praier and espechally our Lordes praier out of holy Scripture WHen you pray you shal not Mat. 6. Luc. 11. be as hipocrites which loue to stand praying in Synagogues corners of streetes that they may be seene of men Amen I say vnto you they haue receaued their reward But when thou shalt
doubtful in faith make ship wrack Pray vnto our Lord o you most godly pray vnto him o al you armies of Sainctes and al you companies of blessed ones pray you that being helped by your praiers and merits with our ship saife and marchandise preserued we may deserue to come to the haueÌ„ of eternal saluation and rest and continual peace security neuer to haue end Missa Rom. antiq REuerencing the memory first of the euer glorious virgin Mary Mother of God and our Lord Iesus Christ and of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs Peter and Paul Andrew Iames Iohn Thomas Iames Philip Bartholomew Mathew Simon and Thadee Linus Cletus Clemens Xistus Cornelius Ciprian Laurence Chrisogone Iohn and Paul Cosmas Damianus al thy Sainctes by whose merits and praiers graunt o Lord that in al thinges we may be defended by the help of thy protection by the same Christ our Lord. Amen S. Ephrem serm in laud omniuÌ„ sanct Martyrum O Most holy Martyrs we besech you who for our Lord our Sauiour and his loue haue freely and readily sustained most cruel torments for which you are more familiarly ioyned vnto him that you would entreat our Lord for vs wretched sinners couered with the filth of negligence that he would powre his diuine grace vpon vs which may continually lighten illuminate our hearts with the beame of holy Charity by which we may be able to loue him with al our heart and with al our mind Idem supra O Most holy Martyrs of Christ I besech you stand before the Throne of the diuine Maiesty for me a vile wretched sinner that by your praiers I may deserue to obtaine saluation and enioy eternal felicity with you by the grace bounty and mercy of our Lord and Sauionr Iesus Christ to whom with the Father and holy Ghost be praise honour power and glory world without end Amen The auncient Lytanies vsed in the Romane Church especially in dedicating Churches confirmed by the primatiue Fathers and publick Lyturgies word by word registred in ord Rom. part 2. de Officus câ—p Lytanta in ord de aedificanda Ecclesia Ordo Rom. wherto this is ioyned and is cited and expounded by S. Albinus S. Amalarius Micrologus c. And may be vsed before Iournay or any businesse LOrd haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Sauiour of the world help vs. O holy Mary pray for vs. Sainct Peter pray for vs. Sainct Andrew pray for vs. Sainct Iames pray for vs. Sainct Iohn pray for vs. Sainct Thomas pray for vs. Sainct Iames pray for vs. Sainct Philip pray for vs. Sainct Bartholomew pray for vs. Sainct Matthew pray for vs. Sainct Simon pray for vs. Sainct Thadee pray for vs. Sainct Matthias pray for vs. Sainct Luke pray for vs. Sainct Marke pray for vs. O al holy Apostles Euangelists pray Sainct Stephen pray for vs. Sainct Chrispine pray for vs. Sainct â—hrispinian pray for vs. Sainct Linus pray for vs. Sainct Cletus pray for vs. Sainct Clement pray for vs. Sainct Sixtus pray for vs. Sainct Cornelius pray for vs. Sainct Ciprian pray for vs. Sainct Laurence pray for vs. Sainct Chrysogone pray for vs. Sainct Denise pray for vs. O al holy Martyrs pray for vs. Sainct Siluester pray for vs. Sainct Hilarius pray for vs. Sainct Martin pray for vs. Sainct Leo pray for vs. Sainct Ambrose pray for vs. 4 If this S. Gregory be S. Gregory 1. Pope not any of the former Sainctes of that name in al probability he was for his rare saÌ„ct tie added after and so if any other in that state be heare remembred this maner of Inuocation being vsed in the Church loÌ„g before his dayes as the english protestantes theÌ„ selues doe graunt Sainct Gregory pray for vs. Sainct German pray for vs. Sainct Remigius pray for vs. Sainct Ierome pray for vs. Sainct Benedict pray for vs. O al holy Confessors pray for vs. Sainct Felicitas pray for vs. Sainct Perpetua pray for vs. Sainct Agatha pray for vs. Sainct Lucia pray for vs. Sainct Agna pray for vs. Sainct Petronella pray for vs. Sainct Regina pray for vs. Sainct Christina pray for vs. Sainct Margaret pray for vs. Sainct Eutropia pray for vs. Sainct Brigide pray for vs. O al holy Virgins and Widowes pray for vs. O al Sainctes pray for vs. Be merciful vnto vs spare vs o Lord. From al euil o Lord deliuer vs. From the deceipts of the deuil o Lord deliuer vs. From thine anger o Lord deliuer vs. From al iniquity o Lord deliuer vs. From euerlasting death o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Natiuity o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Crosse o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Passion o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Death o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Resurrection o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Ascension o Lord deliuer vs. By the comming of the holy Ghost the Comforter o Lord deliuer vs In the day of Iudgment o Lord deliuer vs. We sinners besech thee heare vs. That thou wilt geue vs peace we besech thee heare vs. That thou wilt graunt vs seasonable wether we besech thee c. That thou wilt geue vs the frutes of the earth we besech That thou wilt graunt vs space of penance we besech That thou wilt geue vs remission of our sinnes we besech thee That thou wilt vouchsaife to infuse the grace of the holy Ghost into our hearts we besech That thou wilt vouchsaife to preserue our Lord Apostolick and al ecclesiastical order in holy Religion we besech That thou wilt vouchsaife to exalte thy Church we besech That thou wilt vouchsaife to consecrate this house made to the honour of thy name a Kingly palace to thee our God we besech That thou vouchsaife to be merciful to vs sinners we besech That thou wilt vouchsaife to bring vs to the promised reward of thy glory we besech That thou vouchsaife to heare vs we besech thee That thou vouchsaif to kepe vs we Sonne of god we besech Lambe of god that takest away the sinnes of the world spare vs o Lord. Lambe of god who takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Meditations and prayers when we ryse in the morning IN my bed I haue sought him whoÌ„ Cant. 3. my soule doth loue I wil ryse goe about the citie by Townes streetes I wil seeke him whoÌ„ my soule doth loue O Lord thou art my receauer my Ps 3. glory and raising vp my head with my voice I haue cryed to our lord and he haith hard me from his holy mouÌ„taine I haue slept and slumbered and haue risen because our lord haith receaued me O God my god I do awake to thee Ps 62. from the light my soule haith thirsted in thee O Lord haue mercy vpon vs for we Is 33. haue expected thee be thou our strength in the
Rom. supr lib. 8. c. 37. Let euery faithful man or woman earery in the morning when they arise from sleepe pray before they begin any worke S. EPiphanius in Compendiar Morning Hymnes are vsed continually in the church morning prayers A meditation or preparation to prayer out of S. Basile Const Mon. c. 2. 3. THere be two maners of praying wherof the one is in glorification yelding submission of minde The other in petition to be vsed after the former Wherefore when thou art to pray do not presently fal to petition otherwaies thou art an euidence to thy wil that thou makest not thy praiers vnto god vntil by necessity thou be vrged vnto it Therfore when soeuer thou art determined to pray forsake wife children and thy self also and depart farre from thinges of the earth climbe aboue the heauen and leaue behinde thee al creatures visible and inuisible and begin with glorifiing him that created al thinges And wheÌ„ thou hast sufficiently rested on him say as foloweth I geue thankes vnto thee o Lord for thy incredible clemency and gentlenes in bearing with the offences of men who sufferest me that sinneth daily and geuest power to vs al to amend our liues For this is the cause for which thou art silent and sparest vs o Lord that we should geue thankes vnto thee who dost manadge the saluatioÌ„ of mankind somtime by threatning somtime by exhorting with lenity And first didest visit vs by thy Prophets and lastly by the coming of thy Christ For thou hast framed vs and not we our selues thou art our god And when thou hast sufficiently geuen thankes and glorified god with praises of holy Scripture then againe with humility begin and say I am not worthy o Lord to speake before thee because I am excedingly a sinner And although to thy self thou art guilty of no sinne yet it behoueth thee so to say For seing that in many Iac. 3. thinges we al offend yet we do not vnderstand the greater part of our offences Therefore the Apostle said I am 1. Cor. 4. guilty to my self in nothing but in this I am not instified Which is the same as if he had said I commit many offences wich I know not that I commit them For this cause also the Prophet said Who doth vnderstand his offences Ps 18. And when thou hast sufficiently in wordes shewed thy humility and said I I geue thankes to thee o Lord that thou hast suffered me a sinner so long time with thy patience and to this day exacted of me noe punishment of my sinnes Verily o Lord I had long since deserued infinite punishments and was worthy to be buried most farre from thy sight but thy most patient genâ—lenesse haith most mercifully borne with me a sinner I geue thankes I say vnto thee although I know my self vnable to render thankes answearable to thy clemency towardes men And so soone as thou hast satisfied these two duties that is of geuing thankes humility then at last aske what thou oughtest to aske A Meditation out of S. Leo ser 1. de Natiuitate Domini O Christian acknowledge thy Meditations and prayers for morning dignity and being made partaker of diuine nature do not returne by degenerate conuersation to thine old vilenesse Forgeate not of what head and whose body thou art member Cal to minde how being deliuered from the power of darknesse thou art translated into the light king dome of god Doe not driue away froÌ„ thee with wicked deedes so worthy an inhabitant and againe subiect thy self to the slauery of the deuil because thy price is the Blood of Christ who in iustice wil iudge thee who in mercy haith reedeemed thee who with the Father and the holy Ghost reigneth for euer Amen An other Meditation out of S. Athanasius ser de sanctiss Deipara CHhrist receauing the throne of Ps 109. Dauid shal reigne among Christians for euer of his Kingdome Luc. 1. Dan. 7. there shal be none end For being borne of a Virgin and hauing consummated al thinges that belonged to the businesse of his death Crosse after his Resurrection he said vnto his Disciples Alpower is geuen to me in heauen in Math. 28. earth Behould now from thence he be gan to reigne and is declared to be the King of Christians as men in the beginning of their prayers exhorting one an other calling the company together do vse to crye Come let vs adore fal Ps 94. downe before Christ our King Psal 94. COme let vs reioyce vnto our lord let vs make ioy to god our Saviour Let vs approach to his presence in confession and in psalmes let vs make ioy vnto him Because god is a great lord and a great king aboue al gods Because in his haÌ„d are al the boundes of the earth and the heightes of the mountaines are his Because the sea is his and hee made it his handes framed the earth Come let vs adore and fal downe and weepe before our lord that made vs because he is the lord our god And we are his people and sheepe of his pasture To day if you wil heare his voice do not harden your heartes As in prouocation like as in the day of temptation in the wildernesse Where your fathers tempted me proued me saw my workes Fourtie yeres was I offended with that generation I said they alwayes erre in heart And these haue not knowne my wayes as I haue sworne in my anger if they shal enter into my rest 4 Pope Damasus ordained Gloria Patri c. to be said after euery Psalme In vita Dams con Vas c. 7. proueth it ageneral custome S. Aug. l. 9. confes c. 7. c. Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the holy Ghost As it was in the beginning is now euer shal be world without end Amen Direction out of S. Clement Athanas Clem. const l. 2. c. 63. Come together earely in the morning singing praying In the morning saying 62. psalme Atharisius l. de virgin In the morniÌ„g say this psalme O God my god from the light Ps 62. do I watch to thee My soule haith thirsted after thee and my flesh very many wayes In a land desert where there is no way and without water so in the holy haue I appeared vnto thee that I might see thy power and thy glory Because thy mercy is better then liues my lippes shal praise thee So wil I blesse thee in my life and in thy name wil I lift vp my handes Like as with fatte and fatnesse let my soule be filled and my mouth shal praise with lippes of ioyfulnesse So haue I bene mindful of thee vpon my bedde in the morning I wil meditate on thee because thou hast bene my helper And in the couert of thy winges I wil reioyce my soule haith cleeued after thee thy right hand haith receaued me But they in vaine
6. thou being vnpure and in the middest of vnpure people darest stande before the Lord of hostes Know that the holy Angels exhort vs to praier and stand with vs with ioy praying for vs. If thersore we become negligent and entertaine coÌ„trary cogitations we greatly prouoke them because they striue so much for vs and we for our selues refuse to pray to god but rather neglecting their ministery and their Lord forsaking god keepe company with vncleane deuils If thou desirest to pray transport thy self from earthly thinges to heaueÌ„ haue thy conuersatioÌ„ there not onely in wordes but in angelical action and more heauenly knowledg S. Athanasius in lib. de virginitate WHen day appeareth thou shalt recite this psalme Benedicite omnia opera c. And say the Hymne Gloria in excelsis Al you workes of our Lord blesse Canticle of the 3. ChildreÌ„ Dan. 3. in the burniÌ„g fournace you our Lord praise him and extoll him for euer Blesse our Lord ye Angels of our Lord ye heauens blesse our Lord. Al waters that be aboue the heauens blesse ye our Lord blesse our Lord al ye powers of our Lord. Sunne moone blesse ye our Lord starres of heauen blesse ye our Lord. Shoure and dew blesse ye our Lord euery spirit of God blesse ye our Lord. Fyre and heate blesse ye our Lord could sommer blesse ye our Lord. Dewes and hoare frost blesse ye our Lord frost cold blesse ye our Lord. Ice and snow blesse ye our Lord nightes daies blesse ye our Lord. Light and darknesse blesse ye our Lord lightninges and cloudes blesse ye our Lord. Let the earth blesse our Lord let it praise extol him for euer Mountaines and litle hilles blesse ye our Lord al thinges that spring in the earth blesse ye our Lord. Blesse our Lord ye fountaines seas riuers blesse ye our Lord. Whales and al that moue in the vvaters blesse ye our Lord blesse our lord al ye foules of the aire Al beasts and cattel blesse ye our Lord soÌ„nes of mâ—n blesse ye our lord Let Israâ—l blesse our Lord let it praise and extol him for euer Preistes of our Lord blesse ye our Lord seruants of our Lord blesse ye our Lord. Spirits and soules of the iust blesse ye our Lord holy and humble men of heart blesse ye our Lord. Ananias Azarias Mizael blesse ye our Lord praise and extol him for euer Because he haith deliuered vs from hel and saued vs from the hand of death preserued vs from the midle of the burning flame pulled vs forth from the middest of the fyre Confesse to our Lord because he is good because his mercy is for euer Al you that be Religious blesse our Lord god of gods praise and confesse vnto him because his mercy is for euer A Meditation vpon the same out of S. Zeno Bishop of Verona sermoutb in Dan. He was martyred vnder Galienus about the yeare 260. O Wonderful burning o verily ser 2. a spectacle worthy of god They which heare it do feare they which kindled it do burne they which were throwne into the fyre goe forth of the fournace sanctified saif by our Lord Iesus Christ Somtimes after a great punishmeÌ„t there followeth a greater glory especially in diuine thinges in which happy men with earnest deuotion rather preserue their Religion then life Vnderstand o Christian with a beleeuing ser 5. heart a thing meruelous renowmed by al example of vertues Three Hebrew children greater theÌ„ the constancy of old men stronger then the force of yong men equal to themselues defended with the mistery of the Trinity firme in one faith of the vnity in equality glorious by the victory of suffering These a barbarous King commaunded to be burned because they contemned to worship his statua who when they were cast into the fournace of burning fire the greedy fire deuoutly receaueth them the fawning flames refresh them couered with dew A meruelous thing shadow is within burning is withoâ—t within an Himne is song without lamenting is heard O great power of god the burners are burned in the burning and they that were set on fire are suruiuors in the burning triumphing go forth of the fournace our Lord Iesus Christ ser 6. performing it Reioice o Christian constantly feare god if thou wilt not feare the fire of the deuil Behold the children are not hurt with the compassing flames with the roaring fournace They confounde the barbarous king are reuâ—nged of their burners they see god death doth passe into life feare into glory who would not desire so to burne Awake o Christian and casting 8. away al sluggishnesse of secular sleepe opening the eares of thy heart learne vertue of children The Canticle of Zachary father of S. Iohn Baptist Luc. 1. ANd Zachary his father was replenished with the holy ghost and he prophesied saying Blessed be our Lord God of Israel because he haith visited and wrought the redemption of his people And haith erected the horne of saluation to vs in the house of Dauid his seruant As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that are from the beginning Saluation from our enemies from the hand of al that hate vs. To worke mercy with our fathers and to remember his holy Testament The oath which he sware to Abraham Gen. 22. our Father that he would geue to vs. That without feare being deliuered from the hand of our enemies we may serue him In holinesse and Iustice before him al our daies And thou child shalt be called the prophet Malach. 3. of the highest for thou shalt goe before the face of our Lord to prepare his waies To geue knowledg of saluation to his people vnto remission of their sinnes Through the bowels of the mercy of Zachar. 3. Malach. 4. our god in which the Orient from on high haith visited vs. To illuminate them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death to direct our feete into the way of peace Glory be to the Father c. A Praier of praise and thanks-geuing to God for his Benefites out of S. Clement Coustitut SS Apost lib. 7. cap. 38. WE geue thankes to thee o Lord omnipotent for al thy benefites because thou hast not taken thy mercies pittie away from vs but in euery generation and generation doest saue deliuer succour defend For thou hast succoured in the daies of Enos and Enoch in the daies of Moyses and Iesu in the daies of the Iudges in the daies of Samuel and Helias and the Prophets in the daies of Dauid and the Kinges in the daies of Hester and Mardocheus in the daies of Iudith in the daies of Iudas Machabeus and his brethren and in our daies thou hast releeued vs by thy great high Preist Iesus Christ thy SoÌ„ne For he haith both saued vs from the sword and by norishing deliuered vs from famine and freed vs from sicknes defended vs from a wicked
thee that wast whipped Glory to thee that wast spitte vpon Glory to thee that wast mocked Glory to thee that wast crucified Glory to thee that wast buried Glory to thee that didest arise from the dead Glory to thee that art preached Glory to thee in whom we beleeue Glory to thee that wast assumpted into heauen Glory to thee who with great glory sittest on the right hand of the Father and againe shal come in the glory of the Father the holy Angels to iudge euery soule that haith despised thee and thy holy passions in that fearful and dreadful hour when the powers of the heauens shal Math. 24. Luc. 21. be moued when also the Angels Archangels Cherubim and Seraphim shal come with feare and trembling in sight of thy glory when agaiâ—e the foundations of the earth shal tremble and euery liuing thing shal be affraid for the incomparable glory of thy great Maiestye I besech thee that in that hour thy grace may hide me vnder thy winges and my soule may be deliuered froÌ„ that horrible fyre gnashing of teeth external darknesse and euerlasting weping that I may say blessing and thankesgeuing to thee Glory be to thee o Lord who according to the multitude of the mercies of thy great piety hast vouchsaifed to saue me a sinner who with the Father and holy Ghost liuest and reignest world without ende Amen S. Athanasins l. Meditat. At the Sixt Hour end thy praiers with psalmes weping and teares because at this Hour the Sonne of God did hang on the Crosse for thee Meditations and praiers for the Ninth hour THere was darknesse vpon the Luc. 23. whole earth vntil the ninth hour the sunne was darkned and the vaile of the temple was rent in the midest And Iesus crying with a loud voice said Father into thy handes I commend my spirit saying this he gaue vp the gost Peter and Iohn went vp into the temple Act. 3. at the ninth hour of prayer He saw manifestly in a vision as it Act. 10. were the ninth hour of the day the Angel of god comming in to him and said vnto him thy prayers almes haue ascended in memory in the sight of god Make your prayers at the ninth hour Clem. Const Aopst l. 8. c. 40. Athanas l. de meditat because al thinges were troubled when our lord was crucified At the Ninth hour thou shalt be in Himnes and glorifications with teares confession of thy sinnes praying to god because at this hour our lord hanging on the crosse gaue vp the ghost The Ninth hour is deliuered by the Apostles them selues in the Actes to be Basil l. q. diff q. 37. necessary for prayer where it is tould that Peter and Iohn went vp into the Temple at the ninth hour of prayer Act. 3. S. Denis the Areopagite S. Paules scholer epist ad S. Policarp DEmaund of him what he thinketh He meaneth Apoliphanes the philosopher of the Eclips of the SuÌ„ne which hapned when our Sauiour was crucified for we were then both together and stoode at Heliopolis did sodanly see when the Moone obiected it selfe to the Sunne not being the time of their coniunction and againe when the same opposed it selfe aboue the order of nature to the midle lyne of the sunne from the ninth hour to the evening And recal further some other thing to his memory for he knoweth also how that interposition was seene of vs to begin froÌ„ the rysing of the sunne and come to the last point of it and after to vanish away and againe that the interposition and recession did not chance from the same part of the sunne but froÌ„ that which so to speake was diametrically contrary These are the wonderful thinges of that time which Christ the author of al thinges is onely able to performe who maketh great and Iob. 5. mereulous thinges of which there is noe number If it be lawful for thee and if thou canst o Apoliphanes refute The testimony of gentile Philosophers for Christ these thinges against me who was then both present with thee did behould and examine al thinges with greatest admiration And I cannot devise wherevpon Apoliphanes then began conferring with me the thinges that were done said thus O Dionisius these are the changing of diuine matters An other Meditation how al creatures seemed to lament at the death of Christ out of S. Leo ser 2. pas Dom. WHen Christ yelded vp the Ghost al the elementes did tremble The brightnesse of the sunne couered with thick darknesse did extraordinarily subiect the day to night The earth weakned with deepe quakinges did not retaiâ—e it stability And the firme rockes their streÌ„gth being broken fel into peeces The veile of the Temple with which the misteries of former thinges were now noe longer to be shadowed was cutte asunder And the bodies of many Sainctes being raised vp to prepare the faith of the Resurrection their graues lay open Therefore o Iewes against you heauen and earth haue geuen sentence The sunne haith withdrawne his seruice and the day from you al the orders of the elementes haue denied to serue you and the ministery of the creature departing from his lawes your blindnesse your confusion was was signified For you saying His Math. 27. bloud be vpon vs and vpon our children this is worthily repayed vnto you that what the wicked portion of your stocke hath lost that the beleeuing fulnesse of the gentiles should obtaine Therefore most beloued let vs to whom our lord Iesus Christ crucified is not a scandal nor 1. Cor. 1. foolishnesse but the power of god and wisdom of god let vs I say the spiritual seede of Abraham not begotteÌ„ of the Issue of seruitude but regenerated in the family of freedome for whom brought forth with a strong hand mightie arme from vnder the oppressioÌ„ of the rule of Egipt the true and immaculate lambe Christ is 1. Cor. 5. offered let vs embrace the meruealous mistery of his sauing pasouer and be reformed to the image of him that was conformed to our deformity let vs be lifted vp to him that made the dust of our baise condition to be the body of his glory and that we may deserue to be partakers of his resurrection let vs in al thinges become agreable to his humility and patience We haue vndertaken the warfare of a great name the discipline of a great profession It is not lawful for the folowers of Christ to depart from the kinges way but worthy it is that they wich tend vnto eternal thinges be not occupied in thinges temporal and because we are redemed with the pretious bloud of Christ let vs glorify and beare gâ—d in our body that we 1. Cor. 6. may deserue to come to those thinges that are prepared for the faithful by Christ our Lord. Amen A prayer vpon Christs passion out of S. Gregory Nazianzen orat in S. Pascha in fine GOd
was crucified the suÌ„ne darkned and lightned againe for it behoueth creatures to compassionate with there creatour The veale was cutte water bloud flowed out of his side the earth quaked the rockes were rent the dead rysing do testify the faith of the last and common resurrection Al which thinges who is able worthily to praise But none was such as the miracle of my saluation a few droppes of bloud reforming al the world But o great and holy pasouer and expurgation of al the world O word of God and light and life and wisdome and power for I ioy at al thy names O Issue and cogitation seale of that great minde o word intelligible and man visible who bearest al thinges crowned with the word of power let vs suffer noe euil stay the tiranny which the body beareth against vs. Thou seest o Lord whom how it beareth downe except we be purged by thy suffrage or by thy self But if we shal worthily be dissolued from this desire and receaued in the celestial tabernacles peraduenture there also we shal acceptabâ—y sacrifice vnto thee on thy holy Altare o Father and worde and holy Ghost because al glory honour and power is to thee for euer Amen PRAIERS DAYLY To be vsed for the Euening The Meditation or Preparation to Praier out of S. Cesarius Bishop of Arles Hom. 31. LEt vs pray with sighing forceable crying or groaÌ„ing according to that prophetical saying I did roare for the groaning of my heart Ps 37. Let vs pray not with a sounding voice but with a conscience crying vnto our Lord. When we pray so much as we are able Let vs labour by the helpe of god that noe extrauagant cogitation creepe into vs lest peraduenture we may haue one thing in our heart and vtter an other with our mouth lest by chaunce while our tongue praieth vnto god our cogitation occupied with diuers thinges may goe away from the meaning of our praier so from thence procure sinne from whence it might haue had remedy For if before any mighty persoÌ„ thou wouldest pleade any necessary cause sodainly turning from him breaking of thy speach in the middest thou shouldest busy thy self with some scurrilities what iniury thinkest thou thou should doe vnto that person with whom thou didest speake or how shouldest thou procure his anger against thee If therfore speaking with a man we laboure with al intention of mind lest thinking on any other thing we may be thought to doe a wrong to him vnto whom we speake When we speake vnto god in praier and alledg the miseries of our sinnes before so great a Maiesty are we not ashamed do we not blush our senses being made captiues to runne about hither and thither and with many businesse to abstracte our vnhappy minde from behoulding the diuine Maiesty And therefore euery one before he kneleth downe in praier by the helpe of god let him put away al superfluous cogitations from the intention of his minde that our soule being inflamed with the feruour of the holy Ghost may consume al vice with the fyre of compunction or praier and disperse farre of al wauering and wandering cogitations that onely vâ—rtue and holy Meditations may alwaies finde place in our heartes Meditations praiers for Euening LEt euery one take a Lambe throughout their families or houses Exod. 12. And the whole multitude of Israel shal offer it in sacrifice at the Euening Let my praier be directed as incense Ps 140. in thy sight the lifting vp of my handes an euening sacrifice While it was euen he sate downe Math. 26. Marâ— 14. Luc. 22. with his twelue Disciples And whiles they were at supper Iesus tooke bread and blessed brake and he gaue to his Disciples and said Take ye eate This is my body And taking the Chalice he gaue thankes and gaue vnto them saying Drinke ye al of this for This is my bloud of the new TestameÌ„t which shal be shed for many vnto remission of sinnes When it was euening there came a Math. 27. certaine riche man of Arimathea named Ioseph who also himself was Disciple to Iesus He went to Pilaâ—e and asked the body of Iesus Then Pilate commaunded that the body should be deliuered Watch therefore for you know not Marc. 13â— when the Lord of the house may come whether late in the euening c. I haue cryed to god and our Lord Ps 54. wil saue me In the euening I wil declare shew he wil heare my voice A Meditation of S. Basile orat in S. Iulittam When the day is ended geue thaÌ„kes vnto him who haith geuen the same vnto vs to serue our daily laboures fyre to lighten night and for the rest of the necessities of life And let the night propose vnto vs other argumentes of praier When thou shalt looke vp vnto heauen and haue thine eyes fixed on the bewtie of the starres pray vnto the Lord of visible thinges and adore god the best workman of al creatures who made al thinges in wisdom when thou shalt see al nature of liuing creatures detained in sleepe Againe adore him that looseth vs though against our wil by sleepe from the continuance of laboures by a litle rest reduceth vs againe to the force of our strength S. Clem. Const Apost lib. 8. cap. 4. Make your praiers at the euening geuing thankes because our Lord haith geuen vs the night for a rest of our day laboures Daily come together in the morning l. 2. c. 63. euening singing praying in Churches in the euening saying the 140. psalme O Lord I haue cryed vnto thee Ps 140. heare me Harken vnto my voice when I shal crye vnto thee Let my praier be directed as incense in thy sight the lifting vp of my handes an euening sacrifice O Lord put a watch to my mouth and a doare of standing about to my lippes Decline not my heart into wordes of malice to excuse excuses in sinnes With men that worke iniquity and I wil not communicate with the chosen of them The iust shal correct me in mercie and rebuke me but the oyle of a sinner shal not annoint my head Because as yet also my praier in thinges of their delight their Iudges are swallowed vp ioyned to the rocke They shal heare my wordes because they were able as the thicknesse of the earth is broken out vpon the earth Our bones are scattered abroade neare to hel because to thee o Lord o Lord mine eyes in thee I haue trusted take not away my soule Keepe me from the snare which they haue laid for me and from the scandals of those that worke iniquity Sinners shal fal in his nette I am alone til I passe away Glory be to the Father c. Clem. Const Ap. l. 8. c. 41. RAise vp and saue vs o God by thy Christ lifting vp our selues let vs desire the mercies of our lord and his commiserations the
Whosoeuer of vs goe to stand before and speake with our King let vs not take this course vnprepared lest peraduenture he seing vs farre of without armour and not hauing on a stoale worthy the Kinges sight he commaunde his attendantes and seruantes to cast vs bound farre from his face into exile they vpbraid vnto our face our negligent and interrupted prayers A Meditation out of S. Basile l q. diffus explicat q. 37. WHen the night beginneth let petition be made that the rest which we are to take may be without offence and free from al imaginations for which intent also at this hour it is necessary to say the 90. psalme HE that dwelleth in the help of Ps 90. the highest shal abide in the protectioâ— of the God of heauen He shal say to our Lord thou art he that receaueth me and my refuge my god I wil hope in him Because he haith deliuered me from the snare of hunters and from cruel speach With his shoulders he wil shadow thee and vnder his winges thou shalt trust His truth shal compasse thee about with a sheild thou shalt not be affraid of the feare of the night Of the arrow flying in the day of the work walking in darknesse of incursion and midday deuil A thousand shal fal from thy side ten thousandes on thy right hande but he shal not approach to thee But thou shalt behold with thine eyes and shalt see the reward of sinners Because o Lord thou art my hope thou hast appointed the most high for my refuge Euil shal not com to thee scourge shal not draw neare to thy Tabernacle Because he haith geuen charge to his Angels ouer thee that they keepe thee in all thy waies They shal beare thee in their handes lest peraduenture thou hitte thy foote at a stone Thou shalt walke vpon the Aspis Basiliske and treade vnder thy foote the Lyon and Dragon Because he haith trusted in me I wil deliuer him I wil protect him because he haith knowne my name He haith cryed vnto me and I wil heare him with him I am in tribulation I wil deliuer him and I wil glorify him I wil replenish him with length of daies and I wil shew vnto him my saluation Glory be to the Father c. A Meditation out of S. Athanasius l. de virginitate IT is good to poure out teares before our Lord and to be mindful of the twelfth hour because at that our lord descended into hel which beholding him quaked for feare saying who is this that is come downe with authority and great power Who is this that descending from heauen was crucified by me when I am death it self is not subdued Who is it that haith broken the brasen gaites of hel sheuered in peeces the Adamant barres Who is it that haith loosed the bands of them which by me were detained â—aptiues Who is this that by his death haith throwne me downe into death Therefore at that hour we ought to be more attentiue in the night time to cal vpon our Lord with teares A praier for Euening appointed so by Clemens lib. 7. Constit Apostol cap 28. O Children praise our Lord praise the name of our Lord. We praise thee we celebrate thee we blesse thee for thy great glory King of our Lord thine annointed the immaculate Lambe that taketh away the sinnes of the world Praise becommeth thee Hymne becoÌ„meth thee Glory becommeth thee God Father by thy Sonne in the holy Ghost for euer Amen Canticle of S. Sim. Luc. 2. NOw thou doest dismisse thy seruant o Lord according to thy word in peace Because mine eyes haith seene thy saluation Which thou hast prepared before the face of al people A Light to the reuelation of the gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel Glory be to the Father c. A Praier being as it were an abbrâ—uiate somme of mannes faith and salnatioÌ„ out of S. Sophronius Arch Bishop of Constantinople lib. de Angelorum excell O Lord Sauiour God word who rulest aboue without beginning coÌ„taining al things who in exceding strength excellest bringest life to al feare to al who by thine onely beck hast made the heauens and earth and al thinges contained within their compasse who first in thy minde didest conceaue the Angels and thy conceipt was thy worke for what thou didest conceaue in thy minde that with thy onely word thou hast effected and brought to passe By and by with like art and facility of the dust of the earth thou framedst man according to thine Image and similitude and being made a litle meaner then Angels and adorned with free wil thou hast appointed him King and Lord of al created thinges that he might enioy those good thinges which thou hadst prepared for him in paradise which he also so long enioyed vntil snared seduced by the serpent wife he broke thy diuine commaundements in eating the apple of the deadly tree Wherefore he presently fel from his kingly dignity and shutte forth of paradise incurred punishment worthy his deedes that is into weping and seruile behauiour into sweat labour and greife into sadnesse and sorow and which is truly the most bitter of al punishments at last into iustly deserued death and dissolution into earth from which he was first taken and produced But thou o Lord truly gentle and merciful didest not despise that substance which aboue al deare vnto thee the deuils tyranny had oppressed But being to effecte that dreadful mistery which before al worldes thou had decreed thou didest exinanite thy self that art the wisdome mind word and Character and bound and Image and Seale and Sonne expresse forme of the Father For by the holy Ghost thou didest both dwel in the chast Virgin receaued from her a birth which is aboue al reason For thou didest not at al loose her Virginal clausures but as when thou haddest not flesh thou didest enter into her by such meanes as thou knowest so hauing receaued flesh thou didest goe forth of her againe leauing the doare of her wombe shut as it was before Soone after thou didest vndergoe thy Crosse drinking gaule and vinegre mingled together and pearced through with a speare thrust into thy side At the length freely suffering death hast destroyed death it self and rewarded the whole world with immortality and restoared perfectly the deformed Image and that old malediction which by the tree was brought vpon men thou hast bâ—otted out Therefore o thou King and maker of al thinges who alone art the framer of so great and admirable matters and hast made al thinges that continually are extant for the common profit of mortal men and art accustomed not without Fatherly affection to punish those which haue deserued punishment when sitting at thy Tribunal seat thou shalt bring al men to iudgment Vouchsaife me with al that I remember in my minde to stand on thy right hand O beholder of al thinges
and knower of secrets forgeating al the offences that euer I committed open vnto me the doare of the immortal bride-chamber that is thy heauenly glory O immortal Bride-groame let vs heare the voice of blessing O bountiful accompt me in the number of the iust and make vs partakers of thy ioy by the praiers of thine vnspotted Mother making intercession for vs and holy Angels and Apostles and Prophets and Martyrs and al the Iust that euer were who with the Father and holy Ghost art blessed now alwaies and world without end Amen An Examination of conscience or prayers before bed IF I shal enter into the tabernacle Ps 131. of my house if I shal ascend the bed of my coche if I shal geue sleepe vnto mine eyes and slumbering vnto theire liddes and rest to the temples of my head vntil I fynd a place for our Lord. I haue laboured in my groaning I Ps 6. wil euery night wash my bed and I wil watter my coche with teares I wil sleepe and I wil rest in peace Ps 4. for thou o Lord hast singularly placed me in hope A Meditation before sleepe out of Aurel. prudent in Cathemer himn ante somnum O Worshipper of God remember that thou hast bene regenerate with the sacred water of the font of baptisme and renewed with Chrisme Looke that when being oppressed with slâ—epe thou goest to bed that thou signe â—â—y forehead and place of thy heart with the signe of the Crosse The Crosse putteth away al sinne darknesse doth flee the Crosse The soule dedicated to that signe can not wauer O you vaine phantasies of wandering dreames be you farre and farre of O thou winding serpent that by a thousand wiles and deceiptful fraudes doest trouble the quietnesse of the heart depart hence Christ is here tremble the signe which thou knowest condemneth thyne army Although my fainting body lye downe a while to rest yet in sluÌ„ber it self I wil meditate on Christ An other out of S. Basile l. q. diffus explicat q. 37. WHen the day is ended let thankes geuing be made for those thinges that in it were geuen vnto vs or happily done and a confession made of sâ—ch thinges as we haue omitted eâ—â—heâ— volunâ—aâ—ily or o-otherwise also whetheâ—â—â—e sinne was committed secâ—etly â—iâ—â—er in wordes or in deedes or in thâ— hâ—art that for al these thinges we may appease God by praiers For consideration of thinges past bringeth gâ—eat profit to this purpose that afterward we fal not into the like Wherefore Dauid saith Those Ps 4. thinges which you say in your heartes haue compunction of them in your loâ—giâ—ges The Confucor appointed by S. Damasus I Confesse to God almighty to the B. Mary euer Virgin B Miâ—haâ—l Archangel B. Iohn baptist to tâ—e holy Apostles Peter and Paule and al Sainctes that I haue greauously â—ffâ—nded in thought word and deede through my fault my fault my greatest fault Therefore I pray the B. Mary euer Virgin B. Michael Archangel B. Iohn Baptist the holy Apostles Peter Paule and al Sainctes to pray for me to our Lord God S. August lib. Medit. cap. 10. O Lord I know I know confesse that I am not worthy for thee to loue but surely thou art not vnworthy whom I should loue Truly I am vnworthy to serue thee but thou art not vnworthy of the seruice of thy creature therefore geue vnto me of that thou art worthy and I shal be worthy of that I am vnworthy Cause me as thâ—u wilt to cease from sinne that I may serue thee as I ought Graunt that I may so keepe and gouerne and end my life that I may sleepe in peace and rest in thee Graunt me such end that sleepe with rest rest with security security in eternity may receaue me Amen S. Ephrem apud Seuer Patriarch Alex. in precat Syr. GRaunt vnto me o my Lord that waking I may stand watchful in thy sight and if I shal chance to sleepe againe let my sleepe be without sinne And if in my awaking I shal commit any offence by thy grace o my Lord graunt me pardon and if in my sleepe I shal offend thy clemency forgeue me And by the Crucifix of thy humiliation geue me the sleepe of rest and deliuer me from â—uil dâ—eames and filthy imaginations and bring me al night into sleepe ful of quietnesse lest thinges that be euil and cogitations ful of peruersity haue dominion ouer me Geue me the Angel of light to keepe al my members and from cursed concupiscence deliuer me by that liuely body which I haue eaten I wil goe to bedde and sleepe and rest and thy bloud be keeper of me and of my soule which is thy Image Geue liberty to thy creature and thy right hand defend my body which thy handes haue framed and compasse me about with a wal of mercies as with an acceptable saifguard and trench that when my body shal rest and sleepe it may be kept by thy power and let my sleepe be as a perfume of sweete spices before thy Maiesty Let not the euil one come to my lodging by the intercession of her that brought thee forth and by the Sacrifice that is offered by me driue Sathan away I wil heare and execute thy wil o my Lord that heapest also the night with the quietnesse of the iustice of Iesus Christ my Râ—deemâ—r because thou art the true light and thy glory dwelleth in light and the children of light doe adore thee dwelling in light and abiding in light Iesus the word God saue to lif the deceased by thy Crosse spare for thy mercy And to thee and the Father that sent thee and to the holy Ghost in al time be praise Aurel. Prudent in Cathemer Himn ante somn O Fatther most high whom no man at any time haith seene Christ the word of the Father and holy Ghost O one power and light of this Trinity God eueâ—lasting of God God sent from them boâ—h be present with me The labour of the day is ended the hour of rest is come and sleepe doth refresh againe our weary limmâ—s Graunt that a delightful qâ—ietnesse norish our wearied bodâ—e and vaine Imaginations haue no power against vs. Ioannes Virid in Virid ALmighty euerlasting God I geue thankes that thou hast vouchsaifed by thy grace to keepâ— me this day from euil I besech thee that whatsoeuer this day I haue offended in thought word or deede thou wilt vouchsaife by thy passion and death mercifully to pardon it to me a sinner and hereafter to keepe me from al daunger of body and soule that I may in saifty arise to praise the name of thy Maiesty be able gladly to serue thee with a pure heart and a chast body with thankes geuing Amen Our Father which c. Haâ—le Mary c. O Mary Mother of grace Mother of mercy defend vs from the enemy remember vs in the hour of death I beleue in God c S. Augustinus lib.