and waking Keepe vs O Lord this night present euen vs and ours that we bee neither disquieted by dreames nor surprised by any sudden violence nor affrighted by any terrour but graunt vs this fredome libertie that wee may lye downe in peace and rest and rise vp againe in due time safely to the honour and glory of thy name and the managing of our worldly businesse in thy feare through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for Faith O Lord our God thou hast reâ—eaâ—ed in thy word that the iust should liue by Faith and that without â—aith it is impossible to please thee and although aâ—… not faith yet as many as are ordained to eternall life by thy power and gift doe truely beleeue O Lord I doe beleeue encrease my faith and helpe my vnbeliefe and grant that through hearing reading of thy Word I may grow stronge in this grace and encrease from faith to faith And open my heart O Lord as thou didst Lydias that I may beleeue the Word to be thy Word and thy promises therein contained to be giuen not vnto others but vnto me And that when thy word saith Beleeue and yee shall be saued my heart may presently answer thee Command or say what thou wilt I beleeue Lord not historically but sincerely from the bottome of my heart Lord helpe my vnbeâ—eefe And O heauenly Father grant for thy Sonne my Saviours sake that when stormes of temptations shall fall vpon me as on Peter on the water yet beyond his example hauing thy Word to support me I may beleeue in thee and though with the eyes of my flesh I see no hope but that my faith may frustrate mee yet like Peter I may not sinke but seeke for further helpe from thee and being assured that euery word of promise is most certaine let me still aboue hope and beyond hope beleeue in thee yea and though with holy Iob thou kill my body yet will I trust in thee for I know thou wilt saue my spirit and vnite them againe in the day of the Lord. Sweet Sauiour whensoeuer I shall bee stung with the remembrance of my present or passed sinnes graunt I may like the faithfull â—sraelites in the wildernesse looke vnto the pillar of thy Crosse on which thou suffâ—redst death for my sinnes and through the vertue thereof apprehended by faith like the diseased Woman in her bloudy issue and perishing griefe with one glance and touch of sincere and iustifying Faith be suppled comforted and cured of my troubled spirit and wounded conscience O heauenly Father grant that the oyle of Faith in mee may neuer thorow temptation bee weakened much lesse vtterly decayed but as the oyle in the widowes Cruse through thy blessing bee more and more encreased this graunt for the honour of Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Remission of sinnes O Lord God in greatnesse infinite in power omnipotent in Counsell wonderfull and in Iudgement tâ—rrible Although 〈◊〉 miserable sinner haue by thy iustice truely deserued everlasting damnation for my horrible sinnes yet I beseâ—ch thee cast mee not away with thâ—m that haue not knowne thee or such as forget God or such as runne on in their wickednesse and neuer say what haue I done for I appeale from thy rightfull iustice to thine vnspeakable mercy and humbly cast downe my selfe at thy feete and confesse my sins beseâ—ching and begging compassion and pardon behold O Lord I am a piece of that purchase that cost so great a price as the bloud of thy deare Sonne my body and soule are the Temples of the holy Ghost the postes whereof are sprinkled with his most precious bloud which cryeth for mercy And therfore enter not into the course of iudgement with me for there I know I shall bee ouerthrowne but forbeare mee forgiue mee and acquit me vpon that satisfaction which he hath made for penitent sinners O Lord though the stipend of my sinne be death and the merit of my transgression eternal perdition yet is thy mercy aboue all thy iudgements and thou canst forgiue more then I can offend Wherefore I pray thee set thy deare Sonnes Crosse and Passion betwixt thy iudgements and my soule Looke vpon me with the eye of mercy and compassion as thou didst vpon the sinnefull Woman at the banquet and the Publican in the Temple whole pardons are registred in thy Booke for my Comfort O Lord bow downe the height of the Deitie to behold my vilenesse and misery a liuely image of the prodigall Sonne who knew no other helpe but onely thee my most loving Father whom I haue so highly offended powre the oyle of mercy into my defiled and fainting heart search it that I may not flatter my selfe to extenuate my sinne cleanse it and season it with the oyle of thy grace to receive and retaine all goodnesse heereafter Lord I thanke thee for thy patience and long suffering that thou hast not suddenly after my desert taken vengeance on mee but giuen mee a longer time of repentance wherfore I beseech thee appease thine anger towards mee now loose in me the workes of darkenesse create in me a newe heart and because thou expectest my amendement that I may haue thy fauour I beseech thee graunt mee thy fauour that I may amend giue me grace to repâ—nt vnfainedly with fasting weeping and mourning and make my faith liuely to beleeue that I am forgiuen in Iesus Christ. Let not the faults of my Forefathers light vpon my head who haue walked in their sinnefull steps neither be angry with mee for their sakes but let the wel-doing of Iesus Christ who hath shed his bloud for me succour me and procure my pardon for giue all my sinnes of youth and age negligences and ignorances thoughts words and deedes and keepe mee from presumptuous sinnes O Lord looke not vpon the Pharisie for he dissembleth nor vpon the Publican first for hee sayeth little for himselfe in outward shew nor vpon Mary Magdalen onely for she had but seuen deuills but looke vpon me that of sinners am chiefe worse then either Pharisie Publicane or Marie who haue as many sinnes as haires vpon my head and a greater clogge vpon my Conscience then any burthen that man hath to beare and doe therefore openly earnestly vnfainedly and continually call vpon thee O Lord keepe vnder Satan that hee compell not my conscience to dispaire quench all the euill motions of my minde striuing against thy diuine pleasure and restore in me the Image of thy Sonne that I may liue in thy feare dye in thy fauour rest in thy peace rise in thy power and remaine in thy glory for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen In this Meditation the distressed humbly confesseth his sinnes and the vanities of his former times lewdly mispent and resolueth and exhorteth all others to returne vnto God with speedy true and vnfained repentance AN heart that 's broken and contrite to God
my carelesse and negligent receiuing by the suddaine hand of sicknesse be struck vnto death but as the faithfull Iewes in their constant and conscionable celebration of their feast of Passeouer by them kept a perpetuall remembrance of their Egyptian deliuerrnce from Pharaohs bondage were exceedingly edified confirmed in the promises of thy loue that thou wouldest be their God and they should be thy people which they sawe fulfilled in their Fathers and still continued vnto themselues through the hope of the Messiah by whom they expected their greatest safety and deliuerance Graunt vnto mee O heauenly Father that as the Minister of thy Word and Sacraments setteth a part the Bread and Wine so I may remember the eternall loue by which in the beginning thou diddest set a part thy Sonne through faith in him to be my saluation promising that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And as I see the Wine powred out and the Bread broken so I may remember thy patient enduring the breaking of thy body and shedding of thy blood whereby thou hast payed the price and satisfied the punishment that was due vnto me and as the Bread Wine doe presently comfort and refresh my body so most sweet Sauiour let me feele my soule so comforted and edified this day and so often as I shall thinke of thee and thy mercies hereby promised and assured yea graunt that being made one with thee by spirituall vnion I may liue in thee and thou in me in the encrease of a godly life to the honour of thee my Sauiour To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be giuen by me and all thine both present and eternall praise Amen Amen Another godly Meditation before the receiuing of the holy Communion O Almighty God and mercifull Father I am a secret sinner and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions wilfully and foolishly ignorantly and obstinately haue I sinned against thee vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lye open but now I come vnto thee as the sick man vnto the Physitian as an vncleane man vnto the Well of mercy and grace offered in the pretious blood-shedding of Iesus Christ and represented to my soule in this blessed Sacrament Haue mercy vpon mee O Lord haue mercy vpon mee and forgiue mee all the euills that I am guilty of Giue mee grace that I may discerne the Lords body and so receiue it in this Sacrament with such chastity of body humblenesse of minde thankfulnesse of soule hearty contrition dread and reuerence as is meete for such a mysterie O Lord Iesus it is truly said of thee that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them and I verily beleeue that thou art the same still full of goodnesse and mercy wherefore I beseech thee leaue me not to my selfe reiect me not from thy Table come into my heart and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the spirit Enter into my soule seale and sanctifie me both within and without Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my blessed Sauiour Open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe mee to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance Send mee the hunger and thirst after this righteousnesse satisfie me with this heauenly foode make mee verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion Oh deare Lord Iesus since thou hast suffered so many things for my sake and hast commanded mee not to dispaire nor distrust thy goodnesse graunt me grace to eate of this bread and to drinke of this Cup worthily that I may continually remaine in thy grace and fauour O Lord God the Father giue mee the full consolation of this mysterie and commemoration that my faith may be encreased my hope confirmed my charity enflamed my weake conscience comforted all dangers repelled and my soule assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ let no profanenesse enter into my heart so long as I am about this holy action but giue mee grace to receiue with purity of heart and cleanenesse of soule with loue dread and stedfast faith haue mercy vpon me good Lord that by vnworthy receiuing I be not guilty of his pretious body and blood who came downe from heauen liued with men and swamme through a red sea of blood in his agony and passion to bee my Redeemer Haue mercy vpon the whole Church and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place and this companie that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice and all other actions of their life O Lord be not angry with mee a barren and dry tree a creature with a face of brasse and heart of flint I haue not so many teares as are sufficient to wash thy feete with Mary Magdalen but thou hast shed as much of thine owne blood as surficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee and all the world then be not angry with mee O Lord but let thy grace supply my wants let thy mercy pardon my sinnes let thy holy spirit prepare my soule thy merits enrich my pouerty and thy most pretious blood wash away all the spots of my life that I may worthily receiue this heauenly Sacrament so that I may bee strengthened thereby throughly filled with the heauenly foode of thy body and blood for the mortification of the old man the confirmation of my faith and the finall saluation of my soule O Lord heare my prayers graunt my requests I beseech thee Amen Godly Meditations vpon the loue and mercy of God in bestowing together with his Sonne these holy Mysteries vpon vs the commemoration whereof may moue vs to an awefull reuerence in the participation of the same O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing all creatures doe confesse thee to bee their Gouernour and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine owne hands to reuerence and magnifie thy godly Maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and similitude but chiefely because thou â—ast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death and damnation into which Sathan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the â—ondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free But thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeleued Sonne whom of very loue thou didst giue to bee made man perfect in all things freely exempted and excepted from sinne that in his body he might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy Iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the Author of death and so bring againe life vnto the world from which the whole off-spring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that
workes of the Lord. The ancient Prayer called O bountifull Iesus O Bountifull Iesu O sweet Iesu O Iesu the Sonne of the Virgine Mary which art full of mercy and truth O sweet Iesus haue pittie vpon mee according to thy great mercy O benigne Iesu by the same pretious blood which thou wast contented to shed vpon the Altar of the Crosse for vs miserable sinners I beseech thee vouchsafe to cast all mine iniquities out of thy sight and despise not mee that thus humbly begge of thee crying and calling vpon thy holy name IESVS This name IESVS is a sweet name this name IESVS is a name of saluation for what is IESVS but a Sauiour O good IESVS which hast created mee and redeemed mee with thine owne blood suffer not mee whom thou hast made of nought to be damned O good IESVS let not my wickednesse haue power to destroy me whom thine Almighty goodnesse hath made O good IESVS reknowledge that which is thine in mee and that which is not of thee take that away from me O good IESVS euen now while the time of mercy is haue mercy vpon me and let mee not be conâ—ounded at the day of thy fearefull iudgement O good IESVS although I vile sinner by thy straite â—ustice haue deserued to bee punished euerlastingly for my most grieuous sinnes yet hauing sure confidence in the trueth of thy righteousnesse I appeale to thine vnspeakable mercy I am sure thou wilt haue mercy vpon mee like a louing Father and a mercifull Lord. O good IESVS what profit is there in my blood if I descend into the pit of eternall corruption for surely they that be dead shall not magnifie thee or any that goe downe into the place of silence O most mercifull IESVS haue mercy vpon mee O most sweet IESVS deliuer mâ—… O most holy IESVS be mercifull to me a sinner O IESVS accept me wretched sinner among the number of them whom thou hast elected to saluation O IESVS the health of all that hope in thee the life of all that beleeue in thee haue mercy vpon mee O sweet IESVS the remission of all my sinnes O IESVS the Sonne of the virgine Mary powre thy grace into my heart endue mee with wisedome charity chastity and humility and in all mine adversity graunt me holy inuiolable and stedfast patience that I may perfectly loue thee and haue my onely delight and aâ—â—iance in thee world without end Amen The Sicke-mans Prayer O Louing Lord and most holy Father I poore wretch thy seruant feeling in this sicknesse which thou hast layd vpon me the punishment of that corruption and transgression that is in me and all flesh doe most willingly submit my selfe to thine holy ordinance to beare this crosse and taste of this bitter cup which I haue deserued and much more so that I may follow thee whither thou art gone Therefore O Lord since thou hast not yet called mee to the barre of death but sent thy Heraulds to summon me to a triall I beseech thee looke on me with thine eye of mercifull pittie and helpe me in this day of visitation powre out thine oyle of grace into my wounded conscience purge my defiled soule forgiue mee all my sinnes and giue mee competent comfort and consolation in this distresse let me not dye ere I begin to liue giue mee time to repent and occasion to amend but if thou wilt needes put any more of thy wine of correction into my festered sores lay no more O Lord lay no more vpon me then I shall bee able to beare Make good vnto mee that goodnesse which thou hast graunted me vnder the great seale of thy promise Supply my want pardon my sinnes and ayde me against all temptations and I am recouered of all mine infirmities I offer here vnto thee O Lord a penitent heart for the time past and promise through thy grace amendment if it shall please thee to draw out the threed of my life any longer yet I neither desire the continuance of this mortality nor a more speedy deliuerance otherwise then as thou wilt Lord looke not vpon my merits for they are either none or not good nor vpon my life for it hath been naught but looke vpon Christ thy deere Sonne who from the Altar of the crosse cried vnto thee on my behalfe and accept his satisfaction for my sinnes Arme mee with patience to take vp my crosse follow thee euen to beare my visitation willingly and giue mee strength by faith to resist the Aduersary in the brunt of temptations With my sorrow and paine encrease thy grace that when I am in greatest agony I may find comfort beleeuing and saying with the holy Prophet My flesh faileth and my heart also but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer O Lord if thy decree be gone forth as it was to Hâ—zâ—kiah that I shall dye and not liue giue me grace to put in order my things of this world that I may depart in more peace and when the pangues of death haue shut vp the eyes of my body and taken away the vse of my tongue I beseech thee let the eyes of my soule still behold and looke vpon thee so that when I shall leaue my earth to earth and my body to the graue thine Angels may carry vp my soule vnto thee and be parâ—aker of a ioyfull resurrection through Iesâ—â— Christ our Lord. Amen Amen A Prayer for the sicke O God most high mighty and iâ—uisible I thy vnworthy seruant not worthy for my selfe to be heard in any request vnto thee for I am a sinner Yet Lord being confident of the pardon of my sinnes in Christ in whose power is onely to forgiue sins I am bold to come vnto thee to begge the pardon of my sins as of my sinnes so of the sinnes of this thy weake and sicke seruant that lyes pained and diseased not onely in the outward members but in the inward parts of the body And though thou hast depriued him of experience in naturall Physicke whereby his skill to doe himselfe good yet good Lord be thou his Physitian and let thy helpe and assistance neuer faile in this his weakenesse to doe him good and strengthen him And if it be thy will O Lord restore him againe vnto that health which herâ—tofore to the comfort of himselfe and many others hee hath enioyed O Lord thou art able not onely with meanes as vnto Hezekiaâ— but without meanes as vnto Malchus eare and blinde Bartimaeus but euen against meanes as vnto the widdowes sonne going vnto his Graue and the Sunamites sonne at the Prayer of Elisha O Lord thou didst beyond all hope and expectation raise Lazarus stinking in the graue and Peters wiues mother of a burning beauer and the woman of her bloudie issue and the man that was irrecouerable of the dead Palsie onely by thy vertue and power O Lord now when all meanes seeme to faile that wee know not whither to goe but vnto
sting mee Because my conscience doth controule and saith to hell gates they will bring mee Because they doe besot my senses because they dull my Spirits quicknes Because they cause so great expenses because they cause my sad soules sicknes Because all vertue hindered is by this vile worlds accursed pleasure Because it will bereaue of blisse and of that blessed heauenly treasure And therefore earth and world farewell adue fond fancies flattering fauours Your ioyes are toyes your heauen is hell I hate your poyson'd tast and sauours And thou that art life of my life soule of my soule ô Iesus Christ Point downe the period of worlds strife thou art the Prophet Prince and Priest That wentest vp to prepare that place aboue Sunne Moone and Planets seauen O saue me by thy sauing grace and bring me to that highest heauen Where are such ioyes caelestiall as cannot be exprest by pen Bring me from things terrestriall to raigne with thee for aye Amen A Prayer vnto Almighty God to prepare and dispose our hearts rightly vnto Prayer O Louing God and Father deare I humbly thee beseech and pray For Iesus sake my prayers heare and harken what my soule shall say My heart and thoughts Lord sanctifie thine holy Spirit inspire within me Me from corruptions mundifie and let thy louing mercies win me O let me aske and haue of thee let me by Faith my suite obtaine Thy louing fauour shew to me all other fauour is but vaine Restraine my vaine imaginations preuent by Grace Sathans intrusions Let him not taint my cogitations nor â—â—â—nd mine eyes with vaine illusions Which are the enticements and the baites of that great ghostly enemy That still for worldlings seekes and waites within which rancke poore wretch am I But as my mouth and lippes haue sayd words of a faithfull seruant true So let my soule of Christ craue ayd with inward spirit to liue anewe For now my poore soule is afraid and time mispent alas I rue To thee I runne imploring aid within me doe thy Spirit renue O Lord I see the bloody wounds of thy sweete Sonne my Sauiour 〈◊〉 see thy mercies there abounds and promised by thy fauour And therefore I by sinfull deâ—…des that earst liu'd carelesse in despaire Doe flye vnto those wounds that bleedes and plucke downe grace by force of prayer Oh in that grace grant me to live and in that grace grant me to die And when I die Lord grace me giue to raigne with thee perpetuallie A Prayer for Christian vertues OH my Lord God grant that with a sincere heart I may desire thee and in desyring seeke thee and in seeking find thee and when I haue found thee grant that I may constantly loue thee and not returne to that filthinesse of sinne for which thou hatest me and I become odious loathsome in thy presence that thou art constrained to withdraw thy gracious countenance from beholding so great impuritie Giue me ô my Lord God a repentant heart a contrite Spirit eyes flowing with fountaines of penitent teares quench in me all the concupiscense of the flesh and kindle in me the fire of thy loue Oh my Redeemer take from me the Spirit of pride and most fâ—â—ourably enrich mee with the treasure oâ— thy humilitie remooue from me◠ô my Sauior the fury and distem perance of choller and graciously arme me with the shield of pati ence O my Creator roote out oâ— me all ranck or and malice and en due me with gentlenes and meekâ— nes bestow vpon mee a perfecâ— faith a right hope and constanâ— loue Preserue me ô Lord from aâ— vanitie inconstancy of minde waâ— uering of heart scossing and conâ— temptuous speaking reproches tauntes and slanders against mâ— neighbour busie curiositie hunâ— ger of riches extortion ambitiâ— on vaine-glory from the vice oâ— hypocrisie the poyson of flatte ry contempt of the weake op pression of the poore from gree dy auarice cankered enuy deadly blasphemy Deliuer me ô Lord from rasâ— boldnesse contumacy frowardnesse idlenesse negligence sloath dulnesse of wit blindnes of heart obstinacy of minde sauage conditions contempt of good things the abandoning of wholesome counsell offence of the tongue rapine of the poore malicious and false accusation against the innocent violence against the impotent neglect of inferiours cruelty towards my family impietie and infidelitie towards them that repose trust in me and from vniust and rigorous dealing with all men O my God my merciful God I beseech thee in thy beloued Sonne blesse me with the workes of mercy and zeale of godlinesse to suffer with the afflicted to minister to the needy to succour the miserable to counsell them that go astray to comfort the sorrowfull to releeue the oppressed to nourish the poore to cherish and comfort such as mourne to forgiue my debtors to pardon them that trepasse against mee to loue them that hate mee to render good for euill to despise none but to honour them to imitate the good to beware of euill things and euill vngodly societie to eschew vice and to embrace vertue in aduersitie patience humblenesse in prosperitie to guard the doore of my mouth to watch the enemies that compasse my lippes to despise worldly things and earnestly to thirst after the heauenly O Lord my God blessed be thy name for euer dispose my heart open my lippes and guide mee by thy holy Spirit to a true acknowledgement of all my sinnes and an eternall detestation renouncing and forsaking of them that my prayers may bee heard of thee in the name and for the name of thy Sonne Iesus Christ. To whom with thee and the most holy Spirit three sacred persons one mighty and immortall God bee ascribed attributed and giuen all praise all thankes all honour and glory this day and for euermore Amen Amen A generall confession of sinnes OMnipotent and gracious Father I from thy wayes haue stray'd and err'd Like a lost sheepe and followed rather mine hearts deuises and prefer'd My foolish fancies fond desires and broke the lawes set downe by thee I haue not done what thou requires but done those things that should not be No health in mee but thou ô God haue mercy on me sinfull wretch Spare me oh spare me hold thy rod that to offenders thou doest stretch I doe confesse my faults restore mee I doe repent for Iesus sake That promise euer is before thee which thou in Christ to God didst make And grant for his sake liue I may a godly right and sober life To thy names glory still for aye possessing heauen where is no strife All laude and praise be to thy name for euer and euer now and then To whom all nations sing with fame sweete Psalmes of ioy Amen Amen A Morning Meditation I Laid me downe to rest and slept and in the moring rose againe God me sustain'd and safely kept and by his grace did me maintaine His Angels pitcht me round about sleeping and waking keeping me Both comming in and going out
summe of all thy mercies whereof I haue beene this day partaker O Lord I am vile looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy anger iustly conceiued against me and forgiue what hath beene amisse in me this day or at any other time euen for his sake who is thy well beloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Roote vp ô Lord the thornes of mine euill inclination and affections and in their places make the fruits of vertue to spring inflame my heart with the desire of heauenly loue that I may loue obedience to thy Gommandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and my neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith feare and holinesse all the dayes of my life and to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestious of the wicked Spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy Spirit O God of glorious light let thine Angels pitch their tents round about this house for our defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may bee quiet vnto mee without griefe or trouble preserue me and mine both in body and soule from all dangers and offences which may come either by foolish dreames noysome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt nature waken me againe ô Lord in due time and let me behold the light of the next day to my comfort prepare my heart and minde to thy seruice euery day in all trueth and sinceritie that when I haue runne the race of this life thou mayest please to call mee to be partaker of a better Comfort mee ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day take not thy holy spirit from me but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the tempter shalâ— come with his assaults I may bee furnished with the shield oâ— faith to quench his fiery darts Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull for my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let alwayes thine vnspeakeable mercies preserue mee thy endlesse sweetnesse reioyce mee thy heauenly trueth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden mee and thy goodnesse keepe me now and for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the morning in perfect sense and good health and for the same bee thankefull vnto thee and carefully betake mee to my vocation and calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour Amen Amen Another for the Euening MOst glorious and sacred Trinitie the most mighty God the Father the Sonne and the holy Spirit which art the authour and originall of all things both in heauen and in earth and that hast appointed vnto euery thing his end and way in this life The eyes of all things are towards thee to finish in their courses that obedience they owe vnto thee The Sunne the Moone the Starres in most constant order extend their light heate to the comforting not onely of fowles and beasts but specially to the direction of man how to know thee and walke in thy wayes as being the bookes and characters wherein wee may reade thy power wisedome and incomprehensible glory for their sound and language as a Harold is gone foorth to proclaime vnto the Nations both Pagan Christian that thou art the Lord God Almighty and most worthy to be praised as in the Morning so in the Euening also Therefore knowing the great dependancy that all things caelestiall and terrestriall haue on thee I doe humbly intreate thee to take mee into thy custody this night knowing that if a Sparrow cannot with safetie fall to the ground but by thee that without thee so great refreshing of sleepe cannot be attained vnlesse I begge it of thee many are the visions of the night as idle dreames and fancies that would interrupt my sleepe if thou Lord by thy gracious power and presence of thy good Spirit driue them not away And Sathan would like Abiâ—hai â—nto Saul in his sleepe with fearefull darts of despaire strike 〈◊〉 dead at once as Jacl did Siseâ—… vnto eternall death in soule 〈◊〉 body Therefore vnto thee the keeper of Israel that neither slumberest nor sleepest by night nor by day doe I come beseeching thee that laying my selfe to rest in thee I may in the acustomed time which thou hast appointed wake again but if thou pleasest that this night shall bee my last and that this mortall shall bee swallowed vppe in immortallity O Lord grant though I die in body yet I may awake in soule and liue with thee for euermore and that my body so sleeping yet againe may awake at the resurrection of the iust and with those that shall not sleepe bee caught vp with soule vnited by the same power by which thou ô Sauiour didst at once rise from death to life euen as that life which thou hadst with the father before the world was And as thou art one with him so grant that after my last sleepe I may be one with thee in the presence of the Father and the holy Ghost for euermore But ô Lord if thou please to raise me vp againe to spend more dayes in this vale of teares grant that I may liue honestly in the workes of my vocation which thou hast ordained me to liue in or liue by Grant that I may set thee before mine eyes day and night and behold thee alwayes in my presence that when I am tempted to any eueill in the work of my calling or any other wayes I may not bee tickled with the profit or pleasures therein obiected and so prouoked to sinne against thee Keepe my tongue from lying lest thereby I become the child of Sathan for hee is a lyer and the Father of lyes from the beginning keepe my tongue from swearing and that I may not take thy name in vaine empty my heart of couetousnesse of pride of vaine-glory and let mee not respect worldly vanitie let me not be selfe-conceited but ô Lord giue mee to bee of humble gentle harmelesse and courteous disposition and behauiour both in my words and deeds to my superiours and inferiours O Lord giue me to be of a charitable nature and of a pittifull affection toward all men in generall but especially towards all those that are of the houshold of Faith of broken and contrite hearts which thou Lord hast promised that thou wilt not despise Grant ô heauenly Father that Christ both sleeping and waking in this life and after this life may be to me aduantage O let me not fall into a custome or habite of sinning lest therewith my heart become hardened that I cannot repent but giue mee such a conscience of sinne that I may neuer commit sin either great or
c. A godly Meditation wherein the distressed sheweth his vnfained griefe and sorrow for hauing offended so powerfull a God and so-mercifull and gracious a Father ALas that I offended euer this God of gods this Lord of powers That can in peeces all men shiuer and ouerturne the stateliest towers Ah woe is me that I offended and iustly God stirr'd vp to ire Who by his Law hath sinne condemned vnto the pit of endlesse fire I daily see Gods creatures all iustly for sinne displeas'd with me Mens hearts are hardned and with gall feede me that haue offended thee My God thy blessings all on earth tho duoest with-hold and from me keepe Alas my soule sustaines a dearth of grace vnto thy grace I creepe But what to doe or what to say I know not Lord but I know this My griefes encrease more day by day my mirth is moane bane is my blisse One euill doth another call like waues on waues in raging seas My weary burthen makes me fall I finde no comfort helpe nor ease I hope of helpe but that hope quailes in crosses are my comforts ended I flie to Faith but then Faith failes when I neede most to be defended As if I were the onely man prepos'd by thine intendement Whom heauen ond earth must curse and ban as subiect of all punishment Thy iustice damnes me I appeale to mercy then appeal'd I feare To be reiected thus cold zeale and secret sinnes with griefe I beare Shall I thinke it a fruitlesse taske vnto my God for to repaire That sinners cals and bids them aske and they shall haue all things by prayer Can it be bootelesse downe to fall before his throne of Maiestie And with repentant tongue to call for pardon for mine iniquitie May not vnfaigned cries at last preuaile with him that 's pittifull To pardon mine offences past reuiue my soule which now is dull I le frame my heart to meditate my tongue to vtter what may please Him whom best knoweth my estate and seeke his wrath for to appease To him I le goe in Christ his name in whom I know he is well pleas'd And will confesse my sinne with shame and so mine heart shall sure be eas'd For Christs sake looke on me againe he is God all-sufficient He doth behold and see my paine my inward faithfull hearts intent He knoweth what I goe about all I thinke speake or doe amisse He writes or notes without all doubt in his remembrance booke it is I know he will in worth accept what iustly I intend to be And cannot it performe except he put his helping hand thereto He knoweth that I am but flesh and what is flesh but fraile and ill And what is man a lumpe of trash whom vaine desires doe fully fill And will this God Iehouah high so strong and powerfull set his might Against a worme so weake as I a silly man a shade of night What conquest can there be in God to worke reuenge on me poore soule Who still corrects me with his rod whose Iustice doth my sinnes controle Shall I dispute with thee nay rather poore wretch I should fall prostrate downe And humbly kneele vnto my Father and pray with teares when he doth frowne If he afflict more be it so if further plague me le't be so If he will kill with paines and woe doe what he will let it be so For I am his doe what he will with me and all that mine can bee It is his owne and must be still there 's no disputing Lord with thee There is no Art or Eloquence can quench thy coales of burning ire It is not words can make defence nor friends can saue me from the fire Nor take me from thy powerfull hands so full of might force strength and power Or breake in sunder thy strong bands nor ease one minute of an houre I le yeeld me therefore to his will Lord doe what thy good pleasure is Turne me as may thy minde fulfill I le waite the time of happy blisse I le waite thy pleasure time will come wherein I may the issue see Of my afflictions all and some and what thy purpose is with me The meane time I will with thy word consult and vse my exercise And comfort take through hope ô Lord refresh dull spirits and cleare dimme eyes With dewe of thy sweete promises laying aside all fleshly aide I onely rest on thy mercies in holy word as thou hast saide And in true faith will I remaine and seeke thee being the true way Wherein who walkes at length shall gaine true blisse and happinesse for aye Who this embraceth shall not erre wherein who liues shall neuer dye But weare a crowne past reason farre and liue with God eternally An Euening Meditation O Most deare Lord Iesus to whose euerlasting goodnes wee are daily engaged for all the good things we haue which hast granted the cheerefull light of the day vnto all men both good and bad to follow their affaires and seuerall employments in and mercifully giuest the sweete stilnesse of the night to refresh their wearred bodies and to put away the cares of their mindes and to asswage their sorrowes wee â—…seech thee that those things 〈…〉 haue done amisse this day 〈…〉 our common imbecillit 〈…〉 gence ignorance or â—…g 〈…〉 rash and vnaduised presumptiâ—… 〈…〉 wherein we haue offended 〈…〉 cred eyes they may be paâ—… and forgiuen for thy 〈…〉 goodnesse sake and according 〈…〉 the innumerable multitude 〈…〉 mercies And grant herewithall that this night may be blessed and prosperous vnto vs safe by thy protection ouer vs and free from the dangerous illusions of wicked spirits so as this refreshment by quiet rest and sleepe may make both our bodies and mindes more cheerefull to morow and we the more enabled to doe thee seruice and faithfully to follow those employments thou hast appointed for vs blesse vs ô Lord and water vs with the dew of thy blessings and let the drops of thy Sonnes blood shed for our sinnes and yet crying for mercy distill into my heart by a liuely Faith for the comfort of our soules and the amendment of our sinfull liues wee beseech thee ô Lord take from vs all manner of darkenesse misbeleefe infidelitie carnall lustes and affections and so strengthen vs with thy grace that the Barke of our weake Faith sinke not through the stormes of Sathans temptations nor our hopes be ouer whelmed through the weight of our vnworthinesse nâ—r any of thy good graces in vs extinguished or blemished by the waues of a wicked conuersation Enter thy Iudgements into the tables of our hearts that wee may bee content to spare of our ordinanary sleepe to muse of all thy CoÌ„mandâ—ments and that wee may bee more earnest vpon the meditation of thy sacred word then the Kings of the Nations haue beene to turne ouer their Records in the night season Be mindfull of vs when wel appen to forget our selues and think vpon vs ô Lord sleeping
Lord if thou â—ast said Shall not my soule be â—uenged on such a one as this remember thy promise elsewhere I will haue mercy on him that could finde no mercy and let it light vpon me if Sathan prefume that GOD hath forsaken him thinke vpon the decree for the seede of the woman and let the power of thy sonnes passion defeat all the deuises of the deuill against me O Lord heare me speedily if thou doe not I shall be helplesse and hopelesse for my conscience accuseth mee my memory giues euidence against me and my reason condemneth me My spirit is weary of this bondage and I haue bid my life farewell My conscience is clogged when I behold the bloudy wounds of my soule the voyce of ioy and mirth 〈◊〉 gone from me I am deepely pluâ—ged in discomfort I haue neitheâ— worth to appease thy wrath no patience to endure thine indignaâ—tion I pray thee therefore senâ— the comfort of thy holy Spirit iâ— to my heart and strengthen my faith that I be not swallowed vp with ouer much heauinesse O Lord let thy maiestie appeare in thy mercy forgiue my sinnes the vnhappy ground of all this woe and I am recouered of all mine infirmities Try not the law with me lest I come to Iudgement sanctifie all those good meanes vnto me wherein I seeke reliefe as prayer reading and hearing of thy holy Word moderate and mittigate my vexation encrease faith establish hope graunt patience and keepe me from dispaire Take away this Cup from mee if it be thy will if not suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength I haue an humbled and contriâ—e heart O Lord looke vpon me I goe mourning all the day long am like to him that is at the point â—o dye O Lord comfort me thou â—hat wilt not breake a bruised â—eed spare me thou that delighâ—est not in the death of a sinner reuiue mee though my heart condemne me yet good Lord acquite mee relieue mee release mee say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Hearken Lord vnto my Prayer and graunt my requests for Iesus Christs sake Amen The distressed prayeth to be sanctified and to enioy the renued graces of regeneration O Lord me throughly sanctifie vntye my tongue open my lips I cannot silence keepe for why my conscience euery houre me whips My miseries growe more and more within my bones I finde no rest Thy grace a-new to me restore and let me speake what likes thee best Let thine eares euer be enclinde to my extreame and dolefull cries Let me thy mercies ready finde to take my teares from weeping eyes Thou euermore do'st heare the cries of all that feare thy holy name And comâ—ortst them with thy mercies that trust in thee and begge the same Their soules thou doest from death defend and cheeres their heart in time of neede To me therefore thy comforts send and giue thy helpe with louing speede Thy seruants cannot hold their tongue though oft they muse and cannot see Why thâ—iâ— afflictions last so long and they for mercy â—rie to thee Till at the length the fire of zeale doth kindle then it out must breake Tongue cannot hold but must reueale their groanes griâ—fes needs must speake To shew their hope which like to fire none can suppresse when they beleeue T will pearce the cloudes to thee aspire yet thou doest seeme no helpe to giue At last thy goodnesse doth appeare and thou embracest him with â—…y Time of delâ—uerance draweth neere and thou Lord freedst him from annoy Good God how commeth this to passe that I so long haue sought to thee And thou still seem'st to hide thy face and keep'st thy graces still from mee How long haue I vnto thee pray'd and thou seem'st not to giue me eare This makes mine heart and thoughts afraid ready to faint with deepe despaire I ready was for to surcease the suite which I so long had sought Made vnto thee for to appease thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought O Lord my God thy promises and louing kindnesse onely feede And comfort me in heauinesse with neuer dying hope in neede I know expected time will come when thou for getting all my sinne Wâ—lt see my sorrowes all and some and free the bondage I am in A Prayer in affliction or aduersity MOst mercifull Redeemer which art alwayes full of compassion thou art alwayes our preseruer whether thou sendest vs aduersity or prosperity for great is thy mercy and compassion in that thou healest the inward man by outward afflictions as it were by bitter medicines and preparest vs to euerlasting ioyes by temporall troubles And forasmuch as thou thy selfe hast traced vs out this true way to felicity by thine owne footesteps graunt that I may patiently and obediently drink this cup which thou reachest vnto me Grieuous indeede are these things vnto my nature but yet thou hast suffered grienouser things for mee and I haue deserued farre grieuouser things then these for I haue deserued hell fire Notwithstanding â—hou knowest the frailtie of mans estate and therefore like the mercifull Samaritane thou powrest wine into our wounds which maketh our vices to smart but yet thou alayest it with the oyle of thy comfort If thou think meet to encrease our griefes encrease thou also the gift of patience and graunt that these afflictions may turne vs to the amendment of our sinfull deedes or if thy fatherly louing kindnesse thinke this thy gentle chastisement to be sufficient let this stormeâ—pâ—sse that although heauinesse endure for a night a moment ioy may come in the morning graunt vnto vs in both respects a reuerent thankfulnesse as well for amending and reforming thy vnprofitable sâ—ruant by gentlenesse as also for that thou hast remooued the cup of affliction or allayed the bitternesse of it by the sweetnesse of thy mercie To thee therefore bee thankes and praise for euer Amen Amen Meditations vpon the passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. VVHat man is this whom I behold all bloudie bowing down his head for weaknesse towards his shoulders his body all tormented with sâ—ourges stripes grieous wounds crowned with a Garland of thornes pricking and piercing to the braine and thus fastned to an ignominious Crosse What heauie or haynous crime hath hee done to deserue this intollerable and vnspeakeable torment What Iudge could bee so cruell to sentence him to it or what remorcelesse or mercilesse Executioners could be found to deale so outragiously with this tender and peerelesse body Notwithstanding the deformity of these bloudie wounds yet is this matchlesse body fairer then the Sonnes of men Surely it is Iesus Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Oh hee is my Lord and Sauiour Iesus that is thus crucified for my sin and for my sake Oh art thou he that excellest all men in beauty 〈◊〉 in whose lippes was neuer fouâ—… guile and from whom proceeded such gracious words as neuer man spake where then is that beauty of thine where is that
euermore doest heare the cries of all that feare thy holy name And comfort'st them with thy mercies that trust in thee and begge the same Their soules thou doest from death defend and chear'st their hearts in time of neede To me therefore thy comforts send and giue thy helpe with louing speede Thy seruants cannot hold their tongue though oft they muse and cannot see Why their afflictions last so long and they for mercy cry to thee Till at the length the fire of zeale doth kindle then it out must breake Tongue cannot hold but must reueale their groanes griefes needs must speake To shew their hope which like to fire none can suppresse when they beleeue 'T will pierce the clouds to thee aspire yet thou doest seeme no helpe to giue At last thy goodnesse doth appeare and thou embracest him with ioy Time of deliuerance draweth neere and thou Lord freedst vs from annoy Good God how commeth this to passe that I so long haue sought to thee And thou still seem'dst to hide thy face and keep'st thy graces still from me How long haue I vnto thee pray'd and thou seem'st not to giue me eare This makes mine heart and thoughts afrai'd ready to faint with deepe despaire I ready was for to surcease the suit which I so long haue sought Made vnto thee for to appease thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought O Lord my God thy promises and louing kindnesse onely feede And comfort'st me in heauinesse with neuer dying hope in neede I know expected time will come when thou for getting all my sinne Wilt see my sorrowes all and some and free the bondage I am in Thou art my God thy helpe is at hand thou art a Father thou know'st when To giue the State doest vnderstand of richest Kings and poorest men The things most fit thou do'st be stowe and helpest when all helpe is missing Those could not creepe thou mak'st to goe and powrest downe on them thy blessing Therefore O God all sufficient repleate with merey full of loue I doe not presse to know the intent but pray thee doe what mercy moue To say come now or then doe this for the time where when what and how What thou doest ayme my marke may misse me to thy prouidence I bowe Yet be not ouer long away for thou doest know my feeblenesse Thou seest my troubles day by day bow'd downe to extreame wretchednesse Without hope of recouerie I fall alas what shall I doe There is no trust but trust in thee for helpe and ayde and succour to I know by proofe that thou art bent to heare poore sinfull wretched men When they are truly penitent and when they pray deliuer'st then From troubles strife and all debate from sicknesse death and deadly paine From enuie malice sinne and hate the contrite heart thou'lt not disdaine But who is righteous in thy sight or in thy Judgements cleane are seene Angels before thee are not bright much lesse we wretches righteous beene But all are sinners all transgresse our elder Fathers were impure All haue offended more or lesse yet was thy promise firme and sure And did obtaine mercy and grace reliefe hope strength saluation They sawe the brightnesse of thy face thou gauest them consolation Our Fathers Lord were comforted strengthened relieu'd and blest Onely by grace and iustified as righteous men in Iesus Christ. Impute not sinne vnto my charge not for my merit and desert But for thy Sonne my soule enlarge and giue to me a spotlesse heart Thou Lord full of compassion and in thy mercies infinite Beare with my imperfections and let me in thy lawes delight Couer my sinnes as righteous take me and righteous shall I euer be That righteous am not righteous make me in Christ O Lord consider me O Lord what can it profit thee me to for sake or leaue in thrall As though thou didst disualue me my daily cries and offerings all My troubles yet continue still I seeke thee and am yet denied Of earthly blessings doe thy will thy name be alwayes glorified Wretch that I am what end shall be I still complaine I sigh and crie I crie and call yet hear'st not me I still will seeke thee till I die Thou mayest be found be as thou wilt into thy hands I me commend Thou full of mercy I of guilt in faith and hope doe still attend A Prayer for the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper OMost louing Sauiour how great and wonderfull is thy loue to thy Church that before thou didst leaue this world in thy humanity didst not onely send vp loud cries and teares vnto thy Father for them which did and which after thy departure should beleeue in thee but didst also ordaine a perpetuall commemoration of thy death and passion through the institution of the Sacramentall signes of Bread and Wine at the last Supper of the Passeouer in the same night thou wast betrayed charging in thy Apostles thy whole Church vnto the worlds end to doe it in remembrance of thee assuring vs that as often as wee did eate that bread and drinke that wine according to thy appointment that thereby wee should shew thy death vntill thou didst come and so keepe a perpetuall remembrance of thee not onely in our hearts but in our eyes as if wee sawe thee crucified vpon the Crosse. O Lord examining my selfe of my faith my repentance and loue I finde that my faith is weake my repentance slacke and dull and my loue colde or but luke-warme so that of my selfe O most mercifull Lord I durst not presume to come vnto thy table but O Lord for this I iudge my selfe that I may not be iudged of thee the worst and vnworthiest of all those that come vnto thy table For vnto this present through the multitude of my sinnes with which I am laden I haue like Iudas done nothing but betrayed thee and pricke thy head and pierced thy side more cruelly then the thorns or speare wherewith thou wast crowned and pearced and so in as much as in mee lieth I am guilty of the blood shedding and death of my Lord. But most heauenly Father as the Israelites stung with the fiery Serpents looked vnto the Serpent Moses set vp so O Lord smarting in soule with the anguish of my sinnes by which I am continually guiltie of thy death and so againe like Iudas worthy of eternall death much more violently to be inflicted after the taking of the sop Yet doe I looke vnto thy Crosse on which thou sufferest for me humbly beseeching thee for that obedience by which thou hast satisfied Gods wrath and iustice to doe away my sinnes as Dauids after his adultery and murther that I may become a worthy partaker of the body blood of my Lord and the Sacramentall Bread and Wine after which I haue so earnestly thirsted may not like the Israelites Quailes sticking in their teeth become neither my bodily nor spirituall death nor like the vnworthy Corinthians for
soule and wounded heart Without to preseruation of my weake body in each part Therefore teach me the truth O Lord O sacred truth teach me thy wayes That I should walke led by thy Word and to thy glory spend my dayes Lord keepe from wicked thoughts mine heart mine hands that they commit none ill Mine eyes my tongue and euery part Lord graunt they may performe thy will My feete from falling still preserue as of my selfe regard me not Deale not with me as I deserue as are my sinnes reward me not Behold not my deformities but looke on me in Christ by loue My sinnes and all enormities as mists and cloudes from me remoue Thou righteous art and gracious reformest sinners sinnes forgiu'st O be to me propitious to liue in thee that euer liu'st Keepe thou my soule let me not perish nor vtterly to be confounded That trust in thee but my soule cherish and ioy mine heart which thou hast wounded Thou art my strength and sure defence in time of dangers imminent Though all helpe faile experience hath taught me thou art permanent I goe vnto thine Oracle and from thy word I counsaile take And finde a wonderous miracle thou neuer do'st thine owne forsake Thy seruants that in thee doe trust thy Tabernacle shall them shield In secret thou do'st hide the iust that are not with foule sinne defilde Hearken O Lord hearken and heare vnto my voyce that call and crie O let thy loue towards me appeare with streames and floods of thy mercie Thou sayest O Lord seeke yee my face what is it but in my distresse To crie for helpe and craue thy grace and ayde in time of heauinesse My soule by the pure priuiledge of thy free spirit which teacheth trueth My heart prepared with knowledge and faith and hope vnto thee sueth My tongue doth speake mine heart doth mutter and euery member in his place Doth striue to speake and these words vtter helpe me opprest hide not thy face Though father that did me beget my mother that from wombe me bare And all my friends forsake me yet thou Lord of me tak'st charge and care O Lord thou wilt me not forsake for so hast promis'd in thy Word In all distresse no feare I le take but forthwith flie to thee O Lord Thou giu'st not like our earthly Sires nor wants suppliest like carnall friends That would but cannot our desires performe in deedes as heart pretends Hopelesse I should downe faint and fall did I not in thee surely trust That holdeth no respect at all but vnto those whom Christ makes iust And thou acceptest not vaine glory as worldlings doe nor things externall Thou look'st not to things transitorie but to the things that are internall A lowly and obedient heart a trembling spirit thou doest elect Of poore opprest thou tookst the part and proud men downe thou doest deiect Frame thou therefore my inward zeale that outward businesse me deceiue not Of comforts which thou doest reueale to thine and me of ioyes bereaue not When at thy mercy gate I knocke doe not as rich men vse the poore That 'gainst them faest the gates doe locke but quickly Lord set ope the dore Let not my miseries depriue my heart of ioy or soules comfort Let not vaine things ill men deuise draw me to be of their consort Make strong my faith and hope Lord giue me and I le take hold of thy protection Be my defence and Paâ—…oplie and guide me safe to thy election Thou hast O Lord my troubles scene hast knowne my soule in bitternesse Thou hast mine helpe and succour been O helpe me now in my distresse In mercies thou hast mightily sau'd me from perils infinite My life consumes my heart doth die my yeares doe waste my day is night The day tells day the night the morrow the base reproach of my disaster Yea friends and foes adde griefe to sorrow and each base mate doth me o're-master I am now at the point to pine O let it be thy blessed pleasure To ease my griefe for I am thine my paines asswage Lord in some measure For thou my paines hast measured and all that 's good for those that feare Lord thou in store hast treasured to me Lord let the same appeare In sight of those that are my foes that thinke there is no period Of all my tortures paine and woes graunt this for Christ his sake O God A Prayer of an afflicted minde O Lambe of GOD which takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vpon mee a most vile and wretched sinner wounded euen vnto death eternall if thou Lord in whom all fulnesse of mercy and compassion doth dwell doe not relieue and comfort mee O Lord how am I assaulted by the crafty and subtill temptations of Sathan that cunning serpent that seeth all my weaknesses both of soule and body and neuer ceaseth night nor day sleeping waking eating drinking hearing and reading mourning and laughing but alwayes followeth doggeth me with fearefull temptations telling mee that I am but an hypocrite and that all my repentance hath beene but in words and not in heart in outward shew but not in trueth and that my sinnes are greater then God can or will forgiue that I am none of his Elect that I haue no true faith saying That those that truely beleeue neuer doubt that I doe not vnderstand Gods word aright and that it doth nothing appertaine vnto mee no more than vnto Iudas who for all hee was an Apostle yet was reprobated and cast away and how knowest thou but that thy faith is presumption seeing neuer any man but St. Paul had such assurance of faith Yea thou doest not delight in Gods word nor so loue his Ministers as thou shouldest thou doest not abound in good workes all thy righteousnes is pharisaicall thou art a louer of the world more then of God doest thou not see how thou art continually punished plagued and smitten of God neuer without one crosse or other on thy selfe thy wife children and seruants on thy cattell goods and aduentures at home and abroad and in other businesses Yea in euery thing thou puttest thine hand vnto thou seest how God is against thee and cannot abide thee yea euen in thy Prayers thou mayest feele how the spirit of God hath left thee therefore deceiue not thy selfe thou art none of his if it were otherwise thou shouldest not be so afflicted in euery thing as thou art Deceiue not thy selfe God doth not loue thee if he did hee would neuer haue suffered thee to commit so many sinnes as thou hast done by lying by swearing by drunkennesse by whoring by fornication by adulterie by murther and the like and to haue liued so long in them as thou hast done Yea what a prophaner of the Sabbath day hast thou beene what filthy vncleane thoughts what scurrilous Songs and vnsauourie speeches haue issued out of thy heart and mouth and how hast thou beene swallowed vp in pleasure and pride
Church euen so by the profits and pleasures which he profereth vs would hee cunningly steale our hearts from thee and thy worship vnto himselfe which we abhorre as most wicked and vngodly And considering how hee stirreth our vncleane hearts and wicked corruptions as a stinking puddle to breath forth many noysome and loathsome cogitations and euill actions whereby he would brand our consciences not only to doubt of our redemption by Christ but also of thy mercy which is so exceeding comfortable For all these considerations wee entreate thee to heare vs helpe vs and strengthen vs in all these seuerall temptations and as in these so in all other of what nature or kinde so euer they are or shall be in this world and that not onely in prosperity but in aduersity and in the strength of Sathans temptations especially when thou shalt haue cast vs vpon the bed of sicknesse and bring vs vnto the point of death when we are most weake and Sathan in his greatest insolencie Wherefore O Lord giue vs grace that in the time of this life we may not be negligent but most carefull in the vse of all good meanes whereby wee may finish our saluation in feare and trembling for of our selues we cannot moue one foot forward vnto thy Kingdome without thy helpe to stirre vs inwardly by the motions of thy spirit and outwardly by the hearing and reading of thy word with conference meditation and prayer Let not thy grace be absent at such times but goe on with vs in blessing helping and guiding vs till wee haue obtained full assurance euen the testimony of thy holy Spirit in our hearts witnessing vnto vs and with vs that thou art our God and wee thine adopted sonnes and children in Christ Iesus our Lord and so may bee enabled to stand fast in loue and charity as to all men in generall so especially to thy Church which are onely the houshold of faith O make me mercifull to the fatherlesse to widowes indeede to captiues bondslaues and all sorts that suffer aduersity in soule or body Hauing prayed for our selues and such things as concerne this present life as feeling members of the misticall body of thy Church militant dispersed and scattered throughout the whole world we entreate thee to haue mercy vpon it and blesse it by strengthening those that thou hast called that we may stand fast in the profession of thy Name and not bee ashamed of that inseparable yoke-fellow thy crosse vnder which thou hast caused vs as spirituall souldiers alwayes to warre And graunt that by no temptations inward or outward wee be forced to faint but enable vs that fighting against our most subtill aduersaries flesh or spirit our corrupt nature men or the deuill being Lords of the whole world that iâ— wicked carnall and vnregenerate men that are wholly led of Sathan and the power of darknesseâ— Heauenly Father I beseech thee more particularly to looke downe vpon the reformed Churches and among them more especially vpon the Churches of England Scotland and Ireland and all otheâ— our owne and neighbouring Nations that we may enioy the promises of the Gospell as long as the Sunne and Moone endureâ— And graunt that out of those Churches may be spread farre and wide among the Iewes and Heathen that are called the amiabiâ— tidings of the Gospel that thereby the Kingdome of thy Sonne may be more and more enlarged To this end blesse all Christian Kings Princes and Potentates but especially thy seruant Charleâ— our King that by thine appointment at this present doth rule and gouerne vs encrease in him â—nd them religious zealous and â—incere hearts so as hee and they â—ay goe before all other Kings â—nd Princes in mâ—st holy wise Christian life ministring iudgement and iustice without respect â—f persons O Lord make our King and all other Kings strong â—aintainers and defenders of thy â—ue ancient Catholicke and Christian faith now established 〈◊〉 these his Dominions that no â—olicie of man nor subtilty of Saâ—han may preuaile against it but â—hat his Maiestie by the tempoâ—all sword and the Ministers of â—…e Word by the spirituall sword â—…e preaching of the Word as â—…ttle Dauid may preuaile against â—…l the enemies thereof secret or â—pen abroad or at home within â—…ese his owne Dominions Heaâ—enly Father send him wee beâ—…ech thee if it be thy will Noâ—…e and Royall issue that after him 〈◊〉 euery Age they may sit vpon â—…e Throne of this Kingdome râ—le and gouâ—rne it vnto the comming of thy deare Sonne our Sauiour vnto iudgement O Lord settle about him and them iâ— euery age and generation a god ly learned religious truly noble and wise Counsell And graunâ— that both hee and they may truly loue and aduance vnto and in gouenrnment a learned and religious Ministerie and Magistracâ—… within thy Church of great Brittaine especially And most mighâ— ty God I pray thee perpetually to looke downe vpon all men buâ— especially vpon our owne Country men that are in any aduersity by sea or land and in their seuerall trialls and crosses of this lifeâ— giue them patience to beare 〈◊〉 deliuerance in or out of them 〈◊〉 may be best vnto thy godly wise dome as may make most to thâ— glory and their comforts 〈◊〉 these and all other blessings spirituall and temporall beyond thâ— wee are able to aske and thinke we pray thee to hearâ— vs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely and alone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sonâ—e our Sauiours saâ—e 〈◊〉 â—hom with thee and thy â—…t holy Spirit be 〈◊〉 hoâ—… and glory from this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and for euermore Amen LACHRIM 6. In which the distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes the cause of all his miseries O Had I wings like to a Doue then should I from these troubles flie To wildernesse I would remoue to spend my life and there to die Mongst bushes thicke and branches tall of mighty Cedars huge and hie With sauages and wilde beasts all for to auoyde my miserie But why thus wish I Lord alas that am vaine man of flesh and blood Thou God that bring'st all things to passe doest know this sorts not for my good For were â—…in vaste wildernesse in furthest part of earth or ayre I could no whit my case redresse as being in thy power there Were I in bowells of the earth were I in sea in cloudes or skie With sorrow griefe with ioy or mirth there Lord thou art with powerfull eye There canst thou also finde me out and visite there my foule effence Thou art my pathes and bed about t is vaine to hide or feele defence Then let me at thy footestoole fall and there acknowledge mine amisse For pardon begge and mercy call and pray for griefe and heauenly blisse And that thou bridle my desires cleanse mine affections with thy spirit Inflame me with thy holy fire in nought but thee let me delight Lord can the fiercenesse of my heart râ—forme my words my mouth my speech Thou fountaine of all wisedome art therefore true wisedome
THE SACRIFICE OF A CONTRITE HEART In Teares Meditations and Prayers Penned by IOHN EVANS Minister of Gods Word IAMES 5. If any be afflicted let him pray If any be merry let him sing Psalmes LONDON Printed by A. M. for Richard Hamond and are to be sold at his Shop at the vpper end of Fleete lane 1630. The Contents A Consideration of mans miseries and Gods goodnesse pag. 1 A Meditation for the morning p. 10 A morning Prayer for one alone 14 The confession of a sorrowfull sinner 23 A Prayer vnto Almighty God 28 A Prayer for Christian vertues 30 A generall confession of our sinnes 34 Another morning Meditation 35 A prayer for the morning with company 40 Precepts of Christian duties 48 Another morning prayer 53 A Meditation for the Euening 56 An Euening prayer for a priuate person 60 Another for the Euening 64 An Euening prayer for a whole Family 74 Another for the Euening pag. 81 The repentant sheweth his vnfained griefe for offending so mercifull a God 85 An Euening meditation 90 A prayer for the encrease of Faith 93 A prayer for the remission of sinnes 96 A meditation vpon the miseries of man 101 A prayer for the forgiuenesse of sinnes 103 The Repentants complaint against sin 108 A prayer for sanctificatioÌ„ of the Sabbath 110 A prayer for godly zeale 116 A meditation to gaine fauour from God 119 A prayer for Faith Hope and Charity 122 The sighes and complaint of an afflicted conscience 124 A prayer for sanctification 128 A prayer in aduersity or affiiction 131 Meditations vpon the passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. 133 What to be learned by the passion 150 A prayer for patience vnder the Crosse. 164 A thanks giuing for Gods blessings 172 A meditation inciting vs to seeke God 180 A prayer before the Communion 187 A meditation before the Communion 192 Meditations vpon Gods mercies 197 Lachrim 1. Wherein the distressed prayeth for constancy and patience in his time of afflictions 205 A thanks giuing after the Communion 213 Another prayer after Communion 214 A prayer for the Catholicke Church of God 218 A prayer for the Kings Maiestie 221 Lachrim 2. Wherein the distressed expresseth his confidence in God 224 A prayer for the encrease of Christ his Kingdome 230 A prayer against Antichrist 238 Lachrim 3. Wherein the distressed prayeth that his faith and zeale may be encreased 246 The complaint of an afflicted minde 254 Lach. 4. Wherein the distressed prayeth against the dangereus sin of dispaire 264 The Merchant aduenturer his prayer 269 A prayer for the fruits of the earth 274 A thanksgiuing for benefits and Benefactors 276 Lach. 5. Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hold fast the promises of God 279 A generall thanksgiuing 283 Lach. 6. The distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes 295 A prayer to be vsed in the time of any contagious sicknesse 302 The prayer called O bountifull Iesu. 305 The sicke mans prayer 308 A prayer for the sicke 311 Lach. 7. The distressed detesteth the world and all worldly things 316 The young mans prayer for a vertuous wife 321 The mayds prayer for a godly husband 326 The prayer of a woman with childe 332 The 8. Lachrimae 337 A prayer for loue and charity 346 The 9. Lachrimae 351 Te Deum laudamus 352 TO AL THAT desire with faith and reuerence to call vpon the name of the Lord by the mediation of Iesus Christ Gods most holy Spirit be giuen for their inward consolation in this life and their eternall peace and glory in the life to come THe holy Prophet Dauid in a thankfull commemoration of the in numerable blessings hee had receiued from the hands of God said Quid retribuam domino what reward shall I giue vnto the Lord for all the benefits hee hath done vnto me and apprehending that God was not so well pleased with ceremoniall sacrifices as thousands of oblations or whole streames of the blood of young bullockes or goates or with riuers of oyle as with a troubled Spirit and a contrite and a broken heart resolueth therefore to humble his soule with fasting with weeping and with mourning to seeke the face and fauour of the Lord to pay his vowes to pray vnto the Lord to cal vpon his holy name to praise him for euermore assuring himselfe that the Lord would neither reiect nor despise such a sacrifice Good Christian Reader doe thou the like which art as farre indebted as euer Dauid was And seeing that Iesus Christ himselfe calleth vnto thee saying Come vnto mee all you that labour and are heauy laden with the burden of your sinnes and I will refresh you Oh â—et thy resolution be as ready as Dauids was when the Lord called seeke my face hee answered thy face O Lord will I seeke euen with my whole heart so let thy answere bee to the Sonne of God I come Lord Iesus I come I will pay my vowes promised to thee in the presence of thy people and confirmed vnder the Sacramentall Seale of Baptisme thy couenant of grace and mercy I will come and offer vnto thee my heart I will come and praise thee for all thy benefits I will come and hearken to thy voyce in thy most holy and blessed word I will abandon all secure licentious and voluptuous liuing and wholly delight in thy Testimonies and in thy Commandements which are not grieuous to thy children but more pleasing then honey or the honey combe and more inualuable then all earthly treasure I will come with reuerence repentance Charitie and Faith to receiue the cuppe of saluation at thy holy table in remembrance of thy most precious and for my sinnes sake ignominious death And forasmuch as the Spirit is willing but the flesh fraile and weake pray therefore for mortification of the flesh and that Sanctification and strengthening of thine owne inward Spirit oh pray for the presence and assistance of Gods most holy Spirit to helpe and strengthen thine infirmities whereby the diligent sighes inward groanes of thy heart may cheerefully ascend and pierce the heauens for a blessing oh stirre vp thy heart and soule to pray earnestly offer vp thyteares with watching with almes-deedes with abstinence and fasting as the repentant Niniuites as Dauid as Daniel oh breath out powerful sighes with Hannah oh streame out riuers of teares with penitent Mary Magdalen As some kinde of deuils could not bee cast out but by prayer and fasting so some sins are not eiected nor pardon for them procured without prayer and fasting and also bitter teares with repenting Peter Oh pray effectually and cheerefully and giue thy selfe continually to this diuine and holy exercise for this is the alone meanes to haue heauenly conference with thy gracious God oh pray without ceasing as the widow and as the importunate woman of Canaan pray euery where though it be in the vppenpart of thy house with Peter or in thy chamber alone with Eliseus
whether in the Kings chamber or in the Lyons den with Daniel or with Moses in the wildernesse the blessed children prayed in the fiery furnace King Hezekias in his bed Ionahs in the whales belley and our Sauiour Christ in the fields in the gardens on the mountaine euen vpon the Crosse at the time of his victorious passion pray with Dauid either seauen times a day and in the night let thine eyes like his gush out riuers of teares or with Daniel thrice in the day or with Paul continually be exercised with holy sighes and sacred meditations let not oh let not the dulnesse of thine heart nor the greatnesse or grieuousnesse of thy sinnes hinder thee from this holy exercise suffer not the Spirit of God to bee quenched in thee To thee that art heauy laden with sin and pressed with afflictions for sinne doth thy sweet Sauiour call to thee doth his promise most properly appertaine none asketh but he that wanteth none seeketh but he that hath lost remember that our Sauiour came to call sinners to repentance and to heale the sicke and to cure the wounded to ease and refresh all such as are laden with the insupportable burthen of their sinnes oh bee of good comfort striue against thy dulnes heare what is written for thy consolation whosoeuer shall faithfully call vpon the Lord shall be saued Let not thy afflictions hinder thee but rather follow the exhortation of the Apostle if any bee afflicted let him pray let thine afflictions encourage thee and enflame thine heart to call vpon thy mercifull God who promiseth by his Prophet to heare thee and to deliuer thee You shall seeke mee saith the Lord and finde mee because you shall seeke mee with all your heart and I will bee found of you will deliuer you from captiuity Aske therefore and you shall haue seeke and you shall finde knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you oh marke firmely beleeue the gracious promise of him that is the truth and the life whatsoeuer you shall aske the Father in my name you shall receiue it who was euer denied that faithfully called vpon the Lord The Lord is true and faithfull of his promise both able and willing to performe and will regard the supplications and accept the prayers of his children did not the Lord heare the prayers of the Israelites and did not hee with a mighty arme plague their enemies and deliuer them out of captiuity and bondage did not the red sea recoyle backe at the prayer of Moses yea the waters saw thee ô Lord and were afraid and at thy appointment made a way for the safety and deliuerance of thy people was not the plague in the wildernesse stayed at the prayer of Moses was not Miriam by prayer cleansed from his leprosie was not Hanna by prayer of a barren woman made fruitfull did not Dauid by his faithfull prayer and repentance obtaine remission and forgiuenesse for man-slaughter and adulterie did not Elias by prayer open the windowes of heauen and brought downe plentie of raine was it not by prayer that Sennacherib his innumerable hoast were slaine discomfited by the Angel of the Lord. By prayer Susanna was deliuered froÌ„ death the blessed children from the scorching heat of the Ouen Queen Hester and her people were deliuered from death Ionas out of the belley of the Whale by prayer Leapers were cleansed the blind were restored to sight the Palsies were cured many men womeÌ„ obtained health fortheir children seruants By prayer the lame haue beene restored to their limbs the deafe to hearing the blind to their sight and the dumbe to their speech by prayer remission of sinnes was obtained and the holy Ghost was sent downe vpon the Apostles What should I saye more by prayer Kingdomes haue beene subdued miracles haue beene wrought the promises were obtained the mouthes of Lyons were stopped the violence of fire hath beene quenched the heauens haue beene shut and opened the dead hath beene raised to life the Sunne and Moone haue beene commanded and stood still O faithfull messenger oh diuine prayer thou wilt striue and preuaile euen with the Lord of heauen and obtaine the blessing Wherefore good Christian and faithfull Reader be feruent and constant in this holy exercise Remember that when Moses hands failed the enemies of Gods children preuailed and that Sampson lost his strength and glory when he lost his haire by the treachery of Dalilah so when thou sufferest Gods Spirit to be quenched thou art depriued of thy spirituall strength and heauenly glory and her soule despoiled of her beauty and comelinesse and thou exiled from the protection of the most glorious Angels which are ready with all chearefull willingnesse to administer their aide and comfort vnto thee and to beare thee safe from all thy enemies and dangers while thou by faithfull prayer doest in the name of the Angel of the Couenant that doeth sweetely and acceptably incense all thy oblations call vpon the name of the most mighty and most glorious God of all Archangels and men And for that experience of my long afflictions and sorrowes haue made mee apprehensiue of the hardnes of our hearts and our dulnesse and vnaptnesse to call vpon God in the time of our troubles I haue composed these sorrowfull sighes prayers and meditations which I may well call the exercises of my sad affections to the end that if through Sathans buffets the distemperature or weakenes of my corrupt nature or the snares of euill men my poore heart should be ouerwhelmed yet I might haue alwayes presented to mine eye how to make my moane vnto my God And intending to publicke my labour herein I haue endeauoured by varietie of meditations and prayers to make it profitably vsefull for all men Most humbly beseeching the God of mercy to accept and blesse my endeauoure herein and grant that some glory to his holy name and some benefite to his châ—ldren and comfort and consolation to all that groane vnder the burden of sinne may redound hereby and that for the alone merits and mediation of Iesus Christ the righteous To whom with the father and the most holy Spirit as by the most glorious Angels in heauen so by vs men be rendred Halleluiah all the glory the praise and the honour for euer more Amen Amen John Euans THE. CONSIDEration of our miseries moueth sorrowfull sighes for our enlargement from the thraledome of our sinnes O Wretched man involu'd in crimson sin Repent with speede thy sinfull life Begin Before the vials of Gods wrath whose wine is red Be fiercely powred down vpon thy head The Lord is milde and wils not sinners death Preuent his wrath while thou hast time and breath If hee for sinne doe strike with dreadfull hand Who can his fury stay or wrath withstand Conceiu'd condemn'd for Adams ill To God arch-traitors we continue still Sinne luâ—â—'d secure by Sathans charme and guile Who watchfull is to kill our soules that while
From head to foote so leprous be our staines That in our selues not one good thought remaines But if we doe or thinke ought that is good It is in vs the effect of Christ his blood Our bloody sinnes are numberlesse and daily call That thou in iudgement should condemne vs all But Lord our God be hold vs in thy Sonne Forgiue forget remit what wee haue done Corruption made vs sonnes of wrath and fire-brands of hell Thy grace in Christ made vs thy sonnes and heires to dwell In heauen where thy kingdome is most glorious be thy name Which hast in Christ elected vs before all worlds frame In glory thou in heauen art in mercy heere with vs below In iudgements with the damned crew the seas thy wonders know Yet sea nor earth nor heauens high thy essence can containe Thou art hast bin and euer shalt I AM of might remaine Seeing thou art to vs a Father deare of heauenly might Giue vs obedience to thy will and in thy lawes delight Humilitie with godly feare heauenly thoughts diuine And whatsoeuer graces else may signe and scale vs thine Most glorious sacred sanctified acknowledg'd be thy name Amongst vs all thy children deare that doe professe the same Although none hallowing we can adde vnto thy essence pure Grant that our liues our thoughts our words thy glory may procure Eâ—due vs with such godly zeale thy honour to maintaine With reuerence due to vse thy name and not in ieast or vaine Seeing that thy wisedome greatnesse cleare and piercing eye Beholds what 's done or thought both farre and nye From swearing lying and blaspheming thee Good Lord in mercy still deliuer me By all we thinke shall doe or act indeed Grant that some glory to thy name proceede Let not our sinnes nor Sathans strong temptation Nor our fraile flesh gaine sinfull approbation Come thou Lord Iesus quickly cleanse and garnish Our sinfull hearts and thine kingdome establish O Sonne of God ô Lambe pure vndefiled The ioy solace which all Saints desired Inflame our hearts let vs not quench thy Spirit Make good to vs what thy owne death did merit God hath ordain'd and thou hast dearely bought A glorious Kingdome by vs seldome sought Lest from that Kingdome we excluded be O work in vs such works as pleaseth thee Thy will is holy perfect right and iust Our wils peruerse possest with sinfull lust O grant vs willing hearts for to perfome Whatsoeuer thy good will shal vs informe Our will 's peruerse corrupted full of sin No good in act or thought we can begin If any thing we doe that please thee may It is thy grace that doth direct our way O Lord my God doe thou so rule my mind That to thy will my will be still inclin'd Let me not thinke nor will nor wish to doe But what thy wil doth wel conâ—ent thâ—rto Thy holy words to feed our soules and natures wants supply For all our base vnthankefull hearts good Lord doe not deny Thy blessings Lord continue still and prouidence diuine And when we daily call on thee ô Lord to vs incline It is not wealth nor ophire gold that can enrich our neede Nor pleasant dainties that wee take that can our bodies feede It is thy blessing mighty Lord thy strong protecting arme That feeds defends thy children dears from penury and harme No desert wild nor person 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 famine sore Shall long oppressâ— thy children deare or quite cosume theiâ—â—…re The Rock the Rauen. Asses jaw and eke the Lyon strong Shall comfort yeeld vnto all those that to thy grace belong The little birds the dainty flowers are fed and cloth'd most gay And euery creature in his kind feeles thee most kind alway But we for whom this vniuerse all things in 't were sign'd Doe take thy gracious benefits and proue to thee vnkind For sinfull debts to Iustice due no payment can we make Eternall death our payment is vnlesse thou mercy take Compassion Lord haue thou on vs be thou a Father kind And seal'd to vs in Christ his blood let vs thy mercie find The blind the lame the dumb and they possest with deuils The leaprous sinfull stained soules were cured of their euils They sinned had thy counsell was they should not sinne againe O soules sole cleanser Sauiour deare our hearts from sinne restraine Small is the wrong that 's done to vs in body goods or name By friends or foes we them forgiue good Lord doe thou the same If comfort any we can yeeld when they beâ— in distresse Grant we for thee our loue to them may willingly expresse Although our many grieuous sinnes deserue thy ragefull ire Repenting hearts with mournefull soules and mercy we desire O let that precious blood of thine to vs be of such force That nothing from the loue of thee may euer vs diuorce Withdraw not Lord thy grace from vs when strong temptations are Lest grosse notorious shamelesse sinnes how fraile we be declare Make vs strong pillars in thine house thy name on vs engraue That neither Sathan sinne nor hell of vs the conquest haue Though sometime Sathan suffered is to try thy children all Defend them Lord succour them when they on thee shall call So shall the glory be thine owne the conquest be their gaine And Sathan with his engins all shall know he wrought in vaine The more assaults the Dragon makes in conscience or in mind The more that man if constant bee the strength of God shâ—ll finde That soule that sacrificed is by sharpe afflictions knife By faithfull sufferance to the end doth gaine a Crowne of life Most mighty and victorious Lord that hast the conquest gain'd Of all the foes of thee and thine that in the world remaine Let no temptations though full strong a captiue make of me But by thy strength and powerfull grace good Lord deliuer me O holy sacred Trinitie that art of â—…ll might Instrust direct inspire our hearts to pray to thee aright And whatsoeuer may aduance or glorifie thy name By gracious will and powerfull might coâ—…erre on vs the same Eternall King immortall God all kingdomes are thine owne Thy power wisedome and thy might to vs doth make thee knowne All honour glory praise and laude be rendered by all men Vnto thy sacred Maiestie for euermore Amen A Morning Meditation ALmighty God which hast me brought in safety to this present day Keepe me from sinne in heart and thought and teach me what to dâ—â— and say Prosper me Lord in all my workes helpe me with thy continuall grace Kâ—… 〈◊〉 from Sathan vile that lurkes â—… soule in euery place Almighty Lord and God of loue dirâ—ct mine heart and guide my wayes Amend my misse my minde remooue from all that from thy glory strayes Thou that of wisedome art true spring and fountaine of felicitie Let mercy meere my prayers bring by Faith in Christ to sight of thee Thou which art authour of all peace and the true louer of concord
Keepe me from fees that neuer 〈◊〉 to take my life from me ô Lord Thy seruice is most perfect free to know thee 't is eternall life Reach out thy helping hand to mee against my foes that gainst me striue O God from whom all good desires from whom all iust workes doe proceedâ— Whose wise great actes all men admires assist me in the time of neede O Lord whose power and qualitie is sinners trespasse to forget Being tied and bound with chaines of sinne for pitty loose me I intreat Assist me in this mortall age what change or chance so ere befall From Sathan sinne and enemies rage Lord still defend me from them all Almighty God which giu'st vs grace now in thy name to pray to thee And promisest in any place when ioynes together two or three Thou wilt giue and grant what they request now Lord doe the desires fulfill Of vs thy serâ—…ts us seeme best and most expedient to thy will In this world knowledge vs granting of thy pure trueth and sanctity And after death let our new being be life with thee eternally O God that no time doest despise the fighing of a contrite heart Nor the desires of sinners cries in troubles anguish griefe and smart Assist our prayers in distresse and graciously vouchsafe to heare When sudden euils vs oppresse and subtill crafâ—s of foes vs fear Let them ô Lord be brought to nought and by thy goodnesse scattered be That so to vs no hurt being brought we may giue thankes and praise to thee Oh God of mercy we thee pray to looke on our infirmities And all those euils turne away which we deserue contâ—…llie Grant that in troubles and sicknes we put our trust and hope in thee And serue thee in true holines in awefull â—rueth and sanctitie Through Christ the onely aduocate and mighty Lord of all mankinde That workes Gods loue from wrath and hate towards his elect to be most kinde Oh God to whom all hearts are seene and hid desires are plainely kâ—owne My life reforme and minde make cleane my spirit inspire to be thine owne That I may loue thee perfectly and magnifie thy holy name Through Christ my Sauiour worthily and all the world confesse the same Lighten my darkenesse Lord I pray thee from daily dangers me defend Let not flesh world nor deuill dismay me keepe me both to and in the end Thy mighty hand and arme protect mee thy mercy in Christ be my saluation Lord euer let thy word direct mee and thy Spirit giue me consolation The peace of God which farre exceeds all vnderstanding of mans wit Preserue my soule from wicked deeds and gâ—ide my heart to doe what 's fit A Morning Prayer for a priuate person ALmighty God and heauenly Father I make my prayer vnto thee in an acceptable time calling most faithfully and feruently vpon thee in the name and mediation of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ thy well beloued Sonne in whom thou art well pleased trusting that for his sake and for the multitude of thy mercies thou wilt heare me and grant my petitions may be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my saluation Almighty immortall and invisible God who inhabitest eternitie and dwellest in light that none can attaine vnto whom neuer man saw neither can see as thou art in thy eternall glory with this eye of flesh and liue vnto thee oh Lord God doe I prostrate and direct my selfe most humbly confessing that I am but dust and ashes not worthy to open my lippes to speake vnto thee or once with my eyes to looke vp to thy heauens to behold thy glory in thy wonderfull workes for oh Lord I haue sinned against heauen and against thee and am not worthy to bee counted or called thy Sonne being by nature the child of wrath a fire-brand of hell altogether both in body and soule begotten conceiued and brought foorth in sinne and have euer since my first originall liued and continued therein adding sinne vnto sinne and heaping vp transgression vpon transgression and drinking in iniquitie as the beast doth water so that oh my Lord God if thou shouldest but behold mee with thy pure eyes that can abide no iniquite thou mightest not onely punish and afflict me with diuers crosses with sundry paines sicknesse and diseases in this mortall life but O Lord thou mightest follow and pursue mee with thy secret hatred with thy infinite and eternall displeasure yea and for euer giue me my part portion with the wicked reprobates and damned spirits in infernall darkenesse But oh Lord though by nature and desert hell be my portion yet thou hast pleased for Christ his sake in whom alone I beleeue the pardon of all my sinnes originall and actuall of omission and commission of ignorance and knowledge and of presumption in all which kindes I haue mightily offended thee mine owne conscience beside the testimony of thy word bearing witnesse which is greater then if ten thousands of witnesses should stand vp against me But ô Lord for thy Christ his sake that immaculate and vnspotted I am be that was once sacrificed for the Redemption of the whole world doe away all my sinnes and offences and let them not at any time through Sathâ—ns accusation or aggrauation stand vp against me neither in conscience in this world to accuse mee or in the day of thy second comming to condemne mee wash them away ô Lord in the precious blood of thy Sonne and for his sake bee at peace with mee Seale vp vnto my soule and conscience this day and while I am in this life the assured pardon of all my sinnes of thought word and deed Let thy Spirit dwell in me and testifie vnto and with my Spirit this day the assurance of my Iustification and adoption O Lord sanctifie and regenerate mee to thy Image through thy holy Spirit from whence through Adams sinne and my owne actuall I am fallen should for euer lye plunged therein if thou Lord shuldest denie to reach foorth vnto mee thy mercifull hand or thy hand full of mercy and aboundant kindnesse in Christ. O Lord if when we were dead in sinnes and trespasses and inasmuch as in vs lay thy most malicious enemies when wee were without God and without hope in the world and sought not after thee till thou as to Adam in the garden didst seeke and finde vs out How much more beeing in Christ and in him seeking thee wilt thou be found of vs and nigh vnto vs when wee call vpon thee O Lord thou hast promised that if wee aske wee shall haue if we seeke we shall finde if wee knocke it shall bee opened vnto vs wherefore I beseech thee pardon my weake Faith O Lord encrease in me godly sorrow for all my offences past and present ô let mee sorrow that I cannot sorrow according to the heighâ—… multitude of my transgreâ—… Lord make mee to know my sâ—… not onely open but secret not 〈◊〉 the highest but
euen in the lowest degree and breed in me a perfecâ—… hatred of them not in respect of punishment temporall or eternall but in filiall feare and godly affection grant for thy Christ his sake that I may hate and detest them and my selfe in them and for them And to this end Lord open mine eyes that in the hearing and reading of thy word as the linely and most effectuall meanes I may obtaine the assurance of thy loue and fauour and let it be that to mee which it is in it selfe thy strong power and mighty arme to my saluation Let it be vnto mee the sweete sauour of life vnto life and not at any time through my vnworthinesse the sauour of death vnto death Good Lord hereby create in me a cleane heart and renew a right Spirit within mee that I may delight in thy word aboue gold aboue much fine gold yea aboue thousands of gold and siluer let thy word bee a continuall light vnto my patheâ— and a daily lanterne vnto my feet ôlet me not stand at a stay in grace nor in any measure of gift of grace much less decline or goe backe in any grace or gift of grace but grant that I may in the vse of all holy meanes goe on in grace till I come vnto a perfect man in Christ â—esus Lord keepe me this day that I may not like Lots wife looke back again or like the vnthankful Israelites esteeme the homely fare of Egypt of this world of things of this life aboue the heauenly Manna thy word the only true food of life But like Abraham the rich Marchant leaue sell all that this world can affoord to attaine the Kingdome of heauen vnto which thou hast called mee by faith in Christ at this day and for euer Hauing begd these graces I returne vnto thee humble thanks for all thy benefits that I haue receiued not onely before but since my being as for my election before time and for my vocation in time from whence haue followed my iustification and some measure of sanctification in this life and my assured hope of glorification in the life to come For these inestimable blessings which no minde can conceiue nor tongue expresse I returne vnto thee all such possible praise and hearty thankes as my vnderstanding can conceiue beseeching thee that I may this day all the dayes of my life walke worthy of all these thy mercies O Lord I thanke thee for these other inferiour testimonies of thy loue which thou hast made more common with the vniust then with the iust I thanke thee ô Father that thou hast shared mee out so great a portion euen beyond many of thy Saints seruants Lord grant that while thou continuest the trust of them in my hands for they are thy talents and not mine I may soberly vse them to thy glory and to mine owne comfort and the comfort of the Saints O Lord grant I may abound in charitie to all of all sorts that I shall behold to stand in neede of my helpe but especially to the houshold of Faith and grant that I may giue no reliefe in worldly ostentation or vaine glory to bee seene or talked of of men but in an vpright heart good conscience vnto thee And all this I beseech thee to grant for Iesus Christ his sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Last of all I beseech thee as a seeling member of thy holy Church militant howsoeuer or wheresoeuer dispersed scattered or afflicted for all thine that suffer any kinde of sorrow neede sicknesse or any other aduersitie in soule or body by sea or land but especially for all thine that suffer bonds chaines or imprisonments with Ioseph for righteousnesse sake mittigate all their paines and troubles and giue them Faith and patience in all their seueral distresses as may bee most for thine owne glory and their comforts through Christ our Mediator and Redeemer To thee ô Father Sonne and holy Ghost the eternall and most blessed Trinitie bee rendred all praise and glory not onely by all men in generall but by me in speciall with thy holy Church this day and for euermore Amen Amen A particular confession of a sorrowfull sinner MOst mighty and all-knowing Lord â—…true spring of consâ—…ion J doe confesse with heaâ—t and voyce thou art my preseruation I haue offended griâ—uously by my transgâ—…ssions donâ— against thee And haue drawne downe a weight on mee of thy great Iudgements willfully Vnder which burden cannot I but faint and fall in wofull sort Vnlesse thy hand and thy mercy through Iesus Christ doe me support Thou knowest good Father I am weake and cannot beare thy heauy Ire Not knowing what to doe or speake or how to escape my sinfull hire Vnlesse thou point 〈◊〉 oâ—t the way with thy wise Spirit me directing Vnto my foe I am made a pray were not thy power me protecting Not euery one that heares thy word can vnderstand thy wiâ—edome great Nor euery one that cries Lord Lord shall enter in at heauens gate Who is not led by better line then doth proâ—… from fleâ—â— and blood Erres from the trueth and doeth decline from right to wrong to ill from good Whose end is death though for a time seemes sweete to please the outward man That 's nothing else but durt and slyme or like a puffe in length a span As honour riches friends and health Preferment life and Worlds delight Esteeming these true happy wealth but the true blisse is out of sight They thinke that sicknes pouerty imprisonment and enemies fell And worldly crosses verely are gates and entrance into hell So foolish and so ignorant are those thou guid'st not in thy way Mong'st whom euen I through wisdomes want haue bin misled vntill this day But hauing found the truth by triall that earthly ioyes are transitory When they me tempt I make deniall and onely seeke the eternall glory Now I disclaime all confidence in honour health in wealth or feature In wit or worldly Sapience or yet in any earthly creature And Lord I here doe dedicate all thou hast giuen me to thine honour My selfe I wholly consecrate to march and fight vnder thy banner And now I bid these toyes adue that onely-please my flesh and sences Because they all are most vntrue and still doe cause so great offences Because their glorious bounty fades and leaues nought but deformities Because they are nought else but shades and bring forth grosse enormities Because they are most false and fickle because they are indeed hels fewell Because their rose hath many a prickle because their slauery is most cruell Because they are not firme and stable because they are profane not holy Because they are but as a fable because they are but sottish folly Because my soule they coll and kill because they giue me Iudas kisse Because my good they spot and spill and draw me from mine heauenly wish Because like swords they wound my soule because like Serpents they doe
our feete vnto which wee are so exceeding prone And that because we are thy temples and members one of another and of thy Sonne Christ especially And for our helpe herein giue vs grace that we may euery one seriously apply and diligently minde the things thou hast this day appointed vs to doe in our seuerall rankes and callings as we are either fathers masters children or seruants that we may both gouerne and obey as becommeth thy children and seruants which feare thy holy name and giue vs grace that wee may this day and all the dayes of our life perseuere in the faith and feare of thee and of thy Sonne Iesus our most louing and blessed Sauiour And grant most louing Father that as we haue begunne in him so wheresoeuer we are at the last we may finish our mortall race in him and change this life vnto his glory and our owne eternall comforts Now hauing continued our accustomed suites for spirituall blessings and graces we returne vnto thee most humble and hearty thankes for all those fauours which as assurances of all thy loue thou hast giuen euery one of vs here present as in our births into this present world thou didst safely bring vs through the straight gates of nature which â—ike Herod in the act of birth â—hreatneth nothing but present â—eath in infancy childhood and â—outh considering our weakenes â—nd wildnes might haue befallen â—nto vs many mischances of deâ—… 〈◊〉 in our bodies so since â—e came to manhood thou hast â—ept vs from the same dangers a â—ousand manner of wayes for â—hich we thanke thee O Lord â—e thanke thee also for our daily â—ead and contiâ—…all cloathing that through thy blessing doeth daily comfort vs in this present life for thee and for a thousand more of which we haue continuall experience both in body and soule wee are bound to continue and conclude these our prayers thankesgiuing and morning sacrifice vnto thee for our selues and thy holy Church as thy Sonne our Sauiour hath taught vs saying Our Father which art in heaueÌ„ c. To thee the Father the Son and the holy Ghost bee giuen all honour and glory by vs and all thine this day and for euermore Amen Amen Be mercifull ô Father of all mercies to thy Church vniuersall dispersed throughout the whole world and grant thâ—… they that dâ—e confesse thy name may agree in the truth of thy holy word liue in godly concord and vnitie More especially good Lord bee mercifull to all such as bee vnder persecution for the testimony of a good conscience and the profession of the Gospell of thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ. Defend and saue ô Lord those silly soules which as sheepe are appointed to the shambles and slaughter and represse the rage and tyranny of such as are bent to blood-shed and minde nothing but murthering thy Saints and children be mercifull to this sinfull kingdome wherein wee liue and be good and gracious to thine annoynted Charles our most gracious King blesse the honourable Counsell the Reuerend â—lergie the Nobilitie and Cominalâ—ie of this Land and also blesse â—s a portion of thine inheritance the which our Lord Iesus Christ was contented to redeeme with his most precious blood the alone mediator of all mercies to whom â—ith thee and the holy Ghost beeâ—â—â—l honour and glory for and euer Amen Amen Precepts of duty HIgh mighty God of righteousnes in wrath a dread consuming fire Thou didst in perfect happinesse make man that did 'gainst thee conspire And breake thy lawes with all despight when thou hadst made him pure and holy Plac'd him in garden of delight so great and wicked was his folly That hauing leaue to take or leaue to chuse refuse or vse at pleasure He did himselfe by sinne deceiue of that diuine surpassing treasure And by his mutabilitie regardlesse of thy sacred lawes He brought in instabilitie lost his free-will by breach of lawes Thou God of Iustiâ—e must doe right man wanting grace with want of grace By grace substraction didst requite and banish him that blessed place By meanes of which we are inclin'd from thy behestes to run astray Our tongue our heart our soule our mind by sinne is carried cleane away Thou hast vs Lord by grace elected and thy free mercy to inherit Thy blisse if thy blisse be respected and seal'd vs with thy holy spirit Thou madest vs free by thy Sonnes blood to th' end thou mayest be glorifi'd In soules and bodies for our good his passion hath vs purifi'd Thou freedst vs to that end we might serue thee in holy righteousnes Thou gauest thy Sonne and he vs bought from thraldome of our sinfulnes Thou would'st he should for all men die to make him liue in thine elect And they in him to â—ructifie and with his graces hast them deckt By grace and holy inspiration rebellious nature seek'st to tame With precepts for instruction and leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name The ready way of seruing thee and profit to our neighbours bring And louing thee most zealously who art our Father Lord and King Though by thy Gospell we be free from lawes their sting and punishment Yet rules of life and pietie thou hast precrib'd and to vs lent Thereby to manage all our deeds and guide vs lest we step awrie Obseruing carefull as we needs how well to liue and well to die These lawes thou writ'st in Table two with the pure finger of thine hand Deliuering them Moses vnto that we thy will might vnderstand The first containeth precepts foure Of precepts due vnto thy feare The second sixe Commanrements more of loue we should to neighbours beare The summe and substance of them all and that fulfilleth euery part Is thee to loue on thee to call with all our soule might mind and heart To other men especially thine houshold that are firme in faith As to our selues to giue supply with all our helpe as Scripture saith But we are weake the case thus stands In this â—raile mortall life of ours No man can keepe these thy commands but breakes them at all times and houres Yet thou thy children oft doest will themstlues to comfort hopefully There is left for them some measure still to come to thee regardfully Namely when they doe bend their strength daily preuented by thy Spirit And stand in hope to attaine at length what now they want by Christ his merit Walking and daily going one by steppes thereof to Paradise Praising and lauding thee alone bewailing their infirmities The faithfull know all and beleeue with thee our father mercy is Thou with thy Sonne doest all things giue how can we then of mercy misse Therefore my God now giue to me all that thou giuest to thine elect Of thine eternall clemency good Lord doe not my soule reiect Illuminate my knowledge darke possesse my heart with perfect loue What 's done amisse Lord doe not marke the guilt of sinne from me remoue That I most constantly may walke the
steppes and pathes of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnesse daily talke with feare end loue and all applause To thee I wholly owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created mee And bought me not with worldly pâ—lfâ— but by thy Sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy Image from aboue and vnto thee themselues betake O let me thus thy fauours find and peace of conscience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kind protected still by thy right hand That fill'd my dayes I leaue this life to take a life eternally Where Angels sing continually all glory be to God on high Amen A Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord God great in power fearefull in iudgeâ—ent and rich in mercy which â—indest and no man looseth and â—ooâ—est no man bindeth I yeeld â—hee most humble and hearty â—hankes for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed â—e this last nights sleepe in peace â—nd rest and againe loosing the â—onds wherewith I was tied hast â—iuen me power to see this morâ—ing light Now ô Lord I beâ—ech thee powre vpon mee this â—y the heauenly dew of thy comâ—rtable blessing that through the â—eration of thy gracious beames â—hat am a poore tree weake and â—rren in my selfe may bud forth â—d beare the fruits of true faith 〈◊〉 my life and conuâ—rsation Continue this goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power raise me from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenâ—sse and cloath me with the armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the glasse of thy will Increase in me all godly deâ— sires together with true contriâ— tion of heart that I may vnfainedâ— ly despise the pleasures of thiâ— world with hearty repentanâ— be conuerted vnto thee send thâ— holy Angel to guide me and keep me in all my wayes and prospâ— the worke of my hands that I nâ— uer faile in my vocation to dâ— some good to all men and escheâ— if it be possible all euill O Lord I beseech thee pâ— serue and keepe my senses â—aâ— and souÌ„d that I be neither corrup ted by prosperity nor deiected by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bould on thy mercies But grant me grace ô mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all that comes from thee with a religious heart and contented minde O blessed Lord Iesus Christ blessed bee thy name for our redemption great was thy loue sore was thy passion print in our mindes we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that wee may love thee which so louedst vs and euermore praise thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to bee presented to thy Faâ—her but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities encrease our Faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy faâ—hers iust wrath make good thy â—romises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy grace for the performance of all thy Commandements prosper ô Lord the workes of our hands and bring vs safe to the end of this day for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen Amen An Euening Meditation I Lay me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord onely makest me dwell In safety with great quietnes and doest ill dreames from me expell My body to enormities is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmities my life and health it cannot keepe Good Father all sufficient my louing God I yeeld thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my wayes In that thou hast this day now past me strongly guarded with thy hands With loue refresht me first and last with mercies more then sea-shore sands That hast me brought to this dayes end blacke night and darkenes drawing neare Wherein all creatures rest attend and lay them downe till day appeare I finding my debility poore creature run to the diuine O strength mine imbecility and aide this soule and body mine Thou hast me made of matter grosse and brittle substance out of clay Which still is subiect to the crosse a tennis ball for worldlings play He wanting comfort cannot liue after much sorrow and great griefe Therefore I doe my body giue and soule to thee Lord grant reliefe O Lord I doe thee humbly pray as thou art fountaine of all rest Bee thou my succour helpe and stay let me by thee this night be blest Consider me in my weakenesse and let my carefull eyes behold My miseries and my distresse to cry for mercy make me bold And since 't is time that night now brings the bodies rest and quiet sleepe O shadow me vnder thy wings let thy protection safe me keepe Looke ouer me with watchfull eyes when this corrupted flesh of mine In slumbring sleepe and dulnesse lyes depriu'd of sense with closed eyne Vnable my poore selfe to saue from dangers of the darkesome night Keepe me my bed else is my graue and I shall neuer see the light Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwell and in sure safety to abide Thou watchest ouer Israel watch ouer me be by my side Thou art my Castle and my Fort my sword my buckler and defence My rocke my refuge and comfort saue me from force and violence Alas without thee what am I a beast that rightly nothing knowes A senseles blocke sillie flie that no good doe nor no good showes Thy louing fauour Lord extend ouer the house wherein I rest My bed with Angels Lord defend and soule and body by thee be blest Oh lay me downe in rest and peace in rest and peace ô let me rise In rest and peace ô giue some ease from torments troubles teares und cries Let not the sleights of sinne deceiue nor wicked practise ouertake me Let nothing me of hope bereaue oh doe not thou though all forsake me Lord I am poore oh make me rich with those great riches of thy blessing My soule my soule is blacke as pitch let pardon follow my confessing In hope of this I lay me downe depending on thy prouidence I care not if the world doe frowne for I am safe by thy defence Lord let it be for I am thine my rest make sweete and comfortable To thee I doe my selfe resigne Lord grant all this for thou art able An Euening Prayer for a priuate person O Most holy Father and my most gracious God which giuest vnto all men the cheerefull light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations and likewise sendest the silent nights that then they my rest their wearied limbs and busied mindes and so returne their due thankes for thy goodnesse I sinfull creature adore and praise thee for the totall
hands and liues by which wee haue this day offended thee iniured and oppressed others but that thou mightest as on Iobs children suffer the deuill by his instigation of wicked men to robbe and spoyle vs not onely of our goods and cattell and other our personall estates but also of our liues But ô our good God wee are confident that through thy mercy and loue in Christ no euill shall come vnto vs for thou hast promised that thou wilt bee a refuge and fortresse to keepe safe all those that trust in thee not onely from the arrow of the day but from the terror of the night which thou at thy will and pleasure sendest for the punishmeÌ„t and correction of our sinnes as thou â—iddest Shemâ—i with his rayling â—ongue to aâ—â—â—ict Dauid O Lord for the wâ—rthinesse of thy Sonne our Sauiour in whom onely wee lay down our bodies to rest turne backe this night and at all other times of our sleepe all the euill and wicked purposes of those that intend vs any hurt in our bodies or goods and send thy holy Angels to protect vs with their hands as they did thee our Sauiour against the prince of darkenesse when he had ended on thee his three temptations in the wildernesse And as they fought against the Assirans hoaste that proudely boasted themselues against thy seruant Hezekiah So ô Lord let thine Angels fight against all our enemies and the enemies of thy church not of flesh but of Spirit which resolue our hurt whether walking in the day or sleeping in the night And though our sinnes in which wee so much abound haue deserued that thou shouldest send those ministring Spirits as on Egypts first borne in the night to take away this our dying life or life full of death yet for thy mercies sake let them be our gardians not ouely this night but all the dayes and nights of this life for euer to further our soules and bodies in thy obedience and in and after death to conduct them to Abrahams bosome to rest in ioy and blisse with thee for euermore yea let thine Angels of light that continually behold thy face in heauen bee about our bodies night and day and with louing and kind assistance keeping euill from vs and vs from euill not onely of sinne but of temptation with which that worldly Gouernour and Prince of the Ayre neuer ceaâ—eth millions of wayes to withdraw vs from thee if he cannot through couetousnesse as Iudas â—or through the world as Deâ—as and Achan yet through pleasure as into our first mother Eue Dauid Solomon Sampson hee will a thousand to one craftely enter and seate himselfe in our hearts O Lord if by thy holy Spirit we happen to be so strong as by none of these baites to bee caught then hee laboureth by temporall crosses and afflictions of body and minde as on Iob to draw vs to distrust and dispaire in thy mercie and loue in all which assaults let thy grace and our faith keepe vs that we may not bee ouercome but as valiant souldiers in Christ and through the Armory of God in which by our holy calling we are girt we may leade captiuitie captiue and bee more then Conquerours through him that loueth vs. So that neither the feares of the day nor the terrours of the night of death and hell should separate vs from the assured guard of thee and thy Angels the conductors and furtherers of our saluation This thy great helpe and especiall assistance wee are continually enforced to craue not for our owne sakes but for thy Sonne his sake and that as hee himselfe hath taught vs in his most holy word saving Our Father which art in heauen c. To the Lord of Hoastes and God of glory our Creatour to thee ô Christ Iesus our Mediator thee most holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne bee ascribed all praise and glory this night and for euermore Amen Amen Another for the Euening O Eternall God and most mercifull Father wee acknowledge and confesse against our selues that our hearts and hands are full of all filthinesse and sinnes whatsoeuer and we are altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuertheles being so much bouÌ„d vnto thee as this day past and all other times of our liues doe witnesse we most humbly offer vnto thy holinesse by the hands of Iesus Christ our Mediatour our humble duties of praise thanksgiuing for our Creation Election Redemption Vocation and Sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord our tongues and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubims for preseruing vs this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereunto wee might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entered into iudgement with vs but Lord thou art mercifull and passest by our manifold offences to winne vs by thy long sufferance we beseech thee make vs thankefull for thy mercies and carefull to doethy will O Lord pardon and forgiue vâ— all our sinnes and grant vs euery day more and more the sight oâ— them true vnfained sorrow anâ— repentance for the same Giue vs faith and grace to beleeue all the sweete promises that thou hast made to vs in Christ Iesus both for the remission of our sins and the hope of a better life strengtheÌ„ vs from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in our liues and conuersation all the daies of our pilgrimage here Arme vs ô Lord with thy grace and holy Spirit against all the corruptions of the world the temptations of the deuill the allurements of the flesh and settle our mindes to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publicke and priuate Continue thy goodnes towards vs in prouiding for vs such things as are necessary for the maintenance of this present life blesse the same vnder our hands that the little which wee haue by thy goodnesse may be encreased and the encrease may serue as well to furnish our necessary vses as to minister vnto the necessitie of others according to our abilities Keepe vs Lord this night from all euils which may happen either to our bodies or soules Extend thy goodnesse towards all those that depend vpon vs or wee on them Giue vs quiet sleepe and rest and when we shall awake let all our thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse vs ô Lord all the nights and dayes of our liues and at the end thereof send vs a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall grant vs these good things most mercifull Father and all other needefull graces for Iesus Christ his sake in whose name wee further call vpon thee as our Lord and Sauiour hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which are in heauen
is a sweet sacrifice Repentant sinners him delight farre more then iust men in their eyes What I haue bene my God hath knowne What I now am the Lord doth see What I shall bee to him is showne from him no secret kept can be How I consum'd so many yeares mispent so many months and dayes Both houres and minutes all appeares to God who markes my life and wayes Time is the meane that all things tries Time worketh what mens wits deuise Time with his swiftnesse euer flyes And Time in time will make men wise Fly from me follies of my youth packe hence my sinnes that burd'ned me Welcome to me is Age and Truth now I by faith in Christ will be Whose sinnes doe make my heart to bleed let them examples take by me Whose wickednesse all mens exceeds come Lord in mercy pardon me Lord now let me depart in peace I â—â—ele thy rod I finde thy loue My paines doe grow my ioyes encrease this mercie comes from thee aboue My sicknesse is a present meane to heale and cure my wounds of sinne Lord purge all my corruptions cleane and let my death my life beginne A Prayer for the forgiuenesse of Sinnes ETernall God and louing Sauiour before thy Baptisme thou didst send Iohn the Baptist to preach remission of sins through repentance and faith in thy name And after thou wert Baptized and entered into thy Ministrie thou that didst exhort all that were weary and laden with their sinnes to come vnto thee saying that thou cammest to call sinners to repentance and that the whole had no need of the Phisitian but the sicke Wherefore o Lord being deadly sicke with the sence of my sinnes and with the Samaritane wounded vnto death I entreate thee in the teares of a sorrowfull heart to wash me not onely my hands feete and head but also my heart from sinne O Lord powre into my wounds the oyle of mercy that it may pacifie and quiet my minde in thee O Lord wash me with the bloud of thy Sonne as with Hysop for I haue with the Prodigall sonne and Lost sheepe erred in the vanitie of my minde But ô Lord as Philip found Nathaniel when hee looked not for him So by true repentance and hearty confession let me be found of thee and in thee now seeking after thee O Lord I thirst after thee and for thee wherefore send thy holy Spirit into mee to mollifie and comfort my hard and vnrepentant heart O Lord it cannot by nature enter into my minde that I am so wretched a sinner but by thy word as vnto Nichodemus thou hast made me to see that except by true repentance I be regenerat and so as it were borne againe I cannot enter into the Kingdome of heauen that is possibly be saued But ô Lord thou hast made me to know sinne and how sinne became sinne by the reuerent vse of thy word for though there be sinne in vs before the knowledge of thy Law yet sinne without thy Law was not imputed but thou hast giuen vs Christians this thy law as a touchstone to know sin and that sinne is the transgression of the Law for if there were no Law there would be no transgression wherefore thy Law which was ordained vnto me vnto life by the search thereof hath slaine mee vnto death and made me immeasurably sinfull for by the Law thou hast made mee to know sinne which by no other meanes I could know or should euer haue found out for how should I haue knowne lust to be sinne if thou hadst not said I should not lust Wherefore O Lord seeing it is so with me that I doe the euill which I would not and leaue vndone the good that I would binde this strong man in mee that though Sinne dwell in mee yet hee may not raigne ouer or rule in mee yea mortifie the wicked deeds of my flesh by thy holy word and mighty operation of thy spirit O grant that by the dying of the Lord Iesus sinne in all his kindes and force may be subdued and dye in me lest that thereby I be made to come short of thy glory which thou hast promised to all repentant sinners Good God grant that I may not yeeld my members seruants vnto sinnes but reserue them seruants vnto thee in true righteousnesse and holinesse all the dayes I haue to liue in this life O Lord as Ammon hated his sister Tamar after hee had abused her with himselfe and himselfe with her so that hee could not abide â—ere nor well might himselfe by reason of himselfe giue mee grace I may hate sinne not onely after but before it is committed with no lesse indignation then they did each other and thou them both O Lord let the old man that is in me be so crucified with Christ in the power of his death that I may henceforth be no more seruant vnto sinne for that thou hast said that a carnall man liuing in sinne cannot please thee O Lord giue me thy spirit that I may hate the things of the flesh which are nothing but san against thee and loue the things of thy spirit as ioy in the holy Ghost peace of conscience long-suffering patience in bearing and forbearing wrongs with faith and the like graces and fruits of thy most holy spirit O Lord seeing I haue to the subduing of sin desired the gift of thy holy spirit let mee be carefull by the vse of all holy meanes to walke in the spirit And seeing thou hast condemned sinne in him that knew no sinne for my sake O Lord condemne it not in me againe and as the first birth is nothing but sinfull Adam Lord graunt that by this my second birth I may be a continuall liuing spirituall man in Christ thus hauing confessed my sinnes with hearty sorrow I beseech thee for my Sauiour his sake to forgiue me my sinne and to strengthen mee all the dayes of my life to come that with the man in the Gospell I may follow thy heauenly counsell and sinne no more neither in action affection nor intention lest this my confession and contrition should be in vaine which O Lord forbid for thy Christ his sake Amen Amen The Repentant complaineth of the grieuousnesse of his sinnes and desireth mercie and pardon and to be deliuered from Sinne and the guilt and punishment thereof HIdden O Lord are my most horrid sinnes vnto the world though open plain to thee He neuer betters that no time begins corruption killeth all good thoughts in me What sinne doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours but doeth encrease like monsters huge in me Committing them both minuts dayes houres as swift as time so fast grow they in me Rent thine own flesh teare thy wretched haire scrape clean corruptions marrow froÌ„ thy bones Put out thine eyes cut off thy tongue stop eares lame all thy senses to kill sinne at once I faine would walk that know not how to creepe I am opprest with such most
hainous crimes When I should walk sin drowneth me with sleepe for one good thought I sinne a thousand times Sigh O my soule weepe sorrow and lament and seeke for helpe if any hope be left Pray vnto Christ for grace thou mayst repent before his merits from thee be bereft Though by his rod afflictions humble thee and for thy sinnes thou suffer grieuous paine Yet with his flesh he still vpholdeth thee frō deepe despaire in bliss with him to raigne All glory be to God on high and to his Son our Sauiour wise and iust To whom with ioy still pray and sing will I and to my Comforter the holy Ghost Whose being was from all eternity one Deitie distinct in persons three According to the blessed Trinity distinguisht to three yet one in vnitie Abba ben Ruach sacred trinitie one drop of Nectar Lord on me bestow That glorious blood to cure sinnes miserie that all mankinde thy loue to me may know Let not sinnes hire nor grieuous punishment be condemnation to my stained soule Be pleased with Christ his all-sufficient payment who ransom'd vs from sinnes eternall thralls A prayer to be said on a Sunday morning for the right sanctifying of the Sabbath O Lord of Sabbath that in the beginning after the finishing of the sixe dayes workes in which by thy most mightie word thou didst create the heauen and the earth and produce all this wonderfull variety of things which wee perceiue euery day most admirably to be made not onely in the sensible but also in all insensible liuing things of all which workes thou hast caused man chiefely to excell hauing in him most curiously epitomised all the glory of this earthly fabrick and for all this thy great goodnesse thou hast done vnto him hast onely required of him that he in the contemplation of these created things not only without but within himselfe might finde out thee a louing Father and Creatour and doe vnto thee that high homage that thou hast commanded on this day not as slaues and seruants but as sonnes filled with all duty obedience which that wee might doe thou hast charged vs on the seuenth day to remember our Creatour not onely by refraining our seruile labour which in the sixe dayes thou hast appointed vs but by leauing the wicked workes of darknesse vnto which we are by nature and wicked desires so much addicted O Lord graunt that I may sequester my selfe this day vnto thy praise not onely in thy holy Congregation but in the secret cogitations of my heart And graunt that euery word or thing that I shall this day heare with my eares or see with my eyes may be so digested in my soule as fit subiects out of which I may bee occasioned to magnifie thy praise and glory O heauenly Father graunt that all those Sabbath dayes which haue passed in my youth and manhood while I knew thee not may be now recalled by double diligence in the deuout hearing of thy Word receiuing of the Sacraments and calling vpon thy name which on this day thou hast for euer commanded to bee done vnto thee in thy Church and holy Congregation And O Lord let my heart depart edified in thy most holy feare not for the present while I am hearing but for euer while I shall liue and let some part of thy holy Word which I shall heare expounded this day abide in me that at all times when I shall haue occasion or be called thereunto I may bee fitted and furnished to giue a full account and reason of the hope I haue in thee O Lord thy Apostles haue called this day not now the seuenth day from the Creation but the first day and the Lords day putting vs in mind of that high and admirable benefit of our Redemption as on this day accomplished by his glorious resurrection for the which wee can neuer rēder too much thanks neither publick nor priuate O Lord make my heart like the good ground mentioned in the Parable that when it had receiued good seede it brought forth thirty sixty and an hundreth fold so most sweet Sauiour graunt that I may haue thy Word so deepely rooted by the power of thy holy spirit this day sent downe into my heart that I may bring it forth in an hundreth fold thy power in my saluation And let it abide this day and euer in my soule the most sweet sauour of life vnto life O Lord driue from mee all impediments arising from the thoughts of the world the flesh and the deuill by which Sathan laboureth to frustrate in me the sauing hearing of thy Word and make me to heare thy precious Word with all reuerence and humility not as the word of man but as it is indeede the word of God And seeing thou hast said not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law are iustified O Lord make me a doer of the law And as thou hast againe said Blessed are yee if ye doe these things Wherefore Lord that I may bee capable of thy blessing graunt that this day when I haue heard I may doe the things and as thy blessed Mother pondered all thy sayings and layd them vp in her heart to remember them O sweet Sauiour helpe me this day and other dayes and times so often as I shall heare thy word or reade the same that my memory may be so quicke and fresh that I may retaine and remember all that shal most especially concerne me and not to be filled with idle knowledge but with constant doing that I may be accepted among those builders that set their house vpon the rocke most blessed Lord let me not be so simple as to thinke my selfe blessed by bare looking into thy law by an outward conformity in comming to thy Church to heare lest in so doing I become as a forgetfull hearer that offers to thee a sacrifice of fooles and so in sanctifying this thy Sabaoth so idely thou cast mee out among the hypocrites the chiefe profaners of the Sabbath in the burning lake and vnquenchable fire O Lord let no wicked temptation of sathan or of my flesh enter into my minde in the hearing of thy Word to make it vnsauourie or bitter vnto my soule but let it be this day and euer more sweet vnto my soule then honey vnto my lips O Lord let it be in some measure my meate and drinke to doe thy will and graunt that I may this day learne so much thereof that I may become wiser then my Teachers or those that regard not to keepe thy law graunt all these my requests most louing Lord both to mee and all thine this day and for euermore Amen Amen A Prayer for godly zeale O Lord knowing that zeale doth sauour our knowledge sweeten our vnderstanding confirme our faith and make acceptable all our sacrifices and seruices vnto thee and being a most excellent and perfect gift that commeth from thee the Father of gifts and how all thy seruants Moses Iosuah
Phineas Sampson Dauid S. Paul and Stephen and all the rest of the Prophets and holy Martyrs both ancient and late haue abounded herein I doe prostrate and cast downe my selfe before thy most high Maiestie beseeching thee to giue mee this coale from thine Altar that I may delight my soule to be talking and singing thy continuall praise and inflame my spirit like the men that trauailed to Emmaus to be astonied in admiration and contemplation of thy exceeding loue O God my Sauiour let not my zeale be headie preposterous or ignorant zeale that there with I may neither offend thee disquiet thy Church or afflict my selfe as the Scribes and Pharisees in Ierusalem and the Israelites in the absence of Moses at mount Sinah or as Saul in his Pharisaicall deuotion giue me not knowledge without zeale nor zeale without knowledge and that all my vnderstanding in thy Word may euermore bee mixed with true zeale O let not my zeale be aboue knowledge lest while I thinke to serue thee in the breath of charity by the distemper thereof I bee inforced to dishonour and blaspheme thee as the blinde Heathen ignorant Papists or vndiscreete Protestants at this day doe Graunt this O Lord for the honour of my Aduocate and Mediatour Iesus Christ. Amen A feruent Prayer vnto God that the repentant may finde fauour in Christ. ATtend vnto my teares O Lord regard my wofull moane And seeke to saue me by thy Word or I am ouerthrowne For sinne doth so oppresse my minde that I am damn'd to hell Vnlesse by Christ I fauour finde whose wounds must make me well Cure thou my soule so sicke with sinne by merits of thy Sonne Marke not the estate that I liue in but marke what he hath done Most perfect hee though I be vilde to please when I offend He sits with thee though I exilde in glory to the end My nature is inclin'd to euill though his with good accord My sences seeke to serue the deuill his will to please the Lord. Wherefore O God that art most iust in him my debts to pay In his desert my soule doth trust thy wrath for to allay O Father full of knowledge deepe thou searchest secrets of each heart Beholdst desires wee priuate keepe with hidden silence in the darke But yet thou doest thus much require thy children should know and confesse Thee for to be their lightsome fire that iudgest their workes in righteousnesse As thou hast fram'd in man a heart wherewith his Maker to beleeue A tongue and lips and euery part wherewith he glory may thee giue And thou doest chalenge at his hands free sacrifice of prayers praise And honours due throughout all lands that all men canst deiect and raise Thy Children must not in their minde be dumbe nor in their tongues be mute When they should seeke thy helpe to finde and by petition shew their suite Thy Sonne doth bid me aske and haue and finde to seeke to knock to enter What they doe want that they may craue by faith in him they may aduenture Thou still art ready to be found and helpe thine owne in their distresse That in their faith are constant found and patient in their heauinesse Therefore deare Father I beset with many miseries distrest Come vnto thee thine ayde to get and after trouble to finde rest And haue thy Grace without within but I that am of sinners chiefe Because thou hat'st in me my sinne they doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe Alas poore wretch what shall I doe to aske I am so farre vnfit Vnapt my God to aske vnto vnworthy to haue benefit Of what I craue or doe desire and yet to cry I will not linne Till thou doest send refining fire and purifie me from my sinne A Prayer for the obtaining of Faith Hope and Charity and all Christian vertues O Lord and Father of lights from whom proceedeth euery good and perfect gift I beseech thee to blesse mee with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ. Increase the little graine of my weake and feeble Faith direct it to the true obiect the merits of Christ Iesus and let it not be bare and bad but effectually working by loue Make me strong therein and constant to giue credit to thy Word without doubting and protect mee among the diuers and manifold errors sects and heresies of this world that fight against the foundation Lord let me not be disappointed of my hope which I haue in thee but make good thy promises vnto mee and so worke in my heart that I may haue courage in conflict patience in trouble and comfort in all things Keepe mee from insolencie and pride and graunt mee true humility and lowlinesse of minde that I bee not puffed vp to contemne my brethren but giue mee that due consideration of my owne vilenesse and infirmities that as dust and ashes I may tremble and stand in awe of thy Iudgements and as a sinfull man esteeme better of others then my selfe O deare Father when Sathan shall accuse mee my owne conscience beare witnesse against mee the whole world forsake mee and all things set themselues against mee for my sinnes then strengthen mee in thy Faith that I fall not from thee inflame my cold heart with the vnfained affection of heauenly loue that I may loue thee O blessed Trinity withall that I haue aboue all my neighbour as my selfe Graunt me a compassionate and a charitable minde to helpe and succour others to my ability to forbeare and forgiue them though they bee mine enemies Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my Sauiour open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe me to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance send me the hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and make mee verily and fully partaker of all the benefits of that bitter passion of my Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ To whom with thee and thy most holy Spirit be all honour and glory this day and for euermore Amen Amen The sighes and meditations of an afflicted conscience O Most mercifull God which by the sending of thy Sonne into the world hast brought to passe that where sinne abounded there grace abounded much more I forlorne wretch disquieted in minde and afflicted in conscience for feare of thy Iudgements vpon my sinne doe with bended knees and teares vnfained a most humble Suppliant begge and craue of thee some succour and reliefe open open the gates of thy mercies to the greatnesse of my miseries my abiect countenance witnesseth my distressed minde My spirit is sorrowfull my heart is heauie my words are stopt with sighes and my plants watered with teares to thee I hold vp my hands to thee I lift vp my heart to thee 〈◊〉 pray requiring thee of mercie O Lord what shall I desire of â—hee that deserue nothing at thy â—ands What can I hope for that â—m euen heartlesse
grace of thy lippes Oh I see it not I finde it not fleshly eyes conceiue not so great a mysterie open thou the eyes of my minde bring thy diuine light neerer vnto me and bring mee powerfully and more seriously to behold thee in this thine agony and passion I see it is Iesus the Son of God the vnspotted Lambe without sinne without fault without offence which tooke my wickednesse vpon him to the intent that I being set free from sinne might bee brought againe into Gods fauour rise againe from my fall returne home againe from banishment and attaine the end for which I was created that which I deserued he suffered and that which I could neuer attaine vnto â—e giueth O my Redeemer deliuerer and Sauiour draw me to thee that being alwaies mindfull of thy death trusting alwayes in thy goodnes and being alwayes thankfull for thy vnspeakeable benefits I may bee made partaker of so great reward and not bee seperated from thee through mine owne vnthankfulnesse Oh let not thy most humble inuestment of humanity bee in vaine in respect of me nor thy vnspeakeable and by thee alone endured torments be in-effectuall but valuable and all-sufficient for the eternall saluation of my soule and body whom thou hast redeemed and sanctified with that thy most glorious and inestimable blood shed at the time of Passion vpon the Crosse. 2. Oh I behold thee crucified for my soule Oh that thou wouldest also crucifie mee with thee that I might vtterly die in all carnall affections and so liue to thee or rather my sweet Sauiour thou in me then should I rest perfectly assured as by faith in thee and thy promises I doe to liue in thee and to arise by thee and with thee to life euerlasting thy flesh is crucified O Christ crucifie thou the power of sinne that raigneth in mee graunt I may put off the old man and vtterly abollish the whole body of sinne and be freed from all wickednesse vnbeliefe hardnesse of heart and dominion of all manner sinne and Sathan Let thy yoke become sweet and thy burthen lightsome to mee through thy most grieuous Passion 3. O most high mighty singular obedience where-through thou diddest submit thy selfe to innumerable torments yea euen to a most grieuous most bitter and most reproachfull death because thy heauenly Father for the Redemption of mankinde had decreed it so O splendour and brightnesse of thy Fathers glory O Sun of righteousnesse alwayes shining full of grace and glory shew vs where thou feedest in the heat of the day and where thou shrowdest thy Sheepe from the colde and thy little Lambes from the stormes of thy Fathers burning wrath and fearefull indignation Oh that wee might bee transformed into that liuely and sensible Image of thy Passion that wee might alwayes dwell in thee and thou in our hearts by faith rooted and grounded in charity so as wee might with all thy holy ones comprehend the length bredth height â—eepnes of thine agony bitter passion 4. I see a wonderfull kinde of loue thy highnesse boweth down the head that wee might be certainely assured that thou wilt graciously heare vs and helpe vs thou offerest the kisse of reconciliation and attonement yea and that of thine owne accord being the party grieued and wronged vnto vs that haue done the wrong Thou reachest out thine armes to embrace vs thou stretchest out thy bored hands to giue vs all things abundantly without holding any thing back thy side is open to thine heart to receiue vs in thither if wee will enter in at the open dore thy feete are fast nailed to the intent that wee may know thou wilt neuer depart from vs if wee depart not from thee O Father and Lord of ours thou seest the hardnesse of our heart and much rather the dulnesse of it It is not enough for vs to bee allured and called so gently so sweetly and so louingly but thou must bee faigne euen to draw vs pull vs and violently hale vs vnto thee create new and obedient hearts in vs for this wee haue is more vngentle then the cursed Iewes and more hard then the stones that cloue in compassion of thine innocent and yet most cruell Passion 5. O Lord Iesus Christ the euerlasting sweetnesse and triumph of them that loue thee exceeding all ioy and all longing thou sauer and louer of repentant sinners which doest acknowledge thy delight to be among the children of men and therefore in the end of times becammest man for mans sake Remember all the sorrowes which thou didst endure euen from the instant of thy conception in thy humane nature and from thy cradle to thy crosse Remember the bitter sorrow which thou didst suffer and endure when thou saydest My soule is heauy euen vnto death And at the institution of the commemoration of thy death when thou didst wash thy Disciples feete comforting them sweetly toldest them of thy Passion that was at hand Remember the sorrow anguish and griefe which thou didst suffer throughout thy whole tender body before thy suffering vpon the Crosse at such time as after thrice praying thou didst sweat water like to blood was betrayed by one of thine owne Disciples apprehended by thine owne chosen people accused by false witnesses condemned wrongfully by three Iudges in thy chosen Citie at the time of the Passeouer in the flourishing youth of thy body and being vtterly guiltlesse was deliuered to the cruell Iewes bespetted stript out of thine owne garment cloathed with another bodies apparell buffeted blinde-folded and smitten with sinfull fists bound scourged and crowned with thornes 6. O most sweet Iesus I beseech thee make mee mindfull of these thy paines and sufferings which thou hast endured for my sinnes that I might bee discharged and set free from them and my reconciliation and peace bee made with thy Father through thy chastisement by whose sorrowfull stripes wee are healed make mee to abhor all such hatefull sinne and cursed disobedience which could not be put away without thy so grieuous punishments Make me to be heartily sorrie for my sinfulnesse and to eschue mine offences which draw thee to the suffering of so great torments make mee mindfull of thy great loue to me and to all mankinde and let the infinitenesse thereof kindle an vnfaigned loue in me towards thee and my neighbour Let this thy vnmeasurable goodnesse breede in me a willing minde and desire to abide all things patiently for thy sake and for the truth of thy Gospell And let it ingender in mee a despising of all worldly and earthly things and an earnestly longing and endeauour to attaine to the heauenly inheritance for the purchasing whereof vnto me and for the bringing of mee thereunto thou hast indured these al other thy most bitter and intollerable torments at the time of thine agony and passion Wherefore I beseech thee grant me true repentance amendment of life perseuerance in all goodnesse a stedfast faith and a happy death
through the merits of thy sufferings that I may a so bee made partaker of thy blessed Resurrection Amen 7. O Lord Iesus the very freedome of the Angels and the pleasure of Paradise remember the terrour and griefe which thou didst endure at the time when as all thine enemies stood round about thee like a sort of roaring Lyons vexing thee with buffetings spettings scratchings and other intollerable dealings and martvring thee with reproachfull words grieuous stripes and most grieuous torments I beseech thee O Lord for thine owne sake and for thy exceeding great mercies sake which caused thee to endure and suffer these things for our redemption deliuer mee from all mine enemies visible and inuisible and graunt that I may finde protection in this life and endlesse felicity in the life to come Amen Amen O Lord the Creatour and framer of the world whom no measure can comprehend within bounds and which holdest the earth in thine hand call to minde thy most bitter paine which thou didst endure when they nayled thy most holy hands to the Cross and likewise pearced through thy most tender feete making thy wounds still more and more painfull and so drawing and stretching out thy body to the length and breadth of the crosse I beseech thee graunt that my continuall minding of this thy most holy and bitter paines vpon the Crosse may also cause me to stand in awe of thee and also to loue thee with an vnquenchable loue 8. O Iesus the heauenly Phisitian remember the anguish paine and griefe which thou diddest suffer by the renting crucifying tearing of all the parts of thy body when thou wert lifted vp and nayled to the Crosse insomuch as there was not any one of them whole and vnbruised so that there was neuer any paine found like vnto thine for there was not any place of thee left whole from the sole of the foote to the crowne of the head and yet euen then vnmindfull of all thy paines thou prayedst earnestly and mildly for thine enemies saying Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe I beseech thee by thy louing kindnes and mercie which caused thee to suffer these paines for my sake let thy passion be the full satisfaction absolution and pardon for all my sinnes Amen 9. O Iesus the mirrour of eternall brightnesse and fountaine of vnconsumeable goodnesse which crucifying vpoÌ„ the Cross didst thirst for the saluation of mankinde I beseech thee kindle in vs the desire of all good works quench in vs the thirst and concupiscence of all fleshly lusts and both coole and kill in vs the loue of all worldly delight O Princely Iesus the strength and triumph of our minds which for our sakes didst suffer such anguish of heart that the bitternesse of thy death and the exclamation of the Iewes vpbraiding and reuiling thee made thee to cry out with a loude voyce O God my God why hast thou forsaken me I beseech thee forsake mee not in my distresse but bee at hand to comfort mee and deliuer me especially at the time of death O Iesu the bottomlesse sea of all mercy I beseech thee by the deepe wounds which pearced through thy flesh into the marrow of thy bones and into the very bowels of thee pull me out of the gulph of my sinnes and hide mee in the holes of thy wounds from the sight of thy Fathers iust wrath vntill his displeasure be ouer-past 10. O Lord the mirrour of truth the standard of vnity and the bond of charity remember thine innumerable wounds wherwith thou wert torne from top to toe by the wicked Iewes so that thou wert all on a gore blood which torment thou didst suffer in that most holy body of thine for our sakes O most sweet and milde Iesus leauing nothing vndone on thy behalfe that might be for our benefit I beseech thee write the memoriall of these thy bloody wounds in my heart with thy most pretious blood that in them I may reade thy great loue towards mee let the remembrance of them be layd vp continually in the closet of my heart that the consideration of the paines and griefes which thou sufferedst for my sake in thy passion may make mee to loue thee more and more and neuer to giue ouer vntill I be come vnto the treasure of all goodnesse ioyes which I beseech thee to graunt me for thine owne sake O most sweet Iesus Amen 11. O Iesu the onely begotten Sonne of the heauenly Father and the brightnesse and Image of his substance remember thy heartie commending of thy spirit into thy Fathers hands when hauing thy body all torne and thy heart full of anguish and sorrow and the curse of our bloody sinnes pressed thee euen to the death and to the expiration of thy humane soule I beseech thee for this thy pretious deaths sake O King of Saints giue mee strength to withstand the deuill the world and the flesh that being dead to the world I may liue onely vnto thee And whensoeuer this wayfaring and banished poore soule of mine shall depart hence I beseech thee receiue it home into the hands and protection of thy mercy and graunt it may be deare and pretious in thy sight and liue and remaine with thee in glory for euermore Amen 12. O Iesus the true fruitfull vine remember the abundant flowing out and shedding of thy blood which thou didst send out of thy body most plentifully as out of Grapes pressed at the wine-presse at which time as thou didst tread the wine-fatte alone and begannest to vs of the cup of water and wine which streamed forth out of thy most glorious side I beseech thee O most sweet Iesus by this most bitter death of thine and by the shedding of thy most pretious blood wound my heart with such repentance of my sinnes and â—oy of thy loue as my teares may be my food day and night Turne â—hou mee wholy vnto thee that my heart may dwell with thee continually and my conuersation be acceptable vnto thee And let my life bee such through thy goodnesse as I may praise thee â—or euer with all thy Saints in the â—ife to come Amen O Lord Iesus Christ the Son of the liuing God who thirsting â—or the full accomplishment of mans redemption didst taste of â—he vinegar and gall despightfully offered vnto thee and diddest dyâ—ng vpon the Crosse commend â—hy spirit into the hands of thy heauenly Father So doe I betake my soule into thy mercifull hands beseeching thee both to preserue it here from all sinne and in the end to receiue it in peace into the company of thy chosen that are departed that I may with them praise thee euerlastingly which liuest and raignest with the Father and the holy Spirit coequall and coeternall one glorious wonderfull and immortall God for euer and euer Amen Amen In the pangues of death and in all tribulations the Remedies to be learned in the sufferings of Christ. VVHat 's death a seperation
healed His was a death cause death was due in him di'd all he died for all Gods Iustice vs to death doth sue he pay'd it and repair'd the fall That we might sleepe he suffered paines that we might laugh he oft did weepe His was the losse ours was the gaines thus did he change death to a sleepe To Christ did Stephen yeeld vp his spirit for he 's the way the truth the life He purchast life by death and merit the husband's he the Church his wife He is that Noah his Church the Doue that holds his hand for to receiue vs He bids vs come to embrace his Loue we flye to him when all deceiues vs. The heauens the earth the Lord commands to him all creatures runne but wee None can vs take out of his hands in life and death to him we flee Pillar of faith Basis of blisse of true Religion true supporter The point of Resurrection is in death it is the chiefe Comforter If this doe fall all faith may faile what Article doth vs refresh When life and health and strength doth quaile the Resurrection of the flesh Our bones shall blossome as the grasse we shall be raised out of dust The body that before time was by Christ his power arise it must The first fruits Christ the head is rais'd the members shall the same likewise The Lord God for the same be prais'd we know that we shall also rise If he ad aboue the water be how can the body then be drowned We shall arise and Iesus see and with him shall be Kingly crowned Of life and death the true directour who in his life and in his dying Of our misdoing is Correctour and into all our actions prying Christ is afflicted for our sake left vs example that we should Follow his steps and his way take thy crosse to beare with courage bold Our Sauiour Iesus teacheth thee how can that be say'st thou behold Example if thou punish'd be with sicknesse hunger thirst and cold With thy selfe reckon and account how it cannot compared be With his thornes his nayles surmount the greatest paine that paineth thee Art thou restrain'd of thy desire and lusts that draw thou know'st not whither Thinke on Christs Crosse his wrath and ire and put his tortures all together If pride puffe vp thy minde with motions looke on Christ nayl'd on the Crosse And thinke as bound by due deuotions of our great gaine by his great losse If thou in filthy lust doest burne or any other ill desire Thinke but how Christ his flesh was torne to saue thy soule from flames of fire With stripes thrust through and all to broken his drinke was Eysell mixt with gall With his last gaspe the earth was shaken who suffered for the sinnes of all If enuie hate reuenge thee grieue thinke with thy selfe how Christ did pray O Father doe them all forgiue for them that tooke his life away God vs commanded to forgiue and sayeth then we shall be forgiuen Without offence no man can liue and God his ballance hangeth euen He â—hat doth not forgiue his brother will then the Lord his faults remit No as he deâ—…h with another another shall repay 't is sit And when you kneele to God and pray forgiue if you haue any thing Gainst any liuing man that day that Christ may you remission bring And when thy gift thou do'st present and on the Altar sacrifice First with thy brother make consent and him forgiue in any wise When thou to Christ wast enemie and strengthened in great extreames Yet then did he giue remedie and o're thee spread his mercy beames He gaue to thee his holy spirit to guide and leade thy soule aright And gaue thee heauen there to inherit all ioyes and blisse aye in his sight When thou from him was gone astray be sought thee out and did thee finde And finding thee brought thee away vnto his fold he thee resignde Thanke God therefore and render praise exalt and laude his holy name Vnto the heauens sing alwayes All men on earth doe yee the same Henceforth my soule walke in his path and erre not from him any more Lest thou prouoke his heauy wrath and then art worse then wert before Let not Gods gifts be giuen thee to worke thy condemnation With feare and trembling walke sincere confirming thy Saluation Shunne thou all wicked Company with doers ill associate not Lest thou from faith should'st fall and 〈◊〉 and soule and body soile and spot But blesse his name who called thee vnto the state of righteousnesse And thy sinnes vengeance tane hath he to giue thee heauens happinesse Blesse thou his blessed Holinesse his praise let heart and minde record And let thy tongue and voyce confesse the gracious goodnesse of the Lord Prostrate thy selfe downe at his feete offer thy seruice with free heart O yeeld God all for 't is most meete since he made sau'd and blest each part Who spared not his onely Sonne but let him dye thy soule to saue To pay and ransome thy faults done and to redeeme thee from the graue So in the Prayer of our Lord we doe forgiue what 's done against vs As God forgiuenesse shall afford our Sauiour Christ doth teach vs thus A Prayer to beare patiently the Crosse of Christ or any affliction And if God so please to call vs to that triall euen to reioyce in Martyrdome O Almighty God most mercifull and louing Father that hast decrced that through manifold tribulations and afflictions in this world we that trust in thee must enter into the Kingdome of heauen And those that will follow thee my Sauiour and be thy Disciples must take vpon them by the constraint of the world as Simon of Cyrene to beare thy Crosse and to follow thee and those that liue godly in thy Son must suffer reproach and affliction And that there is neuer a Son whom thou louest but must like Peter drinke of thy Cup and endure chastening And in so doing thou offerest thy selfe an assured louing Father and assurest vs that wee are thy sonnes because it is giuen vs not onely to beleeue in thee but also that wee should suffer for his names sake O Lord I am willing not onely to liue with thee but also to dye with thee My Spirit is willing though my flesh bee weake Wherefore if it bee possible let this bitter Cup passe from me or if thou please and hast appointed that I by death should glorifie thee and with my blood seale and confirme thy truth sweet Iesus giue mee strength comfort and patience blessed be thy name and thy most holy will be done O Lord manifest thy power in my weakenesse and strengthen me that I may by the same power whereby thou raisest thy selfe from death to life patiently beare and willingly suffer that for thy name sake which otherwise for flesh and blood seemeth fearefull to be endured O Lord when I consider the hazards that wee runne through for the obtaining of
now returne humble and hearty thanks O Lord diddest thou no wonderfully in this life protec◠vs of thy selfe and with thy holy Angels it were not possible fo◠any man to liue one day in health or life O God I thanke thee fo◠the continuall blessings which 〈◊〉 haue receiued euery day night of this present life and for thy liberality in giuing me such plenty of foode and rayment not onely for my necessity but for my plenteous and free liuing not onely in health but in sicknesse And I thanke thee that thou hast giuen me such plenty that I may be able to lend and do good vnto others and that thou hast made my Cup to ouerflowe and hast giuen mee discretion to vse them soberly thankfully and honestly and that thou hast giuen me a heart to take my part of them and kept mee from prodigall vaine and wastfull spending of them so that my family haue not wanted in due season that portion that hath bin fit for them to haue and mee to giue them O Lord I thank thee that since I came to mans estate thou hast kept me from vaine and idle courses of liuing and that I haue not diminished thy blessings but encreased them for it is thou O Lord that giuest meanes and power not onely to keepe the patrimony of our Fathers but to encrease it Yea it is thou that giuest power vnto our hands to get goods thou makest wise thou makest simple thou makest rich and poore thou makest noble and ignoble wee liue moue and haue our Being all in thee and from thee and what soeuer we are in this life wee are at thy will and pleasure and thine especiall appointment for though we rise early and goe to bed late yet without thy blessing wee labour in vaine and haue but paine and sorrow the reward of our desires Wherefore O Lord I thanke thee againe and againe for thine vnspeakeable loue which thou hast manifested vnto mee not onely in blessing mee with an honest vocation and meanes in this world to liue and maintaine my charge at home and abroad in honest profits and recreations whereby thou hast made my life pleasant and comfortable vnto me but aboue all I thanke thee for thy mercy in Christ Iesus wherewith thou louest mee both before and since my being and that thou hast so especially cared for my soule while I knew thee not neither cared for to know thee for I was so dead and hardned in the custome of sinning so that I could not nor did care to call vpon thee but followed the concupiscence of my owne carnall and fleshly desires sauouring nothing but that which did altogether offend and displease thee hating thy word not onely in it selfe but also the Ministers thereof and professours thereof because of it whom otherwise I should haue loued vntill it pleased thee by the power thereof to illuminate my blinde vnderstanding and made mee to see the wretchednesse wherein I lay for want of thy grace O Lord such was and is thy loue that when with the sight of my wretchednesse I began to dispaire thou didst reueale thy Sonne vnto me and promised mee that though my sinnes were as red as scarlet yet if I did beleeue in thy promises confesse my sinnes and forsake them they should bee forgiuen which I did and euer since through thy grace haue done and will doe hereby hast thou iustified mee and sanctified me and giuen me an assured hope of my glorification And thus of the member of Sathan hast thou made mee of thine owne free adoption a member of Christ. Wherefore most louing Creatour support mee by the assistance of thy holy spirit that I may stand fast and perseuere in these Graces and gifts of grace the seales of my adoption vnto my liues end And may abound in all fruits of righteousnesse sanctification and holinesse vnto a perfect man in Christ Iesus This is that mercy of mercies surpassing all others which onely maketh mee happy in whatsoeuer outward wants or condition I shall be in this life and though thou gauest mee all my desire which this world can afford yet without it I should still remaine most miserable though in neuer so great an estate or esteeme of the men of this world Therefore for this blessing whereby thou hast pleased to saue me by faith and repentance I doe praise and thanke thee not with the tongue and lippes onely but with the whole man Let all that is within mee praise praise thee O Lord while I haue breath I will praise thee for thou onely art worthy to bee praised yea my soule praise thou the Lord To thee most glorious Trinity be giuen all possible praise might and maiestie in heauen and in earth by thine elect Angels and vs men in our bodies and spirits for euermore Amen Amen This Meditation inciteth vs to repaire vnto God in Prayers in silent sighes and in inward desires and groanes O Father full of knowledge deepe thou searchest secrets of the heart Behold'st desires wee priuate keepe with hidden silence in the darke But yet thou doest thus much require thy children should knowe and confesse Thee for to be their light some fire that iudg'st their workes in righteousnesse As thou hast fram'd in man a heart wherewith his Maker to beleeue A tongue and lips and euery part wherewith he glory may thee giue And thou doest challenge at his hands free sacrifice of thankes and praise And honours due throughout all lands that all men canst deiect and raise Thy children must not in their minde be dumbe nor in their tongues be mute When they should seeke thine helpe to finde and by petition shew their suite Thy Sonne doth bid me aske and haue and finde to seeke to knocke to enter What they doe want that they may craue by faith in him they may aduenture Thou still art ready to be found and helpe thine owne in their distresse That in their faith are constant found and patient in their heauinesse Therefore deere Father I beset with many miseries distrest Come vnto thee thine ayde to get and after trouble to finde rest And haue thy grace without within but I that am of sinners chiefe Because thou hat'st in me my sinne may doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe Alas poore wretch what shall I doe to aske I am so farre vnfit Vnapt my God to seeke vnto vnworthy to haue benefit Of what I craue or doe desire and yet to cry I will not linne Thy mercies great I will admire and craue to cure my wofull sinne O let thy spirit me sanctifie vntye my tongue open my lips I cannot silence keepe for why my conscience euery houre me whips My miseries growe more and more within my bones I finde no rest Thy grace anew to me restore and let me speake what likes thee best Let thine eares euer be enclinde to my extreame and dolefull cries Let me thy mercies ready finde to take my teares from weeping eyes Thou
thy most excellent loue which moued thee to shew mercy where none was deserued to promise and giue life where death had gotten victory to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe not hing but rebell against thy maiestie O Lord the blinde dulnesse of our corrupt nature will not suffer vs sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits Yet neuerthelesse at the commandement of Iesus Christ our Lord wee present our selues to this his Table which hee hath left to be vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the world that by him alone we haue receiued liberty and life â—hat by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone we haue entrance to the Throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall Kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table with whom wee haue our conuersation presently in heauen and by whom our bodies shall be raised vp agâ—ine from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endlesse ioy which thou O Father of mercy hast prepared for thine Elect before the foundation of the world was layd And these most inestimable benefits wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine onely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ for thâ— which we therefore thy congregation mooued by thy holy Spirit render vnto thee all thanks praise and glory for euer What tongue or what heart can worthily giue thee thankes O Lord Iesu for thine vnspeakeâ— able loue towards vs who to thâ—â— intent to redeeme mankinde forlâ—rne didst vouchsafe to become man and to take all the miseries of our estates vpon thee insomuch that in the end thou being a pure and vnspotted Lambe wast contented to bee made a sacrifice for vs vpon the Altar of the Crosse and to abide the punishment due for our sinnes that thou mightest reconcile vs to thy Father yea and both in life and death thou didst spend giue and bestow thy selfe wholy vpon vs and for vs. And thy gracious goodnesse was not so contented but also lest we might at any time perchance forget so great a benefit or at least our trust in thee might at any time quaile euen now raigning in heauen thou refreshest our soules from time to time with the foode of thy body and chearest them vp with the holy Cup of thy blood Wherefore I beseech thee let thy spirit cleanse my heart that I may not come vnworthily to that heauenly feast and to the table whereat euen the very Angels doe tremble but that by thy shedding thy selfe into my bâ—wels I may growe manly in thee and become the liuelier by spirituall encreasements so as I may continue vnto the end in the blessed fellowship of thy mysticall body whom it is thy will to haue all one with thee in such wise as thou art all one with the Father by the knitting of the holy Ghost to whom be praise and thanks for euermore Amen I yeeld thee hearty thankes O Lord Iesus Christ for thine vnutterable loue in vouchsafing to redeeme mankinde by thine own death And I beseech thee suffer not thy most holy blood to haue beene shed in vaine for mee but that I growing vp in thee by continuall encrease of heauenly strength may become a fit member of thy mysticall body which is the Church and neuer swarne from that most holy couenant which thou madest with thy chosen Disciples in thy last Supper by distributing the bread vnto them and by reaching them the Cup and by them to all those that by a liuely faith apprehend the merits of thy most pretious death and passion My Lord Iesus Christ what am I that thou shouldest vouchsafe to come vnder my roofe Can a sinfull man deserue such grace O Lord my God I am certainly altogether vnworthy Am I better then all my Fathers were thou wouldest not shew thy selfe to Moses one twinkling of an eye and how happeneth it that thou humblest thy selfe so much as to come to a man that is both a Publican and a sinner And thou vouchsafest not onely to eate with him but also to giue thy selfe to be eaten of him Haile O bread of life which cammest downe from heauen and which giuest life to as many as receiue thee worthily Surely whosoeuer receiueth thee wâ—rthily although his soule be seuered from his body by temporall death yet shal he not die for euer because that the separation is not a death but a passing from death to life by reason whereof hee that eateth thee worthyly beginneth to liue with thee for euer when he dieth in this world thou art the bread of the Angels the very sight of thee doth solace and glorifie the Angels thou art the food of the soule the glory of heauen the solace of all Angels Saints O most holy food by the eating whereof by a liuely faith is set free from all euill is filled with all goodnesse and is vndoubtedly made immortall O sacred foode of our pilgrimage by the strength whereof wee passe out of this naughty world to the glorious company in heauen Goe on therfore O beleeuing and faithfull soule be merry and reioyce in God thy Sauiour take thy fill of this feast wherein the body of thy Sauiour is set before thee to feede on man fell from God by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree but by this foode hee is redeemed againe to endlesse glory These â—achrymae following containe godly and deâ—out Prayers for constancâ—e in affâ—ictions and to beare malicious slanders patiâ—â—tly O Lord how doe my woes encrease how many are my miseries My troubles rise and neuer cease men iudge thou wilt not heare my cries They say thou wilt me quite forsake that there 's no helpe for me in thee But Lord they are but such that make their censure with a carnall eye And doe not spiritually discerne thy secret purpose and intents Correcting them whom thou wouldst learne to know thy Law and Commandements Chastising them whom thou do'st loue and scourging them oft with thy rod That thou their hearts and mindes may'st moue to feare and serue thee mighty God The wicked outward meanes preferre and worldly helpes at neede they muster And not to God themselues referre nor comfort take from heauenly lustre Who workes by meanes his sacred will and without meanes brings to effect And against meanes can saue or kill for those him serue his true Elect Therefore let not their malice moue nor yet their taunts diâ—may my minde I will hold fast by God aboue whose promise iust and true I finde I striue thy statutes Lord to keepe what thou command'st I will performe Direct me right to thee I creepe O Lord doe thou my life reforme Defend me Lord from their despight that watch to catch me in their snare And to entrap me day and night with nets and ginnes ere I beware And scoffe me basely with reproach with shamefull
scandalls and disgrace With thy protection Lord approach and let thy mercy me embrace Let not me come within the reach of their inuentions and deuice Whose facts are foule they faire in speech and by base flattery me entice Nor such as lye in wayte for me obtaine their wish who doe desire Fit time and opportunity to worke the euill they conspire O let me tread in the right path and walke from faith to faith in loue Obserue thy lawes and shunne thy wrath and forward to all vertue mone And let my conscience witnesse beare of my saith and integrity Let all men see the Christall cleare of my poore hearts sincerity Though I good Father cannot liue free from all sinne and all offence And some take cause though I none giue yet keepe thou cleare my conscience Shall I deserue still as I doe mens iust reproofes through indiscretion And that against my meaning too and suffer carnall mens oppression That breake forth into bitternesse against me that am weake and lame And vomite out their filthinesse What thou hast done they count my shame And take it as an argument that I am in deiection And thinke it is thy full intent to keepe me from protection Indeede O Lord I must confesse my sinnes deserue sharpe punishment Worthy of more and not of lâ—sse then all the plagues on me hast sent I more should taste then I can beare or able them for to endure Thy mercies yet they doe me spare and make me cleane that am impure But in my weakenesse of behauiour I this haue done which caus'd me fall But yet I trust in Christ my Sauiour his pâ—â—tious blood hath payd for all Depending on thy mighty power to saue keepe and deliuer me Lest miseries doe me deuoure and enemies my sorrowes see And take oâ—casion to pursue pretending to my soule no good Inâ—etered hatred they renue to eats my flesh and spill my blood Therefore consider my great groanes preuent the dangers comming nigh me My heart is rent with sighes and moanes J flye to thee O Lord stand by me Why standest thou a loose alas seem'st not my troubles to regard Why turn'st thou Lord away thy fâ—câ— mine heart doth hope for some reward Why hidest thou thy selfe me fro when troubles are so much abounding As though thou Lord dâ—dst me not know thy darts are alwayes mine heart wounding There is no helpe for mâ— in thee they say thou nothing doâ—st respect me I neuerthelesse will come to thee for Christ his sake thou wilt not reiect me The rather therefore me relieue that righteous men may well perceiâ—â— Thou ready art thine ayde to giue and their desires wilt not deceiue And not to faâ—nt when they are tride with like afflictions any wayes But shall with patient minde abide thy will and giue thy name the praise The dullest hearts thou doest prepare to call on thee and thou againe Doest heare their cries and them do'st spare and easest them of griefe and paine How long O Lord how long wilt thou forget me and how long shall I Seeke to be heard and know not how to make thee listen to my crie How long shall I thy counsell seeke yet ignorant what course to take I pray thee O Lord most meete with sighes and groanes which neuer slake My heart with griefe and heauinesse powres forth complaints continually Before thee in my great disâ—…sse yet inward light obtaine not I That lighten should my pensiue soule and comfort mine afflicted heart Thy wrath with rigour doth controle my forward hopes and causeth smart Thou threatn'st sorrowes to encrease to such as seeke to other gods Why should not then my torments cease that child-like feare thy awfull rods Sith I in thee my faith repone why should I then true wisedome want It being sought from thee alone why do'st thou then refuse to graunt Thou didst create all men at first and doest preserue and all maintaine Thy Sunne doth shine on best and worst the same to all thou do'st remaine But sith to thee alone I kneele and onely vnto thee doe call O let me Lord thy mercies feele and let thy drops of mercy fall With thee there is redemption and thou deliuerest all that trust In Christ for their saluation by whom the sinfull are made iust Thou keep'st them safe vnder thy wings of fauour from the mercilesse Thy fauour giueth all good things to thine Elect in their distresse O therefore be my rocke where on I may both safely build and rest Castle of refuge Arke alone in which I am in safety blest For thou hast promis'd in thy loue that they that put their trust in thee Like Syons mount which doth not moue shall safely stand eternally Breake thou the chaines which haue me tide remoue the sorrowes from my heart Wherewith Lord all my vaines are dried and I am parcht in euery part That I walking at liberty with a free spirâ—â— may salue my sore My hope may liue and crosses die and I sing praise to thee therefore And let my â—oes no more preuaile that Lyon-like doe me destroy And like to Wolues they me â—ssâ—ile that spoile the Sheepe the Shepheards ioy O carry me Lord in thine armes througâ— out these miseries cleane away And safâ—ly keâ—pe me from all harmes that now sticke fast in mire and clay Let no vntimely suddâ—ine Fate cut off my dayes ere fully spent Or raging floods sinke mine estate nor swallow me incontinent But rather Lord returne them backe these swelling waues that reare and rage On euery side to worke me wraâ—ke their gusts and tempests Lord asswage Let me passe on my mortall course and finish these my dayes of life Of thy meere loue and kinde remorse in peace and loue from hate and strife A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the Lords Supper O Heauenly Father I thanke thee that thou hast made me this day to sit downe with thee at thy heauenly Table and hast giuen me the bread of God that came downe from heauen not as the Mannah which being eaten afterward did perish and the eaters too and hast made this Sacramentall body and bloud of thy Sonne to be meate indeede and drinke indeede farre surpassing the olde carnall Mannah which extended but vnto the body but this spirituall foode which thou hast giuen mee with thiâ—e owne hand hath in it a quickning life for the present and an assurance of an eternall life in the life to come Wherefore hauing fed on thee this day by faith in my heart let the sweet comfort thereof so cheare my soule that I may more and more thirst after thee and by godly liuing expresse my dwelling in thee and so be more and more assured that thou art that Christ and Sonne of the liuing God my Sauiour and Redeemer in life and death and for euermore after death for vnto this end O God the Father thou hast sealed thy Sonne to be my Sauiour in thee will I for euer trust in this life to be
pardoned my sinne through thee in the life to come eternally to be saued Amen Amen Another Prayer after the receiuing of the holy Communion O Iesus the Sonne of God my Lord and Sauiour with all humble and hearty thanks I praise thee for suffering death vpon the Crosse for my sinnes and admitting me a miserable sinner to the participation of this blessed Sacrament the memoriall of my Redemption Let mee O Lord finde and feele in my heart the inuisible power of thy heauenly grace effectually working the transformation of mee into thee the wonderfull vnion of me with thee and the spirituall habitation and aboade in me Apply all thy merits and good things vnto my soule let me neuer doubt the forgiuenesse of my sinnes but euer open the doore of this Sanctuarie vnto me that I may runne thither in my greatest neede and apprehend thy gracious pardon ratified by this scale of thy couenant Quicken me O Lord in this life râ—â—â—ue and renue mee that I may disclaime my olde conuersation and become a new man keepe mee that I slippe not cut of this building nor become as a branch cut off and good for nothing but as thou hast seuered mee from the wicked in calling mee to the knowledge of thee so keepe mee from all their corruptions giue me a perfect loue towards thee that I may not delight in any thing but in thee nor seeke any other honour but thine O Lord Iesus I meekely beseech thee let thy holy Spirit strengthen mee against my frailty thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles and aduersities thy merits purchase my needefull pardon and thy blood be the medicine for all my sores euen for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen O Iesus Christ the Lambe of God which hast so loued mankinde that thou hast beene contented not on ly to become one with him but also meaâ—e vnto him and to dye for him vpon the Crâ—sse graunt I beseâ—ch thee that this my receiuing of this Sacrament may be a true testimony vnto my conscience that I hauâ— through faith in thee receiued full remission of all that is past and am become as it were a new creature in thy sight O sweet Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee such fauour and honour as to come to thy Table and feede vpon thee graunt mee grace I humbly entreâ—te thee so to performe and fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth Linke mee vnto thee and giue mee power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assâ—st mee with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy children vnfaiâ—â—dly and vtterly to forsake all vaâ—ity idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and ordâ—r all my affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in holy loue which is the bend of peace and truly fastned vnto thee my Head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwayes consider the bitternesse of thy death the greatnesse of thy loue neuer forget to be thankfull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and a badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnity of the Spirit for the reuerent and worthy receiuing of the same whensoeuer we shall come to thy holy Table againe Amen A Prayer for the Catholique Church and all the estates thereof O Most glorious euer liuing and euer louing Lord God the iust Master of the Vineyard and louing Head of the Church send thy holy Spirit into the hearts of all them that teach oâ— professe thy most holy truth alâ— men religious or secular Yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy name and depending vpon thy grace and mercy Giue vnto them all O Lord one law one baptisme one hope one spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique faith Keepe backe the famine of thy word and send such labourers into thy haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in their conuersation that they may be in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy Word that it may dwell in them plentifully in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wrâ—tched world O Lord thou hast found iniquity in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy fury lest wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no weedes ouergrowe the flowers suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people buâ— keepe them from all heresies phanaticall opinions se â—ucing spirits deadly contentions Keepâ— our neckes from the grieuouâ— yoke of Antichristian bondageâ— whose Religion is rebelliâ—nâ— whose faith is faction and whosâ— practise is the murthering oâ— soules and bodies good Lord re presse the furâ—ousnesse of all Tyrants which labour nothing buâ— the spoile of the Church and thâ— abolishment of true doctrine prayer and true Religion O Lorâ— Iesus amend all that is amisse anâ— graunt vs thy grace all the dayeâ— of our life euen for thy truth anâ— for thy names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie O Almighty God King of all Kings the fountaine rule â—nd stay of all soueraignty wee most humbly thanke thee that â—hou hast not left vs vnto our â—elues to doe what seemeth best â—nto vs in our owne eyes but â—ast set ouer vs a noble wise and â—racious-King thy seruant Charles â—ame head next vnder â—hee Lord make all thy good to â—oe before him day and night â—phold his Crowne maintaine â—is estate giue him continuall â—eace long life and much happiâ—esse Endue him with such wisâ—ome and vnderstanding to doe â—ch things both in the Church â—d Câ—mmon-wealth as may be â—ceptable in thy sight profitable 〈◊〉 his Subiects and hurtfull to â—one that loue thy truth merciâ—ly heare him in all his petitions and effectually work for him in all dangers in the day of battell in his greatest consultations in the time of his recreations from all plots of Treason and in phe houre of death Make vs thankfull for all thy preseruations of him both â—t home and abroad in this Kingdome and else-where Blesse preserue and keepe his Royall Consort Queene Maryâ— Frederick the Prince Elector Paâ—atine the Lady Elizabeth his wife with all their Prinâ—… Let our noble King still embrace the truth and manfully maintaine it against all treacherous plotâ— and 〈◊〉 perswasions distastiâ—â— as he hath alwayes done both alteration of true Religion and to leration of any other Let thy po wer alwayes
goe forth with hiâ— Armies and giue them gloriouâ— victories banish from his Couâ— all priuie foes forraigue and do mesticall graunt that hee maâ— with vprightnesse and true since rity both with heart and minde obserue and keepe thy lawes and that his Highnesse and all his subordinate Magistrates may indifferently and faithfully minister iudgement and iustice to all his people Wee beseâ—ch thee O Lord preserue his body in health his minde in quietnesse and both in â—ll sincerity and godlinesse that â—y his good example hee may both stop the mouthes of his adâ—ersaries and winne the hearts â—f all those that beleeue Make his â—ayes O Lord as the dayes of â—eauen that he may raigne many â—cares ouer vs and wee his Subâ—ts may long liue a peaceable â—nd quiâ—t life in all godlinesse and â—onesty vnder his happy gouernâ—â—nt Graunt vnto him wife and â—â—ithfull Counâ—ellours louing and â—bedient Subiects dutifull and â—ue seruants Deliuer him O â—ord from all conspiraciâ—s treaâ—s and other dangers graunt him alwayes a glorious victory ouer all his enemies pardon and forgiue him all his sinnes make him walke all the dayes of his life in the way of thy commandements that hee may liue in thy feare and dye in thy fauour and that in the resurrection of all flesh he may receiue a crowne of righteousnesse through the merits and mercy of Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Amen LACHRIM 2. Herein the distressed expresseth his hope and confidence to be in God alone and not in man nor in any other externall meanes I Cannot Lord excuse my sinne most infinite before mine eyes And many more are me within I haue forget which secret lyes of life am weakened in beliefe Our Fathers pray'd with trust in thee in dangers out of troubles all Being deliuered and set free and were rais'd vp when they did fall Thou hearest them when they thee sought and didst them lend thy ayding hands When they almost to death were brought and them deliuered out of bands Great was thy fauour Lord to all them that tooke hold on thee by faith But what am I that am so small a worme no man as Dauid saith Yet I beleeue helpe vnbeliefe Lord I am couered with shame Be thou my glory ease my griefe that I may magnifie thy name The wicked worldlings me contemne because thou hid'st thy face from me Deriding grace and me condemne because of imbecility My neighbours that should me assist disdaine me my familiars all That should me comfort doe desist their helpe to raise me from my fall They say of me my hopes are vaine my kinsfolkes who should yeeld me ayde In my necessities refraine to come to me they are afraide And tauntingly they scoffe and say deseruedly he thus doth suffer Is iust he wrought his owne decay none other kindnesse they me offer I know 't is thou that sitt'st on hie doest send and suffer maladies And therefore I on thee relie to remedie my miseries My woes O Lord by such encrease as should in friendly wise relieue me They that should seeke to make my peace they are the men that most doe gritue me But I that taste the Cup will say 't is thou hast don 't and I will beare it When 't is thy will who can say nay 't is out of loue why should I feare it Relieue my soule with timely dewe and comfort me restore Restore my soule vnto those ioyes the which I felt to fore Now after stormes Lord send a calme and graunt me peace yet now at last And I will praise thee with a Psalme with thankes for all thy fauour past I le magnifie thy name for aye that bring'st such wonderous things to passe That worldlings neither thinke nor say nor know why 't is or how it was The iust shall heare and Saints be glad when wicked men shall faint and quaile To see what fauour I haue had and all their hope doth quench and quaile Whom they so long haue scorn'd and deem'd euen through afflictions cast away For thy name sake Lord me esteem'd their night is past they haue their day Respect my meditation helpe me in time conuenient Lord graunt my supplication thou know'st and tri'st my hearts intent Let not the righteous be dismaide nor wicked triumph in my fall Nor yet let sinners be afraide in time of neede to thee to call And let me put my confidence direct my faith erect my hope Vnto thy gracious prouidence this of my prayers is the scope A Prayer for the calling of the Iewes and the continuall encrease of Christs Kingdome among all Nations ALmighty euerliuing God who after the floud didst preserue Noah and our Fathers Sem Iapheth Terah Abraham Isaac and Iacob from the perishing waters and from the continued deluge of sinne which remained in the families of Ham and Canan his wicked posterity and of thy abundant mercies pittied the blind ignorance in which they had plunged themselues through Idolatrous superstition and didst seperate our Father Abraham and made of him a peculiar people a royall Nation and chosen generation that for euermore should serue thee And that they might neuer forget thy great goodnesse it pleased thee to bring them into Egypt that after the fauour of Pharaoh was expired they should suffer hard and cruell bondage the space of foure hundred yeeres and then in the power of God with a mighty hand and out-stretched arme in the sight of King Pharaoh thou wouldest bring them to their Fathers promised inheritance through the red Sea and waste Wildernesse to the mount Syon the hill of God where thou diddest appeare vnto them in a glorious manner to renue and continue the couenant made vnto their Father Abraham that thou wouldest be their God and the God of their seede for euermore Wherefore thou diddest out of the midst of the flames of fire so speake vnto them that they might liue and know that thou louedst them as thou hadst done their Fathers that first came into Egypt that thou wert the same Lord and that there was no other God besides thee in heauen or in earth Yet for all this great loue of which the like was neuer heard thou didst onely require them to keepe thy statutes thy lawes and thy commandements promising it should goe well with them for euermore but they started aside like a broken bowe and cast thy promises and law behind their backes and forsooke thee the guide of their youth and in their olde age euen when they were growne fat and full fed with the abundance of thy blessings they still spurned kicked against thee and though thou didst early and late in the time of the Iudges and Kings which they so much desired send them Prophets yet they cast thee off and forgot the Lord that made them and serued other gods of the Heathen whom their Fathers neuer knew Yet at last when they had killed thy Prophets and stoned thy seruants thou in infinite loue sent thy Sonne
most watchfull to shed the blood of the righteous destruction and misery are in their wayes and the way of peace they doe not know For the feare of God is not before their eyes euery one deuiseth to worke mischiefe putting farre away the euill day professing themselues wise till they became fooles O Lord thou hast iustly done to the men of this world in these our dayes as vnto the ancient Philosophers who mightily boasted themselues of their wisedome generall knowledge and yet were ignorant of thee euen as the Antichristian enemies doe at this day boast themselues to be the onely true Church Yet because they knew thee in word and not in deede therefore thou gauest them vp vnto their owne hearts lusts to worship and serue the creature in steed of the Creator adoring the bread in the Sacrament for Christ himselfe and honouring the Pope a mere man as God himselfe saying hee is God euen as the heathen Gentiles vnto their wooden Gods sometime said thus O Lord because the Antichristian enemies haue agreed with the heathen to contemne thy Word thou hast iustly done to giue them vp vnto a reprobate minde to worke all manuer of vnrighteousnesse as at this day wee see the Romish Bishop Prelates Clergie and Professours to be the man and men of sinne that should sit in the Temple of God and in doctrine speake blasphemies and wicked vntrueths O God in thy Word thou hast euidently marked him out shewing that hee should pretend chastity in heart and body but indeede haue nothing lesse to claime all spirituall power to open and shut the gates of thy Kingdome at his owne will and pleasure and against whom hee lust to bee vniuersall Bishop through the whole world and supreame head of the Church and Kings and Princes to be his vassalls and at his making and deposing O Lord hee thrusteth out of the Church as heretickes all that speake against his blasphemies denouncing damnation to all that will not beleeue his exposition of thy Word saying that hee hath alwayes the holy Ghost in his breast and that hee cannot erre He hath forbidden the publique reading of thy Word as hereticall and dangerous especially for simple people and ordained thy seruice in an vnknowne tongue that the people might offer vnto thee the Sacrifice of fools in stead of the Sacrament which wee should often receiue he hath brought into the Church a superstitious sacrifice of the Masse in which they pretend to offer thee O Christ againe for the sinnes of the people and the Priests eating is sufficient for all the rest of the Church be they neuer so many or if they receiue it in one kinde it is enough for them saying that the body is noâ— without the blood quite gaine saying thy commandements drink yee all of this Hee teacheth for sound Doctrine that wee must be cleansed in Purgatory in which he can giue indulgence to release whom he will and that wee are saued by our good workes that wee may keepe perfectly all the commandements and so deserue our saluations by our owne merites and that in Prayer we should call on the virgin Mary as Queen of heauen to command her Sonne to heare vs teaching vs that she is our Aduocate that pleadeth for vs. He teacheth Pilgrimages worshipping Images keeping Reliques and that euery man hath â—is peculiar Saint in heauen to whom he liketh best to commend his sutes by saying that it is presumption to approach to thee onâ—y in thy Sonne though thou hast â—id There is no name in heauen â—r in earth whereby wee should â—e saued but onely by the name of â—esus to whom thou hast ordaiâ—ed euery knee to bow and onely â—or to come By these and infinite of Romish forgeries and blasphemies â—ath this strumpet of Babylon â—…de drunke the Kings and Prinâ—s of the earth by those abomiâ—ble and lying wonders and miâ—cles hath hee blinded the eyes 〈◊〉 Christian Kingdomes and Naâ—ons that they doe not know â—w to serue thee the Lord. Wherefore O Christ and most â—ly Lambe of GOD against â—…m he hath so long time warâ—d as it were drunke with the bloud of the Saints Yea O Lord with the brightnesse of thy comming let the violls of thy wratâ— be powred out vpon her to heâ— vtter desolation that the souleâ— of iust and righteous men togâ— ther with the Angels in the vnitâ— of the spirit may sing a song 〈◊〉 Halleluiah saying saluation glâ— ry honour and power be to thâ— Lord our God to the Lambe aâ— holy Spirit for euermore Ameâ— Come Lord Iesus come quicklâ— Amen LACHRIM 3. Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith zeale and strength in vndergoing Gods corrections O Lord I lift my heart to thee my soule in thee doth euer trust O let me not confounded be but make me righteous with the iust Let men not haue their wills ' gainst me but powre on me thy comforts sweet Thy sauing health Lord let me see who prostrate begge it at thy feete Let thy right hand and prouidence be stretched out to hold me vp And giue me grace and patience in lowlinesse to taste thy cup So shall I sit on surest rocke and strength and power to me get And stoutly shield mine enemies stroke though round about they me beset For why my comfort is in thee and on thy prouidence I depend O keepe me safe in liberty till all my troubles come to end From perils sixe hast me deliuered I know therefore thou wilt from seauen From earthly thoughts let me be seuer'd and conuersation haue in heauen I know that loue a multitude of shamefull sinnes doth closely couer Within the gates I me include thou art my soules true spouse and louer The faithfull thereby may take hold of hope to haue a prosperous end Of their desires this makes me bold for ayde and comfort to attend And with all patience to perseuer I know thy word it is most sure Poore penitent by faith I le euer stand firme and to the end endure Alas deere God I nothing crane to haue of thee by mine owne right But in Christs name I le aske and haue for he is most gracious in thy sight Yea for his merits thou do'st loue me in him I know thou art well pleas'd And hearest sinners when they moue thee for giu'st their sinne and they are eas'd Amongst whom Lord I am the chiefe and of good things am ignorant Yet on the Crosse didst saue the Thiefe for Christ his sake me mercy graunt In this world vanities most vilde I liue and haue no taste of truth I knew not I was in exile but did in folly spend my youth Of thee alone I knowledge haue for of my selfe I am but weake Thou art my God that strength me gaue to worke to rest to liue to speake For of my selfe is miserie and of my selfe is all that 's ill But from thee Lord comes all mercie and perfect power to worke thy will Within to consolation of my sad
all the dayes of thy youth And how many of Gods good creatures hast thou prophaned in thy belly on thy backe on thy neck to pranke thy Iezabels face thinking nothing good enough and fine enough to pamper thy earthly carcasse And doest thou thinke that God will now in thine olde age accept thy blinde seruice Thy repentance comes too late God will not regard thy sacrifice but as thou regardest not him when hee called in thy youth so now he will not regard thee in thine olde age though thou make many cries vnto him yea there is no sacrifice can cleanse thee from thy sinnes thou hast cast Gods law behinde thy backe and committed the sinne against the holy Ghost so that it is in vaine for thee to hope for mercy thou canst not be forgiuen though with Esau thou shâ—d neuer so many teares Thou art a reprobate by Gods decree and what knowest thou but that thou art in hell already so that do what thou wilt thou canst not be saued And therefore drowne or hang thy selfe or cut thy throat O Coward kill thy selfe and so shalt thou rid thy selfe out of this present paine O heauenly Father look down vpon this my wounded spirit and O Lord driue away Sathan that he preuaile not in these temptations against my soule O Lord so strong and violent are his temptations that I know not how to resist them but by the strength of thy holy Spirit which I beseech thee O Lord may powerfully and comfortably ayde assist me now and for euermore Lord for thy Christ his sake in whom I onely trust to obtaine thy mercy doe away my sinnes and speake peace vnto my soule against this lying serpent that thou art and wilt be my saluation O Lord. create in me a cleane heart and renue in me a right spirit that I may learne to feare thee according to thy word deale bountifully with me thy seruant that I may escape these temptations and in spight of Sathan liue to keepe thy word let not such contempt reproach come vpon me but saue mee out of the iawes of hell and from the power of Sathan for thy names sake and for thy mercy sake and for thy Sonne his sake O Lord I beseech thee And though my soule through these temptations cleaue vnto the dust yet quicken thou mee according to thy word and though the sorrowes of death hereby compasse mee in on euery side and the terrours of hell haue now caught hold on mee yet O Lord I beseech thee to deliuer my soule And though Sathan hath compassed me with the multitude of his temptations yet in thy Name O Lord I am confident that I shall ouercome them And though thou hast suffered Sathan for a time to buffet me yet I beseech thee as thy Sonne Iesus my Sauiour hath taught mee in this last petition of his holy Prayer let me be neither further led nor come into temptation but as in the wildernesse after Sathans three-fold temptation of thee thou by faith in the Word of thy Father didst resist him that in the end hee left thee so that thy Angels ministred comfort to thee so most sweet Sauiour help me so by the same skill of thy holy Word that I may resist Sathan and after the battell be comforted and confirmed in obedience by the most sweet comfort of thy holy spirit O Lord my Sauiour how did he tempt thee to make away thy selfe but could not preuaile So O Lord strengthen mee by the same power of thy Godhead and a true liuely faith by which I am ingrafted into thee that I may neuer by Sathans power be forced against nor with my will to commit the wickednesses wherewith hee tempteth mee O Lord hee could not enter into the Heard of Swine vntill thou gauest him leaue wherefore by thy vnlimitted power curbe and restraine him that hee enter not into mee much lesse worke his will of mee as he did of them He faine would haue killed thy seruant Iob as hee had done his children seruants and cattell but thou wouldst not giue him leaue So O Lord he hath striuen to doe with me but thou hast kept mee and resisted and rebuked him in my behalfe he striueth like a roaring Lyon to make mee his prey and beateth hard to enter into my heart which thou hast swept and garnished to be a receptacle for thy selfe wherefore O Lord let that stronger man euen thy holy Spirit keepe sure my soule vnto thee that I be not ouercome with his furious assaults and temptations to let goe my hope in thy mercies thou delightest not in the death of a sinner but rather to shew mercy that hee may be saued Lord for thy mercy sake saue mee and helpe mee for thy Sonnes sake keepe mee from the rage and fury of this my great oppressour O God he would fame play the lying spirit vnto my soule that he might plunge me in thy great displeasure but O Iesus I beseech thee saue mee and driue Sathan away from me that hee neuer come at mee more O God he continually striueth with mee for my soule as hee did with thine Angell for the body of Moses but as then thou didst defend it and thine Angell and in the end rebuked Sathan So O Lord defend me rebuke Sathan that he preuaile not against me neither in health in sicknesse nor yet at the point of death but send thine Elect Angel of the couenant Christ Iesus my annointed Sauiour and his innumerable heauenly Souldiers here to keepe me and at my end to conduct my soule to that place of rest where this champion of hell shall not once dare to defie it or cast forth any wicked accusation against mee and that for the merits of thy dearest Son and sprinkling of his bloud vnder which I expect my safety and saluation both heere in the Church militant and for euer in thy Church triumphant therefore to thee most holy Trinity and Lord God of Sabbaths be giuen by me and all thine both present and eternall praise Amen LACHRIM 4. Wherein the distressed prayeth GOD to keepe him from despaire howsoeuer men goe about to ruine him or his estate not regarding so God in his mercie and protection be with him who or how many rise vp against him IN thee O Lord I put my trust and yet there are which daily say There is no helpe for me vniust but Lord thy word cannot decay Thou art my God how can they then proue that thou wilt none helpe me send I am brought low in sight of men there 's none will helpe or comfort bend My basket and my store is spent they say it was by thee accurst Thou didst at take that hâ—dst it sent but they take all things at the worst At me they gape at me they wonder as at a monster seldome seene On all their workes and words I ponder what I now am what I haue beene I faint at nought thou know'st my smart th' art my
thee and be comforted O Lord though they bee compassed about with death on euery side yet there is assured safety in thee wherefore keepe firmâ— their tacklings that they deceiuâ— them not in the raging windes nor mountaine billowes that beaâ— against their sides that their Ship in which they are be not broken O Lord if thou force them to cast out their goods for safety yet will it not auaile vnlesse therewith they cast forth by vnfained repentance their loades of sinnes through which bodies and goods are made to sinke And let them be in safety as the Marriners that were trauailing from Ioppa to Tarsus when they had cast forth rebellious Ionas O Lord of hoasts and God of heauen send thy Angels with them to guide them forth and conduct them safe in their return be with them in their greatest necessities as thou wast with thine Apostle S. Paul in his dangerous voyage to Rome This temporall blessing and all others that are needfull and that thou knowest better to giue then I to aske though a chiefe of sinners and therefore most vnworthy yet I begge aske it if it be thy good pleasure for thy Sonne Iesus sake my only Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the fruits of the earth and other nourishments of this mortall life O Eternall God which feedest with thy blessing euery liuing thing and satisfiest the desires of thy seruants with thy bountifull goodnesse wee wretched sinners vnworthy of the least of thy blessings and benefits doe most humbly beseech thee to be pleased to blesse all the fruits of the earth that wee and all thy seruants may be partakers of thy comforts therein for the nourishment of this life Giue vs O Lord this day our daily bread prepare our ground and prosper our corne Blesse the seede time with the first and latter raine and meete temperature of ayre Keepe our fruits while they bee in the earth from haile and thunder from excessiue droughts and immoderate raines from mildewes and all noysome wormes Send vs a ioyfull Haruest and giue a blessing to that which wee shall reape that for our vnthankfulnes it waste not away without our reliefe Increase our cattell with all other our prouision which we shall carefully labour for Replenish our basket and blesse our store that wee may haue wherewith as to furnish our selues so to giue some reliefe vnto others Protect our seruants and workefolkes that they may be strong to labour wise to forecast and faithfull in their businesse Keepe our Garners Barnes and Store-houses from fire and boysterous windes Theeues and suddaine inundations Prosper our workes and trauels whether by sea or land and blesse and prosper all them that any way labour for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse Send remedy O Lord for all hardnesse and misery turne our dearth into cheapenesse and our scarcity into plenty Open the hearts of rich men to whom thou hast giuen much that they may haue a charitable respect of the poore at all times Helpe vs O Lord and giue vs such things as we stand in neede of and make vs to desire such things onely as may bee pleasing vnto thee to search them wisely and to finde them easily Oppresse vs not with too much pouerty neither puffe vs vp with too much plenty but giue vs a competent store of things necessary for this life and grace to vse them soberly to thy glory and our comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A thanksgiuing for our Benefactours O Lord which hast said that hee that giueth vnto the poore lendeth vnto the Lord and looke what he layeth out it shall be payd him againe wee beseech thee to be gracious and mercifull to all those for whom wee are bound to pray by nature by desert or any other duty whatsoeuer Of thy especiall fauour remember all our Benefactours and friends aliue euen all those our Parents kinsfolkes and others which haue brought vs vp taught promoted or any way relieued vs. Blesse them with all blessings that haue done good either to our bodies with temporall benefits or our soules with profitable instructions Bless their estates that in their godly dispositions they may haue alwayes wherewith to relieue and comfort others in their discretion giue them the consolation of the holy Ghost to the keeping of faith and a good conscience And as they haue shewed mercy vnto vs and comforted vs so Lord helpe and comfort them in their greatest needes that both they and their families may both haue comfort in their estate and condition heere and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus at the latter day Lord let all their almes-deedes and prayers be alwayes in thy sight as those of Cornelius that as they haue been vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweet whereby we haue receiued plenty and beene filled so they may bee as sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee Vouchsafe vs this grace O Lord that wee be not guilty of any ingratitude towards them but rather ready according to our abilities to recompence them if neede require Let not that which they haue bestowed vpon vs bee cast away but make it fruitfull vs worthy of it Graunt this O thou God which doest good both to the just and vniust for Iesus Christs sake our only Lord Sauiour Amen LACHRIM 5. Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hold more fast the promises of God O Lord thou art my hope and strength thou help'st in trouble doe not hide Thy selfe for euer but at length for men distrest doe thou prouide For I by thee will hold most fast I le trust in thee while I doe liue And till those stormes be ouer-past I le neither faint nor feare nor grieue Tremble thou earth rage sea and land winde tempest stormes and all about I see thee Lord hold out thy hand for my defence I le neuer doubt What though hills quake staggering stumble and fall into the midst of seas Though waters roare rage and tumble thou canst this change and all appease Should I then faint at troubles small which like small darts thou throw'st at me In loue but not to kill at all but make me leaue my vanity Forsake my follies euery deale reclayming errors to the truth T is thou didst hurt and thou canst heale thou hast preseru'd me from mine youth I must confesse I merited the death of death with paines of hell And to be disinherited of heauens high where iust doe dwell But Lord doe mittigate thine anger and turne thy heauie wrath to loue Deliuer me from all this danger let thy compassion mercy moue And with true comforts Christ all fountaine my dry and thirsty soule refresh And powre on me from holy mountaine sweet dewes to glad my soule and flesh Thy darts in me O Lord sticke fast O pull them out cast them away And cure my wounds to helpe make hast binde vp my sores soules sorrowes stay Cleanse the corrupt affections of
my defiled wicked heart Prosper and blesse mine actions lighten my knowledge grosse and darke O Wash me from impiâ—tiâ— exhilerate my sicke soules sadnessâ—… In darknesse let me light espie in midst of sorrow graunt me gladnesse On fruitfull ground Lord doe me planâ— and build me vp on surest râ—cke Annoyes to ioyes to wealth turne wâ—… from future ills me keepe and locke As trees that grow by waters side whose leaues and blossomes freshly flourish For euer let my state abide thy loue reuiue thy grace me nourish Let thy spirit daily spring and bud with faiths pure branches from my heart Let dewes and drops of Christs deere blood feede vaines of hope from sinners darâ— My store is decayed thou canst renew it my basket's empty thou canst fill it Refresh my heart againe reuiue it reuiue it Lord for thou didst kill it Thou help'st the simple poore and needie thou seest my state thou canst all mâ—nd I know thou know'st when to be speedie and knowest thy time when to defend Helpe helpe O Lord else downe I fall hold me fast by thy strong hand And lift me vp against them all that by opposing me withstand Thy promise Lord thouâ—…o st performe thy words are deedes thou 〈◊〉 and do'st A happy end thou doest returne and graunt to those that on thee trust My safety Lord thou hast ordain'd by faith my hope doth mount and â—lie And by that hope I am sustain'd if that were lost my soule would die My faith hath fixt an obiect right my will doth farre my power exceede But Lord I know that in thy sight the will is taken for the deede Then Lord for deede my will doe take and I secured shall be then O graunt me this for Christ his sake to whom be praise for aye Amen A conuenient Prayer for all times either for a priuate person or a whole family MOst mighty God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ most louing Sauiour and Redeemer and most blessed Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the eternall most glorious Trinity which in the beginning didst create the heauen and the earth with all the hoasts of them and from time to time vnto this present moment of their being vpheld and preserued them and all creatures that thou diddest then make haue euer sithence obayed thy first institution man onely for whom thou madest all things excepted which when we doe consider O Lord we cannot but be much deiected in our selues to thinke that wee whom thou hast adorned with thine owne Image should bee fallen backe in our obedience and become worse then the worst of thy creatures thou gauest vs disposition to obay thee but wee haue despised thee and cast away from vs the yoke of obedience yet so great is thy mercy that though we haue reiected thee yet thou hast not reiected vs but hast continued all thy couenants in full force vnto vs as in the beginning vnto our fore-fathers O Lord from the wombe of our Parents are we risen a rebellious seede and like the prodigall sonne haue in the vaine imaginations of our hearts wandered from thee so that thou canst take no pleasure nor delight in vs or in any thing we doe but O Lord wee cast downe our selues in thy sight and presence earnestly beâ—eeching thee as on the poore Publican to haue mercy vpon vs and pardon all our sinnes which wee from time to time haue done against thee O Lord pardon our sinnes of ignorance of omission and commission in the duties commanded forbidden which wee haue neglected and not done O Lord pardon our sins of knowledge by which wee haue often grieued thy good spirit that would haue hindered and detained vs from them if wee out of the loue to them had not too much delighted in them stopped our eares against his holy motions and directions O Lord pardon our sinnes of presumption by which wee haue most mightily offended thee and so hardned our hearts as wee could take no delight in the exercise of thy worship or seruice as by the contempt of thy most holy Word and Sacraments in our owne conscience and in the sight of thy holy Church vnto whom we are knowne is most maniâ—est yet O our most good God doe away all our transgressions at what time or place so euer they haue beene committed or done O Lord seperate them as farre from thee as the East is from the West binde them in a bundle and drowne them from thy sight as thou diddest the sinnes of the old world O Lord drowne them in the huge sea of thy mercy so as they may be cleane forgotten for wee confesse that if thou shouldest call vs to a reckoning and account for them there is not the least of them but like mill-stones tyed about our neckes in the midst of the sea would drown vs in eternall death coÌ„demnation of body soule for euermore But O Lord we beseech thee to naile our sinnes vnto the Crosse of thy deare Sonne Iesus our Sauiour and Redeemer and for his sake we onely entreate thee to be at peace with vs and thy whole Church throughout the world Wash our sinnes away in his most holy bloud which he shed for his Churches sake in his agony on the mount before and in his death on the Crosse for hee is the Lord our righteousnesse who in thy secret counsell was slaine from the beginning of the world that wee which trust in him by his stripes and wounds might of our sinnes bee healed O Lord I beseech thee heare these our petitions which much like forlorne beggers wee put vp vnto thee in thy Sonnes name being imboldened and encouraged this to dee from that promise of thine which in thy holy Gospell thou hast giuen vs saying Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you Yea thou hast encouraged vs heere vnto saying Can you that are euill giue good gifts to your children when they aske and shall not I giue the holy Ghost to my children when they aske of me And thou hast said that hauing giuen thy Sonne vnto vs that thou wilt with him giue vs all things else and for his sake deny vnto vs nothing in conscience of the truth of this thy holy word wee pray thee to heare vs and to settle our hearts mindes in the knowledge loue and obedience of thy word and commandements to the end and in the end of this our fraile and weake life O Lord considering our weakenesse and how vnable wee are to stand in temptation and considering how many and how great our temptations are both in things spirituall and things temporall and how the deuill as a wandring and raging Lyon raigneth throughout the world and in the Church especially seeking whom hee may deuoure and considering how subtilly hee vseth and offereth this world vnto vs as hee did vnto thee in the beginning of thy Ministerie which thy Father had appointed thee in his
doe me teach In vnderstanding truth instruct me vouchsafe me perfect patiencâ— And to freedome Lord conduct me where is no loss nor paine of sence And from these dangers Lord me free which most I feare and soon'st possesse The comforts most desir'd by me and so enioy true happinesse O make not Lord thy absence long but hasten my deliuerance Against my foes Lord make me strong which doe themselues 'gainst me aduaâ—ce That ready are with onset new for to assault my silly soule Wearied with stormes that doe accrewe and plung'd with waues which o're me roule Wherefore hast thou left vnto vs by thy word a commandement To cast our care on thee which thus with weighty burthens vs torment With promise to vs helpe and ease thou seest and know'st Lord our desire Our secret hearts and all our wayes all 's plaine to thee as light as fire If therefore I should iustifie my selfe I should condemned be Thou find'st me out and do'st me trie my righteousnesse is nought to thee Disclayming my integrity I cast me downe Lord at thy feete And pray for pure sincerity that I doe all in all that 's meete Wherefore thou art most mercifull when wants and weakenesse we confesse Yea then thy gifts are plentifull vs to relieue in our distresse On thee my burthen Lord I lay for well I know thou câ—r'st for all That thee beleeue loue feare obay and for thy grace and mercy call My faith and hope is all in thee I am of imperfections full I aske why thou doest visite me should I that blockish am aâ—… dull Defil'd within and eke without plead duties done â—r else be mute It is in vaine to goe about with thee O Lord for to dispute Who euill am in my best way in purest thoughts yea most impure Pardon my weakenesse Lord I pray and giue me zeale and truth to endure With humblenesse and perfect loue which Lord thou doest of me require Instruct me God with wisedome moue me guide and leade to thy desire Shew me the way that tends to blisse after this my long straying hâ—â—re And bring me home where all peacâ—â—s let thy free fauour Lord appeare Wherein is life and liberty comfort ioy and societie With rest peace and tranquility for them that liue in piety O happy he whom thou protectest most happy he whom thou doest loue He is happy and sure whom thou respectest he is fed and clad from thee aboue In all good things he is rich indeede when he doth call thou doest him heare What he doth aske thou giu'st at neede he seekes and findes them euery where When he is sicke thou doest him â—ure when poore thou doest his wants supply When he is sad he shall be sure thy sauing helpe and health is niâ— When he is troubled doest defend him in danger doest securenesse giue him When men him hate thy loue wilt send him when almost dead life doth reuiue him And giu'st him then such ioyes for euer as no mans wit can apprehend Me fauour graunt Lord bring me thither to these thy blessings without end This fauour Lord vnto me shew and blesse my contemplation Onely in heauen and hee I know is perfect contentation My sorrowes shall be turn'd to ioy my wants vnto sufficiencie My teares to gladnesse from annoy mourning to mirth and melodie My soule keepe safe from death and hell my feete from sliding and from falling Let mâ— vprightly walke and dwell and on thee still O Lord be calling Who do'st performe thy promises and let'st none empty part away That with their hearts seeke thy mercies or doe for helpe or comfort pray Send helpe therefore and saue me from them that would me quite deâ—oâ—re And daily grieue me and depraue me my soule 's with Lyons euery houre I wads as through the raging sea I dwell amongst them set on fire Whose teeth are spears whose tongue beares sway like two-edg'd sword with wrath and ire Thy mercy therefore and thy truth let be my bucklen and strong sâ—…ld Hast beene mine hope euen from my youth let troubles cease new ioyes me yeeld Set me vpon thy rocke for 〈◊〉 of perfect loue and true reliefe Let rest and refuge faile me nâ—uer and thy protection saue from griese Bring thou to passe what 's fit for me what thou doest know expedient That righteous men thâ—â—nd may see and how my hope obâ—â—in'd conâ—â—nt That they may of thy glory talke and speake of thy eternall praise All men shall say that see me walke doubtlesse God will the righteoâ—s raise There is a God thâ—â—'s gracious goâ—d to them that be of perfect heart When he hath all their foes with stood heauens ioyes to them he will impart A Prayer in the time of plague or other extraordinarie sicknesse O Lord our GOD in whose name standeth our helpe and who amongst other euills hast promised vs to deliuer thy people from the 〈◊〉 of the Hunter and the noysome Pestilence wee beseech thee take this thy Plague away from vs And as the stench of our sinnès hath ascended vp into thy nosthrills to prouoke thy wrath against vs so let our humble supplications come before thee to procure our happy and speedie release from it Lord call backe thine Angell and cause him to sheath the sword againe We are thy children the worke of thy hand we are sorrie for our sinnes which are the cause of all this and wee purpose amendment wee are but men dust and ashes not able to beare long therefore Lord haue mercy vpon vs and that soone send vs comfort and suffer vs not to perish after so miserable a sort We thanke thee O Lord that thou hast not left vs altogether comfortlesse without hope but hast somewhat withdrawne thine hand and spared many hundred of vs in comparison of those whom thou slewest before and now wee reioyce at this abatement yet stand in awe we presume vpon this thy fauour but with feare and trembling wee trust it shall be euery day better yet we are carefull to winne it by pleasing thee Wherefore O Lord wee beseech thee blesse vs and all those that depend vpon vs set thy sauing marke vpon our houses as thou didst for the Israelites and giue or er to the destroyer that hee hurt vs not Put thy strength to our medicines guard our regard which wee haue of our selues let thy good blessings make the preseruatiues of the Physitians and our shifting places for more security profitable vnto vs and let vs not trust too much to outward means but chiesely in thy mercy and blessing vpon them Keepe vs downe-lying and vp-rising and protect vs walking in our vocations haue pittie vpon our distressed brethren comfort the desolate widowes prouide for all fatherlesse children Gather vs together againe that by these meanes are dispersed and continue thy mercifull worke in deminishing our dead numbers till wee may iustly say in confidence and thankes with the Prophet we shall not die but liue and declare the
thee I beseech thee if it be thy will let thy secret and hidden power in which there is more verâ—ue then in all mineralls plants be extended forth to his comfort reliefe that he again may come into thy house and magnifie thy mercy for his renewed strength O Lord as hee hath abounded with charity and compassion vnto others in their extreamities of sicknesse so likewise as thou hast promised let this thy mercifull seruant in his languishing paines obtaine mercy from thee that art most mercifull and as hee hath heard the lamenting cries of others so Lord doe thou heare his mournefull and lamenting sighes vnto thee for thou art very pittifull and of tender mercy O Lord he humbleth himselfe in thy sight wherefore I beseech thee to raise him vp againe if any man be sicke thou hast willed vs that be well to pray one for another assuring vs that the Prayer of the righteous if it be seruent auaileth much In confidence and full assurance that thou wilt make good thy word O Lord I earnestly beseech thee to restore my sicke and weake friend N vnto his perfect health if it may bee thy good pleasure and this I aske as one not without hope for I beleeue that as Iesus died and rose againe euen so by his power shall this my sicke friend doe at the last day Yet O Lord for the perfecting of that which is wanting in his faith repentance and good works I earnestly beseech thee to adde some more vnto the number of his dayes haue mercy vpon him and restore him againe to strength his former health But most mercifull Father if thou please through this his sicknesse to finish his dayes graunt that he may in quiet minde and stedfast faith commend to thee the care of all his worldly charge because thou hast promised to be a Father vnto the widdowe and the fatherlesse And it is thy wil that wee should cast our care on thee not onely in life but in death especially O Lord when death that cruell tyrant sinne the graue the deuill and all the fries of darknesse shall assault his body and affright his soule with distrust in thee and of his part in the glorious resurrection then strengthen him by the power of thy Sonne my Sauiour that hee may no lesse triumph ouer all the terrours and feares of the graue of hell and death as all the Saints in like case haue done and then I my selfe may doe in the same houre of my departure which I beseech thee to graunt through him that hath loued vs euen Iesus Christ my most absolute and perfect Sauiour Amen Amen LACHRIM 7. Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and wouldly things and desireth heauen and heauenly things MY soule doth long and shall depend on God for euer euerliuing God shall begin and make an end that hath giuen all yet euer giuing I sigh and groane for to appeare before his gracious mercy seate As thirsteth the Hart for water cleare so long I for thy mâ—rcy great I am quite tyred with my groanes I faint vnder mine heauie loade Of miseries breaking all my bones layd on me iustly by my God O God the rocke of my whole strength Lord of mercy behold mine anguish O graunt me helpe and ease at length I faint I fall I figh I languish Why doe I daily weepe and mourne and haue no comfort helpe nor ease Why do'st not heare but from me turne why doe my woes and foes encrease Sith I doe seeke thee vnfainedly defend me Oh defend me in This dangerous time of misery layd iustly on me for my sin Preserue me from men mercilesse hard hearted bloudy minded cruell Blesse me with thine hid blessednesse giue me thy fauour my soules iâ—well The man of earth layes load on loade as on an Anuile stroke on stroke Within without at home abroad mine head to the heele bowes with the yoke I am reproach to neighbours all I am ashamed men should see me They scorne and laugh to see my fall but this mine hope doth comfort me That thou from them wilt set me free And thee triumphant shall behold In shining Throne of Maiestie where 's neither hunger thirst nor cold No want nor sinne nor ignomie nor sicknesse death nor deadly paine But fulnesse mirth ioy victory with thee in glory I shall raigne And if it be thy will O Lord now after all this sturdy storme To my most troubled soule afford thy peace and pitty mee poore worme Free me from death that 's mors Gehennae giue peace ioy rest not transitorie I take it as an earnest pennie of perfect blisse and endlesse glory And I le here praise thee men among that they may see marke and consider T is thou canst onely right our wrong and from all troubles vs deliuer Thou canst and wilt vs saue and keepe though much we suffer in this life Thou art our Shepheard wee thy Sheepe saue me from hate enuie and strife So shall I also giue thee praise my mouth continually thee laude My soule and inward part alwayes thy wonderous workes shall still applaude I will be glad and ioy in thee reioyce yea and againe reioyce Abiect though I yet comfort me I le praise thee with minde heart and voyce Awake therefore in time awake preserue me that I perish not I am if thou do'st me forsake but as a dead man cleane forgot And censured a cast-away among such as see me depriu'd Of present helpe for these men say my soule can neuer be reuiu'd One sorrow doth encrease another all hope on earth turnes to distrust Of ayde from neighbour friend or brother hide not thy face my God most iust Forget not mine extreamities Lord free me from in fernall hells Of torments and of miseries which comes from thee and from none else My soule is beaten to pits brimme my heart doth faint my hands grow weeke My knees doe faile mine eyes growe dimme my tongue is dumbe and cannot speake And each part of my body vext I daily moane my miseries Looke on me Lord I am perplext O ease my griefe and heare my cries Though thou by Iustice made the wound and by correction grieu'd mine heart If thou wilt cure salue soone is found with spirituall comfort ease my smart Doe not withhold such things are good which for thy children are ordain'd Turne thou thy face with Christes blood cleanse all the spots my sinnes hath stain'd Rise vp O Lord rise vp I say with thee doth Loue and Bounty raigne I am throwne downe I thee obay therefore rise vp raise me againe Although my sinnes like swords doe cut me from thy fauour and thy grace Let righteousnesse of Christ be put to hide my sinnes before thy face Unite me vnto thee againe in such sort Lord make me so fast That I with thee may still remaine and ioy in ioyes that aye shall last The young mans Prayer for a vertuous wife O God the euerliuing and only wise the
Author and giuer of euery good and perfect gift looke downe vpon mee aâ— thou didst vpon Abimelech Abrahams seruant when he prayed vnto thee to guide and prosper him in the great trust that was committed vnto him in the choise of his Masters sonnes wife as thou wast pleased to heare him for his Masters sonne O Lord I beseech thee to heare me for my selfe Thou hast taught in thy Word that he that cannot abstaine let him marrie and that he that marrieth sinneth not that it is better to marrie then to burne in vnchast and vnbrideled lust and for auoyding of fornication let euery man haue his owne wife yea and that it is not good for man to be alone and woe to him that is alone In the beginning thou madest both male and female and didstordaine that for this cause man and woman should leaue father and mother and become one flesh and that hee that hath not the gift to abstaine should haue a care that he be not vnequally yoked but that he marrie in the Lord and thus to liue is a bed vndefiled and most honourable vnto all Wherefore O Lord I beseech thee to guide me vnto a wife and a vertuous woman for thou hast said that a vertuous woman is a crowne vnto her husband And though she bee comely and beautifull and therefore of many much desired yet O Lord guide mine eyes that I may not thus onely looke vpon a woman for thou hast said if shee haue not discretion she is but like a iewell in a swines snout not to be regarded But a wise woman buildeth her husbands house not onely with children but with her prouident care and discretion in the right gaining and a right vsing of the things of this world Vnto such a family O Lord direct my footsteps and keepe mee from the strange woman a contentious and angry woman the woman of brawling lips with whom there is no comfort nor content in this life to dwell neither for ciuill nor religious respects Heauenly Father if it be thy will for thou knowest what is better for mee then I doe my selfe graunt that the woman that I shall chuse and by thy prouidence thinke fit to take to wife may bee chast not onely of body but of spirit and adorned with the hidden man of the heart a meeke and quiet spirit and one who trusteth in God and delighteth in thee well reported of for good workes and loueth children one who in her wisedome affecteth modesty in all things as in her apparell and behauiour and is in her countenance sober and shamefast and one who delighteth in her home and loueth the affaires of her house and with watchfull eyes will be carefull for her children and seruants This O Lord though no way worthy I beseech thee to graunt vnto me houses lands or other portions of thy blessings thou hast appointed our parents to bestowe on vs but this blessing a wise chast sober and religious woman thou hast kept as a most speciall gift from thy selfe vnto vs and not in our parents or friends but thou bestowest it on him whom thou louest as a choise and most speciall fauour O Lord this is she that Salomon among many women could hardly finde yet graunt that I may finde her and being vnited in holy band may loue her both in sicknesse and in health O Lord graunt that I may walke with her as a man of knowledge readie in all things to teach and instruct her in thy commaundements as being heires together of the grace of life and make mee as truely to loue her as thou doest thy Church this great gift and chiefe blessing of this life I beseech thee if it bee thy will for the honour of thy Sonne to bestow vpon me Amen Amen The Uirgine or the Widdowes Prayer for a godly Husband ALmighty GOD the eternall Creatour of heauen earth the giuer disposer of all things that are done heere on earth Looke downe on mee thy sinfull Handmayd not worthy of any fauour spirituall or blessing temporall Yet O Lord I beseech thee to giue vnto mee thy seruant such wisedome that in all things I may be aduised by them whom thou hast appointed to haue care of my welfare and in nothing to bee so headstrong and aduerse as to follow my owne foolish and sinfull appetite and aboue all make me most dutifull in referring my selfe vnto the louing and carefull choise that my parents or guardians shall make in giuing me to an husband Heauenly Father graunt that they may not like of any without mee nor that I may choose any without them Direct them that they may chuse one in the Lord and that I may like him that is so chosen of them Let not my minde be so wanton as onely to like or dislike for want of beauty or comelinesse of person but if the feare of the Lord the beginning of wisedome appeare vnto mee graunt that I may perswade my selfe that hee is the man that thou hast appointed me O Lord I haue neither wit nor skill how to discerne or make an assured godly choise And thou knowest how cunning and subtill men are to entice and abuse my simple heart and how easily we are ouercome with their vaine complements and flattering words in which they promise much comfort and contentment but when their vnchast desires are satisfied how doe they cast off and scornfully and sinfully reiect those whom they haue abused and allured to folly so they leaue them to perish not onely in worldly misery through outward necessities but for want of teaching and instruction in the Lord Sathan falleth vpon them and through their weakenesse maketh them a prey vnto wickednesse But O Lord though their foule hearts are so deceiptfull that both I and my friends may be deceiued yet thou O Lord canst not be deceiued for thou art the searcher of the hearts and thou knowest what is in man therefore in this weighty worke in which consisteth my worldly weale or wee I doe onely O Lord cast my selfe on thee beseeching thee as thou gauest Euah vnto Adam a man then of innocencie and righteousnesse so thou wilt giue me an honest hearted man and one that truly loueth and feareth thee O Lord if thou haue appointed as is my desire that I shall marrie then I beseech thee send vnto mee a man of good behauiour of good report no extortioner no couetous person no chollericke no quarelsome person no drunkard not couetous of filthy and dishonest gaine no prodigall or vaine person no proud man no adulterer fornicatour whoremaster no swearer or blaspheamer no kinde of inordinate liuer no Papist nor Infidell no Hereticke Schismaticke no traytour vnto his Prince or Countrey no louer of the pleasures of this world either aboue or more than thee no hypocrite vnnaturall false-hearted person vnto mee his parents or friend heauenly Father for my Sauiours sake heare me in these my requests and graunt that if I shall marrie and
grace especially vnto thee a most vile wretched sinner and chiefe of sinners doe I prostrate my selfe and confesse that my heart is so hardned in euill custome of sinne that when it commeth vpon me by the motion of thy spirit to desire to doe good I finde no meanes in my selfe to doe any thing that is good neither for the vertue it selfe nor as it is thy commandement so that thou mightest most worthily cast mee off as thou didst that vnmercifull seruant into bonds of death and imprisonment of hell for euermore But O Lord it is thy property alwayes to haue mercy Wherefore I beseech thee to bestowe this gift of loue on me that through thy acceptation it may couer in mee the multitude of my sinnes for vnto whom thou forgiuest much much is returned to thee againe wherefore O Lord let this gift of loue bee mighty and strong in me that I may loue thee againe as thou hast loued me and expresse my loue by being ready to forgiue all wrongs and offences of my brother and neighbour and not vnto seauen times but vnto seauenty times seauen O let mee loue thee and my neighbour out of a sincere faith and loue vnfained and at all times as thou hast forgiuen mee my debts offences and trespasses So O Lord make me ioyfull and willing to forgiue as I desire of thee to be forgiuen And seeing it is the end of thy Commandements and the fulfilling of the law O heauenly Father let this gift of loue through the operation of thy spirit bee neuer wanting or absent in this life nor in the life to come O Lord graunt that this marke of Adoption and stampe of Regeneration may encrease in mee not onely to my friends in affinity and consanguinity and acquaintance but vnto all men in generall as my owne flesh and thy image by which bonds thou hast commanded mee to doe good vnto all of all sorts that shall stand in neede of my helpe saying Be you mercifull as your heauenly Father is mercifull who doeth good vnto all in outward things of this world causing his raine to raine and his Sunne to shine vpon the vniust as vpon the iust And in the endeauour of doing this generall good O Lord let mee not forget to doe most good vnto the Saints and dye in loue to all men in thee and for thee and that through the loue of thee and my onely Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and the holy Ghost for euermore Amen Amen LACHRIM 9. The poore and distressed soule being loaden with the burthen of his sinnes â—eruently prayeth vnto God for his remission thereof O Lord come pittie my distresse see how I sigh and groane With teares and floods of heauinesse my heart is ouerthrowne No hope I finde no helpe I feele no cure nor salue I see None can my sinnes corruptions heale sweet Iesus comfort me My wounding sorrowes neuer cease my griefes growe more and more What I should kill doth still encrease Lord saue my soule therefore I liuing dye yet dying liue in life yet daily dye I sigh and groane yet cannot grieue sinne makes this mysterie Lord let me liue yet hourely dye in loue yet daily hate Let me embrace yet still defie let peace breede all debate O let me liue yet neuer liue aliue yet euer dead O let me grieue yet neuer grieue fed with thy liuing bread Let passions passe let groanes be gone let mâ—anes be turn'd to mirth I liue and dye to Christ alone Let sorrowes sinke to earth An exhortation to praise God and to acknowledge our Thanksgiuing to him without ceasing VVE praise thee God we acknowledge thee our onely Lord and Christ to be The earth and world doe worship thee eternall Father heauenly King To whom aloud bright Angels sing the Thrones and powers thee magnifie The Cherubins and Seraphin to crie to thee doe neuer linne Holy holy most holy Lord of Sabbath God of maiestie Heau'ns full of thy glory all Nations laude thy name and word The glorious ' postles companie the goodly Prophets vnitie The holy Martyrs noble Armie the holy Church the world throughout Doth spread the Gospell all about the Father of true pietie Thy sacred true and onely Sonne the holy Ghost vs comfort wonne Thou art of glory King O Christ thou art the euerlasting Sonne Of God whose blessed will was done by thee all people to deliuer Thou didst not the 〈◊〉 the virgins wombe abhorre nor loath that sacred Toâ—…be Till thou wast borne from God sent hether when thou thâ— serpents head hadst broken The Heauens Kingdomes gate set open for true beleeuers to come thither Thou siâ—sâ— on Gods right holy hand thy Fathers will doest vnderstand Whence thou shalt come our Iudge to be we therefore thy poore seruants pray Thy succour helpe and ayde that day whose pretious blood redeem'd vs free Let them with Saints be numbered in endlesse glory comforted Thy people Lord keepe saue and stay blesse saue thine owne inheritage Lift vp their hearts from age to age we magnifie thee day by day We worship thee world without end This day from sinne Lord vs defend Haue mercy mercy on vs Lord. Lord let thy mercy on vs light Our trust is on thee day and night We trust in thee with one accord O Lord I put my trust in thee Let neuer me confounded be All glory to the Trinity to God the Father and the Sonne And holy Ghost all praise be done for euer and euer eternally FINIS Psal. 51. Math. 26 1. Cor. 14. Math. 5. Acts 10. Iona. 3. 1. Thess. 5 Actes 10. Daniel 6.
Father and doest me foster What words or works can daunt my heart I am in thee become a boaster These men thy might and power disable or else thy loue to man diminish Or else they thinke thou art vnstable and doest begin and wilt not finish Or that the poore wilt not support nor helpe the needie in distresse But as thou knowest what they report so make them feele their wickednesse But I doe know thou failest neuer them that in thee their trust repose If they be constant and perseuer all things are for the best to those Thou art indeede a iealous God and first thy children thou doest monish Thou bear'st with loue and beat'st with rod if they mend not wilt further punish Yet call'st thy chosen children backe by gentle stroakes from running ryot And sufferest them to suffer lacke and doest prescribe to them their diet We may condignely then deride the iudgement of such foolish men That vnto thee Lord will prescribe the measure what and the time when Such fleshly men by wealth and woe censure thy loue or thy displeasure As Natures friend or Graces foe by humane reason all things measure They thinke thou lou'st whom thou feed'st fat with plenty pleasures worldly riches And that all others thou doest hate these world flesh and deuill bewitches And great is this temptation vnlesse our natures thou assist Infeebled with affliction whose helpe doth rest in Iesus Christ. When thou therefore do'st me correct with one hold hold me with the other Let fasth in thee make thee accept me for thy Sonne by Christ my brother Lay not vpon me greater loade then I poore wretch can well endure If I doe sinke stay my aboade and if I fall then keepe me sure Thou know'st Lord whereof I am made I am a silly simple man A worme a flea a puffe a shade that no good doe nor no good can Try by the Crosse true to the Crowne that we may proue by want and losses But to dispaire pull me not downe but vnto comforts turne my crosses I am not able to beare thy yoake vnlesse Christ thy Sonne doe with me draw I am not able to fend thy stroke vnlesse he O Lord doth ward the blow Lord with thy mercies compasse me protection draw out of despaire O let me thy saluation see and all things fit obtaine by Prayer Thou shewest mercy to the meeke that trust in thee in all mens sight There children shall finde what they seeke thou shalt to Sunne-shine turne their night A place whence worldlings are excluded and all the hellish rable out Though here on earth they haue intruded to roote Gods faithfull children out And such as haue with hate pursu'd and trusted in the arme of flesh And haue their hands in bloud imbru'd shall say in iudgement they were rash God's on my side who can ouerthrowe me Christ pleades my cause can God refuse me As iust in Christ the Lord doth know me he doth acquite who can accuse me We thought that this mans life was madnesse then shall the wicked worldlings say But see his words are turn'd to gladnesse whom we haue deem'd a cast-away His hand hath wrought what he would haue yea I my selfe shall say I err'd That thought thou wouldest me not saue because my ioyes were then deferr'd I thought my cries thou would'st not heare when I thee sought thy selfe did'st hide When I complain'd thou cam'st not neere as though thou could'st me not abide But now I knowledge and confesse thy wisedome great in humbling me Thy loue sustain'd me in distresse thy prouidence releeuing me This pass'd all iudgement and conceit of learnedst grauest wisest men Therefore deere Father I will waite take thine owne time how where and when I will not with thy will indent nor thee direct the manner how Thou should'st me helpe 't is mine intent vnto thy will to bend and bowe Hereafter I will hold my peace though men shall say yet still of me And though their tongues will neuer cease there is for me no helpe from thee 〈◊〉 Prayer for a Merchant that God would blesse his Sea aduentures O Almighty God the Creator of heauen and earth and that â—ath made the round world and 〈◊〉 that is therein that stretcheth â—t the North ouer the empty â—aces and hangeth the earth vpâ— nothing that hath set the Sea â—s bounds vntill night and day â—me to an end that diuideth â—e Sea and bindeth the floods â—om ouerflowing that looketh 〈◊〉 the ends of the earth and seeth â—e whole fabrick of heauen and â—e earth and all things therein â—t maketh the waight for the windes and knoweth the measures of the waters that hath since the dayes of Noah shut vp the Sea with barres and dores saying hitherto shalt thou come and no further and heere shall thy proud waues be stayed yet foâ— the families of Jacob at their departure from Egypt and Pharaoh Court thou didst once againe interrupt the boundes of the Seas and made them to stand on heaps that Israel might escape from their cruell and bloody pursuerâ— The waters saw thee O God thâ— waters saw thee were afraid aâ— the presence of the Lord God Aâ— mighty vnto thee most might Jehouah doe I come beseechinâ— thee to prosper my aduentures aâ— the Sea thou art the same Lorâ— that didst prosper the ancient aâ— uentures that thy seruant Salomo made to Opher in the land of Hauâ— lah toward the East O Lord beseech thee that when the wiâ— shall arise the Seas roare tâ— flouds raise them vp into heauen and cast them downe againe into the bottome of the deepe threatning nothing but death and destruction keepe them that they perish not in the proud waues thereof by falling into sands nor by running against the hard rock Keepe them safe in their persons â—nd goods as thou didst Salomons Marriners and the rich treasures 〈◊〉 their vessels O Lord let no â—obbers nor Pirates at Sea attach â—heir persons or goods but proâ—ect them safe out of their hands â—hat I and they being made well 〈◊〉 liue may returne thankes and â—â—sse thee all our dayes both priâ—ately and publiquely in thy holy â—ongregation for they that goe â—to the deepe see the wonders 〈◊〉 the Lord thereby are taught â—w to praise thee Sweet Sauiour as thy Disciâ—s with thee in the Shippe in â—eir extreamities called vpon â—ee to helpe them that they might not perish So O Lord Iâ— cail vpoÌ„ thee beseeching thee to heare me for them and them for themselues and say vnto the Seas peace and be still for they are at thy command to obay thee and therefore subiect at thy rebuke to be still O Lord as thou didst reach forth thy hand vnto thy Disciples and to Peter at midnight when they were in distresse in the raging waues and by calling vnto thee were comforted So O Lord put into their hearts such a reuerend feare of thee that in any danger or extreamity by sea or land they may call vpon