commaundements instruct me continually more and more and defend me from the noisome snares of the wicked that conspire against me and intend to suppresse in mee the good blessings which thou hast lent moe At midnight will I rise to giue thankes vnto thee in commemoration of thy great kindnesse shewed vnto me and with true zeale will I frequent thy temple to praise thee for thine aboundant graces extended vnto me for thou of thy mercy hast blesseâ— me in all my dooings deliuered me out of troubles and euermore defended me from mine enemies Let me put no trust in the vngodly but let me ioyne with such as feare thee and haue a loue to thy statutes the earth O Lord is replenished with thy endlesse mercy O teach me thy lawes wherein I ought to walke 9. An acknowledgement of Gods mercy and that by affliction man is taught true wisedome GRatiously in mercie hast thou dealt with me thy poore obedient seruant according to thy worde yet further I desire thee O Lorde that thou wouldest teach mee that true and sincere knowledge ioyned with iudgement that I may discerne all thinges aright as it were by tasting a sauorie thing for vppon thy commaundements doe I depend Before I was camed by the efficacie of thy rod I wandred to and fro but now am I quickned and haue learned therby to obey thy commaundements be gratious vnto mee O Lord and teach me thy statutes The vngodly haue euer practised mischiefe against me but haue failed for that I endeuored myself to keep thy commadem rnts and they thus neglecting their callings and being puffed vp with the vaine estimation of themselues are become dull and foolish but in thy law is my whole delight and therein wil I meditate all the day long It was therefore for my commoditie that thou didst chasten me for that I zealously do learne to immitate thy statutes for the doctrine and precepts that thou hast by thine owne mouth reuealed before the face of thy people and deliuered vnto me is of more estimation then the finest pearle or greatest heapes of golde Therefore O Lord direct me thy poore seruant with thy holy spirit that this thy sacred word may be so firmely and effectually grafted in my heart that I may cleaue vnto thee for euer 10. A prayer to be strengthned in well doing GIue vnto mee that am the worke of thy hands I beseech thee O God such vnderstanding and so continue thy fauourable mercies daily towards thy seruant that I may learne thy commandements so shall it come to passe that all they which feare thee shall reioyce at my state and giue due thankes vnto thee that hast in mercie vouchsafed to preserue me who haue alwaies trusted in thee and by experience I finde that thou O Lord doest nothing vniustly in visiting my offences with thy scourges for thy iudgements are vpright and nothing repugnant to thy truth but let thy mercie be euer ready to comfort me according to thy promises let thy endlesse mercie be euer present that my spirit may be reuiued and that I neuer faint vnder thy fatherly hand séeing that thy doctrine doth euermore delight me and that therein is my continuall exercise Let the vngodly be ashamed and altogether frustrate of their intent who deale frowardly with thy seruant and pretend the ruine of my zeale and let me safely meditate on thy commaundements that all such as feare and loue thee vnfainedly may be comforted by my example Wherefore I humbly beseech thee O God increase my knowledge in thy statutes that I mny keepe the same with a pure and vpright heart to my soules health and graunt O my good God that I neuer be ashamed of thy eternall truth but that I may perseuere therin vnto the end 11. A lamentable petition for aid in meere distresse GOne is my strength O Lord and my soule fainteth because of thy saluation which I daily expect yet will I still wait for my deliuerance because of thy promise graunted vnto me out of thy sacred word yea mine eyes do faile mee for the long looking after those thinges which thou hast spoken vnto me and I doe quaile vnder my heauy burthen I am constrained often times to expresse my misery in these wordes Alas alas Why doest thou not quickely come and comfort me I am like a bottle dried in the smoake for very heauinesse and anguish of my soule yet doe I not forget thy euerlasting promises and statutes how long shall my griefe endure And when shall the sorrowfull daies of thy seruant cease Shall not thy punishments proceed against them that persecute mee The enemies of my soule digge pittes and lay snares for me contrarie to thy law All thy precepts O Lord are true though the wicked in their furie doe persecute me and goe about to séeke the decay of my zeale Wherefore O Lord in thy good time helpe me that vnworthily am oppressed and although they haue cast mee downe and almost brought me to nought yet haue I not forsaken thy precepts erect and restore me to life O my good God euen for the singular loue that thou bearest vnto thy seruants that I may obserue the thinges that thou hast appointed me out of thy holy worde and carefully keepe them for euermore Graunt this O Father for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen 12. An extolling of Gods vnspeakeable goodnesse with thanksgiuâ—ng for his mercie shewed GOod God why should I seeme to doubt of the certentie of thy promises seeing thou art altogether righteousnesse and thy word doth endure for euer in heauen Yea thy truth I know assuredly shall neuer faile in any age for the very body of the earth doth so abide as it was established by the mightie hand of thy power vpon her foundation all other things O Lord do so continue euidently stand as they were ordained with thee from the beginning both in qualitie and estate obeying theé as their Lord. Now therefore O God giue me an vnderstanding heart that I may faithfully loue and obey thee for except I had trusted in thee and had a delight in thy law I had been enuironed with destruction in my troubles being plunged in the net of calamities Let me not therefore O Lord forget thy eternal precepts for in obseruing of them I am restored to life Saue me therefore for I am thine and make me perfect in thy statutes so shall I still meditate in thy precepts and with zeale seeke and loue thy commaundements though the wicked goe about to destroy my soule yet doe I yeelde my minde to be occupied in thy statutes for I see that all thinges heere on earth be they neuer so perfect and absolute are brought to an end neuerthelesse thy precepts and holy word are prolonged without measure and endure for euer and euer worlde without end Amen 13. A worthy meditation and ioyfulnes for receiuing true vnderstanding GReat is my loue vnto the sacred words of thy
daies at Blackborne Gisborne in Yorkshire at Chalton 6 d Eugenie confess  7 e Enurcius bishop  8 f Nati of Mary  9 g Siluius bishop  10 A Gorgony mart  11 b Porthy Iacint  12 c Martiman  13 d Amanti  14 e Holy Rood  15 f Lambert  16 g Edith virgine  17 A Timotheus The xiiii day being Holy Roode day at Richmond in Yorkshire at Rippon a horse faire at Waltam abbey at Chesterfield 18 b Victor Coron  19 c Ianuarie mart  20 d Fast  21 e Matthevv apostle  22 f Mauricius 14. The Sunne in Libra 23 g Tecla virgin  24 A Andochius mart Matthevv apost At Marlborough at Bedford at Croiden at Sittingborne at Douer at Shrewsbury 25 b Firmin bishop  26 c Ciprâ—an and Iust  27 d Cosme Damia 29. Michael archangel At Canterburie at Blackborne at Westchester at Cockermouth at Leicester 28 e Ecuperie bishop  29 f Michael Archan  30 g Ierom priest  October hath xxxi dayes 1 A Remigius bishop  2 b â—eodagare mart The iiii day at Michel 3 c Candidie matyr The vi day at S. Faiths besides Norwich at maidestone 4 d Francis martyr  5 e Faith virgin The viii day at Harnord at Herbrough and at Bishop Stapford 6 f Gerionis  7 g Marcie Mart. On S. Edwardâ— day at Graues end at Marshfield at Windsor at Colthester at Charing at Roiston 8 A Apolonaris mart  9 b Pelagi virgin  10 c Linus confessor  11 d Denyâ—e his fel. 14. The Sunne in Scorpio 12 e Nichasins bishop 18. Luke Euang. At Cely at Wrickle at Vpan at Thirst at Friswides in Oxford at Tisdale at Bridgenorth at Scanton 13 f Wilfâ—ide bishop  14 g Trans Ed. king  15 A Ealixt bishop  16 b Wolfran bishop at Burton vpon Trent at Charlton at Wigan in lancashire at Holt in Wales 17 c Michael of the mo  18 d Luke Euang.  19 e Etheldrede vir  20 f Frideswide virgi The xxi day at Saffron Walden at New Market at Hertford at Ciceter at Stokecley 21 g Austreberte vir  22 A Xi M. virgines  23 b Mary Salome  24 c Romaine bishop  25 d Maglory bishop  26 e Crispin and Cres  27 f Fast  28 g Simon and Iude On all Saints euen at Wakefield at Rithen 29 A Narcissus bishop  30 b Germane confess  31 c Fast  Nouember hath xxx dayes 1 d All saints All Saints 2 e All Soules  3 f Menefriede virg The ii day at Blechingly at Kingstone and at Maxfield 4 g Amantius  5 A Lete priest  6 b Leonard The vi day being S. Leonards day at Salforth at Stanly at Tregnie at Newportpond 7 c Wilbroade  8 d Foure crowned  9 e Theodore  10 f Martine The x. day Lenton 11 g Martine bishop The xi day at Marlborough at Douer 12 A Brise bishop  13 b Paterne martyr 13. The sunne in sagittarius 14 c Trans Orknew  15 d Macure bishop  16 e Dep. of Edmond The xiii day at S. Edmonds burie at Gilford 17 f Init. regni Elizab.  18 g Oct. Martine The xvii day at Low at Hide 19 A Elizabeth martyr  20 b Edmond king The xix day at Horsham 21 c Pres of Mary The xx day being S. Edmonds day at Hytch at Ingerstone 22 d Cicely virg  23 e Clement martyr The xxiii day at Sandwich 24 f Grisogon martyr  25 g Katherine virg  26 A Line martyr 30. Andrevv apostle At Colingborough at Rochester at Peterfield at Maidenhead at Bewdly at Bedford in Yorkshire 27 b Virales confess  28 c Rufus martyr  29 d Saturnini Fast  30 e Andrevv apostle  December hath xxxi daies 1 f Elegie bishop  2 g Libane martyr The v. day a faire at Plucklie 3 A Dep. of Osmond  4 b Barbara virgin The vi day at Spalding at Arnedale at Sinook at Exceter at Northwich in Cheshire 5 c Sabba bishop  6 d Nicolas bishop  7 e Octa. Andrew  8 f Conc. of Mary The vii day at Sandhurst 9 g Cyprian bishop  10 A Enlalie virgin The viii day being the conception of the Virgine Mary at Clitherall in Lancashire and at Malpas in Cheshire 11 b Antippe  12 c Damase confess  13 d Lucie virgin  14 e Nirasius virgin  15 f Otholie virgin  16 g O Saplentia 13. The Sunne in Capricornus 17 A Lazarus confess  18 b Gracian bishop S. Lucie the shortest day in the yeere 19 c Venetia virgin  20 d Fast  21 e Thomas apost  22 f XXX Martyrs  23 g Victor virgin  24 A Fast  25 b Christmas day  26 c Stephan martyr  27 d Iohn Euangelist  28 e Innocents day  29 f  The xxix day at Canterburie at Salisburie 30 g Trans of Iames  31 A Siluester mart  A beautifull Baybush A prayer for morning MOst gratious God deare Father we yeeld vnto thee froÌ„ the bottome of our harts most humble thankes in that it hath pleased thee not onely to defend and preserue vs this night from all our enemies both ghostly and bodily but also of thy fatherly pittie to giue vnto these our earâ—hly and languishing bodies such sufficient sleepe and rest as hath satisfied the earnest desire of our weake and feeble nature And as thou of thy mercie hast safely brought vs to the beginning of this present day and shewed vs the light thereof so wee humbly beseech thee O God graunt that our soules may be spiritually lightened with the brightnesse of thy word and sacred misteries wherby we may walke in the steps of Christianitie lead a life agreeable to our vocation in Christ Iesus our Lord. Assist vs also with thy grace and holy spirit O God that we may neuer shrinke from thee for any earthly torments but dilligently applie our selues to the performance of thy will and giue our selues wholy therevnto hauing a strong and stedfast faith in the truth of thy promises Indue vs with wisedome from aboue that wee may dasly increase in the fulnesse of our sauiour Christ Beholde vs with the eye of thy mercy and vouchsafe to defend vs that commit our selues wholly vnto thee both now and euermore Giue vnto vs a heart alwaies affected to honor thee a mind euer meditating of thy righteousnesse and a spirit burning with zeale of thy worship that wee may warily stand vpon our guard and neuer yeéld to the trecherie of the aduersarie Blesse and prosper our enterprises O Lord that whatsoeuer we take in hand we may by thy direction bring it to good successe and euermore praise thy holy name for thy gratious assistance and singular goodnes grant this O father for Iesus Christ his sake our only sauiour and redeemer An Euening
from me because I thy humble seruant doe put my trust in thee let my mind heart be euermore occupied in meditating on thy statutes for therein is my delight 4. A prayer in affliction GOod God of thy infinite mercie I beseeche thee poure vpon me the oyle of thy grace whose soule is grieuously tormented with daily afflictions for I am like one without life and fastened to the sepulchre but my trust is in thee O my good God that thou wilt assist me in my necessitie and restore me thy poore seouant vnto life againe that I may laud and praise thy holy name euen in the middest of the congregation for euer and euer Quicken mee I say according to thy word I will open vnto thee my complaints giue eare therefore vnto me and still encourage me in the way of thy truth and teach me thy statutes Enflame my heart with the loue of thy wisedome raise me vp that am now fallen for my soule melteth away for very heauinesse Exempt from me whatsoeuer may withdraw me from thy lawes and graunt that I may continue in that good way which thou hast imprinted in my heart Giue vnto me I beseech thee a willing and zealous mind to cleaue fast vnto those thinges which are approoued by thy testimonies and that I neuer shrink from thee so shall I not be confounded drawe me out of the straights of sin into the euident and broad place of righteousnes that I may finish the whole course of my life by the instinct direction of thy holy spirit and this life being ended I may foreuer enioy thy eternall saluation through my Lord and sauior Christ Iesus 5. A prayer against the assaults of Sathan GVide me O Lord in the way of thy statutes that I may euer order my life aâ—cording to the rule thereof by the prouident direction of thy holy spirit without the which my insufficiencie shall not be once able to performe the same in thy sight and euermore assist mee with the knowledge oâ— thy word that I may fully with vnderstanding obserue and keepe the same with my whole heart Instruct me daily O God that am now entred into the way of thy precepts quench in my minde the desire of filthie sucre couetousnes vsurie which would draw me to all sinne and iniquitie and incline my heart to those things that may please thee best that I imbracing the same sincerly may fructesie in good workes newnesse of life to thy glorie O my good God keepe backe mine eies that they bee not deceiued with the enticing shewes of lewd vanities that would withdraw me from the bright beames of thy incomparable maiestie â—leade me O Lord into the true life that I may zealously followe thee my guide confirme me in thy truth as thou hast promised turne away reproche and shame from me because I feare and loue thy iudgements I desire nothing more then the encrease of thy grace and the keeping of thy commaundements saue me therfore O Lord and keepe me both now and euermore that I neuer haue occasion to sin against thee but that I may still trust and euermore depend vpon thy mercies to be defended from all dangers 6. A praier for perseuerance in the right way of godlinesse GVard me on euery side O Lord with thy louing kindnes and omnipotent power and graunt mee thy saluation wherby I may be defended from al my enemies and be able to answere them in thee my sauior for I doe wholy depend vpon thy wordes let me not be assaulted with deadly iniuries neither let me in my afflictions be vnpatient let not the truth of thy holy worde be taken or estranged from me but let my mouth still set forth thy glorie quicken mee therefore in thy lawe for I doe wait for thy iudgements vpon the vngodly and I will keepe the doctrine which thou hast giuen mee for euer and euer and walke at liberty with a quiet minde because thou hast indued me with a desire to thy commandements graunt that I neuer shrinke from thy truth but with all boldenes of spirit endeuor my selfe to dispute of those thinges that concerne thy law euen before the mighty princes of the earth let my whole delight be in thy precepts O Lord which are most deare vnto me and encrease my zeale in thy worde for I haue loued it with my whole heart aboue all earthly felicity I will lift vp my hands vnto thee and before thy face will I present my selfe beseeching thée to endue me with thy grace and holy spirit that I may walke in thy fight according to the prescribed rule of thy precepts that thou hast shewed me and fiâ—e my whole delight comfort for euer in meditating vpon thy statutes O God that liuest for euer 7. A prayer for pacient abiding Gods good pleasure GRaunt that I by experience may perceiue that thou art mindeful O God of those thinges which thou hast spoken vnto me thy seruant and doest command me to trust in for in al my miseries this is my stedfast comfort that thou wilt in thy good time both helpe and succour thy seruant that trusteth in thee for though the prowd and vngodly person haue me in derision for thy names sake yet will I euer depend vpon thy holy word for thy promises haue quickned mee and when I think vpon the mercies which thou hast shewed vnto me in punishing them according to their deserts I am indued with great comfort thou knowest O God what feare incloseth me when I heare the wicked blâ—spheme thy holy name and forsake thy diuine precepts being by thy spirit enformed of the euils that hang ouer their heads Let thy statutes Lord be my delight that during the time of my wearie pilgrimage in this earthly tabernacle I may neuer cease to sound thy praises with zealous harmonie but set my whole care in the commemoration and calling vpon thy holy name and watchfully thinke how I may behaue my selfe to keepe thy lawes for at midnight haue I erected my minde vnto thee and haue not ceased at all times to poure out my praiers before thee the which thy spirit had motioned me vnto because I haue alwaies had an especiall care to keepe the precepts which thou hast appointed me 8 A consolation that God hath holpen vs and a prayer for his grace so to continue GOod God thou art my portion and the expected land of my inheritance graunt therefore that I may haue thy word to direct me and when I poure foorth my praiers before thee with speed I beseech thee giue eare vnto me vouchsafe to assist mee with thy holie spirit and according to thy promises vowed vnto thy seruants haue mercie vpon me let me not be enclined at any time to forget thy goodnes but continually quicken mee in thy truth and graunt mee O Lord God such an vnderstanding hart that I neuer swarue from thy testimonies but endeuour my selfe with all speede to the keeping of thy
with heauie countenance lift vp mine eies towards thee my heart and reines doe burne O Lord with intollerable paine and there is no part of my body free from griefe I wholly languish faint for very sorrow of my heart thou knowest my desire O God and my sighing is apparant vnto thée my heart panteth my strength decayeth and my eyesight now faileth me many there be that séeke my destruction and there is none to helpe me but thou alone wherfore on thee will I waite and abide thy good time for my succour helpe me therefore that now calleth vpoÌ„ thee lest I be brought into decay and let not my ghostly enemies triumph ouer me who desire to see my ouerthrow In thee O God haue I euer trusted forsake me not therefore but of thy gratious goodnesse send me speedie comfort O mercifull Lord be not far from me in my distresse but hast thee to help me Amen A thanksgiuing for deliuerance from sickenesse and paâ—ne EXtend thy grace and holy spirit towards thy seruant O Lord that I may daily magnifie thee for thou art my deliuerer and hast not suffered my foes with pride to triumph ouer me I cried vnto thee in my troubles and thou like a mercifull God diddest deliuer me thou hast defended me from daungers of death and renewed me alwaies with comfort therefore shall I sing praises vnto thy diuine maiestie for euer thine anger endureth but a while but thy fauour to the end of our life and though sorrow abideth in the euening yet ioy commeth in the morning and in my prosperitie I said I shall neuer be moued but so soone as thou didest restraine thy fauour from mee I was stricken then did I returne to thee O Lord praied what profit is therin my blood when I am slaine or shall my body made of dust sing praises vnto thee or declare thy truth and faithful constancie in performing thy promises O Lord heare me and receiue me to thy fauour helpe me good God I beseech thee and haue mercie vpon me and loe thou hast turned my mourning into ioy and remooued the sorrow of my heart to gird me with gladnesse yea thou hast made thy louing kindnesse so ioyfull vnto me that I do meditate of thy goodnesse all the day long therfore shal my tongue be wholly consecrate both now and euer to set foorth thy praises O Lord my God on whose mercie dependeth my saluation I will giue thankes to thee for euer and euer A prayer that God according to his mercifull promise will deliuer him from his enemies HEarken I most humbly beseech thee O God vnto my complaint and incline thy eare vnto my lameÌ„table sighs for my soule is now oppressed with troubles and grieuously wounded through sinne wherefore release my heauie burthen and mitigate my tormenting paines for there is none to helpe me but thou alone that art the God of my might mine eies cannot rest nor mine eyeliddes slumber because of my heauinesse but so soone as I record thy greate goodnesse shewed vnto me of old how is my soule comforted and how quiet is my conscience within me deliuer me therefore according to thy wonted mercies and let me neuer be vnmindefull of thee but that my spirit may still reioyce and be indued with a stedfast hope of thy promises and though the wicked seeke my decay yet let my trust be wholly fixed vpon thee giue me vnderstanding and knowledge from aboue that I may faithfully obserue thy fatherly precepts be not long absent from me O God neither let thy sweete promises faile me but in thy mercy respect me thy seruant and poure on me thy heauenly blessings grant me the direction of thy grace and holy spirit that with all humilitie and perfect patience I may stand fast in the day of my trouble and after this wretched life ended indue me O Lord with thy eternall rest to dwell with thee for euer A gratefull extolling of Gods inestimable benefits FRom the very inward part of my heart O my soule praise thou the Lord and all that resteth within me praise his holy name for all his graces mercies and manifolde benefites that he in great mercie hath bestowed vpon me for he hath couered the filthinesse of my iniquities altered my naturall wilfulnesse and healed my broken heart and the bloudie wounds of my conscience O my God thou hast redeemed my life from destruction and of thine infinite mercies doest alwaies satiffie me with good thinges thou renuest my soule like the youth of an Eagle and hast reuealed vnto mee thy way and holy word thou art altogether mercie and full of compassion slow to wrath and of great kindenesse to all such as come vnto thee thou wilt not alwaies lowre nor keep thine anger for euer neither dost thou deale with me after my sinnes nor reward me according to mine iniquicies for thou in mercie wilt set my sinnes so farre from me as the East is from the West and neuer thinke vpon them any more thou shewest thy selfe to be a most gratious father in extending thy bountiful beneuolence vnto such as honour thée for thou knowest that we are but dust and like the flower of the field alwaies ready to be carried away with light blastes of winde to all manner of vanities but thy mercie O my good God and louing kindnesse endureth for euer Let thy righteousnes hold me vp both now and euermore that I may feare thee and keepe thy commaundements in continuall remembrance to do them that after this life ended I may gaine the fruition of thy kingdome which for thy elect thou hast prepared in heauen to sing praises vnto thee with thy holy Angels and to enioy thy presence O Lord which raignest and rulest for euer Amen A praier to be deliuered from his aduersaries REgard my humble petitions and prayers most gracious God and in thy mercie giue eare vnto my requests for vnto thee alone doe I come in the time of my necessitie accept therefore I beseech thee the cryes that I hee reoffeâ— vp vnto thee rule thou my thoughts and guid my waies aright that my heart be not inclined to euill and so procure me to runne vnaduisedly to doe the workes of iniquities but let the iust man with discretion reprooue me that I by his exhortations may discerne and knowe the snares that the wicked haue laid to entrap me withall and not onely shunne them my selfe but admonish others in like manner to eschew the same who seeing the vngodly with grieuous torments to be miserably afflicted may with humble and penitent hearts returne vnto thee O Lord and acknowledge theé to be their onely stay and succour in al their actions my life O God is exposed to all miseries neuerthelesse I most earnestly beseech thee to be my protector and though my state be slipperie yet let thy right hand support me and thy louing kindenesse enclose me about and when my hands are erected to call vpon thy name being full
prayer to be said at all times I Most heartily beseech thee O thou God of al mercy power to make strong my soule against all the troublesome and most dangerous assaults and temptations of the world the flesh and the deuill confirme my beliefe and faith in thee and make me good Lord one of the number of thy elect and graunt that all my sinnes may be cleansed in the blood of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O deare Father let thy graces and blessings be continually poured vpon me and shine on me with the comfortable beautie of thy cheerefull countenance and graunt me in this life the perpetuall direction of thy holy spirit and in the life to come eternall rest with my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A charitable prayer to be vsed at any time for the benefit of such as liue amisse O Lord thou hast euer bene our safe hauen and habitation and thy louing kindenesse hath beene plentifully shewed vnto vs and our elders from one generation to another thou art a God that raignest and rulest for euer without beginning or ending yea thou didst create vs of dust and slime of the earth and we being most miserable cretures so soone as thou takest thy spirit from vs are euen then immediatly dissolued into dust againe for as a watch in the night so doth our life passe away and as a tale that is told so do we vanish we grow vp like the hearb which at the rising of the sunne doth flourish but in the euening is cut downe and withereth graunt therefore O God that we neglecting all idle imaginations may account the dayes of our earthly pennance how short they are that our mindes by this cogitation beeing brought from the troublesome care and vaine hope of earthly felicitie as also called away from all those entisements whereby we wander out of the right path of thy truth may aspire to true wisedome in applying our hearts wholly vnto thy eternall testimonies be mercifull vnto vs O Lord and â—aâ—e vs from all the assaults and temptations of our ghostly enemies conduct vs with thy mighty hand we beséech thée in all our dealings that we may walke vprightly in our estate and vocation without fraud or deceit grant that after so long and innumerable troubles as we haue sustâ—ined thy goodnesse may shine vnto vs like a most pleasant light that we being satisfied with the comfortable nourishment thereof may enioy thy true and eternall consolation and like as with many miseries thou hast corrected vs so we beseech thee of thy eternall goodnesse to comfort vs againe and in the middest of all our troubles restore vs to ioy and gladnesse that from the bottome of our hearts we may yeeld continuall praises vnto thee accept vs amongst the number of thy heaâ—enly armie and let the voice of our humble petitions O God ascend vp vnto thee make vs continually thankfull for our election and let vs neuer forget that thou hast taken vs into thy family to be cared for of thee yea let this thy glory shine forth to our posteritie and let thy exceeding goodnes beautifie adorne vs gouerne thou our counsels from thy sanctuary and let our enterprises be acceptable in thy fight O God that liuest for euer Amen A prayer for the assistance of Gods power and holy spirit against our enemies and the dangers of this world ETernall God I most humbly beseech thee giue eare vnto the prayers and dolefull cries which I heere poure foorth before thee strengthen me that I may walke in thy waies and carefully auoid the path that the oppressors tread Accept the requests of thy seruants vouchsafe O Lord in mercie to relieue them that trust in thee against such as resist thy doctrine keepe me as the apple of thy eye and euermore defend me from my enemies euen vnder the shadow of thy winges for they are full of enuy and their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death neuerthelesse my hope dependeth only vpon thy assistance that thou wilt stand on my side whereby I may vtterly vanquish and ouerthrow their force for thou art my fortresse and strength in whome is no variety in thee will I trust O God of my saluation yea I will call vpon thee and praise thy name for euermore preserue me therefore and assist me in the day of my daunger let not the vngodly man preuaile against me but preuent their wicked deuises that intend my destruction indue me plentifully with thy graces that I may take delight in those things that may please thee and bestow such good gifts as thou hast lent me to the vse of my Christian bretheren that stand in need therof let thy spirit scale the assurance of thy election in my heart that I neuer decline from the true seruice of thee but with all constancie giue my selfe wholly to the loue of thy law and perseuere therin vnto the end for thou art my portion and the lot of mine inheritance let me not be oppressed by any earthly penury least through frailety of my flesh I be enforced to fall from thee but teach me continually by secret inspirations the right way to attaine to the fruition of thy blessings that I may at all times sing praises vnto thee be thou alwaies at my right haÌ„d O Lord that my course may be directed by thy godly assistance and deliuer me out of all troublsome daungers that I may reioyce both in body and soule for thy gratious protection shâ—w me thy fauour O God in all things that I take in hand and let the successe of my trauels fail out as my hope expecteth to the great comfort of thine elect and the exceeding ioy of all that put their trust in thee let not the cruelty of the enemy preuaile against me least he say that he hath ouercome me and they that oppresse me reioice in my fal for my trust is wholy in the truth of thy promises neither shall my heart dissent from the hope of thy mercy and defence in all my enterprises but being at the length deliuered by thee from the dreadfull daungers of earthly casualties I will not cease to land and praise thy holy name in the midest of the congregation for euer and euer Graunt this most mercifull Father I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake my onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen A prayer to be said at all times WIth the eie of mercy most louing father beholde my care and inward griefe and hearken I humbly beseech thee to my complaint and lamentable sute my soule cryeth out to thee for mercie extend therefore thy louing countenance and fauour vnto me that am sore plunged in the gulph of calamities yet do I confesse acknowledge that I haue and doe deserue most extreame punishment for so grieuously offending thee my louing Lord but if thou shalt euer marke what is amisse in me how am I able to abide thy frowning countenance but with thee is alwaies mercy
and redemption yea thy seruants continually do and will for thy great goodnes feare and loue thy holy name my soule also knowing thy singular bountie in that it hath euer tasted of thy incompatable sweetenes shall stil trust in thee for thou diddest defend and nourish me when I was destitute of helpe therefore will I wait for thy saluation euen from the morning vnto the euening and from the euening likewise vnto the morning againe for there is no night-watcher that in greater desire longeth for the dawning of the day then dooth my soule expect the comming of thee my Lord and God for great is thy pittie vnto all such as with true repentance and hearty prayers doe come vnto thee Go too then O my soule now reioice comfort thy selfe in the Lord for euer serue him with feare and reuerence and be readie for his comming sith no varietie resteth in him but that he is good and mercifull and hath often redeemed and deliuered thee from the daunger of hell haue mercy vpon me now therfore O deare father and forgiue me my sinnes cast them from thy presence thinke vpon them no more so shall my soule reioyce and be glad in thee for euer A prayer to be vsed of all men and at all times NOw bewailing my sinfull life past most louing father I doe here in humble wise desire thy gratious fauour haue mercy on me poore sinner that cleaueth wholly vnto thee and in the multitude of thy mercies doe away the heauy burthen of my iniquities wash me from my sinnes and clense me from my offences wash me againe and againe O Lord that all my sinnes whatsoeuer lyeth hid within me may be done away at once O most merciful father against thee onely haue I sinned most grieuously and done wickedly in thy sight yea and those thinges are most iustly decreed of thee which thou hast pronounced against me And I must needes confesse that nothing is faultie amongst thy iudgements for I was corrupt and guiltie in my mothers wombe and repleat with sinne euen from my cradle what haue I to alledge for my selfe knowing O Lord what a wretched case I stand in or what excuse can I make to thee O heauenly iudge wherefore in thy fight doe I remaine the greatest of all sinners purge me with the true Isope which in thy mercy thou hast sent vnto sinners euen the blood of thy deare sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ that al my filthinesse may vanish cleane away restore me O Lord vnto that vnspeakeable ioy wherwith they are indued that are shrowded from the bonds of sinne and death and receiued into thy fauour againe hide thy face away from my sinnes and race out of thy tables all the wickednesse that I most grieuously haue coÌ„mitted against thee let thy holy spirit so direct me that I may from hencfoorth giue my selfe to thy commaundements then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee deliuer me from sinne that my soule may praise thee continually open my mouth O Lord that my tongue in Psalmes and Himnes may set forth thy glorious name For thou desirest not sacrifice but a sorrowfull minde and contâ—ite heart with the true feeling of sinnes and inward repentance and vnfained turning vnto thee which oblation O Lord I now offer vnto thee humbly beseeching thee to accept thereof and incline thine eare thereunto for Iesus Christ his sake my only Sauiour and redéemer Amen A prayer very godly and necessary to be vsed at all times LOrd graunt me the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that my soule vnto thee may yeeld continuall praises let my whole life extoll thy great kindnesse alwaies shewed vnto me for all praise belongeth vnto thee thou hast indued my heart with ioy and lifted my soule out of the mixe wherefore I will not seeke to any mortall man for their state is slippery and their life coÌ„sisteth in their breath whereof being bereaued they are resolued againe into dust but let my trust be in thee O God on whose mercie dependeth my saluation for thou O God art exceeding good and gratious vnto all such as come vnto thee great is thy power oh how wonderfull is thy handie worke in thy creatures thou bearest a great zeale vnto thy seruants and keepest promise with thine elect thou openest the eyes of the blinded soule and giâ—est vnderstanding to the simple thou diddest arme my soule when I fainted in misery wherefore giue me vnderstanding that I may diligently search to knowe thy will thou diddest defend and nourish me when I was destitute of thy helpe thou comfortest the fatherlesse and widdows but in iustice ouerthrowest the wicked O Lord I see that all flesh is grasse and the riches of this world are nothing but vanitie but thy riches are euerlasting wherefore graunt that I may be plentifull in all good workes and lead a life in this world agreeable to thy will that the same being ended I may rest with thee for euer A godly prayer vnto almightie God against all assaults of Sathan I Humbly craue and beseéch theé most mercifull God in fauour to behold my troubled heart and giue eare vnto my lamentable cries for vnto thee alone do I offer vp my prayers desiring thee in mercy to respect thy seruant that now caleth for thy direction let my pathes be guided according to thy will for thou art a God most pure and canst abide no iniquitie at all to raign in thy fight neither the vniust person to stand in thy presence wherefore O Lord endue me plentifully with thy graces that haue no spark of goodnesse in me send me knowledge from aboue and direct me with thy spirit that I be not vtterly cast away for euer but pardon my iniquitie that I may draw neare vnto thee and with reuerent feare extoll thy glorious name Let not Sathan my mortall enemy preuail against me but deliuer me froÌ„ the snares that he daily layeth for me replenish me O Lord with vnderstanding that I may safely walke in thy lawes for the enemies of thy truth and disturbers of my soule are many they dissemble in heart and with their lippes they flatter daily but my trust is in thee O Lord that thou wilt confound their deuises so shall I reioyce in thee because thy hand hath deliuered me and my tongue shall neuer cease to extol thy praises and exceeding goodnesse because thou hast defended me with the shield of thy mercy and redeemed my soule from deadly daunger Amen A prayer to be saide in any kinde of affliction RElieue me G God I most humbly beseech thee from al the tyrannous inuasions of my ghostly enemies the worlde the flesh and the deuill and behold the carefull heart of him whome thou hast stricken and visited according to thy heauenly will and because man in his owne nature is nothing but blindnesse and folly before thee and therefore cannot possibly conceiue rightly of the
for Iesus Christ his sake our only Sauiour and redeemer Amen A prayer for penitent sinners MOst mightie God and eternall king of maiestie how can I hide my selfe away from thy presence or with what pretence might I couer my shame from the piercing fight of thine eye since there is nothing in me but a whole heape of sinne whereby I am almost driuen to the dore of dispaire Erect therefore thy mighty hand to helpe me O Lord for if thy wisedome prouide not for me I am alwaies in daunger for vnrighteousnesse in this my cortuptible bodie raigneth as a king wherefore when my enemies enuiron me I wonder that thou doest not destroy me considering the lewdnesse of my liuing and the multitude of my grieuous offences But thus thou vsest to comfort thy children and my soule but for this reliefe O God had perished long agoe therefore from the bottome of my heart crie I vnto thee take me not away I beseech thee O Lord in my sinnes neither let me reape the portion of the wicked thou hast shewed me the daies of comfort and often deliuered my soule from the Lion and because thou in great mercie hast let mee see this goodnesse and also made me reioice therein increasing light afterdarkenes I will neuer cease to call vpon thee in my afflictions but continually expect the good houre in my danger increase my faith settle me in the knowledge of thy will and plentiously blesse me with thy grace and holy spirit both now and euer for no place is free from the rage of thy aduersaries assist me in my infirmities that I may euer gaine a double reioycing and that the most subtile assaults of the enemies may alwaies fall out to be his foulest foile through Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour Amen The true knovvledge of afflictions and tov what end they are sent THe Scriptures of God in sundry places doe manifestly declare vnto vs the healthfull effect of afflictions in calling them a cup or drinking glasse for like as the expert Phisition giuing vnto his patient such quantity of medicine as he thinketh good the patient must of necessity yeeld the choice of his fancie to the skilfull prouidence of him that ministreth euen so our good and gratious Lord knowing farre better what is profitable and most expedient to cure the infirmities maladies of our soules tameth our affections with such cups of afflictions as his wonderfull wisedome in mercie foreseeth to be most behooueable for vs. In like manner are they also called in another sence his artillerie his speares and his swords wherewith to fight and ouerthrow his enemies and euen as these definitions touching their ends are not alike but very diuers so likewise are the afflictions of God sent both to the godly and vngodly but to two sundrie ends for by the one sort of affliction God exerciseth the patience of the faithfull handling them for the most part more roughly than he doth the wicked The other he vseth both to testifie vnto vs that iniquitie cannot raigne vnpunishable as also to hold them vnexcusable and that is the full end of all afflictions extended to the infidell or reprobate The cuppes therefore and afflictions of God as they are not sent to all men to one end so do they not worke one effect but for all them the lewd person remaineth still vngodly sicke he was before he tooke the medicine and in like manner sicke or rather more vncurable he goeth foreward after it he feeleth himselfe smitten but considereth not in truth who smote him so exceeding farre is he from the perfect perusing of his owne life and oueruiweing of his former daies thereby he imputeth his crosse to fortune rather than smelleth his owne sinnes or intendeth to change his life and if his crosse endure but a little he chafeth at God and reiecteth his corrections he amendeth not at all but waxeth worse and worse farre contrarie is the effect of those afflictions which Gods elect sustaine for his children so soone as they feele his crosse by any meanes layed vpon them they by and by without delay bethinke themselues of their sinnes remembring that the hand of God is come vpon them for the same in which feare with all humilitie and reuerent trembling casting downe euery height within them they throw themselues flatlong at the footstoole of Gods Maiestie reckoning vp all their hainous crimes to their power acknowledging their faults and beseeching God in mercie to giue them a feeling of their sinnes that he will pierce their eares and in such wise open them that their affliction may turne to the comfort of their consciences this case is cleane contrarie as is said to the fearefull punishments of the reprobate they being hardened like Pharao thereby for lacke of his second grace which is the softening of mans heart and sobernesse of his nature by the holy Ghost from the free goodnesse of our eternall God Those being opened in their hearts by such grace and feeling of Gods chastisements are spéedily taught to mislike of themselues for their loose life and offences to sigh and grone for them and to flie to the mercie of God for refuge Now by these conferences appeareth a certaine rule or touchstone not without an vnspeakeable comfort to Gods elect for in as much as God punished Pharao and softened not his heart withall he intended to leaue him inexcusable to his deserued destruction but in that he afflicted Iob he did it to the bettering of his life mollifying his heart to his saluation and hence we gather two points of comfort to be noted and obserued the one is that when God maketh vs to feele his hand so that we are humbled vnder the same it is a speciall priuiledge and sure token of his good will and which he neuer sheweth to any but to his owne children and the other is since we are punished but to the amendment of our liues and drawing vs backe from our sinfull waies we liue therefore in happie case for that it declareth vnto vs that the Lord will not be angrie with vs for euer but doth as it were hedge in both the sides of our race euen because he loueth vs so that we haue no cause to doubt of Gods fauour but rather to be fully resolued that when he punisheth vs he holdeth vs not for his enemies but by tâ—â—t meane procuâ—eth our saluation and thus we see as S. Paule saith our victorie consisteth in taking hold of this loue of God in Iesus Christ being euermore throughly perswaded that God hath adopted vs to bee his children and heires of his kingdome which principle wee once hauing ought not to be led aside nor dismayed with any affliction for seeing that God beareth such exceeding loue towards vs we shall neuer be confounded and so little in very deed shall our afflictions hinder our welfare that they shall turne to our furtherance and vndoubtfully prooue vnto vs that Christ his yoake is sweet and easie and
when my weary daies O Lord shall draw to an end in leauing this life and earthly pilgrimage graunt me a strong and stedfast faith with speech and memorie euen to the end that so departing in peace I may rest with thee for euer Amen A prayer to be saide in any kinde of affliction ETernall God and father of all mercies I humbly beseech thée to bow down thine eares hearken vnto me poore sinner whose state is weake and feeble because of thy heauy displeasure but I confesse and acknowledge that it is a iust reward for my iniquities committed against thee respect me neuerthelesse in thy mercie and thinke not vpon my transgressions deliuer my soule endue me with all spirituall graces and consolation and continually keepe me in true faith and humble obedience towards thee neither let me murmure at thy chastisements but with patience endure thy correction it is in thée to deale with me at thy pleasure since thou createdst me of dust and slime of the earth and gauest me life and breath in my mothers wombe Wherfore O Lord I beseech thee suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength neither yet to be holden downe with greater afflictions then my weak nature is able to endure but rather aâ—cording to thy tender mercie support and relieue me that neither the flesh the world nor the diuell triumph in my weakenes giue me a feeling of thy mercies that thy graces neuer depart from me and when it pleaseth thee O Lord to bring to an end this miserable life graunt that I may with humble obedience towards thee and perfect faith in thy diuine promises neglect the state of this wretched world and rest with thee O Lord my God in that euerlasting kingdome which thou hast prepared for thy elect from the beginning of the world where I shall continually yeild praises vnto thee together with all the host of heauen for euer and euer Amen A prayer of thanksgiuing to God for his benefits COntinue thy goodnesse stil towards me O Lord that I may daily haue occasion to extoll thy praises for great cause doe I already retaine to land thy glorious name for euer because thou alone act my ioy and saluation and the strong citie whereunto I alwaies flie for succour thou hast euer bene my rocke and tower of defence open now therefore the gate of righteousnesse that I poore sinner may enter therin as one of thy children so shall I be preserued in peace I haue alwaies put my trust in thee stregthen me therefore I beseech thee with thy holy spirit and as thou art altogether righteous and iust so vouchsafe to instruct me in the path wherein I ought to walke for my soule reioyceth in thy truth and desireth thee in the night season yea and my spirit shall seeke thee in the morning how mercifully dost thou nourish thy people and how glorious doest thou make thy elect when I was in distresse I called vpon thee and when thou diddest chastise me I poured forth my prayers and thou like a louing Lord diddest shew mercy on me according to thy great kindenesse O deare father my soule now replenished with griefe because of my sinnes desireth to be receiued into thy eternall rest I was dead putrified through my sinnes and enuironed with dispaire because of my fall but thou of thy goodnesse diddest yeeld reliefe vnto me and made me aliue againe yea thou hast eleuated my soule out of the darknesse of death and ministred light vnto me that I might regard my footesteps thou hast vpholden my life from daungers and preferred me against the enuious mindes of the wicked thou hast defended me from such as rose vp against mâ— and sent me reliefe in my greatest necessitie yea thou hast plenteously indued me with all things and giuen me a tast of thy goodnesse Wherfore O most merciful God assist me with thy holy spirit that I neuer be vnmindfull of thy mercies but may extol thy glorious name for euer and euer Amen A prayer to be vsed before a man doth begin to trauell or take any iourney in hand REspect me thy vnworthie seruant O Lord with the eye of thy mercie for on thee dependeth my saluation and there is none but thou alone can bring sufficient reliefe and succour vnto my afflicted spirit Wherfore O God be mercifull vnto me and rule my heart in thy faith feare and loue with a carefull keeping of thy commaundements guide thou my footesteps O God and gouerne me with thy mightie hand that I fall not into the pit of destruction assist me with thy grace and holy spirit that I may both discerne and reiect those thinges that are contrary to thy law and saue me O God from the cruelty of such as seeke to oppresse my soule send me knowledge from aboue that I may conceiue rightly of thy heauenly mysteries and teach me O Lord so to order my life that acording to the precise rule of thy holy word and deuine precepts I may daily proceede in newnesse of life to the honor and glorie of thy name Indue me with all spirituall graces to stand against the subtile assaults and temptatious of my ghostly enemies that I may neuer quaile by his tirannie but giue him his finall repulse and vtter ouerthrow be thou my protector and defender most louing father that in all my waies I may be safely directed by thy mighty prouidence for thou art my refuge in all my troubles and in thy mercie will I stay my selfe for euer and my hope shall still rest in thee O God that liuest for euer A prayer for a man that is beset with aduersaries I Call and crie to thee O God with mourning voice beseeching thee to hearken vnto my groning sighes deliuer me from my troubles that oppresse mee grieuously for misery is come vpon me and there is none but thou alone can helpe me guide me O Lord in thy truth and lead me foorth in the pathes wherein I ought to walke thou art the onely rokce whereunto I must cleaue and in thy good time thou wilt vphold my state against my enemies that enuiron me about they haue cast snares in the way to entrap me and by crueltie haue daily sought my decay Wherfore I beséech thée O God come quickly and succour me put forth thy mightie arme and deliuer me from them that rise vp against me pretending my vtter ouerthrow Conduct me in thy truth that I be not intrapped in my waies nor holden in the earke prison of this miserable worlde from the view of thy deuine maiestie but that I may be compassed with the assembly of thy elect to reioyce in thee O my good God for my deliuerance and to sing continuall praises vnto thy holy name for euermore with a chéereful voice preserue me from destruction and vouchsafe O Lord to forgiue me all my offences that I may stand stedfast in thee and neuer be put to confusion but to rest with thee eternally Amen A
fathers our onely trust is in thy mercy for thy goodnesse exceedeth all earthly fathers with reuerence therefore and humilitie of heart loue obedience and faithfull dutifulnesse as becommeth the children of so louing a father doe we call for thy helpe and comfortable assistance for who is like vnto thee or can bring to effect the thing which thou canst doe thy seat is in heauen where thou raignest in all dignitie for euermore thy power is in heauen and earth and in the sea yea and thy regiment appeareth in all places thou seest all things thou hearest all things and by thy eternitie gouernest all things and we thy poore children doe craue succour of thee onely beseeching thee O Lord to raise our hearts from earthly things and vnite our minds to the contemplation of heauenly things and make vs ready at all times with stedfast hope to expect our heauenly inheritance praised be thy name O Lord which aboue all other names ought to be had in reuerence for thou art altogither holy graunt therefore that we may vtterly detest and abolish the names of all faigned gods and euermore vouchsafe to assist vs in mercie with thy grace and holy spirit that we may refraine the company of such euill persons as vnreuerently blaspheme thy name neither suffer vs by retchlesnes to dishonour thee our God in any of our actions moreouer graunt we most humbly beseech thee O Lord that thy kingdome may euer remaine amongst vs and that thy truth and holy word neuer depart from vs but abide in our hearts by thy inspiration as a fruitfull doctrine daily instructing vs wherby we may with more earnest zeale walke as Christians in newnesse of life to the honour and praise of thy name that all men seeing the same may truly turne vnto thee in hope to attaine thy euerlasting kingdome O most gratious God let thy blessed will be done in all things with vs both now and euer and as thou art our heauenly father so graunt that we may not request any thing contrary to thy will but accept whatsoeuer thou sendest with reuerent minds saying with chearefull heartes Thy will be done O Lord for euermore here on earth as it is in thy holy sanctuary of heauen quicken vs O Lord that we may learne more and more to be obedient vnto thy heauenly will in all things as becommeth thy deare children and euen as thy holy Angels and blessed companie doe obserue the same with ioy so direct our inward affections that we may wholly apply our selues thereunto and that our whole felicitie in this life may be altogether imployed in meditating on thy sacred Scriptures which thou in mercy hast sent and left amongst vs to the comfort of our soules and our eternall saluation and euermore in mercy O deare Father vouchsafe of thy prouidence to nourish and comfort vs continually with such things as thy onely goodnesse doth know to be most expedient both for our soules and bodies whereby we may goe foreward with a quieter conscience to serue thee so that we in this life may be maintained and preserued wherby we may be helpfull vnto our Christian brethren not chargeable vnto them any waies especially good Lord graunt that we abuse not thy blessings of meat and drinke but vouchsafe that we may thankefully receiue thy fatherly benefits in such modest sort that thy name may be glorified our soules and bodies gratiously comforted and if it shall please thee at any time to lay thy rodde of correction vpon vs for our disobedience and so to afflict vs with any kind of penurie yet graunt to vs such grace that we may continually with all humilitie be thankefu l vnto thee without either murmuring or grudging and with armed patience stâ—ll abide thy leisure for thou of thy fatherly goodnesse hast willed vs to lay our care vpon thee who art able in thy good time to relieue our need but aboue all things O mercifull God graunt that our soules may be nourished and spiritually fed with the liuely word of thy glorious Gospell which giueth knowledge vnto such as delight therein and leadeth to life euerlasting behold O Lord our weakenesse for thou knowest our frailty and the wickednesse of our youth is not hiâ— from thee we confesse that we were conceiued and brought forth in sinne so that through our corrupt nature we daily and hourely offend thy diuine maiestie by Sathans interceptions in breaking thy commaundements and neglecting our dutie towards thee but O our good God we most humbly beseech thee with sighing hearts to giue vs a feeling of our infirmities and stirre vs vp with all speed in the times of our triall to seeke after thee and to proceed in repentance and amendment of life for thou art our mercifull Lord more ready to forgiue than we for to aske and therefore we come to thee alone for none in heauen nor in earth Saint nor Angell can forgiue sinnes but thou onely through Iesus Christ our redeemer who hath suffered the paine due vnto our sinnes and furthermore we craue of thee O deare father so to assâ—st vs with thy holy spirâ—t that we may put out of our hearts all manner of mallice debate and thoughts of reuengement and with Chr stianitie from the very inwards of our hearts forgiue them that trespasse against vs that with stedfast hope we may craue at thy hands forgiuenesse for our sinnes thou most mightie God direct our paths and guide oâ—r waies stretch foorth thy right hand to succour vs that we may be euer armed with thy defence against the violent snares and manifold temptations of the world the flesh and the diuel stay vs good Lord that we perish not through their cruell inuasions nor turne from thee to our owne destruction for except thou doest still continue a good father vnto vs in protecting and defending vs thy children and blessing vs with thy spirituall graces we shall suddenly fall into all iniuries wherefore our hope both now and euer shall wholy depend vpon thy mercies with full assurance that thou wilt in thy good time not onely deliuer vs from all euill but also nourish and preserue vs in our necessitie and sâ—ue vs from such cruell and grieuous afflictions as are readie to molest vs either in body or mind Thy kingdome O deare father we faithfully confesse and acknowledge is an heauenly and euerlasting kingdome and thy power is exceeding infinite yea and thy glorie so incomprehensible that it passeth mans reason and the limits of his vnderstanding to attaine to the knowledge therefore we most entirely beseech thee graunt vs these things that we haue faithfully asked in humilitie of heart according to thy wil and giue vnto vs O Lord such grace that our prayers may be alwaies directed in perfect faith vnto thy diuine maiestie without wauering or doubting of thy assistance remembring thy promises that so praying vnto thee with a stedfast hope we may expect the speedie approach of thy euerlasting comfort
established my feet in such a perfect path that I may walke now safe and sound amongst the liuing for I haue euermore beleeued the promises of the Lord and therefore did I speake euen my aith minâ—string voice and words to me being opressed with sorow and thou didst ouercome the dangerous attemps of my foes quickening me for thine infinite mercies sake what shall I render vnto thee therefore for all thy benefits which thou hast bestowed vpon me I will giue thee the sacrifice of praise and call vpon thy name with reuerence yea I w ll pay my vowes vnto thee which I haue promised euen in the mâ—dst of thy faithfull congregation for euer and euer Amen A prayer vnto God desiring him to defend vs from the malice of our aduersaries MOst mercifull God I beseech thee for thy names sake saue me and deliuer me being an innocent by thy power giue eare vnto the wordes of my mouth and refuse not my prayer that I here present vnto thy diuine maiestie defend me O Lord from the wicked and such as rise vp against me confound their deuices and let the snares that they haue set to imtrap me be as a sword lighting vpon their owne heads cut them downe according to thy promises which thou hast made to thy children that I being deliuered by the extended force of thy right hand may willingly performe my vow and solemne promise vnto thee and celebrate thy praises seeing there is nothing more bountifull nor more excellent than the worthinesse of the power namely in that thou hast saued me from all distresse and graunted me my desire on my enemies graunt this O father for Iesus Christ his sake our onely redeemer Amen A prayer for such as intend to enter into the estate of matrimonie made at the request of M Ed. Fenton MOst mightie God and heauenly father from the bottome of my heart I yeeld all honour land praise and thankesgiuing vnto thy diuine maiestie for those thy riches blessings and benefits which thou in mercy hast bestowed vpon me O Lord that by thy incomprehensible power madest Adam out of the dust and slime of the earth and createdst him to thine own image behold me thy seruant whom thy good pleasure hath called to the honourable state of matrimony and as by thy most excellent prouidence thou diddest giue vnto Adam Eua to be his helper and immutably ordainest them to become one flesh from whom proceeded all mankind so O my good God in thy mercy graunt that this woman whom thou hast giuen me may be vnto me a helper and that we may be a comfort one towards another euen as Abraham vnto Sara and Isaac to Rebecca and not to fulfill our vngodly affections nor the corrupt and filthie desire of our fleshly appetites but to loue and liue together withall humble obedience and reuerent feare towards thee as becommeth thy seruants without strife or debate and for the procreation of children to the increase of thy kingdome which if it please thee to blesse vs withall grant that we may bring them vp in thy feare and true religion Lord behold vs that with one heart and voiâ—e doe most humbly beseech thee so to endue direct and sanctifie vs with thy holy spirit that all our actions may stand with thy honour and glory credit of thy Church and our euerlasting saluation and graunt that we with all modesty may liue together with continuall peace of conscience and health of body vntill we become aged that we may see our childrens children and thy name eternally aduanced in the Church and congregation and when thy goodnes hath finished our dayes in this life conduct our soules in safetie vnto that spirituall kingdome which thou hast ordained for thine elect to rest with thee for euer Graunt O most mercifull father that those things which we haue faithfully asked according to thy will may effectually be obtained that we thy lowly and obedient children obtaining the perpetuall fruition of thy fauour may for thy gratious assistance and inestimable treasures yeeld vnto thee eternall praise power and dominion with vncessant thanksgiuing both now and euer thorough our onely mediatour and aduocate Iesus Christ Amen A prayer for a vvoman that is barren and desireth the fruit of her bodie O Lord my God most gratious and louing father in Iesus Christ behold me poore wretch whom thy hand hath hitherto humbled as it were in the sight of all the world at the length take away my reproch I acknowledge thy hand to be vpon me for none in heauen or earth saue thy maiestie only is able to withstand the particular effect of that thy generell commaundement Bring foorth fruit and multiply Thou onely deare father canst doe it because of thy almightinesse and thou also doest it euen in thy children according to the most holy decree of thy vnsearchable wisdome now because when thou vâ—sitest thy children with any wants of outward comforts and blessings thou doest it not deare father for any lacke of loue to them or as though the blessings also of this life pertained not to them for in Christ Iesus who is Lord of all they are likewise our right the vngodly being meere vsurpers of them but thou doest it to draw them by some temporal want and short restraint of their desires to seeke at thy hand some eternall blessings which they stand more in need of that thereby in the end thou mightest be seene to multiply thy rich mercies towards them euery way Of which thy wisdome thou hast left vs a leagible euidence in the story of thy seruant Iob who after thou baddest taught him more humilitie thou enrichedst also as his heart could desire Now because thy waies are all iust O Lord and thou walkest euer like thy selfe haue mercie on me thy seruant I beseech thee giue me to vnderstand that which thou wouldest haue me to see in this my affliction and sith through the darkenesse of my mind it is hard for me O Lord to espit out the deformities and wants that are in me may it please thee to vouchsafe me the especiall guiding of thy holy spirit herein so as by it I may make a through visitation of my selfe both for my outward deeds and for my inward affections vntill I shall find out the thing that may please thee and may also be yet further blessed of thee euen in this thing which my heart defireth so shall this thy louing returne wipe away my reproch thy bounteous dealings with thy seruant be ioyfully praised among thy Saints and as for me whose head thou hast thus lifted vp I will neuer cease talking of thy goodnesse and informing those who shall in like case of thy liberall kindnesse towards all that wait on thee and thy most wise and righteous iudgements which thou exercisest amongst those also that feare thy holy name Amen A prayer for iourneying O Most louing and tender Father I commit this my iourney and corporall trauell vnto thy
a sound and setled conscience to the end Against temptation O Thou maker of heauen and earth deliuer me from the continuall and most dangerous assaults of Sathan who priuily layeth baites and secretly diggeth pittes for my soule leauing nothing vnattempted that might worke my destruction and I feeling my selfe nothing but a masse of infirmities and ready to decline at euery stroke that he giueth cannot but mistrust my selfe altogether and wholly flying vnto the sea of thy mercie power and wisedome doe beseech the vncessant supplie of thy gifts in the continuall accesse of thy holy spirit that in the throng of temptations I may be deliuered and stand victorer in Iesus Christ For patience O Most louing Lord suffer me not to be tempted aboue my might neither by affliction of bodie or soule neither by whatsoeuer earthly penurie the enemie would presse me with but euen in the middest graunt me patience to suffer thy fatherly tryals thankefully and without all grudging as worthily may beseeme the childe of so louing and mercifull a father For increase of faith O God thou creator of al maÌ„kind increase my faith and purge me of vnbeliefe that I alway calling to mind thy wonderfull louing worke of our redemption may with all boldnesse of spirit in the blood of Iesus Christ so apply thy comfortable promises to the saluing of my sores as that in vsing of the same pretious oyle of thy grace I may alwayes feare to make wast thereof For sanctification O Thou mightie God of Israell graunt me such an vnderstanding heart and so instruct my sences to be studious and capable of thy heauenly mysteries that according to the right rulâ— and perfect platforme of thy prouident direction I may loue in all singlenesse and humilitie of heart as a feeling member of Christ Iesus suffer in him mutually and fructifie in all aboundance of godly life to thy honor For temporall benefits O Father of all mercies so moderate thy mercifull hand in blessing me with the benefits of this temporall maintenance that neither through aboundance old Adam may set vp his feather nor yet thy vertues be in me through scarcity obscured For thankfulnesse O Thou comforter of the comfortlesse rend out of my heart all fleshly thornes and impediments that would at any time incline me to forget thy goodnesse or neglect to serue thee and giue me a heart alwaies affected to honour thee a minde euer meditating vpon thy mercy and a spirit burning with zeale of thy worship that daily I may pay my vowes vnto thee and speake to thy praise in the midst of the congregation For mortification and resolution O Most bounteous God so mortifie old Adam in my members and redouble the strength of the inner man that despising this momentanous life I may not sticke in the ioy of any earthly pleasure or yeeld my selfe to the delight of this present life but alway refusing to endeuour my selfe in an vncertaine hospidge and knowing that I am here but as a pilgrim I may shun my acquaintance with all things of fickle stay and fixe my heart my solace and delight vpon the hope of beholding the maiestie and beautie of thy glorie euen as it is where my ioy shall be full and nothing wanting for euer which ioyes as my spirit groneth to see so O Lord I beseech thee with expedition finish thy good workes in me and shortly bring to an end my sorrowfull daies that my soule as a doue may once take her flight from this earthly tabernacle and being receiued in to the bosome of thy deare sonne may be placed in that most happy rest which he hath purchased for the same with the price of his most pretious blood to whom with thee O father and the euerlasting comforter be all praise dominion and power euermore ascribed Amen A prayer against the feare of death O Eternall God my most louing and mercifull father I praise and glorifie thee euen from the depth of my infirme heart for all the benefites and riches of thy goodnesse bestowed vpon me from the beginning of my life vnto this present time but especially for the blessings of my election redemption vocation iustification and sanctification in Iesus Christ in all which thou hast in part taken me out of this world and giuen me the pledge of thy holy spirit which witnesseth vnto my spirit that I am thy childe thou hast I say giuen me the earnest peny of my saluation and whilest I was yet thine enemie hast reconciled me in Christ yea thou tookest me out of the blinde dungeon of carelesse ignorance to serue thee in simplicity to feare thee in loue and to call vpon thee in spirit and truth and in all these most louing father hast then made me proceed and profit vnto this present day wherein happily thy good pleasure seemeth to incline me towards the greatest benefiâ— that I euer yet tasted that is wholly to free me from all the miseries of this present life and to bring me to that heauenly liberty where my ioy shall be full and no tâ—st of mixture with bitternesse Now therefore deare father for Iesus Christ his sake I beseech thee respect me thy vnworthy seruant as all times of my life thou hast fatherly fedde nourished preserued and defended me so now in my last need visit and regard me that as the enemy will now with all rage bend his force agâ—inst me so thou with thy fatherly and mighty protection by thy holy spirit wilt comfort me and with the comfortable presence of thy maiestie strengthen me that my â—â—â—th still increasinâ— with armed patience I may despise the feâ—re of this bodies death knowing that it is the vnauoidable way that thy good pleasure hath appointed to doe away our mortalitie and to bring vs those ioyes which thy vnspeakable prouidence hath ordeined vs vnto without all deseruing on our parts teach me new therefore so to number my daies that I may apply my heart vnto thy wisdome teach me sweet Lord as heretofore to liue so now to frame to die to thy glory whereunto I poore wretch doe with a sighing heart beseech thee neuer â—o forsake me with thy holy spirit but that mine vnderstanding may alway be lightened with the feeling of mine owne infirmities so that in all perfect humilitie I may flie from the mind of all earthly stay and cleauing inseparably to thy promises and apprehending my saluation with sure hope I may expect the dissolution so beholding thy maiestie with the cleare eyes of my faith I may grow as by degrees weaker in body so fuller and stronger in the spirituall body or inner man so that when the last breath hath passed my soule may ioyfully respire the triumphant odours of an endlesse life in the bosome of Abraham withall thy saints whereto hasten me O deare louing father euen for Iesus Christ his sake our sauiour to whome with thee and the holy Ghost be all power glory and dominion now and for euer
to thy vse and increase of thy congregation And as hereby I feele thy heauie iudgements vpon me for sinne in feeling those grieuous paines and am put in minde of the old disobedience of our parents Adam and Eue the very cause of these punishments lighting iustly vpon me being a braunch of that poysoned stocke So O deare father let me feele againe thy merâ—y who through thy beloued Sonne hast wrought my deliverance from the punishment of that disobedience to wit from sinne death and damnation so that now my transgressions are remooued from me the damnable sinne of my filthie concupiscence by nature is turned into a sanctified blessing and we both made heires of euerlasting glorie helpe me therefore O God of comfort and giue me safe deliuerance that I may dedicate that which thou hast giuen me wholly to thy seruice I know Lord that as many as thou hast takâ—n to thy selfe to them thou hast giuen this honour that they be made thy children and beleeuers of thy name which are not begotten of blood nor of the lust of the flesh nor of the desire of man but of thy selfe whom thou fashionest according to thy will Thou therefore which hast promised not onely to be my God but the God of my seede seale this assurance of thy election in this feuit of my wombe to the glory of thy name mine owne comfort and the benefite of thy church Grant these things O father for Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glorie Amen A prayer made for the Church and all the estates thereof I. F. LOrd Iesus Christ sonne of the lâ—uing God who was crucified for our sins and did rise againe for our iustification and ascending vp to heauen raignest now at the right hand of thy father with full power and authority ruling and disposing all things according to their owne gratious and glorious purpose we sinfull creatures and yet seruants and members of thy church doe prostrate our selues and our prayers before thy imperiall maiestie hauing no other patron nor aduocate to speed our sutes or to resort vnto but thee alone beseeching thy goodnesse to be good to thy poore church militant here in this wretched earth sometimes a rich church a large church an vniuersall church spread farre and wide through the whole compasse of the earth now driuen into a narrow corner of the world and hath much need of thy gratious helpe First the Turke with his sword what lande nations and countries what empâ—â—es kingdomes and prouinces with cities innumerable hath be woon not from vs but from thee where thy name was woont to be inuocated the word preached thy sacraments administred there now raigneth barbarous Mahomet with his filthie Alcoran The flourishing churches in Asia the learned churches of Grecia the manifold churches in Africa which were woont to serue thee now are gone from thee The seauen churches of Asia with their candlestickes whom thou diddest so well forewarne are now remooued All the churches where thy diligent Apostle Saint Paule thy Apostle Peter and Iohn and other Apostles so laboriously trauelled preaching and writing to plant thy Gospell are now gone from the gospell In the kingdome of Oyria Palestina Arabia Persia in all Armenia and the Empire of Capadocia through the whole compasse of Asia with Egypt and Africa also vnlesse amongst the far Ethiopians some old steps of Christianitie peraduenture yet doe remaine either else all Asia and Africa thy church hath not one foot of free land but all is turned either to infidelitie or to captiuitie whatsoeuer pertaineth to thee And if Asia and Africa only decaied the decay were great but yet the defection were not so vniuersall Now in Europe a great part also is shrunke from thy Church All Thâ—acia with the Empire of Constantinople al Grecia Epirus Illyricum and now of late al the kingdomes almost of Hungaria with much of Austria with lamentable slaughter of Christian blood is wasted and all become Turkes Only a little angle of the West paâ—tes yet remaineth in some profession of thy name But there alacke commeth another mischiefe as great or greater than the other For the Turke with his sword is not so cruell but the Bishop of Rome on the other side is more fiecce bitter against vs stâ—râ—iâ—g vp his Bishops to burne vs his confederates to conspireour destruction setting kings against their subiects and subiects disloyally to rebell against their Princes and all for thy name Such dissention and host lity Sathan hath set amongst vs that Turkes be not more enemies to Christians than Christians to Christians Papists to protestants yea protestants wâ—th protestants doe not agree but fall out for trifles So that the poore little flocke of thy church distressed on euery side hath neither rest without nor peace within no place almost in the world where to abide but many crie now from the earth euen as thine owne reuerence cried once from the crosse My God why hast thou forsaken me Amongst vs Englishmen here in England after so great storms of persecution and cruell murther of so many Martyrs it hath pleased thy grace to giue vs these Ascion daies which yet we enioy and beseech thy mercifull goodnesse stâ—il they may continue But here also alacke what should we say So many enemies we haue that enuie at this rest and tranquilitie and doe what they can to disturbe it They which be friends and louers of the bishop of Rome although they eate the fat of the land and haue the best preferments and offices and liue most at ease and alle nothing yet are they not therewith content They grudge they mutter and murmure they conspire and take on against vs. It fretteth them that we liue by them or with them and cannot abide that we should draw the bare breathing of the aire when they haue all the most libertie of the land And albeit thy singular goodnesse hath giuen them a King so calme so patient so mercifull more like a naturall father than a Prince to gouerne ouer them such as neither they nor their ancestors euer read of in the stories of this land before yet all this will not calme them their vnquiet spirit is not yet content they repine and rebell and needes would haue with the frogs of Esope a Cicema an Italian stranger the Bishop of Rome to play Rex ouer them and care not if all the world were set on fire so they with their Italian Lord might raigne alone So fond are we Englishmen of strange forraine things so vnaturall to our selues so greedie of newfangled nouelties neuer contented with any state long to continue be it neuer so good and furthermore so cruell one to another that we thinke our life vnquiet vnlesse it be seasoned with the blood of other For that is their hope that is their golden day their day of Iubiley which they thirst for so much not to haue the Lord to come in the clouds but to haue our bloud and to spill our liues That that is it which they would haue and long since would haue had their wils vpon vs had not thy gratious pittie and mercie raised vp to vs this our mercifull King thy seruant Iames somewhat to stay their furie For whom as me most condignly giue thee most heartie thankes so likewise we beseech thy heauenly Maiestie that as thou hast giuen him vnto vs and hast from many daungers preserued him to the comfort of thy seruants so now in his royall estate he may continually be preserued not onely from their hands but from all malignant deuises wrought attempted or conceiued of the enemies both ghostly and bodily against him In this his gouernment be his gouernour we beseech thee So shall his Maiestie well gouerne vs if first he be gouerned by thee Multiplie his raigne with many daies and his yeares with much felicitie with aboundance of peace and life ghostly that he with his Braunthes may flourish in this land vntill the consummation of the world And because no gouernment can long stand without good counsell neither can any counsell be good except it be prospered by thee blesse therefore we beseech thee both his maiestie and his honourable counsell that both they rightly may vnderstand what is to be done and he accordingly may accomplish that they doe counsell to thy glory and furtherance of thy Gospell and publicke wealth of this realme In generall giue to all the people and the whole state of this Realme such brotherly vnitie in knowledge of thy truth and such obedience to their superiours as they neither prouoke the scourge of God against them nor the Princessword to be drawne against his will out of the scabard of long sufferance where it hath beene long hid especially giue thy gospell long continuance amongst vs. And if our sinnes haue deserued the contrarie graunt we beseech thee with an earnest repentance of that which is past to ioine a heartie purpose of amendment to come FINIS LONDON Printed by Ed. All for Ed. White 1610.
of hope graunt speedie release vnto me least I fall into the net that the wicked haue laid for me that I being gouerned and directed by thy mighty power may for euer henceforth extoll thy glorious name whilest the wicked are together entangled in their owne mallice graunt this O father for thy deare sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ A prayer to perceiue his owne fraile estate TEach me O Lord to ordâ—r my steppes according to the rule of thy holy word that the wicked entrap me not in my dealings Let the number of my daies be knowne vnto me and make me I beseech thee more and more seriously to consider how transitory this life is that I may apply my heart continually to the contemplation of thy hidden secrets and deuine mysteries for the length of my yeares is but as a spanne and all earthly things are nothing but meere vanitie in thy sight therefore as the chased Hart desireth to be refreshed by the aid of the water brookes so longeth my soule after thee O God therefore let not thy graces and holy spirit O God be taken from me but extend thy hand to deliuer me from all inconueniences that I become not an open rebuke vnto mine enemies take those plagues and seuere punishments from me that my sinnes do deserue and let thy mercie be an eternall comfort vnto mee graunt me vnderstanding and send me knowledge from aboue that I may see into the cause of my afflictions and neuer murmure at thy fatherly chastisements heare my praier and in thy mercy take pittie and compassion vpon me asswage the great heate of thine anger towards me and release the troubles of my heauy heart and grant me a space of repentance before the time of thy fatherly calling that I may rest with thee for euer A prayer for iourneying I Commit this my iourney and corporall trauell most merciful father vnto thy heauenly direction to guide and gouerne me therein as shall seeme best to thy onely goodnesse and godly wisedome and as this my troublesome and weary life is nothing els but a pilgrimes passage and onely a span from birth to graue so graunt that I may alwaies consider of it And I beseech thee O my God that as to Iacob iourneying into the East praying reuerently for thy gratious protection thou diddest fauourably and of thine infinite mercie minister all thinges necessary to his safety so thou wilt now mercifully beholde me a member of thy little Israel and safely keepe and preserue me in my iourney that the same may tend to the honour of thy name and to the comfort of my conscience both now and euer that like as Iacob saide thou shouldest be his God so we knowing that in all thinges thou art more good and plentiful vnto vs a thousand fold then we can deserue may for thy heauenly graces and continuall goodnesse sing laud praises vnto thy holy name o God that for euer liuest one in trinitie thrée in vnitie Amen A prayer out of the Cxlv. Psalme FRom the bottome of my heart O my God will I ertoll thy name and render thankes vnto thee for euer and euer I will consecrate all the daies of my life to set forth thy glory and to yéeld praises vnto thee continually for thou art great O Lord and there is no praise sufficient for thee yea the memoriall of thy name will I cause to endure from one generation to another neither shall I alone labour to doe this my dutie for verily there will be alwaies some assembly which will by all meanes testifie the remembrance of my deeds and peculiar goodnes and openly declare thy vndoubted promises remaining vnto all ages namely that thou art most mercifull and gratious vnto such as trust in thee and thy louing kindnesse endureth for euer neither is it manifest whether thou art either more slowe vnto wrath or more proue to pardon for thou O Lord I knowe art good to all men and thy mercies are aboue thy workes yet is thy name O God extolled in thy workes and the praise of thy glorie appeareth in all thy creatures thou staiest vp euery one which els should fall and grauntest releefe vnto such as are already fallen yea thou giuest help continually vnto those that loue thee but destroiest the wicked and therefore by good right O Lord will I sound foorth thy praises for euer and euer A prayer to be said before the receiuing of the Lords Supper LOuing Lord and my most merifull father in wonderfull mercy I acknowledge it hath plesed thée to purge me silly wretch by the death bloody passion of thy sonne from al my sins and iniquities to haue adopted me thy childe and giuen me the earnest of my saluation touching my heart with an infallible sence and feeling of thy mercies and setled confidence in thy promises so that euen now in the commemoration of thy vnspeakeable blessings my soule is newly entred into thy house to take the holesome cup of eternall saluation and to call vpon thy holy name assist me therfore with thy spirit O Lord giue me a wise and vnderstanding heart that I may conceiue rightly of thy sacred mysteries and deuine precepts discerne them secretly and receiue them effectually not with rashnes of minde but with sobriety in righteousnes and holinesse of life vnto the perfect consummation and finishing of that happy building which thy worthy goodnesse in mercy hath prouidently begunne in me yea vntill I be come to the measure of the eternall age and fulnesse of my Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A godly prayer for such things as be needefull both for soule and bodie Extend thy fauourable pitie towards me O Lord and in thy mercie doe away my iniquities take from me al hardnes of heart and indue me with thy grace and holy spirit that my delight may be in thy lawes blesse and prosper I beseech thee my bodily labours and send mee such necessarie reliefe both for my soule and bodie as shall seeme most expedient to thy deuine wisedome O God keepe me vnder the shadowe of thy winges from all the afflictions of this wretched life and defend me from the naughtie dealing of lying lippes and slandering tongues let me not doe any thing contrary to thy will O Lord but keepe me in such good order of life that I be not defamed of the wicked and vngodly person Confirme me in the knowledge of thy law and send me spéedie reliefe in al my troubles giue me good God a feeling of my sinnes with earnest repentance and that I may perseuer in newnesse of life to thy honor and glorie let me auoid the company of such as be euill and let my whole delight consist in the secrets of thy sacred mysteries that I may openly set forth thy praises and yeelde vncessant thankes vnto thee graunt that I may escape the net that the wicked haue priuily laid to intrap me for my hope consisteth in thy saluation and