prayer GOod God the creator and maker of all mankind seéing it hath pleased thee of thy deuine prouidence to ordaine the night as a meane to deliuer vs from the trauailes of the day and to minister ease and gladnes to the wearied lims of our bodies to the great comfort and refreshing of the same by the fruition of quiet sleep and rest according to humane nature wee beseech thee therfore O Lord of thy vnspeakeable goodnes and mercy to be our watchman and defender this night that we be not ouercome by fantasies dreames or other illusions but that through thy permission we may take such quiet rest and voluntarie sleepe as nature requireth and though our grosse sences are at such times stopped yet vouchsafe euer to graunt vs the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that our soules may respect the comming of thy sonne our sauiour Iesus Christ that at what time soeuer he calleth wee may bee found watchfull and continually ready to performe his will that after this life ended we may eternally rest in glorie and as the brightnesse of the sunne doth in the morning disperse the darke cloudes and thicke mistes from the face of the earth whereby the same was before couered with darkenesse so wee humbly beseech thee vouchsafe to disperse and burie our sinnes in the blend and obedience of thy deare sonne which doe as it were shadow vs from the bright beames of thy fauourable countenance and euermore assist vs with thy gratious goodnesse that our sleepe may be so healthfull vnto vs that we with willing minds arising in the morning may vtterly shake off al maner of drowsinesse and make hast to exercise our selues in such Christian labours as thy deuine prouidence hath ordained vs vnto to the aduancement and renowne of thy holy name credit of thy Church comfort reliefe of our Christian bretheren and our euerlasting saluation In mercy graunt this O Lord we beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake our onely redeemer and sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all power and dominion for euer Amen Twentie and one godly and necessary praiers gathered out of the Cxix Psalme wherein are contained petitions crauing aid of Gods spirit against Sathan and al wickednesse complaints against the rage of the vngodly thanksgiuing f r our deliuerance and consolation in aduersitie for that God both can and will assist his people 1. A Prayer for the assistance of Gods holy spirit for to direct our mindes after his holy lawes GRatious God so blesse me I beseech thee thy poore seruant that out of the hidden treasures of thy word I may gather such fruitful delights that I may walk vprightly and lead a blamelesse life in thy sight in keeping those precepts which thou O Lord God hast therein appointed Oh how blessed are those which obserue thy statutes vnto the end seeking thee with a pure heart and carefully obeying thy eternall maiestie may it please thee therefore so to guide my waies that I quaile not in my course neither bend my selfe to follow after vnrighteousnesse but faithfully perseuer in that perfect path which thou hast enclined me vnto out of thy holy word and thou being a righteous and euerlasting God doest not command me to followe any thing which is not lawfull in thy sight nor redounding to my saluation Erect my heart continually to the contemplation of thy blessed lawes whereby my dealings may be ordered through thy gouernance that I may immitate and carefully keepe the same all the daies of my life with zeale and obedience towards thy diuine maiestie then shall all things according â—o thy will goe well with me and I shall turne mine eies to beholde that thing which is good and laudable in thy fight yea and euermore worship thee with an vpright minde in spirit and truth as becommeth thy child without all dissimulation and hipocrisie Lord I am fully purposed to keepe thy statutes euen by the direction of thy spirit for my trust resteth in thee 2. A prayer to withstand the frailty of flesh cleaue vnto the Lord. GOuerne and direct mee O Lord according to thy worde that I may order my life by the rule therof and by the direction of thy holy spirit dilligently obserue those thinges which thou hast commanded me I haue sought thee O God with my whole heart let me not therfore goe astray from thee And though by frailety of my flesh I haue vnaduisedly heretofore falleÌ„ from thee yet I beseech thée of thy endlesse mercy slay me that I be not cast downe for euer and quicken me that I wander not any longer from thy precepts vnite my minde to thy sacred misteries that I may lay vp thine euerlasting promises in my hart least through the vaine entisements of my ghostly enemies I be enforced to forget negligently for want thereof to offend thy diuine maiestie for except thou O Lord which art altogether mercy dost guide and teach mee to leade my life aright truely my weakenesse would not permit mee to ioy or preuaile in that which is good teach me therefore O Lord zealously to keepe thy statutes that I may boldly speake to the land praise of thy name and openly shewe foorth thy holy word and blessed will graunt that I may take more delight in the keeping of thy exhortations and commandments then in al maner of earthly treasures and may meditate continually in thy precepts endue me with heauenly wisedome that I may vnderstand thy lawes aright and be euermore occupied therin vnto my liues end Amen 3. A prayer to be guided in all puritie and godlinesse GIue eare I most humbly beseech thee O Lord vnto the prayers that I offer heere vnto thy deuine maiestie Continue thy fauour towards me in directing me with thy holy spirit that I may ouercome that which sauoureth of euil and imbrace those things which thou hast commanded Abandon from the eies of my soule the vale of darknesse that I may view and beholde the true light and see the wonderfull secrets which euermore shine out of thy heauenly doctrine and lead my life in quietnesse to thy honor and glorie Thou knowest that I am a stranger and vnacquainted on the earth and that I desire to be brought to another place euen to thy heauenly habitation wherfore I beseech thée O God encline thine eare towards me hide not from me thy statutes neither yet take thy holy spirit from me that should leade me to imbrace thy righteousnesse I am desirous with great care to liue acording to thy lawes and to keepe thine ordinance both in prosperitie aduersity wherfore O Lord I beseech thee let this zeale consume me Thou rebukest and destroyest the proud persons and such as stubbornely striue against thee and appointest destruction and bitternesse vnto those that refuse to keepe thy precepts Though all men enuie me and haue me in despight for the truthes sake yet thou in thy good time wilt remoue them far
mouth O Lord yea I consume whole daies in meditating vpon the same and I doe find by experience that I haue not done this in vaine seeing that by thy precepts I haue proued to be much wiser then all my aduersaries yea and thou O my God hast giuen me an vnderstanding heart in feeling thy goodnesse towards me and euer making thy testimonies thy meditation yea thou hast quickned me and made me more skilfull then the graue men of vnderstanding because I was bent to knowe thy precepts and incitned to keepe them indeede for I held backe my feete from euery euill way that I might tread the path which thou hast now alreadie declared vnto me out of the treasures of thy eternall testament Strengthen me O Lord that I turne not from thy lawes but that I may meditate therein night and day to my incomparable comfort whereby through thy direction I may zealously perseuere in the knowledge of thee and euermore abide constant in thy truth to my eternall saluation let me be occupied continually in thy worde for I feele the same to be an euerlasting comfort to my soule and of more sweetnesse then if I had tasted of hony and by obseruation of thy precepts haue I gotten wisdome and therfore I do vtterly abhorre the entising shewes of worldly vanities which are nothing but falshood 14. A prayer for Zeale and constancy GRaunt I beseech thee most mercifull God that thy holy word opening dispersing the darksome clouds of my mind may declare such light vnto my footsteps that all my waies may be safely guided according to the sincerity of thy lawes and let this light O Lord so illuminate my heart and vnderstanding that I may by a solemne vow binde myselfe for euer vnto thee and obteine abilitie from thee with all humillitie and quietnes of life to performe the same that I haue promised vnto thee Thou seest O Lord how sore I am afflicted and vexed on euery side wherefore saue me and quicken me according to thy eternall verity accept the prayers and vowes of my mouth that I now offer vnto thee and teach me thy statutes more and more and extend thy mercies O Lord vnto my miseries for my life is laid open to all troubles and danger as though I did cary it in my hand but let not the same O God pull backe my zeale from thy law The wicked haue imagined deceit against me yet will I not wander from thy precepts Blesse me I beseéch thee O deare Father with thy grace that I make no estimation of worldly thinges but that I may accept thy testimonies as mine inheritance foreuer for they are the ioy of my heart instruct me to apply my minde for euer euen to my last gaspe to obserue thy statutes Amen 15. A prayer to flie worldly vanities and to delight in godlinesse GRant I beseech thee O God that I may hate the vaine inuentious of such as wander from thy truth and account thy doctrine most dear vnto my soule Be thou most mercifull Lord my refuge and shield whereunto in my grieuous distresse and daunger I may alwaies flie for succour Let thy word O God be my trust vnto the end and banish the wicked out of my company that I may euermore keepe thy precepts more purely Establish and quicken me O Lord according to thy promise that I may be vpholden least I perish let me not be disappointed of my expectation but strengthen me in thy good time I most entirely beseech thee and holde me vp with thy mercifull hand both now and euer that I being safe may delight continually in thy eternall statutes let the crafty practises of them that contemne thy lawe be brought to naught and take away the wicked that infect the people euen as drosse with the pure mettall that my zeale in thy testimonies may be full Thy iudgements O Lord are of such power that they not onely teach me obedience but cause me to feare considering mine owne weakenesse thereby enclining me to repentance and amendment of life for the which O Lord I thy poore seruant do render vnto theé most humble and hearty thanks beseeching thee stil to increase my knowledge in thy sacred misteries Amen 16. A prayer to deale vprightly and not to be put to shame by the vngodly GOod God in thy great mercie teach me thy lawes â—hat I oppresse no man with vnrighteous iudgement but that I may deale iustly and truely with all men in thy sight that I be not slaundered of mine enemies neither brought to open shame Assist me O Lord with thy power stand on my side against the vngodly that they triumph not ouer me for my verie eyes do faile me in waiting for my deliueraÌ„ce and my strength quaileth in expecting thy promises deale not with me thy vnworthie seruant according to my deserts but of thy endlesse mercie teach me thy statutes for thou art my eternall Lord and I am thy seruant graunt therefore that I neuer swarne from thee but that I may know thy will and faithfully imbrace thy testimonies In thy good time arise O Lord and destroy the wicked that goe about to bring thy lawes into vtter ruine and decay and pretend the confusion of my zeale for I will loue and firmely cleaue to thy precepts aboue all treasure and fine gold yea and my whole delight shall be therein for euer For I know that thy commaundements are altogether equitie and truth it selfe yea and a certaine rule for me to trast vnto therefore do I abhore whatsoeuer dissenteth from the hidden priuitie of thy word beseeching thee O Father still to increase in me the desire that I haue vnto thy sacred mysteries 17 A meditation on the excellencie of Gods holy word GRatious God thy testimonies containe such high mysteries and are of such excellencie that I am mooued with admiration and reuerence when I doe thinke thereupon and therfore are they so precious vnto my soule that it greatly desireth to imbrace and keepe them aboue all earthly treasures for the entrance into thy holy word is so vnspeakeable that it giueth light to them that are indarknes and instructeth the simple in the knowledge of thy will it stirreth vp quietnes and moueth peace in conscience therefore O Lord graunt me vnderstanding and open my mouth that I may with vnfained lippes euermore praise thee and swallow thy precepts euen as the thirsty man doth earnestly desire to drinke looke on thy seruant O Lord both now and euer and be mercifull vnto me as thou vsest to doe vnto thy elect them that loue thy name Direct my pathes O God and lead me in the way wherein I ought to walke that If all not into the snares that the wicked haue laid to entrap me withall but zealously perseuer in thy commaundements and let not afflictions assault me aboue my strength but deliuer and defend me from the baites of my enemies that I may serue thee shine on me with the
euerlasting light of thy fauourable countenance and teach me thy statutes mine eyes gush out with teares when I do heare thy enemies how contemptuously they speake and intend to subuert thy law that endureth for euer 18. A prayer to beare the crosse of affliction and reproch patiently GOod God thou art altogether iust and righteous and all thy ordinances are truth and equitie grant that I may obserue thy lawes dilligently as a most iust and perfect rule of thy truth and sincere religion for thy wordes and sweete promises O Lord are so ioyful vnto me that the â—oue therof doth consume me because the vngodly doe despise thy precepts yet shall thy truth for euermore endure and flourish in puritie wherefore extend the same vnto me and quicken thy seruant therein for euer that I may imbrace it with vnderstanding and though the wicked therefore haue me in no estimation but account me an abiect yet will I not thereby be exempted from the studie of thy commaundements nor neglect my so necessary a calling for thy righteousnesse O God is an euerlasting righteousnesse though other ordinances and lawes which mans wisedome hath set downe are subiect to innumerable changes and at length come to an end and the zeale of thy word induceth such comfort vnto my soule that in afflictions when troubles and anguish oppresse me I am busily occupied in repeating the same in my songs oh how excellent is thy sweetnesse vnto them that are in miserie yea thou hast prepared a blessed and an euerlasting fountaine in heauen for them that loue thee Graunt me vnderstanding therefore especially in thy truth that I may liue with thee for euermore 19. A prayer for helpe in aduersitie GIue eare o Lord I beséech thee vnto the crie and lamentable voyce of my sorrowfull heart for I haue called vpon thee with my whole heart day and night graunt that I may dilligently obserue thy statutes and in all my dangers vouchsafe to send mee thy aide and assistance whereby I may continually be stirred vp to meditate on thy testimonies let my praiers preuent the early light of the morning and in the night-watches O Lord quicken my minde with the commemoration of thy goodnes and hearken vnto my earnest petitions acording to thy louing kindenes extended vnto thy children and as thou hast promised restore me to the inioying of thy fauour that am without life thou seest how neere they assault me which are continually giuen to iniquitie and earnestly bent to destroy thy testimonies praising thee with their lippes but in hart are farre from thee But my trust is onely in thee O Lord that thou wilt cleaue vnto thy seruant and increase my zeale more and more Teach mee I beseech thee most mercifull God the assured way of thy commaundements for I know certainely that by the obseruation of thy testimonies I shal neuer be in error neither yeâ— frustrate of my hope which I haue in thy mercy For thou hast established the same for euer and euer Heare me O Lord God I most humbly beseech thee and assist me euermore with thy grace and holy spirit that I may rest with thee eternally 20. A prayer for to be strengthned being weake GOod Lord I most humbly beséech thée regard me that am sore oppressed and in thy good time deliuer me which doe not forget the doctrine that thou hast taught me I appeale for mercie vnto thy soueraigne bountie pleade thou my cause therefore and be my Iudge and in thy good time preserue and defend me For saluation is farre from the vngodly because they neither feare thee nor obserue thy statutes I expect thy mercies O Lord and not mine owne righteousnesse to helpe me Quicken me therefore according to thy iudgements and although they that vniustly persecute me are many in number and mighty yet do I incline my heart to the obseruation of thy testimonies and euermore delight in thy precepts yea I haue had such a loue to thy law that I neuer conceiued more griefe of any thing then when I did euidently perceiue these men to despise thy words and neglect thy law but let thy mercie take hold on me that haue had my felicitie in thy commaundements and accounted them most deare vnto me increase my zeale O Lord and saue me that I perish not vouchsafe to assist me with thy perpetuall graces that I may walke vprightly before thy presence seruing thee continually with feare and reuerence and esteeming the wordes of thy mouth to be the ordinary meane to bring me vnto saluation for they are infallible and thou hast ordained them to stand for euer therefore are they the eternal and vnchaungeable rule of thy iustice world without end 21. A ioyfull reckoning vp what spirituall comfort and how precious we enioy by Gods word GRatious God the threatenings and iniurious persecutions of the mightie ones of this world could not make me once to deny thee for my heart stood more in awe of thy most sacred worde then of their indignation continue still thy assistance therefore towards me thy poore seruant that by the vertue of thy holy spirit working in my heart I may enioy and take more delight and comfort in thy sacred worde which quickneth me in all troubles then in all the kingdomes and vaine treasures in this world and that I may willingly reiect abhorre all manner of deceit and wickednesse euer imbracing thy most comfortable testimonies for when I doe narrowly see into thy iudgements sacred mysteries how excellent they are I am often and sundrie times enforced to land and praise thy holy name the loue of thy heauenly lawe bringeth into great prosperitie all such as retaine the same for they doe zealously search out the secrets thereof and are in their consciences assured that they please thee therefore graunt O Lord that I may faithfully beleeue in thee and still depend vppon thy saluation giue me euer patience in my troubles and let me still obserue and keepe thy testimonies and haue a continuall loue thereunto graunt that I may haue no respect vnto men but to set thee alwaies before my eies as the iust Iudge of all my doings Amen A prayer to be kept vnder the protection of the most highest GIue eare I most humbly beseech thee O God vnto the complaints of me poore sinner and graunte mée the true vnderstanding of thy diuine precepts oh let my supplications come before thee and saue me O Lord that put my whole trust and confidence in thée according to thy promise that I may ioyfully yéeld vnto thee vncessant praises and obserue thy statutes wherein thou hast instructted me with diligence for euâ—r Let nothing cause me to quaile O God but that the words of my tongue may set forth thy vpright iuddements and glory for thou art my louing God on whome I euermore depend and my comfort consisteth in thy precepts erect thy hand to helpe me poore sinner for I haue not neglected thy statutes let my whole
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
thy mercy be fauourable vnto me as thou hast euer beene for though I were driuen to seeke the farthest parts of the earth yet will I call for thy direction yea when I am tormented with cares I haue no other refuge to flie vnto but onely to thee O my God wherefore in mercy looke on me and in thy good time take me vp into the place of ioy prepared for thy elect where I may praise thee for euer for how hast thou in great mercy dealt with me in being vnto me an euerlasting tower of defence against mine enemies and though by reason of the retchlesnesse and frailty of my corrupt nature I haue eftsoones swarued from thy holy word yet I beseech thee O deare father deale fauourably with me and lay not my offences vnto my charge but shew thy selfe a louing and mercyfull God towards me and pour on me thy gifts of grace that I may be holy vnto thee and accepted in thy fight so shall my life be prolonged yea so happy indeed as it shall neuer decay and I shall resort to thy tabernacle in peace where I shall be satisfied with the fruition of thy fauour and be sustained with mercy and truth for euer direct me continually with thy holy spirit and teach me good Lord to hate the waies of the wicked erect my minde to the contemplation of thy heauenly mysteries and receiue me both now and euer into thy gratious protection for my aduocat Iesus Christ his sake Amen A prayer against the feare of death O Eternall God and mercifull father from the depth of my weake heart doe I laud and glorifie thee for all the benefits bestowed on me from the beginning of my life vnto this present especially for the blessings of my election redemption vocation iustification and sanctification in Christ Iesus Thou hast deliuered me from the cruelty of my aduersaries and made me an inheritour of thy kingdome and thy childe by adoption yet thou hast giuen me notwithstanding my vnthankfulnesse the earnest penny of my saluation and in mercie hast reconciled me in Christ whilst I was yet a grieuous enemie vnto thee thou tookest me out of the blinde dungeon of carelesse ignorance to render thankes vnto thee and to call vpon thy name in all which thou hast caused me to proceed and profit vnto this day wherein thy pleasure seemeth to incline me towards the greatest benefit that euer I yet tasted that is to free me from the extremities of this life and to bring me to that heauenly liberty where shall be no bitternesse Now therefore O deare Father for Iesus Christ his sake erect my mind towards thee and as at all times of my life hitherto thou hast nourished and preserued me so now in my last need visit and regard me O God that as the enemie will now bend his force against me so thou with thy louing protection and holy spirit wilt comfort me and with thy presence defend me that my faith still increasing with armed patience I may dispise the feare of this bodies death knowing that it is the vnauoidable way that thou hast appointed to doe away my mortalitie and to bring my soule to rest to yelde praises vnto thee in ioyes euerlasting which thy prouidence hath ordained me vnto so instruct me therefore to number my daies that I may apply my heart to thy eternall wisdome teach me sweet Lord as heretofore to liue so now to frame my end that it may redound to thy glory whereunto with a fighting heart I humbly beseech thee that my vnderstanding may alway be lightned with the feeling of my owne infirmitie and that in all perfect humilitie I may flie from the mind of all earthly stay and so not fainting in my farewell but cleaning to thy promises and apprehending thy saluation with sure hope I may expect the dissolution so beholding thee with the eyes of my faith I may grow as by degrees weaker in bodie so fuller and stronger in spirit so that when the last breath is passed my soule in the bosome of Abraham may ioyfully respire the triumphant odors of an endlesse life Amen A prayer for Chirurgians O Most merâ—ifull God and louing father we most earnestly beseech thee let the eye of thy mercie behold vs and harken to the humble sutes of thy poore seruants that with penitent hearts doe appeale before thee requiring pardon for our iniquities committed daily against thy diuine maiestie vouchsafe O Lord of thy wonted goodnesse to extend and shew thy fauourable pittie and compassion towards vs and lay not our sinnes vnto our charge but put them quite out of thy memory for Christ his sake thy dearely beloued sonne our sauiour and graunt that we may render vnto theé coÌ„tinual thanks for thy manifold benefits and eternall mercies that thou of thy tender loue dost daily bestow vpon vs. Assist vs also with thy grace that we may neuer cease to sing praises vnto thee for our election creation and redemption we beesech thee O Lord to giue vs the true knowledge of that Art whereunto thou hast called vs thereby to maintaine our selues and our families from the extremities of this sinnefull world and momentaneous life for we doe not onely depend vpon thy fatherly prouidence but doe confesse O Lord that euery good and perfect gift commeth from thee therefore be mindfull wee beseech thee of thy seruants and indue vs with thy blessings of wisdome and vnderstanding fith that thou alone hast elected and ordained vs as instruments to minister those thy rich and plentifull gifts which thou hast appointed for the health and reliefe of mankind vouchsafe to giue vs the gift of healâ—ng that we may frame our selues to doe thy will therein and be a comfort to such as lie in miserie and cruell paine by occation of bodily sicknes and externall casualties and hereunto so ioine the increase of thy grace holy spirit that all our actions may be guided according to the rule of thy deuine precepts and commaundements that our consciences be not spotted in thy sight but may remaine pure and holy euen as thou O Lord art holy alwaies reuoking to memorie our duties and necessarie vocation whereby our hearts may be continually stirred vp to call for thy assistance remooue from vs all hatefull and euill thoughts with the couetous desire of filthie lucre and incite in vs a consideration of the wofull estate of the poore and needie that we may relieue their necessitie with such good things as thy fatherly goodnesse and vnspeakeable prou dence in greater measure hath blessed vs withall Respect vs O Lord in thy mercie that those things which we goe about may prosper with us and that all our labours which we shall take in hand may be blessed and brought to good successe by thy assistance and fatherly protection to the honour and glorie of thy holy name credit of thy church comfort of our Christian brethren and our owne saluation graunt vs this O Lord
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
things aboue renue therfore thy spirit in thy seruant that the same instructing my heart daiely in true wisedome and feare of thee I may come to the feeling of mine owne euils and know the cause of thy scourge that so my wound being apparant to mine eyes I may with all speede see to the cure thereof and deserre no time to seeke the salue to heale it Heare the voice of thy seruant O God that crieth vnto thee consider my complaint and weigh my inward woe conceiued through hate of mine owne infirmities and for want of thy knowledge for I flie from my selfe as from an vnwalled castle fearing my footsteps euen as though I walked on thornes deale not with me in thy displeasure neither let my sinnes seperate thy fauour from me but quicken me in my afflictions and make me ware wise by thy punishments giue me such a sence of my infirmities and so perfect a perseuerance of my rechlesnes in seruing of thee that I may dispose my selfe to contrarie order erecting my mind vnto thee and thereunto so ioyne the increase of thy grace and strenghtning spirit as that I may be able therby to performe my race and continue in that good way which thy goodnesse hath mooued me to in the times of my heauinesse be neere vnto me and open my eyes of faith to behold thy eternall loue so that I be not too much shaken by the enemies assaults but may be replenished with abilitie constancie and patience to giue him his finall repulse and ouerthrow Amen A prayer for our Soueraigne Lord King Iames. MOst mightie God of maiestie and heauenly father deare vnto the humble sutes of vs thy seruants poore giue eare that call on thee still to maintaine and blesse with thy great power our noble King and his ofspring our stay gouernour whōe thou ouer thy little flock vnto our comforts great ordained hast to fit vpon the high and princely seat from forraine force of foes vouchsafe good God to guard his grace that all their subtile sleights and snares he doubtlesse may deface Lend vnto him long life O Lrod and eke a royall raigne and grant that he thy graces great for euermore may gaine Thy blessings bountifull bestowe vpon him we thee pray that his delight may be to loue thy lightsome law for aye And earnestly for to imbrace thy Gospell pure at large vnto the comfort of thy church committed to his charge Vnder the shadow of thy winges Lord keepe him to the end and from conspiracies also vouchsafe him to defend Conuert or els confound all such as mischiefe do deuise against his grace and to thy truth are vtter enemies God graunt him peace in conscience and health without annoy that we long time and many yeares his presence may enioy Amen The confession of a Sinner RIghteous God thou that art the father of all mercies and comforter of all mankind euen of thy tender loue behold me poore sinner that haue straied from thy precepts through ignorance and frailtie of my flesh and most wickedly erred from thy holy commaundements like vnto a wandring sheepe hauing no shepheard O Lord I do confesse I haue followed too much the deuises and desires of my vnrighteous heart whereby I haue at sundry times grieuously offended thy maiestie in breaking and neglecting thy holy lawes which thou hast commaunded me to keepe and contrary to thy will followed these vngodly actions which I ought not to doe leauing vndone those good thinges that thy sacred word hath taught me so that in me there is no goodnes except thou O Lord do speedily looke vpon me and in thy great mercy pardon my hainous offences Forgiue me O deare father and forget my iniquities I most entirely beseech thee that here with a sorrowfull heart confesse my faultes vnto thee O God requesting thee of thy fauorable goodnesse to restore me that am penitent and in thy mercy send reliefe vnto thy seruant satisfie my soule with thy fauour againe according to thy promise which thou hast declared vnto an such as come vnto thee in the name of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ my sauiour wherefore O my God I come vnto thee with an humble minde beseeching thee from the very inwards of my soule to graunt me the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that I may euer hereafter in newnes of life liue as becōmeth thy seruant vprightly in thy sight and deale faithfully with all men to thy honour and glory and the comfort of my soule Amen Another prayer vnto almightie God IN mercy O Lord vouchsafe to heare my prayers and let my cries haue accesse vnto to thée hide not thy face from me I be seech thee in the time of my trouble but with speed incline thine eares vnto me when I call behold there is no certenty in my flesh for my life consumeth as the smoake and my daies do wast in sorrow mine enemies lie in wait for me and they that rage against me haue conspired my death wherefore the feeling of thy wrath and heauie displeasure hath quite consumed me but thou O Lord whose promises I know endure for euer continuest all one God in mercy vnto such as call vpon thee therefore do I flie vnto thee in my distresse beseeching thee to assist me with thy grace and holy spirit that the cause of my mourning and piteous complaints being taken away I may daily proceed and goe forward in newnesse of life to the honour and glory of thy holy name Confirme thy good worke begunne in me O God and let me neuer want thy assistant aid therein lest it be vtterly frustrate Let not mine iniquities be any hinderance to thy bountiful goodnesse neither yet my negligences in seruing of thee mooue theé to detract the operation of thy holy spirit in thy seruant but with speede consider my frailty and pardon my offences for Iesus Christ his sake so shall I declare thy worthinesse and extell thy great kindenesse shewed vnto me at all times Haue mercy vpon me O God haue mercy vpon me according to thy eternall promises make me plentifull in all good workes to doe thy fatherly will and let thy commandments be my whole delight refresh my hart with the fruition of thy blessings and let me not at any time be vnmindful of thy goodnes but yeeld continuall thankes vnto thee for thy great benefits extended towards me take me not away O God in the middest of my daies but prolong my time and conduct my footsteps that hauing viewed at full thy graces inestimable kindenesse I may neuer cease vntill the last gasp to sing praises vnto thy holy name for euer and euer Amen A prayer to be vsed when a man is in any kind of trouble COnsider O my God I beseech thee the wofull complaints and prayers that I here offer vp to thy diuine Maiesty vnto thee alone doe I sue for helpe remit therefore my iniquities for the multitude thereof doe speedily craue thy aid and in
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
Amen A prayer to be said in affliction O Thou onely wise God and most louing and mercifull father I thy vnworthy seruant doe humbly beseech thee to look down from heauen and beholde the wounded heart of him whome thou hast stricken and visited according to the good pleasure of thy will and because man in his owne nature is nothing but blindnesse and folly before thee and therefore cannot possâ—bly conceiue rightly of the thinges that are aboue it may therefore please thee according to thy wonted mercy towards me to renew and refresh thy spirit in thy seruant that the same instructing my heart in true wisdome and feare of thee whereby I may willingly and obediently studie thy commaundements and exrecise my selfe in thy Statutes I may come to the vnderstanding of mine owne euils and feele the cause of thy scourge that so my wound being laid open to mine eyes I may deferre no time to seeke the salue to heale it My good God heare the voice of thy seruant that crieth vnto thee consider my complaints and weigh mine inward wo conceiued through hate of mine owne infirmities for I flie from my selfe as from an vnwalled castle and I feare all my footings as though I walked on thornes O Lord therefore deale not with me in thy displeasure neither let my sinnes separate thy fauour from me but quicken me in my afflictions and make me waxe wiser by thy punishments giue me such a feeling of my infirmities and so perfect a perseuerance of my great negligences in seruing of thee as that I may wholly dispose my selfe to a contrary order and thereunto so ioyne the encrease of thy grace and strengthning spirit as I may be able thereby to perfourme my race in that good way which thy goodnesse hath mooued me to And that I may not be a vaine beholder of thy workes a momentaneous â—iewer of thy graces but diligently noting the effectuall working of thy wisdome and making due obseruations of thy profitable exercises in thy children I may locke them in the closet of my heart and make store of them for mine owne vses in the time of my triall in which times also O mercifull father be neere vnto me with thy ioyfull countenance and open my eies of faith to behold thy loue so that I be not too much shaken by the enemies assaults but may be furnished from thee both with abilitie constancie and patience to giue him both his daily and finall repulse and ouerthrow which that I may doe to the greater credit of thy Church and increase of thy kingdome make O sweete Lord now and the rather for that I haue had triall of my enemy his sleights already me thy seruant to arise out of all the fathers of sloth and neuer to trust hereafter to the the trecherie of the enemy but to stand warily vpon my guard and neuer to discend from the watch tower of my health but there night and day to vse the counsell of thy spirit and to exercise my selfe in the spirituall weapons of my saluation that when I haue spent my youthfull daies in the vigilant watch of my charge as thy mercy and louing kindnes shall inable me when thy sonne our Generall shall come to take account I may be indued with the daies of rest which he hath purchased for me with the price of his most pretious blood receiue at his hands the priuiledged rod of liberty for euer The loue of our good God that created vs the grace of our Lord Iesus who hath redeemed vs and the assistant fellowship of the Holy Ghost who hath sanctified vs gouerne and continue with vs euen all thy Israel for euer Before we receiue the Lords supper it shall be profitable thus to meditate ALl the righteousnesse that may rise vnto man or can be in vs we haue it neither from the East nor from the West but from the body of Christ neither is therein the world any other sanctification so that all we that be here this day and all people els of the world except we know perfect manhood and our owne nature to be really vnited to the person of the sonne of God who hath sanctified himse fe for vs there is no sanctification for vs vnder heaueÌ„ Euen as our hands and armes and other members are not nourished but onely by the meat receiued by the head so our spirituall meate of righteousnesse and life is not giuen vs but from our head Iesus Christ And as the veines are meanes by which nourishment is conueighed to euery part so faith is the meanes by which we reteine from Christ all that is healthfull vnto vs. And as by ioynts and sinewes our members are really knit and made a body vnto the head so really truly and indeede by one spirit we be knit vnto Christ as perfectly and substantially made one with him as our members are one with our head A praier before the receiuing of the Lords supper O Almighty God and my most mercifull father in wonderfull mercy I acknowledge it hath pleased thee to purge me vnworthy wretch by the bloody passion of thy sonne from all my sinnes to haue adopted me thy child and gâ—uen me the earnest of my saluation touching my heart with an infallible feeling of thy mercies and setled confidence in thy promises in the ioyfull commemoration of which thy vnspeakeable blessings my soule is now thirstingly entred into thine house to take the wholesome cup of saluation and to call vpon thy holy name giue me now therefore O Lord a wise and vnderstanding heart that I may coÌ„ceiue rightly of thy sacred mysteries discerne them secretly receiue them effectually to the perfect consummation and finishing of that happy building which thy worthy goodnes haâ—h begun in me yea vntill I become to the measure of the age and fulnesse of my Loâ—d and Sauiour Iesus Christ vnto whom with thee O father and the Holy Ghost be all power and doâ—inion for euer Amen of my health in this life O sweete Lord I take no care so that thy good pleasure be therein fulfilled for if thou wilt I liue and recouer of this my bodely infirmitie I haue iust cause to be thankefull vnto thee therefore and if thy wisdome hath now determined to finish in me these daies of sinne I haue double cause to poure forth the teares of a melting heart for ioy not because I would leaue these daies of paine and sorrow which my sinne ten thousand times double deserueth but that I would cease to displease so deare a Lord and louing a father and that being transported into that heauenly life of thy immortall children I may praise and serue thee in that sweet societie of Angels where the burthen of this flesh shall find no place to encumber me for euer Thither therefore O Father if thy wisdome haue so determined speedily conduct me in the meane time make that this my bodily affliction may conduce to thy glory on earth and my saluation in
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