yf we aske ony thyng according vnto his wyll he heareth vs. And yf we knowe that he heareth vs what so euer we aske we knowe that we shall haue the Peticions that we desyre of hym And that we maye do it fruytfully let vs praye w t the Psalmograph teach me O LORDE to do thy myl for y e arte my God So shal God worke his good pleasure in vs. The nynetyne Chapter MOreouer although iÌ„ our prayers we aske all thynges accordyng vnto the wyll of God yet may not we appoynt God the tyme of obtaynynge these thynges We muste praye aske but oure peticions we muste referre commyt to God for to be graunted whan it shall be hys moost godly pleasure For he knoweth what is moost fitte for vs better than we do our selues he wyll vndoubtedly graunt vs those thinges that we aske or elles muche better whaÌ„ he seeth his tyme. Therfore let vs lyft vp our eyes vnto him which dwellethe in y e heauens And as the eyes of seruauntes are euer on the haÌ„des of theyr maysters as y e eies of the handemayde are all wayes on the handes of her maystres so lette our eyes be bent euer vnto y e LORD vntyll he hath mercy vpon vs. Let vs aske pacieÌ„tly abyde his diuyne wyll surely we shall not be deceyued of our desyres But yf we shall appoynte hym the tyme wyl that he be obedieÌ„t to our wyl rather thaÌ„ we to his than do we tempte him prouoke his anger agaynst vs. ExaÌ„ple haue we in y e History of Judith where we read that whan the Israelites had ben longe oppressed of Nolofernes his army had contynued manny houres in theyr prayers cryenge vnto the LORDE for helpe yet perceyued none at all at y e hande of God They all consented that yf God dyd not helpe theÌ„ wythin fyue dayes they woulde gyue ouer both theÌ„selues theyr citie vnto Dolofernes his people But whan Judith that vertuous woman hearde of it she sayde Why haue ye consented to gyne ouer the citie vnto the Assyrianes yf helpe commeth not vnto you from the LORDE within fiue dayes What are you that thus tempte the LORD This is not a sayeÌ„g for to prouoke mercye but rather to store vp yre to kyndle furor Daue ye appoynted y e tyme of the LORDES mercy haue ye appoynted hym a daye at youre pleasure But seynge the LORDE is pacieÌ„t let vs repent and be sory for this thynge and let vs desyre his sauour w t wepynge teares Thus se we that it is no sâ—iale of fence be our peticions neuer so righteous for to appoynte God y e tyme. For that appoyntement of tyme declareth vs to be vnsaythfull It sheweth that we haue no ryght perswasion of God It is a manifest argument that we depende hange vpoÌ„ Gods goodnes mercy only for our carnail profytte auauÌ„tage It maketh euydent that we do no longer regarde God than he satisfieth and fulfylleth our lustes pleasures and desyres Therfore let vs do that we are coÌ„maunded that is huÌ„blye offer vp our prayers to God myth all submission of mynde powre out our hertes before him with vnfayned teares lament our cause vnto hym nothynge doubtynge but that accordyng to his moost godly promyse he wyll heare vs grauÌ„t vs those or els better thynges when it shall be hys plesure And yf God semeth to withdraw his helpe froÌ„ vs at any tyme not streyghtwayes to grauÌ„t vs our requestes lette vs not dispayre nor fall from the true confidence truste hope in the moost confortable promises of god therfore but rather be the more earnest importune in askynge beynge perswaded that God only differeth prolongeth the accomplyshmeÌ„t of his moost faythfull promyse bycause he wyll trye oure fayth whyther it be right constant and stedfast or not Dearly beloued sayth S. JohnÌ„ Chrisostome whaÌ„ I saye praye vnto God besech hym wayte vpon him thou sayst I haue prayed once twyse thryse yea and ten tymes twenty tymes what haue I receyued sayst thou Go not thy way tyll thou receyuest for the ende of the thyng asked is the receyuynge of hym that prayethe Than cease thou whan thou hast receyued yea rather neyther cease y u than but stil perceyue coÌ„tinue giuig thaÌ„kes for that which thou hast receyued y e that which thou hast taken may coÌ„tinually remayne with the. Let vs followe the woman of Canane which as it woulde appeare beynge denyed of her peticioÌ„ diuers tymes at the leeste receyuynge but smale coÌ„fort at christes hand would not cease but styll continued in makynge suyte supplicacioÌ„ for y e helth of her doughter tyll at the laste she heard this swete coÌ„fortable voyce O woman great is thy fayth Be it vnto the as thou wylte ¶ The. xx Chapter THe laste of all which is to be coÌ„sythered in the preparacion of prayer is so necessary that without it all the other are but vayne nothyng to the purpose And it is this that whaÌ„ soeuer we entend to pray we do fyrst forgyue such as haue offended vs or els by no meanes can we obtayne remission of our synnes fauour at the hand of God Therfore do we on thys manner praye in the Pater noster Forgyue vs oure dettes euen as we forgyue our detters And Christ sayth forgyue and it shall be forgyuen you Yea he gyueth vs a playne coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t y e we should forgyue so many as haue offeÌ„ded vs before we praye or elles oure prayer worketh vs rather damnacion than saluacioÌ„ Whan ye prepare your selues to praye sayeth Christe forgiue yf ye haue ony thyng agenst ony man that your father which is in heaueÌ„ may forgyue you also your trespasses Agayne he sayth yf ye forgyue men theyr faultes your heaueÌ„ly father wyl also forgyue you But yf ye do not forgyue men theyr faultes nether wyll your father forgiue you your faultes We reade that Peter came vnto Christ sayd LORDE howe ofte shal my brother synne agaynste me and I shall forgyue hym Untyll seuen tymes Christ aunswered I say not vnto the vntyl seuen times but vntyll seuenty tymes seueÌ„ tymes And â— Luke he sayth Take hede to your selues If thy brother synneth ageÌ„st the rebuke hym yf he repente forgyue hym â–ª And yf he synneth seuen tymes in a daye agaynste the shall seuen tymes in a day turne agayne vnto the sayenge It repenteth me forgyue hym And in Mathewe to make the matter more playne that we shall not be forgyuen of God except we forgyue theÌ„ y e offende vs he putteth for the a similitude or parable of a certayne kynge which when he called hys seruauntes to a countes had one brought to hym which ought hym ten thousande talentes Whan he was not able to paye hys Lorde coÌ„maunded hym to be folde his wyfe his Chyldren
whiche for very malyce or els for monye are redye to the vtter damnacion of theyr soules for to swere gyue euidence agaynste the innocentes and gylteles Where are these Catarpillers Extorcioners of the poore people whiche do nothynge all y e whole daye but gape after brybes and polâ—ynge fees no lesse than the hungrye Lyon doth after his praye They deuour my people sayeth GOD as a pece of bread Where are these rytch men to whome God hath coÌ„mytted the goodes of this world which like inâ—aciable dogges hauynge neuer ynough do continuallye hunte after the augmentacion of muÌ„dane treasures as by ioynynge Lordeshyp to Lordshyp Ferme to Ferme lond to lond pasture to pasture house vnto house â—enefyce to benefyce College to Colledge Prebende to Prebende Chauntry to Chauntry offyce to offyce promocion to promocion yea promocion for a vauntage as they saye yet are they vnmercyfull to y â— poore people despyse the mayntaynaunce of hospitalite which y â— holye scriptures coÌ„meÌ„d so highly in euery place do nothâ—g lesse then exercyse theÌ„selues iÌ„ y â— workes of mercy Wher are these spirituall rulers which gyuyng them selues to volupteous lyuyng neglecte to fede christes flocke with Goddes moost blessed worde Where are these Antechristes which laboure to suppresse Christes mooste swete confortable Gospell Where are these Papistes which desyre the olde papisticall vngodly supersticion to reygne agayne amonge vs Where are these captiues of Satan which wallowe tuÌ„ble theÌ„ selues in the dung hylles of synne To coÌ„clude where are al these wycked paâ—soÌ„nes which trangresse Gods commauÌ„dementes and solyue as though ther were no God at all O the vngodly wicked fasshions of this worlde O the countenauÌ„ce of the christen publigue weale not a litle deformed thorowe the pernicious maners of the false christians Thus se we what a nomber of mortal enemies reigneth euery where among vs yet is ther no man that lameÌ„teth his synne deâ—esteth his wickednes bewaileth his misery desyreth amendment seketh for grace prayeth for the fauoure of God that thorowe the holy Ghoste we may be restored to our olde puriâ—e cleannes If the righteous maÌ„ shall scarsly be saued where shall the vngodly synner appeare Who seâ—th not in howe miserable a case we â—re Who perceiueth not how great â—â—ede there is of amendemente Who doth not se as it were in a thynge lyuyshly paynted before his face that excepte we amend shortly correct we shall triumphantly haâ—â— the â—ictory ouer theÌ„ all Be ye obedieâ—â— to God sayth S â–ª Iames resist y e dâ—â—e he shall â—â—ye from you Draw nigh to God he shall drawe nyghe vnto you Make clene your handes O ye synners purify your hertes O ye that are double minded Be ye troubled mourne and wepe let youre laughyng be turned â—to mournyng your ioye into sorow Shew your selues huÌ„ble in the syght of y â— LORDE he shall lyfte you vp O that we would followe y â— godly counsell of this holy Apostle so redresse our wicked maners y â— the christen publigue weale myght be restored to her olde amiable beauty glorious pleasaunce Howe many wayes hathe God lefte here amonge vs wherby we maye make him a mercifull father a gentle sauyour vnto vs As I maye leaue of to speake of fastynge almes dede what a goodly godlye meane is true christen prayer for to obtayne the fauour of God to prouoke his moost tender mercy toward vs Hath ony thinge â— tymes past so greatly apesed the deuine wrath did not y â— holy fathers â— tymes pasâ—â—◠〈◊〉 theyr troubles aduersitie fly vnto Prayer as vnto a holy Anchore or sure Asile strong Bulwark Whom would it not delight to talke with the Kinges grace if he were amytted therto What a treasure than is it to talke with y e King of Kynges Lorde of Lordes in coÌ„parison of whom all earthly creatures are more vyle then the wormes This thyng coÌ„meth to passe by true and christen prayer For what other thynge is prayer than a familiar coÌ„municacioÌ„ w t God wherin we maye frely powre out the troubles of our hertes and declare all our matters boldly to him as the chylde doth vnto his father obtayne at his hand all good thinges Uerely we are our owne enemies yf we neglecte despyse this great commodite singular pleasure We can not excuse our selfe by ygnorancy in asmuch as we haue plentie of prayers prepared for vs in the Englysshe tonge both in y â— holy Byble in other godly treatyses which are nowe in this moost floryshyng Realme of England publyshed vniuersally vnto y â— great glory of God y â— exceading consolacion of al true christen men in asmuch that as S. Paule sayeth If the Gospell be yet hyd â—t is hydde in theÌ„ that perysh in whom the God of this world hathe blynded they senses wyttes of the vnfaythfull that the lyght of the Gospell of the glorye of Christe which is the Image of God shoulde not shyne vnto them Thanckes be to God for this his incoÌ„parable benefyte gyuen vnto vs by his welbeloued faythfull seruaunte Heâ—â—pe oure moost redoubted Kynge That LORDE myghte also graunt that we abuse not this his moost geÌ„tle gifte but rather vse it vnto the glorye of his name y â— edificacioÌ„ of his church the conforte of our soules â—owe for asmuch as ther is sufficieÌ„cy of praiers prepared alredy set forth by other whom God myght also prosper in theyr moost godly affaires A thought it a vayne thynge to encrease the nomber of theÌ„ to acumulate prayers vpon prayers wher by wexines rather then cherefulnes shoulde be brought to the Readers â–ª I therfore couetyng in this behalfe to worke somewhat y e myghte make vnto the auauncemente of Prayer wherby the deuout ChristiaÌ„s might receyue knoweledge be the better instructed in the true maner of praienge haue nowe of late compyled a worke entiteled A pathwaye vnto Prayer I was the gladder to take it in hande bycause no man hath as yet perfectly entreated of this matter neither in the Greke Latin nor Englysshe tonge that euer I could se. What doth it auayle or profitte a man beynge of a debyle weake nature to haue a Pomegranate or oni other thinge that coÌ„forteth nature restoreth streÌ„gth bringeth agayne the perfeccion of health yf he knoweth not y â— vse of it wherfort it serueth Uerelye euen so of prayer If ther be neuer so many praiers prepared for men yf they knowe not y â— vse of them nor wherfore they serue nor yet after what maner they shoulde be exercysed what profytte receyue they of theÌ„ It is but an easy thyng to pray but to praye aright accordynge to the wyll of God is a thyng of gret difficulte much labour We thinke it an
hard thing to speake vnto a terrestiall Prynce with wordes conuenieÌ„t apte decent is it but a trifle to speake to the moost hyghe Prynce in whose syght the moost eloquent is very barbarous and the moost holye prophane I haue therfore in this my treatyse followynge declared what praier is wherfore it serueth vnto what end we should vse it I haue also declared of what vertue strength the true christeÌ„ praier is howe we should prepare our selues to prayer that we maye praye aright accordyng to Gods pleasure And for asmuche as some men are of so scrupulous I had almoost sayd supersticious conscieÌ„ce y e they thynke no prayer to be herd but that only whiche is prayed in y â— chirch or some other sacred place as they call it I haue declared both by Scriptures auncient Doctours in what place it is lawfull to praye Againe I haue declared after what maner men should praye that God maye accepte theyr prayer and for what thynges they should pray yea at what tyme. And in asmuche as this word Prayer doth contayne in it not only Peticion but also thankes gyuyng for the benefyte that is receyued therfore haue I also declared my mynde concernynge gyuing of thanckes to God the Father thorow Iesus Christ. All these thinges haue I done in this lytle worke accordynge to the true vayne of y e holy scriptures the iudgemeÌ„t of the best learned Doctors seking in this my laboure only the glory of God the profyte of his holy congregacioÌ„ Which thynge yf it shall maye come to passe I shall not only not repent me but verye muche reioyce in the LORDE of this my trauayle shall hereby be encouraged after this to take in hande other argumentes of no lesse vtilite profyte Nowe gentle prudente Ladye disdayne not to take this lytle gift which your Basille doth with moste gentle herte offer vnto you as a testimonye of his obsequious wyll toward your good Ladiship I doubt not but that as you your selfe shall fynde much pleasure profyte by y â— readynge of it so shall all the reders of the same obtayne so muche godly fruyte christian knowledge by it y â— they shall render herty immortall thankes to God that suche a worke coÌ„meth forth dedicated to your Ladyshyppes name I agayn on my behalfe shall moost instantly desyre almyghty God to assyst you at all tymes with his holy Spirite in y e readynge not only of this my lytle treatise but also of al other workes that make to the glory of God y e helthe of your soule chefely in readyng y â— moost coÌ„fortable Gospel of his derely beloued sonne Iesus Christe oure LORDE omnisufficient Sauyour wherin the whole studye pleasure of a true Christian ought principally to be y e you hauynge your whole meditacio in y â— lawe of y â— LORD both day nyght may fiÌ„d such swetenes pleasure iÌ„ his moost delectable word that you wantynge at this present the company of a corporal husband maye be maryed to the moost gloryous beatifull Kynge Iesus Christ Gods owne sonne in youre soule by fayth in this worlde after the departure from this vale of misery to lyue with him presentlye in the fulnesse of perfecte ioye worldes wythout ende AMEN ¶ The grace of our LORDE Iesus Christ be with your good Ladyshyppe and with all your houshold So be it The pathewaye vnto Prayer ¶ What prayer is ¶ The fyrste Chapter PRayer after the coÌ„mon diffinicion of the Doctors is a lyftinge vp of a pure mynde to God wherein we aske somewhat of hym This diffinicioÌ„ of prayer semeth vnto me so godly in euery parte agreable to the holye scriptures that I thyncke it my bounden dutye to search out euery word of it in order to coÌ„pare it wyth the moost sacred Scriptures the sayenges of y â— auÌ„cient Doctors Fyrste it teacheth vs that prayer is a lyftynge vppe of a pure mynde Note fyrst of all that he sayeth a liftynge vp What other thynge meaneth this worde lyftynge vp than to shewe that who soeuer entendeth to praye must vtterly seclude put out of his herte all vayne cogitacioÌ„â— wordly thoughtes all carnall fantasies all vngodlye ymaginacions to coÌ„clude al such thynges as might make the herte of hym that prayeth to crepe vpon the grounde to alienate estraung his mynde from the meditacioÌ„ of celestiall deuyne matters And this is y â— very same thing that Christ teacheth in y â— Gospell of Mathewe where he sayth Whan y â— prayest thou shalte not be lyke to y â— Hypocrites For theyr manner is to stonde prayenge in y e Synagoges in the corners of the stretes that meÌ„ maye se theÌ„ Certes I saye vnto you they haue theyr reward But whaâ— thou prayest enter into thy closet when y â— hast sparred thy dore praye to thy father whiche is in secteâ—e thy father which seeth iÌ„ secrete shal â—eward the opeÌ„ly In theyse wordes Christ doth not only rebuke y â— false â—ayned maner of prayenge whiche the Hypocrites vse huntyng only after vayne glory sekyng the prayse of men more then the glory of God the health of theyr owne soules but he also declarethe howe we shall prepare our selues for to pray that we maye be hearde He coÌ„maundeth vs to enter into oure closet to sparre our dore What other thynge meaneth Christe by this but that as I haue sayde before we should expulse all teÌ„porall thynges out of our hartes whansoeuer we entend to pray haue our myndes altogyther set vpon celestiall heauenly thynges Therfore ought so many as entend to praye with fruyte to seke an occasion to be seguestred from all temporall affaires from the troubles of wordely thynges whiche myght be an impediment to them in theyr holy meditacions so to be free from all externall mundane thynges y â— theyr prayer in dede maye be a very lyftynge vp according to the begynnynge of our diffinicion ¶ The second Chapter ANd that this thynge maye the more conueniently be brought to passe it shalbe expedient for such as intende to exercyse prayer to repose them selues and to sette theyr hertes quiette from all the troubles of the worlde yea to subduce conuaye theÌ„ selues from the coÌ„pany of the worldely people into some secrete solitarye place for the tyme of theyr prayer that they maye the more frely gyue theyr myndes to deuout holy meditacion as the maner of many holy men was in times paste Examples haue we of dyuers in the holye Scripture whiche vsed this trade The gospel sheweth how Christ was wonâ— many tymes wheÌ„â—e would praye to go into the feldes â—nd ther beyng alone vpon a mounâ—ayne vtterly secluded froÌ„ all other â—ompany to perseuer continue in â—he prayer of God al y â— whole night Agayne a lytle before
his passion we â—ead that he entendynge to pray vnto his celestiall father forsoke the coÌ„â—any of other yea and although he â—oke with him only thre of his disciples at that instant Peter Iohn Iames yet notwithstandynge whaÌ„â—e was in the mouÌ„t of Oliuete y â— accustomed place of hys prayenge he â—ent awaye from theÌ„ also aboute a â—ones cast he kneling downe praiâ—d so hertely so longe to God his father that for very anguysh payne â—orow the sweat of his moost blessed â—ody was eueÌ„ as y â— droppes of bloud â—unnynge downe vpon the earthe Peter also beyng in the house of Simon the Tanner went vp into y â— vpper parte of the house to praye thaâ— he myght not be troubled w t y â— otheâ— coÌ„pany Helyseus also whaÌ„ he shulâ— pray to God for a certayne chyldeâ— was deade went alone into the chaÌ„ber where the chylde laye sperreâ— the dore so prayed Agayne Sarâ— the doughter of Raguell desyryngâ— to be delyuered from theÌ„ improperâ— imbraydyng as it would appere of a certayne default wherwith onâ— of her fathers haÌ„dmaydens dyd imbrayd caste her in the teth forsoke all coÌ„pany went streyght into anâ— vpper chaÌ„ber of her house ther beyng alone dyd nether eate nor driÌ„ke by y â— space of thre dayes thre nightes but continued in prayer beseched God euen w t teares y e he would delyuer her from this imbraydyng rebuke Iudith iÌ„ lyke maner whaÌ„ she should put herselfe in ioperdy for the helth of her people went fyrst in to her Oratory secrete place wher â—he was wonte to praye so desyred the helpe of God At certayne other tymes also before she slewe Holoferâ—us she went forth iÌ„ the night time for to praye quietly by herselfe Quene Hester also puttinge of her Pryncelike garmentes prayed for her people to God secretely iÌ„ her chaÌ„ber Agayne Daniel when certayne Dukes Earles for the hatred and euell wyll that they bare vnto him had caused kynge Darius to make an Acte that who soeuer asketh any Peticion of theyr God yea or of ony man but of the Kynge alone for the space of thyâ— tye dayes he shoulde be cast into the denne of Lyons ceased not to praye for al y e Acte of y â— kyng but styll as he was wont to do praied boldely to his LORDE God beyng in his chaÌ„ber secretely by himselfe alone Thus se we that both Christâ— other holye men also sought euermore an occasion to be quiet sollitary that they myght the more â—â—â—ly talke with God in theyr prayer so came it to passe that theyr prayer was vnfaynedly a lyftynge vp ¶ The thyrde Chapter IT is not without a cause y â— Prayer in the holy scripture is compared to a sweate perfume whose nature is alwaye yf it be once inceÌ„sed or set on fyre to lyft vp it selfe styl to go vpward so loÌ„g as it lasteth Iâ— lyke maner the true christen prayer ought to lyfte vp it selfe with deuynd coÌ„templacion styll to go vp so longe as it lasteth with the mediâ—acion of celestiall thinges not to â—repe vpon the grounde with â—amâ— thoughtes wordely ymaginacioÌ„s For so is that prayer no lyftyng vp of mynde or of him that prayeth vnto heauen but rather a thrustynge 〈◊〉 to hell yea worketh sâ—nne â— damâ—nacion to hym that prayeth as the â—salmographâ— sayeth Oratio 〈◊〉 fiat in peccatum â—f you be rysen agayne with Christ sayth S. Paule seke for those thynges y e are aboue where Christ is sittyng on the right hand of God Set your myndes vppon the thynges aboue not vpoÌ„ y e thynges of the earthe For you are dead your lyfe is hyd with Christ in God WhaÌ„ so euer Christ our lyfe shall appeare then shall we also appeare with hym in glorye So that not onlye prayer but also the whole lyfe of a Christen man ought to be a lyftyng vp that is to saye a ferueÌ„t desyre diligent sekyng of supernal heauenly thynges But let vs procede with our diffinicion Hytherto haue we heard that Prayer is a lyftyng vppe Wherof I praye you of haÌ„des or eyes Nay verely but of a pure mynde For as touchynge the â—yftyng vp of handes eies it maye â—lso be vsed so wel of Hypocrites as â—f true Christians Therfore sayeth Chrisostome thouhg thou doest not bow thy knees nor knocke thy brest nor strecthe oute thy handes vnto heauen yet yf thou onlye shewe forth a ferueâ—â—e mynde thou shalte make a perfecte prayer Not w tstandyng yf such thinges be done iÌ„ time of prayer procedyng from y â— feruent inward affeccion of y e spirite they are not to be discuÌ„mended For Dauid sayth I haue lyfted vp myne eies vnto the which dwellest in heaueÌ„ And S. Paule sayth I wyll y â— men pray in euery place liftyng vp your handes w toute wrath contencion We read also y â— Christe vsed to knele when he prayed And the huÌ„ble and poore Publicane knocked his breste when he prayed sayenge O God be thou merciful to me a synner Therfore as touchyng y e external gesture outward behauour as y e lyftynge vp of haÌ„des or eyes the knelyng oâ— knockynge on the brest in as muche as they are meane indiffereÌ„t thynges they are to be lefte to the iudgement of deuout well disposed people eyther to be done or to be left vndone as their mindes shal serue theÌ„ And for as muche as they pertayne nothynge to our matter I wyll leâ— theÌ„ passe go forth w t our diffinicioÌ„ ¶ The fourth Chapter PRayer say the holy Doctors is a lyftynge vp of a pure mynde Theise wordes are not to be gone ouer wyth a lyghte foote as they vse to saye but depely to be weyed seriously to be pondered For in them doth coÌ„sist in a maner the whole efficacy vertue strength power pith of prayer Fyrst we shall note y e prayer is not the worke of y â— mouth but of the mynde yea that not of a corrupte flesshely malicious synfull but of a pure immaculate clene vnspotted faithful charitable mynd But I wyll fyrst shewe by the scriptures holy fathers y t prayer is the worke of the mynde accordynge to our diffinicion afterwarde somewhat declare of y â— purite of y â— mynd That prayer is the worke of the mynde it is manifest by dyuers places of holy scripture For whan â—oses at the commaundement of God led y â— people of Israel out of Egipte Pharao with his cruell army followed purposynge vnmercifully to slaye theÌ„ he beyng in great thought care howe he myght safely coÌ„duâ—â—â— the Israelites yet styll trustynge hauyng his whole affiaunce reposed in theyr LORDE God prayed nothyng at all with his mouth but only vttered his cause secretlye in his
whence helpe may coÌ„e vnto me My helpe cometh froÌ„ y e LORD which made heauen earth Also in another place when I was in trouble I cryed vnto the LORDE he fauourably heard me The eyes of the LORDE are vpoÌ„ the ryghteous and his eares are bent vnto theyr prayers Myne eyes sayeth Dauid are cryed Adam Abell Seth Enos Enoch Nohe Thare AbrahaÌ„ Isaac Iacob Ioseph Moses Aaharon Ietro Eleazar Phinees Iosue Caleb Othoniel Gedeon Helcana Samuell Nathan Dauid Salomon Helias Micheas Elizeus Ezechias Esaias Iosias Iob Mathatias Thoby w t all the other auncient fathers holye Prophetes of the olde Testament but vnto GOD alone Agayne vnto whom prayed Ioseph IohnÌ„ Baptiste Lazarus Nicodemus Gamaliel Cornelius Apollo Dionisius Aquilia Steuen Philip Agabus Ananias Timothe Titus Ioses Philemon and all the Apostles with many other whiche are contayned in y e volumes of both Testamentes but vnto God alone The prayed and were heard Shall oure Prayers than be vayne yf we pray with that same purite of mind that they dyd The scripture sayth Who so euer beleuethe in God shall not be confounded For there is no differeÌ„ce betwene Iewe Gentyle For one is LORDE of all whiche is rytche ynough vnto all that call on hym For whosoeuer shall call on the name of the LORDE he shall be safe Let vs therfore trust in God poure out oure hartes before hym lament our cause to him desyrynge to haue his mooste gracious ayde helpe in all our trouble aduersitie and we may be sure to obtayne whatsoeuer we aske accordynge vnto his wyll to seale remedye so present that nothynge can be wysshed nerer Thus se we that Prayer is a lyftyng vp of a pure mynd vnto God It followeth ¶ The nynthe Chapter VUheriÌ„ we aske somewhat of hiÌ„ He that entendethe to praye w t fruyte muste before he begynne to praye consider w t hymselfe for what thynge he hath moost nede to praye If thou be proude than haste thou nede to praye for humilitie If thou be wrathfull enuyous than haste thou nede to praye for charite If y u be a glotton or dronkarde theÌ„ haste thou nede to praye for sobrtete If y u be faulte in ony vice than hast thou nede to pray for y e vertue coÌ„trary to the vyce If thou be a magistrate ruler of the people than hast y u nede to praye vnto God for grace that y u mayste gouerne his people commytted vnto thy charge accordyng to equite mercy Yf thou be a Bysshop or spirituall ouersear thaÌ„ hast thou a great occasion to flye vnto God w t thy prayers that thou mayst fayth fully gyue attendauÌ„ce on the flocke ouer whome the holye Ghoste hathe made the an ouersear to gouerne y e congregacion of God whom he hath purchased w t his bloud To be shorte in whatsoeuer state of lyuyng thou be yf y u coÌ„syderest weyest depely w t thy selfe thy maner of lyuiÌ„g y â— shalt find sufficient occasions for to pray They therfore which pray but for a customs because they wyl exercise theyr lyppes vnlesse they shuld seme to y e CoÌ„gregacioÌ„ but a lytle deuout holy meÌ„ not cariÌ„g what they pray so they praye do not before they praye determyne w t theÌ„selues wherfore they wyll praye certes thoughe they spende whole worldes in suche kinde of prayer yet do they nothing lesse then praye If we searche y e holy volumes of the deuine scriptures we shall easely perceyue that they whiche prayed dyd neuer praye but for vrgent and ryght necessary causes As for an example Whan Moses perceyued the wrathe of God to be whotte agaynst the Israelites bicause they had worshypped the golden calfe he streyghte wayes for the helthe of his people prayed sayenge Eyther forgyue theÌ„ this faulte or â— thou do not wype me oute of y e boke of lyfe whiche thou haste wrytten Kynge Dauid prayed many tymes for dyuers vrgeÌ„t causes as we may se in the Psalmes Kynge SalomoÌ„ his sonne prayed for wisdome that he myght gouerne the people a right Ezechias hearyng the blasphemies proud crakes of Senacherib praied to the LORDE for helpe Iudith Hester prayed for the delyueraunce of theyr people Agayne in the newe Testament the blynde prayed for theyr syght y e lame for theyr goynge the deafe for theyr hearynge the sycke for theyr helth The poore Publicane prayed for remission of synnes The womaÌ„ of Canane prayed for the healthe of her doughter as dyuers other dyd for theyr chyldren and seruauntes Christ Steuen prayed for theyr enemies The chyrch of Christ praied for the delyuerance of Peter Paule al the Apostles prayed for y e swifte redye passage of the Gospell for the fortunate conuersion of the vnfaythfull vnto the fayth of Christ. Thus se we that all holye deuoute persons dyd euer premeditate with them selues wherfore they shoulde pray before they prayed And so sone as an occasion of prayenge was offered vnto theÌ„ they fell streyghtwayes vnto prayer fled vnto God w t moost herty supplicacion for y e purchasynge of theyr hertes desyre So ought we to do not rasshely to muÌ„ble ouer a great multitude of Psalmes or other prayers after the maner of certayne ydiots vnlearned prestes we care not how nor caÌ„ not tell wherfore but ponder weye and consyder depelye oure cause and se what a greate occasion we haue to praye than with an huÌ„ble coÌ„tryte sorowfull herte lament our cause before God wyth moost bytter heuy teares neuer leauynge vntyl we haue obtayned that for the whyche we praye If we would do thus thaÌ„ should our prayers be modest sober deceÌ„t not temerarious â—asshe babled oute of order by this meanes accepted of GOD hearde and graunted Thus haue I declared as I trust accordynge vnto the vayne of y e holy scripture the mynde of the auncieÌ„t Doctors what prayer is Now I wyll haste to declare of what vertue streÌ„gth the true and Christen prayer is y e men knowyng y e efficacy dignite yea the necessite therof may w e y e more plansible ioyful miÌ„ des delyght in it exercysynge them selues therin bothe daye nyght to the great glorye of God the vtter coÌ„fusion of Satan the hygh consolacion of theyr owne soules Of what vertue and strength the true and Christen Prayer is ¶ The. x. Chap. IN declaryng the efficacye vertue strength power of the true chrishen Prayer I woulde gladly wysshe vnto me the pleasaunt speache sugred vtteraunce of the moost famous excellent Oratoure Pericles whose eloquence was so great wonderous as it is reported that euen of very nature it semed incomparable and not of iÌ„ any part able of ony mortal man to be followed practised of so great admyracion yea estimacion in the syght of all
anâ— thynges in the name of the LORDE Iesus gyuynge thanckes to God the father by him And so doynge let hym not doubt but that he shall obtayne all good thynges accordyngâ— vnto his hertes desyre ¶ The .xviii. Chapter SYxtely he that inteÌ„deth to pray muste earnestly prouyde that he asketh all thynges accordyng vnto the wyll of God He may not aske afâ— ter his owne fantasy wyl plesure but after the wyll of God For oure wyll in comparison of Gods wyll is neuer good but euell or prone to euell For we knowe not what we shoulde praye as it becommeth vs. Therfore what so euer we aske we must refeâ—ce it vnto y e wyll of God and be contented to be ordered in all thynges accordyng vnto his moost â—olye wyll as Christe taughte vs to â—raye in the Pater noster Let thy wyll be fulfylled as in heaueÌ„ so lyke wyse in earth Christe also himselfe for to gyue vs an example when the â—oure of his passion began to drawe â—igh prayed vnto his father on this manner My father yf it be possible â—et this cup go awaye from me Not withstandyng let not myne but thy wyll be fulfylled The Leper also â—ayd to Christ LORDE yf thou wylt â—hou maist make me whole Here the Leper desyred to be clensed of his leâ—rosye yet he referred his requestes vnto Christe eyther to be graunted or denyed So it becoÌ„meth vs iÌ„ lyke maner to aske all thynges accordiÌ„g vnto the wyll of God what soeuer we desyre euer to submyt referre â—t vnto Gods wyll whiche knoweth â—este what we haue nede of what â—s moost necessarye for vs before we pray For we haue not a greter warâ— re nor an harder fyght iÌ„ this world than y e battayle stryfe of the Spiâ— ryte of y e fleshe which two are alâ— wayes so at debate y e the hatred beâ— twene theÌ„ can neuer be apeased For as y e flessh lusteth agaynst y e spiryte so doth the spiryte fight very valeaÌ„t ly agaynst the wycked fearce cruel violence of the fleshe are euermore as the Apostle wytnesseth one ageÌ„sâ— another so that we can not do those thinges y e we would in asmuch that we are compelled to crye oute w e the Apostle o wretched vnhappy that I am who shall delyuer me froÌ„ thys body bonde vnto death Howe euell it is to followe oure owne wyll neglectynge in y e meane season the good pleasure of God dyuers Histories of y e holy scriptures shewe Kyng Saul thought that he had done well when he perceyuyng the people to go away from hym offered burnte offrynges to y e LORDE in the absence of Samuel sayenge that he dyd it to pacifye the LORDE that he was coÌ„pelled to do so But Samuell sayd vnto hym thou hast done folisbly neither hast thou kept the coÌ„maundementes of the LORDE thy God whiche I coÌ„maunded the. Agayne God coÌ„maunded Saul to staye Amelech to destroye al that euer ther was not to spare one not to couyt any thyng of theyr goodes but to kyll man woman chylde sue kynge babe ore shepe camell asse what soeuer could there be sound besydes But Saul followiÌ„g his own wyll more than the wyll of God spared Agag the king of Amelech alyue with the beste flockes of shepe ores cattell all that euer was fayre he spared woulde not destroye them but what soeuer was vyle and of no pryce that he destroyed Whan Samuel came vnto hym sayde what of beastes do I heare here He ausweâ— red the people hathe broughte them from Amelech They be the best and fattest of all the flockes they be reserued to be offered vnto the LORDE But Samuel sayde vnto hym Bycause thou hast cast awaye the word of y e LORD y u LORD hath cast away y e that thou be no more king Wyll the LORD burnt offringes sacrifices not rather that it may be obeyed vn to his worde Obedience is better then Sacrifyces to gyue eare to y e LORDES coÌ„maundement is more thaÌ„ to offer the satte of wethers What godly excuses had kynge Saul here to couer his faulte and to make his wyll vnto carnall iudgemeÌ„tes to appeare verye vertuous godly For all that euer he dyd was done to honour God to sacrifice offer oblacions to God Yet God casteth awaye that wyll whiche is contrary to his wyll seme it neuer so godlye vertuous and good in the syght of fleshly wyse meÌ„ Yea cursed be all good wylles all good zeeles all good inteÌ„tes that fyghte w e the wordes of God Oza also thought he had done wel when he seyng the arke of God in iopardy of fallyng oute of the wayne steyed it w e his hande yet for all hys good voyl bicause he touched it was he stryken of the LORDE streyghte waye dyed Kynge Ozias in lyke maner of a good intent would haue taken vpoÌ„ him to burne incense vnto y e LORDE but Azarias the preste sayd boldely vnto hym it is not thyne offyce Ozias to burne inceÌ„se vnto the LORDE but it pertayneth to prestes the sonnes of Aaron which are consecrated to suche ministry seruyce He com maunded him also to go out of y e sanctuary tolde him y e that whiche he had done should not turne vnto his prayse of the LORDE God And immediately after for his disobedsente presumpcioÌ„ he was stryken w e leproly so beynge cast oute of the house of the Lorde he contynued a Leper euen vnto his death The Iewes dyd put Christ his Apostles to death of a good zele wyl intent and purpose The tyrauntes whiche dyd slaye the holy martyres thoughte they dyd well The bloude soupers also which at this tyme persecute Christes gospel vnder y e name of Heresye cruelly slaye shed the bloude of the true Christians vnder the pretexte of persecutynge Heretikes perswade themselues that they do well thynke they meryte greatly in y e syght of God as Christ sayth the tyme shall come that they which kyl you shal thike y e they do an high seruyce vnto God Whyle we follow our owne wyll we commyt many absurdities vnsyttynge thynges Therfore whatsoeuer we do we must haue a respect to the wyll of God make ours conformable vnto it vnlesse we hepe vp daÌ„nacion vnto our selues in all our peticions prayers requestes We muste aske accordynge to the wyll of God He that doth otherwyse doth euell therfore he obtayneth not y e which he desyreth as S. Iames say ethe Ye aske and haue not bycause ye aske amysse for to consume it vpon youre volupteousnes If he doth obtayne it vndoubtedlye it is to his greater damnacioÌ„ Therfore let vs aske accordynge to the wyll of God So may we be sure to haue our her tes desyre as S. IohnÌ„ sayth This is the trueth that we haue in God that
loue not only our frendes but also our enemies yea that froÌ„ the bottome of the herte Let vs forgyue so many as offende vs shew our selues of such affeccion toward them that offende vs as we desyre y â— Christ should be towarde vs. Lette vs be so feruentely gyuen vnto the preseruacion of fraternall concorde mutuall charitie that yf thorowe humayne infirmite it chaunseth at ony tyme that coÌ„tencion ryseth vp amonge vs we maye notwythstandynge so shortely put it away by reconcylynge one to another that all displeasure taken awaye the sonne maye not faull downe vpon our anger Let vs euer set before oure eyes this sayeng of S. Paule â–ª As y â— elect of God holy beloued put on teÌ„der mercy kyndenes huÌ„blenes of mynd mekenes longe sufferynge forbearynge one onother and forgeuynge one another yf oâ—â—e manne haue a quarell to another as Christe forgaue you so do ye But aboue al thiÌ„ges put on loue whiche is the bonde of perfeccion And the peace of God mought rule in your hertes vnto y â— whiche peace ye are called in one body and se that ye be thanckefull If we wyll do thus whan soeuer we praye we maye be sure to praye wyth fruyte we maye be sure to obtayne what so euer we aske of God the father thorowe Iesus Christ we maye be sure to haue forgyuenes of all oure synnes euer to haue God the father a bounteous and gentle father vnto vs. Hytherto haue I declared what prayer is of what vertue streÌ„gth the true christen prayer is howe we ought to prepare oure selues for to praye Now it remayneth that I declare in what place a Christen man should praye after what maner Agayne for what thynges at what tyme he ought to praye ¶ In what place a Chrysten shoulde Praye ¶ The. xxii Chapter ALthough God in y â— olde lawe was called vpon prayed vnto of y e Iewes in the temple of IerusaleÌ„ which SalomoÌ„ buylded although God had choseÌ„ that place wherâ— chefely they shoulde call vpon his name offer Sacrifyce vnto hym read learne his moost holy law do such thynges as he had appoynted them in his word yet both at that tyme yea also many yeres before we read that dyuers holy meÌ„ prayed in other places besydes that Temple were harde Neyther dyd God so institute that temple to be a house of prayer as though it should only be there lawefull to call on hys diuyne name but y t by that meanes he shoulde kepe the grosse Iewes in an order whiche els would haue inueÌ„ted newe kyndes of worshyppyng God after theyr owne fantasy resorted to such places wher Idolles were worshypped by this meanes be prouoked vnto Idolatrye where vnto they were very much bent as we may se in the holy Scriptures Therfore god appointed theÌ„ to pray in that temple of Salomon not takynge awaye yet for all that the lybertie of prayeng in euery place froÌ„ the faythfull For we read y e Enos y â— sonne of Seth dyd fyrst begynne to call on the name of the LORDE before ony temple was buylded And it is to be thoughte that Abell also prayed vnto God whan he offred in crisyce Enoch Nohe Thare Abraham Isaac Iacob Ioseph with many other of the auncieÌ„t Patriarkes worshypped prayed vnto God one in this another in that place before ony one peculiar house was appointed dedicated vnto prayer yea and God hearde those prayers accepted them graunted the peticions asked in them What other thynge do the examples of all these holye men teach vs than that it is lawfull for a faythfull man to praye wythoute ony differency in euery place Dyd not the chyldren of Israell praye to God whaÌ„ they were oppressed wyth miserable captiuite in Egypt a lond full of Idolatrye supersticion all kynde of wickednes Dyd not Moses Aaron many tymes praye vnto y e LORDE in wyldernes Dyd not Iosue praye vnto God in hys watres before we read that dyuers holy meÌ„ prayed in other places besydes that Temple were harde Neyther dyd God so institute that temple to be a house of prayer as though it should only be there lawefull to call on hys diuyne name but y t by that meanes he shoulde kepe the grosse Iewes in an order whiche els would haue inueÌ„ted newe kyndes of worshyppyng God after theyr owne fantasy resorted to such places wher Idolles were worshypped by this meanes be prouoked vnto Idolatrye where vnto they were very much bent as we may se in the holy Scriptures Therfore god appointed theÌ„ to pray in that temple of Salomon not takynge awaye yet for all that the lybertie of prayeng in euery place froÌ„ the faythfull For we read y t Enos y e sonne of Seth dyd fyrst begynne to call on the name of the LORDE before ony temple was buylded And it is to be thoughte that Abell also prayed vnto God whan he offred sacrifyce Enoch Nohe Thare Abraham Isaac Iacob Ioseph with many other of the auncieÌ„t Patriarkes worshypped prayed vnto God one in this another in that place before ony one peculiar house was appointed dedicated vnto prayer yea and God hearde those prayers accepted them graunted the peticions asked in them What other thynge do the examples of all these holye men teach vs than that it is lawfull for a faythfull man to praye wythoute ony differency in euery place Dyd not the chyldren of Israell praye to God whaÌ„ they were oppressed wyth miserable captiuite in Egypt a londfull of Idolatrye supersticion all kynde of wickednes Dyd not Moses Aaron many tymes praye vnto y e LORDE in wyldernes Dyd not Iosue praye vnto God in hys warres whan he made the Sonne and Moone to stand styll vntyll he had reuenged hymselfe of hys enemyes Dyd not Helias praye in the house of the wydowe of Sarepra whaÌ„ he restored her soÌ„ne from death to syfe Dyd not he agayne pray in y e toppe of the mounte Carmelus obtayned after long droute pleÌ„te of rayn Dyd not Ezechias the kynge whan he heard that he should dye pray to the LORDE in his bed obtayned to lyue xv yeres longer Dyd not Nehemias but lare vnto kyng Artaxerzes both do seruyce vnto his Lorde also pray vnto God Dyd not Toby Sara his wyfe pray vnto God in theyr houses Dyd not Iob pray vpon y e dungehyll Dyd not Iudith praye vnto the LORDE in her Oratory diuers other places Dyd not Daniel when he serued the wycked kynge knele downe pray vnto the LORDE thryse euery daye in his chaÌ„ber Dyd not he praye to God whaÌ„ he was cast into the denne of LyoÌ„s Dyd not Ionas pray in the whales belly Dyd not quene Hester praye secretlye in her chamber Dyd not Susanna pray in the streate as she wente for to be stoned
almoost slayne thorow the decrees of that Bysshop Howe greatly was the Christian lybertye enclosed stopped vp so that no maÌ„ could enioye y e vse of those thynges which the word of God determined free withoute his lycense dispensacion Howe were the singulare merites of Christes death the inestimable price of his moost precious bloud adnihilated set at nought and the Bysshop of Roomes pardoÌ„s trusted vnto perfecte affiaunce reposed in theÌ„ for remission of synnes eternall saluacion What a sorte of Hypocritical supersticious workes creptin thorowe oute ChristeÌ„stome almoost which only were beleued to be thealone good workes and the true good workes whiche are commaunded of God in his holy scriptures vtterly neglected despysed set at nought Who thought it not a more meritorious acte to gylde an Image than to cloth a poore naked manne Who thought it not a better dede to ruÌ„ne gaddynge a pylgrimage into diuers countrees for to seke dead Images than to tary at home to visyte the poore members of Christ which laye bedrede sycke lame feble impoteÌ„t O extreme blyndnes Agayne what an infinite monâ—â—â—res Monckes I woulde haue sayd other religious parsons and God wyll as they desyre to be called dyd there aryse in his kyngedome Who thoughte it not a better dede to put his chylde into an Abbay there to lyue ydlely swinyshly irreligiously pampred vp with all delicious fare that should prouoke vnto Iewdnes than to lette him lyue abroad in the worlde there to practyse some honest arte occupacion that myghte turne to the commodite mayntaynance of the common weale What blyndenes hadde inuaded this Realme Dyd not we thynck it rather our duty to obey y â— proude Bishop of Rome than our owne natyue kynge Dyd not we esteme his faÌ„tasticaâ— decrees aboue the edictes lawes and actes of our own kyng were we not more redy to followe his sensuall lustes beastlyke pleasures than to obeye y â— coÌ„maâ—dementes of our owne kynge ruler Into what perels woulde not we caste our selues to do y t rammysh Byshop pleasure Yea woulde God that certayne of this Realme in tymes paste had not rather had a mynde to dye for the mayntenaunce of the false vsurped power of y t Bysshop than to lyue with obedient and faythfull hertes to our moost Christen kynge O LORDE God what a blyndnes was this where was this doctryne of Christe his Apostle become that all men should be subiecte obedieÌ„t to the hygh powers This sentence of S. Paule laye buryed Let euery soule be subiecte to y â— high powers For there is no power but of God All powers are ordayned of God He therfore y t resisteth resisteth the ordinaunce of God And they y t resist shall take to theÌ„ selues damnacion Also S. Peter Be subiecte to to euerye humayne creature for the LORDES sake whither it be vnto the kynge as supreme head or to the rulers that are sent by hym to the punyshment of the euell doers but vnto the prayse of them that do well The Christen prynces were not had in reuereÌ„ce honour as they ought o miserable case detestable abusioÌ„ ¶ The. xlvii Chapter FUrthermore what ygnorancy blyndenes was in this Realme concerninge the true christeÌ„ knowledge Howe many sauoured Christ aryght Howe many walked in the streyght pathe wayes of Gods ordinauÌ„ces Howe many beleued Christ to be the alone Sauiour Howe many trusted to be saued only by y â— merites of Christes death y e effusion sheddynge of his moost precious blessed bloude How many ranne to God alone eyther in theyr prosperite or aduersite Howe many amplered Christe for theyr sufficient medsa toâ—r aduocate vnto God y e father Howe many felte the efficacye power of the true christeÌ„ fayth wherby a christeÌ„ maÌ„ is frelyiustified How many could discerne the fayned and the true workes asunder Howe many dyd know what they professed at Baptisme Howe many had knoweledge what theyr Pater noster meÌ„t wherfore they prayed Howe many dyd perfectly vnderstand the articles of the Christen faythe Howe many dyd knowe what the ceremonies of the chyrche mente as holye bread holy water and suche other Howe many hearde the Euangicall doctryne euer preached purely and syncerly O good Iesu be mercyful vnto vs. If I shoulde go forth to reherse all the abuses all the ygnoraÌ„cy blyndenes wherwith this now moost free and florysshynge Realme hath ben oppressed thys many hundred yeares thorowe the tyranny of that Babilonicall stroÌ„pet it woulde vndoubtedly make a worke much loÌ„ger then the Iliades of Homere But nowe are theise enormities yea deformities of this Realme of Englond vtterly exiled banyshed All false Religion is exterped plucked vp by the rootes The miserable captiuite wherwith we were oppressed in the Popes kyngdome is turned into delectable liberte Dur conconscieÌ„ces are restored to theyr olde fredome Christes deth is beleued to be a sufficient Sacrifyce for them y e are sanctified All supersticious fantasies inuented of ydle braynes are full godly put downe The famous Images wherwith the symple people coÌ„mytted sornicacion I meane Idolatry are iustly plucked downe conueyed oute of the waye All the monasticall sectes haue put of theyr cowles monstruous garmentes Our moost Christian kynge is now accordyng to y e verite of Gods word his iust right title recognised to be supreme head of y e chyrch of Englonde nexte vnto Christ immediately here in earth He is honored of vs his subiectes as we ought by y e lawe of God had in reuerence aboue all creatures mortall Not onlye his moost noble grace but also so many as he appoyntethe to rule ouer vs we obey w t all submissioÌ„ humilite of mynd ¶ The. xlviii Chapter MOreouer ygnorancy blyndenes are exiled and banysshed Gods lawes are manifestly declared vnto vs. So that we maye yf we wyll kepe his moost godlye commaundementes The moost sacred Byble is freely permytted to be red of euery man in the Englysh tonge Many sauour Christ aright dayly the noÌ„ber encreaseth thanckes be to GOD. Christ is beleued to be the alone Sauiour We nowe faythfully truste to be saued by the deathe of Christ that the bloud of Christ maketh vs cleane from all synne Christ is beleued to be our sufficient mediatoure aduocate The true christen fayth whiche worketh by charite is plenteous in good workes is nowe receyued to iustify The good workes that are appoynted in y e holy scriptures are nowe only vsed put in exercyse among the faythful What we professed when we were baptised many nowe knowe ryghte wel The twelue Articles of the christeÌ„ fayth the LORDES prayer called y e Pater noster the teÌ„ coÌ„mauÌ„dementes are nowe rehearsed in y e Englyshe tonge both of yonge olde so that nowe all vnderstonde theÌ„ Many of
not once to thanke hym for it O barbarous inhumanite O ingratitude to much vnkynde They that are of suche churlysh nature are of y e kynd of them which as the Psalmograph say â—the dyd forgette the benefytes of God the meruayâ—ous tokens that he shewed They were filled yea theâ— were stuffed euen full sayth God by his Prophet they than lyfted vp theyr herte waxed proude forgat me And therfore I am become vnto them as a Lyon as the Catte of y e mountayne that runneth so swyftely I wyll mete with theÌ„ as a Beare that hathe loste her yonge ones I wyll breake asunder theyr obstinate harte Yea I wyll deuour them as a Lyon and the beast of the felde shall teare them on peces O terible thretenynge for the ingrate vnthaÌ„ckefull persons This wyll surely come to passe yf we put not awaye our in gratitude vnthanckefulnes For y â— LORDE is faythfull in all his wordes can not lye in asmuch as he is the selfe trueth ¶ The. Lv. Chapter THerfore yf we entende to haue God the father a beneficiall fatâ—â—r to vs his sonne Iesus Christ â—â—rcifull Sauiour lette vs in all thynges gyue thanckes to God at all tymes yea and that not only in prosperitie but also in aduersitie as the holy man Iob dyd sayenge The LORDE gaue it the LORDE hath taken it awaye as it pleased y e LORDE so is it come to passe blessed be the name of the LORDE Let vs watch praye that we faull not into tentacion Let vs flye to God at all tymes with precordiall obsecracions herty requestes Let our prayers be continuall Let theÌ„ procede froÌ„ a faythfull charitable harte Let vs aske all thynges accordyng to the wyl of GOD yea and that in the name of Christe Lette vs in all our prayers seke the glorye of God the auauncement of his moost blessed worde and y e helth of our owne soules Let vs pray for y e preseruacion of y â— kynges moost excellent maieste for the prosperous successe of his intierly beloued sonne Edward our Prynce 〈◊〉 moost angelyke Impe. Let vs pray for all the Lordes spirytuall temporall speciallye those that haue the regiment of the publyque weale vnder the Kynges graces highnes Let vs pray for the ministers of Goddes worde that they maye freely speake the trueth of Christes Gospell as it becoÌ„meth them Let vs praye for all meÌ„ vniuersally chefely for the inhabitaÌ„tes of this Realme of Englond that they maye all beare a faythfull harte hothe towarde God and oure kynge To coÌ„clude let vs praye that the wyll of God maye be fulfylled in all thynges Whan we haue thus prayed lette vs all tymes gyue thanckes to God for his benefytes So shall it come to passe y e he shall not only not turne awaye his kyndenes from vs but also encrease it dayely vnto the great consolacion and conforte of vs all Yf this thynge shall come to passe that we both praye feruently and aâ— so gyue thanckes to God herâ—â—â—ye â— shall not a lytle reioyse that I haue taken the labour payne in compylynge this pathewaye vnto Prayer yea it shall encourage me hereafter to attempte other enterpryses of no lesse importaunce and vtilite Which thynge moost gentle Reader that it maye come to passe pray for me vnto oure LORD God that he maye syngâ—â—e that thynge in me whiche he hath begunne vnto the glory of his moost blessed name â— promocion of his moost godly word and the profyt edificacion of his moost holy catholyke Chyrche AmeÌ„ ¶ Gyue the glory to GOD alone Maâ— xxvi â–ª Mar. xiiiâ— i. Pet. iiii Ephe. vi Iob. vii â–ª 〈◊〉 christen man hath many enemyes i this worlde The deuel â—en iii. Mat. iiii Mar i. Luke iiii â–ª Ephe. vi i. Pet. v. The world i. Ioan. ii Iacob iiii The flesh â—al v. O the vnspeakeable miserye of man wythout y â— grace of God Take hâ—de o pastornâ—râ— of Gods worde Idolaters RebellioÌ„s Bloude â—oupers WhoremoÌ„gers Heâ— xiii O extreme abhominacion Beware ye abhominable who remoÌ„gers betymes Theues False wytnesses Extorcioners Psal. xiii Rytch meÌ„ O insaâ—iable couetousnes Heb. xiii i. Pet. iiii Spiritual Rulers Antechristes Papistes â—aptiues of Satan Awake awake Prouer. xi i. Pet. iiii Iacob iiii Wayes to obtayne Gods faâ—oure Of prayer Note well What pâ—aâ—◠〈◊〉 ii Cor. iiii A pathway vnto prayer The cause of makyng this worke Mark wel The conteÌ„tes of this Boke Colos. iii. Psal. i. The diffinicion of prayer Lyftynge vp what at signifyethe Math. vi Mark wel followe Luke vi Mat. xxâ—â— Act. x. â—ii Re. iiii â—ob 〈◊〉 Iu. x. xii Hest. xiiii Dau. vi Psal. xxi Prayde coÌ„pared to a perfume 〈◊〉 Colos. iii. 〈◊〉 De oratioÌ„e Note of externall gestures in Prayer Psa. â—xxii â— Tim. ii Luke xxii Luke xviii Prayer â–ª is â— worâ— of the mynd Exo. xiiii â— Reg. i. Luke vii Ioan. iiii Ioan. xiiii Titus i. Note Pro. xxiii Rom. i. Ephe. v. Mat. xv In oratioÌ„ â–ª Dom. Ad transismund Lib. it Libro de Cain et Abel cap. ix Psa. â—viii Mark this wel Gen. iiii Moral lib xxii cap. xviii Mat. vi Note Lib. de mag i. In Epist. â—d Ephe. Ephe. v. A good lesson for our musiâ—ions and â—haunters â—d Roma Lib. vir cap. vâ—â—â— Psal. vii Sap. i. Apo. ii Jere. xvii The cause of â—â—hersynge the Doctors â— this â—oke Agaynste y â— vayne beblers supersticious worshyppers of saynctes Esa. xxix Math. xv Mat. xxiii Luke xx Mat. xii Libâ—â— de Cain et Abell cap. ix Psal. cviii Note Homel xii Demul canan Homil. lxxix De oratione Ibidem i. Cor. xiiii Pray â— a pure mynâ— Pro. xx i. Ioan. i. Psal. xxxi Rom. iiii Iaco. iii. Iob. xxv Learne here howe we may praye â–ª wyth a faythfull mynde i. Ioan. iii. Mark wel Act. xv God and the worlde iuâ—geth not alphe The world God Luk. xviii 〈◊〉 x. i. Det. iiii Mat. xxi â—uk xvi Gen. iiii God iudgeth not y â— personne of the acte but the arte of the personne Psal. xv Psal. xxiii 1. Ioan. iii. Ec. xxxiiii Det. ccxxvi De teÌ„pore Dom xxvii in Gen. cap. viii Mat. v. Psal. ixv Psa. cxliiii Sap. i. 1. Tim. ii Psal. 1. Ps. lxxxxâ— Agaynste y â— supersticious Inuocacion of Say â—nctes Psa. cxxii Psal. cxx Psal. cxix Psa. xxxiii 1. Pet. iii. Psa. xxiiii Esa. xxviii Rom. x. Ioel. ii Act. ii Psa. lxi 1. Ioan. v. â— Act. xx Note Exo. xxxii Psal. l. ii Par. l. â—â—ii Re. xix Iudi. x. xii Hest. xiiii Luk. xviii Mat. iâ—ii Luk. xviii Mat. xv Mat. viii Luk. xxiii Act. vii Act. xii 1. Cor. 1. Iaco. ii The prayer of the Author Gen. xx Exo. viii Exo. â—vii Exo. xxxii Numâ— xi Num. xxi Iosus x. 1. 〈◊〉 i. ii Reg. xii iii. Re. xvii Iaco. v. ii Pat. xx iiii Re. xx Esa. xxxiii ii pa. xxxiii ii Eso ii Iob.