with thy presence fill me with thy comfort spirituall deinties Make my faith strong to beleeue thy word and promises that being made holie as thou art holie I may now holilie taste and see how sweet thou art in this life by inchoation and in the life to come perfectlie pleasantlie and perpetuallie enioie thy heauenlie table O our Father giue vs this daie our dailie bread that we may walke in the strength thereof daie and night vntill we come to thy holie hill of Horeb. My sweet Lord let me feed vpon thee My life enter into my soule O sweet loue O louing sweetnesse let my bellie eate thee and my soule be refreshed by thee the heauenlie Bridegrome For thou art the bread and fountaine of life yea all things indeede whereby the righteous liue which loue thee Thee doo I couet loue and woorship with whome I shall dwell reigne and be blessed Upon thee doo I call for my soule which thou preparest to receiue thee through the desire which thou breathest into it Come therefore O purger of sinnes thou which art the curer of wounds the strength of the feeble the comforter of the sorowfull the worship and honour of all them that liue and the onelie health of the dead Come I saie O blessed Trinitie and enter into my soule come I beseech thee and haue mercie vpon me make me meete for thee that thou maist possesse that which thou hast both made and redeemed sanctified and preserued that I may haue thee as a seale vpon my hart Giue me thy selfe O God my God restore thy selfe vnto me for nothing else can suffice thy seruant and mercifullie graunt vnto me according to the multitude of thy great mercies that my basenesse may please thy Maiestie my vilenesse thine almightie power O sweet Christ O Charitie my God dulcet honie snowie milke the foode of Angels make me to growe in thee that I may eate thee with a sauorie taste Make me to ouercome the enimie of my saluation that thou maist vouchsafe to giue me according to thy promise to eate of the tree of life which is in the middest of the Paradise of God and of the Manna that is hid and that I may one daie or other be called vnto the Lambes supper and eate bread at thy table in the kingdome of GOD among the blessed ones O deere God I praie thee let my mind thus kindeled with the loue of thee flie euen till it come to the beautie of thy celestiall house to the throne of thy glorie and there let it be fed at the dining table of the heauenlie citizens in the place of full feeding by the plentifull running streames and pleasant pastures Behold Lord I stand at the doore and knocke I beseech thee by the bowels of thy mercie wherewith thou being the daie-spring from an high hast visited vs open the hand of thy pitie to a wretch that knocketh and vouchsafe mercifullie to bid me enter into thee that I may rest with thee dwell with thee and sup with thee and thou with me and that I may be refreshed to the full of thee which art the liuing sweet white-bread and heauenlie repast wherewith when I am once fed and that my strength is come perfectlie vnto me againe I may ascend vnto the more high things neuer from hencefoorth hunger or thirst anie more so greatlie after vanities So be it When ye are about to receiue the bread lift vp your hart and eies vnto God in heauen and saie O Father I hartilie thanke thee who hast giuen thine onlie begotten son to take vpon him our naturall bodie which bodie was once offered to thee vpon the altar of the crosse for the health welth and saluation of all sinners for whose sake O father I beseech thee to haue mercie vpon me and in remembrance of whose most bitter death and painfull passion with all possible thanks for all thy benefits brieflie comprised therein I now in trembling and feare receiue this holie bread to feed therby in my soule on Christs blessed bodie which was giuen for me and that onelie by faith to mine euerlasting comfort and saluation and thine eternall glorie Amen Or thus O Heauenlie Father and blessed God I render vnto thee most hartie thanks for all thy benefits which thou hast shewed vnto me most wretched sinner but especiallie for that most sweet smelling sacrifice which thine onlie begotten sonne offered vnto thee on the altar of the crosse by giuing his most pure vndefiled bodie vnto the death for the redemption of mankind In remēbrance wherof according to thy welbeloued sonnes ordinance I now receiue this holie bread most intirelie beseeching thee that I may both be partaker of the merits of thy deere sonnes bodie breaking and also lead a life woorthie of so great a benefit vnto the glorie of thy name Amen When you see the wine behold it with your corporall eies For as Christ saith it is wine but lift vp your soule vnto Christ in heauen whose bloud is there alwaie fresh and liuelie before the Father to sprinkle and quicken thee and praie saieng O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of the liuing GOD which being vpon the crosse with thy hands spred abroad for the redemption of all mankind diddest drinke the most bitter cup of thy passion I beseech thee vouchsafe now to drawe the mouth of the soule that thirsteth after thee vnto the high flouds and flowing streames of thine eternall abundance and satietie yea drawe me wholie vnto thy selfe which art the liuing well to the intent I may according to my capacitie drinke of that wherevpon I doo liue O my God my life thou didst saie with thy holie and blessed mouth If anie man thirst let him come vnto me and drinke O well of life grant vnto my thirstie soule alwaie to drinke of thee that according to thy holie and true promise waters of life may flowe out of my bellie O well of life replenish and fill my mind full of the riuer of thy pleasures make my hart to be drunken as it were in thy loue that after the maner of them that be drunken with wine which forget all things saue the cup so I may forget all vaine and earthlie things and continuallie haue nothing else in my remembrance but thee onelie thy bitter death thy painfull passion and pretious bloud-shedding Come I praie thee into my hart and make it drunken with the abundance of thy plentifulnesse so that I may forget all temporall things make me I saie throughlie drunken with thy cup that I may forget euen my selfe and vtterlie renounce all mine owne vngodlinesse sinne O Christ which art the euerlasting suffisance that shalt be giuen to the hungrie and thirstie refresh vs continuallie with the most exquisite and well furnished banket of thy blessed Sacraments and make vs drinke plentiouslie of the holie cup of thy blessed spirit and grace Let the inspiration of thy most sweet spirit succeed like springs of water
onelie Sauiour and redeemer For then I began and not before to perceiue and see mine owne ignorance and blindnesse the cause thereof was that I would not learne to knowe Christ my Sauiour and redeemer But when God of his meere goodnesse had thus opened mine eies and made me see and behold Christ the wisedome of God the light of the world with a supernaturall sight of faith all pleasures vanities honor riches wealth and aids of the world began to waxe bitter vnto me Then I knew it was no illusion of the diuell nor false ne humane doctrine I had receiued When such successe came thereof that I had in detestation and horrour that which I erst so much loued and esteemed being of God forbidden that we should loue the world or the vaine pleasures and shadowes in the same then began I to perceiue that Christ was my onlie Sauior and redeemer and the same doctrine to be all diuine holie heauenlie and infused by grace into the harts of the faithfull which neuer can be attained by hnmane doctrine wit nor reason although they should trauell and labour for the same to the end of the world Then began I to dwell in God by charitie knowing by the louing charitie of God in the remission of my sinnes that God is charitie as S. Iohn saith So that of my faith whereby I came to knowe God and whereby it pleased God euen bicause I trusted in him to iustifie me sprang this excellent charitie in my hart I thinke no lesse but manie will woonder and maruell at this my saieng that I neuer knewe Christ for my Sauiour and redeemer vntill this time For many haue this opinion saieng Who knoweth not there is a Christ Who being a Christian doth not confesse him his Sauiour And thus beleeuing their dead humane historicall faith and knowledge which they haue learned in their scholasticall bookes to be the true infused faith and knowledge of Christ which may be had as I said before with all sinne they vse to saie by their owne experience of themselues that their faith doth not iustifie them And true it is except they haue this faith the which I haue declared here before they shall neuer be iustified And yet it is not false that by faith onlie I am sure to be iustified Euen this is the cause that so manie impugne this office and dutie of true faith bicause so manie lacke the true faith And euen as the faithfull are forced to allow this true faith so the vnfaithfull can in no wise probablie intreate thereof the one feeling in himselfe that he saith the other hauing not in him for to saie I haue certeinlie no curious learning to defend this matter withall but a simple zeale and earnest loue to the truth inspired of God who promiseth to powre his spirit vpon all flesh which I haue by the grace of God whom I most humblie honour felt in my selfe to be true The fourth Chapter Of the great loue of God towards mankind and of the inward beholding of Christ crucified LEt vs therfore now I praie you by faith behold and consider the great charitie goodnesse of God in sending his sonne to suffer death for our redemption when we were his mortall enimies and after what sort and maner he sent him First it is to be considered yea to be vndoubtedlie and with a perfect faith beleeued that God sent him to vs freelie For he did giue him and sold him not A more noble and rich gift he could not haue giuen He sent not a seruant or a friend but his onlie sonne so deerelie beloued not in delights riches and honours but in crosses pouerties and slanders not as a Lord but as a seruant yea and in most vile and painefull passions to wash vs not with water but with his owne pretious bloud not from mire but from the puddle and filth of our iniquities He hath giuen him not to make vs poore but to enrich vs with his diuine vertues merits and graces yea and in him he hath giuen vs all good things and finallie himselfe and with such great charitie as can not be expressed Was it not a most high and abundant charitie of God to send Christ to shed his bloud to loose honour life and all for his enimies Euen in the time when he had done him most iniurie he first shewed his charitie to vs with such flames of loue that greater could not be shewed God in Christ hath opened vnto vs although we be weake and blind of our selues that we may behold in this miserable estate the great wisedome goodnesse and truth with all the other godlie perfections which be in Christ Therefore inwardlie to behold Christ crucified vpon the crosse is the best and godliest meditation that can be We may see also in Christ crucified the beautie of the soule better than in all the bookes of the world For who that with a liuelie faith seeth and feeleth in spirit that Christ the sonne of God is dead for the satisfieng and purifieng of the soule shall see that his soule is appointed for the verie tabernacle and mansion of the inestimable and incomprehensible maiestie and honour of God We see also in Christ crucified how vaine and foolish the world is and how that Christ being most wise despised the same We see also how blind it is because the same knoweth not Christ but persecuteth him We see also how vnkind the world is by the killing of Christ in the time he did shew it most fauour How hard and obstinate was it that would not be mollified with so manie teares such sweate and so much bloudshead of the sonne of God suffering with so great and high charitie Therefore he is now verie blind that seeth not how vaine foolish false ingrate cruell hard wicked and euill the world is We may also in Christ crucified weigh our sinnes as in a diuine ballance how greeuous and how weightie they be seeing they haue crucified Christ For they would neuer haue beene counterpaised but with the great and pretious weight of the bloud of the sonne of God And therefore God of his high goodnesse determined that his blessed sonne should rather suffer bloudshead thau our sinnes should haue condemned vs. We shall neuer knowe our owne miserie and wretchednesse but with the light of Christ crucified Then we shall see our owne crueltie when we feele his mercie our owne vnrighteousnesse and iniquitie when we see his righteousnes and holinesse Therefore to learne to knowe trulie our owne sinnes is to studie in the booke of the Crucifixe by continuall conuersation in faith and to haue perfect and plentifull charitie is to learne first by faith the charitie that is in God towards vs. We may see also in Christ vpon the Crosse how great the paines of hell and how blessed the ioies of heauen be and what a sharpe and painefull thing it shall be to them that of that sweet happie and glorious ioie Christ
Christ for this thy blessed oblation haue mercie on me now and in the houre of death that in the dreadfull daie of iudgment sinne death and hell may not preuaile against me sinfull creature but haue mercie vpon me according to thy greatest mercie which is this thy death and passion for which be praise to the holie Trinitie for euer and euer Amen The Hymne of the passion of Christ IEsus which is the liuelie well of wisdome And the heauenlie truth of the father eternall Which from heauen to this world did come To deliuer vs thrales from paines infernall Of Iudas was sold and of the Iewes taken And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken We laud thee father for thy grace We praise the sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three In the dawning of the daie they did him fast bind And before Pilate he was then conuented False witnesse against Iesus they did then find When the cruell Seniours in iudgement him presented Beaten was his bodie defiled was his face And yet God and man the verie well of grace We laud thee father c. When thrée houres were past before Pilates throne All the people cried Kill Iesus the Iewes king His crowne was thornes in purple he made mone With a crosse ouer Cedron they did him bring And prepared his deadlie place on Galgatha hill To suffer pains for Adams gilt so was his fathers will We laud thee father c. The sirt houre approched his painefull end When on the trée his bodie they nailed In heauen was his helpe in earth he had no freud He died betwéene two théeues on him the Elders railed Then he thirsted for his elect which subiect were to thrall Unthankefullie they offred him vinegre mingled with gall We laud thee father c. This verie God Gods onlie begotten child Said to his father Why hast thou me forsaken Yet receiue this sacrifice and my spirit vndefild The heauens were darkned asunder the stones were shaken Bloud and water then sprang from this blessed lamb Then graues opened the dead aliue foorth came We laud thee father for thy grace c. The second Meditation or praier of our frailtie and miserie O Miserable wretched woman that I am how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holie hill For they loue to be in holie contemplation and I in the vaine multitude forgetting thee they be meeke and I vnpatient they do not forget thee but my good Lord when do I remember thee but when affliction enforceth me or the lamentable fall of my breethren constraine me to thanke thee Thou most mightie and fearefull God of hosts thy holie name be blessed foreuer Amen What shall I saie my God Thou art most good and I euill thou holie and I miserable thou art light and I am blind thou art the blessed ioie and I am carefull and full of sorowe My Lord thou art the Physician and I the miserable patient I am nothing but vanitie and corrupt as euerie liuing man is What shall I saie O Creator but this that I am thy creature and shall I perish Thy hands haue made me and were wounded for me thy bloud was shed for me and hath washed me thy holie Ghost hath sanctified me and taught me yet Lord my daies are nothing What should I mortall creature thus talke with my selfe Lord God but that need hath no lawe Sorowe hath compelled me to seeke comfort sicknesse enforceth me to folowe the Physician conscience pricketh me to crie to thee my Lord for a heauenlie cordiall of comfort which am in great discomfort borne of a woman full of miserie and shortnesse of time and passe awaie like a shadowe neuer content with one estate but in earth remaine for euer The Hymne to God the Creator O Creator to thée thy creature I call Who made of mould do liue in paine And sicke in soule my flesh is thrall O wo is me my daies be vaine Yet vnto God I call for grace My soule in heauen to haue a place A praier to the blessed Trinitie Let vs praie O Holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three equall and coeternall persons but one God almightie haue mercie vpon me vile abiect abhominable and sinfull wretch meekelie acknowledging before thy diuine Maiestie my long continued life in sinne euen from my childhood hitherto Then good gratious Lord as thou giuest me the grace to acknowledge them so giue me grace not in word onlie but in hart also with sorowfull contrition to repent and vtterlie to forsake them Forgiue me also those sinnes through which by mine owne fault wicked affection and euill custome my reason is with sensualitie so blinded as I cannot discerne them for sinne Illuminate my hart good Lord and giue me grace to acknowledge them Forgiue me my sinnes negligentlie forgotten and bring them to my mind with grace to be throughlie repentant for them O mercifull God grant me thy grace so to despise sinne and all worldlie vanities that I may saie with the blessed Apostle Saint Paule The world is crucified to me and I to the world Christ is to me life and to die is my gaine and aduantage I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ Lord giue me thy grace to amend my life and to haue an eie to mine end without anie grudge or feare of death which to them that die in thee is the gate of eternall life Almightie God teach me to doo thy will take my right hand and leade me in the true waie from mine drawe me after thee bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle when I will not drawe vnto thee Oh gratious God all sinfull feare all sinfull sorowe and pensiuenesse all sinfull hope all sinfull mirth and gladnesse take awaie from me On the other side concerning such feare such heauinesse such comfort consolation and gladnesse as shall be profitable for my soule doo with me according to thy great goodnesse O Lord giue me grace in all my feare and agonie to haue recourse to that great feare and wonderfull agonie that thou my sauiour hadst at the Mount of Oliuet before thy most bitter passion and in the meditation thereof to conceiue ghostlie comfort and consolation profitable for my soule Almightie God take from me all vaine-glorious minds all appetites of mine owne praise all enuie couetise gluttonie sloth and lecherie all wrathfull affection all appetite of reuenging all desire of delight of other mens harmes all pleasure in prouoking anie person to wrath and anger all delight in taunting or mocking anie person in their affliction or trouble And giue vnto me O Lord an humble quiet peaceable patient charitable kind tender and pitifull mind in all my words my works and thoughts to haue a tast of thy holie and blessed spirit Giue me good Lord a full faith a firme hope a feruent charitie a loue to thee good Lord incomparable
aboue the loue of my selfe that I may loue nothing to thy displeasure but euerie thing in a due order to thee Giue me good Lord a longing to be with thee not for the auoiding of the calamities of this wretched world nor so much for the auoiding of the paines of hell neither so much for the obteining of the kingdome of heauen in respect of mine owne commoditie as euen for verie loue of thee And beare me good Lord thy loue fauour which thing my loue to thee-ward were it neuer so gret could not but of thy great goodnes deserue And pardon me good Lord that am so bold to aske thee so high petitions being so vile and sinfull a wretch and so vnworthie to attaine the lowest but good Lord such they be as I am bound to desire and wish and should be much neerer the effectuall desire of them if my manifold sinnes were not the let from which O glorious Trinitie vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to wash me with that blessed bloud that thou my sweet sauiour Iesus Christ diddest shed out of thy bodie in the diuers torments of thy most bitter passion that by that same greeuous passion glorious resurrection and ascension I may come to that vnspeakable ioie the which thou hast prepared for thy chosen and elect through the same Iesu Christ our sauiour to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost three persons and one God be all honour and glorie world without end So be it After praier saie this conclusion or Collect. O God that art the strength of such as trust in thee mercifullie assist vs that call vpon thy name and for asmuch as mans infirmitie can do nothing without thee grant I most humblie beseech thee the help of thy spirit that fulfilling thy commandements both in will and deed I may please thee through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it The blessing OH Lord blesse me and defend me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and be mercifull vnto me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and giue me thy peace that in thy peace O Lord I may depart to amend my life and doo vnto the poore as much as I can giue me grace to be at vnitie in quietnesse and in charitie with all thy chosen and elect people and that thy feare oh Lord may euer rest in my hart So be it Praise vnto God the Father and peace vnto the liuing As they that depart in thy faith in thée doo rest haue their being The end of Morning praier EVENING PRAIER ¶ A Confession to be said before Euening praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen earth more than my tongue can expresse My sinnes alas are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go Or whither should I flie To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I am not woorthie to find a place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I run to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie Father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo here at this present Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie vpon me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed therby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christs sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed c. A praier to be said in the Euening MOst mercifull and heauenly father I thanke thee by thy sonne Iesus Christ that this day thou hast giuen me all things needfull both for my soule and bodie preseruing me from all hurt and perill I aske thee mercie for mine offences and I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this night keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts my words works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all that I go about into thy hands I beseech thee that thy holie spirit may be with me least my deadlie aduersarie haue anie power ouer me Amen Another Euening praier O Souereigne dreadfull and most louing Lord my God who neuer ceasest to shew thy mercie towards sinners yea when they offend and trespasse against thee such is thine infinite clemencie and loue As then thou forbearest not to heape thy benefits vpon them I most sinfull and wretched wretch yeeld thee humble thanks for thine inestimable goodnesse shewed towards me in creating me to thine owne likenesse and making me capable of thine euerlasting glorie for the creation of so manie other creatures for my behoofe and sustenance for that inestimable worke of my redemption whereby thou deliuerest me from the slauerie of Sathan and purchasest mee free entrance into thy celestiall region for hauing singled me amongst so many millians that knowe thee not and lie drowned in ignorance superstition and miserable errours to be thy seruant and a true faithfull Christian for both thy blessed Sacraments especiallie for that Sacrament aboue all Sacraments wherein thou thy selfe art spirituallie conteined Finallie for hauing preserued me so manie times from hell wherein I had beene long since plunged hadst not thou of thine vnspeakeable goodnesse susteined and deliuered me from my foes For these and all other thy benefits namelie for those thou hast this daie most bountifullie bestowed vpon me O my souereigne Lord I yeeld thee such sincere dutifull thanks as my poore hart can possiblie affoord thee beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me in supplie of my wants to accept the mediation and thankesgiuings of Iesus Christ thy onelie sonne and mine onelie Sauiour and intercessour And now mine onlie redeemer and Sauiour I humblie craue the light of thy grace to knowe wherein I haue this daie anie waies offended thee by nature and that by sound discussion and through examination of my conscience I may see mine owne sinnes with sorrowe and detestation and thine ineffable mercie with a zealous firme purpose of amendment of life Thou seest O Lord my lewdnesse and wotest my miserie much better than I my selfe doo Sorie I am with all my hart that I should still offend so louing a Lord and wish to God my sorowes were greatlie multiplied I purposed earst to doo better by thy grace which wanted not yet haue I transgressed in my former trespasses neither yet may I despaire O Lord but will continuallie trust
wounds and his glorious bodie all to bee scourged in thy diuine presence who thereby doth mitigate thy wrath and indignation iustlie conceiued against me a miserable and wretched creature and all mankind Make me Lord still to confesse mine vnwoorthinesse and weaknesse to be such and so great that of my selfe I am not worthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen much lesse to be called thy sonne or handmaiden such and so great is the burden of my sinne iniquitie so that by the meanes of my corruption filthinesse I acknowledge my selfe to be the child of death and destruction yet build I still on thy promises good Lord and in this great danger I come vnto thee with teares saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen against thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child Of my selfe I haue nothing but by thee I haue althings of my selfe I acknowledge I haue iustlie deserued the heauie sentence of thine ire but by grace of thee O mightie Emanuel I am regenerate and borne againe from death to life from danger to ioie from perill to peace from bondage to libertie and so in fine from hell and damnation to blisse and saluation Such is the effect of thy mercie so abundant is thy loue towards me all those that with contrite harts present themselues vnto thee Increase my faith Lord that it may abound in good and fruitfull works so fortifie me that I neuer swarue from thy veritie giue me thy grace from aboue O mercifull Iesu that I may neuer shrinke from thy sacred testimonies And moreouer I with all humilitie and reuerence of hart and mind beseech thee this night which thou hast ordeined for man to rest in that thou wilt gard and protect me with thy good guiding spirit And albeit my sinfull flesh shall sleepe and slumber yet grant good Lord that my soule may continually keepe watch and ward let not the enunie find me slumbering sleeping as carelesse in the cradle of sinfull securitie least that whilest I am vnarmed that is naked and destitute of thy grace and fauour he enter in and breake vp the house of my sinfull bodie and make such hauocke and spoile that mine infected and leporous soule deformed by meanes of mine iniquitie and wounded with the dangerous darts of transgression be thrown with the bodie of sinne into the lake of destruction wherein is continuall wailing and gnashing of teeth Make me still O good Lord to consider that the bed is a plaine patterne and similitude of the graue which continuallie calleth for me all other thy creatures Make me to vnderstand that when I am laid of my selfe without thy heauenlie prouidence I can not bee able to rise againe Make me to acknowledge that sleepe is the verie figure of death to whose stroke at thine appointed pleasure I must submit my selfe Indue me with loue and charitie to all men let my lampe O Lord be garnished with oile that whensoeuer or at what time soeuer thy messenger death shall drawe me and knocke at the gates of my house I may at his summons in the daie of the resurrection of the dead be readie to attend on thee and thy bride with my burning lampe that is with a stedfast faith when as by thee I shall be cloathed anew For my mortall bodie shall then be couered with immortalitie the corruption of my sinfull and rebelling flesh shall be changed to incorruption and perfect puritie thy righteousnesse shall be mine thy merits shall make me perfect and holie by vertue whereof hell shall loose his victorie death shall loose his sting my faith and hope shall haue end and reward and I with thy Saints continuallie dwell in loue charitie with thee the heauenlie bridegroome Christ Iesus to whom with the father and the holie Ghost bee ascribed all laud glorie power praise and dominion for euer Amen A praier for the remission of sinne and to obteine a vertuous life FOrasmuch as O bountifull Lord it is most meet right and iust that all flesh shuld praise magnifie and worship thee and should without ceasing giue thanks vnto thee who onlie art the Creator and maker of all things as well visible as inuisible who onlie art the treasure of all goodnesse and well of life onlie God and Lord whome the heauens and heauen of heauens the sunne the moone the starres the earth the sea with all that moue therin yea the heauenlie companie of Martyrs the soules of the Prophets and Apostles Angels Archangels togither with the soules of all iust and righteous persons doo laud and glorifie It is most requisite that ech mortall creature liuing in this world should also acknowledge thy magnificence Wherfore most mercifull father I with my hart and mouth doo acknowledge thee to be my King and Lord the giuer of all goodnesse I confesse thee to be omnipotent reuerend merciful long suffering God of all consolation comfort mercie and pitie I knowe that of thine infinite goodnesse onelie thou diddest make man after thy similitude and likenesse placing him in the most delectable place of Paradyse And although he did transgresse thy commandement and thereby deserued eternall death and damnation yet thou like a most louing and pitifull Father diddest not vtterlie reiect him but gentlie correct him and after that thou hadst sent him into the earth commanding him there to increase and multiplie thou didst instruct his posteritie with thy lawe thou didst teach them by thy Prophets and after that sentest downe thine onlie begotten sonne to take vpon him our nature and to suffer death for our sinnes therby to make a recompense for the offence which man had committed against thee and all this thou didst of thine exceeding great mercie and kindnesse without anie desert of mankind not being so much as by anie one praier or yet intreatie therevnto incited Therefore I being boldened with such inestimable benefits so freelie giuen and bestowed doo without any feare at this time appere before thy diuine Maiestie prostrating my slefe before the seate of thy mercie and with all humblenesse of hart and mind doo make this my praier vnto thee Despise me not O Lord God being defiled with sin and iniquitie For behold I present my selfe before thee not presuming vpon mine owne woorthinesse but trusting in thy goodnesse Be mercifull vnto me a sinner light thou the dull sighted eies of my mind open thou the stopped eares of mine hart that I may both see heare perceiue and vnderstand that which thou teachest and alwaies doo that which thou commandest Make me not onelie a hearer of thy heauenlie doctrine but also a perfect folower of the same direct sanctifie and gouerne my life be thou alwaies present and readie both to heare and to helpe me Saue and defend me from all shame and reproch be thou my shield buckler against all temptations clense my mind and thought from all vncleannesse keepe and preserue me from all danger both of bodie
Lord with the hyssope of true repentance and sorowfull contrition that being clensed in the most cleere fountaine of thy grace I may be whiter than snowe and also bee able euer hereafter to serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of liuing through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Wash your hands yee sinners and cleanse your harts ye wauering minded Isaias 4 verse 8. I will wash my hands in innocencie ô Lord and so will I go to thine altar Psal 26 verse 6. Or else praie thus HAue mercie vpon mee O God and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Wash my soule with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flow from thy hart and naked side and sanctifie and purifie not onlie my hands and face from filth but my hart soule and conscience also from all contagion of sinne and iniquitie that I may be pure both in bodie and soule and serue thee in holinesse and puritie all the daies of my life So be it Though I wash my selfe with snowe water and purge my hands most cleane yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit and mine owne cloths shall make mee filthie Iob. 9 verse 30. Meditations THinke now of thy vow and promise made to God at thy baptisme to forsake Sathan to renounce the world and to mortifie the flesh and how oft since thou hast broken it and be hartilie sorie therefore Thinke also vpon the vnspeakable loue and mercie of Christ our Sauiour who hath washed vs from our sins in his owne pretious bloud and purged our conscience from dead works to the end we should serue him in holinesse and innocencie of life And consider that it shall little auaile thée to haue washed thy selfe if thou touch filth againe that is if thou confesse thy faults and after commit them againe and so wich the dog returne to the vomit and with the washed sow to the wallowing in the mire againe ¶ When you be made readie first before all things looke that either by your selfe or with your familie with all humblenesse of mind you kneele downe by your bed-side in your parlour or other sweete cleane and conuenient place and there taking both time and leasure to serue the Lord lift vp your hart hands and eies and praie vnto his diuine Maiestie saieng in manner and forme following A premeditation or first forme of praier to be vsed before praier O Mercifull Lord and louing father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burthen of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weak soule according vnto thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God prepare my hart to praier and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this miserable puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse and being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honor and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen Another meditation before praier VNto thee O heauenlie father doo I heere prostrate on my knees lift vp my hart my hands mine eies and praiers beseeching thy Maiestie and saieng Helpe me O my Lord and God in this my good purpose and holie worshipping or seruing of thee and grant vnto me to make a perfect entrance and beginning this present daie that I maie doo all things in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all The Confession and Praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen and earth more than my tongue can expresse my sins are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go And whither should I flee To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I find no place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I runne to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo heere at this present Wherefore haue mercie on me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie on me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed thereby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed be thy name c. Another Confession and praier OH almightie euerlasting God and most gratious deere louing father I beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake thy most deere and onlie sonne to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner whose innumerable offenses both old new be most horrible heinous and great where through I haue iustlie deserued thy greeuous wrath and euerlasting damnation But now good Lord heere I do appeale to thy great mercie onlie which far surmounteth all thy works as thou hast promised the same in thy holie and infallible word where thou hast said yea and sworne as trulie as thou liuest that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and liue Ah deere Lord I confesse that I am a great and greeuous sinner and yet now by thy grace and good working of thy holie spirit something turned vnto thee Oh let me liue and not die the euerlasting death of the soule which I so deepelie haue deserued but make me a vessell of thy great mercie that I may liue and praise thy name among thy chosen children for euer Oh let not my horrible sinnes separate me from the sweet sight of thy Maiestie but let thy great power and mercie be magnified in me as it is in Dauid in Peter in Magdalen and in the notable Theefe which was crucified with Christ thy deere sonne in whose most pretious death and bloud-shedding onlie O Lord I put my whole trust and confidence For he onelie hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world he came not to condemne the world but to saue it that none that trulie beleeue in him should perish but haue life euerlasting He saith he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Oh gratious God giue me true earnest hartie and vnfeigned repentance that I may from the verie bottome of my hart continuallie lament my manifold
miseries which hang ouer our heads but blot out all our offences O God after thy manifold mercies and take awaie from vs the curse of our ground that the people may praise thee O God yea that all the people may praise thee and the earth bring foorth hir increase through our Lord Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne which liueth and reigneth with thee in the vnitie of the holie spirit a God for euermore Amen For faire weather O Lord God which for the sinne of man didst once drowne all the world except eight persons afterward of thy great mercie didst promise neuer to destroie it so againe we humblie beseech thee that although we for oure iniquities haue woorthilie deserued this plague of raine and waters yet vpon our true repentance thou wilt send vs such weather whereby we may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learne both by thy punishment to amend our liues and for thy clemencie to giue thee praise and glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier in time of vnseasonable showers for faire weather O God and mercifull Father wee acknowledge that we through our manifold sinnes haue deserued to be sharpelie rebuked and corrected of thee but if thou shouldest deale with vs after our sinnes we are not able to abide thy wrath and heauie hand Wherfore deale mercifullie with vs O Lord after the greatnesse of thy goodnesse and the multitude of thy mercies that wee rather may reioice and be thankfull vnto thee for the abundance of thy great mercie and louing kindnesse than be cast downe and discouraged by the heauie weight of thy hand In thy hands O Lord are both heauen and earth so gouerne them therefore we beseech thee for thy name sake that we may haue seasonable weather to receiue the fruits of the earth Staie the unmoderate plentie of raine and vnseasonable weather and powre rather vpon vs the plentifull dew of thy spirit that we may dailie growe to the perfection of Christian men and women Take awaie from vs our stonie harts and giue vnto vs in stead there of harts of flesh that we may cease at the length thus to prouoke thy wrath to bring vpon vs either this so great a plague as the losse of the fruits of the earth either else other plagues of thy iust iudgments Grant that we may so repent vs of our former euils that hereafter the woorthie fruits of true repentance may continuallie appeare therein and so to passe ouer and to end our mortall liues that at the last we may attaine vnto the blessed resurrection and life euerlasting through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen In time of thunder lightening raging tempests and vnseasonable weather praie thus O Most wise mightie God thou art a glorious King in all the world thy woonderfull maiestie doth shine and is knowne also by raine thundering lightening and other meteors ingendred in the aire Thy throne is among the clouds thou hast made darkenesse thy secrete place and thy pauilion about thee euen darknesse of water and clouds of the aire At the brightnesse of thy presence the clouds doo passe awaie so doo the haile-stones and firie coales Thou dooest thunder from the heauens and giuest thy voice hailestones and coales of fire Thou sendest thine arrowes and scatterest them thou increasest lightenings and destroiest them Who is so great a god as thou our God Thou art the God which dooest woonders and declarest thy power among the nations Thou redeemest thy people with thine arme The waters sawe thee and were afraid the depths trembled The clouds powred out water the aire thundered and thine arrowes went abroad The voice of thy thunder was heard round about the world the earth trembled and shooke The foundations of the earth shooke and were discouered at thy rebuking O Lord at the blasting of the breath of thy nostrels Therefore shall the verie heauens extoll thy woonderous works and the Saints set foorth thy truth in the congregation For who is equall to thee in heauen And who like thee among the sonnes of the gods Thou art verie terrible in the assemblie of the saints and to be reuerenced aboue all that are about thee O Lord God of hosts who is like vnto thee which art a mightie Lord and thy truth is about thee Thou rulest the raging of the sea thou stillest the waues thereof when they doo arise Thou onlie art of power to resolue into vapours the drops of the sea by the heat of the sunne thou takest the same vp being turned into airie substance and againe turnest it into meere water and makest it to come powring downe vpon the face of the earth Whatsoeuer thou wilt thou dooest in heauen and in earrh and in the sea and in all deepe places With thy power thou madest the earth with thy wisdome thou hast established the world and with thy discretion stretchest out the heauens As soone as thou lettest thy voice be heard the waters in the aire waxe fierce Thou drawest vp the clouds from the ends of the earth thou turnest the lightening into raine and bringest foorth the wind out of thy treasures Thou couerest the heauens with clouds and preparest raine for the earth Thou makest the grasse to growe vpon the mountaines and prouidest herbs for the vse of man Thou giuest to beasts their food and to the yoong rauens that crie Behold so great art thou that thou passest our knowledge neither can the number of thy yeeres be searched out When thou restrainest the drops of water the raine powreth downe by the vapours thereof and falleth abundantlie vpon man Thou bringest foorth the winds out of thy treasures that is from thy secret places where thou diddest hide them in great abundance that they might be readie at thy commandement and come foorth when thou thinkest good Thou makest the clouds to labour to giue water to the earth and scatterest the cloud of thy light thou turnest it about by thy gouernement that they may doo whatsoeuer thou commandest them vpon the whole world O God mine hart is troubled verie sore when I behold the immoderate showers and heare the terrible thunder yea it forsaketh his place when I heare the noise of thy voice and the speech proceeding from thy mouth O God which rulest heauen and earth I most humblie beseech thee mercifullie to driue awaie or atleast to mitigate these mightie streames and most raging tempests Restraine the thunderbolts and thy firie darts that they hurt vs not Keepe vs and our nests that we perish not through lightenings nor be destroied by thy thunderclaps Protect our houses and vs that we be neither consumed by thy firie meteor nor drowned by thy sudden floud O mercifull God raine not I beseech thee hailestones vpon the face of the earth neither strike such as are in the fields be they man or beast Strike not thou therewith all the herbes of the feeld neither breake thou gratious Lord the trees of our land Destroie not our
iniquitie shall be suppressed and thy chosen children be fullie endued with that perfect glorie in the which now our Lord Iesus Christ reigneth to whome with thee O father and the holie Ghost be all honour praise and glorie now and euer Amen In time of inuasion by the Turke and Infidels that make warre in anie part of Christendome praie and that earnestlie as followeth OMnipotent and eternall God father of our Lord Iesus Christ maker preseruer and mainteiner both of heauen and earth together with thy coeternall sonne and the holie Ghost we haue sinned O Lord with our fathers we haue done amisse and dealt wickedlie and therfore we confesse that by thy righteous iudgements we are iustlie punished and haue trulie deserued that barbarous nations and cruell Turks making inuasion into Christendome should spoile vs of our goods ouerthrowe Schooles Churches Common-weales make pitifull hauocke of the promiscuous mixt or confused multitude of sillie weake people as they were sheepe prepared to the shambles and carrie miserable men from the sweet bosoms of their deere freends into far and barbarous nations to a slauerie more greeuous than death O God it is thou which hast repelled vs yea thou makest vs a shame to the nations for our sinnes and goest not foorth to war with our armies Thou makest vs to turne our backs vpon our enimies so that they which hate vs spoile our goods Thou lettest vs to bee eaten like sheepe and hast scattered vs among the heathen Thou sellest thy people for naught and takest no monie for them Therefore he the heathen come into thine inheritance thy holie Temple haue they defiled they haue destroied our townes and houses and brought them into an heape of stones The dead bodies of thy seruants haue they giuen to be meate to the fowles of the aire and the flesh of thy Saincts vnto the beasts of the land Their bloud haue they shed like water on euerie side and there was no man to burie them We are become an open shame to our enimies a verie scorne and derision vnto them that are round about vs. O Lord in these mischieuous warres and in the middest of fatall or mortall punishments which threaten an horrible mutation of worldlie empires we flie vnto thee saieng Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes O Lord deale not with vs according to our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities but haue mercie vpon vs and that soone for we are come to great miserie Looke vpon our aduersitie and miserie and forgiue vs all our sinnes Consider our enimies how manie they be and they beare a tyrannicall hate against vs. Thou which aforetime didst remit the offences of thy people diddest couer all their sinnes and didst turne awaie thine heauie indignation from them turne vs we humblie beseech thee O God our Sauiour and remooue awaie thy displeasure from vs also that in true repentance wee may please thee for thy sonne Christs sake Wilt thou be displeased at vs for euer Or wilt thou stretch thy wrath from one generation to another Oh let the sorowfull sighing of the prisoners come before thee according to the greatnesse of thy power preserue thou those that are appointed to die Powre out thine indignation rather vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thee and vpon the kingdoms that haue not called vpon thy name that all nations may knowe that thou takest vengeance of the bloud of thy seruants that is shed Consider the mortall threatenings of our enimies that they exercise not their crueltie vpon vs and saie triumphantlie Where is now their God Keepe from our necks the greeuous yoke of the Turkish bondage and represse the furiousnesse of all tyrants which labour to spoile and make hauocke of thy Church to abolish true doctrine praiers and pure religion that they may bring in paganisme and build vp idolatrie errours and blasphemous ceremonies Defend our Churches our politike gouernance our Schooles and Uniuersities our cities and dwelling places Suffer not good studies learning religion and lawes being ouerthrowne these our townes to be reduced into stables for sauage Mahomets Turkish tyrants or other bloudie tyrants which hate thee and vs extremelie Arme the right arme of our gratious Queene and hir Nobles as also all other Christian Emperours Kings and Potentates that they may fight for our lawes liues and libertie Teach their hands to warre and their fingers to fight Increase in them an inuincible courage of mind that inflamed through the zeale of thy religion they may valiantlie withstand the Turks which are the mortall enimies of thy deere Sonne and of his Church Guide thou the hands of such as doo fight in the cause of thy religion and grant them happie successe ouer all their enimies For a king is not preserued by his great armie and a giant shall not be saued by the multitude of his host nor warlike strength but the victorie proceedeth from the heauens At thy rebuke O God the chariot and horses fall downe Thou shalt take awaie the courage of princes and art terrible vnto the kings of the earth O be thou our helpe in trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Through thee O mightie Iehoua we shall doo great acts and thou wilt tread our enimies vnder thy feet that they come to naught through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing vnto God for the Christians victorie had against the Turks O Mercifull Father O Lord God of hosts the onelie protector and defender of thine heritage against whome no might no power nor counsell can preuaile who of thy great mercie without our merit or deseruing hast at all times protected defended vs from the cruell hand of our enimies and mightilie deliuered vs euen out of the mouth of the roring Lion we yeeld vnto thee O father for these thy great goodnesses and mercies most humble hartie thanks and especiallie O father we praise thy holie name that at this present thou hast saued and deliuered thy people from the great assaults and dangers of that same professed mightie enimie of Christian Religion the Turke and also hast giuen vnto the people which fought thy battels battelled vnder thy banner and trusted onlie in thy helpe so great and notable a victorie for the which O Lord God we doo laud and magnifie thy holie name for euer through Christ our Captaine Redeemer and Sauiour beseeching thee for thy mercifull goodnesse that thou wouldest sheeld vs vnder thy mightie protection for euer that we hauing the fruition of godlie peace through thy mercie may the rest of these few daies which we haue to liue lead a peaceable and a quiet life in all pietie and honestie through Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen O God whose nature and propertie is euer to haue mercie and to forgiue receiue our humble petitions And though
supplication is not onlie for those aboue mentioned but also for such as either although they resist not thy truth and pure religion openlie and obstinatelie professe our religion yet mingled with manie superstitions and abuses worshipping and calling vpon Saints departed out of this life or be addicted to outward ceremonies and rudiments of this world burdening their consciences with mans obseruations and traditions of their fathers or trusting to their owne righteousnesse or rather to the works and deedes of the flesh refuse and make little accompt of thy righteousnesse which is the true iustification and go about to establish their owne righteousnesse But Christ is the end of the lawe for righteousnesse to as manie as beleeue and another foundation can no man laie than that is laid in thy sonne the Messias which is the waie the truth the life and the end of the lawe For by his perfect obedience and fulfilling of the lawe by his innocent and bitter death hee hath restored vnto vs saluation and perfect righteousnesse that euerie one which beleeueth on him might not perish but haue euerlasting life O God the sight of the blind bring them home againe which through ignorance either are intangled in doubtfull labyrinths and grosse errours or countenance polluted religion that lightened by thy spirit they may returne into the right waie And such as with impudent faces and stiffe neckes doo obstinatelie with an affected ignorance withstand thine holie spirit whose senses the god of this world hath blinded that the light of thy glorious Gospell shine not ouer them represse and bridle their malice that by slaughter and persecutions they neither trouble nor destroie thy Church Amen After the Sermon reade some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the diligent obseruing and following of Gods word beard Deuteronomie 28 verse 1. IF thou shalt obeie diligentlie the voice of the Lord thy God walke in his ordinances and obserue keepe and doo all his commandements which I command thee this daie then all these blessings shall come on thee and ouertake thee Blessed shalt thou be in the citie and blessed in the field c. But and if thou wilt not obeie the voice of the Lord thy God to keepe and doo all his commandements and his ordinances which I command thee this daie then all these curses shall come vpon thee and ouertake thee Curssed shalt thou be in the citie and curssed in the field c. as in the whole Chapter Ecclesiasticus 35. WHO so keepeth the lawe bringeth offrings inough he that holdeth fast the commandements offereth an offering of saluation Matthew 7. WHO soeuer heareth of me saieth Christ these words and doth the same I will liken him to a wise man which hath builded his house on a rocke c. But whosoeuer heareth these my words and doth them not shall be likened vnto a foolish man which hath builded his house vpon the sands c. Luke 11. BLessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Luke 12. THE seruant that knoweth his maisters will and doth it not shall be beaten with manie stripes Romans 2. THE hearers of the lawe are not righteous before God but the dooers of the lawe shall be iustified Iames. 1. WHerefore be yee dooers of the word and not hearers onelie deceiuing your owne selues For if anie heare the word and doo it not he is like vnto a man that beholdeth his naturall face in a glasse For when he hath considered himselfe he goeth awaie and forgetteth immediatlie what manner of one he was But who so looketh in the perfect lawe of libertie and continueth therein he not beeing a forgetfull hearer but a dooer of the worke shall bee blessed in his deed Iohn 15. NOw are yee cleane through the word which I haue spoken vnto you Abide in me and I in you c. I am the vine yee are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth foorth much fruit For without me can ye doo nothing If yee abide in me and my word abide in you aske what yee will and it shall be done vnto you Reuelation 2. FOR he that ouercommeth and keepeth my words vnto the end to him will I giue power ouer nations Reuelation 3. REmember therefore how thou hast heard and receiued and hold fast and repent Hold that I saie which thou hast that no man take thy crowne and watch Then giue thanks and praie vnto God after the Sermon and saie IMmortall praise and thanks be giuen vnto thee O almightie God and most mercifull father who hast giuen vs so pretious a gift of thy holie word and vouchsafed vs to heare so glad tidings of thy sacred Gospell by the hand of this thy minister who presentlie by thy mercy hath vttered it vnto vs. And seeing thou hast delt so gratiouslie with vs in the free publishing of thy Gospell amongst vs this foure and twentie yeeres that it seemeth thou hast euen lifted vs vp to heauen with the cities wherein our Sauiour taught most in his being vpon the earth and hast now in a manner throwne them downe to hell and left in them a terrible and a fearfull example of thy iudgements against those that walke not woorthie the graces offered vnto them Grant vs so to profit by this their chastisement and correction that as of thy grace thou hast reuealed thy will vnto vs which otherwise we could neuer haue knowne so now strengthen vs O Lord that we neuer refuse thy Gospell in vnbeleefe nor seeke in the persons of the preachers of it anie causes and pretences of our infidelitie but hauing thy word alwaies in our harts and thy praises in our tongues we may walke woorthie thy so great graces bestowed vpon vs and haue our conuersation in heauen that after wee may be taken vp thither vnto thee alwaies to glorifie thee with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost Amen A thankes-giuing for the knowledge of God in his word WE giue thee thankes O Father Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast hid the mysterie of thy word which is the Gospell of our saluation by thy Sonne from the wise and men of vnderstanding in this world and hast reuealed the same to babes of base degree certeinlie such was thy good pleasure Thou hast giuen vs all things in thy Sonne whom none knoweth but thou Father neither dooth anie knowe thee except thy Sonne and he to whom thy Sonne shall reueale thee We worship thee we praise thee we glorifie thee we giue thee thanks for the hid wisedome which thou didst determine before the world for our glorie which was neuer knowne to the princes of this world nor at anie time to the sonnes of men as it is now reuealed by the spirit to whom the communion of the mysterie which was hid from all ages but is now opened to thy Saints to whom thou wouldst haue made knowne what be the riches of this glorious mysterie It is thine owne working
vs. We thanke thee we praise thee and we laud and magnifie thy glorious name O most meeke Lord for all thy benefits especiallie for that thou hast not thought it inough for thee to haue giuen vs the heauens and earth and all that is therin to serue vs and to instruct vs but also hast vouchsafed to send thine onlie deere beloued Sonne our Sauior Iesus Christ downe amongst vs into this vale of teares and after that he was ascended into heauen hast left vs thy holie word and sent thy holie Ghost into vs to the intent we should learne of him all truth in thy word might in deed behold more effectuallie better and cleerer thy Godhead We now also praie and humbly beseech thee O most mercifull God that thou wilt gouerne vs and driue awaie from vs all fleshlie conuersation to the intent we may hencefoorth liue a godlie and ghostlie life so that we through the flesh may not be hindered to passe our pilgrimage in such perfection as thou requirest in Christian men but that we may knowe and discerne and vse to thy glorie the vnmeasurable great good things which thy large and bountifull hand hath giuen and reached vnto vs through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A meditation of mans creation O Almightie Lord God that hast created heauen and earth and all that is therein of naught but especiallie hast made man vnto thine owne godlie image infunding and creating in him a reasonable soule not mortall nor transitorie as are the soules of vnreasonable beasts but such a soule as liueth like the spirit or ghost of God for euer By which soule man knoweth thee to be his God doth beleeue thee and shall behold thee And with soule and bodie together thou hast made man aboue all other creatures so much superiour and hast so highlie exalted him that thou hast made him prince and chiefe gouernour lord and captaine ouer all thy other creatures that be in the earth and hast cast them all vnder his feet and subiection O most mercifull Lord powre into vs thy heauenlie light through which we may euer haue in due regard the vile and lothsome stuffe or matter that thy godlie hand hath made vs of and how thou hast neuerthelesse exalted vs so mightilie of miserie Let vs knowe I saie O Lord that man is crept out of the dust and mire and the woman but out of the rib of hir husband to the end we may not by anie meanes be puffed vp with pride by vaine-glorie and presumption of the great glorie wherewith thou hast vouchsafed to endue and cloath vs but that in true humilitie we may impute and exhibit all things vnto thine onlie goodnesse clemencie grace and mercie And that we may bee drawne thereby vnto the loue of thee and to kindle the lampe of our soules which is cold in thy loue with the light of thy grace so that we may diligentlie fulfill and accomplish all that thou hast commanded vs and leaue that which thou hast forbidden vs like as it becommeth thine obedient children so that we both here in this vale of miserie and also afterward in that heauenlie paradise being vndefiled and like vnto thee may be found like as thou hast created vs like vnto thine owne similitude image likenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another meditation of mans creation THine almightie hand O GOD keeping alwaies at one staie created the Angels in heauen and the feelie woormes vpon earth and yet was neither higher in the one nor lower in the other For like as none other hand could haue created an Angel so could none other hand haue created a woorme like as none other could haue created heauen so could none other haue created a leafe of a tree like as none other could haue made a bodie so could none other make a haire white or blacke but onlie thine almightie hand wherevnto all things are possible alike For it is not more possible with thee to create a woorme than an Angel nor more impossible to spread out the heauen than a leafe nor easier to fashion a haire than to fashion a bodie nor vneasier to stablish the earth vpon the waters than the waters vpon the earth but all that thou listest to doo that hast thou done According as thou listedst thou hast made all things in heauen and in earth and in the sea and in all deepe places and among all other things thou hast made me according as thou listedst couldest and knewest how to doo it Certes Lord thy hand could haue made me some stone or some bird or some serpent or some beast and it knew how to haue done it but it would not bicause of thy goodnesse Why then am I not a stone some tree or some beast Trulie bicause thy goodnesse hath so ordeined it and bicause thou louedst me first And why hast thou done so to me O maker of heauen and earth and of the bottomlesse deepe who hast no neede of me Wherevpon commeth it that thou hast thus loued me For lo I am bicause thou hast created me and the cause that thou didst create me and account me in the number of thy creatures was thy fore-ordinance from euerlasting before thou madest anie thing euen from the beginning before thou didst spread all the heauens when as yet there were no deepes neither haddest thou yet made the earth nor founded the mountaines neither were anie water-springs yet broken out Before thou madest all these things I saie which thou madest by thy word thou foresawest by the most assured prouidence of thy truth that I should be thy creature and also thou willedst that I should be thy creature And whence commeth this to me O most gentle Lord most high God most mercifull Father and alwaies most meeke What had I deserued What kindnesse had I shewed that it should like thy roiall Maiestie to create me I was not and thou diddest create me I was nothing and of nothing thou madest me somewhat And what maner of somewhat Not a drop of water not fire not a bird or fish not a serpent or some of the brute beasts not a stone or a block not of those sort of things which haue but being onelie or of those things that haue but onelie being and growing nor yet of those kind of things that haue but onlie being growing and feeling But aboue all these things it was thy will to haue me both of that sort which haue but being onlie for I am and of those that haue no more but being and growing for I am and growe also of those kind of things which haue both being growing and feeling for I am and also doo both growe and feele Yea and thou hast made small ods betweene me and the Angels For I haue receiued reason to knowe thee and thy hand as well as they But I did well to saie there was some ods betweene vs. For they haue the happie knowledge of thee alreadie in possession and I
the end that man alone should wholie be subiect vnto thee And to the end that man should be wholie thine thou hast made man lord of all thy works For thou hast created all outward things for his bodie his bodie for his soule and his soule for thee that he might serue thee onlie and loue thee onlie possessing thee to his comfort and all inferiour things for his seruants For whatsoeuer is conteined vnder the cope of heauen is inferiour vnto mans soule which was made to inherit the souereigne goodnesse aboue and to become happie by possessing it wherevnto if he sticke fast he shall surmount the need of all the inferiour things which are changeable and in euerlasting immortalitie quietlie behold the souereigne maiestie whereof he representeth the image Then shall he enioie those excellent good things in the Lords house in comparison whereof all the things that we see are counted as nothing Those be the things which no eie hath seene nor eare hard nor hart of man conceiued which God hath prepared for them that loue him And trulie Lord these things wilt thou giue vnto my soule with these dooest thou which louest mens soules dailie glad the harts of thy seruants But why woonder I at these things my Lord God Thou inhonourest thine owne image and thine owne likenesse wherevnto they were created For to the end our bodie though it be yet corruptible base might see thou hast giuen vs the light of the skie by the hand of thine vnweariable seruants the Sunne and Moone who according to thy commandement doo continuall seruice daie and night to thy children To the intent it might breath thou hast granted vs the pure aire To the intent it might heare thou hast giuen vs the diuersitie of sounds To the intent it might smell thou hast giuen vs the sweetnesse of sents To the intent it might taste thou hast giuen vs the qualities of sauours To the end it might feele thou hast giuen vs the substances of all bodilie things To helpe vs in our necessities thou hast giuen vs bearing beasts To refresh vs withall thou hast bestowed vpon vs the fowles of the aire and the fishes of the sea and the fruits of the earth For euerie sore maladie and disease of ours thou hast created medicine salue and plaister out of the earth And for euerie seuerall euill thou hast prepared a seuerall remedie to encounter it because thou art mercifull and full of compassion and thou our potter knowest of what mettall we be made and how that all of vs are claie in thy hand O holie Lord God our good maker by these least things we comprehend the great things and by these visible things we comprehend thine inuisible things For if thou send so great and so innumerable benefits vnto me for this base and corruptible bodie of mine from the skie and the aire from the land and the sea from light and darkenesse from heate and shadowe from dew and raine from wind and showers from fowles and fishes from beasts and trees by diuersitie of herbes and things that growe vpon the earth and by the seruice of all thy creatures seruing our turnes by course in their seasons to ease vs of our wearinesse how excellent I praie thee and how great innumerable shall those good things be which thou hast prepared for them that loue thee in that heauenlie Realme where we shall see thee face to face If thou doo so much for vs in prison what wilt thou doo in thy pallace Great and innumerable are thy works O Lord thou King of heauen and earth For sith that all these things be exceeding good pleasant which thou hast deliuered to good men bad men togither in common what maner of things shall those be which thou hast laid vp in store for good men onlie If the gifts be so sundrie and so innumerable which thou dealest now as well to thy foes as thy friends how great innumerable how sweet delightfull shall those be which thou wilt deale onlie to thy friends If thou giue so great solace in this time of mourning how great ioies wilt thou giue in the daie of wedding If our prison conteine so manie delectable things how much more delectable things conteineth our fathers house O God no eie without thee hath seene the things that thou hast prepared for them that loue thee For according to the manifoldnesse of thy mightie works so also is the great aboundance of thy sweetnesse which thou keepest in store for them that loue thee For great art thou O Lord our God yea vnmeasurable art thou and there is no end of thy greatnesse nor number of thy wisedome nor measure of thy mercie neither is there end number or measure of thy bountifulnesse But like as thou thy selfe art great so are thy rewards great for thou thy selfe art both the price and the reward of all thy lawfull combators To thee therefore be all honour glorie and praise for euer Amen A meditation of Gods power beautie and goodnesse BIcause thou Lord wouldest haue vs to loue thee not one lie doost thou will intise allure and prouoke vs but also doost command vs so to doo promising thy selfe vnto such as loue thee and threatening vs with dainnation if we doo otherwise Whereby we may see both our great corruption and naughtinesse and also thine exceeding great mercie toward vs. First concerning our corruption and naughtinesse what a thing is it that power riches authoritie beutie goodnesse liberalitie truth iustice which all thou art good Lord can not mooue vs to loue thee Whatsoeuer things we see faire good wise mightie are but euen sparks of thy power beautie goodnesse wisdome which thou art For to the end thou mightest declare thy riches beautie power wisdome goodnes c. Thou hast not onelie made but still dooest conserue all creatures to be as Dauid saith of the heauens declarers and setters foorth of thy glorie and as a booke to teach vs to knowe thee How faire thou art the beautie of the sunne moone stars light flowers riuers feelds hils biros beasts men and all creatures yea the goodlie scape forme of the whole world dooth declare How mightie thou art we are taught by the creation of the world euen of naught by gouerning the same by punishing the wicked mightie Giants thereof by ouerthrowing their deuises by repressing the rages of the sea and keeping it within hir bounds by stormes by tempests by fires These and such like declare vnto vs thine inuisible almightie and terrible power whereby thou subduest all things vnto thee How rich thou art this world thy great and infinite treasure-house dooth well declare What plentie is there not onelie of things but also of euerie kind of things Yea how doost thou yeerelie and dailie multiplie these kinds How manie seeds doost thou make of one seed Yea what a great increase doost thou bring it vnto These can not but put vs in remembrance of the
euill concupiscence inordinate desires wantonnes tendernes delicatenes idlenes dronkennes gluttonie slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weakenes wilfulnes idolatrie superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variance strife wrath enuie slanders lieng swearing curssing vaine-glorie pride couetousnes theft deceit flatterie and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holie spirit And strengthen me so with thy might that I may not onlie drawe all these mine earthlie members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet but also fight continuallie against them subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meet matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre foorth hartie praier and giue thee most hartie thanks for victorie Finallie worke in me thy blessing with all the fruits of the spirit righteousnes peace loue ioie in the holie Ghost long-suffering gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes meekenes temperance strength patience and such like Grant vs the remission of our sinnes righteousnes and life Restore in our minds thy lawe and begin such a new conformitie this new yeare in this our life and conuersation as may be perfect in the life to come Be thou our sauiour by thy power and merit that in our minds we may perceiue that thy Father is at peace with vs through thy death and find thee dwelling within vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Halleluiah 4. On the Epiphanie or twelfe daie Of the apparition of Christ and the three Kings and their offerings to Christ The Preface GET thee vp beetimes and be bright O daughter Ierusalem For thy light commeth and the glorie of the Lord is risen vpon thee Lift vp thine eies looke round about thee For behold the Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightnesse that springeth foorth vpon thee The multitude of camels and dromedaries that bring the riches of the Gentiles shall couer thee all they of Saba Mada and Epha shall come bringing gold incense and shewing foorth the praise of the Lord. All these gather themselues and come to thee thy sonnes shall come vnto thee from farre and thy daughters shall gather themselues to thee on euerie side frō the east and from the west The isles also shall wait for me and speciallie the ships of Tharsis that they may bring thy sonnes and daughters from farre and their siluer and their gold with them vnto the name of the Lord thy God vnto the holie one of Israel that hath glorified thee Strangers shall build vp thy wals and their kings shall doo thee seruice yea kings princes and the host of the Gentils shall see and arise and worship thee For I haue made thee the light of the Gentiles that thou maist be my health vnto the end of the world Thou shalt suck the milke of the Gentils and kings brests shall feed thee kings I saie shall be thy nursing fathers and Queenes shall be thy nursing mothers And those shall come kneeling vnto thee that haue vexed thee and all they that despise thee shall fall at thy feet before thee with their faces flat vpon the earth and licke vp the dust of thy feet Yea euerie people and kingdome that serueth not thee shall perish and be destroied with vtter destruction and thou shalt knowe that I am the Lord the Sauiour and Redeemer euen the mightie one of Iacob and that whosoeuer putteth his trust in me shall not be confounded They that dwell in the wildernes I saie shall kneele before the Kings sonne his enimies shall licke the dust The king of Tharsis and of the isles shall giue presents the kings of Arabia Saba shall bring gifts All kings shall fall downe before him all nations shall doo him seruice He shall liue and vnto him shall be giuen the gold of Arabia Praier shall be made euer vnto him and dailie shall he be praised The Lord declared his saluation his righteousnesse hath he openlie shewed in the sight of the heathen All the world shall worship thee O God sing of thee and praise thy name most high The Lord is King the earth may be glad thereof yea the multitude of isles may reioice and bee glad thereof Bring therefore vnto the Lord O ye mightie bring presents and gifts vnto the Lord O ye kindreds and nations of the world Come I saie into his courts with praise and speake good of his name Ascribe vnto the Lord onelie the strength power kingdome and glorie worship God I saie O ye gods kings iudges and rulers of the earth worship him with an holie worship and giue him the honor due vnto his name O make his praises to be glorious in your liues and conuersation For he it is that hath exalted you and is himselfe exalted farre aboue all gods and his praise and glorie is aboue heauen and earth Halleluiah The Praier OEternall God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which after a woonderfull maner reuealedst thy selfe at the baptisme of Christ standing in the water of Iordan at such time as thou diddest testifie of thy sonne and the holie Ghost appeared in the likenesse of a dooue gouerne vs by thine holie spirit that in true faith we may obeie thee kindle in our minds a true knowledge of thy benefits bring to passe that approching vnto thee in our praiers we may discerne thee the true God aboue all feined gods in mind turne our selues into that banke of the water into the companie of those godlie auditors and beholders before whom this noble appearing was made Speake vnto vs by thy sonne in the holie Ghost and turne vs vnto true obedience And as thou broughtest godlie auditors vnto the sight of Christ which taking our flesh vpon him became our mediatour and thou eternall Father spakest out of the cloud and the holie Ghost appeared in the likenes of a dooue so bring to passe that in this life we may depend vpon the benefit of thy soone which coupled our nature vnto his to make an eternall couenant with vs. Cause the heauens in like maner to be opened vnto vs that we may heare thy voice and thy spirit rest vpon vs. Worke in vs the beginning of eternall life vntill in thy visible presence we shall be hold thy diuinivntill in the heauens not darklie and in a cloud but face to face beeing made like thy sonne And as those Christian Magicians or Philosophers of Persia some remnants of the schoole of Daniel by the conduct and leading of a starre came from farre to see thee and gaue a notable testimonie of the birth of Christ Iesus our Sauiour so mainteine euermore for thine owne glorie sake some congregation which may set foorth and celebrate thy benefits Grant that that luckie starre the light of faith may rise vnto vs which seeketh thee in Bethlem in a manger in thy word reuealed in the ministerie that we wander not from the right waie neither seeke fained bywaies of humane opinions seruice Suffer not the lampe of thy light to be extinguished either
the shame and endured the crosse and suffered for vs wretches leauing vs an example that we should likewise followe his steps by whose stripes we are healed Wo and alas that euer I sinned Oh my soule come therefore let vs laie awaie that that presseth downe and the sinne that hangeth so fast on and let vs run with patience vnto the battell that is set before vs loking vp vnto Iesus the captaine and finisher of our faith and onelie reioice in the crosse of Christ And seeing we haue redemption by his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of our sins past present and to come and for as much as we knowe how we are redeemed from our old vaine conuersation not with corruptible things as siluer and gold but euen with the pretious bloud of Christ who in his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his bodie on the tree that we being deliuered from sinne should liue vnto righteousnesse who suffered also for vs in the flesh that we hencefoorth should liue as much time as remained in the flesh not after the lusts of men but after the will of God and reioice onelie in the crosse of Christ Let vs take heed we walke not with those that are enimies to the crosse of Christ and crucifie him dailie afresh by blasphemie and all maner of vngodlinesse whose bellie is their God whose glorie is their shame and whose end is eternall damnation both of bodie and soule but rather with those that haue their consciences purged from dead works to serue the liuing God Let vs now passe the rest of the time of this our abode here in trembling and feare and euer reioice in the crosse of Christ For it is sufficient for vs that wee haue spent the time that is past of this life after the will of the Gentiles walking in wantonnesse in lusts in excesse of wines in excesse of eating and drinking and in excesse of riot and abhominable idolatrie Therefore I crie wo and alas that euer I sinned out vpon me wretch that thus greeuouslie haue offended O God my God I aske thee mercie haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me wo is mee that euer I transgressed Oh my soule let vs now esteeme to knowe nothing saue Iesus Christ and him crucified Yea God forbid that we should reioice in anie thing but in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified to vs and we vnto the world that being crucified with Christ we may liue with God And hauing now libertie to enter into the holie place in the bloud of Iesus by the new liuing waie which he hath prepared for vs through the vaile of his flesh let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue and good works and drawe nigh with a true and penitent hart in assurance of faith sprinkeled in our harts from an euill conscience to meditate dailie of his mercies and to giue him thanks continuallie for the benefits of his passion our eternall redemption and still to reioice in the crosse of Christ Iesu our Lord and saie The Praier O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of the liuing God both with mouth and hartie affection wee glorifie thee and praise thy name with immortall thanks for that of thine infinite good-will towards mankind thou vouchsafest to become an intercessor for vs vnto thine heauenlie Father for bearing his horrible wrath conceiued against vs through our sinnes and for offering thy selfe to death to adorne vs with eternall glorie Thou wast hanged on the crosse made a cursse for vs ouerwhelmed with sorowes too heauie for flesh and bloud to beare Thou sufferedst the displeasure which is a consuming fire of GOD. Thou shedst thy bloud from thy whole bodie at thy death thy members beeing pierced Oh Christ oh sweet Iesu thou shedst thy pretious bloud I saie sixe seuerall times from sundrie parts of thy blessed bodie afore and in thine execution for vs miserable sinners as namelie first in thy Circumcision which was the beginning of our redemption secondlie in thy praier in the garden which was for the earnest desire of our redemption thirdlie in thy whippings and fourthlie in thy crowning with thornes which was for the reward of our redemption for by thy stripes were we healed fiftlie in thy crucifieng and nailing on the crosse when thy hands and feet were bored through to fasten thee thereon which was the price of our redemption sixtlie and lastlie in the wounding and piercing of thy blessed side yea of thy verie hart thou hanging dead on the crosse which was the true sacrament of our redemption whereby we are cleansed purified and washed from all our sinnes Among these thy diuers torments both afore in thy execution thy spirits being resolued through the sense of the infinite anguishes which thou sufferedst and enduredst oh Christ thou vtteredst diuers words partlie by reason of intollerable greefe and partlie of thine vnspeakable goodnes Oh teach vs by thy wisedome reuerentlie to listen vnto them and to put them carefullie in the bottome of our minds At thy death mankind was seuered into two parts Thou the head of the pensiue Church hangedst vpon the crosse redie to yeeld vp the Ghost Under the crosse stands thy louing mother Marie a few godlie women and Iohn thy weake disciples moorning through the rage of the Iewes hide themselues Nichodemus and Ioseph of Aramathie to the great greefe of their minds are faine to hold their tongs and to winke at the outragious crueltie of their nation against thee The gracelesse Iewes the vngodlie souldiers of Pilate and Herode laie hold on thee mocke thee blindfold thee buffet thee pierce thee plaie for thy garments The epicures and tyrants the high Priests and their parasits haue thee in derision laugh in their sleeues to see how thy death is conspired and they may walter in all superstition and wickednesse All this while the multitude of Ethniks in all quarters of the world celebrate their filthie and vngodlie feasts in the great dishonour of thy name Thou beholdest this diuersitie of men which seest all things both in heauen and earth and beeing in deed humble and meeke in hart thou powredst out a most charitable praier on this wise Father forgiue them for they knowe not what they doo These be the words of thy priesthood Thou which art the chiefest Priest bedewed with thine owne bloud entring into the holiest of holie places touchest the brest of the Father and searchest enen his secret counsell Thou praiest not onlie for thy weake auditors to be strengthned but also for thy verie enimies which put thee so shamefullie to death if they will returne vnto repentance yea and for all mankind thou praiedst and namelie for all and euerie one which should beleeue in thy name O most mercifull intercessor we include our selues in these thy generall praiers recited before thine agonie repeated on the crosse yea vttered from the beginning of the world and standing at the right hand of thy
desolate And why Because the enimie hath gotten the vpper hand and preuailed Zion casteth out hir hands and there is none to comfort hir the Lord hath laid the enimies of Iacob round about him and Ierusalem is as a menstruous woman who for hir pollution is separate from hir husband and is become abhomination in the middest of them The Lord is righteous for I haue rebelled against his commandements prouoked his countenance to anger O heare I praie you and take heede all ye people behold my sorowe and consider my heauinesse my virgins my maidens and my yong men are led awaie prisoners and gone into captiuitie I called for my louers but they deceiued me for my priests and counsellers but they perished and died for hunger in the Citie euen whiles they sought for meate to saue their liues and refresh their soules Behold O Lord and consider how I am troubled my bowels swell my wombe is disquieted my hart turneth about within me and I am full of heauinesse because I rebelled stubbornelie the sword spoileth me abroade as death doth at home They heare my mourning but there is none that will comfort me all mine enimies haue heard of my trouble and are glad thereof because thou hast done it but thou wilt bring forth the daie and time that thou hast pronounced and calledst when they also shall be like vnto me Let all their wickednesse come before thee and do thou vnto them as thou hast done vnto me for all my transgressions and trespasses For my sorowe is verie great my sighes are manie and mine hart is heauie The second lamentation of Zion ALas how hath the Lord darkned the daughter of Zion in his wrath and brought hir from prosperitie to aduersitie How hath he cast the beautie and honour of Israel downe from heauen vnto the earth and giuen hir a most sore fall not remembring his owne footestoole the Temple of Ierusalem in the daie of his wrath when he was angrie The Lord hath cast out and destroied all the habitations of Iacob without anie fauour all the strong places or holdes of the daughter of Iuda hath he broken in his wrath and throwne them downe to the ground and not spared hir kingdome and the princes thereof hath he prophaned and polluted In the wrath of his fierce indignation he hath broken all the horne or power and strength of Israel he hath drawne backe his right hand of succour from before the enimie yea a flame of fire was kindled in Iacob which hath consumed deuoured vp all round about He hath bent his bowe like an enimie his right hand was stretched vp and fastned as an aduersarie and euerie thing that was pleasant to the eie to see he hath slaine he hath powred out his wrath like a fire into the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion The Lord is become as it were an enimie he hath deuoured Israel and consumed all his palaces yea all his strong holds hath he destroied and filled and greatlie increased the daughter of Iuda with much sorrowe and heauinesse lamentation and mourning For he hath destroied his tabernacle as a garden his solemne meetings or congregation hath he put downe yea the Lord hath brought it so to passe that the high solemne feasts and sabboths are cleane forgotten in Zion and hath despised in the heauie displeasure and indignation of his wrath both the king and the priest The Lord hath forsaken his owne altar and hath abhorred his owne Sanctuarie he hath giuen the walles of hir palaces and towers into the hand of the enimies who haue made a noise with blasphemous shoutings and criengs in the house of the Lord as in the daie of solemnitie and feasting when the people were accustomed to praie The Lord hath determined to breake downe the walles of the daughter of Zion he spread out his line and hath not withdrawne his hand from destroieng therefore he maketh the insensible things euen the rampart turrets and walles as it were to take part of the sorowe and to mourne lament because they fell downe and were destroied together Hir gates are sunke downe to the ground hir bars are broken and smitten in sunder hir king and princes are caried awaie to the Gentiles they haue not the lawe neither haue hir Prophets anie vision from the Lord. The Senatours and Elders of the daughter of Zion sit vpon the ground and keepe silence they haue cast vp dust and ashes vpon their heads and girded themselues with sackcloth the virgins or maides of Ierusalem hang downe their heads to the ground Mine eies do faile through weeping and abundance of teares my bowels swell my liuer is powred vpon the earth for the great hurt and destruction of the daughter of my people bicause the children babes and sucklings faint and sowne in the streetes of the Citie They haue said to their mothers Where is bread and drinke when they sowned and fell downe as the wounded in the streetes of the citie and when they gaue vp the ghost and died in their mothers bosome What thing shall I take to witnesse against thee Or what thing shal I liken to thee O daughter Ierusalem Thy calamitie is so euident that it néede no further proofe To whome then shall I compare thee O thou virgin daughter Zion to comfort thee withall For the breach in thy hart is like the breach in a maine sea Who may heale thee Thy false Prophets haue looked out vaine and foolish things for thee and they haue not discouered thine iniquitie or shewed thee of thy wickednesse to turne awaie thine affliction and to keepe thee from captiuitie but they to flatter thée in thy sinnes haue seene or looked out for the false prophesies and causes of banishment and destruction All that passe by the waie clap their hands at thee hissing and wagging their heads vpon the daughter Ierusalem and saie Is this the Citie that men call so faire the perfection of beautie and the ioie of the whole earth Al thine enimies gape vpon thee with open mouths they hisse at thee and grinde their teeth saieng Let vs deuoure it for certainlie this is the daie the time that we looked for is come we haue found and seene it The Lord hath fulfilled the thing that he was purposed to doo and performed his word that he had deuised and determined of old time long ago he hath throwne downe destroied and not spared he hath caused thine aduersarie to reioice and triumph ouer thee and hath set vp the horne or power of thine enimie Their hart cried vnto the Lord O thou wall or citie of the daughter Zion let thy teares run downe like a riuer daie and night take thee no rest neither let the apple of thine eie cease or leaue off wéeping Arise stand vp and crie in the night in the beginning of the watches powre out thy hart like water before the face of the Lord lift vp thine hands towards him for the liues of the
Alas what father Such as doth neuer condemne his child but alwaies doth excuse and defend him Then I perceiue to haue none other excuser but Iesus Christ which is my spouse and my redeemer whose death hath restored me my lost inheritance For he made himselfe my man of lawe shewing his so worthie merits afore his father wherewith my great debt is so aboundantlie recompensed that in iudgement it is nothing O redeemer here is a great loue I find but few such men of lawe O sweete Iesus it is to thee that I am a debtor yet doest thou both praie and speake for me And moreouer when thou doest see that I am poore with the aboundance of thy goods thou doest paie my debts O incomprehensible sea of all goodnesse O my deare father doest thou vouchsafe to be my Iudge not willing the death of a sinner O Iesus Christ crucifier and sauiour of the soule friend aboue all friends thou being my man of law didst excuse and speake for me where thou couldst iustlie haue accused mee I feare no more therefore the crueltie of mine enimie for the lawe by thee is satisfied for all the paiment is so made by my sweete spouse that the lawe can aske nothing of me but it is paid by him For as I beleeue that he hath taken all my sinnes vpon him and hath giuen me in place of them his owne goodes in aboundance so O my Sauiour thou presenting thy vertues doest content the lawe And when she will reproch me of my sinnes thou doest shew hir how willinglie in thine owne flesh thou hast taken the discharge of them through the coniunction of our mariage Also vpon the Crosse through thy passion thou hast made satisfaction for it Morouer thine onlie charitie hath giuen me this that thou hast for me deserued Therefore seeing thy merite to be mine the lawe can aske nothing of me Now then will I feare no more the iudgement but with desire more than with perforce I will tarrie the time that I shall see my Iudge and heare a iust iudgement of him I knowe that thy iudgement is iust and that there is no fault therein though mine infidelitie is woorthie to suffer the cruelnesse of hell For if I do onlie consider my deseruing yet I can see nothing in it that can keepe me from the fire of hell For true it is that the torment of hell was prepared for the Diuell and his children So if anie man haue set his minde to be like to the Diuell by sensuall appetite then ought he as the Diuell to be paid with a like reward But if a man through contemplation of the soule do hold of thee his Angell of counsell vertue and perfection he is sure to obtaine heauen which is a place of thy deseruing for him then shall the wicked be punished with the same punishment which they ought to haue to whom they haue ioined themselues For sith they folowed Satan they must enioie such place as is for him and his Angels prepared Now I considering the diuersitie of both the sorts am little comforted in spirit by this For I cannot denie but that I am more like the Diuell than the Angell of light wherefore I feare and tremble For as the Angell is pure and perfect so am I vnpure and vnperfect and am nothing like vnto him But thus I confesse that to the other I am so like in my dooings and so accustomed in his waies that of his paine and torment I ought to be partaker For the cruell sinne which hath bound me in hell is so great and his force so strong that it letteth nothing to come from it neither feareth it the contrarie assault But he whose force lieth in this kind of strength knoweth not how his strength goeth awaie when a stronger than he commeth in place I could neuer yet see that anie man by merite or paines taking could euer yet vanquish that hell saue onlie he which did the great assault through his vnspeakable charitie when he humbled himselfe to the crosse whereby he hath vanquished and ouercome his enimie and robbed hell of his power so that now it hath no more force and strength to keepe that soule which putteth hir trust in God Then beleeuing in the great strength that my sauiour hath I do not set by hell and sinne For sinne can haue no hold of me vnles it be to shew how my God is mercifull strong mightie and a puissant vanquisher of all the euils within my hart If by sinnes forgiuenesse is the glorie of my most louing sauiour then ought I also to beleeue that my glorie is increased by his loue and that I am planted and graffed in him His honour onlie doth honour all his and his riches doo replenish euerie one with his goods Then death hell and sinne are ouercome by him O gluttonous hell where is thy defence Thou cruell villaine sinne where is thy tyrannous power O Death where is thy sting and victorie which are so much spoken of Instead of death thou death giuest me life and so doest thou contrarie to thy will Also thou sinne couetest to drawe each creature to damnation Thou giuest me a ladder to reach thereby that godlie Citie Ierusalem yet wouldst thou of thy cursed nature that mine eternall maker should loose his creature but through his loue and grace the sorie remembrance of thine vncomlinesse doth cause hir by repentance againe to come and submit hir selfe vnto God whose inestimable goodnesse causeth thee to loose thy whole labour which thou takest in hand For the number that thou pretendest to haue thou shalt not haue because that the comfortable shadowe of Christ his passion is such a mightie protection to the soule that he needeth neither to doubt death sinne nor hell Is there anie thing then that can pull me backe if God be willing through the gift of faith to drawe me to him I meane such a faith as we must needes haue to obtaine the high graces from aboue and also such a faith as through charitie doth ioine the humble seruant to his maker Now I being ioined vnto him ought to haue no feare of trauell paine nor sorowe For whosoeuer doth willinglie suffer anie maner of death paine or sorowe for the truth as Christ did he shall feele in such torment great comfort consolation for his soule knowing all this I my self am weake yet with God I am right strong Through his comfort I may do all things and his loue is so constant and permanent that it varieth not for anie worldlie thing Who can then withdrawe me from his grace Surelie the great height of heauen the depth of hell the breadth of the whole earth neither death nor sinne which dailie doth warre against me can separate me one minute from the great loue and charitie that my heauenlie father through Iesus Christ hath vnto me His goodnesse is such that he loueth me which hath not all times loued him and if I now loue
hun then shall I feele his loue increase in me But because my loue is not a worthie loue to him I desire his loue to be mine which I feele such as it were mine owne his desire is to loue and his loue inflameth my hart with a heauenlie loue And through such loue he findeth himselfe that his owne deede yeeldeth him well content and not my loue or strength thus contenting himselfe his loue doth more increase in me than I can of him desire The eight Chapter Of the incomprehensible loue of Christ to the sinfull soule and benefits that come of a true faith O True louer the fountaine or welspring of all charitie and onlie purse of the heauenlie treasure Ought I to thinke or dare I saie what thou art May I write or can anie mortall man comprehend thy goodnesse or loue And if thou print in mans hart can he expresse it No surelie For the capacitie of man cannot comprehend the vnmeasurable goodnesses which are in thee For naturall reason doth shew vs how there is no comparison betweene an eternall and a mortall thing but when through loue the mortall is ioined with the eternall the mortall thing is so filled with the eternall that it cannot find the end thereof for it hath more good thereby than it can conteine or hold Therfore doth man thinke which hath one sparke of the loue of God that he hath all the world therewith euen as we see the Sunne with one onlie sparke of his light doth blinde the eie and yet doth he withhold from it his great light If then you should aske the eie what it hath seene he would saie that it hath beholden the whole brightnes of the same Neuerthelesse he is so content that it seemeth vnto him as though he had so much light as the Sunne conteineth which if he had more than the said sparke he were not able to suffer it Euen so the soule which through faith doth feele one sparke of the loue of God doth finde therewith the heate so great and maruellous so sweet and delicious that it is impossible to hit to declare what thing the same loue is For the little thereof that she hath felt doth yeeld hir mind satisfied and yet desiring more where of she hath ynough thus doth she liue languishing and sighing in hir selfe The hart that doth feele that he hath receiued too much hath conceiued such a desire in this too much that he alwaies desireth to receiue the thing which he cannot haue neither is he worthie to receiue it He knoweth not the good that he hath alreadie to be vnspeakable yet would he haue more of that where of he cannot skill trulie he cannot feele or thinke the good which is in him Then lieth it not in my power to tell what thing the loue of God is sith I haue no knowledge of the feruentnesse thereof He that thinketh to haue all this loue within his hart can not trulie declare what thing it is happie is he therefore which hath such aboundance of this loue that he may saie My God I haue ynough of it He which hath this loue within him dare not much boast thereof least in much speaking he do loose it vnlesse he do it to edifie his neighbour to saluation The impossiblitie then of the declaration of this loue shall make me hold my peace For there is no sainct so perfect if he will speake of the loue of the high God of his goodnes sweetnes graces and of all things else which pertaine to him but looking a lowe shall find himselfe vnworthy and so stop his mouth I then a worme of the earth lesse than nothing ought to cease and not to speake of the incomparable highnesse of this loue yet were it too much vnkindnesse to be noted in me if I had written nothing hauing that done vnto me which would satisfie a much better wit than mine is For hee that would hide the goodnesse of God so good a maister should commit a sin worthie to be punished with euerlasting paine Therefore come O happie Paule which hast tasted so much of the same sweet honnie beeing blind for the space of three daies and rapt vp into the third heaven and satisfie I beseech thee mine ignorance and tell me what in such vision thou hast seene Harken then what he saith O the vnspeakable highnes of the aboundant riches or treasure both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his iudgements and how vnsearchable are his waies vnto our weake wits O holie Paule thy words cause me much to maruell that thou hauing knowledge and so heauenlie secrets wouldest speake no further in them At the least yet tell thou me what thing I may hope to haue throgh such godlie loue as grace hath wrought in me and I will giue eare vnto thy words neither hath the eie seene nor yet the eare heard neither yet hath it euer entred into the hart of man what GOD hath prepared for them that loue him O blessed Paul all this yet that thou hast said is for none other purpose but to prouoke me earnestlie to loue willing me by thy words to thinke that thou canst none otherwise declare of it and so giue mine hart to patience and hope of that thing which neuer man yet could see or yet deserue although manie through loue haue died O excellent gift of faith whereof so much good commeth that it causeth man to possesse the things which he can not comprehend For faith ioined with truth bringeth foorth hope whereby perfect charitie is engendred and charitie is God as witnesseth the Apostle If we haue charitie then haue we also God therewith and then is God in vs and we in him and all this commeth of the benefit of faith For he dwelleth in all men which haue true faith Thus haue we a greater treasure than we can tell of nor yet anie man expresse vnto vs. Now to conclude sith that so great an Apostle as is S. Paule will speake no further of God and his inestimable loue I will according to his righteous example and doctrine hold my peace and be still following neuerthelesse his teachings Notwithstanding though herein I acknowledge my selfe but earth and dust yet may I not faile to yeeld thanks to mine eternall and liuing God for such great graces and benefits as it hath pleased him to giue me Unto that euerlasting King of heauen immortall inuisible incomprehensible mightie and wise onlie to him be all honour praise glorie magnificence and loue for euer and euer Amen ¶ These foure clauses or texts of Scripture are added to the worke by the Queenes Maiestie Ecclesiasticus 25 verse 17. THere is not a more wicked head than the head of a Serpent and there is no wrath aboue the wrath of a woman But he that hath gotten a vertuous woman hath gotten a goodlie possession she is vnto him an helpe and piller wherevpon he resteth It were better to dwell with a Lion
of them but he hath ouerthrowne and vanquished them after such a sort that all things serue to our helth He might and could haue taken them all awaie but where then should haue beene our victorie palme and crowne For we dailie haue fights in the flesh and by the succour of grace haue continuall victories ouer sinne whereby we haue cause to glorifie God that by his sonne hath weakened our enimie the diuell and by his spirit giueth vs strength to vanquish his ofspring So doo we knowledge dailie the great triumph of our Sauiour reioice in our owne fights the which we can no wise impute to anie wisdome of this world seeing sinne to increase by it And where worldlie wisedome most gouerneth there most sinne ruleth For as the world is enimie to God so also the wisdome therof is aduerse to God and therefore Christ hath declared discouered the same for foolishnesse And although he could haue taken awaie all worldlie wisedome yet he hath left it for his greater glorie and triumph of his chosen vessels For before whereas it was our ruler against God now by Christ we are serued of it for God as of a slaue in worldlie things albeit in supernaturall things the same is not to be vnderstood And further if at anie time men would impugne and gainsaie vs with the wisedome of the world yet we haue by Christ so much supernaturall light of the truth that we make a mocke of all those that repugne the truth Christ also vpon the crosse hath triumphed ouer the world First bicause he hath discouered the same to be naught that whereas it was couered with the vaile of hypocrisie and the vesture of morall vertues Christ hath shewed that in Gods sight the righteousnesse of the world is wickednesse and he hath yeelded witnes that The works of men not regenerated by him in faith are euill and so Christ hath iudged and condemned the world for naught Further more he hath giuen to all his so much light and spirit that they knowe it and dispraise the same yea and tread it vnder their feet with all vaine honours dignities pleasures not taking the faire promises neither the offers which it doth present naie they rather make a scorne of them And as for the threatnings and force of the world they nothing feare Now therefore we may see how great the victorie and triumph of Christ is who hath deliuered all those the father gaue him from the power of the diuell cancelling vpon the crosse the writing of our debts For he hath deliuered vs from the condemnation of sinne from the bondage of the lawe from the feare of death from the danger of the world and from all euils in this life and in the other to come And he hath inriched vs made vs noble and most highlie happie after such a glorious and triumphant waie as can not with tongue be expressed and therefore we are forced to saie his triumph is maruellous It is also seene and knowne that Christ is the true Messias For he hath deliuered man from all euils and by him man hath all goodnesse so that he is the true Messias Therefore all other helpers be but vaine and counterfeited sauiours seeing that by this our Messias Christ wholie and onlie we be deliuered from all euils and by him we haue all goodnesse And that this is true it is euident and cleare bicause the verie true Christian is a Christian by Christ And the true Christian feeleth inwardlie by Christ so much goodnesse of God that euen troublous life and death be sweet vnto him and miseries happie The true Christian by Christ is disburdened from the seruitude of the lawe hauing the lawe of grace grauen by the spirit inhabiting his hart and from sinne that reigned in him from the power of the infernall spirits from damnation and from euerie euill and is made a sonne of God a brother of Christ heire of heauen and Lord of the world so that in Christ and by Christ he possesseth all good things But let vs knowe that Christ yet fighteth in spirit in his elect vessels and shall fight euen to the daie of iudgment at which day shall that great enimie death be wholie destroied and shall be no more Then shall the children of God reioice on him saieng O death where is thy victorie and sting There shall be then no more trouble nor sinne naie rather none euill but heauen for the good and hell for the wicked Then shall wholie be discouered the victorie triumph of Christ who after Paule shall present vnto his father the kingdome together with his chosen saued by him It was no little fauour towards his children that Christ was chosen of God to saue vs his elect so highlie by the waie of the crosse Paule calleth it a grace and a most singular grace We may well thinke that he hauing beene to the world so valiant a captaine of God was full of light grace vertue and spirit therefore he might iustlie saie Consummatum est Wee seeing then that the triumph and victorie of our captaine Christ is so maruellous glorious and noble to the which war we be appointed let vs force our selues to folowe him with bearing our crosse that we may haue felowship with him in his kingdome The sixt Chapter That we ought to submit our selues to the schoole of the Crosse and still looke and learne in the booke of the Crucifix TRulie it may be most iustlie verified that to behold Christ crucified in spirit is the best meditation that can be I certeinlie neuer knew mine owne miseries and wretchednes so well by booke admonition or learning as I haue done by looking into the spirituall booke of the Crucifix I lament much I haue passed so manie yeeres not regarding that diuine booke but I iudged thought my selfe to be well instructed in the same wheras now I am of this opinion that if God would suffer me to liue here a thousand yeeres and should studie continuallie in the same diuine booke I should not be filled with the contemplation thereof Neither hold I my selfe contented but alwaies haue a great desire to learne and studie more therein I neuer knewe mine owne wickednes neither lamented for my sinnes trulie vntill the time God inspired me with his grace that I looked in this booke then I began to see perfectlie that mine owne power and strength could not helpe me and that I was in the Lords hand euen as the claie is in the potters hand then I began to crie and saie Alas Lord that euer I haue so wickedlie offended thee being to me from the beginning so gratious and so good a father and most speciallie now hast declared and shewed thy goodnesse vnto me when in the time I haue done thee most iniurie to call me and also to make me knowe take thee for my Sauior and redeemer Such be the wonderfull works of God to call sinners to repentance to make
great wrong For I thanke God by his grace I hate no creature yea I would saie more to giue witnesse of my conscience that neither life honour riches neither whatsoeuer I possesse here which appertaineth to mine owne priuate commoditie be it neuer so deerlie beloued of mee but most willinglie and gladlie I would leaue it to win anie man to Christ of what degree or sort soeuer he were And yet is this nothing in comparison to the charitie that God hath shewed me in sending Christ to die for me No if I had all the charitie of Angels and Apostles it should be but like a sparke of fire compared to a great heape of burning coales God knoweth of what intent and mind I haue lamented mine owne sinnes and faults to the world I trust no bodie will iudge that I haue done it for praise or thanke of anie creature since rather I might be ashamed than reioice in rehearsall thereof For if they knewe how little I esteeme and weigh the praise of the world that opinion were soone remooued and taken awaie For I thanke God by his grace I knowe the world to be a blind iudge and the praises therof vaine and of little moment and therefore I seeke not the praises of the same neither to satisfie it none otherwise than I am taught by Christ to doo according to christian charitie I would to God we would all when occasion doth serue confesse our faults to the world all respects of our owne commoditie laid apart But alas selfe-loue doth so much reigne among vs that as I haue said before we can not espie our owne faults And although somtime we find our owne guilt either we be fauourable to interpret it no sin or else we be ashamed to confesse our selues thereof Yea and we be sore offended and greeued to heare our faults charitablie and godlie told vs of other putting no difference betweene charitable warning malicious accusing Trulie if we sought Gods glorie as we should doo in all things we should not be ashamed to confesse our selues to digresse from Gods precepts and ordinances when it is manifest we haue done and dailie doo I praie God our owne faults and deeds condemne vs not at the last daie when euerie man shall be rewarded according to his dooings Trulie if we doo not redresse and amend our liuing according to the doctrine of the Gospell we shall receiue a terrible sentence of Christ the sonne of God when he shall come to iudge and condemne all transgressours and breakers of his precepts and commandements and to reward all his obedient and louing children We shall haue no man of lawe to make our plea for vs neither can we haue the daie deferred neither will the Iudge be corrupted with affection bribes or reward neither will he heare anie excuse or delaie neither shall this Saint or that Martyr helpe vs be they neuer so holie neither shall our ignorance saue vs from damnation But yet wilfull blindnesse and obstinate ignorance shall receiue greater punishment and not without iust cause Then shall it be knowne who hath walked in the darke For all things shall appeere manifest before him No mans deeds shall be hidden no neither words nor thoughts The poore and simple obseruers of Gods commandements shall be rewarded with euerlasting life as obedient children to the heauenlie Father and the transgressors adders and diminishers of the lawe of God shall receiue eternall damnation for their iust reward I beseech God we may escape this fearefull sentence and be found such faithfull seruants and louing children that we may heare the happie comfortable and most ioifull sentence ordeined for the children of God which is Come hither ye blessed of my father and receiue the kingdome of heauen prepared for you before the beginning of the world Unto the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen ¶ Also here followe godlie Praiers and Meditations wherein the mind is stirred patientlie to suffer all afflictions heere to set at naught the vaine prosperitie of the world and alwaie to long for euerlasting felicitie collected out of holie works by the most vertuous and gratious Princesse KATHERINE Queene of England France and Ireland Colossians 3 verse 1 2. If ye be risen againe with Christ seeke the things which are aboue where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Set your affection on things that are aboue and not on things which are on the earth The first Chapter Of praiers to performe Gods will in patience MOst benigne Lord Iesu grant me thy grace that it may alwaie worke in mee and perseuere with me vnto the end Grant me that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasant and most acceptable to thee Thy will be my will and my will be to followe alwaie thy will Let there be alwaie in me one will and one desire with thee and that I haue no desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Lord thou knowest what thing is most profitable and most expedient for me Giue me therefore what thou wilt as much as thou wilt and when thou wilt Doo with me what thou wilt as it shall please thee and as shall be most to thine honour Put me where thou wilt and freelie doo with me in all things after thy will Thy creature I am and in thy hands leade and turne me where thou wilt Lo I am thy seruant readie to all things that thou commandest For I desire not to liue to my selfe but to thee Lord Iesu I praie thee grant me grace that I neuer set my hart on the things of this world but that all worldlie and carnall affections may vtterlie die and be mortified in me Grant me aboue all things that I may rest in thee and fullie quiet and pacifie my hart in thee For thou Lord art the verie true peace of hart and the perfect rest of the soule without thee all things be greeuous and vnquiet My Lord Iesu I beseech thee be with me in euerie place and at all times and let it be to me a speciall solace gladlie for thy loue to lacke all worldlie solace And if thou withdrawe thy comfort from me at any time keepe me O Lord from desperation and make me patientlie to abide thy will and ordinance O Lord Iesu thy iudgments be righteous and thy prouidence is much better for me than all that I can imagine or deuise Wherfore doo with me in all things as it shall please thee For it may not be but well all that thou dooest If thou wilt that I be in light be thou blessed if thou wilt that I be in darknesse be thou also blessed If thou vouchsafe to comfort me be thou highlie blessed if thou wilt I liue in trouble and without comfort be thou like wise euer blessed Lord giue mee grace gladlie to suffer whatsoeuer thou wilt shall fall vpon me and patientlie to take it at thy hand
and euer and especiallie all things that shall turne to thy displeasure And with all my hart I thanke thee most mercifull Lord for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed vpon me largelie in this world afore manie creatures which are more woorthie a thousand times than I but my most gratious Lord I wot and knowledge verelie that all good gifts doo come freelie from thee of thine abundant mercie Wherefore with all my hart I thanke thee and all worship praises and thanks be to thee and none other Therefore I saie with the Prophet Dauid Not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy name be giuen all honour glorie Also I commit to thy mercie mine enimies persecutors and slanderers beseeching thee to turne their harts and to giue vs grace one to forgiue another from the verie botome of our harts that from hence-foorth we may liue in loue and charitie to thy glorie and to the increase of thy kingdome I doo commit to thy mercie our Queene Elizabeth and this Realme beseeching thee to incline hir hart to all godlinesse and vertue that she may long reigne ouer vs in peace and tranquillitie to liue in thy feare and call vpon thy holie name and to be readie at all times to set foorth thy blessed lawes and commandements and that thou O omnipotent God with thy mightie hand and stretched out arme wilt confound all Idolatrie and superstition and set vp thy true and holie religion that thy faithfull seruants may triumph and reioice in thee with merie harts and sing vnto thy praise that this the mightie hand of GOD hath brought to passe and to thy name giue the honour and glorie to whome all honour and glorie is due I doo commit vnto thy mercie all those that in this transitorie life be in sorowe sicknesse neede tribulation or anie other aduersitie and speciallie all those that for the profession of thy Gospell and the defence of the saine doo put their liues vnto the edge of the sword O Lord for thy mercies sake forgiue them and vs our offences past comfort them in their greeuous afflictions strengthen them in their weakenesse send them patience in their tribulations abate the pride of their and our enimies asswage the malice of them confound their wicked deuises that we and they being armed with thy mightie defence may be preserued euermore from perils to glorifie thee which art the onlie giuer of all victorie through y e merits of Christ So be it I commit to thy mercie all those that doo faithfullie professe thy holie Gospell beseeching thee to giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawes that by well dooing we may stop the mouthes of the vngodlie aduersaries of the Gospell and thereby win them to the right waie that we may all with one hart and one mouth glorifie thee O Lord God in the daie of visitation to whome all honour and glorie is due And now O my most mercifull Lord and louing father I finallie commit vnto thy mercie my wretched soule and bodie humblie beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great bountifull mercie and according to the multitude of thy tender compassions doo awaie I beseech thee my most greeuous iniquities Unto God the father the sonne and the holie Ghost be now and euer eternall honour and glorie world without end Amen A praier at night going to bed THe God of Angels and men the founder of all creatures visible and inuisible in whose hand is life and death light and darknesse and all the motions of soule and bodie without whome there is no good gift nor perfect quietnesse of conscience but onlie vanitie and vexation of mind and vtter confusion of soule and bodie and finall torments in the horrible pit of darknesse now my Lord God darknesse doth approch this daie hath lost his beautie I as vnworthie of thy benefits most humblie praie thee this night to blesse me and with thy holie Angels assist me thy holie spirit this night lighten me which hast of earth made me and by thy creatures doest nourish me and with thy bloud hast consecrated me with thee to dwell eternallie in glorie when death hath dissolued me which am but vanitie c. And banish Sathan from me that neither mine owne conscience now vexe me nor mine old offences trouble me I most humblie beseech thee this night to pardon me which haue sore offended thee in thought word and deede against thy diuine maiestie which sore repenteth me Saue me good Lord this night sleeping from dreadfull dreames and painefull slumber deliuer me that I may awake in Christ and rest in peace So be it The Hymne or praier for night PRaise ye the Lord his seruants all lift vp to him your hands The night singers in Gods courts in all Christian lands Praise we the Lord our God king which made the earth heuen His blessing be on vs this night which made the planets seuen Into thy hands O Lord our God our soules we do commend This night from sinne Sathans power thy mercie vs defend We laud thee Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three Amen Another Hymne or praier to be said when ye go to bed I Go to bed I hope to sléepe God knoweth when I shall rise My soule O Lord defend and kéep from it turne not thine eies This daie I haue committed sinne a hundred times and more I was conceiued and borne therein forgiue me Lord therefore To thée I will my soule betake sinfull it is to sée For I do knowe thou canst it make as pure as néede to bée Forgiue me mine offences all my soule Lord do not kill To thée I will betake my soule accept my zealous will Thy pardon Lord I trust to haue as Dauid had and mo My soule I trust thou wilt now saue from death damned wo. In thée O God I put my trust to guide and aide me still To kéepe me alwaies true and iust according to thy will Thou God of might great renowme I trust thou wilt me kéepe Lord with thy leaue I will lie downe to take my rest and sléepe So be it M. W. The Antheme WE looke for our sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ which shall change our vile bodie that it may be like to his glorious bodie according to the power whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe Amen Let vs praie Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. * Our Father which art in heauen c. VIsit we beseech thee O Lord this our dwelling and driue from it all the assaults of our enimie let thy holie Angels dwel in it which may keepe vs all this night in thy peace and euer let thy blessing be vpon vs. Grant this O most mercifull father for thy sonnes sake Iesus Christ who with thee and
to displeasure The burden of my sinnes are intollerable for the which I must acknowledge and earnestlie from the bottome of my hart confesse that iustlie thou hast corrected and visited me yet not in the fulnesse of thy furie but according to thy fatherlie loue and kindnesse And albeit thy rod lie heauie vpon my shoulders yet in this time of thy correction I am comforted greatlie knowing assuredlie that thou correctest and simitest where thou louest thou woundest and healest againe thou throwest downe to hell and liftest vp againe to heauen such and so great is thine omnipotencie that thou rulest aboue the firmament in earth flouds and the lowermost parts of hell In heauen the Angels Archangels the soules of thy Saints the blessed companie of Martyrs giue thee praise glorie and veneration The sun the moone and glistering stars ech one of them in their course and qualitie shew themselues obedient vnto thy will In earth the beasts of the field and the seelie feathered foules of the aire in their order seeme to set foorth thy glorie and praise In the deepe waters the fishes of the sea are readie to obserue thy will and in their maner they as thy creatures giue thee due honour and reuerence But among these man whom thou by thy diuine will and pleasure hast indued with reason and in his creation concerning the inward man hadst fashioned him to thy similitude and likenesse is now most prone and willing to be by the ministers of darknesse seduced and carried awaie from vertue to vice from godlinesse to all impietie from obedience to wilfull breach and contempt of thy precepts so that diligence is banished by negligence And such is the power of our flesh that our eies which should haue their chiefest contemplation and delight in perusing and reading thy glorious and sacred Gospel wherein we may behold thee crucified and slaine O sweetest Sauiour Christ Iesus perfect God and perfect man by whose innocent death bloudie passion attonement is made betwixt thy Father and vs are so dazeled with the dimme and darke mists of Sathan that they are occupied in the beholding of mundane and transitorie pleasures all which in effect vanish and weare awaie euen as the flower that either is parched by the force of Phoebus radiant beames or by Winters stormes and horie frosts consumed Our eares which thou hast giuen to vs to heare and vnderstand the sacred and diuine mysteries conteined in thy holie lawe are made deafe of purpose so that they glorie more in fables and lothsome leasings than they conceiue delight in the zealous predication of thine Euangelicall and heauenlie doctrine Our harts are hardened like the Adamant so that for the greatest part they can not brooke thy testimonies they continuallie lust and desire to be satisfied with worldlie wealth honour and dignitie And who beholdeth not in these daies what cruell conflict and bloudie fight there is betwixt good conscience and filthie auarice the roote of all mischiefe and euill Naie who seeth not in this age plaine dealing murthered by deceit and faithlesse fraud Who now beholdeth not true meaning strangled by forged flatterie and loathsome leasings The bowels of compassion and pitie are shut vp by violent oppression and tyrannie Our feete are willing to tread the paths of pride fornication and vncleannesse Our hands are readie to offer wrong and iniurie to the innocent yea and in fine whatsoeuer thou hast giuen vnto vs to spread and set foorth thy glorie and honour is by sinne so corrupted that we make the members of our bodies which by grace and of pure loue are ingraffed in the bodie of Christ the rich and great shepheard of our soules the verie members of Sathan So that of set purpose our transgression abounding we flie from Christ the rocke and strong piller of our saluation and run head-long to death and vtter destruction of bodie and soule Yet like a louing God and mercifull Father thou callest vs home againe by thy word wherin not onlie thy mercies but also thy terrible threats are thundered foorth against vs for our impenitencie But when neither thy manifold mercies freelie of thine abundant goodnesse offered vnto vs in Iesus Christ can mooue nor stir vs to handfast contrition neither yet thy terrible comminations and thretnings can reclame nor call vs backe from the dangerous puddle of our sins then thou sendest forth thy plagues and punishments as pestilence famine bloudie sword intending thereby to driue vs to amendment of life and to acknowledge thine omnipotencie But when thou beholdest our true repentant harts our sobs and sighing teares powred foorth before the throne of thy diuine Maiestie thou withdrawest from vs the terror of thine indignation and vengeance the rod of thy correction is laid aside thy displeasure iustlie conceiued against vs for the continuall exercise of sinne is vtterlie forgotten and by the intercession of thy sonne Iesus Christ that sitteth on thy right hand in glorie permanent and euerlasting like a louing Father and most mercifull God the siluered scepter of peace is offered vnto vs with all other thy gratious benefits that thine anger is conuerted to clemencie thy displeasure is turned to louing kindnesse and in fine thine indignation is so calmed by thine abundant grace and mercie that like a louing and gentle Father thine armes are stretched foorth ioifullie to embrace and receiue vs to thy fauour againe All this I knowe to be most certaine and true For when or at what tune soeuer we shall appeare before the gates of mercie and by the meanes and power of a constant and liuelie faith knocke therat thou art redie to open vnto vs not for anie of our deserts but for the merits of Iesus Christ the fulnesse of thy diuine miseration compassion and pitie And whensoeuer we shall call vpon thee with lowlinesse and meekenesse of our harts and minds bewailing wofullie our heinous offences committed against thee thine eares are most attentiue to heare willinglie doest grant vs our petitions Wherefore O most gratious and louing father we come vnto thee with sorowfull and contrite harts beseeching thee for the loue of thine annointed sonne Iesus Christ our Messias Sauiour and Redeemer to behold and looke vpon vs with the eies of compassion and pitie And albeit we haue worthilie deserued this thy plague and punishment yet respect thou not our deseruings least in thy furie and indignation we be confounded perish Haue an eie rather to thy sonne Iesus Christ behold his bloudie wounds which yet are fresh and greene and neuer stint bleeding Thinke vpon the bitter and painefull torments that he suffered for vs vpon the crosse in whose name we beseech thee fauourablie to looke vpon our infirmities mercifullie to heare our praiers and petitions offered vnto thee and gratiouslie for the glorie of thy name sake to take and withdrawe from vs this thy heauie rod of correction which our sinfull liues and contempt of thy precepts haue heaped heauilie on our
Sauiour not for my merit or deseruing but onlie for the merits of thy death and bitter passion I humblie beseech thee Amen A praier against the feare of worldlie casualties O Most bountifull and louing Father mine onlie guider and comforter the well of mercie the true light of the world take awaie the darknesse of my mind lighten my hart senses indue me with thy grace arme me so stronglie with sure hope confidence and trust in thee that I neuer be driuen into feare either by the subtile inuasions of our ghostlie enimie Sathan or by the craftie wilinesse of the world neither yet by losse damage hurt or hinderance of anie of those vaine and transitorie things which we in this world doo possesse but alwaies whatsoeuer shall becom of them to thinke that they are but things lent and not our owne and that we shall make a streight account of the vse or abuse of them whereby the more we possesse thereof the greater shall be our paine if we abuse them Wherefore take from mee all inward heauinesse thought and care for anie losse or discommoditie receiued by worldlie goods and alwaies to thinke that as well pouertie as riches needinesse as abundance sicknesse as health aduersitie as prosperitie come from thee and that it is knowne to thine inscrutable iudgement onlie why and wherefore thou sendest either of these vpon vs. And therefore let not my mind be troubled with anie feare of things to chance sauing onlie to feare to displease thee but alwaies to be merrie in thee with sobernes and to cast all my care of worldlie affaires vpon thee forasmuch as thou hast commanded that we should not be carefull what to eate or what to drinke or with what raiment we shall be clothed For thou wilt not see the righteous forsaken or their children begging their bread and that thou turnest all things to the best to them that serue thee and flie vnto thee for succour in the time of their distresse Let this O Lord be euermore fresh in my memorie grauen in my hart and readie in my mouth so that I leauing all needlesse feare may alwaies giue thanks vnto thee and praise thy holie name Amen A praier to be deliuered from enimies and dangers O Most mightie Lord God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob which didst leade the children of Israel through the red sea and madest the streames of Iordan runne backe into their springs againe that thy people might passe through the midst thereof Good Lord whose heasts the flouds obeied at whose voice the hils doo leape and the earth doth tremble O most mightie Lord which canst destroie the proudest kings with verie flies and ants which madest little Dauid to triumph on the giant Goliah which deliueredst his enimie king Saule into his hands gauest Gedeon thy seruant with his few souldiours victorie of so manie legions of strong men Thou which hast subdued so manie mightie kings and sundrie nations vnto thy people Israel O God which workest all in all things which giuest victorie alwaies as seemeth best to thine vnsearchable wisdome defend me alwaies I beseech thee against mine enimies and all euils that my ship tossed and beaten in the waues of this world may rest in thy happie hauen of euerlasting ioie for euer My soule cleaueth vnto thy mercie as to an holie sanctuarie O God if thou shouldest not be mercifull who could abide the heat of thy displeasure But thou O Lord art good to thy seruants and I hope to see thy goodnesse in the land of the liuing All glorie be to the most high and mercifull God for euer and euer Amen A praier for righteous iudgement in matters of controuersie O Lord God of all iustice which in equall ballance dooest weigh the cause of the Prince and of the poorest man which despisest not the suites of the simple which deliuerest the captiue and comfortest the desolate and carefull O Lord which hast blessed them that are poore in spirit releeue thy seruant oppressed with griefe remooue from me the clouds of my sorowes O Lord stretch forth thy mightie hand and helpe me Let me not sinke in the seas of slander and shame Thou knowest the secrets of my hart defend me in mine innocencie pleade thou my cause against the vngodlie which haue laid their net for me O God thou which hast deliuered Ioseph Daniel Mardocheus Susanna from captiuitie and instant death and didst cloth them with honour good Lord strengthen me and be my defender against all euils and let not the poisoned arrowes of malicious tongues doo me anie harme Grant these my praiers good Lord I beseech thee for our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake Amen A Psalme to be said after trouble escaped MY soule reioice in God for he is my light and my defence my helpe the lanterne to my feet He hath heard my praier when I called on him he hath holpen me in my neede he hath deliuered me in my dangers The Lord is the keeper of my life from whome shall I shrinke whome shall I feare Lieng prostrate at the feete of my Lord I bewailed my case and he heard my plaint he forsaketh not his seruants Wherefore if armies of men stood vp against me I should not feare For if God be on my side who can preuaile against me He is happie and safe whome God the mightie God of Israel keepeth The Sun shall not burne him by daie nor the Moone by night Chrise blessed is he that feareth the Lord for he shall see happie daies As the Hart thirsteth after the water springs so my soule hath longed for my Lord the liuing God When shall I come to appeare before thy presence to see thee in thy glorious maiestie face to face O Lord let thy kingdome come Come Lord Iesus that I may see the daie of my redemption Good Lord make hast to helpe me All glorie maiestie and empire be vnto God the Creator God the Redeemer and God the holie Comforter for euer and euer Amen Comfortable exhortations against the manifold assaults of Sathan IF thou perceiue that the storme of temptation doth verie often and greeuouslie assault thee dismaie not therefore thy selfe neither be displeased with thy selfe as though almightie God nothing regarded thee but rather thank him that he instructeth and teacheth thee as one to be his heire that he punisheth and correcteth thee as his most deere soune that he prooueth and assaieth thee as his welbeloued freend It is a manifest and great token that man is reiect from the mercie and fauour of God when he is troubled with no temptation In thy temptation remember the holie Apostle S. Paule which being rapt to the mysteries of the third heauen was vexed with the Angel of Sathan Remember the temptation of the holie man Iob and other which were greeuouslie troubled with their offences O happie and fortunate man in whome this earthlie Adam is so mortified and subdued that it in no wise resisteth the spirit But whether
and holie in all thy works Haue mercie vpon me and giue me vnderstanding therefore from aboue to consider the substance whereof thou hast framed me and by the knowledge thereof make me to consider mine owne weakenesse and infirmitie to be such that vnlesse thou set to thy hand speedilie to helpe me that am oppressed with sinne I shall perish in my wickednesse A AS my sins are innumerable and redder than scarlet so giue me grace to acknowledge thy greate mercies which are surmounting the sands of the seas and that thou by thy grace at thy good pleasure canst wash awaie my deformitie and make me to excell the snowe of Libanus I beseech thee O mercifull father let it be far from my thought wilfullie or of a set purpose to fall into the danger of sinne or to commit anie heinous sinne or greeuous wickednes against thine eternall maiestie For by the exercise of such and so great euill I by meanes of my presumption prouoke thee to displeasure Giue me grace therefore to stand in awe of thy iustice least that thy mercie be with-held and kept from me and thou giue me ouer as thou didst proud Pharao to the lust and affections of mine owne hart and so I be drowned in the dangerous gulph of destruction R REadie art thou Lord at all times to heare and giue eare vnto the petitions of thy people but more readier are we to run astraie from thy will and to transgresse thy sacred lawes and diuine statutes than we are to leaue the lusts of carnalitie the pleasures of this vaine and wicked world so greatlie are we affected to licentious libertie and all other kind of notorious euill But yet O mercifull father of thine abundant loue fauour and exceeding kindnesse giue me grace to renounce sinne to hate this transitorie and vading world to mortifie my fraile and feeble flesh which rebelleth against the spirit and by faith in Christ in this my dangerous pilgrimage so giue me strength that mine enimies may be ouerthrowne and I being deliuered from the snares of hell may by thee which art the author of mans felicitie haue the fruition of thy kingdome and celestiall mansion of endlesse and sempiternall glorie Y YDlenesse is the nurse and roote of all infectious euils Giue me thine aid therefore O Lord to loath and detest this deadlie and dangerous sinne least therby I run headlong into thy heauie displeasure Make me alwaies and euer to be occupied good Lord in thy holie lawe that with all the powers of my soule hart mind and vnderstanding I may giue thee continuall praise honor and glorie Yeeld plentiouslie vnto me also good Lord thy grace from aboue that I may continuallie make my boast of thine euerlasting name by hartie contrition and bitter deploration of my sinnes and wickednesse obtaine thy fauourable pardon and by thee being sanctified and made cleane from all mine vncleannesse and vngodlinesse I may enter with thee at the last daie into the celestiall and glorious kingdome purchased in the bloudie death of my Sauiour Iesus Christ Yea illuminate mine eies I saie O good Lord that I sleepe not in darkenes but giue me grace good Lord continuallie to keepe watch and ward least that the enimie find me slumbering in the cradle of carelesnesse the gates of my bodie be broken vp and in the daie of thy comming to iudgement the sentence of thy displeasure be pronounced against me to the vtter confusion of my bodie and soule F FAith is to be embraced of all those that hope for felicitie and blessednesse in Iesus Christ Giue me therefore such wisdome from aboue that I may be dailie desirous to learne thy sacred precepts and walke in the path-waie of thy glorious statutes that by the exercise of thy will sinfull vice and iniquitie may be vanquished and vertue may haue the dominion and souereigntie in me A ABstinence coupled with constant and faithfull praier is a thing that much pleaseth thy maiestie and withdraweth from vs the force of thy heauie indignation Giue me grace then with praier to exercise such fasting as may hold downe the man of sinne that he swell not in pride excesse gluttonie or superfluous eating or drinking Make me alwaies to vse thy gifts so moderatelie that thy name may be glorified and I fasting from sinne with hartie praier faithfullie may beate at the gates of thy grace and so obtaine the full effects of thy fatherlie loue and fauourable kindnesse Finallie abate I beseech thee the pride of the vngodlie that trouble me Confound in thy iustice the imaginations of the foolish which sticke not to saie in their harts There is no God Breake the iawe bones of those in sunder that consult and take counsell togither how they may harme the innocent and weake From the bloud-thirstie and deceiptfull man deliuer me O Lord my God Looke fauourablie vpon me glad thou my hart with the cheerefull lookes of thy gratious and louing countenance Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard Be thou euer with me then shall I not need to feare the power of my subtile and cruell enimies but at thine appointed will and heauenlie pleasure I shall be made safe and with the felowship of thy chosen Saints enioie the fruition of thine euerlasting kingdome N NOthing O Lord I brought into this world and nothing shall I carie hence with mee Giue mee grace and power therefore to consider that all worldlie things are vaine and shall vanish awaie like smoke Make me to vnderstand that I am a stranger heere and far from my countrie the new Citie of Ierusalem which thou hast in the fulnesse of thy great mercie ordeined for those that continue faithfull in thee to the end And sith that all earthlie things are subiected to consuming as meere vanities endue me with such vnderstanding that I may laie my treasure plentifullie in heauen with Iesus Christ to whome in the water of baptisme by grace in spirit I am coupled and knit Withdrawe me therefore from the delight of worldlie pleasures and giue me streugth to offer my selfe vp wholie into his blessed and heauenlie hands that my hart my mind the powers of my soule and all that I haue may depend on him with whome my treasure resteth that being vnder the comfortable gard of his defence I may be deliuered from all danger of bodie and soule Naked was I borne and naked to the graue shall I returne againe the Lord giueth and the Lord taketh awaie euen as it pleaseth his maiestie all things are brought to passe whose glorious name be praised for euer No man can escape the sting of death all flesh must bow vnto the graue Giue me a feruent faith therefore O Lord to continue faithfull in Iesus Christ that whensoeuer it shall please thee to send thy messenger death to arrest me I may be readie at his summons ioifullie to beare his stroke and by the power of a liuelie faith so to withstand sinne and Sathan that death
surelie haue perished in my trouble The lawe of my God is more deerer vnto me than thousands of siluer and gold yea all the riches in the world is nothing woorth in comparison of thy word For it is more comfortable than the most costliest and pretious restoratiue that anie Physician can make For it comforteth nourisheth and preserueth the soule leading it vnto life euerlasting Oh Lord God of hosts who is like vnto thee Thy truth most mightie God endureth for euermore I will alwaies giue thanks vnto thee for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed on me The righteous shall heare thereof and reioice with me yea and the vnrighteous shall feare the Lord and saie Doubtlesse there is a GOD that defendeth his seruants and he also doth punish the wrong dooers Thou art the God that dooest woonderous things O Lord who may be compared vnto thee For thou deliuerest me thy poore oppressed seruant from the hand of my strong enimie yea from such a one as was too mightie for me to deale withall Thou hast I saie mightilie defended me and now O Lord be mindfull of me and command my spirit to be receiued in grace when it is thy good pleasure Amen An instruction for Christians conteining a fruitfull and godlie exercise as well in wholsome and fruitfull praiers as in reuerend discerning of Gods holie Commandements and Sacraments translated out of French into English by a right vertuous and godlie Matrone and Gentlewoman named Mistresse DORCAS MARTIN Psalme 119. verses 37 133. From vaine desires and worldlie lusts Turne backe mine eies and sight Giue me the spirit of life and power To walke thy waies aright Direct my footesteps by thy word That I thy will may knowe And neuer let iniquitie Thy seruant ouerthrowe The Lords praier OUr Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this daie our dailie bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen The Articles of the Christian faith I Beleeue in God the father Almightie maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onlie sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holie Ghost Borne of the virgin Marie Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into hell The third daie he rose againe from the dead He ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almightie From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beleeue in the holie Ghost The holie Catholike Church The communion of Saints The forgiuenesse of sinnes The resurrection of the bodie And the life euerlasting Amen The ten Commandements of Almightie GOD Exod. 20. The Preface HEarken O Israel I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage The first Table _1 THou shalt haue none other gods before me 2 Thou shalt make thee no grauen image neither anie similitude of things that are in heauen aboue neither that are in the earth beneath nor that are in the waters vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor woorship them For I am the Lord thy God a gealous God visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vpon the third generation and vpon the fourth of them that hate me and shewing mercie vnto thousands in them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him giltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember the Sabboth daie to keepe it holie Sixe daies shalt thou labour and doo all thy workes but the seauenth daie is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not doo anie worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maide-seruant nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in sixe daies the Lord made the heauen and the earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seauenth daie therfore the Lord blessed the Sabboth daie and halowed it The second Table _5 HOnour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may bee prolonged vpon the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt not kill 7 Thou shalt not commit adulterie 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour 10 Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house neither shalt thou couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his maide nor his oxe nor his asse neither anie thing that is thy neighbours The Summe THou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine hart with all thy soule and with all thy mind This is the first and the greatest commandement And the second is like vnto this Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two commandements hangeth the whole Lawe and the Prophets Matth 7. verse 12. Whatsoeuer ye would that men should doo to you euen so doo ye to them For this is the Lawe and the Prophets Iohn 15. verse 12. This is my commandement that ye loue one another as I haue loued you Iohn 13. verse 35. Heereby shall all men knowe that you are my disciples if ye loue one another A praier to be said in the Morning when one awaketh Our helpe be in the name of the Lord who hath made heauen and earth O My God and father I most humblie praise and thanke thee for this that of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie it hath pleased thee to watch for me this night whiles I slept preseruing me from so manie kinds of dangers wherevnto this miserable life is subiect O Lord I beseech thee bring into my memorie thy other great and innumerable benefits also according as I may be able to comprehend them to the end that I may likewise render thanks for the same least I be vngratefull towards thy maiestie as thou hast done me this good not to forget that thou alone hast preserued me from all inconuenience And herewithall I beseech thee most gratious father through thy mercie to continue this thy fatherlie care which thou hast for me vntill such time as I shall rest in that happie sleepe whereof they reioice which sleepe in peace through our Lord Iesus Christ thy sonne who in the vnitie of the holie Ghost liueth and reigneth God with thee eternallie So be it The exercise of an housholder with his familie to praie in the Morning O Our God Father Sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to giue vs grace to passe this night to come vnto this daie present vouchsafe now also to bestowe this goodnesse vpon vs that we may emploie our selues altogether to thy seruice in such wise that we neither thinke saie or doo anie thing but onlie to please thee
seruice of God C It is to obeie the lawe of God in true charitie out of a pure hart and out of a pure conscience and of faith vnfained M What is this charitie here required C It is to loue God with all our hart soule vnderstanding and power and our neighbour as our selfe M This true obedience and charitie proceedeth it not of faith C Yea all the good works here commanded which God hath prepared that wee should walke in them M Faith then it is not an opinion vaine and fleshlie to entise vs to sinne more boldlie and to liue in all carnall libertie C No. For if we by faith be trulie graffed in Iesus Christ and call vpon God to saluation we will no more bring foorth the works of the flesh but the fruits of the spirit M Which are the works of the flesh C Adulterie fornication filthinesse outragiousnes idolatrie enimitie strife emulation anger altercation sedition sects enuie murther dronkennesse gluttonie and things like vnto the same M And which are the fruits of the spirit C Loue ioie peace patience benignitie goodnesse faith caurtesie temperance M Seeing we are all carnall euill and seruants of sinne haue we power of our selues to doo good and to keepe vs from euill C No not so much as to thinke anie good thing For it is God that worketh in vs both the will and the deed according to his good will M We must not then doo euerie one of vs what seemeth vnto him good and right what good nature inclination or free will soeuer he alledge C No. For of vs can come nothing but perdition but ail our goodnes aid saluation comneth of God onlie M Our reason wisdome and intent can the same be the rule to knowe and discerne of our works whether they be good or euill C No. For we haue all but one Lawe-giuer who hath giuen vs the true and perfect rule out of the ten commandements of the lawe M What conteine the foure commandements of the first table C How God declareth himselfe to be our God and therefore by good right he requireth of vs faith homage adoration obedience and dutie M And the six commandements in the second table what doo they conteine C Our office and dutie towards our neighbour which is to doo vnto him as we would be done vnto our selues and not to doo vnto him that which wee would not to be done vnto our selues M Go to recite now this holie lawe C Harken O Israel I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thee out of the land of Aegypt c. as Exodus 20. M And how is it that Iesus Christ accomplished in vs this lawe so perfectlie C In giuing vs his holie spirit who ingendreth in vs a continuall desire and mind to doo all that the lawe commandeth vs as neere as we can M And this obedience so vnperfect doth it please God C Yea by this that our imperfection is not imputed vnto vs bicause of Iesus Christ whose iustice and perfect obedience is ours through faith M Alas who shall giue vs the hart and the power to doo the will of God which he here hath declared vnto vs by his holie ordinances C It shall be euen he himselfe by his spirit in the name of Iesus Christ his sonne whom he hath giuen vnto the death to deliuer vs from the condemnation of the lawe and from the bondage of sinne that is to saie from eternall death Of Confession Mother WHat is the fourth point of Christian adoration and seruice of God C It is the solemne confession or acknowledging that we make in the Church through the vse of the Sacraments M What confession C Of all good things both generall and particular which we receiue in the Church through the communion that we haue with Iesus and togither among our selues one with another M Doo we not dailie make such a confession vnto God in hearing his word and calling vpon him seeking to obeie him according to the benefits which hee hath giuen vnto vs Sacraments Child YEa certainlie But we make it also through the exercise of the Sacraments in greater force and edifieng M Shew the reason C Bicause they are annexed to the preaching and promises of the Gospell to mooue our soules and bodies to praise God with greater confirmation of our faith and loue M Understandest thou not that there is one like saluation by preaching and by the Sacraments offered vnto all as well to the faithfull as to the vnfaithfull C Yea but the vnfaithfull in respecting this saluation receiue nothing but the word outward signes to their condemnation M Neuerthelesse the Sacraments doo not signifie and represent lesse to one than to the other C It is certaine For God is alwaie true and vseth not to teach lies M The Lord then hath ioined the Sacraments with the preaching and promises of the Gospell as the seales are ioined with the letters and instruments which they confirme C Yea to print seale them the more in our soules bodies to mooue all our senses vnto this confession M The Sacraments then are vnto vs great succor and comfort C Yea in our infirmities disquietnesse and temptations which come dailie vnto vs as well from the diuell and the world as from our owne flesh M Which are the Sacraments that the Lord Iesus hath instituted in his Church C Baptisme and the Supper putting end vnto Circumcision and to the Paschall Lambe M How is it that he himselfe hath authorised and sanctified them C In that he would receiue Baptisme in his owne bodie and to be the first administrator of the Supper M Where is it y t the Lord commandeth Baptisme C In S. Matthew the last Chapter And Iesus came and spake vnto them saieng All power is giuen vnto me in heauen and in earth Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost teaching them to keepe all those things that I haue commanded you M Is Baptisme a washing of bodilie filthinesse C No. For so little water can doo nothing to vs. M From what filthinesse then are we there washed C From spirituall filthinesse which are our sinnes M We come then into the world all filthie and corrupt C If we were not conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie we should not haue to doo with baptisme M In whose name be we baptised C In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost who is our onlie and verie true God in three persons M And with what water are we washed and regenerated C With the water of life which is the holie spirit in the bloud of Iesus Christ M Baptisme then representeth vnto vs assureth vs of the full remission of our sinnes and exchanging of our wicked nature C Yea and by the same both we and our children are receiued into the Church as partakers of the couenant
would be seene of men verelie I saie vnto you they haue their reward But when thou praiest enter into thy Chamber and when thou hast shut the dore praie thou to thy father which is in secret and thy father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openlie And when thou praiest babble not much as the heathen do for they thinke that they shall be heard for their much babbling sake Be yee not like them therefore for your father knoweth whereof yee haue neede before yee aske of him After this maner therfore praie yee Our father which art in heauen halowed be thy name c. Matth. 6. Watch and praie for you knowe neither the daie nor yet the houre when the sonne of man commeth in his glorie all the holie Angels with him Then shall he sit vpon the seate of his glorie and before him shall be gathered all nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepheard diuideth the sheepe from the goates and then he shall set the sheepe on his right hand and the goates on the left Then shall the King saie to them on his right hand Come yee blessed children of my father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world for I was an hungred and yee gaue me meate Then shall the King saie vnto them that shall be on the left hand Depart from me ye curssed into euerlasting fire which is prepared for the diuell and his Angels For I was an hungred and yee gaue me no meate I was thirstie and ye gaue me no drinke Then shall they answer him saieng Lord when sawe we thee an hunged or a thirst or naked or sicke or in prison and did not minister vnto thee Then shall he answere them saieng Uerelie I saie vnto you in asmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not vnto me And these shall go awaie into euerlasting paine but the righteous to life eternall Matth. 25. As Iesus sate in mount Oliuet his disciples came vnto him secretlie saieng Tell vs when these things shall be and what signe shall be of thy comming and of the end of the world And Iesus answered and said vnto them Take heed that no man deceiue you for manie shall come in my name saieng I am Christ and shall deceiue manie Yee shall heare of warres and of the fame of warres but see that you be not troubled for all these things must come to passe but the end is not yet Matth. 24. And there shall be signes in the Sunne and in the Moone and in the Stars and in the Earth the Sea and the waters shall roare and mens harts shall faile them for feare and for looking for those things which shall come on the earth Behold the figge tree and all other trees when they shoote foorth their buds ye see and knowe of your owne selues that Summer is then nigh at hand So likewise yee when ye see these things come to passe vnderstand that the kingdome of God is then nigh at hand Luke 21. But of that daie and houre no man knoweth no not the Angels of heauen but my father onlie As the time of Noah was so shall likewise the comming of the sonne of man be For as in the daies before the floud they did eate and drinke marie and were maried euen vnto the daie that Noah entered into the ship and knew of nothing till the floud came and tooke them all awaie so shall also the comming of the sonne of man be Matth. 23. Take heede to your selues least your hearts be ouercome with surfeting and dronkennesse and cares of this world and that daie come on you vnwares For as a snare shall it come vpon all them that sit on the face of the earth Watch therefore continuallie and praie that ye may obtaine grace and flie all this that shall come and that ye stand before the sonne of God Luke 21. Take heed watch and praie for ye knowe not when the time is As a man which is gone into a strange Countrie and hath left his house and giuen authoritie to his seruants and to euerie man his worke and commanded the porter to watch Watch therefore for yee knowe not when the maister of the house will come whether at euen or at midnight whether at the cocke-crowing or in the dawning least if he come suddenlie he should find you sleeping and that I saie vnto you I saie vnto all men Watch and praie Matth. 13. Be sober and watch for your aduersarie the diuell as a roring Lion walketh about seeking whome hee may deuoure whome resist yee stedfastlie in faith Finallie let vs in all our praiers remember to praie for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie that it will please the almightie God to prosper hir in all hir affaires and send hir a long and triumphant reigne ouer vs that she may ouercome all hir enimies and that after this painefull life ended she may reigne with Christ in his heauenlie kingdome there to receiue a glorious crowne that neuer shall perish So be it FINIS THE THIRD LAMPE OF VIRGINITIE Conteining sundrie formes of diuine meditations Christian praiers penned by the godlie learned to be properlie vsed of the QVEENES most excellent Maiestie as especiallie vpon the 17. daie of Nouember being the daie of the gladnesse of hir hart and memorable feast of hir coronation so on all other daies and times at hir Graces pleasure Wherevnto also is added a most heauenlie HEAST spoken as it were in the person of GOD vnto hir Maiestie conteining his diuine will and commandement concerning gouernement and a right godlie and Christian Vow vttered againe by hir Grace vnto God comprehending the heroicall office and dutie of a Prince faithfullie compiled out of the holie Psalmes of that Princelie Prophet King DAVID as they are learnedlie explaned by Theodore Beza verie profitable to be often read and meditated vpon of hir Maiestie and all other Christian Rulers and Gouernours to the glorie of God the benefit of his Church and their owne euerlasting ioie and comfort in the holie GHOST PSALME 45. Audi filia vide inclina aurem tuam obliuâ—scere populâ—… tâ—â— domus patris tui Et concupiscet Rex formam tuam quia ipse est Dominus tuus ipsum adorabis Omnis gloria filiae Regis intùs est 1582 Right godlie Psalmes fruitfull Praiers and comfortable Meditations to be said of our most vertuous and deere Souereigne LADIE Queene ELIZABETH as at all times at hir Graces pleasure so especiallie vpon the 17. daie of Nouember being the memorable daie of hir Maiesties most ioifull deliuerance out of trouble and happie entrie to hir blessed reigne The 18. Psalme of DAVID which he made for the first beginning of his gratulation and thankesgiuing vnto God in the entring into his kingdome for the maruelous mercies victories and graces of God towards him paraphrasticallie explaned and opened by that godlie learned man
Lawe and sincere Religion which I professe Let backbiters together with such as are proud and those that dare shameleslie presume anie thing be vtterlie rooted out but contrariwise let there be space in especiallie for such as be verie zealous of the truth that they onlie may be conuersant with me before thee and cause me to feede them with a singular faith and innocencie and minister all things diligentlie vnto them Finallie let not the enimies of thy Gospell I beseech thee O gratious and mightie God thus despise thy grace offered them vnto repentance but those that are to be conuerted conuert and turne them O God speedilie if it be thy will Make thou Saule at the length to become a Paule and let not the persecutor persist in his errours but let them rather accompt thy long suffering and my peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement an occasion of saluation to their soules and of vnfeigned loue to thy Church Otherwise if they will needes remaine still disobedient to thy truth disloiall vnto me dangerous to the state and enimies to their Countrie and Common-wealth then O God of my saluation arise and helpe to wound the head of thine enimies and the hearie scalpe of such as go on still in their wickednesse Let thy right hand find out them that euerie daie prouoke thee and reuenge thy selfe on those blasphemous hypocrites that thus proudlie contemne thee to thy face And as thou hast discouered them and their peeuish practises against thee and thine annointed so discouer them still As thou hast preuented their diuelish purposes and execrable intents so preuent them still Yea let their firie eies waxe wearie with looking their bloudie harts and hands faint with waiting for their golden daie and that which commeth not yet neither let come O Lord I beseech thee but in thy good time and according to thy will a blessed and healthfull reigne vnto my selfe much ioie and comfort to my subiects and long peace to Zion for euermore Lastlie O most mightie God looke what remaineth yet of the happie building enlarging and finishing of thy Church and to the establishing and planting of thy Religion perfectlie therein according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word and full discharge of my dutie when I shall be called to render an accompt before the iudgement seate of Christ because that without thee I can do nothing neither is it possible to please thee do thou O father of light from whome all good gifts doo come and proceede vouchsafe to powre downe plentifullie of thy principall spirit vpon me and so rauish my hart with the flame of the loue of thee and thy people with an earnest zeale of thy house that with Ioseph I may carefullie and faithfullie prouide for thy people with Moses painefullie leade them out of the deserts of errour and oppression and with Ioshua bring thy people into the land of promise with Debora fight thy battels with Iahel knocke Sisera of Roome in the temples of his vsurped headship with Iudith cut off the head of proud Holophernes with Hezekias and Iosias roote out and destroie all superstition and relikes of idolatrie with Dauid and Salomon finish and consecrate to eternitie thy glorious Temple among thy people and with them all most earnestlie and continuallie to praie vnto thee for their saluation That heere on earth for the time after their vertuous example dooing that which is good in thy sight reigning blessedlie ruling prudentlie and like a louing mother and tender nursse giuing my fostermilke the foode of thy word and Gospell aboundantlie to all in all places of my dominion and endeuouring my selfe faithfullie to discharge the great trust committed vnto me when thy sonne to whome not onlie the sea and windes but all creatures are subiect shall come as King of kings to require an accompt of the charge committed vnto me I may be found faithfull and not faile finallie in heauen but in the purenesse of my virginitie and holinesse of mine innocencie be presented to the Lambe my souereigne Lord and onlie God my heauenlie Bridegroome and spirituall spouse my euerlasting King deere Christ and onlie sweet Sauiour Iesus there to see the Saincts and to be a Sainct and with all the holie Patriarches Iudges Kings and Queenes yea with all the Archangels Angels Saints Martyrs Confessors Uirgins and the whole companie of thy celestiall and blessed spirits to reigne with him ouer spirituall powers and principalities for euer and sing the sugred songs of my wedding-daie to my perpetuall ioie and thine eternall praise O most glorious Trinitie the Father the Son and the holie Ghost one inuisible God almightie blessed for euer and euer Amen Amen Another praier to be said of the Queenes Maiestie BLessed art thou Lord God of Sabbaoth for vnto thee apperteineth all magnificence and power and glorie to thee belongeth all honour and authoritie For whatsoeuer is either in the heauens aboue or in the earth beneath it is thine Thine O Lord is the kingdome thou art aboue all Princes Kings Riches are thine glorie is thine and thou art Lord ouer all In thee remaineth vertue and power greatnesse and gouernement O God of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things by thy word and by thy wisdome appointed man to rule the creatures which thou hast made and to gouerne the world with equitie and iustice I praise thee and extoll thy glorious name for appointing me thy seruant to rule and gouerne this thy people committed vnto my charge Now therefore gratious Lord fauourablie behold me that I may treade the path of truth righteousnesse and sinceritie of hart in thy sight Let me not abuse mine authoritie but gouerne with lenitie and gentlenesse the people vnder me that liuing a godlie and honest life mankind may enioie their desired peace Giue therefore vnto thy seruant an hart desirous of instructions that I may iudge the people and discerne betweene good and euill and neither declining to the right hand or to the left stoutelie and valiantlie mainteine the cause of the righteous Grant me counsell and assistance to doo such things as are gratefull vnto thee good for thy Church and profitable for my people and Common-weale Giue me thy wisdome and reiect me not from thy children for I thy seruant and handmaiden am a fraile woman of a short time and full weake in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes Thou hast chosen me a Gouernour of thy people and a Iudge of thy sonnes and daughters send mee therefore wisdome from thy sacred heauens and from the seate of thy magnificence that it may be with me and labour with me whereby I may perceiue what is acceptable in thine eies and learne that I haue no power of my selfe but from thee which art Almightie and reignest ouer the kingdomes of men giuing them at thy pleasure Graunt that I neuer conceiue proudlie of my selfe but may receiue in patience the discipline of thy Lawe Make me wise and
assist me most puissant Prince of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may be truelie able to aduance iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseech thee thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience towards mee thy minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holie spirit that I may perseuere in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Grant this oh mightie God of hosts for the merits and passion of thy deere sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ AMEN The praier of King SALOMON for Wisdome to gouerne well Wisd 9. O GOD of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things with thy word and ordeined man through thy wisdome that he should haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made and gouerne the world according to equitie and righteousnesse and execute iudgement with an vpright hart Giue me wisdome which is euer sitting aboue thy seate and put me not out from among thy children For I thy seruant and handmaid am a feeble person and of a short time and yet lesse in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdome be not with him he shall be nothing regarded Thou hast chosen me to be a QVEENE vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Thou hast commanded mee to maintaine thy Church which from the beginning thou hast chosen Oh send out of thy holie heauens therefore vnto me that thy wisdome wherewith thou madest the world gouernest thy works and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight right in thy commandements Send hir I saie from the throne of thy Maiestie that shee may be with mee and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandements For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all things and she shall leade me soberlie in all my works and preserue mee by hir power and glorie so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouern thy people righteouslie and be well and woorthie to sit in my fathers throne Amen Holie Praiers and godlie Meditations desciphering in Alphabeticall forme the Roiall name of our vertuous Souereigne Queene ELIZABETH properlie to be vsed of hir Maiestie ELIZABETH E ENter not into iudgement with thy seruant O LORD for no flesh is righteous in thy sight PSALME 143 verse 2. O GOD which dwellest in light that no man can attaine O God which art hid and canst not be seene with bodilie eies nor comprehended with anie vnderstanding neither expressed with the tongue of men or Angels O my God what is it to be righteous in thy sight It is that wee should bee without sinne before thee which no man euer was since the fall of Adam For which cause the holie Prophet DAVID saith in this wise Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight O vnhappie that I am loden and burdened with sinne who shall haue pitie or compassion on mee or whither shall I go My sinnes are euer before me mine vnrighteousnesse condemneth me What shall I doo Shall I despaire God forbid For mercifull meeke and louing is my Sauiour My refuge therfore shall be in my God for certaine I am he will not forsake his owne image neither wil he forsake the worke of his owne hands Wherfore most meeke louing and mercifull Father to thee come I all sad and sorowfull But what shall I saie vnto thee I will saie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight And againe I will with the Prophet powre out before thee the words of sorrowe I will hartilie beseech thee saieng Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me according to thy great mercie not after the mercie of men but after thy great mercie which is incomprehensible which is vnmeasurable and which passeth all sinnes without comparison According therefore vnto that thy great mercie by the which thou hast so loued the world that thou gauest thy sonne for it by the which thou hast taken awaie all our sinnes by the which through his crosse thou hast lightened all men by the which also thou hast restored all things in heauen and in earth wash me I saie O Lord wash me in his bloud restore me in his resurrection and iustifie me by thy grace and fauour and the redemption which is in Christ AMEN L LORD looke thou no more on my sinnes but according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities Psal 51. verse 1. THy mercie O Lord is the abundance of pitie thy compassions are the works and processe of thy mercie by the one thou lookest gentlie on the poore and wretched by the other thou forgiuest the multitude of sinnes O sweet and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ the sorowfull and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet she washed them with hir bitter teares she wiped them with the heares of hir head thou forgauest all hir sinnes and sentest hir awaie in peace this was good Lord one of thy compassions Peter thrise denied thee and forsooke thee with an oth thou mercifullie lookedst on him and he beholding thee bitterlie wept and thou Lord forgauest him which was another of thy compassions The theefe on the Crosse was saued with one word Paule in the furious madnesse of persecution was called and by and by was filled with the holie Ghost these all Lord are thy pitifull compassions Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD with whome is no alteration neither shadowe of change and sith there is but one Mediatour and attonement betweene God and man that is Christ Iesus which endureth for euer why doost thou not powre out thy plentious compassions vpon vs as well as thou didst vpon our forefathers Why standest thou so far O Lord and hidest thy face in the needfull tune of trouble Hast thou forsaken vs Or are all thy mercies spent and none left O Lord my God I hartilie beseech thee most humblie praie thee that thou wilt according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities that as thou hast drawne and receiued innumerable sinners vnto thee and hast made them righteous in thy sight euen so thou wilt vouchsafe to drawe and take me and also to make mee righteous through thy grace and so to clense and purifie my hart that after all mine iniquities and vncleannesse put out it may be as a cleane table in the which thy finger O GOD may write the lawe of thy loue and charitie AMEN I IN the daie of trouble I will call on thee ô LORD Psa 120 vers 1. Because thou hast said In what houre so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will no more
did this woman continue still in praier and said It is truth Lord that thou saiest it is not meete to cast the childrens bread vnto dogs But yet Lord the dogs doo eate of the crums which fall from the childrens table And thou Lord reioicing in hir great constancie didst saie O woman great is thy faith be it vnto thee as thou desirest Now therefore sweet and mercifull Lord Iesu as thou diddest vouchsafe to accept and heare the praier of Cornelius and of this woman of Canaan so I hartilie beseech thee to heare my humble praiers which I make daie and night before thee not onelie that thou shouldest deliuer me from bodilie oppressions but also from the spirituall power of the diuell that after this mortall life I may come to thy blessed presence in the euerlasting kingdome where thou reignest God with the Father and the holie Ghost AMEN G GIue eare Ô LORD and let all my sorrowfull complaints which go foorth of vnfeined lips come before thee that my mouth may shew foorth the woorthie praise of thy name Psalme 17. verse 1. THy praise is a great thing O Lord for it proceedeth out of the fountaine whereof no sinners drinke There is no glorious praise in the mouth of a sinner Deliuer me therefore O Lord from the waie of sinners and my tongue shall magnifie thy righteousnesse and my lips and my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise Thou hast the key of Dauid which shuttest and no man openeth and openest and no man shutteth Therefore open thou my lips as thou hast opened the mouths of infants out of whose mouths thou hast established thy praise Trulie the Prophets and Apostles and all other thy Saints praised thee despised themselues The sucklings extoll thy fame and glorie which they knowe through thy heauenlie and celestiall grace Thy friends which spreading thy glorie haue conuerted innumerable soules from sinne vnto vertue and true felicitie Thy beloued haue openlie preached thy bountious gentlenesse and mercifull fauour which thou shewest in thy deere sonne vnto all the world Now therefore mercifull God giue me true humilitie that thou maist stablish thy praise by my mouth Make me as one of the infants and sucklings that I may euer hang on the paps of thy wisdome For thy paps O Lord are better than wine and thy wisdome better than riches Make me as one of thy friends or beloued that I may constantlie abide in thee that my mouth and voice may among the sucklings extoll and set foorth thy praise saieng and singing Ozanna in the highest AMEN I I Am filthie and vncleane before thee Ô LORD If thou therefore sprinkle me with Isope I shall be cleane If thou wash me I shall be whiter than snowe Psalme 51. verse 7. I Sope Lord is a lowe herbe it is hot and of a good sauour which signifieth nothing else but thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ which humbled himselfe vnto death euen vnto the death of the Crosse which with the heate of his feruent loue loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud which also with the redolent and sweet sauor of his beneuolence and righteousnesse hath replenished the world Therefore with this Isope shalt thou O holie Father sprinkle me when thou shalt powre vpon me the vertue and bloud of thy deere sonne Christ when he through faith shall dwell in me when through loue I am ioined with him when I shall imitate and followe his humilitie and passion then shall I be cleansed from all mine vncleannesse Then shalt thou wash me with mine owne teares which flowe out of the loue of thy sonne Christ Then shall I sigh till I be wearie then shall I water my bed euerie night with my teares so that it shall swimme in them and then Lord shalt thou wash me and I shall be whiter than snowe AMEN N NOT euerie one that saith to me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen Matth. 7 verse 21. THy will is O heauenlie father that we do beleeue in thy beloued sonne whome thou hast sent Thy will is that we beleeue that he whome thou hast sent is come in the flesh And thy will is that we imitate and keepe his saieng Thy will is also that we should heare him For thou spakest from heauen saieng This is my welbeloued Sonne in whome I delight heare him Giue me therefore O heauenlie father a stedfast faith a strong faith yea such a faith that no tribulation that no vexation that no persecution may cause me to denie thy Son whom thou hast sent but that I may with a pure and constant faith confesse him to be come in the flesh for the redemption of the world and that I may imitate and folowe him that I may keepe his saieng who was deliuered for my sinnes and was raised againe for my iustification Giue me also O holie father a perfect hearing and not a corrupt hearing but that I may through the teaching of the holie Ghost heare thee out of the Prophets out of the Apostles out of the pen of the Euangelists and out of the mouth of thy Spouse the Catholike Church to whome thou saiedst I will send you a comforter euen my spirit which shall leade you into all truth Grant me O Lord this spirit for there is none that can saie Iesus is the Lord but by this thy holie spirit AMEN A A Sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit a contrite and humble hart ô GOD shalt thou not despise Psalme 51. verse 17. A Broken and troubled spirit and not broken and troubled flesh pleaseth thee O Lord. For the flesh is broken and vexed because it hath not the carnall things that it desireth or else feeleth in it selfe things which it hateth The spirit is broken and vnquieted for his fault because it hath offended against God whom it loueth He soroweth that he hath sinned against his maker and redeemer and that he hath not regarded such a good and louing father This broken and sorowing spirit is vnto thee O Lord a sacrifice of most sweet sauour which notwithstanding hath his confection of most bitter spices euen of the remembrance of his sinnes For when our sinnes are gathered together into the morter of the hart and beaten with the pestle of compunction and made into powder and moistened with the water of teares therof is made an ointment and sacrifice most sweet which being offered to thee O Lord thou wilt not despise Marie Magdalen which was a great sinner made such an ointment and put it into the Alablaster boxe of hir hart She feared not to enter into the Pharises house and there humbling hir selfe at thy feete sweet Lord washed them with hir teares wiped them with hir heare and annointed them with most pretious ointment and ceassed not to kisse them Surelie Lord hir sacrifice was right acceptable and pleased thee so that thou preferredst it aboue the Pharisie which
if thou carefullie behaue thy selfe walke in the waies that I haue commanded thou shalt be woorthilie honored indeed with that name wherby mine authoritie ouer all men is declared and I thy GOD and heauenlie Father will imbrace thee with my speciall fauour as my deerelie beloued Dooue and obedient child Yea so shall the KING haue pleasure in thy fairenes and loue thy goodlie personage and it shall come to passe that thou shalt bee more and more in the high fauour of thy spirituall spouse Christ my sonne to whom onlie it is meete that thou shouldst be subiect as to thy souereigne Lord King and head and vnder whose gouernement thou shalt remaine most honourable and admirable for the singular and vnspeakeable gifts of his grace to all maner of people strangers others of whom euen the most mightie and most rich shall desire to see thee and to be linked in friendship with thee For then shalt thou come foorth of thy princelie yuorie palace and statelie roiall throne most gloriouslie adorned with gorgious garments and roiall robes that smell most fragrantlie and yeeld their sweete sauours and odoriferous odours most pleasantlie spred ouer all those men and people who to declare their ioie and good-wils towards thee shall run and presse togither by thousands to see praise and extoll thy renowmed name and Maiestie crieng alowd and saieng GOD saue the QVEENE To conclude here in my house the Church thou shalt see thy children and offspring who by publishing and promoting my Gospell thou hast borne after a maner vnto thy husband Christ flourishing and spred both abroad and at home and nothing inferiour vnto those thy most noble Elders reigning ouer the prouinces of the whole world But at home chieflie euen in heauen with mee thy Father and with thy husband Christ thou shalt sit at my right hand beautified with all my gifts and most richlie beedecked all ouer with glorious garments broidered with gold hauing a crowne of most pure gold vpon thy head Euen thus roiallie I saie shalt thou then O Uirgin ô QVEENE O deerlie beloued Daughter be set before the KING thy husband with such and so pretious apparell the Uirgins thy companions waiting vpon thee and going with thee vnto the most glorious KING of kings whilest that you altogither with most great triumph mirth ioie reioicing shall enter into the highest mansion of the heauenlie Paradise most holie palace there to enioie a most certaine vnchangeable and euerlasting kingdome glorie dignitie blisse and felicitie and to sing praises vnto the name of the holie Trinitie together with all Kings Queenes Saints Uirgins and elect people of the world that euer were are or shall bee worlds without end The Queenes Vow or selfe-talke with GOD Collected out of the Psalmes of the princelie Prophet King DAVID as they are paraphrasticallie expounded by that godlie learned man THEODORE BEZA Wherein the Queenes Maiestie after a most Christian maner euen with Dauids spirit his sweet words and diuine sentences first inciteth prepareth hir hart and mind to deuotion Secondlie acknowledgeth the omnipotent power of God ouer all kings kingdoms and creatures and after a true rehearsall of his manifold benefits bestowed vpon hir from hir birth with an acknowledgement of hir souereigntie to come onelie from the Lord she thirdlie confesseth hir vnwoorthinesse and reioiceth greatlie in his protection and mercie towards hir since hir comming to the Crowne Fourthlie hauing his wonderous works and benefits done for hir preseruation in great admiration shee not onelie yeeldeth condigne thanks for the same but exhorteth all creatures both in heauen and earth to praise God together with hir And so lastlie she bindeth hir selfe as it were by a solemne oth vow and promise to consecrate hir life wholie to the true worship and sincere seruice of God in all holie obedience to his lawes to the glorie of God and full discharge of hir dutie both in hir Court and Realme * The first part of the VOW RABBONI my hart so voileth within mee that I must needes burst foorth that which it hath conceiued euen a magnifical Uow of a QVEENE consecrated to the KING of heauen himselfe and that with such zeale and feruencie that no penne may seeme to be able to attaine vnto the voice of the speaker Therefore O my God I being now prepared with my whole hart with my whole hart and mind I saie haue great desire to speake vnto thee and in this my present most happie estate to call into my remembrance thy woonderfull works wrought and brought to passe by thine almightie power for me from my conception euen vntill this houre Neither will I doo it O Lord with my mouth onlie as hypocrites vse to doo but I will vnfeinedlie testifie thee my God to be mine onlie maker redeemer preseruer and Sauiour with praise that shall proceed euen from the deepe bottome of my hart Go to then my tongue go to my mouth I saie bee thou no longer dumbe but open thy selfe wide to speake out the most excellent praises of my God and make thy hartie Uowes and saie as followeth The second part conteining foure Chapters CAP. I. O Heauenlie Father my almightie maker my greatest King mine onlie GOD and souereigne Sauiour thou which art the King of glorie and most glorious King the Lord of hosts strong valiant and mightie whose seate is in the highest heauens and thy dominion is stretched foorth ouer all things without exception I humblie acknowledge thee to be the verie God of Angels and of men the most sacred Emperour of the most mightie spirits and holie companie of the heauenlie armies which celebrate thy truth and praise perpetuallie in the regions aboue vs yea the greatest God highest Lord and most magnificall King far aboue all Emperours Kings Lords and Princes how great soeuer Euen the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and of my father Dauid and his posteritie Kings and Queenes my predecessors which art higher than the heauens and the mightie Monarch of the whole world hauing of nothing made heauen and earth and all things therein by thine almightie power guiding preseruing and ruling by the same the state of kingdoms and all the creatures and people that dwell in the world reseruing in thy power and authoritie as the Lord of all both the lowe secret parts of the earth the deepe bottoms of the Sea and the high tops of the mountaines reigning euer full of Maiestie power and authoritie and that most gloriouslie and triumphantlie in an eternall and euerlasting kingdome For whereas all other kingdoms trulie are transitorie and subiect to destruction thy kingdome onlie O God I confesse is not limited in anie bounds nor subiect to anie tearme of yeares or time but alwaies endureth one and vnchangeable from all eternitie to eternitie as he whose throne is for euer and euer and which hast raised a kingdome for thy selfe among thine Angels and people both in heauen and in
world euermore arising and neuer going downe which by thy most whole some appering and light dooest bring foorth preserue nourish and refresh all things as well that are in heauen as also that are on earth I beseech thee mercifullie fauourablie to shine into our harts that the night and darkenesse of sinnes and the mists of errors on euerie side driuen awaie thou brightlie shining within our harts we may all our life space go without anie stumbling or offence and may decentlie and seemelie walke as in the daie time and cleare sun-shine being pure and cleane from the works of darkenesse and abounding in all good works which GOD hath prepared for vs to walke in Amen The Lords name be praised from the rising of the sunne vnto the going downe of the same Psal 113 verse 3. To you that feare my name shall the sunne of righteousnesse arise and shine Mala. 4 verse 2. Another O Mightie God which hast created the heauens and all the beautifull ornaments of the same roiallie to set vp thy glorie to declare eueriwhere all the wonderfull works of thy hands wrought through thy sonne Iesus Christ whome as the bright shining Sunne of righteousnesse and vnderstanding thou hast assigned to haue his residence in those heauens Suffer I beseech thee that by the beames of his grace and beneuolence most louinglie shining and spread abroad he may cast his light into the world and kindle in the harts of men a feruour of spirit Let him come foorth as a bridegroome from his chamber yea let him appeare couragious as a valiant champion to run through his course and iournie euen till he haue conducted vs vnto the highest heauens and holie citie Ierusalem where shall be no need either of sunne or moone to shine and where we shall walke with those that are saued in the light of the Lambe and glorie of God Amen They that loue the Lord shall be as the sunne when he ariseth in his might Iudg. 5 31. Meditation REmember thy maker that knew thée before thou wast and knowe that the eies of the Lord are tenne thousand times brighter than the Sunne than the which though nothing be more cléere yet shall it faile For God which liueth for euer beholdeth all the waies of men and the bottomlesse depth looking euen into mens harts be they in neuer so darke and secret corners And therefore wheresoeuer thou art and whatsoeuer thou dooest feare thou the eies of God more than the eies of men Now also while the light is swéet and it is a pleasant thing to sée the Sunne remember the daies of darknesse that followe and are manie And looke that béetimes before the Sunne set or that the light of the moone and starres be darkened thou feare GOD and vse the light walking therein as a child of light knowing that he that maketh the Sunne to shine and arise both vpon the good and bad will call thée to an account for thy works done both in darknesse and in light Putting off your neerest garment praie thus MOst gratious and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ thou knowest how we be borne cloathed and clogged with the greeuous heauie burden of the first woman Eue who fell awaie vnto fleshlinesse through disobedience vouchsafe therefore I beseech thee to strip me out of the old corrupt Eue which being soked in sinne transformeth hir selfe to all incombrances and diseases of the mind that they may lead vs awaie from thee Rid me also quite and cleane of that hir tempter the deceitfull serpent which turneth vs awaie from the obedience of the Father So be it I haue put off my cloathes how shall I put them on Cantic 5 3. Beholding your nakednesse praie thus LOrd how wretched miserable poore blind and naked am I I am naked O Lord yea euen starke naked for that thou seest me in my bloud and corruption Open mine eies also I beseech thee that I may more and more see my nakednesse feele my miserie and confesse my wretchednes that thou of verie pitie and compassion maist cloath me with thine innocencie and holie vertues and so couer my filthinesse that mine enimies neuer behold the same to my reproch Finallie giue me the grace of perfect charitie to doo the works of faith acceptable to thee especiallie so to cloath the naked and after my power to releeue the needie that when I shall depart hence naked and bare as euer I was borne and shall carie awaie nothing of all my labours yet in thy sight at the generall iudgement daie I may not appeere naked of good works or void of the marriage garment of faith and the gifts of grace through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Naked came I out of my mothers wombe and naked shall I returne thither Blessed be the name of the Lord. Iob. 1 21. Putting on your neerest garment praie thus PUt vpon me O Lord the pure garment of the innocencie and holines of Christ my Sauior O couer thou my nakednesse and shame with the fine linnen robe of his righteousnesse and vertue so shall not my filthinesse be discouered vnto mine enimies for them to gaze and laugh at as cursed Cham did at the nakednesse of his father Noah Yea make thou my linnen cloaths as white as snowe and shining like the light that I maie be of the number of those that haue beene called from the beginning of the world and shall be sanctified that haue departed from the shadowe of the world and shall receiue glorious garments euen of those holie ones I saie that haue put off the mortall cloathing and haue put on the immortall which haue confessed thee O God and thy Christ and are alreadie crowned with glorie and haue receiued palmes of victorie in their hands triumphing ouer all their enimies and policies of this world So be it Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments cleane and white least he walke naked and men see his filthinesse Reuel 16 15. Or praie thus LOrd send me a ioifull resurrection and while I liue giue me grace so to ouercome the temptations of flesh and bloud and Christianlie to confesse thy holie name that in the last generall daie of thy iudgement I maie be found among the number of thine elect seruants which shall stand on thy right hand and being clad with the long white robes and shining raines of the righteousnesse of thy Saints who haue hated euen the garments spotted by the flesh and kept their consciences vnpolluted with sinne and haue made their long garments white and cleane in the bloud of the Lambe Christ I may togither with them enter into the holie citie and remaine in the presence of the throne of God and serue thee ioifullie daie and night in thy holie temple for euer and euer Amen At all times let thy garments be white and thy works please God Eccles 9 7. Meditation THinke now how the children of GOD while they are burdened in this earthlie tabernacle sigh desiring to be
by the illusion of the diuell or else by frailtie of mine owne flesh trespassing against thy godlie Maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deede And I most hartilie thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen me this night and that to the innumerable benefits hitherto powred vpon my soule and bodie thou hast vouchsafed to preserue me this night past from sudden death and all other euill and mischiefe spirituall and corporall that anie person man or woman hath beene striken withall by thy permission and sufferance knowing of a suretie that the selfe-same or such like had worthilie light on my head also haddest not thou defended and preserued me and giuen me time to amend my life so that I might liue henceforth not as I will but as thou wilt And now seeing thou O almightie God and most mercifull father in the tables of the commandements deliuered to the hands of thy seruant Moses vpon the mount Sina among other precepts diddest giue charge vnto thy chosen children of Israel that in sixe daies they should doo all such works and aaffaires as they had to doo and rest from labour the seuenth daie graunt I beseech thee blessed father that siuce I haue by thy mercie happilie passed ouer this whole weeke vnder thy gratious protection I may not onelie rest this daie from my dailie trauels but that I may abstaine also from the works of sinne and iniquitie and sanctifie this daie wholie vnto thee with praiers and thankes-giuing abounding in all works of loue and charitie as thou hast commanded in thy holie word that I may be found pure without spot or blemish at that daie when thy Sonne Iesus Christ shall come to iudge the world with righteousnesse and equitie And forasmuch as thou hast ordeined this daie among the rest wherein we should meete all together with brotherlie loue and affection to yeeld thee praises for the innnumerable benefits we haue receiued at thy hand to acknowledge thy fatherlie loue and pitie towards vs from time to time and to giue thee thanks in generall for all and vniuersall thy benefits hitherto bestowed vpon vs I beseech thee to grant me thy holie spirit that I may be the more zealouslie inflamed to serue thee in true holinesse and integritie of life and by the operation of that spirit I may kill all carnall lusts vnlawfull pleasures concupiscence and all other spots of vncleannesse whereby I may be made thy child by adoption and grace and my bodie the temple of the holie Ghost being throughlie purged and purified from the dregs of iniquitie and abhomination Giue me grace most mercifull Father to spend this daie to thy pleasure in all good works of the spirit and charitie proceeding from an vndefiled faith in Christ Iesu that I fall not into anie kind of danger but that all my dooings may be ordered by thy gouernance to doo alwaies that is righteous in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another Morning praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and mercifull God eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three in persons one in substance God in verie deede and from euerlasting I extoll thy sacred Maiestie I praise thine vnspeakeable mercie thy diuine truth I exceedingly commend for that of thy fatherlie and woonderfull goodnesse thou hast protected me this night vnder the shadowe of thy wings Yea thou also hast made me quietlie to take my rest notwithstanding the dangerous snares of my deadlie enimie the diuell Thou art the God which exaltest vs from the gates of the shadowe of death and from the power of darknesse thou deliuerest vs. Therefore I will acknowledge thee for thy goodnes and for the woonderfull things which thou dooest among the sonnes of men I will magnifie thee in the great congregation and among much people will I praise thee My hart is readie O my God my hart is readie I will praise thee O Lord among the people and sing to thee among the nations For thy mercie is aboue the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds I will not hide thy mercie and truth in the great congregation bicause it is a good thing to praise the Lord and to sing to thee O thou most high to declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me praise his holie name Which forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thine infirmities Which redeemeth thy life from destruction crowneth thee with mercie and compassion Which satisfieth thy longing with good things and protecteth thee from thy youth Which also hath kept all my bones this night not one of them is broken To the King euerlasting immortall inuisible and onlie wise God be honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen VNto thee O Lord doo I lift vp my soule O God earlie will I seeke thee my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh lusteth after thee in a barren and drie land where no water is to see thy strength and glorie O eternall God which hast brought me to the beginning of this daie defend me with thy mightie power that this daie I fall into no sinne nor run into anie kind of danger but let all my cogitations words and works tend to the setting foorth of thy righteousnesse Lighten my mind this morning with the shining and clearnesse of thy wisdome that in my hart that true daie-star may rise and shine as it were a candle in a darke place Giue me the spirit of wisdome and reuelation in the knowledge of thee and lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that I may knowe what my hope is how great the glorie of mine inheritance and what the excellent greatnesse of thy power towards me is Fill me with thy mercie in this morning so shall I be glad and reioice all my life long Mercifull God endue me with thine holie spirit that I may neither thinke speake or doo anie thing this daie but that which may please thee and tend to the aduancement of thy glorie and health of my soule Gouerne thou mine vnderstanding and will and so direct all the cogitations of my hart that I may wholie be thine and sauour of nothing besides thee my God and redeemer Teach mee the waie of thy commandements O Lord and I will keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding to keepe thy lawes and to loue thee my Lord and God with all my hart with all my soule and with all my strength and let all thy testimonies be my delight and counsellers Comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord haue I lifted vp my soule For thou Lord art good and gentle and of great kindnesse to as manie as call vpon thee Behold O God earlie now this morning I doo offer my selfe a morning sacrifice vnto thee a troubled spirit a broken and an humble hart O Lord thou wilt not despise Make me fit that I may likewise dailie offer vp
Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or saie thus as you enter into the Church O How amiable are thy dwellings thou LORD of hosts My soule hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord my hart and my flesh reioice in the liuing God When shall I enter in to behold thy face When shall I come to appeare before thy presence O God For one daie in thy courts is better than a thousand else where I had rather be a doore-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the vngodlie Yea like as the Hart desireth the water brookes so longeth my soule after thee O God My soule is a thirst for God yea euen for the liuing God Now therfore I come into thy house O Lord euen vpon the multitude of thy mercies and in thy feare doo I enter thy tabernacle and will worship thee God grant it according to thy will Amen As you passe by the people in the Church vnto your Pue salute the congregation and saie PEace be within thy wals O Ierusalem and plentiousnesse within thy palaces For my brethren and companions sakes I will praie for thy peace and wish thee now prosperitie yea bicause of the house of the Lord our God I will seeke to doo thee good and saie Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord. The Lord prosper you I wish you good lucke in the name of the Lord So be it Being placed in your Pue call to mind these sentences of holie Scripture following IT is written My house shall be called a house of praier vnto all nations but ye haue made it a den of theeues and an house of marchandise Matth. 21 verse 13. Ye shall keepe my Saboths and feare with reuerence my Sanctuarie I am the Lord. Leuit. 19 verse 30. Holinesse becommeth Gods house for euer Ps 93 ver 5. The Lord will vtterlie destroie euerie enimie that doth euill in his Sanctuarie that prophaneth his holie temple polluteth the dwelling place of his name Psal 74 verse 3. When thou commest into the house of God therefore keepe thy foote and drawe nigh that God which is at hand may heare that thou giue not the offerings of fooles For they knowe not but to doo euill Eccles 4 verse 17. Be not hastie with thy mouth I saie and let not thine hart speake anie thing rashlie before God For God is in heauen and thou vpon earth therefore let thy words be few Eccl. 5 verse 1. A Meditation wherein is shewed how we ought to be verie intentiue to the Psalmes and praiers in the Church WHen thou entrest the temple to pray or sing Psalmes leaue behind thee the heapes of wauering thoughts and forget vtterlie the care of outward things that thou maist giue all thine attendance to diuine matters For it is vnpossible for him to speake with God that talketh with the whole world in silence Intend thou him that intendeth thee heare him when he speaketh to thee that he may hearken to thee when thou praiest to him so shalt thou shew a carefull and due reuerence in magnifieng God and a christian attendance in giuing heed to his holie word Understand not this as though I performed that I speake of yet I striue to doo it repenting the omission of it in time past and sorowing that I am not able to attaine it presentlie But thou to whom God hath beene more liberall of his graces inclined his sacred eares towards thee with hartie praiers in sighs and teares beseech him most humblie to pardon thee all thy riots and excesse Extoll and magnifie him in the excellencie of his works with spirituall songs For this is most pleasing to the mightie Iehoua as him selfe doth witnesse The sacrifice of praise shall honour me O how happie wert thou if it were granted thee to behold with spirituall eies the araie of the celestiall princes that go before them that praise God in the midst of the damsels plaieng with their Timbrels Thou shouldest see doubtlesse with what endeuour and cheerefulnesse they accompanie them in singing assist them in praier in meditation comfort them protect them in time of rest direct them in all their affaires and businesse Uerelie the heauenlie powers doo loue their felowe-citizens and doo exceedinglie ioie in the societie of those that are free heires of saluation they with longing looke for our comming and earnestlie attend that the ruines and dis-peopling of their heauenlie citie may be filled vp againe in the multitude of our companies They doo curiouslie inquire and willinglie heare all good of vs. They be carefull messengers betweene God and vs and beare a faithfull witnesse of our dooing They disdaine not now to be our seruants that shall be our felowes we haue made them reioice in our conuersion and repentance Let vs haste then to fulfill their ioies ouer vs. Wo be vnto thee then that louest a returne to thy vomit and impuritie Dooest thou thinke to haue those witnesse for thee in iudgement whom thou hast bereaued of so great and long hoped-for ioie They reioiced ouer vs when we gaue our names first to Christ as if they had seene vs pulled out of hell gates But what will they doo then when they shall see those turned backe from the gate of Paradise who had alreadie almost one foote in heauen Wherefore though our bodies be on earth let vs set our harts on the highest heauens let vs run thither not with bodilie members but with spirituall affections desires and longing where not the angels onlie but the Creator of angels doth long looke for vs. God the father looketh for vs as his owne sonnes and heires to commit the rule of all his treasure vnto vs. God the sonne looketh for vs as his deere german brothers and coparteners that he may present God his father with the fruite of his natiuitie and price of his owne bloud The holie Ghost also looketh for vs for he verelie is that bountie and benignitie wherein from euerlasting we were predestinate to saluation and no doubt he wisheth our predestination accomplished Seeing then the whole court of heauen doth so earnestlie looke and wish for vs let vs with all zealous affection seeke after it For with great shame and a large cōfusion shall he come thither that is lead with a cold and luke-warme desire but whosoeuer in the strength of continuall praier and dailie meditation is alwaie conuersant there shall both from hence depart with securitie and there be receiued with triumphing ioie Therefore wheresoeuer thou be still praie within thy selfe If thou chance to be far from thy closet seeke no place For thou to thy selfe art a place If thou be in thy bed praie and praie often in the temple And in prostrating thy bodie lift vp thy mind to God For as there is no time wherein we doo not vse and enioie the goodnesse mercie of God so there ought to be no moment wherein his almightinesse ought not to
possesse our memorie But thou wilt saie I praie continuallie and yet I see no fruit of my praier as I come vnto it so I depart none answereth or speaketh vnto me nothing is giuen me but my labour seemeth vaine This is the speech of humane follie not obseruing what truth it selfe promiseth saieng Uerelie I saie vnto you whatsoeuer ye aske in praier with faith yee shall receiue it and it shall be performed vnto you Esteeme not lightlie therfore of praier For he to whome thou praiest hath it in price and before it proceed from thy mouth commandeth it to be registred in his owne booke One of these two we may vndoubtedlie hope for that either he will giue vs our requests or better Thinke of God as highlie as thou art able and yet beleeue more of him than thou canst thinke All the time wherein thou thinkest not vpon God esteeme it lost all other things be foraigne vnto vs time onlie is our owne Attend therefore vpon God and wheresoeuer thou art be all with him Impart but giue not vp thy selfe to worldlie affaires Wheresoeuer thou art cast thy thoughts vpon God No place is vnfit for meditation Therefore with all cheerefulnesse gather vp thy spirits dwell at libertie with thy selfe and out of the largenesse of thy heart measure out a lodging for thy Lord Christ A wise mans mind is alwaie with God He ought to be alwaies in our sight by whome we haue our being life and knowledge He is the author of our being the teacher of our vnderstanding the treasure of our spirituall and ioifull happinesse Heerein we may acknowledge the diuine image of the heauenlie Trinitie For as he hath his being in excellencie of wisdome and goodnesse so we according to our creation haue our subsistence being endued also with reason and delight in knowledge as a signature and impression of the diuine Maiestie Esteeme therefore of thy selfe as of the temple of God seeing it pleased him to impart his likenesse to thee as a high renowne to adore and imitate God Thou dooest imitate him if thou be holie as he is holie For a holie mind is the temple of God and a sincere hart the most acceptable aultar Thou dooest adore God if thou be mercifull euen as he is mercifull to all For it is a pleasing sacrifice to God to gratifie all for the cause of God Doo all things as the sonne of God that thou bee not vnworthie of him that hath vouchsafed to be thy father Knowe that of all thy actions God is a witnesse Beware therefore to fixe thine eie or settle thy thought in anie vnlawfull delight neither speake nor doo anie ill though thou maist Offend not God neither in deede nor purpose For his almightinesse discouereth thy deeds Thou hast neede of a great watch discharging all the actions in the face of the Iudge yet liue thou maist without securitie if thou behaue thy selfe so as he vouchsafe thee his presence If he abide not with thee in fauour he will come vnto thee in reuenge And if he come in reuenge wo be vnto thee nay rather wo if he come not For God is most angrie with him whose sinne he leaueth vnpunished His damnation is prepared whome God reformeth not in fatherlie chasticement Another Meditation to the same effect GOod Lord bee mercifull vnto mee that offend worst where I ought most to mind the reformation of my faults Praieng in the temple oftentimes I heed not what I speak I praie but by the absence of my wandering mind it is made fruitlesse With my bodie I enter into thy temple but my hart standeth without therefore my praier vanisheth awaie For the outward sound of the voice without the inward symphonie of the hart auaileth nothing Then is it a great follie naie madnesse when by praier presuming to speake in presence of the mightie God we doo brutishlie wander in vaine thoughts and arrest our minds vpon verie trifles An heinous offence also and woorthie a greeuous punishment it is that vile dust should not vouchsafe audience to the Creator of the whole world speaking vnto him But the woorthinesse of thy heauenlie bountie is vnspeakable which euerie daie regardeth vs standing in wretchednesse and miserie turning aside our eares and hardening our harts Yet he crieth out vnto vs saieng Returne into the waie yee transgressours attend and see for I am God God speaketh to me in the Psalme and I vnto him yet in repeating the same I regard not whose it is Heerein I offer God great wrong in desiring him to harken vnto my praier which my selfe in making it doo not heare I request him to attend me and I neither intend him nor my selfe but that which worsse is I doo violate his sacred presence with vnpure and vnprofitable thoughts Haue mercie vpon me pardon mine offences and renew mee with thy holie Spirit that in all my Praiers Psalmes Songs and Hymnes I may both saie and sing to the honor and glorie of thy name Amen ¶ Heere as time will conuenientlie serue before Common praier begin make your priuate petitions vnto Almightie God and saie A salutation to God the Father or first forme of praier when yee kneele downe in the Church HAile our Father GOD Almightie full of grace mercie and comfort Thy Sonne Iesus Christ verie God and man is with thee in heauen Blessed be thy name O Father both in heauen aboue and in earth amongst all nations by thine onlie sonne our Lord Amen Another first forme of praier in the Church at Morning praier O Most high and blessed Trinitie the verie Father Sonne holie Ghost three glorious and vnseparable persons in Trinitie and but one God in Deitie vncreate incomprehensible eternall inuisible and almightie one being power wisdome goodnesse and Lord of coequall coeternall and vndefiled Maiestie who before all worlds in all worlds and by all worlds into euerlasting dooest liue and dwellest alone in vnapprochable light with all my verie hart and mouth doo I beeing the least member of thy Church fall downe lowe on my knees heere before thy footestoole and confesse praise blesse and worship thee O glorious Trinitie And now and euer with all Angels creatures and Elders both in heauen and earth I crie and saie Holie Holie Holie Lord God of hostes dreadfull strong righteous mercifull maruellous praise-worthie to be beloued Heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O God for euer Amen A praier that God would vouchsafe to heare the praiers of the Congregation afflicted and graunt their requests OH Lord my God most high most holie holie holie Lord God of Sabaoth most blessed and glorious Trinitie Father Sonne and holie Ghost three glorious persons of coequall and consubstantiall Maiestie and one almightie and incomprehensible God in Deitie alwais by all meanes of all creatures aboue all things to be woorshipped in Unitie and glorified in Deitie looke downe from thy kinglie court and princelie pallace where thou art placed in the
such things as be allowed and pleasant vnto thee least at anie time cleauing to superstition and hypocrisie I doo worship thee amisse but fill my hart with grace and stuffe it with sweetnesse of spirit euen as my bodie is stuffed with abundance of meats Lord rid me out of mine vngodlinesse plucke from me mine ignorance of thee banish my slothfulnesse of insearching thee Compell my flesh through thy spirit to his bounden dutie and obedience and bring to passe that I may now alwaies applie my selfe wholie without wearinesse and drinesse of mind vnto the right sincere worshipping and seruing of thee here in thy presence O Lord open thou my lips and then shall my mouth extoll thy renowmed name and publish thy praise not with fained lips but with a full glad hart lustie stomach and quicke spirit and saie with the congregation Our Father c. As at euening praier in the Church Another Meditation before Euening praier in the Church SEing thou hast beautified all those with a notable promise O most mightie God which are knit together in the honouring of thy blessed name so that thou wilt not onlie be present with them but also bestowest excellent gifts and benefits vpon these men whosoeuer they are that excell in sincere faith and pure godlinesse and haue an exceeding desire to be often in the blessed congregation in so much as there is nothing which they more couet or desire than to appeare diuers times in the daie before thee in the sacred assemblies yea it ought to be a most pleasant thing vnto vs to celebrate thy high praises perpetuallie and shew foorth thy maruellous works without ceasing For the performance whereof godlinesse would require that wee should not onlie doo the same in the daie time but also in the night season We will therefore lift vp pure hands in all places touching the publishing of thy glorious name and render perpetuall thankes according to our bounden dutie for thine vnspeakable goodnesse and louing kindnesse extended towards vs. But seeing that this ought to be done in the most sacred and holie assemblies our earnest request is to haue thee present heere with vs and to bestowe thy plentifull blessings vpon thy beloued Israel First deliuer vs wee humblie beseech thee from our heinous faults enorme sinnes and lewd corruptions wherewith we haue greatlie defiled our selues And then let our weake and feeble harts be strengthned in thy blessed waie and the withered powers of our mind which are dried vp watered with the holie Ghost that we being altogither repaired and wholie renewed may continuallie celebrate and praise thee and haue a great desire to direct our praiers vnto thy mercie-seate with a most holie intent as Christians ought to doo Cause vs now not constrained and brought thereto by compulsion but of a willing hart to come before thy presence and become true worshippers of thee yea and such as doo thinke it a goodlie matter to spend not onlie houres but daies and nights yea and all our yeares and life in the sincere seruice and right worshipping and honouring of thee in the sacred Church Let nothing be so deere and pretious vnto vs as to continue in the praises and commendations of thy glorious name from morning to night praieng both publikelie and priuatelie for all other as well as for our selues Graunt O excellent father that we in giuing due thanks for thy benefits may ioifullie sing double praises to thy glorious name for euermore that our minds I saie may dailie more and more bee strengthened hartilie to confesse couragiouslie to extoll and aboue all things to exalt thy wonderfull praises vncessantlie through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Psalme of exhortation to praier in the morning or euening O Come let vs worship fall downe and kneele before the Lord our maker and let vs hartilie reioice in the strength of our saluation Let our soules reioice I saie in the mercie of the Lord and not be ashamed to publish his praise Let vs doo our duties betimes both earlie and late and he will giue vs a reward in his due time For a good thing it is to giue thanks vnto the Lord and to tell of his louing kindnesse earlie in the morning O come therefore praise the Lord with me and let vs magnifie his name together Bring hither the booke take the Psalter and sing vnto the Lord a new song Let vs sing praises I saie lustilie vnto him with a good courage and shew our selues glad in him with Psalmes euen now in the time appointed and vpon our solemne feast-daie For great is the Lord and highlie to be praised in the Citie of our God euen vpon his holie hill of Zion Glorie be to the c. As it was in the c. Another Psalme exhorting all creatures to praise God O Praise the Lord of heauen yee Angels of his ye Saincts that excell in strength and fulfill his commandements yee seruants of his that harken to the voice of his words and doo his pleasure Praise him in the height ye children of Zion and be ioifull in your King with glorie For God is verie greatlie to be feared in the counsell of his Saincts and to be had in reuerence of all them that are about him Praise him all yee heauens and ye waters that bee aboue the heauens O God the verie heauens shall praise thy woonderous works and thy truth in the congregation of the Saincts Yea let heauen and earth praise thee the Sea and all that moueth therein O sing vnto the Lord all the whole earth woorship him and stand in awe of his iudgements ye multitude of Isles Praise the Lord O Ierusalem praise thy God O Zion Praise the name of the Lord O yee seruants of the Lord yee that by daie or by night stand in the house of the Lord euen in the courts of the house of our God O all yee righteous that loue and seeke the Lord and be true-harted towards him praise his holie name and magnifie him all yee seed of Israel that feare and dread his Maiestie Praise the Lord also all ye heathen and nations of the world worship you him and glorifie his name For he is great passing all praise Praise the Lord O ye Kings of the earth Princes and all Iudges of the world yea worship him all yee gods For he is higher than the heauens and far exalted aboue all gods O yee kindreds of the people ascribe vnto the Lord the worship power and honour due vnto his name bring presents and come into his courts with praise Let the people praise thee O God yea let all the people praise thee both yong men and maids old men and children let them all remember thy holie name and declare thy power from one generation to another world without end O speake good of the Lord all yee works of the Lord in all places of his dominion Let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord. For his
I beseech thee vouchsafe to come vnto me and to make me a meet temple for thine holinesse I doo praie the Father through the Sonne I praie the Sonne through the Father I praie the holie Spirit by the Father and the Sonne that all wickednesse may be set far awaie from me and that all the holie vertues may be implanted within me O infinite God of whom through whom and in whom are all things made both visible and inuisible which inclosest thine outward works and fillest thine inward gouernest them aboue and bearest them belowe keepe me the worke of thine hands which trust in thee and hope onlie in thy mercie Keepe me I beseech thee both here and euerie-where now and alwaie within and without before and behind aboue and beneath round about so that there be no place for the snares of the enimie against me Thou art God almightie keeper and protector of all that trust in thee without whom none is in safetie no man is free from danger Thou art God and beside thee there is none other either in heauen aboue or in earth belowe which doost great things and vnsearchable and maruellous things without number Meete it is therefore that thou be praised that thou be honored that thou be magnified with commendations To thee the whole troupe of Angels to thee the heauens and the powers doo sing and continuallie yeeld praises as creatures to their Creator seruants to their Lord souldiers to their King Euerie creature doth extoll and euerie soule doth glorifie thee the holie and vndefiled Trinitie To thee the holie and humble men of hart to thee the spirits and soules of the righteous to thee doo all the supernall citizens together with all the orders of blessed spirits yeeld humble praise and glorie and exalt thee aboue all things for euer O Lord gloriouslie and honourablie doo those heauenlie citizens adorne thee with praises Man also the most excellent among thy creatures doth magnifie thee yea and I too a miserable sinner doo exceedinglie desire to praise thee and greatlie doo I loue to loue thee aboue all things O my God my life my strength and my praise giue me grace to praise thee Put thy light in my hart and thy word into my mouth that both my hart may thinke vpon thy glorie and my tongue sing and speake out thy praises euerie daie But for as much as praise is not seemelie in the mouth of a sinner and I am a woman of polluted lips purge mine hart I beseech thee from all iniquitie sanctifie me both within and without O almightie sanctifier and make me worthie to sound foorth thy praise Receiue in good part from the hand of the hart and from the loue of the mind receiue I praie thee the sacrifice of my lips and let it be acceptable in thy sight and ascend vp vnto thee like a sweete smelling sauour Amen Another MY soule praise thou the Lord and all that is within me praise his holie name My soule praise thou the Lord and forget not all his benefits Praise the Lord all yee his works in all places of his dominion My soule praise thou the Lord. Praise we the Lord whom Angels praise dominions adore powers doo reuerence to whom the Cherubins and Seraphins continuallie doo crie Holie holie holie Ioine we therefore our voices to the voices of the holie Angels and according to our abilitie let vs praise the God which we both haue For they whose eies euermore be fixed vpon the Lord whom they behold not through a glasse darklie but face vnto face they doo most purelie and without ceasing praise the Lord. O Lord that immortall people of thine Angels doo praise thee and the celestiall powers doo magnifie thy name who haue no need either to read this our scripture or to seeke after the knowledge of thee the holie and glorious Trinitie For they alwaies behold thy face where they read without syllables of time what thine eternall pleasure is they read they choose and they loue yea alwaies they read and what they read they forget not By choosing and louing they read this constancie of thy counsell and their booke shall at no time be shut and folded bicause thy selfe art and wilt euerlastinglie be this to them O much blessed are those heauenlie powers that can religiouslie and purelie with an exceeding delight and vnspeakable ioie magnifie thee with praises Thence they praise whence they reioice forsomuch as alwaies they behold that which offereth them continuall occasion both to praise and reioice But we pressed downe with the weight of flesh and placed far awaie from thy countenance in this exile and distracted through varieties of the world we alas are not able woorthilie to praise thee through faith We praise thee not of perfect knowledge but these angelicall spirits praise thee of knowledge not through faith For our flesh is the cause why we praise thee otherwise than they doo Notwithstanding albeit we sing praises to thee after diuers sorts yet thou art but one God Creator of all things to whom is offered the sacrifice of praise both in heauen and in earth But one daie we shall come vnto their companie with whom alwaies we shall see thee and praise thee without ceasing Now then O Lord grant that whiles I doo liue in this fraile bodie both mine hart and my tongue and all my bones may glorifie thee and saie Lord who is like vnto thee Let thine holie memorie and thy blessed sweetnesse possesse my whole soule and rauish me with desire of inuisible things Let my soule I beseech thee passe from visible vnto inuisible from terrestriall vnto heauenlie from transitorie things vnto eternall let it passe I saie and see thy woonderfull vision Thou art God almightie three in persons yet but one in the substance of the Godhead whom we serue and worship namelie the Father vnbegotten the Sonne onlie begotten of the Father the holie Spirit both proceeding from and remaining in them both an holie glorious Trinitie one God almightie which when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when thorough our owne default we were lost mercifullie and maruellouslie hadst deliuered vs. Oh suffer vs not to prooue either vngratefull for so great benefits or vnwoorthie so manifold mercies Unto thee doo I praie sue and beseech increase my faith increase my hope yea and increase my loue also Through the same thy goodnesse make vs to be euermore stable in faith and fruitfull in all good works that by a right faith and works agreeable vnto faith we may come through thy mercie vnto euerlasting life where seeing thy perfect and full glorie euen as it is we may worship thy Maiestie and being made woorthie to behold thy glorie may sing Glorie to the Father who hath made vs. Glorie to the Sonne who hath redeemed vs. Glorie to the holie Ghost that hath sanctified vs. Glorie to the souereigne and blessed Trinitie whose works are vnseparable and whose kingdome hath none end Unto thee
age of the fulnesse of Christ which is the head by whom the whole bodie being coupled and knit together by euerie ioint for the furniture thereof according to the effectuall power which is in the measure of euerie part receiueth increase of the bodie vnto the edifieng of it selfe in loue O most holie Father keepe vs by thy name that wee may be one in thee and that among vs which are beleeuers there may be one hart and one mind O Christ our onlie Sauiour and Mediatour which before thy passion didst praie that we might be one in thee euen as thou art in thy Father grant that thy Church may be at concord and agree in one true faith and confession Let there continue among vs a godlie counsell let there be one agreement in faith one mind in praier that we may growe vp in thee and that all our harts may be coupled togither by the bond of the spirit vsing thy gifts as they should be to the aduancement of thy glorie and to the common profit both of thy Church and Common-weale and walking woorthie our calling wherevnto we are called with all humilitie and gentlenesse with all lenitie forbearing one another through charitie being carefull to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace Represse the furiousnesse of Satan which soweth dissention among thy flocke to weaken our faith and to hinder our praiers whereby thy glorie is defaced Grant therefore that we prooue not desirous of vaine glorie prouoking one another and enuieng one another that we bite not one another to our destruction For of emulation springeth contention which being once inflamed boile out into mortall diuisions And as manie as maintaine emulations contentions and factions are carnall and walke as men Wherefore take from vs the zeale of the flesh which is foolish and let all enuie wrath pride and arrogancie be far from vs. Likewise let vs auoid foolish and vnlearned questions knowing that they engender strife and contention and serue for nothing but to the subuerting of the hearers ingraffing of errors Where a desire of strife is there certainlie God dwelleth not and they which raise tumults of nothing and disquiet thy flocke those wilt thou O sonne of God destroie Come holie spirit replenish the harts of the faithfull here assembled and else where and inflame in them the fire of thy loue which once didst gather the nations into the vnitie of the faith through the diuersitie of tongues Ioine our harts togither that wee may nourish christian concord among vs and that wee all glued as it were together in louing harts may be of one mind in thee so shall thy pure doctrine zealouslie be mainteined and no false interpretation of the scripture obstinatelie be defended Bring home to thy fold all such as are turned from the vnitie of true religion that thrre may be one pastor and one fold To such as are gone out from vs grant constancie that they may continue with vs teaching the Gospell to the saluation of the hearers And if it happen that anie contrarie to the doctrine which they haue learned raise dissention and offences grant that we may auoid them least the harts of the simple through their sweet persuasions and flatterie be deceiued O God author of peace and concord giue grace that euerie of vs may thinke the same thing acording to our Sauior Christ Amen ⧠The Letanie O God the Father of heauen haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Father of heauen haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer of the world haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer c. O God the holie Ghost proceeding from the Father the Sonne haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holie Ghost proceeding from c. O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three persons and one God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sinnes spare vs good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most pretious bloud and be not angrie with vs for euer Spare vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from the crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnesse of hart from pride vaine glorie and hypocrisie from enuie hatred and malice and all vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and all other deadlie sinnes and from all the deceits of the world the flesh the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightening and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battell and murther and from sudden death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of hart and contempt of thy word and commandement Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mysterie of thy holie incarnation by thy holie natiuitie and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agonie and bloudie sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy pretious death and buriall by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the comming of the holie Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the daie of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners doo beseeth thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holie Church vniuersallie in the right waie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to keepe and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and Gouernour We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to rule hir hart in thy faith feare and loue and that she may euermore haue affiance in thee and euer seeke thy honour and glorie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to be hir defender and keeper giuing hir the victorie ouer all hir enimies We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of thy Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy word and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it foorth and shew it accordinglie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the counsell and all the Nobilitie with grace wisdome and vnderstanding We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to mainteine truth We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe all thy people We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue to all nations
heare the praiers of thy people which they shall make in this place of thy holie temple behold now that thou hast shut vp heauen and there is no raine giuen vnto the earth but a drought doth vtterlie destroie the fruites of the earth for our sinnes and iniquities we come vnto thee and confesse our sinnes wherewith we haue prouoked thee thus to anger against vs and thy creatures for our sakes We I saie whome thou dooest iustlie thus afflict with drought and barrennesse of the earth returne vnto thee with all our harts in fasting weeping and mourning beseeching thee by hartie and earnest praier to haue mercie vpon vs and deale not with vs as we haue righteouslie deserued Heare thou now in heauen and pardon the sinnes of thy seruants and giue raine vnto the land that thou hast giuen the people to inhabit Heare O Lord I saie the crie of man and beast and open the treasures of the heauens and giue vnto vs moderate showres to water the earth that our cattell may bee satisfied and our drought ceasse Oh Lord hast thou vtterlie reiected vs or doth thy soule abhorre thy people for euer that thou hast so long plagued vs with drought and want of water Our iniquities in deede testifie against vs and our rebellions are more than can be numbred For we haue sinned against heauen and against thee and haue beene verie noisome to the earth and all thy creatures therin But O Lord thou hope of Israel thou comfort helpe and sauiour of all that are in trouble haue mercie vpon vs haue mercie vpon vs and doo not abhorre vs nor cast vs off for euer O Lord are there anie among the gods of the Gentiles that can send raine Or can the heauens of themselues giue showres to the earth Is it not onlie thou O Lord our God which hast made heauen and earth and dooest all things by thy mightie power that must doo it O saue the people therefore that call vpon thee O let the daie come wherein thou wilt vouchsafe to heare vs O Lord when I saie thou wilt heare the heauens and the heauens may heare the earth the earth heare the corne and the wine and the oile and they all heare one another and thou heare Israel that thou maist haue mercie vpon vs and cause to come downe for vs the raine euen the first raine and the latter raine in the first and second moneths in due seasons vpon the earth that our barns may be full of wheate and our presses abound with wine and oile our cattell serue to labour by thy blessing that both man beast may cease their mourning and haue cause to reioice in thy mercie Graunt vs this O father for Iesus Christs sake our onlie mediator and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie now and for euer Amen Another praier for the fruits of the earth O Lord God almightie King of heauen and earth which of thine abundant goodnesse doost adorne and replenish the earth with all kind of fruit and graine whereby the life both of man and beast is susteined we beseech thee euen for thy free mercie that thou wouldest vouchsafe to blesse our feelds and ground and to make them prosperouslie to yeeld their corne and increase For without thy blessing and fauour neither can the earth of it selfe bring foorth anie whit nor we by our paines make the same to prosper Wherefore grant to all things springing from the earth a meet temperature of aire that luckilie they may take and increase Keepe our fruit vpon the face of the earth from all infection of the aire from thunder haile from vntimelie showers from too great drinesse and ouermuch heate from woormes hurtfull and beasts deuouring it before their prime and from all other corruption that our land in thine anger be not desolate and denie vs fruit enioieng hir wofull Sabboth Shut not vp the heauens in thine indignation for our sinnes that it be not as iron nor the earth as brasse wherby it can not be tilled ploughed nor sowne and so come to a verie plaine and vtter wildernesse but of thy goodnesse giue vs both the earlie and latter raine that we may haue abundance of all fruit and a ioifull haruest with a plentifull vintage O God send a gratious raine vpon thine inheritance and giue thy blessing that our ground may bring foorth hir fruit Cause thy raine to powre downe in due season that it may be raine of blessing whereby both trees may giue their fruit the ground yeeld foorth hir graine Grant also that the aire be pure from infection our bodies free from sicknesse to our whole Realme peace and quietnesse that safelie without trouble we may enioie thy gifts Driue awaie and repell from vs malediction and the destroier Giue vs not in stead of raine dust and ashes but open thy good treasures and visit the land with thy blessing make it drunken and enrich it abundantlie Thy riuer O Lord is full of water prepare our corne and dispose our earth to prosper water abundantlie the furrowes of the same and cause the raine to descend into the vallies thereof make the same soft with showers and blesse our buds Crowne the yeere with thy goodnesse and let thy clouds drop fatnesse let them drop vpon the pastures of the wildernesse and make the little hils reioice on euerie side Let the plaines be replenished with sheepe and the vallies with corne that the inhabitants of the earth may reioice and be merie O Lord thou causest grasse to growe for cattell and herbs for y e vse of man thou bringest foorth bread out of the earth wine to make glad the hart of man oile to make the countenance cheerfull bread for to strengthen the hart Haue therefore a care O heauenlie Father of the seed and other things springing from the earth keepe them both in cold raine ice and snowe from the beating of winds and iniurie of weather Preserue them in extreame heat drinesse moistnesse and such like that they perish not afore their time Roote out the destroier that there be neither blasting mildew nor grashopper neither caterpiller hurting the fruits of the earth Keepe vs O Lord in the time of dearth that we perish not for hunger nor be confounded in the perilous time For thou art our God and Creator which satisfiest the thirstie soule and fillest the hungrie with goodnesse which hast said I will not faile neither forsake thee whereby being faithfull we may saie The Lord is with vs therefore we will not feare what man can doo vnto vs. Behold we miserable great sinners doo confesse our wickednes with groning griefe of hart crieng vnto thee which art in heauen Heare our praiers in thy dwelling place be mercifull to thy people which haue sinned against thee and forgiue vs all our iniquities wherein we haue transgressed against thee By our sinnes wee haue brought all these
c. Another praier to be said in the time of the plague sicknesse and mortalitie O Lord our God great and fearefull art thou keeping couenant and mercie with them that loue thee and keepe thy commandements We haue sinned O Lord and haue committed iniquitie We haue don wickedlie yea wee haue rebelled and haue departed from thy iudgements We haue not obeied thy seruants the Prophets which spake in thy name to our kings and princes to our forefathers and to all the people of the land O Lord righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee but vnto vs open shame and confusion as it is come to passe this daie by the plague and sicknesse reigning among vs and among all the dwellers of this land because of the sins which we haue done against thee Unto thee O Lord and God pertaineth compassion and forgiuenesse though we haue rebelled against thee We haue not obeied thy voice to walke in the lawes which thou hast laid before vs. We haue hitherto despised thy diuine word yea we haue loathed preaching and haue loased the bridle to all beastlinesse of desires Therefore the cursse and oth which is written in the lawe of Moses thy seruant is powred vpon vs and we through the plague and corrupt aires with burning feauers and greeuous sicknesse are lamentablie consumed euerie daie Yea in our knees and legs are we smitten with most lothsome botches and those incurable from the sole of the foote vnto the top of the head Because we repent not neither obserue all the words written in thy lawe nor feare thy glorious and dreadfull name thou doest according to thy threatnings aforetold increase our plagues the plagues of our seed Thou sendest great plagues and of long continuance euill sicknesse and of long durance Thou bringest vpon vs vncurable diseases all maner of sicknesse and all kinds of plagues besides those written in the booke of the lawe All these plagues according to thy word are come vpon vs yet haue we not praied vnto thee our Lord that we might euerie one turne from our vngodlie waies Therefore hast thou bin wrathfull in punishing vs and in bringing these euils vpon vs. Thou art righteous O Lord and true is thy iudgement O God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ thou hast got thee a glorious name as may appeare this daie O Lord our God we haue sinned we haue done wickedlie we haue behaued our selues vngodlie in all thine ordinances Turne thy wrath away from vs we beseech thee for we are but a few left in this place O Lord God which hast promised that when either pestilence among vs or the aire infected or anie other plague or sicknesse is hot thou wilt heare the praiers and grant the requests of anie man or woman among the people praieng from the bottome of his hart acknowledging his sinnes vnfeinedlie and lifting vp his hands vnto thee thorough Iesus Christ before the throne of grace Be thou mercifull giue vnto euerie man according to all his petitions For thou alone knowest the harts of all the children of men Heare thou our praiers and petitions and deliuer vs from this contagious and deadlie pestilence Command thine Angel which striketh vs to put vp his swoord into the sheath that he strike not to our finall and vtter destruction Proceede not in thy wrath spare vs from death bring not our end by the plague Let the heauens be mild and our dwelling places healthfull least the aire being infected powre downe the contagion thereof vpon vs to our destruction O Lord turne awaie thine hand it is sufficient let now thine hand cease that all the earth may knowe how that thou Lord art our GOD and that we doo call vpon thy name O Lord looke downe from thine holie house vpon vs incline thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold the affliction and mortalitie of thy people For the dead whose spirits are taken awaie giue vnto thee neither praise nor righteousnes but the soule that is vexed for the multitude of hir sins which goeth on heauilie and weaklie whose eies begin to faile yea the hungrie soule is it that ascribeth due praise and righteousnesse vnto thee O Lord. For we powre out our praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight O Lord our God not for anie woorthinesse either of our owne or of our fathers but in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ in whome thou art well pleased we beseech thee be mercifull vnto vs and helpe vs in necessitie Turne thee againe O Lord at the last and be mercifull vnto thy seruants that this poisoned infection maie be taken from vs. Notwithstanding if it be thy pleasure to visit our offences with the rod thy blessed will be done and giue vs grace to beare thy fatherlie correction laid vpon vs patientlie remembring alwaies that we are chastined of thee our Lord in this world that we be not condemned with the reprobate in the world to come Amen A fruitfull Praier verie necessarie to be hartilie said at the appearing of monsters and in anie earthquake or other plagues that God would turne awaie his vengeance hanging ouer vs for our sinnes OH Lord God strong and mightie great and dreadfull which dwellest in the heauens and workest great woonders we thy miserable children here prostrate vpon the earth doo most humblie beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences and to forgiue vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruants for if thou doo there shall no flesh be saued in thy sight We confesse and acknowledge O Lord that it is our sinnes which haue mooued thee to wrath and to shew such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towards vs in these our daies First with fire from heauen betokening thy hot burning indignation and wrathfull displeasure for sinne which aboundeth at this daie and then with such horrible and monstrous shapes against nature as it was neuer seene here in our daies nor in anie time before vs which betoken to vs none other thing but thy plagues to come vpon vs for our degenerate and monstrous life and conuersation and of late by the strange terrible earthquake that shooke or rather that euen vomited vs with fearfull trembling harts and amazed spirits out of our houses which we so shamefully haue polluted and defiled with our vile sinnes and wickednesse and now last of all by the long and great mortalitie plague and pestilence thou doost hast terribly threatened vs fatherlie warned vs and mercifullie called vs to repentance The axe is set to the roote of the tree and if we be not as rotten members without all sense and feeling we may perceiue our fearefull destruction and desolation to be at hand vnlesse we speedilie repent and turne to thee bicause we haue beene so long taught out of thy most holie and sacred word and yet no fruits of true repentance or Christian life will appeare Wo and alas to these our daies that neither preaching by word
most comfortable nor preaching by monsters most ouglie nor preaching by fire most strange nor preaching by earthquakes most terrible neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stirre vp our stonie harts and awake vs from our sinnes We feare oh Lord that the Turks with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing will condemne vs in the last daie which if they had beene so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word and sweete promises of thy Gospell or thy woonders both in heauen and earth which we haue seene no doubt their righteousnes would haue shined at this day to our great shame and confusion Thou hast no lesse warned vs oh Lord of thy fearefull displeasure heauie plagues at hand for our great wickednesse than thou didst the Israelits of the horrible destruction which came vpon them whom thou first in mercie didst call to repentance by the preaching of thy word but when no warning would serue thou didst send them monstrous and fearfull signes and tokens to declare that thy visitation was not farre off But they like vnto vs at this daie did alwaies interpret these things after the imagination of their vaine harts promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads Which things when we doo call to mind for as much as they are written for our learning example warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgments For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deere and chosen children in token of thy great wrath against sinne what shall we looke for who doo no lesse deserue thy fearfull scourge and of mercie it is that thou dooest thus long forbeare vs but liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare and crie unwardlie in our soules Come Lord Iesu holie and true in all thy dooings and shorten our daies bring this our pilgrimage to an end suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sinne vnto the daie of vengeance least we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate which shall neuer see thy louing countenance It maketh vs to crie to thee O Lord let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein we doo nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lord in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thine heauie displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame and confusion though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercie Lord and with fatherlie correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not awaie from vs. To thee we flie for succour vnder the wings of thy mercie shall be our refuge vntill thou turne thy wrathfull countenance from vs. We knowe that thy mercie is aboue all thy works and euen as great as thy selfe therefore will we saie with holie Iob Though thou kill vs yet we put our trust in thee Thou camest to comfort and plucke out of the dungeon of hell such wretches as we are Thou art the good Samaritane that camest to heale our deadlie wounds Thou art that good Physician that camest to cure our mortall infirmities Thou art the good shepheard that camest to seeke vs wandering lost sheepe and to bring vs to thy fold againe And more than that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh and bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations borne the burden of our sinnes Therefore at thy hands we looke for mercie against the daie of vengeance And though thou punish vs yet our hope is and euer shall be that thy rod shall no further touch vs than shall make to thy glorie our commoditie and the strengthening and increase of our faith Let this thy preaching sundrie waies O Lord be sufficient for our warning and grant that we may speedilie and from the bottome of our harts repent endeuour to doo thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy word and frame our liues according to the same that we may here liue in thy feare all the daies of our life and after this our sinfull course is ended may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our onelie redeemer Amen A Psalme of thankes-giuing for deliuerance from the plague or anie other kind of sicknesse trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gratious vnto thy land thou hast turned awaie the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken awaie all thy displeasure turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said Our feete haue slipped thy mercie O Lord helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorowes that we had in our harts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lords word did we reioice in Gods word did we comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon me in the time of trouble and I will heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when we were poore needie sicklie and in heauinesse the Lord cared for vs he was our helpe and our sauiour according to his word In our aduersitie and distresse he hath lifted vp our heads and saued vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth he hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holie temple the oblation of thankes-giuing with great gladnesse wee will sing and speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour We will giue thanks vnto the Lord for he is gratious and his mercie endureth for euer The Lord is full of compassion and mercie long suffering plentious in goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the heauens and his gratious goodnesse reacheth vnto the clouds Like as a father pitieth his owne children euen so is the Lord mercifull vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holie one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes of thankes giuing O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our King For God is the King of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our King we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euerie daie will we giue thanks vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speake the praises of the Lord and let all flesh giue thanks to his holie name for euer and euer Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his Maiestie world without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. In the time of anie particular or
beeing made thine adopted children we may by the sanctification of thy spirit inherit the euerlasting kingdome through the same Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie for the fruits of Baptisme thus MOst heauenlie and eternall father we thy humble seruants entirelie desire thy fatherlie goodnesse that as thou hast begun in vs a newe birth washed vs with the fountaine of regeneration whereby we are made members of thy bodie and elected into the number and felowship of thy Church and congregation so thou wouldest powre vpon vs the grace of thy spirit to direct our liues according to this beginning in holinesse and purenesse that we may mortifie the lusts of the flesh resist the assaults of Sathan and auoide the alurements of the wicked world remembring alwaies that Baptisme doth represent vnto vs our vocation quenching those sparks of concupiscence that we all drawe from the old Adam and quickning vs in those good fruits of Christ our Sauiour who continuallie preserue vs with his holie spirit for euer and euer Amen Or praie for the continuance of the true institution of the Sacraments thus O Most mightie and most mercifull God by whose power the heauens and earth and all things therein are created who hast placed euerie thing in a most excellent order and hast framed man after thine owne similitude and image raising him from hell to heauen from wo to ioie from damnation to saluation and hast giuen him through thy sonne Iesu Christ a most sure bond of thy promise made in the beginning to mankind for the redemption of the world sending thine onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ to performe the same who made one onelie oblation and sacrifice for the sinnes of the whole world and did ordaine and institute two most holie Sacraments to continue the remembrance of the same make vs euer mindfull we beseech thee of these thine inestimable treasures Continue oh Lord this thy fauour towards vs. Let not tyrants preuaile against thy Church but let thy mightie power be shewed that the sacred rites may cōtinue in thy Church that the enimies may be ouerthrowne as the Turke who would vtterlie destroie those most holie Sacraments which thou hast ordeined for our saluation as the Anabaptists which like heretikes alter thy most holie institution as the Atheists who bred in them great corruption Conuert them we beseech thee O Lord and establish vs in the truth of thy holie spirit by thy mightie power that both now and euer wee may continue in the right institution of thy Sacraments which thy Sonne our Sauiour Christ hath left most perfect vnto vs to the endlesse ioie and consolation of our soules To whome therefore with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise world without end Amen Prouerbes 9. verse 1. WIsedome hath built hir house and hewen out hir seauen pillers she hath killed hir victuals drawne hir wine and prepared hir table she hath sent foorth hir virgins and crieth vpon the high places of the citie saieng Who so is simple let him come hither and to him that is destitute of wisedome she saith Come and eate of my meate and drinke of my wine that I haue drawne Canti 5. I AM come saith Christ vnto his spouse the Church into my garden my sister my spouse I gathered my mirrh with my spice I ate my honie-combe with my honie I dranke my wine with my milke Eate ô freends drinke and make ye merrie ô welbeloued Reuelation 19. HAppie and blessed are they which are called vnto the Lambes supper Christian praiers to be said before at and after ye receiue the holie Communion and first An effectuall meditation of the right Christian beleefe in the holie Sacrament of the Lords supper and of the woorthie and fruitefull receiuing the same to our comfort and saluation to be diligentlie read before you receiue O My soule let vs now carefullie consider first whether we bee come namelie to the celestiall table heauenlie banket greate feast costlie repast and sumptuous supper of the most puissant glorious mightie and magnificent King of kinges and Lord of lordes Iesus Christ thy most mercifull maker righteous redeemer souereigne sauiour and deere spouse and that of necessitie as both forced therevnto by his iust commandement and also allured and inuited by his mercifull promises Secondlie O my soule let vs rightlie knowe and diligentlie marke what things are heere presentlie set before vs on this holie Table and prouided for vs in this blessed banket to taste of namelie that the deintie dishes and the refection and meate which we must in verie deede seeke for onelie in this sacred supper are no vaine ceremonies no bare signe no vntrue figure of a thing absent no earthlie bodie no carnall meate nor anie fleshlie substance but as the sacred Scripture saith and other holie men doo rightlie tearme and call them The Bread and Cup of the Lord a heauenlie refection the sweet deinties of our sauiour the nourishment of our soules an inuisible meate a spirituall foode a ghostlie substance which all are heere now most mercifullie offered and exhibited vnto vs and all other faithfull soules as the soueraigne preseruatiue against death the conseruatorie to euerlasting life the comfortable medicine of the soule the salue of immortalitie the pledge of eternall health the defence of faith the hope of the resurrection the memorie of Christ the annuntiation of his death finallie the communion of the bodie and bloud of the Lord Iesus in a maruellous incorporation which by the holie Ghost the verie bond of our perfection with Christ is through faith wrought in the soules of the faithfull whereby not onlie their soules doo liue to eternall life but also they surelie trust to win to their bodies a resurrection to immortalitie In the which also we may not onlie heare see taste and knowe the mercie of God our Creator sealed the sanctification by Christ our redeemer towards vs confirmed the remission of our sinnes through the holie Ghost our comforter and regenerator fullie satisfied and established but also most sensiblie and effectuallie to our further comfort in deed feele wrought in vs the tranquillitie of conscience the increase of faith the strengthening of hope and the long spreading abroad of brotherlie loue and kindnesse with manie other sundrie maruellous graces and benefits of God most profitable vnto vs. Which things well considered and weighed my soule O with what feruent affection and earnest zeale ought they now to inflame our hart and kindle our mind greedilie to couet and desire the participation of these most holie mysteries yea often to long and hunger after this healthsome bread and continuallie thirst for this diuine heauenlie and blessed food Thirdlie and lastlie O my soule let vs aduisedlie call to mind and well vnderstand the cause wherefore wee are now come vnto this holie table of the Lord which indeed is onlie to this end that we should now be godlie ghests not idle gazers hungrie eaters not steruing
creature O Lord whome thou hast redeemed with thy pretious bloud Wo is me that euer I haue offended thee but now I purpose by thy grace to amend my life Take from me therefore O mercifull father all my sinnes and iniquities Cast out of my soule all the filthie fowle matter of the venemous contagion and infection of sinne and by thine ancient and accustomed mercies powre thy heauenlie medicine and preseruatiue of thy loue into my wounds which may refresh and restore me to my former puritie and cleannesse that being purified both in bodie and mind I may deserue and be made fit thorough Christs merits woorthilie to tast of these most holie mysteries Come this daie O Lord and minister vnto my sicke and languishing soule some heauenlie cordiall of comfort not because I am iust but a sinner because not the whole but the sicke haue neede of a Physician O verie true Charitie in which is euerlasting felicitie O the onlie hope of my soule haue mercie vpon me and blot out all my misdeeds Thee doth my hart expect and desire fulfill my lust and longing which thou hast put in me euen as thou wouldest I am thine O Christ forsake me not as vnmeete or a stranger Let thy right hand alwaie preuent me and defend me from all euill Come O Lord whome I wretch haue sore offended and forgiue and forget all mine offences for the which thou hast shead thine owne most pretious hart bloud Come sweet Lord and giue me the meate of eternall health Come O vnspotted sacrifice deliuer me from euerlasting death Come thou Physician of the weake and diseased Come thou food of the hungrie Come Lord visit this house dedicated and consecrated in thy name And behold I come to thee whome with all my hart I couet and desire towards whome with all earnest consideration of mind I aspire and studie to attaine whome with all mine entrailes I hartilie loue and embrace whose blessed bodie and bloud in these holie mysteries I earnestlie desire to receiue that thou maist alwaies abide in me and neuer forsake me or depart from me O most sweet father So be it Another ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who most louinglie callest vs to the participation of all good things in Christ Iesu giue vs also grace woorthilie to esteeme the honour thou vouchsafest vs of in bidding vs to the marriage feast of thy Sonne so that we may esteeme of nothing in comparison of it And seeing few are chosen though manie be called giue vs also O Lord a liuelie faith working by loue as a seemelie garment for so great a solemnitie that being entred by thy fauour into thy house we dishonest it not and so honourable a companie as thou hast called vnto it by our wicked conuersation that as vnwoorthie we be not cast out againe but in all our behauiour may doo honour vnto both that we may alwaies remaine with thee and enioie the happinesse thou hast prepared for vs in thy Sonne the full fruition whereof because thou hast deferred to the rising vp againe of the dead strengthen in vs O Lord the blessed hope of this resurrection that according to thy promise thou maist make vs like to thine Angels that are in heauen and the glorious estate of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and praise now and for euer Amen Another O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which delightest in those bankets whereby men approch to the companie of thy celestiall wel-fare we beseech thee conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Graunt that with Marie Magdalen casting our selues before thy feete we may earnestlie with teares bewaile our offences and againe lifting vp our hand vnto thee we may laie hold on thee and embrace thee as she did Kisse thou vs with thine holie kisse and by thy spirit powred into vs stirre vp in vs a new life which may annoint thee by true confessing of thy goodnesse and delight thee with the sweet sauour of true inuocation and new obedience Grant also that in this life we may worship thy feet which bring tidings of peace And forasmuch as in this last age of this world the messengers of peace are vitterlie to weepe assist vs that we may be touched with the miseries of thy Church and studie to our power to mitigate them and so be made members of that companie vnto whome thou hast forgiuen much and which againe entirelie doth loue thee and againe being called out of the vale of teares may come to thy heauenlie banket which shall be without teares without grudging without greefe sinne and offences in the house of thy father where be manie ample dwelling places Amen Another praier to be said a little before you receiue the Bread O God which art rich in mercie and in all good things the most plentifull giuer and bountifull bestower of the deinties of celestiall satietie and heauenlie repast giue meate to my soule that is wearie and faint not such as it lusteth after but such as is conuenient for it For lo I a poore wretch come now vnto thee which art rich a sinner vnto thee which art mercifull O let me not returne home contemned and despised with nothing I begin an hungred let me not leaue off fasting I come vnto thee as though I were famished O let me not go awaie vnfed Although before I eate I sigh and sorowe yet good Lord I beseech thee giue mee somewhat to eate For behold with that godlie heroicall matrone of Canaan Matth. 15 verse 21. I come vnto thee and saie Lord helpe me according to thy promise for I feele the burthen of thy displeasure euen my miseries and vncleannesse and suffer not the sight of mine owne vnwoorthinesse to withdrawe me from thee Make me sweetlie and reuerentlie to reason with thee as thy holie spirit enforced that good woman to doo in these and the like words I am vnwoorthie I am giltie and vncleane I am a dog I was an outcast from thy house and courts I haue barked against the glorious maiestie of thee and thine eternall father I am defiled with the filth of idolatrie with fowlenesse of life with the spots of disobedience against thee but haue mercie vpon me O sonne of God which appearedst in the flesh and becamest a worme to wash vs from our sinnes which were vncleane beasts Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me For behold I am vnto thee euen as the little whelpe nigh famished for lacke of meate and drinke wearied with seeking about for releefe and almost dead I fall downe before thy glorious table where the sweet ypocrasse and pretious nectar of immortalitie is tasted The Fathers Prophets Confessors and Virgins most excellent lights of thy Church sit alreadie at thine heauenlie table they feede vpon the meate of eternall glorie O suffer me to eate of the crums Thou art the bread of life repell my hunger satisfie my desire
and let not perpetuall food be wanting to our weakenesse wherewith to feed and replenish vs. Let me taste of the pleasant riuers of the holie Ghost that I may be refreshed and that my soule may be cooled with the sweet liquors thereof so that I burne hencefoorth with no iniquitie or lust to sinne Make me to quaffe hartilie the cup of thankes-giuing yea let my bowels be filled with the pleasant wine of thy loue and refresh me continuallie with the most sweet riuers of thy heauenlie consolation Thou art my life whereby I liue the hope that I sticke vnto the glorie that I desire O giue me vnderstanding cheere vp my loue Lift thou vp my soule and drawe the mouth of my spirit which thirsteth after thee vp to the water streames that are aboue Uouchsafe sweet Iesu in the midst of my monings sore complaints and deepe sighs of my hart to take vp my sad and sorowfull mind to the top of the high mountains euen to the beds of sweet spices putting me in a place of pasture by the riuers of sweet waters where thou preparest a table diuerselie furnished for thy friends against they come to refresh mine appalled spirits to cheere vp my heauie hart make it merie Through the which deinties I being at the length well refreshed may forget my manifold miseries and the vanities of this life and rest in thee which art the true peace euerlasting passing all vnderstanding Lord God which art the sanctifier of the Saints I beseech thee consecrate and make me meete for thy dwelling and continue thou euer with me vouchsafe all to besprinkle me with the bloud of thy onlie begotten sonne by which one souereigne thing both in bodie and soule I may be reuiued with a maruellous comfortable ioie O Lord these are thy great benefits wherewith thou wilt releeue the want of thy thirstie children grant I beseech thee that I may drinke on thy cup with a glad mind willing hart pure conscience and clensed spirit and bring to passe by thy mercie that this drinke which I shall now drinke may be to my health and saluation Finallie grant O good God that I may through thy most rich spirit and his eternall deinties enioie the princelie palace of heauen and quaffing verie abundantlie of the well-spring of life which is with thee I may by the excellent benefit of thy glorious passion death resurrection and light behold the brightnesse of perpetuall felicitie and see thee face to face where my mind may be fed and full satiate with the meate and drinke of life without end For like as the hart thirsteth after the water springs so thirsteth my soule after thee O Lord my GOD and King Amen When you are about to receiue the wine or cup praie I Thanke thee deere father that thou didst not spare thine onelie and most deerlie beloued sonne Iesus Christ to shed euen his most pretious bloud vpon the altar of the Crosse for to wash awaie our sinnes In remembrance whereof I now in trembling and dread drinke of this cup humblie beseeching thee O Father that the crucifieng of his blessed bodie and shedding of his pretious bloud may be meritorious to my saluation Amen Or else thus O Blessed and mercifull Father thy loue towards me sinfull creature is so exceeding great and vnspeakable that I can not but giue vnto thee most humble thanks namelie for the shedding of the most pretious blood of thy deere sonne Iesu Christ by the vertue whereof thy wrath stirred vp against me wretched sinner is pacified my ransome is paid the lawe is fulfilled mine enimies are ourcome and put to flight In remembrance of this so noble a victorie and of so great a benefit I am come vnto this thy table O mercifull father to drinke of this cup desiring thee that as my outward man is comforted by the drinking of this wine so likewise my inward man may be comforted and made strong by true faith in the pretious blood of thy most deere sonne O Lord and my heauenlie Father giue me thy holie spirit which may so rule and gouerne my hart that I neuer be vnthankfull nor forgetfull of this thine exceeding kindnesse but to traine my life according to thy blessed will that whatsoeuer I doo speake or thinke may be vnto the glorie of thy blessed name and the health of my soule through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen After you haue receiued the holie Communion giue God thanks and saie I Thanke thee good Lord of thine infinite goodnesse that thou this daie hast fed me with thy blessed bodie bloud in the Sacrament desiring thee meeklie that this Sacrament which I haue receiued may be to me a purgation and clensing of my sins a fortitude spiritual strength against my frailtie a sure defence against worldlie troubles and aduersities a purchasing of grace and pardon a medicine of life and a continuall remembrance of thy blessed passion so that in the waie it may conduct me when I stumble it may vphold me and when I am fallen it may raise me so that by good continuance in thy will to euerlasting glorie it may bring me And so order the tallage and taste of my hart that I neuer seeke other sweetnesse but thee that I neuer seeke other louer but thee nor none other comfort beside thee so that I care for none other delight but thee nor anie other honour but thine And giue mee such perfect loue towards thee wherewith I may come to as great merit in heauen as though I had spent all my life daies in the remembrance of thy blessed passion and gratiouslie deliuer me from all tribulations of bodie and soule captiuitie anguish and perils This grant not onlie vnto me but also vnto all thine elect and chosen Christian people heere and else-where for thy holie name sake Amen Another thanks-giuing after the Communion I Thanke thee O Christ Lambe of God for offering thy selfe vpon the altar of the crosse to thy Father an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet sauour to God for our sinnes to reconcile vs vnto him for certaintie whereof and confirmation of our faith thou hast instituted on our behalfe this holie Sacrament of the supper that as oft as we receiue the same we may celebrate thy memorie and with thankes-giuing remember the merit and fruit of thy passion I beseech thee by thy bitter death stirre vp our minds that by often receiuing this thine ordinance and institution we may consider how bitter a death thou didst suffer on our behalfe and how great the loue was which draue thee to take so cruell and shamefull a death to saue vs and withall continuallie yeeld as we are bound hartie thanks vnto thee for the same and after the like sort answer to our power that vnspeakable good will by our good life and carefull obseruation of thy commandements and may when either through frailtie of our flesh or by anie other fault preuented we sinne runne by and by
vnto thee by repentance and through consideration of this new and eternall couenant touching the remission of sinnes made with vs be erected and vpholden vnto a liuelie and puissant hope O sweet Iesu grant that being fast linked vnto thee by this holy mysterie I may receiue power strength from thee beleeuing thy promises and be wholie addicted therevnto without anie doubting that so my conscience in feare and troubles may haue perfect consolation Suffer me not to be separated from the members of thy bodie which is the Church whereof thou art head fulfilling all in all but graunt that abiding in thy word and kingdome I may be without fault in the foundation and without sinne against my conscience and walke worthie this Sacrament forsaking vtterlie and renouncing the diuell and all idolatrie all vices and carnall desires which fight against the soule For we cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the diuels too Make me also to remember that by this Sacrament I am bound to doo good vnto others For as manie graines of corne doo make one loafe and manie grapes make one wine so being manie yet are we but one loafe and one bodie in asmuch as we all participate of one bread and drinke of one cup. Ioine vs therefore togither O Sauiour of the world at this common banket through the band of loue that we may be fastened vnto thee our head that as thou didst die for vs so we againe may not feare to suffer and to giue our liues for the glorie of thy name that we neuer be separated from thee neither in life nor death Make vs also hartilie to loue one another like the true and liuelie members of thy bodie that if neede require we may giue our liues for our brethren Suffer not concord of minds to be broken For he that receiueth the mysterie of vnitie and keepeth not the bond of peace he doth not receiue the mysterie for himselfe but a testimonie against himselfe Giue grace therefore that leauing aside all wrath fiercenesse maliciousnesse and enuie we may forgiue one another euen as thou forgiuest vs and beare one with another for the better auoiding of strife dissention sectes and pernicious heresies Keepe this thine ordinance and right vse of thy Sacrament amongst vs euermore that this good worke and diuine ceremonie may alwaies be a note and badge of our publike profession whereby we are knowne from pagans and tokens of loue confession and thankefulnesse Remoue awaie all abuses and prophanations of this holie and sacred supper together with the horrible and idolatrous adorations inuented by Sathan and his members to the shamefull deforming of thy godlie goodlie institution but maintaine I humblie beseech thee the true and vnpolluted vse thereof till thy pleasure is to returne in the clouds to iudgement with great power and glorie that it neuer be out of remembrance and last of all at our resurrection from death appoint vs places of thine heauenly table where we may taste the new wine in the kingdome of thy father abiding with thine elect Angels and blessed Saincts for euermore Amen A meditation of the trust which a Christian soule ought to haue in the passion of our Lord Iesu with a thanks-giuing vnto God for the manifold benefits thereof I Might despaire verelie because of my manifold sinnes and negligences without number if it were not that thy word O God was made flesh and dwelt amongst vs. But I can not neither dare I now despaire because that seeing when we were enimies we were reconciled by the death of thy Sonne who being obedient vnto thee to the death yea euen to the shamefull death of the Crosse hath taken awaie the hand-writing of our sinnes and nailing the same to his crosse hath crucified both sinne and death How much more are we now reconciled and saued by him For all the hope certitude and surenesse of all my trust is in his pretious bloud which was shead for vs and for our saluation In him doo I take hartening and by meanes of him who sitteth at the right hand of God and sueth for vs I looke backe with a carelesse eie and now trusting in him in whome I am alreadie risen againe and receiued alreadie mounted vp into heauen and there doo sit among the Angels I haue a desire to come vnto thee not hauing mine owne righteousnesse but that which I haue through the same thy Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ For the which O most mercifull God and most gentle louer of mankind we giue thee thanks who through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when we were lost through our sinnes most maruellouslie didst deliuer and recouer vs againe To thy goodnesse I saie doo I giue thanks and manifold praises doo I shew foorth to thee with all my hart mind which through the vnspeakable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed of thy maruellous goodnesse to loue vs wretches and vnworthie to be beloued didst send the same thine onelie begotten Sonne from thy bosome vnto our Common-weale to saue vs sinners which were at that time the children of perdition and damnation I render vnto thee all possible thanks for his holie incarnation and natiuitie and for the blessed virgin Marie his mother vpon whom he did vouchsafe to take flesh for vs and for our saluation to the intent that like as he is verie God of God so he might be verie man of man I giue thee condigne thanks for his passion and crosse for his death and resurrection for his ascension into heauen and his seate of his Maiestie on thy right hand I giue thee thanks I saie for that most sacred shedding foorth of his pretious bloud wherewith we are redeemed and also for the most holie and quickening sacrifice of his blessed bodie bloud which this daie and dailie in thy Church we feed of and drinke of wherewith also we are washed cleansed and sanctified are made partakers of the onelie high diuinitie Finallie I giue thee thanks for the maruellous and vnspeakable charitie and loue wherewith thou didst loue vs vnwoorthie persons and didst saue vs by thine onelie and beloued sonne For so thou didst loue the world that thou gauest thine onlie begotten sonne to the intent that none which trulie beleeue in him shuld perish but haue euerlasting life And this thing verilie is euerlasting life to knowe thee and also Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent to be verie God by an vpright faith and works woorthie for such a faith Wherefore with all my hart and mouth I doo confesse praise and blesse thee O God the father vnbegotten and thee O God the sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost and comforter To thee O blessed trinitie be all glorie and praise thanks togither with all power dominion and might in the world of worlds for euer Amen A meditation to be vsed after the receiuing of the holie Communion to stirre vs vp through the
may dispend them wiselie to the praise of thy name least that we falselie trusting vpon long life might come vnto death Oh good God how fraile and corrupt a worke be we indeed Euen but verie dust and ashes and the length of our daies be as the flower in the field No man can deliuer himselfe from death no man can saue his owne soule from the graue thou onelie O Lord must doo it namelie to such as beleeue in thee O my GOD haue mercie vpon me and take mee not awaie vnprouided in the middest of my daies but let me go to my graue in a full age Let me remember mine end that when I shall depart out of this life I be not depriued of euerlasting life Let me beare alwaies before mine eies the shortnesse of this life and what a vanitie and what a thing of naught it is as well the men themselues as all their things and affaires Staie my feete O Lord that at no time they slip with some cruell zeale or enuie that I might haue at the vngodlie which for the most part passe their liues quietlie and die more quietlie I beseech thee let not thy chosen persons be discouraged nor offended by this thy godlie prouidence in ordering of worldlie things nor shrinke from thee by reason thereof but rather let vs remember in what dangers in verie deed these vngodlie be in and with how vnhappie a conclusion and terme they close finish their happie course And againe on the contrarie part what pleasantnesse of conscience and what comfort and quietnesse shall followe this our vnquietnesse Finallie O good God in the daie of my buriall when all my friends shrinke from me doo not thou forsake me when my father and mother husband and children forsake me vouchsafe thou O Lord to take me vp and defend me from the roring lions that wait for their praie lead mee safelie through the vnknown countrie bring me happilie to the streets of the heauenlie Zion wherein is the habitation of all that reioice in thee and there set mee amongst thine Angels before the face of thine owne Maiestie where with the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors Uirgins yea and with all my deere parents and faithfull friends in full measure of happinesse passing excellent glorie and superabundant ioie of thanks-giuing and praise I may magnifie thee my God among thy chosen holie ones for euer and euer Amen Sée another praier in the Ladie Aburgauennies praiers Another meditation of death O GOD what other thing doo wee daily in this present life than heape sinne vpon sinne and hourd trespas vpon trespas So that this daie is woorse alwaies than yesterdaie by increasing as daies so sins and therefore thine indignation good Lord against vs but when we shall be let go out of the prison of this bodie and so taken into thy blessed companie then shall we be in most safetie of immortalitie and saluation then shall come vnto vs no sicknesse no need no paine no kind of euill to soule or bodie but whatsoeuer good we can wish that shall we haue and whatsoeuer we loath shall be farre from vs. Oh deere Father that we had faith to behold these things accordinglie Oh that our harts were persuaded thereof and our affections inflamed with the desire of them Then should we liue in longing for that which now we most loath Oh helpe vs and grant that we being ignorant of things to come and of the time of our death which to thee is certaine may so liue and finish our iournie here that we may be readie and then depart when our departing may make most to thy glorie and our comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another sweet meditation of the longing of the soule to be with God out of Saint Augustine O Kingdome of all worlds eternall wherein is ioie surmounting all ioies and the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding wherein also the soules of all holie folke doo rest and reigne with thee O Lord in euerlasting ioie mirth and gladnesse When shall I enter into thee that I may see my God which dwelleth in thee When shall I go thither behold this great sight What is it that holds me backe Wo is me that my soiourning is prolonged wo is me how long shall it be said vnto me Wait and wait againe And now to what purpose is my waiting My Lord God doo we not wait and watch for the Sauiour our Lord Iesus Christ to come and repaire our base bodies vnto the likenesse of his glorious bodie We wait and watch like wise virgins with our loines girt and our lamps burning for the Lord our Bridegroome when he should come from the Bridehouse to fetch vs into his wedding Come Lord Iesus and tarie not come Lord Iesu Christ come visit vs in peace come lead vs prisoners out of prison that we may reioice before thee with a perfect hart come our Sauiour thou that art longed for of all nations and people come shew thy countenance vnto vs and we shall be safe come my light and my redeemer my GOD and my spouse take my soule out of prison that it may giue praise vnto thy name How long shall I be tossed in the waues of my mortalitie crieng vnto thee Lord and thou hearest me not Lord heare me how I crie vnto thee out of this huge sea and bring me to the hauen of endlesse blisse Happie are they O God which are conueied out of this sea and haue obteined to arriue at thee the safest harborough of all hauens O happie are they indeed which are escaped alreadie from sea to shore from banishment home into their owne countrie and from prison into a palace enioieng their wished rest Blessed are they that alreadie haue gained the garland of endlesse glorie which they sought for here by manie tribulations and ioie now in happie mirth for euer O blessed are they indeed O treble and foure-times blessed are they which being alreadie quite rid of all miseries haue atteined to the kingdome of beautifulnesse and euerlasting blissefulnesse and are assured of their vnappearable glorie For there is ioie endlesse mirth sorowlesse health griefelesse waie without labour light without darknesse life without death Happie therefore I saie are those that alreadie haue escaped the shipwracke of this present miserable life and obteined the grace to come to so great ioies in heauen But alas we are yet still in the waues of the sea longing for thee O Lord the hauen of our sea O Ierusalem the heauenlie countrie of ours O quiet countrie we looke towards thee and ken thee a farre off Wee hale thee from this sea we sigh vnto thee out of this vale of miserie and labour with teares if we may by anie meanes attaine vnto thee O Christ God and the onlie hope of all mankind our refuge and strength whose brightnesse inlighteneth our eies a farre off as the beames of the sea-starre dooth in the mistie darknesse
be most expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen When the people arise to depart out of the Church saie thus to thy selfe RIse vp O Lord arise and let thine enimies be scattered yea let all them that hate thee and prophane thine honour flee before thee but gather the Saincts togither continuallie and let them neuer depart from thy Church So be it So soone as you be out of the Church dore saie BLessed bee the glorie of the LORD out of his place Going homeward from the Church meditate and praie as followeth O Christ whose home is heauen and whose house is a place of ioies eternall I thanke thee for all thy great mercies shewed towards me especiallie for vouchsafing mee yet time to repent and liue godlie grant also I beseech thee that being trulie humbled before thee this daie I may by my good life declare that I haue not come to Church in vaine and that with the penitent Publicane I may returne home now to my house vnder thy protection imbettered and iustified both before God and man and in all holie obedience glorifie thee both at home and abroade in my life and in my death Amen Another BEhold me O Lord I praie thee a poore seelie woorme here creeping walking bodilie on earth for a time in this life which is our pilgrimage and passage to our home and make me more mindfull of mine euerlasting home and very desirous to returne to the house of the liuing that hauing mine affections inflamed by thy holie spirit I may vtterlie contemne all earthlie things and couet euermore to be present with thee that my conuersatoin may be in heauen whither grant mee at the length to come there in my long home with thy children to be partaker of thy glorie and to reioice as thy child bicause of this my euerlasting home and the great glorie thereof For I knowe O Lord that if mine earthlie house of this tabernacle my bodie were destroied I haue a building of thee euen an habitation not made with hands but eternall in heauen for the which I sigh desiring to be further clothed with my house which is from heauen that mortalitie might be swalowed vp of life bicause I knowe that as long as I am at home in the bodie I am absent from thee therefore had I rather to be absent from the bodie and to be present with thee O Lord neuerthelesse whether I be at home or from home I am of good comfort and alwaies of good cheere in thee beseeching thee in mercie to grant me grace to endeuour my selfe so to walke by faith in thy feare after the inward appearance that when we shall all appeare before the iudgement-seate of Christ euerie one to receiue the works of his bodie according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad I may be found accepted vnto thee Amen When you enter into your house praie THY fauour and grace O God being my guide I enter into this my materiall house and home beseeching thy mercie so to blesse and preserue my comming in and my going out both now and euer that thy peace O God which passeth all vnderstanding may be euermore therin and that I neuer turne back or be deformedlie scattered abroad from thee vntill thou bring me home from this painfull pilgrimage whereas be the first fruits of my spirit So be it Being come home praie LORD blesse vs and make our houses Churches of thy saints linked in one confession and religion that being by thee made all of one mind in this house we may with the deuout Galileans praise thee for thy benefits both now and euer O Lord now fashion conforme me by thy holie spirit in this house of my peregrination that herein enioieng the benefit of perfect peace most seemelie quietnesse and comlie order I may make thy mysteries my songs vntill it shall please thee to lead me vpward vnto the peace of thy children euen into thy holie house and mansion place where thou hast placed vs and where we shall will or desire nothing else but to tarrie and remaine for euer For whilest we are clad with this bodie we doo as it were go astraie and are strangers vnto thee neither haue we here anie abiding place for euer but we must seeke for one that is to come To the which thou bring vs that camest from thence to redeeme vs Iesus Christ the righteous to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all possible praise and endlesse glorie now and for euer Amen Praiers before meate on Sundaie ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who hast taught vs that outward things defile not a man but those that proceede from the hart grant vs so to esteeme cleane that thou pronouncest cleane as that by praier and thankes-giuing the vse of thy creatures made for our benefit may be sanctified vnto vs and of the other part so to abhorre the pollusion of sinne which onelie thou declarest to be common and vncleane that wee may auoid by thy grace all murders adultries thefts false-witnesse-bearing vnlawfull desires and concupiscence and whatsoeuer thou hast forbidden touching our dutie towards men or seruice and obedience vnto thee that being thus sanctified by thy grace we may alwaies haue free accesse vnto thy sanctuarie in this life and be receiued into the heauenlie Ierusalem where no Canaanite nor vncleane person shall enter in the life to come through Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer Amen Another O Sonne of God which by thy miraculous multiplieng of a few fishes and loaues of bread didst feed fiue thousand of thy people in the wildernesse both inwardlie with spirituall comfort and outwardlie with corporall food thereby shewing thy selfe in deed to be the Creator susteiner of all things we beseech thee who onelie giuest vs the breath of life and knowest what we need and alone canst giue a reason why after this maner thou wilt feed vs with corporall things and not as thou dooest the startes without anie nourishment Giue vnto thy Church of thy wisedome such things as are necessarie for the sustentation of this life wherein the ioies of the life eternall and to come doo begin And albeit somtime we lacke diuers things although thine aduersarie throweth stones at vs for bread yet by thy power strengthen vs that we faint not And that we which liue not by bread alone or by our owne industrie being armed with thy word and promise the spirituall food and sword of our soule may receiue comfort thereby and being protected by thee after a woonderfull sort to liue and glorifie thee both here and in the world to come Amen Another praier before meat to be vsed that daie that you haue receiued the holie Communion WE thanke thee O eternall housholder for that after the banket of paradise troubled
much to thirst after the bitter potion of sinne to followe after vanities of this world to suffer the incommodities of this slipperie life and the dominion of Sathans tyrannie and not rather to flee vp to the felicitie of Saincts to the fellowship of Angels and to the solemnitie of the heauenlie ioies where we shall see behold and enioie the plentifull aboundant riches of the inestimable treasures of Gods goodnesse for euer and euer world without end Amen A meditation of Gods woonderfull works and a thanks-giuing for our creation O Most heauenlie father and eternall God which art neither made nor begotten but before all worlds from euerlasting diddest beget a Sonne an image of thine owne substance we honor thee we praise thee we glorifie thee we yeeld thee most hartie thanks for all thy benefits especiallie for creating the heauens the Sunne Moone and all the starres by thy liuelie word for gouerning through thy wisdome and for thy gratious mainteining them The Sunne in his vprising doth manifest the daie a woonderfull worke of the highest Great is the Lord which made and commanded the same to take his course from the top of heauen vnto the end thereof The ornaments of heauen be the glorious starres the Lord on high doth lighten the world at his commandement they keepe their order and will not faile nor be wearie in their watch O Lord our God how woonderfull is thy name in all the world which hast set thy glorie aboue the heauens Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings wilt thou be praised because of thine enimies that thou maist confound thine aduersaries and him that enuieth thy renowme We see the workemanship of thy hands the Moone and Starres which thou hast ordeined and we will signifie thy glorie vnto all nations and among all people will we declare thy woonderfull things For thou art mightie O Lord and worthie to be praised great is thy vertue and thy power woonderfull We thanke thee holie father God of heauen because thou hast created by thy word of power the vniuersall world with all the creatures and whatsoeuer is liueth or moueth in the same By thy wisdome thou dooest gouerne and by sending of thy spirit as yet doest vphold and cherish the same For all woods fruitfull trees stones graine flowers herbes and all the grasse of the feeld hast thou ordeined for the vse of man Wee magnifie thee O God most wise for creating the Sea and springs of water by the power of thy word and for giuing them vertue to bring foorth fishes of all kind to be eaten of man We blesse thee O eternall God for making the superiour and lower regions of the aire with all birds and feathered fowles of sundrie kinds for the food of man We glorifie thee for giuing the whole frame of this earth with all the creatures in the same vnto mankinde and setting man ouer the works of thine hands hast subiected all things vnder his feet all sheepe and oxen yea and all the beasts of the feeld the fowles of the aire and the fish of the Sea which walke through the paths of the Sea Especiallie we praise thee our Lord and maker for making vs thy creatures reasonable men and women according to thine owne similitude for giuing vs reason and all the senses and for preseruing vs hitherto Thou didst nourish vs and that woonderfullie being within our mothers wombe and out thereof hast thou brought vs sound in all parts without imperfection and yet continuest thy fauour and dooest keepe vs against all dangers and deliuerest vs from all euill and all these things dooest thou of thy fatherlie and diuine goodnesse without anie merit or desert of ours for all which we are bound to thanke thee to praise thee to serue honor and obeie thee We extoll thy sacred name O God most high for separating from the rest a Sabboth daie that so men ceassing from their handie labour might the better serue and celebrate thine honour Who is he that can recite all the power of the Lord or declare all his works Who can number out all his praises No man can vtter all his benefits Notwithstanding although we be miserable men and wretched sinners and therefore most vnmeete to extoll thee according to thy deserts yet will we not be still we will praise thee euermore to the vttermost of our power We will declare thy iustice and mercie and while we liue we remember thy goodnesse and at no time forget thy benefits O our soules praise the Lord we will praise the Lord during our life we will sing to the Lord while we haue breath We will bee mindfull of our maker euen from our youth and seeke him euermore yea euen vnto our old age and graie head O God forsake vs not vntill we haue declared thy power vnto all nations that are to come Praise the Lord all ye nations praise him all ye people For his louing kindnes is great toward vs and his truth endureth for euer Praise ye the Lord in his Sanctuarie praise him in the firmament of his power praise him in his mightie acts praise him according to his excellent greatnesse Let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord Amen Another meditation and thanks-giuing for the creation of the world MOst mightie most wise and most maruellous Lord GOD which of nothing hast created heauen and earth with all that is therein and hast prepared with due new properties euerie worke which thou hast brought foorth by thy diuine word holie commandement and hast ordeined and established all the holie works of thy hands so that they yet stand and serue to the vse and seruice of men For through the course of the heauens which neuer stand still is ingendered vnto vs all that euer we haue need of and through the same course also dieth withereth and rotteth all that is old bicause that for the old and decaied there should arise vp new and fresh And this course hast thou O mightie God made so maruellouslie and so agreeably that man thorough the agreeable works of thine hands without anie other externall learning teaching or instruction might come to the knowledge of that which is inuisible in thee that is thy holie exalted and euerlasting blessed Godhead and inuisible might Insomuch as there is none that can make himselfe vngiltie and inexcusable of misbeleefe or ignorance how farre soeuer he be departed from thy holie word For the verie heauens giue knowledge inough of thy diuine glorie the which though they haue no tongue to speake neither doo we heare anie thing of their mouth yet neuerthelesse their voice is gone out to all corners of the world and there is no place but men heare their voice sounding in their eares For no man is so farre distant from them but he both feeleth alwaies the benefits that come from the heauens and also seeth continuallie thy maruellous handie works which the firmament dooth shew and declare vnto
by thine owne name and sealed me with thy blood that the remembrance of thee should be euermore with me and that he should neuer depart from my hart who for my sake shunned not the crosse Thou hast annointed me with the oile wherewith thou thy selfe wert annointed that I might be called a Christian after thy name Christ Behold thou hast registred me vpon thine hands to the end that the remembrance of mee might be alwaies present with thee yet notwithstanding so as if the remembrance of thee be alwaies present with me Thus then haue thy loue thy grace and mercie alwaies preuented me For thou hast oftentimes deliuered me from manie and great perils O my deliuerer When I went astraie thou broughtest mee backe againe when I was ignorant thou taughtest mee when I sinned thou diddest chastise me when I haue beene in heauines thou hast cheered me when I haue beene in despaire thou hast recomforted me when I haue beene fallen thou hast lifted me vp when I haue stood thou hast vpholden me when I haue gone thou hast guided me when I haue come thou hast receiued me when I haue slept thou hast watched me and when I haue cried vnto thee thou hast heard me O Lord where shall I haue words to vtter the signes of thy singular loue toward me considering thine innumerable benefits wherin thou hast brought me vp from the beginning Namelie euen from the benefit of the creation when at the first beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine owne image in honouring and aduancing me among the creatures which thou madest and innobling me with the light of thy countenance which thou imprintedst vpon the lampe of my hart thereby disseuering me as well from sensible as from senselesse creatures and abasing mee but little beneath the Angels And yet was all this but a small matter in the sight of thy Godhead For without ceassng thou hast dailie nourished this vnprofitable woorme which stinketh with sinne with all the singular and exceeding great store of thy good gifts and benefits and thou hast as it were suckled and strengthened me thy little tender babe with the teates of thy comfort For to the intent that I should wholie serue thee thou hast appointed all thy creatures to serue me These and manie other good turnes hast thou done vnto me O Lord my God the life of my soule for all which I render vnto thee againe most humble and hartie thanks-giuing beseeching thee O Lord that it may be a pleasure to me wretch that I am to be alwaies talking of them alwaies thinking vpon them and alwaies giuing thee thanks for them O my God shew me I saie how much I am bound to loue thee make it appeare to me how much I ought to please thee Open me the doore of thy light that I may enter in and both knowe acknowledge vnto thee with my whole hart that thy mercie is great toward mee and that thou hast deliuered my hart from the bottome of hell so as I might euer praise thee for all thy good gifts and loue thee with all my hart and with all my soule and with all my mind and with all my strength yea and that with the verie bowels and intrailes of my hart and of all my sinewes O Lord my God the blessed sweetnesse of all that delight in thee whose name is woonderfull and praise woorthie through heauen and earth So be it Another forme of thanks-giuing vnto God for all his benefits and praier for grace to confirme and increase the same O Most highest almightie and eternall God whose glorie replenisheth heauen and earth If thy holie and celestiall powers doo neuer cease in lauding thy most holie Maiestie how should we cease earthlie and lowlie seruants which are redeemed with the pretious bloud of thy onelie sonne And for as much as thy louing kindnesse and fauour in especiallie worketh towards vs we also ought continuallie to giue thanks for thy great goodnesse but haue mercie O mercifull father For the necessitie of this life dooth not suffer vs to thanke thee continuallie Wherefore though not continuallie as I ought I worship thee my maker with trembling feare I giue thee thanks for all thy benefits that when I was nothing thou madest mee gauest me a liuing soule quickened with thy holie spirit formed mee with thine owne image that it might be able to receiue thee which art the high God By thy prouidence thou hast brought me to those things that are expedient for me giuen to me knowledge and true faith in thee and planted a godlie mind in me and instructed me in the mysteries of thy holie word Sacraments But oh Lord how dare I recite thy benefits by number seeing thy louing kindnesse is an vnsearchable bottomlesse sea and an innumerable For I can not so soone giue thanks for thy benefits shewed of old as new haue euen ouerwhelmed me Oh Lord how great a benefit is this that I may to thee giue thanks For what fellowship hath vnrighteousnesse with righteousnesse What partaking darkenesse with light What agreement filthinesse with puritie Follie with wisedome Mortalitie with thee that art immortall Oh my vilenesse Oh thy goodnesse Yea though the spirit were readie yet is the flesh fraile but thou O Lord if thou wilt canst make me strong And so O most mercifull father vouchsafe that I may euer giue thanks and laud to thee For what good gift did I euer desire of thee but thou first willedst it to me Who better knoweth what is good for me than thou And because I need a mediator accept thine innocent Sonne Iesus Christ with his crosse and passion bloud-shed death and resurrection for me I haue not this deserued but thou father of thy mercie and truth hast by the same thy deerelie beloued Sonne promised and giuen vs thy mercie and fauour Open therefore O my mercifull Father for this thy deerelie beloued Sonnes sake euen this daie thy woonted hand of mercie and fulfill my mind and hart with a good will and let thy right hand defend me And if my sinnes which I acknowledge to be great and innumerable therefore I repent and am hartilie sorie doo let thy goodnesse O father wipe them awaie for this is thy glorie to forgiue sinnes and therefore no flesh may reioice before thee for thou Lord onlie art pure and without sinne Haue mercie vpon me thy bondseruant and vppon all people and O father bring them vnto the knowledge of thee that art onlie God and of Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent the onlie sauiour and redeemer mediator and aduocate for vs and after this present life bring vs to eternall blisse and felicitie by the deere merits of thy Sonne Iesus Christ For thine is the power kingdome and glorie for euer Amen Another to the same effect HOnour and praise be giuen to thee O Lord God almightie most deere father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath
the whole spacious dominions of both Iles and the adiacent lands gouerned triumphantlie so as it is hard to find the man that more orderlie hath managed the charge of anie one houshold than the daughter of thy house with hir virginall hands hath weelded the weightie scepter of sundrie and mightie populous nations In hir time haue been seene the golden yeeres of the reigne of hir father Dauid and the peacefull kingdom of Salomon to haue been aduanced the earth not to haue denied hir fruitfulnesse the sea hir increase the clouds their drops the heauens their fairenesse the sunne his warmth the yeere hir goodnesse but the vallies stand thicke with corne the wildernesse crowned with gladnesse the furrowes watered the mountaines laugh sing the folds full of sheepe our sonnes and our daughters growe vp like to the polished corners of the Temple our yoong men see visions and our old men prophesie Ierusalem hir light shining vnto hir the glorie of the Lord risen vnto hir the Queene bringing hir honor vnto the Citie of Dauid and the nations walking in the light thereof Great is the honour that thou O Iehouah hast heaped vpon vs and honourable in foraigne regions is the worke that thou hast wrought by thy chosen yea and so much the more hath the brightnesse of this beautie beene powred abroade that whilest Egypt round about hath been darkened euen the whole world in a manner besides vs whome thou hast gathered into pastures of this Gosen and the thicke mists of errour haue blinded the eies of the earth the cloudie piller hath not departed from vs by the daie nor the firie flame by night Whilest other lands round about haue warred to the destruction of one another our Moses hath guided vs in peace Whilest other nations like Egypt round about hath been plagued by the destroier from the first borne sitting vpon the princes throne vnto the vassall and slaue grinding at the handmill our Moses hath not diminished of hir flocke Whilest the firme lands haue beene ouerwhelmed by the rage of the seas and waters our Iland hauing dwelt in peace hath sent hir ship into Ophir for gold and prepared hir nauie against the danger of the enimie Whilest Athalia hath murthered hir owne bloud our Ioas hath learned the lawe of the Lord of Iehoiada Whilest Achas consecrateth his owne sonne in the fire and Samaria eateth hir owne children on the walles our Eliza directeth the children of the Prophets in their offices Whilest Iezabel setteth vp Baal and embrueth Achab with the bloud of the Prophets and of Naboth our Elias gathereth the people of God to mount Carmel to behold the wonder of the fire of God lighting from heauen vpon the sacrifices and replenishing the harts with ioie and tongues with gifts of languages This is then so woorthie an instrument of thy goodnesse and expresse image of thy Maiestie the ample matter of this daies celebritie And now what doth thy people desire at thy hands but that first O Lord thou giue vs thankefull harts and make vs all the daies of our liues mindfull of this thy fatherlie and gratious bountifulnesse Then as presentlie the Queenes highnesse hath gloriouslie atchiued the trauell of full three and twentie yeares and now the annuall celebritie of our voluntarie sacrifice of praise and thanks-giuing therefore returneth so it may by thy benefit full often returne and not once or twice but yeare by yeare and yeare heaped vpon yeare we and our of-spring may behold this felicitie vntill we and she satisfied in aboundance the time drawe along which thou hast appointed for the veiling of hir crowne at the feet of thy sonne Iesus and the course of this earthlie pilgrimage ouerrun we and she at our determined seasons be taken to reigne in the euerlasting kingdome of thy glorie Againe where much is the mischiefe of man great and enormous the rage of Sathan subtill the practises of Antichrist euill our deserts lamentable the state of things whilest open colouring hideth priuie conspiring poisoned lips giue sugred words the breath of Cockatrices the embracings of Scorpions the roring of Bulles the ringing of Libels the raging of Rabsake the sword of Herod the destruction of Abbadon hath beene seene in our streets hath beene heard on our walles hath multiplied before the gates of our Cities that thou destroie vs not in the midst of the works of thy mercie to leaue vs headlesse and hopelesse and make vs a scorne and prouerbe to the enimie but rather to behold the number of the faithfull subiects in the dread of their soules and iust gealousie of their common interest bowing the knees of their harts for the long safetie of Queene Elizabeths sacred princelie person rather than in thy iust furie for auenging of our sinnes to suffer the diuell with the wicked to preuaile in the vniust zealousnesse of their preposterous vowes graceleslie swearing the death of thy Saincts and thine annointed Lastlie that what remaineth of the happie building of thy Church by the hands of thy deere daughter thou plentifullie powre of thy principall spirit vpon hir and rauish hir hart with the flame of the loue of thee and thy house with Moses to leade and with Ioshua to bring into the land of promise with Debora to fight the battell and with Iahel to knocke Sisera of Rome in the temples of his vsurped headship to his vtter destruction with Dauid to bring home the Arke and with Salomon to finish and consecrate to eternitie thy Temple amongst the people on the earth for the time to giue largelie hir fostermilke to Hierusalem in heauen at the time in the purenesse of hir virginitie to be presented to the lambe and sing the song of hir wedding daie with thy Angels thy Saincts to the praise of thy glorious Maiestie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost in one eternall Deitie for euer and euer Amen Another godlie and learned praier for our most gratious souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth O Almightie eternall God creator gouernor preseruer of all things Lord of all lords and King of all kings who madest man like vnto thine owne image that he should honour serue and obeie thee onlie and that all other thy creatures should serue to his vse and commoditie ouer whome thou madest him lord and ruler the forbidden fruit onlie except but he most miserable man by his owne disobedience in eating thereof lost not onlie that kinglie prerogatiue but brought himselfe and all his posteritie into the state of eternall damnation Yet thou O Lord in thine vnspeakable mercie didst then promise and in time broughtest to passe that thine onlie Sonne became man like vnto vs sin except and was borne of a pure virgin by thy diuine prouidence and power who to restore this now most miserable man with all vs whose children by nature we are vnto the state of eternall saluation did suffer most shamefull most vile and bitter yea most cruell and painefull death on the
of the hils of the world they shall all be blessings vpon the head of Elizabeth and on the top of the head of hir that is separate from hir birth and consecrated from the wombe to dignitie and honour far aboue hir felowe virgins and made the annointed of the Lord to beare rule and to haue dominion ouer men Euen as the morning light when the sunne riseth gloriouslie without clouds in the faire morning so she being iust and ruling in the feare of God let hir house growe and be with thee O God that it may continue perfect in all points sure and euerlasting according to thy couenant and promise made to hir father Dauid and not as the grasse of the earth is by the bright raine which groweth quicklie and fadeth sooner Hir beautie and glorie let it be like the first borne bullocke and hir strength as the Unicorne with the horne of hir power let hir smite the people togither euen the ten thousands of Ephraim and the ten thousands of Manasses Blesse hir in hir going out and comming in and prosper hir at home and abroad in all hir affaires by land and by sea Make hir glad ioifull and willing to call thy people vnto the holie hill of Zion and there in thy Church to offer with them togither the offerings of righteousnesse that she and they may sucke of the abundance of the sea and of the treasures hid in the earth Blesse hir O Lord that she may dwell as a Lion that catcheth for a praie the arme with the head and be most victorious ouer hir enimies that hate hir and despise thee Blesse hir with thy graces that she may looke well to hir selfe as in the beginning when she was a portion of thee the lawe-giuer hid and reserued for vs thy people that she may now come with the heads of the people and execute the righteousnesse of the Lord and his iudgements with Israel A lions whelpe let hir be to leape from Basan and make hir strong inough to defend hir selfe from Balaks curse and against all the treasons of Zimri and Achitophel O satisfie hir with thy fauour and fill hir with thy blessings let hir possesse both the east west south and north parts of the earth Blesse hir with people and make hir acceptable vnto hir brethren and sisters and to dip hir feet in oile Hir shoes let them be iron and brasse and hir glorie health wealth and strength continue as long as the sunne Who is like thee O God of Israel which though thou sit vpon the heauens and ridest vpon them as vpon an horse yet art thou hir helper Sauiour whose glorie is in the clouds and celestiall places The eternall God be still hir refuge and vnder the armes of the euerlasting God let hir liue for euer hee shall cast out the enimie before hir face and shall command hir to destroie them That then Israel as euen now at this present may still dwell alone in safetie and the fountaine of Iacob be plentifull in issue in the land of wheate and wine and the heauens drop the dew of thy blessing plentifullie vpon hir and hir countrie Happie and blessed art thou O Israel that hast such a Queene Who is like vnto thee O people saued by the Lord which is the shield of thy helpe and sword of thy glorie Therefore thine enimies haue lost their strength to thee ward be subiected to thee and thou shalt tread vpon their high places Blesse hir still O Lord and giue power vnto thy Queene that she may be strong to keepe the feet of thy Saints within the wals of thy Church and to cause the wicked for euer to keepe silence in darknes Amen Amen A praier to be said mentallie or alowd of all true harted English men and women for the Queenes Maiestie when she rideth by them at anie time GOd saue your roiall Maiestie The GOD of gods preserue your noble Grace Good lucke haue you with your honor O you the fairest among women Ride on O Queene according to the great worship and high renowme wherewith the King of kings hath innobled you bicause of the word of truth of meekenesse and righteousnesse which you professe so shall your right hand teach you terrible things The Lord himselfe be your keeper and preserue you from all euill The Lord of heauen and earth be your defence on your right hand and on the left The Lord preserue your going out and your comming in from this time foorth for euermore so that the sunne shall not burne you by daie neither the moone by night The King of kings haue pleasure in your beautie and make you his daughter his spouse and virgin most glorious within The most mightie Iehoua establish you in his seate of iudgement euen in the throne of your father Dauid that you may become an old mother in Israel Peace prosperitie be vnto them that loue your honour but horror of conscience and confusion of face be vnto all those that hate you for your indurable gifts of Gods graces all people doo highlie praise you and for your zeale to Zion all the world doth honour you therefore for Zions sake also we wish you all maner of prosperitie yea bicause of the house of the Lord which you haue reformed and his religion which your Grace hath restored we will continuallie triumph in his mercie and praie still for the renowme of your most roiall name and Maiestie that your fame may more more be vniuersallie spred ouer the earth and be remembred from one generation to another For the Gospels sake I say which your Maiestie doth maintaine we will vncessantly praise God for you and with lowd voices crie and say God saue our most gratious Queene Elizabeth Iesu blesse your Highnesse The holie Ghost from heauen comfort conduct your Maiestie in all your wais Blesse our souereigne Ladie O blessed Trinitie Heape glorie and honour vpon Elizabeth our Queene O glorious Deitie Blesse hir sacred Maiestie I saie O God frō this time foorth for euermore O King of heauen receiue our Queene receiue and imbrace this thy most glorious virgin and deere daughter accompanied with hir felowe virgins the princes daughters and honourable women into thy tuition and protection With ioie and gladnesse I saie let hir the liuelie image of thy princelie Maiestie be brought safe and vnhurt home againe vnto hir iuorie palaces and at the last enter into the Kings court hir fathers house where she may enioie a perpetuall crowne and euerlasting kingdome and reioice in thee hir God hir spouse and hir Sauiour for euer and euer so shall she and we hir people giue thanks vnto thee O Lord world without end Amen A compendious forme of praier for the whole estate of Christes Church necessarie to be vsed of all estates at time conuenient especiallie euerie Sabboth or Holidaie in the Euening by the Mother and Daughter and their familie A Psalme preparing the hart to
and properlie vpon all the holie Feasts and Saints daies throughout the yeere as they fall in order and are commonlie kept here in the Church of England and Ireland And first vpon the principall Feast daies of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ that is to saie On Aduent Sundaie In memorial of Christ his First comming in the flesh Christmas daie In memorial of Christ his Natiuitie and birth On New yéeres daie In memorial of Christ his Circumcision On Twelfe daie In memorial of Christ his Apparition On Ashwensday the 1. day of Lent In memorial of Christ his Fasting On First Sundaie in Lent In memorial of Christ his Temptation On Maundie Thursdaie In memorial of Christ his Last Supper On Good Fridaie In memorial of Christ his Passion On Easter daie In memorial of Christ his Resurrection On Ascension daie In memorial of Christ his Ascension On Whitsundaie In memorial of Christ his Sending of the holie Ghost On Trinitie Sundaie In memorial of Christ his The blessed Trinitie On Euerie Sundaie holie-day and working-day In memorial of Christ his Last comming to iudgment 1. On Aduent Sundaie Of the comming of Christ in the flesh The Preface BE of good cheere and feare not O you that are of a fearfull hart for behold your God commeth his owne selfe to take vengeance on his enimies and will deliuer you Hosanna to the sonne of Dauid O daughter Zion be glad O daughter Ierusalem reioice For lo the King commeth vnto thee euen the righteous thy Sauiour lowlie meeke and simple riding vpon the fole of an asse and bringing his recompense with him Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord. Out of Zion hath God appeared in perfect beautie Hosanna in the highest Remember me O Lord according to thy fauor that thou bearest vnto thy people O visit me with thy saluation Hosanna Shew me thy waies O Lord and teach mee thy path Hosanna in the highest Hosanna The praier THE time is now at hand when the Church calleth into mind the benefits of the sonne of GOD which taking vpon him our fraile nature appeared to the world and came to visit vs in great humilitie And at the last daie and resurrection of all mankind will come againe in his glorious Maiestie to iudge both the quicke and the dead and shew himselfe both to punish his enimies with euerlasting paines and to adorne his Church and chosen people with eternall glorie Wherefore O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which as this daie in roiall pompe didst enter into the holie citie Ierusalem for a publike testimonie of thine appearing remooue all impediments we praie thee that may hinder thy comming and make a plaine and most easie waie for thy selfe vnto vs. Gather vs we beseech thee into that companie which are prepared to receiue thee the King of all kings and which set foorth thy glorie in spirituall songs not onelie this daie through all the world but also continuallie and beare palmes of victorie before thee and spred their garments in the waie for ioie of thy comming Assist vs that being greatlie separated from the damned crue of diuels and wicked persons wee may sound and set foorth thy truth in perfect confession and righteousnesse all the daies and time of our life Bee thou our King both here in this world and hereafter in the world to come replenishing vs against all the wicked enterprises of thine enimies and making vs though babes and littleones to extoll and magnifie thy name for euer Keepe vs thy weake children depending vpon thee and running vnto thy lap euen as infants vnto their parents Make vs to followe thy words which through thy spirit doo sound within vs and powre thy wisedome into vs miserable men and women that the pride and power of thine enimies may be confounded Grant that with gratefull minds we may publish abroad thy glorious victorie according to our calling and abilitie cherish thy ministers and venter both our life liuing for the maintenance of thy truth Moreouer blesse vs O thou blessed seed of Abraham by the vertue of thy presence number vs among thy chosen which haue their names from thee And finallie giue vs grace now in the time of this mortall life so to cast awaie from vs the works of darknes and to put vpon vs the armour of light that in the last daie of thy second comming in the clouds we may rise through thee to life immortall and so being adorned with that glorie which thou hast receiued from thine eternall Father we may perpetuallie praise and extoll thy Maiestie both heere in this world and for euermore in the world of worlds to come Amen Hosanna to thee O sonne of God in the highest Hosanna 2. On Christmas daie Of the natiuitie and birth of Christ our Sauiour The Preface A Child is borne vnto vs and a sonne is giuen vnto vs. Glorie be to God on high Unto vs is borne this daie in the citie of Dauid a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Halleluiah The Lord sent a word vnto Iacob the same is come into Israel an euerlasting Prince of peace Halleluiah Mercie and truth are met togither righteousnesse and peace haue kissed each other truth shall flourish out of the earth and righteousnesse hath looked downe from heauen vpon vs to speake peace vnto his people and gladnesse to his Saints Halleluiah Of the fruit of thy bodie will I set vpon thy throne and in Zion shall I make the horne of Dauid to flourish Halleluiah The Sunne commeth foorth of his tabernacle the heauens as a bridegroome out of his chamber and reioiceth as a Giant to run his course Halleluiah He shall giue his Angels charge ouer thee to keepe thee in all thy waies they shall beare thee in their hands that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone Halleluiah For thou art fairer than the children of men full of grace are thy lips bicause God hath blessed thee for euer yea God euen thine owne God hath annointed thee with the oile of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes Halleluiah Therefore in this daie of thy power shall the people offer the free-will offerings with an holie worship bicause the dew of thy birth is of the wombe of the morning Halleluiah Glorie be vnto God on high in earth peace and good will towards men Halleluiah Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier NOW is the ioifull time wherein all Saincts both in heauen and earth doo magnifie and praise almightie God for the incarnation of his onlie begotten Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ who as this daie was borne of the pure Uirgin Marie the which also the holie Angels of the Lord did celebrate with a most heauenlie song And no doubt the blessed companie of the elect departed out of this world enioieng the comfortable sight of God replenished with eternall wisedome light and righteousnesse yeeld most humble thanks vnto the Sonne of God their Sauiour and Redeemer for his incomprehensible goodnesse declared vnto mankind
his infancie was troubled with creeping and scrallings and was wrapt in cloathes after the manner of other children was vexed in his youth with labours made leane with waking and fastings wearied with iournieng afterward whipped and all to torne and rent with diuers kinds of punishments reckoned among the dead and when it was endued with the glorie of resurrection he carried it into the ioies of heauen and placed it vpon the right hand of thy Maiestie This I saie he is my manhood waie and meanes of pacifieng and appeasing thee the waie and meanes of hauing mercie vpon mee Mercifullie looke vpon mee heare the wretch whom he did redeeme and the bond-seruant whom he deliuered Behold him a Creator and doo not despise a creature Receiue the shepheard welcommed with a gentle and louing countenance and mercifullie looke vpon the sheepe which he hath brought home vpon his owne shoulders This is that most faithfull shepheard which by manie and diuers labours and trauels ouer steepe hils and through head-long and deepe vallies did search for his owne sheepe that was straied awaie which also when he had found it faint and almost dead through long wandring gat himselfe vnder it with great reioicing and making it fast vnto him with a maruellous bond of charitie lifted it vp out of the deapth of confusion and brought it home to the ninetie and nine Behold O King my king and God almightie behold a good shepheard which rendereth to thee that which thou committedst to his charge He tooke vpon him through thine ordinance to saue man whom he hath deliuered vnto thee cleane and pure from all spots through the washing in his bloud Lo thy most dearelie beloued Sonne hath reconciled vnto thee thy handie worke which was gone astraie far out of the waie Lo a gentle shepheard bringeth home againe to thy flocke hir that the violent pirate and robber had driuen awaie He hath brought vnto thy sight the seruant whome hir owne conscience had made to run awaie that she which by hir selfe had deserued punishment by thy Sonne being hir solicitor hath deserued forgiuenes vnto whome also for hir offences euerlasting fire was due neuerthelesse being a subiect vnder such a prince and captaine she doth hope to be brought home to hir owne countrie I was able O holie father by my selfe to offend thee but I was not able of my selfe to pacifie and appease thee Thy welbeloued Sonne O my God was made my helper by taking vpon him mine humanitie to the intent he might cure mine infirmitie that wherof the first occasion of thy wrath did spring of the same he might offer vp to thee a sacrifice of praise and that he might render and make me also well-pleasing to thy goodnes by that thing in the which he sitting now at thy right hand did alwaies shew and declare himselfe to be equall with my substance and as it were fellowe with the same Lo my hope behold in whome is all my trust If thou despise me as it were meete for mine iniquities yet looke vpon me at leastwise mercifulle for the charitie of thy welbeloued Sonne Giue heed to thy Sonne whereby thou maiest haue mercie vpon thy bond-seruant Looke vpon the sacrament of flesh and pardon the offences of flesh How often soeuer thou doest remember the wounds of thy blessed Son so oft I beséech thee let mine iniquitie be hid And bicause flesh hath stirred thee to wrath let flesh I beseech thee mooue thee to mercie that like as flesh hath seduced and led me to sinne so flesh may get and obteine for me remission For certainly it is much that mine iniquitie hath deserued but much more it is that the goodnes of my Redeemer may euen of right require Mine vnrighteousnes is great but his righteousnes is bigger For looke how much God is superiour vnto man euen so much is my malice euill inferiour vnto his goodnes both in qualitie and quantitie For what haue I sinned being a man that the Sonne of God being made man hath not redeemed What pride could be in me so exceeding high but such humilitie as was in him should bring it downe What power of death was there in me so great but the punishment which the Sonne of God suffered vpon the crosse might deface it and vtterlie destroie it Trulie my God if the sinnes of sinfull men or women should be weied in a iust and equall balance with the loue and fauour that was in our redeemer towards vs the East is not so far distant from the West nor the innermost part of the earth so much separated from the vppermost part of the heauen as they should be vnlike so much lesse should mine iniquitie be than is his goodnesse Now O most noble Creator of light now pardon mine offences for the vnmeasurable trauels paines that thy beloued Sonne did susteine Now I beseech thee let his goodnesse be set against my wickednes his modestie and temperance against mine vngratious frowardnes and his meekenes against my fierce crueltie Let his humilitie recompense my pride his patience mine impatience his gentlenesse mine vnkind churlishnes his obedience my disobedience his quietnesse mine vnquietnes his pleasant towardnes my bitter frowardnes his sweet facilitie and gentlenes mine angrie and fretting fumes to conclude let his charitie make amends for my heinous and detestable crueltie Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie on me God forbid that I should reioice in anie thing but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified vnto me and I vnto the world So be it 9. On Easter daie Of Christ his resurrection and the Passouer of Christians The Preface CHrist is risen againe from the dead and now dieth no more Halleluiah Death from hencefoorth hath no more power of him Halleluiah Christ is risen againe the first fruits of them that sleepe Halleluiah By Christ all men that were dead in sinne are restored to life Halleluiah In thy resurrection O Christ both heauen earth doo reioice and saie Halleluiah Thanks be vnto God which giueth vs victorie thorough our Lord Iesus Christ Halleluiah Who hauing spoiled all principalities and powers hath made a shew of them openlie triumphing ouer them in his owne person Halleluiah Awake O my Christ awake vp my glorie and sing Halleluiah For Christ our passouer is offered vp and as this daie reuiued rose again for our iustification Halleluiah Let vs reioice therfore I saie O my soule and keepe it holidaie to the Lord. Halleluiah Not with old leauen of maliciousnes and wickednes but with the vnleauened bread of purenesse and truth Halleluiah That when we awake vp after his likenes we may be satisfied with his presence in righteousnes and glorie Halleluiah And be blessed and holie with those that haue part in the first resurrection and on whom the second death hath no power but sing Halleluiah O death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victorie Halleluiah This
death for our sinnes grant that thy holie spirit may worke that faith in vs whereby we may be made partakers of that righteousnes which hee hath for those that trust in him And because without the blessed hope of rising againe from the dead our faith is in vaine and we are yet in our sinnes therefore we beseech thee to confirme and strengthen it in vs that as thou hast alreadie raised vp Christ our head so we may be assured thou wilt also raise vs vp that the bodie may be ioined to the head And furthermore as thou hast left this holie storie of thy Sonne that we might beleeue in him and by faith obtaine euerlasting life so we beseech thee worke the fruit of it in vs in constant faith to the saluation of our soules and thy euerlasting glorie to whome with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie now and for euer Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who according to all that had beene written before in y e lawe of Moses and in the Prophets that it behooued the Sauiour of the world to suffer death and to rise againe from the dead the third daie and that repentance and forgiuenes of sinnes should bee preached amongst all nations in his name and so from point to point hast fullie accomplished all these things in Christ Iesus thine onlie Sonne whome thou didst raise from the graue as this daie not onlie to liue againe in this world but euen to sit at thy right hand and prouiding for our infirmitie hast giuen vs a great manie of witnesses both of holie men and women vpon the earth and of Angels from heauen to confirme the truth of this matter vnto vs that we might haue strong assurance of saluation in him through faith Open our minds to vnderstand the holie Scriptures and grant vs stedfastlie to beleeue this thy Gospell that by this faith being made one with him we may receiue the forgiuenes of our sinnes and the estimation of righteous men in thy sight through him And furthermore also grant that by this his mightie conquest whereby he hath triumphed ouer the last enimie which is Death in raising himselfe againe vnto life we may both rise with him from the death of sinnes to the life of grace by leading a new conuersation and sit with him at thy right hand in hope hauing our life hid in him that when he shall appeare to come to iudgment our life also heere being led in the obedience of faith may then be made manifest and we receiue that which we now in faith possesse and in a blessed hope looke and wait for at his comming which is the saluation of our soules to the glorie of thy name to whome with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all praise and honour now and for euer Amen A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord for it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father almightie euerlasting God but chieflie we are bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. For he is the verie paschall Lambe which was offered for vs and hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world who by his death hath destroied death and by his rising to life againe hath restored to vs euerlasting life Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 10. On Ascension daie Of Christ his glorious ascending into the heauens in the sight of his Apostles The Preface GOD is gone vp with a merrie noise and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet Glorie to God on high Halleluiah He humbled himselfe vnto the death wherefore God also hath highlie exalted him and set him on his right hand in heauenlie places far aboue all powers and dominion Halleluiah God is gone vp on high and hathled captiuitie captiue and receiued gifts for men Halleluiah He that descended first into the lowe parts of the earth is euen the same also that ascended vp far aboue all heauens to fulfill all things Halleluiah God is gone vp with a merrie noise the Lord is ascended in great triumph Halleluiah Lift vp your head O ye gates and be ye lift vp ye euerlasting dores that the King of glorie may enter in Halleluiah Yea be thou exalted Lord in thine owne strength so will we praise thy power perpetuallie and euermore sing Glorie to God on high Halleluiah The praier THou O Christ sonne of God fortie daies after thy resurrection continuedst in the world to the vnspeakable comfort of thy Church which being expired thou ascendedst gloriouslie in the sight of thy Saints into the heauens We yeeld thee most hartie thanks for this thy benefit beseeching thee most humblie to number vs among the saints and souldiers which wait vpon thee triumphieng The hand-writing dependeth on the testimonie of our giltie conscience to our condemnation but by thy death the sentence of condemnation is abolished and thy bloud washeth vs from all our sins The enimies of thine elect euen the diuell and death are lead bound and the whole companie of the saints both in heauen and earth is filled with ioie speake of thy victorie and benefits Thy Saints in heauen visiblie doo behold thy glorious victorie Thy Saints in earth are saued by faith for the ornament and glorie of the kings daughter is glorious within In the sight of manie godlie auditors of thine and of thy holie mother the blessed virgin Marie thou wast carried visiblie from the earth in the clouds into heauen Thou gauest a taste of eternall life to thine Apostles wondering at thy departure and preachedst to them of thy returne into iudgement Thou hast glorified thine humane nature with vnspeakable glorie and placed the same on the right hand of thy Father vpon the throne of triumph and victorie as hauing for our sakes vanquished all our enimies But thine humane nature is not onelie aboue as be thy Saints but is exalted also to such a light as cannot be attained to by anie creature Thou reignest visible with the Father replenishing the whole celestiall congregation with righteousnes and diuine glorie Gouerne thou also in this mortall life outwardlie in thy ministerie and inwardlie in our minds Thou hast ascended on high and lead captiuitie captiue to bestowe thy benefits vpon man Before thy departure thou renewedst the institution of thy ministerie thou gauest thy disciples a commandement to preach to all nations for which thy goodnesse we giue thee most hartie thanks for therby thou hast called vs to the societie of thy Saints Assist vs with thy spirit that we may beleeue the Gospell and keepe for euermore the
art also the substantiall amitie betweene the Father and the Sonne we worship thee we praise and glorifie thee and with our whole hart we thanke thee for all thy benefits especiallie for calling vs by the voice of thy Gospell vnto the Christian congregation for illuminating vs with thy gifts for sanctifieng vs with a stedfast faith and for keeping vs hitherto in the same For by the fount of the wholesome lauour that is by the water of holie Baptisme being powred into vs thou dooest continuallie worke in vs regeneration and renewing of the inward man Harken we beseech thee vnto our supplication and teach vs miserable women which by the proper strength of our onlie reason can by no meanes trust in or approch to Christ our Lord and Sauiour teach vs O our God what thy pleasure is and leade vs into all truth For without thine assistance none can saie that Iesus is the Lord. O blessed Lampe of light fill the inward parts of the faithfull with the holie oile of thy manifold heauenlie gifts and graces without the which nothing is light and pleasant in man but euerie thing darke obscure and hurtfull Wash thou that is filthie water that is drie heale that is wounded bow the obstinate cherish the frosen and reclaime them which wander Giue to the faithfull trusting in thee the reward of wel-doing the entrance into happines and euerlasting comfort Thou in thy gifts seauen-fold which art the spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisedome and vnderstanding the spirit of counsell and strength the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord inspire into vs through the preaching of the Gospell thine heauenlie wisedome about thine essence and dinine pleasure which is hid from the world Grant that we may knowe the Father and the Sonne by thee and may alwaies beleeue that thou art the spirit of them both so worship one God in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie whose will is that not one should perish but be conuerted liue and that as manie as beleeue in the Sonne should haue euerlasting life For the Father sent the Sonne not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued O lightener of the mind powre vpon vs thy new light and purge the horrible darkenes of our minds so that we may see knowe our chiefe Father whome pure eies onlie doo behold O thou heauenlie comforter giue vnto vs a testimonie and grant vnto our minds a token of the certaintie of our beleefe so that we doubt not neither wauer about thy diuine goodnes towards vs. Make our harts quiet and secure that with a full trust and confidence we may approch to the throne of thy heauenlie grace receiuing by adoption the right of children and inflamed with spirituall ioie in all boldnesse and libertie may crie Abba Father Thou most faithfull aduocate strengthen vs against all the assaults and temptations of sathan so that we may neuer doubt of thy diuine prouidence and predestination whereby we are chosen and called in Christ vnto euerlasting life and neuer being stroken with a seruile feare and oppressed with dreadfull doubtings may in a rage flee and forsake our God O surpassing comforter leaue vs not destitute of thine aid and patronage but vouchsafe euermore to be present with vs in our crosses troubles least otherwise we faint but rather make vs to reioice in tribulations knowing that a crowne of life is laid vp for such as loue him O thou teacher of men instruct vs how and what we ought to praie for according to thy will that we may be heard and make thou intercession for vs with sighes that can not be expressed O thou cleanser of the heart giue vs the simplicitie of mind without gall and bitternes which descendedst in Iordan vpon our Lord and Sauiour Christ in the likenes of a dooue that we may be void of bitter enuie and contention in our harts and haue no roote among vs that bringeth foorth gall and woormewood O thou substantiall flame proceeding from the breast of the Father and his eternall Sonne lighten our harts with the fire of chaste and burning loue Thou which appearedst as vpon this daie at the feast of Pentecost vnto the Apostles in clouen tongs like fire see our coldnesse and comfort vs with thy quickening heate and breathings that we may receiue thy chrisme and annointment O thou ghest of the soule make thee a mansion place within the secret parts of our hearts that we may be an house for thy diuinitie which may dwell perpetuallie in our members and neuer depart from vs through our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord GOD. For it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father the almightie euerlasting GOD through Iesus Christ our Lord according to whose most true promise the holie Ghost came downe this daie from heauen with a sudden great sound as it had beene a mightie wind in the likenes of fierie tongues lighting vpon the Apostles to teach them and lead them to all truth giuing them both the gift of diuers languages and also boldnesse with feruent zeale constantlie to preach thy Gospell vnto all nations whereby we are brought out of darknesse and errour into the cleere light and true knowledge of thee and of thy Sonne Iesus Christ Therefore with Angels and Archangels with all the blessed cōpanie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hosts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 12. On Trinitie Sundaie An acknowledgement of the almightie Trinitie and his vndiuided God-head essence power and maiestie The Preface WHen Iesus was baptised in the water lo the heauens opened and the spirit of God descended like a dooue and lighted vpon him and behold there came a voice from heauen saieng This is my deerlie beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Holie holie holie Lord God almightie Halleluiah There are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holie Ghost and these three are one Holie holie holie Lord God of Saboth Halleluiah The Praier O Most high Trinitie one onlie power and vndefiled maiestie our God God almightie the beholder and searcher of mine hart I the abiect and hindmost of all thy seruants confesse and acknowledge thee and being the least member of thy Church I woorship thee with a due sacrifice of praise for so much as I am able and can according to that which thou hast vouchsafed to endue me withall And forasmuch as I am destitute of outward gifts to offer vnto thee those vowes of praise which I haue of the gift of thy mercie behold willinglie and gladlie I offer them vnto thee which be an vnfeigned faith and a
pure conscience I beleeue therefore with all my hart O king of heauen and Lord of the earth and with my mouth doo I confesse thee the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be three persons and one in substance the true and verie God almightie of one simple incorporall and inuisible nature incomprehensible and of such a nature as is not in a place as other natures be and that thou hast nothing superiour or aboue thy selfe or lower or anie thing bigger than thy selfe but in all manner of meanes perfect without all spot of deformitie And that thou art great without quantitie good without qualitie euerlasting without time life without death strong without infirmitie or weakenesse true without lieng present in euerie place without anie situation or being placed in anie place to be all euerie where without place fulfilling all things without stretching foorth thy hand going euerie where without anie contradiction or gaine-saieng passing ouer all things without mouing abiding in all things without anie kind of proportion making all things hauing need of nothing gouerning all things without labour giuing all things their beginning hauing no beginning thy selfe making all things mutable and variable thy selfe being without all kind of mutabilitie and variablenesse I confesse thee to be in greatnesse without measure in power almightie in goodnes the cheefe and best in wisedome inestimable in counselles intents and purposes terrible and fearefull in iudgements most vpright and iust in cogitations and thoughts most secret in words true in works holie in mercies aboundant and plentifull toward offenders most patient towards the penitent and those that be hartilie sorie for their sinnes most gentle louing alwaies the same euerlasting and continuallie continuing immortall and incommutable impossible to be changed or altered Whome neither the amplitude or largenes of places doth make bigger nor the shortnesse or littlenesse of places make lesser nor anie places or corners can conteine or presse togither Neither doth thy will or intent varie or alter nor familiaritie or acquaintance corrupt thee nor sorrowfull things trouble or amaze thee nor glad things make thee pleasant or frolike as a man would saie For from thee can forgetfulnes take nothing nor mindfulnes or remembrance giue anie thing Neither are things passed vnto vs passed also vnto thee nor things which to vs are to come to come towards thee For neither beginning doth giue anie beginning to thee nor time anie increase nor yet chance giueth thee anie end but before all worlds and in all worlds and by worlds into euerlasting thou dooest liue and thou hast continuall praise and perpetuall glorie most high power and singular honor euerlasting kingdome and rule and empire without end through the infinite and vnwearie and immortall world of worlds Another meditation of the right beleefe in the vnitie of persons and pluralitie in God THese and much mo things haue I learned of the holie mother the Church whereof through thy grace I am made a member Of hir haue learned how thou the alone and true God both hast no bodie and also art vnsubiect to passions how nothing of thy substance or nature is anie waie violable or changeable or compounded or created and therefore certaine it is how thou canst neither be perceiued by anie bodilie eies nor could euer be seene in the proper nature of anie mortall man For hence it may euidentlie be gathered that where Angels doo now behold thee there we also after this life shall see thee naie the verie Angels neither are able to see thee as thou art in thy selfe naïe to conclude the almightie Trinitie is knowne to none but onlie to thy selfe O blessed Trinitie And thou an vnitie of the God-head through the pluralitie of persons manifold art in number infinite and therefore measurablie vnmeasurable and waightily vnwaiable For we knowledge no beginning of the souereigne goodnesse the which thou art of whome through whome in whom are all things but through participation thereof we saie all good things are For thy diuine essence hath alwaies been and yet is without matter although it lacke no forme to wit informed the forme of formes the most welformed forme the which while thou imprintest as a seale to euerie particular thing thou makest them doubtlesse to differ from thy selfe without any either of your augmenting or diminishing but whatsoeuer is in the world it is thy creature O simple Trinitie and triple vnitie God whose almightinesse both possesseth and ruleth and replenisheth all things which thou hast created Neither in saieng how thou fillest all things meane we that they conteine thee but rather that thou conteinest them neither by parts fillest thou all things nor yet may it be thought that euerie thing according to the greatnesse of the portion it hath receiueth thee that is the greatest thing more and the smallest thing lesse thou rather being in all things or more trulie all things in thee whose omnipotencie includeth all things Neither can any man find a waie to escape thy power For whosoeuer hath not thy fauour can by no meanes auoid thy displesure as it is written Neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South but God is the iudge And againe Whither shall I go frō thy spirit Or whither shall I go from thy presence The immensitie of thy diuine greatnesse is this that we knowe thee to be within all things not as included and without all things yet not as excluded And therefore thou art within that thou maist containe all and therfore without that all things may be comprehended within the immensitie of thine vncircumscribed greatnesse So then by that thou art within thou art knowne to be a Creator by that thou art without we perceiue how thou art the gouernour of all things And least all things which are created might be without thee thou art within and without that all things may be included of thee not by locall greatnesse but by thy mightie presence who art euerie-where present and all things present before thee although some vnderstand these things yet some doo not The vnitie then of thine inseparable nature can not haue separable persons bicause as thou art a Trinitie in vnitie and an vnitie in Trinitie so can you not haue a separation of persons Sometimes indeed those persons are particularlie named but so thou wouldest O God the Trinitie declare thy selfe inseparable in persons that there is no name in anie one person but may be referred vnto another according to the rule of relation as the Father vnto the Sonne the Sonne vnto the Father so hath the holie Ghost true relation both vnto the Father the Sonne Also those names which signifie either your substance O GOD or person or power or essence or else what which properlie is called God doo equalliie agree to all the persons as great God almightie eternall and generallie all things which naturalle are spoken of God So that there is no name of nature which so maie
Lord God heauenlie King God the Father almightie O Lord the onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ O Lord God Lambe of God Sonne of the Father that takest awaie the sinnes of the world haue merrie vpon vs. Thou that takest awaie the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. Thou that takest awaie the sinnes of the world receiue our praiers Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father haue mercie vpon vs. For thou onlie art holie thou onlie art the Lord thou onlie O Christ with the holie Ghost art most high in the glorie of God the Father to whome be all kingdome power honor and glorie world without end Amen 13. On euerie Sundaie holidaie or weekedaie Of Christ his second and last comming to iudgement The Preface THE kingdome of heauen is neere at hand euen at the doores Take heed watch and praie The sonne of man shall come as a theefe in the night suddenlie and vnwares at an houre that ye knowe not Take heed watch and praie Euen Iesus which was taken vp from vs into heauen shall so come againe to gather vs vnto him as he was seene to haue gone into heauen Come Lord Iesu Behold he commeth with clowdes and euerie eie shall see him yea euen they which pierced him through and all kindreds of the earth shall vaile before him Come Lord Iesu Our God shall come and shall not keepe silence there shall go before him a consuming fire and burne vp his enimies on euerie side the hilles shall melt like waxe at the presence of the Lord a mightie tempest shall be stirred vp round about him Come Lord Iesu He commeth he commeth to iudge the earth and with righteousnesse to iudge the world and the people with equitie and truth Come Lord Iesu Therefore yet a verie little while O my soule take heed watch praie and he that shall come will come and will not tarrie Come Lord Iesu Surelie I come shortlie saith Christ and my reward is with me to giue to euerie one according as his works shall be either good or bad For I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Blessed are they that watch and keepe my commandements vnto the end Come Lord Iesu Euen so saith the spirit and the bride Come Lord Iesu come quicklie Amen Amen Halleluiah The praier to haue Christs sudden comming euen in our remembrance and that we may be in a readinesse against his most glorious appearing The Preface Vt supra Iesus The Praier BEholding O heauenlie Father the daie of accompts ouer all flesh to be euen now at hand namelie the last daie the daie of iudgement the great and notable daie of the Lord wherein the whole generation of mankind from the beginning of the world shall rise againe shall appeare both in bodie and soule before the presence of the most iust iudge thine eternall Sonne and our righteous God to receiue their owne doome for weale or wo for life or death for ioie or paine and that eternallie with the saincts in heauen or for euer with the diuels in hell we beseech thee most humblie O gratious God to haue mercie vpon all thine inheritance dispersed in these our euill and dangerous daies in the midst of this wicked most sinfull and vntoward generation vpon the face of the earth amongst whome we are most miserablie entangled contemned cruellie dealt withall and stirred to all abhominations O heauenlie Father we acknowledge before thee in our selues the greatnesse of our owne frailtie our corrupted lust to lewdnesse the fulnesse in our selues of our owne iniquitie and our accustomed inclination at all times to wickednesse O Father of mercies tender vs in our weakenes haue compassion vpon our infirmities pardon our sinfulnesse and grant vnto vs thine holie spirit to worke speedie mortification in vs to keepe lowe the pride of our flesh to humble our soules in thy sight to strengthen vs in righteousnesse to feare alwaies thy iudgements to thinke vpon thy wrathfull indignation and vpon the houre of the vengeance to come when thou for our wickednesse shalt turne awaie thy face from vs. Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs for Christ Iesus thy Sonne sake and so prepare all our harts soules and bodies to the necessitie of the time that we may haue therein good regard to our selues that our harts be not ouercharged with excesse of eating surfeting and dronkennesse or otherwise vexed with the cares of this wretched world to hinder vs and to drawe vs backe from our carefull attendance or diligent waiting for the Lords sudden comming to iudgement but that we may continuallie attend wait watch and praie for the speedie appeerance of his glorious Maiestie that when he shall at the rising againe of all flesh by the sound of the last trumpet come to iudge both the quicke and the dead we may be then in a readinesse to meet him aboue in the heauens and there to stand before his presence to behold the glorie of his most gratious countenance to see how in mercie he shall separate vs from the wicked as sheepe from the goates to set vs also on his right hand to giue the sentence of blessing vpon vs and to commend vs vnto the kingdome of thee his heauenlie Father which he himselfe hath prepared and so pretiouslie purchased with the price of his own bloud there with him with thee O Father and with the holie Ghost to liue in euerlasting ioie and felicitie Grant this O heauenlie Father euen for the onelie merits sake of that thy deere Sonne and our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen Another meditation of the signes which shall appeare before the end of the world IT is thy saieng O Sonne of God that in the last and doting age of the world both greater and more greeuous miseries and confusions among men should bee than euer were and also for all that that thou which art the defender of thy Church in the midst of such calamities and crueltie of thine enimies wilt preserue some remnant of the faithfull that thy seruice be not vtterlie extinguished before the end of this world Wherefore being oppressed through the intollerable burden of miseries heaped therefore vpon vs bicause the sins of this withering world are most greeuous and lamentable but especiallie for that Sathan thine enimie seeth the daie of iudgement to be verie nigh at hand wherein his abhomination shall openlie be laid before all thy chosen creatures and he be cast hedlong into eternall torments which makes him extreamelie to rage against thy chosen flocke and to seeke by all meanes that possiblie he can to withdrawe vs from thee and to make vs blaspheme thy sacred Maiestie Wee as it standeth vs vpon flie vnto thee with all humblenesse of mind in these our extremities The whole frame of this world groaneth also with thine elect and earnestlie desireth to be renewed Therefore according to thy gratious admonition we call into mind the signes
congregation by the egge and singular seed of thy first promise made in Paradise Thou gatherest such as beleeue and depend thereon vnder thy wings by thine intercession against the wrath of God which is a consuming fire and by thy liuelie heate thou nonrishest them powring vpon them thy spirit which is a substantiall fire flowing from the brest both of thee and thine eternall Father expelleth the coldnesse of our nature and quickneth such as are ingraffed in thee vnto a new life Thou encounterest with Kites rauening birds raging spirits and all the mortall infernall enimies for the safegard of thy poore chickens Wherefore keepe vs we humblie praie thee among thy chickens which with a woonderfull and entire affection acknowledge thy voice when thou callest which couer themselues vnder thy wings and drawe from thy brest most godlie comfort in their greefe of hart and strength against all enimies And O comfortable ghest of the soule leaue not our houses desolate cease not to fill vs by thy continuall presence with thy life and righteousnesse giue vs the true comfort of mind that before all worldlie things we may prefer the confession of thy truth euen as that reuerend old man Zacharie father of Iohn Baptist betweene the temple and the altar with his bloud as with a pretious burnt sacrifice did confesse thee to bee the Messias sent frō thine eternall Father Saue vs from bloud-shedding O Lord our Sauiour that we wrap not our selues in paines most intollerable wherwith thine enimies which haue defiled themselues with the innocent bloud of thy martyrs are oppressed And as thy glorious martyr and trustie Deacon of thy Church Steeuen when most heinous faults were laid vpon him as though he had proclaimed defiance both to God and his Church did continue constant in thy faith vsing a most excellent and effectuall forme of praier for his enimies thy persecutors conteining the summe of true doctrine sawe the heauens open and thee O Sonne of God standing on the right hand of thy Father to whom at the point of death he commended his soule so assist vs with thy grace that wee by his example may learne both to loue and praie for our enimies and that we feare not the peruerse opinions of the wicked world Be thou with vs in trouble according to thy promise open to vs the heauens shew vs thy liuelie countenance by thy good presence comfort our sorowfull minds make it knowne vnto vs that thine eternall Father is pacified through thee And finallie when our soules shall depart frō our bodies receiue them we hartilie beseech thee into thine almightie hands Giue grace that quietlie we may rest and fall asleepe till at the resurrection of mankind thou bringest thy Church and chosen to thy visible presence in the heauens where thou remainest and watching full tenderlie ouer thy flocke thou placest the same at the right hand of thy Father Amen 4. On Saint Iohn the Euangelists daie Being the Disciple whom Christ so deerlie loued and who at the resurrection of Christ was 22. yeeres old and liued in all eightie nine yeeres With the bread of life and vnderstanding shall the Lord féed him and giue him the water of wholsowe wisedome to drinke O Sonne of God full sixtie and seuen yeeres did thy beloued disciple Iohn among great miseries greeuous combats spread abroad thy Gospell in Asia the lesser where much idolatrous seruice curiositie and Greekish lightnesse was vsed He rested himselfe not onelie corporallie vpon thy bosome or shoulders being conuersant with thee in the earth and loued of thee as thy kinsman but spirituallie also drue from thy breast the spirit of wisdome replenishing his mind and hart with heauenlie light strength of faith and celestiall vertues He sawe the wofull destruction of his countrie and beheld the tragicall ouerthrowe of his nation He sawe the decaie of that Common-weale that was ordeined of God and of that temple which in all the world was the onelie temple of God He encountered with Ebion and Cerynthus most wretched heretikes which were the trumpets of Sathan to blowe abroad damnable opinions which as the first Cain by the prouocation of the diuell did contumeliously deale with the Sonne of God derided his promise And as afterward the nations by their monsterous multitude of feined gods did reiect Christ and his benefits so in a desperate boldnes did they set themselues against heauen and blasphemouslie detract from the Sonne of God his diuinitie But thanks be to thee O Sonne of God which art the substantiall image and word of the eternall Father thou hast by the doctrine and authoritie of this thy blessed Apostle Euangelist S. Iohn not onlie inlightned thy Church greatlie with the bright beames of thy heauenlie light of diuine knowledge but also by the testimonie of thy iudgement with horrible punishment cut off those blasphemers and heretikes that troubled thy Church and deliuered the truth of that article vnto vs. O preserue this light among vs henceforward that we may attaine thereby to thine euerlasting gifts and suffer vs not to bee wrapped anie more in idolatrous darknesse and superstition which is contrarie to thy glorie Mo enimies also Lord hath Sathan stirred vp to deface this thy truth and glorie euen the horrible power of the Turks which with brazen faces both blasphemouslie deale with thee and persecute thy Church confessing thy truth but suffer not O Sonne of God suffer not we beseech thee the true knowledge of thee by the power of Sathan and his ministers to be blotted out but keepe for thy selfe an holie seed among vs which against all the gates of hell may professe thee to be the eternal Sonne of the euerliuing God to whom the whole societie of Saints with one consent doth ascribe all power all knowledge all heauenlie vertues and willeth all praiers and supplications to bee directed to thee alone which art God alone Maintaine also among vs the true sense of the difference betweene humane righteousnesse and thine Grant that willinglie we may obeie thee leading vs vnto the exercises of true repentance vnto the crosse vnto troubles and vnto death where our will is truelie bound and obeieth altogither Giue grace likewise that we mooue not vnnecessarie strife through pride ambition and curiositie as did Samosatenus Arrius and manie mo but may followe thee and in our vocation both in teaching and learning and liuing may continue in the truth of doctrine that we may be found in that companie which thou louest intirelie and wilt prouide for vntill thou returne Amen 5. On the holie Innocents daie VVhich washed their garments in the bloud of the Lambe euen in their infancie by the crueltie of Herod The soules of the righteous are in the hands of God and there shall no torment touch them O Sonne of God in the time of thine humiliation euen from thy natiuitie and infancie trulie diddest thou taste the streame of mans miserie Poorlie thou wast borne naked and despised in
in a cleere and perfect light shall behold thee Amen 7. On the feast daie of the purification of Saint Marie the virgin and mother of Christ. The word became flesh and dwelt among vs Halleluiah O Eternall Father of thine onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ which in the Common-wealth of Israell ordeined according to thy wisedome and adorned with excellent statutes necessarie for the state of mankind and signifieng secret and heauenlie things didst make diuers lawes concerning vncleannesse and the keeping of women with child and another for the first borne and that not onlie to put vs in mind of order in this life and thankefulnesse towards thy ministerie but also to teach that this our giltie and polluted nature like the foule and menstruous cloath of a woman is washed by the bloud of thy Sonne which is thy first borne thy substantiall image and the word sounding thy will whome from the heauens thou commandest to be harkened vnto Gouerne vs by thy first and onlie begotten Sonne Giue vs thy holie spirit that earnestlie we may bewaile our vncleannesse and pollusion aske helpe at thy mercifull hand be purified by the bloud of thy Sonne and be redeemed by him vnto true integritie and cleannesse which pleaseth thee that for his sake we may be adopted into thy children and find fauour in thine eies And as that good old man father Simeon notwithstanding that publikelie little or no talke was vsed of thy benefits by reason of the manifold sects then sproong vp and horrible tyrannie of Gouernours yet was confirmed by thy holie spirit in the truth and receiued a singular promise that he should see the Messias so by the same thy spirit kindle in vs faith whereby we may escape the palpable and curssed darkenesse of idolatrie which in the world welnigh is vsed And grant that we may apprehend thy Sonne who as this daie was presented in the Temple in substance of our flesh and in his armes depart in peace and be presented vnto thee with pure and cleane minds Assist vs that from our harts as did good father Simeon and holie Iacob we may firmelie keepe him among the feares of conscience and pangs of death Grant that he may be our light inflaming the darkenesse of our feeble minds with the brightnesse of his glorie Blot out all our doubtings heale the diseases of our soule and kindle that benefit and excellent light of true religion that being made followers in the spirituall societie of thy people Israell whose glorie is thy Sonne witnessing that among that people the promises and reuelations of the essence and will of the true God were made we may also come to thy glorie which our nature needeth and be adorned by thy Sonne with the heauenlie blessing of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and receiuing righteousnesse and eternall life Amen 8. On Saint Matthias daie Thou hast exalted one chosen out of the people to publish thy lawe blessed be thy name O Lord. ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who because the Scripture must needs haue beene fulfilled which the holie Ghost through the mouth of Dauid spake before of the Traitor Iudas who was guide to the Iewes that tooke Iesus thy deere Sonne our Lord and who now in reward of his iniquitie for betraieng thine innocent Sonne his Lord and Maister went hoong himselfe in the feeld of bloud called Acheldama till he burst asunder in the midst and all his guts and bowels gushed out didst afterward at the earnest praiers and petition of the rest of thy disciples choose thy faithfull seruant Matthias out of all the companie that followed thee or had their conuersation with thine Apostles to be of the number of thy twelue Apostles and ordeinedst him to be a witnesse with them of thy Sonnes resurrection as it is written in the 109. Psalme Let his habitation be void and no man be dwelling therein and his Bishoprike or charge let another take grant we beseech thee that thy Church being alwaie preserued from hirelings traitors and false Apostles may be ordered and guided by godlie faithfull and true pastors and ministers O Christ Sonne of God greatlie didst thou reioice at the gathering of the Church and high thanks didst thou yeeld to thy Father because he had chosen an holie seed out of mankind and suffered not their pains to be altogither frustrate We thanke thee also from our harts for reioicing at our well-doing and for repressing the diuell by thy power that some may be saued Gather heereafter we beseech thee from among vs a righteous people pleasing thee And although miserable and ouglie be the outward shew of thy Church and they which seeme to be the light of the world despise thy wisedome euen as neither Tiberius the Emperour with the Senate of Rome neither the Princes and Priests of the Iews would vouchsafe to heare thee wandering with thy Disciples Christian auditorie yet assist vs that these sinister iudgements of the world doo not dismaie vs but that we may bring our minds into a godlie captiuitie acknowledge thee by a true and liuelie faith to be the Sonne of thine eternall Father receiue the words from thee which from the bosome of thy Father vtterest the counsell concerning the restitution of man to whom all things both in heauen and earth are giuen for vs which are thy parteners Leade vs by thine hand by thy word and spirit before the presence of thy Father shew vs in a new light inwardlie in our soules the presence of thy Father which is pleased with vs for thy sake Abide thou among vs. Powre on vs by thy spirit the beginning of that light and righteousnes which appeareth in thee being the light of light lightning the darkenes of our nature Behold O good Samaritane and Physician of our soules to thee doo we lift vp our hands we are wounded we labour and are heauie laden thine enimie hath spoiled vs and wounded vs to the death We are so burthened with the weight and greeuousnes of sicknesse that our soule is comfortlesse readie to faint and fall into death and damnation Wherfore comfort our miserable soule with thy ioifull wine and oile with thine heauenlie and quickening balme raise vs from death vtter thy comfort to our harts and grant that our soules may find rest and gladnesse in thee Put on vs thy sweet yoke tame our flesh by thy spirit Raise vp in vs new motions and holie cogitations agreeable to thy will and word Thou art meeke in deed not desirous of reuengement Thou hast not throwne miserable man into euerlasting damnation as thou didst the diuels but hast suffered punishment for vs in thy bodie and praied for thine enimies Thou art meeke and lowlie in hart Thou flangest thy selfe vnder all angels and men thou tookest our fraile and fowle flesh vpon thee thou she wedst not the power of thy diuinitie in the time of thy passion but hidst if it might be thy diuinitie after a woonderfull
vnspeakable maner that thy humane nature might suffer and die Quench also in vs by thy spirit mercilesse fires of hatred and desire of reuenge which as worldlie men doo saie is sweeter than life it selfe with all the flames of pride Grant that acknowledging our filthines prostrate before thy face in true lowlinesse we may aske thine helpe being healed may perseuere in the imitating of thy perfect example Assist vs that while we liue in euerie trouble and temptation of ours we may drawe the water of comfort from thee which art the well of life and afterward enioie perfect ease and a ioifull sabboth and feastfull holidaies in the heauens at such time as thou wilt shew thy Father to thine elect where each shall behold the other face to face Amen 9. On the feast daie of the annuntiation of the blessed virgin Marie Shew vs thy mercie O Lord and grant vs thy saluation BY thy wisedome O eternall God are the times distinguished whereby we are certified of thy benefits and euerlasting blisse which after this life and destruction of the world is prepared for thine elect Now are there passed 5543 yeeres sith the creation of heauen and earth of thine Angels of all creatures By thy word thou madest man out of the slime of the earth thou breathedst on him the breth of life and inspiredst into him a soule adorned with perfect wisedome and righteousnesse Afterward thy Sonne did vtter a secret decree about the restoring of man fallen through sinne out of thy fauour into euerlasting death About the same time of the yeere was innocent Abel murdered which was a figure of the sacrifice to come whose bloud indeed crieth vnto thee Father in heauen and beggeth the forgiuenesse of sinnes to all beleeuers In the like time was Isaac carried to be offered and thou commandedst the people of Israell to keepe holie these daies in which thou wouldest haue thy benefits to bee spoken of Likewise on this solemne and ioifull daie of the Equinoctiall spring time which sithence is 1582 yeeres thy Sonne as the Angel Gabriel signified to Marie the virgin by the working of the holie Ghost coupled the humane nature to himselfe after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner The same daie 1549 yeeres sithence thy Sonne redeemer of mankind in his weake and bloudie flesh hoong vpon the Crosse being the true Silo. And when the sunne going betweene Orion and the Pleiades leeseth his light he left his life through intollerable sorowe and torments And an old saieng it hath beene that about this time of the yeere our Lord and Sauiour Christ will returne in the clouds both to vanquish his enimies and to exalt his Church and chosen most gratiouslie vnto a new and eternall kingdome O Sonne of God stir vs vp vnto the consideration of those so excellent mysteries and worke thou so in our harts by thy grace that as we haue knowne thy holie incarnation by the message of an Angel so by thy crosse and passion we may be brought vnto the glorie of thy resurrection Through the protection and watch of thine Angel the holie families of chaste virgins and matrons remained safe and vnspotted among infinite dangers by thy spirit the truth was sealed in them that they could not be subdued by the errours of the Pharisies and Saduces Preserue likewise in this last age of the world some holie assemblies and suffer not the whole world before thy cōming againe to become blasphemers This shall be the wisedome of eternall life in which thou wilt open the causes why thou wouldest after this maner restore mankind and how God the word could couple our flesh to himselfe Assist vs that in this life we may learne the elements and in true faith be ioined through the holie spirit to thy bodie which thou tookest from the sanctified bodie of the sacred virgin And as thou cariest and liuest in the same flesh so make vs branches of the tree of life and fruitfull vine and replenish vs with like light life and glorie Be thou our Sauiour through thy merit and vertue Thine eternall Father hath placed thee in the throne of Dauid that thou maist be the head of the Church working all in all and the giuer of all good things and of the blessings promised to Dauid Thou reignest in this life by thy ministerie gathering to thy selfe an eternall Church and repressing thine enimies by thy mightie power Thou sittest exalted in light and incomprehensible glorie at the right hand of thy Father making alwaies intercession for vs vntill thou bring thy Church vnto thy selfe in glorie at the generail resurrection and shine in them visiblie and for euer O Sonne of God we are bone of thy bones and flesh of thy flesh Thou broughtest not thy flesh from heauen neither was the same borne of the substance of thy Father but truelie thou tookest thy flesh from the seed of Abraham out of the sanctified wombe of the holie and blessed virgin S. Marie This nature did the word couple to himselfe by an eternall couenant and adorneth the same with surpassing glorie which thou she wedst not in the time of thine humiliation Therefore in truth did blessed Marie beare God euen that person in which two natures that is to saie the word and flesh were vnited togither and that without anie confusion euen as the soule and bodie are coupled in vs men Wherefore we come vnto thee our Mediator God and man and respecting thy promise in a liuelie faith we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs wash vs with thy bloud and make vs members of thy bodie and nature No man at anie time hath hated his owne flesh make vs to sticke vnto thee by the same spirit and to drawe from thee the iuice which may strengthen vs to eternall life Amen 10. On Saint Marks daie Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another O Eternall omnipotent and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which togither with the Sonne and the holie Ghost hast not onelie created the whole frame of this world with all things therein conteined but also appointed thy Sonne the word to be a Mediator for vs men and for our saluation we beseech thee most humblie from the bottome of our harts thou which art the good husbandman ingraffe vs in thy Sonne which is the true vine make vs branches of his bodie purge vs from the horrible corruption of our nature giue vs grace to continue in the vine that being deliuered from sinne we may bring foorth abundance of fruit to thy honour and glorie O Christ thou art the vine we are the branches through thy grace not of our owne goodnesse gratiouslie behold vs we beseech thee that euermore we may cleaue to thee For alas without thee what can we doo that good is Abide thou in vs that we may abide in thee giue vs of thy vertue let thy light shine in our
harts to the extinguishing of the fowle darknesse of our filthie flesh and quicken vs to the bringing out of that fruit which both may please thee and profit thy Church so shall we escape the vnquenchable fire into which they which depart from thee are cast and be sure to obtaine whatsoeuer we shall aske at thy mercifull hands in true faith and feare For thy Father is glorified through our willingnesse which is also his gift to obeie him Furthermore as thou hast instructed thy holie Church with the heauenlie doctrine of thine Euangelist S. Marke giue vs grace likewise that we be not like children caried awaie with euerie blast of vaine doctrine but firmelie to be established in the truth of thy holie Gospell And thou holie Ghost come thou incessantlie into our harts first to instruct our minds with thine heauenlie and eternall will and being instructed confirme vs in the feare of thy Maiestie that at no time we depart from the path of thy commandements For our continuance in the race of the commandements of God is a speciall argument that we loue God vnfeinedlie whom we see not And secondlie that we may find ioie and comfort in all our troubles crosses and persecutions whatsoeuer that in this life we may alwaies abide among the companie of the regenerate and in the other be made partakers of eternall happinesse ordeined for the elect before the beginning of the world Amen 11. On Saint Philip and Iames daie The heauens declare the glorie of God and the firmament sheweth his handie worke O Sonne of GOD whom truelie to knowe is euerlasting life and without whom no man commeth vnto the Father grant vs perfectlie to knowe thee to be as thou hast said of thy selfe the waie the truth and the life as thou hast taught Saint Philip other the Apostles Bring vs wandering trauellers into the waie of saluation shew vnto vs thy truth quicken vs by thy spirit lead vs to thy Father that by thee and thine humane flesh now exalted and glorified the light and life of thine heauenlie Father may be spred in vs. Make vs miserable exiles citizens of thine euerlasting kingdome prepare vs places mansions where we may drawe from thee which art the true vine of eternall life in the house and table of thy Father the new iuice of heauenlie comfort and may continuallie be there where thou art that trulie thine eternall Father may be glorified in vs Amen 12. On Saint Barnabas daie Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits O Christ Sonne of GOD which art perfect charitie louing vs to the end and sufferedst vpon the altar of the Crosse a most shamefull death for our sakes to deliuer vs from death and damnation and to allure vs by that thine example vnto mutuall amitie and good-will we beseech thee inflame our cold harts with the burning affections of hartie loue And as thou hast indued thine holie Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the holie Ghost so let vs not be destitute of thy manifold gifts nor yet of grace to vse them alwaie to thine honour and glorie as he did Giue vs grace I saie first aboue all things to loue thee the true and onelie God with the Father and the holie Ghost with all our harts with all our soule and with all our strength that continuallie we may cleaue vnto thee with full purpose of hart as this thine holie Apostle exhorteth Raise vp secondlie a desire of brotherlie good-will towards our neighbours that we may helpe one another and as members of one bodie haue a mutuall compassion ech of other so that we may loue among our selues vnfeinedlie and abound in mutuall good-will that our harts may be vnblameable in holinesse before God Inflame our breasts that by thine example we may loue euen our verie enimies and blesse them which curse vs doo good to them which hate and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwaies vnto thee For he which loueth not his brother knoweth not God but abideth in death and dooeth vainelie boast against the truth Wherefore let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath but make vs quiet putting on tender mercie kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse and aboue all charitie which is the bond of perfection the end of the cōmandements and fulfilling of the lawe so that by loue our faith may be fruitfull and we at no time seuered from thee For thou art loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him so that we shall be no more seruants but friends in dooing the will of the heauenlie Father through the gratious good-will of thee his onelie begotten Sonne our Sauiour which hast chosen vs to bring foorth fruit whereby we shall so please his and thy sacred Maiestie that we shall be sure to obteine whatsoeuer we aske at his hands through faith in thy name Amen 13. On Saint Iohn Baptists daie I giue mine owne selfe the blame and take repentance in dust and ashes O Eternall Father of our Lord Iesu Christ wee yeeld thee most hartie thanks for gathering to thy selfe for and through thy Sonne an holie companie praising and celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore Also for sending from time to time teachers adorned with excellent gifts and warrants from heauen to spread foorth and publish the truth to mankinde among whome we knowe right well that the famous fore-runnner of thy Sonne euen the holie and reuerent Saint Iohn the Baptist excelled He by thy prouidence was woonderfullie borne and sent to prepare the way of thy Sonne our Sauiour by preaching repentance He was the first publisher of the new Testament the first purger of the Gospell from the grosse errours of the superstitious Pharises the spreader abroade of the articles of our faith and the imprinter of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God in the harts of men We humblie beseech thee gather from among vs an eternall Church Teach our harts by thine heauenlie spirit that vnfeignedlie we may listen to and loue the doctrine which Iohn soundeth to the world Make vs so to followe his doctrine and holie life I saie that we may trulie repent according to his preaching and after his example constantlie speake the truth boldlie rebuke vice and patientlie suffer for the truth sake as he did that being ingraffed into thy flocke we may become his disciples and bring foorth fruit woorthie repentance and behold the diuinitie which he sawe so shall we be deliuered from the wrath of God and admitted into the fellowship of eternall life Amen 14. On Saint Peters daie Their spéech is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the word of the eternall Father and the Embassador sent frō the beginning vnto thy Church speake thou inwardlie to our harts thine heauenlie wisedome lighten our nature vnderstanding with thy newe light that being demanded in euerie anguish we may trulie acknowledge and confesse
that light should be made and so not onlie bodies shining with noble light yet vnreasonable were made but besides also other spirituall natures as Angels were brought foorth into which thou powredst the beames of thy light of thy wisedome of thy righteousnesse and life and appointedst a companie of them which remained in their innocencie to euerlasting righteousnes and life that alwaies they might behold the countenance of the eternall Father being replenished with perfect goodnesse Thou hast ordeined and constituted in a woonderfull order that most excellent nature of all Angels to serue thy Church to defend the weake and feeble companie of men which in this life turne vnto thy Sonne our verie Michael Thou commandest those heroicall and valiant spirits to protect thy Church kingdoms and godlie schooles and places where thy Church doth abide calling vpon thee in feare and continuing in thy seruice We thanke thee from our harts for this great and vnspeakable benefit beseeching thee most humblie mercifullie to grant that they which alwaie doo thee seruice in heauen may by thine appointment succour and defend vs here in earth Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted teach vs to confesse this thy goodnesse and following the example of thine holie Angels to serue thee and thy congregation in true and sincere humilitie Compasse our Churches Common-weales and houses with the watch of thine Angels driue awaie from vs and our houses diuels thine enimies lieng blasphemous cruell murdering and incestuous spirits which through extreme hatred of thee and thy Sonne torment man labouring to bring it about that all flesh may blaspheme thee Represse the rage of them in their members in false teachers in the enimies of thy truth in Turks and other tyrants which persecute vs. Helpe vs in this world being ingraffed into that Church which thou dooest protect and may continue faithfull vnto the death and afterward being translated into eternall life be like the Angels yeelding immortall thanks vnto thee for thine infinite benefits Amen 19. On Saint Luke the Euangelists daie It is neither herbe nor emplaster that restoreth vs to health but thy word O Lord which healeth all things O Omnipotent almightie and euerliuing God which calledst Luke the Physician whose praise is in the Gospell to be a Physician of the soule it may please thee by the wholsome medicine of his doctrine to heale all the diseases of our soules And as by thy Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ thou hast commanded vs to praie that labourers may be thrust into thy haruest so grant vnto vs for the same thy sonne Bishops of thine owne instructing good shepherds sound preachers faithfull workmen and godlie ministers which may faithfullie ouersee and by thy word of saluation prosperouslie gouerne thy Church being deerlie bought with the pretious bloud of thine onelie Sonne Giue vnto vs such teachers as are both learned in thy word and commended for their good liuing direct them being illuminated with thine heauenlie light that they may rightlie deliuer and diuide vnto vs the principles of good doctrine the word of truth and the Gospell of life and open the difference betweene the lawe and the Gospell teach vs to beware of the leauen of the Pharisies and the contagious doctrine of mans traditions informe vs in all spirituall wisedome and bring vs by the operation of thine holie spirit vnto perfection both in the eies of God and sight of the world Grant that their labours may take good successe to the increase of thy celestiall haruest Giue them grace to continue constant in their profession fearing neither the hatred nor ingratitude of this world beleeuing certainlie that such as despise them are despised of thee and that thou neither wilt of thine holinesse nor wilt of thy iustice suffer such blaspemous impietie to go vnpunished Amen 20. On Simon and Iudes daie Apostles Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another ALmightie God which hast builded thy congregation vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesu Christ himselfe being the head corner stone grant vs so to be ioined togither in vnitie of spirit by their doctrine that we may be made an holie temple acceptable to thee And O Lord Iesu Christ which after this maner diddest comfort thine Apostles whom the world would hate and abhorre saieng I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Separate vs we humblie beseech thee from the darknesse idolatrie and wickednesse of this world and ioine vs to that companie among which thy Godhead dooeth dwell Grant that in true loue we may be ioined vnto thine eternall Father through thy spirit which is the bond of peace Make vs nothing to dread the sinister iudgements of the world neither yet for anie perils to forsake thy truth but patientlie suffer the iniuries from which thy selfe wast not free Let vs alwaies thinke that the seruant is not greater than the maister and so togither with thee and thine Apostles suffer those troubles and crosses which of God for our sinnes and amendement shall be laid vpon vs Amen 21. On All Saints daie Let the righteous be glad and reioice before God let them also be merie and ioifull WE thanke thee O almightie God our heauenlie Father for that of thine infinite mercie through our Lord and Sauiour and working of thine holie spirit thou gatherest out of mankind an euerlasting Church hast knit togither thine elect in one communion and felowship in the mysticall bodie of the same thy Sonne Christ our Lord defendest the same mightilie against the rage of the diuels and tyrannie of his members yea and hast promised one daie by thy Sonne to raise the same from death and to adorne it with vnspeakable glorie We beseech thee haue mercie on vs for the sake of the same thy Sonne our Mediator and Sauiour and grant vs grace so to followe thy holie Saints in all vertue and godlie liuing that we may come to those vnspeakable ioies which thou hast prepared for them that vnfeinedlie loue thee And gather from among vs euermore some religious companie which may serue thee in faith and a good conscience Assist that in this life that benefit of eternall life may begin that we may in a contrite hart obeie thee patientlie suffer the troubles which accompanie thy Gospell shew our selues meeke and mercifull hungring and thirsting from our hart after thy righteousnesse and seeking for the food of our soule aboue all things Make our ioie perfect and reioice in deed looking through faith vpon that blessed companie of Angels and men which enioie thy visible presence among whom thy Sonne is whom they see face to face and filled with vnspeakable delight here discoursing of thy woonderfull wisedome both in gathering and preseruing thy Church bring vs gratious Lord vnto the blessed cōpanie of thy Saints in this world and afterward make vs citizens of thine eternall kingdome togither
health and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse Thou shalt open my lips O Lord and my mouth shall shew thy praise For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I giue it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit a broken and contrite hart O God shalt thou not despise O be fauourable and gratious to Sion build thou the walles of Hierusalem Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnesse with the burnt offerings and oblations then shall they offer yong bullocks vpon thine altar 5. Domine exaudi Psal 102. HEare my praier O Lord and let my crieng come vnto thee Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble incline thine eares vnto me when I call O heare me and that right soone For my daies are consumed awaie like smoke and my bones are burnt vp as it were a firebrand My hart is smitten downe and withered like grasse so that I forget to eate my bread For the voice of my groaning my bones will scarse cleaue to my flesh I am become like a Pellicane in the wildernesse and like an Owle that is in the desert I haue watched am euen as it were a Sparowe that sitteth alone vpon the house top Mine enimies reuile me all the daie long and they that are mad vpō me are sworne togither against me For I haue eaten ashes as it were bread and mingled my drinke with weeping And that because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast taken me vp and cast me downe My daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered like grasse But thou O Lord shalt endure for euer and thy remembrance throughout all generations Thou shalt arise and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vpon hir yea the time is come And why thy seruants thinke vpon hir stones and it pitieth them to see hir in the dust The heathen shall feare thy name O Lord and all the kings of the earth thy Maiestie When the Lord shall build vp Sion and when his glorie shall appeare When he turneth him vnto the praier of the poore destitute and despiseth not their desire This shall be written for those that come after and the people which shall be borne shall praise the Lord. For he hath looked downe from his Sanctuarie out of the heauen did the Lord behold the earth That he might heare the mournings of such as bee in captiuitie and deliuer the children appointed vnto death That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion and his woorship at Hierusalem When the people are gathered togither and the kingdomes also to serue the Lord. He brought downe my strength in my iournie and shortened my daies But I said O my God take me not awaie in the midst of mine age as for thy yeares they endure thoroughout all generations Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the heauens are the worke of thy hands They shall perish but thou shalt endure they shall all waxe old as doth a garment And as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy yeares shall not faile The children of thy seruants shall continue and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight 6. De profundis Psal 130. OUt of the deepe haue I called vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Oh let thine eares consider well the voice of my complaint If thou Lord wilt be extreame to marke what is done amisse oh Lord who may abide it For there is mercie with thee therefore shalt thou be feared I looked for the Lord my soule doth wait for him in his word is my trust My soule flieth vnto thee Lord before the morning watch I saie before the morning watch O Israell trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercie and with him is plentious redemption And he shall redeeme Israell from all his sinnes 7. Domine exaudi Psal 143. HEare my praier O Lord consider my desire hearken vnto me for thy truth and righteousnesse sake And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified For the enimie hath persecuted my soule he hath smitten my life downe to the ground he hath laid me in the darkenesse as the men that haue beene long dead Therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate Yet doo I remember the time past I muse vpon all thy works yea I exercise my selfe in the works of thy hands I stretch foorth my hands vnto thee my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirstie land Heare me O Lord and that soone for my spirit wareth faint hide not thy face from me least I be like vnto them that go downe into the pit O let me heare thy louing kindnes betimes in the morning for in thee is my trust shew thou me the waie that I should walke in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Deliuer me O Lord from mine enimies for I flee vnto thee to hide me Teach me to doo the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy louing spirit leade me foorth into the land of righteousnesse Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy righteousnesse sake bring my soule out of trouble And of thy goodnesse slaie mine enimies and destroie all them that vexe my soule for I am thy seruant Glorie be to the Father to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Heerevnto you may adde as occasion and time will serue these select and notable Psalmes of Dauid as they are at large in the Psalter that is to saie the 5 7 13 17 22 25 31 35 42 43 55 56 57 69 71 77 86 88. Other Psalmes or Praiers compiled out of holie Scriptures verie necessarie to be vsed of the afflicted soule for obteining the remission of sinnes and mitigation of miseries O Lord of lords GOD almightie great and dreadfull which by thy word hast made heauen earth the sea all things conteined in them Nothing is able to resist thy power thy mercie is ouer all thy works All things be vnder thy dominion and rule both man and beast and all liuing creatures Thou art mercifull to whome thou wilt and hast compassion on whome it pleaseth thee Thy counsell shall stand for euer and whatsoeuer thou wilt shall be done Power dominion and glorie is thine which art aboue all things and in all things and in vs all Thou art Father of mercies and God of all grace peace and comfort which wilt not the death of a sinner nor delightest in the damnation of soules O Lord God which art rich in mercie and of thine especiall loue towards vs euen when we were thine enimies didst send into the world thine onelie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ that whosoeuer beleeueth dulie in him
hath offended thee make me free from the guilt of my transgression for I acknowledge mine iniquitie and am sorie for my sinnes I haue forsaken thy waie and I knowing thy commandements haue done all things contrarie to them I haue broken the couenant that I made with thee and haue despised to keepe thy lawe Uerelie I haue sinned against thee O Lord GOD and the blemish of my sinne abideth still with me euen vnto this daie I haue forsaken thee O God my maker and gone awaie from thee my Sauiour haue rebelled against thee like an oxe that winceth and striueth when hee should be yoked I haue hardened my hart against thee and I haue lifted vp my necke proudlie after my sinne I haue trusted in lies and through deceit would not knowledge thee but I haue followed the lewdnesse of mine hart My pride and arrogancie haue beguiled me and the foolish boldnesse of mine hart hath brought me into desolate waies Mine owne counsels and aduises haue brought me these things such is the malice and rebellion that possesseth the harts of men My soule is put from quietnesse and rest and I can not thinke of anie good thing The yoke of my sinnes is waxed verie heauie it is lifted vp and fastened about my necke Thou hast spoken to me but I would not heare thou hast called me but I would not answere I beleeued not thy words nor would abide thy counsell I regarded not thine holie word and I gaue not my mind to thy saiengs Thou hast striken me but I would not knowe the cause thereof thou hast corrected me but I would not take thy discipline I did not consider in mine hart that thou wouldest not forget my sinne and malice With my mouth and my lips I glorified thee but mine hart was farre from thee I hid my sinne as Adam did to the intent to haue mine iniquitie vnknowne I asked not counsell of thy mouth and I would not followe thy lawe I haue sinned before thine eies and therefore my soule is made vnstable I forsooke thee which art the fountaine of continuall springing waters to the intent to dig to my selfe muddie pits which haue no water In all these things I am not returned to thee nor I haue not praied vnto thee that I might leaue my wicked waies See Lord and behold how vile I am made all the beautie of my soule is perished and gone in so much that now I dare not in anie wise behold and looke vpon thee And there was no cause why I should forsake thee and vainlie followe vaine things Lord haue mercie vpon me and heare my praiers for thou art my God and there is no Sauiour besides thee Turne awaie from me thy heauie displeasure and destroie me not for the sinnes of my youth I humblie beseech thee O Lord forgiue me forgiue me for thine exceeding mercie O Lord God of hosts if thou be determined to saue who can let orresist If thou stretch out thine hand who shall turne thee awaie Thou maist doo to me as the potter doth to his pot for behold I am in thine hand as the claie is in his Amend me O Lord but in mercie not in thine anger least thou vtterlie consume me make me to vnderstand and knowe how hurtfull and deadlie a thing it is to forsake thee my Lord GOD and to cast awaie from me the feare of thee There is no man that can heale mee nor cure my plague no man can deliuer mee but thou O Lord which woundest and makest whole which strikest and healest againe My destruction commeth of my selfe my helpe and saluation standeth onelie in thee For none is like vnto thee thou art mightie and great is the name of thy strength Turne me to thee O Lord and I shall be turned take awaie from mee this sinfull hart that thy lawe may bring foorth fruit in me Remember me Lord for thy goodnesse sake and for the great loue thou bearest towards me O Lord God behold thou hast made both heauen and earth by thy great might and nothing is hard to thee Thou art that puissant and mightie whose name is the Lord of hosts great maruellous in thy counsell As soone as thou hast spoken the word all things be done as soone as thou hast commanded things be and thy word returneth not to thee void and without effect Thou O Lord GOD she west mercie vnto all for thou canst doo all and thou makest as though thou sawest not the sinnes of men bicause they should doo penance and amend their liues For thou louest althings that be and hatest nothing that thou hast made for nothing thou madest or hast ordeined of anie hatred Thou sparest and tenderest all men for all things be thine and thou louest the soules of men Thou doost minister mercie equitie and iustice in the earth and therefore in these vertues thou greatlie delightest Trulie O Lord thou art righteous and gratious notwithstanding I haue offended thee transgressing thy couenant and trespassing against thee O Lord thou hast seene all mine abhominations looke on my cause and consider how vile and wretched I am see and behold my great confusion In the time of reconciliation heare me and in the daie of saluation haue mercie on me Be mercifull vnto me and haue mercie on me which haue none other helpe but thee whose will nothing can resist whensoeuer thou doost purpose to saue Heare me which am a wretch making supplication vnto thee make me to trust in thy name and deliuer me by thy power Haue regard to me from heauen O Lord and looke downe from thine holie habitation from the throne of thy glorie Destroie me not bicause of mine iniquitie but remember the sorowe and paine that I suffer Be not still angrie with me O Lord forget all my sinnes and remember them no longer Let my praier ascend vp vnto thee saie vnto my soule Behold I am come to thee thy helth and thy saluation Amen Another Psalme for the remission of sinnes O GOD eternall iust and holie which keepest couenant and mercie with them that loue thee and keepe thy commandements Looke at me and haue mercie vpon me for I haue trespassed against thee done euil in thy sight Shew foorth vpon me the tender affections of thy mercie that thy seruant may haue an hart to praie vnto thee I humblie make my praier before thy face not trusting in mine owne righteousnesse but in thy great mercies For I am vncleane and filthie and all my righteousnesse is like a foule bloudie clowt Unto thee O Lord be iustice mercie and pitie but vnto me be confusion and shame for mine iniquities Certainlie euen from my beginning I haue vsed my selfe proudlie against thee dooing wickedlie and not ceasing O Lord thou hast redeemed me and yet I haue not ceased to offend thee and mine hart hath not beene straight in thy sight Thou hast taught and instructed me and stablished my power and I haue beene euill affected
pilgrimage to walke with a good conscience and pure mind both before thee and towards all men in my dooing that I be not a reader of thy holie word and a talker onlie but that it may appeare also in my life and conuersation Regenerate my hart with the spirit of grace dailie more and more giue me an inward taste and feeling of thy fauour and mercie towards me in Christ Iesu our Lord that I may knowe thee to be my God and Father and my selfe to be thy child for euermore Assist thy seruant against this world with the vaine pompe pleasures and beautie thereof that it may be vnto me as vile dust filth and slime that I may vse it as though I vsed it not and that it may serue me and I not it that I may take my part thereof vnto my necessitie with thanks-giuing that I doo not vse thy creatures voluptuouslie but that I may liue soberlie and godlie in this present life to thy glorie Preserue and defend thy seruant from all false opinions that I be not deceiued and caried awaie in the errour of the wicked but that I may growe in grace and knowledge of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord giue me wisedome knowledge and vnderstanding to perceiue those false lieng and flattering spirits which doo deceiue the harts of innocents and begile vnstable soules Giue me also O Lord a right a reuerent and a pure iudgement and vnderstanding of thy holie word and to auoide all rash iudgements and peruerse interpretations that I may neuer swarue from the true sense and meaning therof and grant that my cheefest felicitie may be in the same thy holie word in hearing reading and talking of it and in watching praier fasting mortifieng mine owne will and members O Lord plant in me true obedience to thy lawe and let not the cares of this world choke thy word in me Make me to lift vp my hart oftentimes to thee and if I chance to fall or slip make me to thinke on thee and to be sorie with a stedfast purpose of amendment Oh Lord I offer vp my selfe whollie with all my crooked and corrupt nature so much as it is in will and works vnto thy mercie to be corrected and reformed at thine owne will and pleasure O let not the hand of the vngodlie cast me downe but saue my soule O my Lord God whither it bee through prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gaine sickenesse or health life or death Aid strengthen succour and defend thy seruant in all aduersities tribulations and temptations and suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength Increase my ioie and comfort in thee and thy holie spirit that I may reioice in all trouble and affliction and imbrace the same to my consolation and comfort and thinke my selfe happie when I am counted woorthie to suffer anie trouble for thy name sake Take from mine hart the thoughts of earthlie comforts onlie set before mine eies the ioie of the crosse of Christ that I may take comfort therein and despise the shame for the great reward that is laid vp in heauen for all those that with patience suffer in aduersitie and continue in well-dooing vnto the end Oh Lord take from me I saie a carefull hart in all worldlie things let them be vile vnto me for thy sake and grant that neither pouertie oppresse me and driue me to despaire or falshood neither wealth and prosperitie lift me vp to forget thee or my selfe but that in prosperitie I may be thankfull and in aduersitie patient and humble Lord let me be merie without lightnesse sad without mistrust sober without dulnesse fearing thee without desperation trusting in thee without presumption let me not be merie with the ioie that is without thee and let me desire nothing besides thee Good Lord giue me ioifulnesse of hart and peace of conscience continuall gladnesse and consolation in thy word and promises that I may euermore be thankfull vnto thee and praise thy name for euer Let thy kingdome come vnto me which is righteousnesse peace and ioie in the holie Ghost long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faithfulnesse meekenesse temperance strength and patience with all such like vertues as are prescribed vnto me in thy holie word Grant me O God a tender louing and mercifull hart towards my brethren long amitie and perfect patience to beare all things well that thy prouidence shall see meet to laie vpon me Of thy fatherlie mercie O God leaue me not to my selfe but stand thou alwaies by me For I am too weake of mine owne power to doo anie thing that is good but my righteousnesse and strength lieth onelie in thee Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee requiring mercie in thy sight and the assistance of thy grace that I may bee strengthened with power in the inward man and be armed at all assaies with thine holie complet armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the sheeld of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the swoord of the spirit which is thy holie word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and bee found woorthie through Christ to receiue a crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee in purenesse of mind Now therefore O Lord I giue ouer my selfe into thine holie hands desiring thee for Christs sake that I thus armed may remaine vnder the protection and strong defence of thy power and that thine holie Angels may pitch their tents round about me and compasse me alwaies And I beseech thee O Lord giue vnto thy seruant the strength of thine holie spirit to subdue this bodie of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may bee made obedient both in will mind and members to doo thine holie will that when thou shalt appeare to reward euerie one according to their deeds I may reioice and not be ashamed of thee at thy comming Moreouer O Lord I beseech thee thinke vpon all thy people which are straied here and there from the farthest part of the earth which be entered into couenant with thee and are minded to walke after thy will Grant O Lord that we may growe togither in loue through the knowledge of thy word to keepe the vnitie of the spirit through the bond of peace to the vtter confounding of errour and all false opinions and to keepe vs cleane from all hypocrisie and superstition and to make vs strong in all trouble and affliction O heauenlie Father grant vnto me and all other I saie wheresoeuer they be dispersed throughout the vniuersall world which professe thy holie word so to liue that we may die to sinne and lead a godlie conuersation walking innocentlie before thee Rule and confirme our harts with thy spirit O Lord lighten our minds and guide vs alwaies with the lightsome lampe of thine holie Gospell Gouerne and preserue thy Church and defend those Realmes and Cities that giue succour and harbour to thy people make vs all diligent
and happie in the works of our vocation take into thy custodie for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Be gratious and fauourable oh Lord to all men and euen to our verie enimies and according to thy good will and purpose forgiue them their sinnes conuert vnto thy truth all those whom thou hast appointed in Iesus Christ to saluation Be mercifull O God to all our brethren and sisters that suffer anie kind of persecution or affliction whether in mind or in bodie especiallie such as suffer for thy name and Gospell giue them patience constancie and stedfast hope till thou send them full and good deliuerance of all their troubles Be gratious to all those whom thou hast coupled and linked to vs in loue and friendship whose harts thou hast mooued to praie for vs to wish vs good to succour and helpe vs in our necessities grant vs all thy blessing and holie spirit to sanctifie vs in the vnitie of faith and dwell in vs for euer Finallie oh Lord haue mercie vpon mine husband children and familie which thou hast giuen vs make me to be content with him as thy gift and increase thy feare in our harts that we may trulie loue thee and one another of vs in thee so that we may be pure both in soule and bodie and may godlie liue togither according to thine holie ordinance Giue him an hart of wisedome and vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaie before mine eies that as Ioseph cast off all surmises of the mis-behauiour of Marie his spouse and obeied the word of thine holie Angel so he may beare with mine imperfections and bee obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Oh Lord giue vs the power of thy spirit to gouerne our selues holilie and to rule and bring vp these our children and familie in all godlie feare nurture information of the Lord and knowledge of thy holie word and that we may be alwaies vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thine holie name Plant in mine hart all vertues that be necessarie and requisite in a Christian woman giue mee grace so to vse them and all other good gifts which I haue receiued at thy mercifull hands as may be most to thy glorie and praise to my consolation and saluation and to the profit of thy Church Behold Lord although I am but dust earth and ashes yet I haue taken vpon me and am bold to come and make these petitions and requests vnto thee not trusting in mine owne woorthinesse or righteousnesse which I doo acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled but onlie in thy great mercie and promise and through the merits of Christs death bloud-shedding to laie mine humble praiers before thee requiring mercie pardon and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy grace to doo thy will all the daies of my life and to obteine all these my petitions O therefore heare me speedilie good Lord forgiue me fauourablie O Lord and tarie not ouerlong but for thine owne sake doo it and for thy deere Sonne Iesus Christs sake in whom all thy promises are Yea and Amen which is our onelie Redeemer Mediator Sauiour and Iustifier to whom with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise now and euer Amen Another good and godlie praier to be said at all times of euerie Christian both man and woman O Almightie and euerlasting GOD Father Sonne and holie Ghost thou that hast made heauen and earth and all things in them conteined haue mercie vpon me poore wretched sinner dailie assaulted with all kind of miserie and wretchednesse I beseech thee O Father for the loue of thy Sonne Iesus Christ consider my weakenesse frailtie and imperfection and haue mercie vpon me Increase thy graces in me my souereigne Sauiour my deere Redeemer and mine onelie Iustifier For I come vnto thee O Lord according to the words of our Sauiour Christ who hath said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are laden and I will ease and refresh you Oh most mercifull Father ease me of and from the great burden of my sinne which I haue vnrighteouslie committed against thee either in thought word or deed and refresh my soule dailie with thy mercies Sprinkle me with the sweet hysop of thy mercie and then shall I be cleane wash me and then shall I be whiter than snowe Powre vpon me ioie and gladnesse and make my bones reioice which thou hast smitten Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Oh giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked that sinners may be conuerted vnto thee Deliuer me from bloud guiltinesse O God thou that art the God of my health that my tongue may praise thy righteousnesse Open my lips O Lord then shall my mouth shew foorth thy praise Consider mine imperfection and helpe it with thy mercies Remember thine old woonted mercies and faithfull promises made vnto our forefathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all other Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and other thy Saints in our Sauiour Christ Iesus who being compassed with infirmitie and weakenesse of the flesh came vnto thee O Lord as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of their health and saluation and thou mercifullie susteinedst them keepedst them deliueredst them in all their temptations and tribulations If their feet at anie time slipt or went out of the waie and committed sinne against thee yet thy mercie was alwaies readie so that thou by thine holie spirit diddest procure them to repentance so that they turned againe vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe thou mercifullie acceptedst at their hands For bicause they were desirous to liue perfectlie in thy sight thou preseruedst them so that they were found faithfull before thee O Lord thou art the same and thy yeeres endure for euer I beseech thee O Father beare mine imperfection and helpe it likewise with thy mercie if at anie time I happen to fall and commit sinne against thee as thou saiedst by thine holie Apostle Paule Let thy grace at all time be sufficient for me in such wise that I may immediatelie turne againe by true repentance vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe accept alwaies at mine hands for Iesus Christs sake so shall I be found perfect before thee For although the spirit bee willing yet is the flesh vntoward and weake Therefore doo I not leaue mine owne righteousnesse before thee For I knowe and confesse in me that is to saie in my flesh is nothing but plaine miserie wretchednesse and sinne Therefore doo I come vnto thee and beseech thee for Christes sake to extend thy mercifull hand towards me