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
raged blasphemed and conspired against thee O GOD and thy truth like hypocrites against mee and my Crowne like traitours and against their Common-wealth and countrie like spoilers and that for no offence of mine to themward LORD thou knowest but onelie of cruell spite they beare mee bicause in truth I professe thy Christian religion and seeke by establishing the same through good and godlie lawes to serue thee zealouslie sincerelie and purelie according to the rule and veritie of thine eternall word Which thy great benefits when I well consider togither with mine vnwoorthinesse thereof I am euen forced with my father DAVID to giue humble thanks and to blesse thee before all the congregation and saie Blessed be thou O LORD GOD of Israel our Father for euer and euer Thine O LORD is greatnesse and power and glorie and victorie and praise For all that is in heauen and in earth is thine Thine is the kingdome O LORD and thou excellest as head ouer all Both riches and honour come of thee and thou reignest ouer all and in thine hand is power and strength in thine hand I saie O mightie GOD it is to make great and to giue strength vnto all now therefore I thanke thee and praise thy glorious name for euer But who am I O Lord GOD and what is my people that thou hast brought mee to this honour and thus redeemed and deliuered both mee and thy people out of thrall vnto thy selfe and art beecome our GOD Dooth this apperteine to man O LORD Or commeth not this rather of thy free mercie more than of anie our woorthinesse And what can ELIZABETH saie more vnto thee For thou Lord God knowest thy seruant euen for thy words sake according to thine owne hart hast thou made my fountaine become a floud and my light to shine as the sunne and done all these great things to make them knowne vnto thy seruant Now therefore for this thy gratious fauour after so long restraint so great dangers ouerpassed such blusterous storms ouerblowne so many iniuries digested wrongs susteined by thy mightie protection O mercifull God to my no small comfort thy peoples commoditie in exalting erecting and bringing me out of thrall to libertie out of darknesse into light out of danger to peace and quietnesse from dread to dignitie from miserie to maiestie from mourning to ruling breeflie of a prisoner to make me a Prince and to place me in the roiall throne there to sit as Queene now full 24. yeeres in the admirable rest blessed quietnesse and long peace which I now enioie For this thy diuine wisdome O heauenlie father in vnfolding reuealing frustrating the proud platformes peeuish practises of Achitophels all mine enimes For this thy meere mercie O deere Christ in spacing me and my people so long frō the bloudie hands of spoilers oppressors traitors vsurpers For this thy heauenlie prouidence O holie Ghost in preuenting their diuelish purposes and so gratiously protecting preseruing and defending me as wel before I was Queene as since from so extreme miseries and manifold dangers as also frō the hands and violences of al mine enimies visible inuisible domesticall foraine Finallie for these for all other thy great graces singular blessings and mestimable benefits principall vertues spirituall corporall O glorious Trinitie which through the mercie merits of my sweet Sauior Iesus Christ thou hertofore frō my birth hast presentlie dooest or hereafter vnto my death shalt bountifullie bestowe vpon me and my people I most hartilie laud entirelie magnifie and incessantlie extoll thy most high holie and renowmed name and sacred Princelie Maiestie And as I meeklie euen of dutie from the bottome of my hart render vnto thee my GOD and my King all condigne honour woorthie praise and possible thanks togither with the vnfeined resignation of all empire kingdome power rule dominion maiestie and glorie both in heauen and in earth as to thee onlie and most iustlie belongeth so now I most humblie and hartilie beseech thy diuine Maiestie O excellent Father and most mercifull GOD to haue mercie vpon me thine humble handmaid and sinfull seruant And be not prouoked good Lord with my sinnes nor with the sinnes of my parents people to giue vs ouer to the lust of our enimies Make vs not a reproch vnto the foolish nor let our aduersaries in our ouerthrowe triumph against vs saieng Where is now their God But of thy rich mercie and woonted compassion in Christ Iesu forgiue me my sinnes both old and new both secret and open both past present and to come yea from both mine owne and others faults O God I beseech thee deliuer me and cast all mine offences into the bottomlesse depth out of thy remembrance and sight for euer making the crosse and passion the death and resurrection of thy most deere and onlie sonne my sweete Sauiour and onlie Redeemer Iesus Christ the righteous and immaculate Lambe most effectuall in mee to all vertue godlinesse of life and pietie as best becommeth thy daughter thy virgin thine annointed and elect vessell of honour That to all other thy good graces bountifull benefits alredie shewed towards me the which of thine accustomed goodnesse I beseech thee to confirme finish and worke out in mee as thou hast gratiouslie begun and continue towards mee to the end according to thy good pleasure with such further increase thereof from time to time as best shall serue to the setting foorth of thy glorie the benefit of thy Church to all posteritie mine eternall peace in Christ Iesus the Prince of peace Grant I saie O Lord this also may be added namelie that as it hath pleased thee in thy secret wisdome to quicken me that was Tanquam ouis euen as a seelie sheepe or lambe led to be slaine to raise me vp out of the dust and mire of persecution to lift me vp out of the pit and dungeon and to set me the chiefe of the Princes of this land and to make mee meete to inherīt the seate of glorie yea to build me the chiefe and head piller of this thy Church of England France and Ireland wherevpon the whole bodie of thy Saints therein doo staie themselues in thy blessed peace and vnitie As I saie it is thy good will not my deserts to exalt the horne of thine annointed to appoint me a fraile woman thy Lieutenant here on earth and to giue power vnto thy QVEENE to iudge the ends of thy dominions and execute thine office here amongst thy people for a space in the regall seate of iustice and mercie so vouchsafe thou O gratious God and louing Father in like mercie to powre downe continuallie vpon me all those thy speciall good gifts princelie vertues and heauenlie graces fit for this my so high calling that being plentiouslie indued therewith the bright shining beames thereof as from a glittering Star in the firmament or the glorious Sunne in his orient arising to the
permanent vnchangable and vnmooueable lift vp the head of thine handmaid as it were of an Unicorne being annointed by thee with fresh oile and laden with new benefits continuallie Thou art he I saie by whose power consisteth whatsoeuer is high in the world euen by thy might which as it establisheth the kingdoms and policies whereby mankind is preserued so also by these testimonies of thy most mightie power the inhabitants of the earth being conuinced doo tremble and keepe silence And this peace being restored in my dominion thou causest that my people againe doo leade their liues both daie and night in comfortable peace godlie tranquillitie Wherefore thou hast giuen me great cause of new ioie and to reioice in thee O Lord my God who hast thus mercifullie dealt with me thine handmaid and especiallie bicause thou hast granted vnto me to ouercome all mine enimies how manie and how mightie soeuer and to compose and set my kingdome in peaceable order and to place in Iuda the throne of iudgement and iustice being directed by thy word O GOD which I haue and whereof I glorie still will glorie To conclude I doo reioice bicause thou Lord art my louing shepheard and feedest me in the greene pastures and sweet medowes of thy word with ioie and solace making me that was sometime as a barren woman without comfort now a ioifull and glad foster mother of manie spirituall children to thee Yea euen in the verie sight of mine enimies dooest thou O most bountifull Father prepare a deintie table for me and reaching vnto me a full cup thou giuest me drinke of thy pleasant springs and causest thy goodnesse and mercie thy bountie and liberalitie to followe me wheresoeuer I become blessing both me and my people with all thy blessings continuallie Finallie it is thou O Lord onlie who of thy singular goodnesse hast assuredlie fortified my hill woonderfullie with honour health peace and securitie and that dooest presentlie keepe me in safetie and causest me quietlie to lie downe and take my rest in thee Thou doost ward the gates of my Cities with bars and mightilie multiplie and cherish thy familie my citizens Thou bringest me into amitie with my neighbors and feedest me with the finest flower of wheate And these things verelie doo testifie most plainlie both thine infinite goodnesse and power yet surelie they are nothing in comparison of that benefit of the doctrine of saluation and holie word which thou hast bestowed vpon thy people and deliuered vnto vs as a rule to lead our liues both godlie and honestlie neither is there anie nation vnder heauen with whom thou hast so dealt as with vs herein Therfore hauing such experience of thy support I will comfort my selfe in thee my strength my shield in whom my hart doth rest neither will thine Annointed trust in anie other but onelie in thee which giuest power vnto Princes Euen I will blesse and praise thee O Lord which thus hast blessed both me and my people with thy continuall blessings And in this my present blessed state I will not cease to magnifie thee O Lord my deliuerer but I will declare set foorth before all people the maruellous works which thou my God hast done for me and whereof I my selfe from the beginning of my life vnto this houre haue had good proofe experience The fourth part of the Vow conteining fiue Chapters CAP. I. OH Lord my God how excellent is thy name ouer all the earth Aduancing mee thus to glorie far aboue my deserts I as one nothing able to compasse such great mercies am euen astonished with the admiration of thine excellent liberalitie and fatherlie prouidence ouer me O how greatlie doo these so manie and so great benefits binde me vnto thee And what shall I giue againe vnto thee for all thy bountie which thou hast bestowed vpon me Uerelie I will paie that which onlie I am able namelie I will take in my hands the Lampe which thou hast ordeined for thine annointed and will therein continuallie magnifie thy mercie I will take in my hands I saie the cup of thankefull sacrifice and calling vpon thee by name O Lord I will testifie openlie that I knowledge this my deliuerance and honour to be onelie of thee And those things which I vowed vnto thee O Lord when I was in danger will I now paie in the presence of all the people For thou art he by whose benefit I remaine aliue thou art my defence my tower my sauiour my sheeld my refuge finallie thou art he who onelie hast subdued all this people vnto me and therefore well deseruest the renowme and praise of all these victories by most worthie right Wherefore by good right O Lord I will declare thy praises euen with a sounding voice And bicause it becommeth all men and women that haue receiued benefits of thee and to whome thou grantest the vse of this life and deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths to doo this thing diligentlie and continuallie I will labour to commit the memoriall of thy benefits vnto others and exhort them to accompanie me in the dutie of thankefulnesse earnestlie and saie CAP. II. O All yee holie spirits the apparitors of the Lords Maiestie which are diuided into innumerable garrisons go yee before others in this his praise and sound them foorth euen from the most high heauen O yee Citizens of Zion reioice yee in the Lord your King and Gouernour and set foorth his praise far and wide not onlie priuatelie but also publikelie Praise the Lord I saie for his infinite goodnesse and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same O you the innumerable multitude whome God hath deliuered out of manifold dangers and foorth of the hands of your enimies and persecutors praise the Lord for his infinite goodnesse and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same and acknowledge this thing with me For how manie hath he gathered from the beginning of the world which were scattered from the East and the West from the North and South Ocean sea How manie wandering wretches in the waste wildernesse and seeking a Citie commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst crieng vnto thee O God in their extreame miseries hast thou heard and drawing them foorth of their distresse hast brought into the right waie and led them into commodious Cities of refuge to dwell in peace O let these men therefore set foorth this thy great mercie before thee O Lord thy selfe and shew foorth thy maruellous works to other men who hast thus refreshed them panting for thirst and fed them so mercifullie being hunger-starued How manie also being shut vp in darke prisons and euen as it were in the darkenesse of death being chained in their mind with sorow and in their bodies most strictlie with iron fetters And that worthilie I confesse because they did not obeie thy commandements oh God which are engrauen in the minds of all men but rather followed their owne lusts than the wholesome counselles
crosse whereon his glorious bodie was broken and his pretious bloud shead a sufficient ransome a full satisfaction a iust recompense of thy iustice and lawe for all them that beleeue and embrace thy Gospell and sacred truth But O Lord our good God be mercifull vnto vs who by our infirmitie through the fall of this lordlie man our great grandfather Adam can not now liue in anie peaceable or good condition and state without Magistrates and Kings to rule and gouerne vs. We therefore most humblie and hartilie beseech thy diuine Maiestie for the loue of thine onlie Sonne Iesus Christ to looke downe with thy fatherlie compassion vpon thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and dread souereigne Graffe in hir roiall hart by the working of thy holie spirit thy manifold good gifts and benefits as wisdome grace perseuerance in thy truth increase of faith and affiance in thee Defend hir O Lord with thy mightie hand and outstretched arme graunt vnto hir a most honourable long and prosperous reigne ouer vs. Moreouer O Lord if the seruice of golden vessels in thy Temple at Ierusalem were acceptable vnto thee vouchsafe this thy seruant to be esteemed in thy sight as a most honourable ornament in the new Ierusalem not built with monie by the labour of the seruants of the first Salomon but bought with the pretious bloud of the second Salomon thy Sonne our Sauiour Behold hir and make hir to be O Lord as the pretious stone or signet of thine owne hand as the apple of thine eie as the white lillie and sweet rose of the inclosed garden and as the deere doue of thy delights for thy truth sake to the enimies whereof make hir name most dreadfull and to the Church wheresoeuer dispersed most acceptable and ioifull Confound and put to shame O Lord all those that with or procure anie euill to hir roiall person and heroicall virginitie or diminution of hir kingdomes and imperiall dignitie ouer them And when for the multitude of our sinnes O Lord thou wilt punish vs with the wind of thy displeasure by taking from vs this our fragrant and sweet smelling flower which we beseech thee for thine own name sake long to defer then O Lord plant hir in the garden and paradise of thy presence where she may growe and dwell in felicitie incomparable which the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither euer came it into the vnderstanding of man those ioies which thou hast prepared for hir and all thine elect Moreouer O Lord grant thy heauenlie wisedome and grace vnto all vs hir subiects that we may aduisedlie consider and dutifullie call to our remembrance the manifold blessings that we so long time haue enioied and doo presentlie possesse through thy mercie by hir ministerie authoritie and the execution of hir kinglie office vnder the which we doo not onlie reape and peaceablie enioie the fruits of our labours and other corporall commodities but also that which is more woorth than all this euen the freedome and libertie of conscience the preaching and hearing of thy most holie word and the administration and receiuing of thy holie Sacraments For all which and manie other thy blessings O Lord worke in vs thy grace to yeeld vnto thy diuine Maiestie all possible and continuall praises and thanksgiuing that it be not said vnto vs Are there not ten cleansed or Is not England preserued from all tyrannie enioie all these benefits But where are now their returning to giue thanks Quicken our memories therefore O Lord that we neuer be forgetfull of thy great goodnesse towards vs and make vs more and more for thy sake reuerentlie to feare hir dutifullie to obeie hir and faithfullie to loue honor and serue hir as our naturall louing prince and mother and as the meane by whome we receiue all these thy good blessings that hir Maiestie perceiuing our diligence and readinesse to obeie and serue hir may be the oftener put in mind to feare honor loue serue obeie thy diuine and incomparable Maiestie Furthermore inspire hir roiall hart O Lord with thy diuine grace that as she hath begun to set foorth and mainteine thy sacred truth so she may zealouslie and boldlie increase perseuere continue in the same whereby the filthinesse and nakednesse of Antichrist may be more and more reuealed superstition more and more abolished remoued and that old lieng serpent roring Lion sathan our ancient enimie may be more and more restrained kept backe from his malicious purpose in seeking to deuour and draw vs all in ignorance securitie Grant all this O Lord to our great comfort hir honor and immortall fame yea to the discharging of hir owne conscience kinglie dutie and euermore reward crowne these thine owne good gifts in hir O Lord not for the worke sake but for Iesus Christs sake And when thou shalt to our great sorowe and losse but to hir great ioie and profit take hir from vs crowne hir O most mercifull God with a crowne of euerlasting glorie and giue hir the full possession of that eternall kingdome purchased by the blood of that immaculate Lambe thine onlie Sonne our Sauiour and Redeemer Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one immortall and euerlasting God be all honour dominion praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Another praier for the Queenes Maiestie and for the state present and to come in our posteritie O Most gratious Lord GOD and King almightie iust euerlasting vpon whose wil dependeth the rule staie and direction of althings both in heauen and in earth giuing men power and dominion ouer the people and nations of the world to whom being obedient to thy most holie will and commandements thou giuest wise careful industrious vertuous happie and prosperous kings princes rulers and magistrates to rule and to gouerne to the peace blessing comfort and wealth of the same but the vnrighteous people lasciuious contemptuous idolatrous superstitious blasphemous and rebellious against thy word and Maiestie shall be deliuered ouer to the hands and tuition of foolish idle dissolute negligent and vnfortunate princes rulers and gouernours by whose brutish disorder loosenesse and follie the state beautie strength and bonds of peace iustice loue and gouernement shall be neglected broken disturbed spoiled and by intestine hatred and discords or else by forren vanquishments and discomfitures destroied whereby both land and people are left a praie to the inuasion spoile and rauine of the greedie and victorious destroier who in his mercilesse rage executeth the plagues of thy iust wrath O Lord so that man woman child beast foule nor fish scapeth the stripes thereof Their countries townes cities and dwellings burnt spoiled rent torne and made waste iustice lawe discipline nurture ciuill fellowship honest arts and exercises religion knowledge and feare of thee scorned banished and persecuted and the land being filled with abhomination beastlie tyrannie slaughter bloud robberie theeuerie
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
that thou art the Sonne of the liuing God our King and Sauiour And for asmuch as great is the rage and mightie the power of thine enimies which fight against the truth mercifullie defend thy Church sounding foorth this thy wisedome defend the same we beseech thee against the verie gates of hell And as thou hast giuen to the Apostle Saint Peter manie excellent gifts and commandedst him earnestlie to feed the flocke wherby at the infancie as it were of thy Church he was a glorious light of the Gospell and publisher of the truth so keepe among vs thy ministerie and send godlie preachers which may godlie and rightlie vse the keies in comforting and correcting Make we beseech thee all Bishops and pastors diligentlie to preach thy holie word and the people obedientlie to followe the same that in this life we may be and abide citizens of the blessed fellowship which thou dooest protect and receiue the crowne of euerlasting glorie as heires of thine eternall kingdome Amen 15. On Saint Iames the Apostles daie When my father and my mother forsake me thou O Lord takest me vp therefore I made haste and prolonged not the time to kéepe thy commandements O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which camest into this world to giue thy life for manie stirre vp our hearts vnto the true cogitation of thy benefits and obedience which was a sufficient ransome for the sinnes of all mankinde pacifieng the wrath of God and giuing euerlasting life to as manie as approch vnto thee in true faith We besech thee forsomuch as in vs doth as in thy disciples did sticke great vncleannesse heale our minds by thy spirit Quench in vs our vaine desires of superioritie which maruellouslie doo boile within the harts of men Grant that the ministers may knowe rightlie the difference betweene ciuill policie and religion that they cast not vnto thee in mockerie purple neither pricke thine head with a crowne of thornes but may serue thy Church in humilitie as faithfull dispensators of thy mysteries folowing thine example in whome perfect humilitie appeared when thou flangest thy selfe downe vnder Angels men Assist vs also that we may drinke of thy cup be baptised with thy Baptisme in true calling vpon thee and perfect patience in all our aduersities And grant that as thine holie Apostle Iames leauing his father and all that he had without delaie was obedient vnto thy calling and most willinglie followed thee so we forsaking all worldlie and carnall affections may be euermore readie to followe thy commandements till thou drawe vs vp vnto the sight of thy visible kingdome which is y e right hand of thine eternall Father Amen 16. On Saint Bartholomew the Apostles daie I beleeued and therefore will I speake that I may walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing O Christ Sonne of God great was the weakenesse and sluggishnesse of thy disciples both in thy last supper when they contended about superioritie and worldlie gouernement in thine agonie when they slept and as great is the wickednes and securitie of this last age which making warre for wealth vnder the cloake of fauoring the Gospell seeketh after honor and promotion sleepeth soundlie and is nothing moued with the blasphemous idolatrie wherein the whole world is wrapped to thy great dishonor yea the greeuous punishments which thou sendest euerie-where doo nothing terrifie them from their sinne But O Sonne of God breake our deadlie sleepe teach the hearts of our ministers that they must not be ambitious neither striue about excellencie nor transforme the Gospell into ciuill policie but assist vs that we may all thinke of thy commandement which is Learne of me for I am meeke and lowlie in heart Powre vpon vs such vertues as thou hast in thy selfe most aboundantlie Thou destroiedst not mankinde which had offended thee but flangest thy selfe vnder all Angels and men and tookest this miserable flesh of ours vpon thee that to saue and serue vs trulie in great humilitie Thou O Sonne of God which hast giuen grace to thine Apostle Bartholomew trulie to beleeue and to preach thy word grant wee beseech thee vnto thy Church both to loue that he beleeued and to preach that he taught And as thou sittest for euer at the table of the Father in which all heauenlie wisedome doth abound so place vs miserable ones in the lowest seates of that thy table where thine Apostles and teachers which haue instructed manie vnto righteousnesse doo shine as the lights of the Church and differ in woonderfull glorie from other inferiour members albeit it sufficeth vs so we gather crooms from thy table which filleth such as eate and digest them with euerlasting ioie Amen 17. On Saint Matthewes daie Incline my hart vnto thy testimonies and not to couetousnesse IT was thy saieng O Christ Sonne of God that the sicke need the Physician wherefore we humblie beseech thee heale vs miserable folkes with thine heauenlie Physicke Be mercifull vnto vs sinners and feed vs with the deintie dishes of thy spirituall comfort Haue mercie on the Church whose whole bodie is greeuouslie afflicted through manifold diseases and euils The teachers sit as doo the merchants for gaine they transforme the Gospell into an outward pompe and bait for preferment Wherefore keepe thou some sound part which may vnfeignedlie acknowledge thee to be the onlie and best Physician which hast deliuered vs from the cursse of the lawe and restored vs to life and righteousnesse And grant O blessed Sonne of God that as thou didst call Matthew from the receipt of custome to be an Apostle and Euangelist so giue vs grace to forsake all couetous desires and inordinate care of riches and to followe thee in all things thou hast commanded Furthermore thou O Christ hast taught that the church of the new testament is not tied vnto the Mosaicall gouernement neither vnto the ceremonies and traditions of man hast reprooued also the Pharisaicall error which in all ages hath shamefullie obscured the light of thy Gospell that ceremonies are to be preferred before the works of the morall lawe Continue this light among vs. Grant that we may woorship thee not in the works and precepts of men but in obseruation of thy commandements and woorshipping thee in spirit and truth Worke O worke within vs an obedience answering to thy lawes in both tables that retaining faith and a good conscience we may sit with thee for euermore in thy celestiall kingdome after our resurrection Amen 18. On Saint Michaels daie and all Angels O praise the Lord yée Angels of his yée that excell in strength and fulfill his commandement O Almightie euerlasting and euerliuing God which before all times didst beget a Sonne in thine owne image in whome shineth the heauenlie light which no creature can apprehend as it is in deede albeit some taste and sparke thereof thou bestowest vpon men by lightening them by thy Sonne to vnfeigned repentance sorowe for their sinne Thou commandedst
vertue that I may walke with an vpright hart a cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie or night and euermore Put me not from thy presence oh thou God of all comfort but incline thine eare vnto my calling Strengthen thy seruant with the power of thy right hand and helpe thine handmaiden Comfort my soule with thy sweet promises and let thy mercies couer mine infirmities O most mercifull Father consider mine infirmities I saie which are manie and great beare with mine imperfection for thy Sonne my sauiour Iesus Christes sake which had good experience of our infirmitie that he might be mercifull vnto all them that are afflicted Consider the enimie hath gotten an open waie into my flesh wherein I confesse that there dwelleth nothing but sinne wretchednesse and miserie Yea O Lord I acknowledge that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a child of wrath For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse doo that thou in thy lawe requirest of me to bee done which hast said Cursed is he that continueth not in all things that are written in the lawe to doo them Againe the lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sold vnder sinne Therefore O Lord my God I call vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you to preuent and drawe my will to all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawne and except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of God Assist me therefore and guide me with thy holie spirit from time to time Drawe me and I shall runne after thee and giue me strength and ablenesse through Christ our Lord to accomplish and fulfill thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of the diuell that they may haue no place in me but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the lusts of sinne may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind and that the life of Christ may alwaies appeare in me Good Lord for thy great mercies sake deliuer me from all kinds of euill namelie from the spirit of pride boasting vaine-glorie hypocrisie wantonnesse haughtinesse of mind presumption selfe-loue and make mee poore in spirit humble meeke gentle and lowe in mine owne sight that I lift not vp my selfe aboue my brethren and sisters but esteeme my selfe to be as a seruant and hand-maiden to all men and women to doo them good after the example of Christ who came not to be ministred vnto but to minister who also hath said Blessed are the poore in spirit Againe Thou resisteth the proud but giuest grace to the humble Take from me my stonie vnbeleeuing blind doubtfull vnfaithfull and vnthankefull hart and giue me an hart of flesh to loue and incline to thy will my carnall secure and impenitent hart take awaie from me and giue me an hart to feare loue and obeie thee write thy lawe in my hart graue it in my mind that I may beleeue trust and liue in thee for euer Take from me the wicked spirit of suspicion enuie hatred variance strife sedition sects euill gealousie vaine surmises murmuring and grudging backbiting or slandering of anie especiallie such as be in authoritie and ministers of thy holie word O Lord keepe me from all wrath malice and hastinesse all respect of persons in the faith all idolatrie superstition vanities lieng euill words debate contention murther theft false-witnesse-bearing flattering dissimulation hypocrisie blasphemie and vaine swearing by the name of God his works or creatures from all lightnesse idle words and all vnstablenesse of hart Oh Lord deliuer thou my hart from all surfeting dronkennesse gluttonie and leacherie and from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit from all vncleane thoughts and vnlawfull desires euill concupiscence fornication adulterie and lusts of the bodie Take vtterlie from me also couetousnesse and inordinate care of riches all deceipt and guile or dooing of wrong to anie in my calling and office all idlenesse sloth and beastlie securitie and giue me not ouer vnto an vnshamefast and obstinate minde but hold me alwaies vnto thy nourture and correction and bow my hart alwaies vnto thee that I may serue thee all the daies of my life in such holinesse and righteousnes as is acceptable before thee Giue me thy grace oh Lord that I may haue thee alwaies before mine eies that I may also haue a respect vnto thy iudgements that whatsoeuer I saie thinke or doo it may be agreeable to thy holie will and word that I be not minded as the vngodlie and wicked men and women are let me haue no pleasure in such things as please them and grant that whensoeuer I be ouertaken with anie kind of sinne and wickednesse either in thought word or deede or that I feele mine owne infirmitie and weakenesse I may immediatelie with hartie repentance returne to thee againe and not to lie still in the securitie of sinne Make me able and contented with patience to heare all occasions of offence when they be offered or giuen me and not to recompense euill for euill and suffer me not good Lord to giue occasions of euill to anie man and if I doo make me willing to confesse my fault and to amend it Giue me grace that I neuer enuie anie good mans loue or womans because they doo either loue God and his people more than I or else that they be beloued of him or his more than I. Make me to reioice in other mens gifts and not to enuie them because they be better than mine but rather to giue thanks for them with all my hart desiring that they may be increased in them and in me Increase my faith O Lord my sauiour in thee and in thy Christ make it strong to beleeue thy promises Increase my loue O my redeemer to thee and to thy righteous people and make it perfect true and vnfeined to all vertue and godlinesse Increase a sure hope in me of my saluation O my iustifier without doubt or wauering in aduersitie and without pride or presumption in prosperitie so that I may serue thee with reuerence and godlie feare all the daies of my life Increase in me strength to resist sinne and to get the victorie and masterie to stand against all euill temptations and assaults of the flesh the world and the diuell that they may haue no place in me and that according to thy promise I be neuer further prooued nor tempted than thou wilt giue me strength to ouercome Increase in me O Lord all other vertues agreeable to a godlie life for I come vnto thee my God as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of all health and saluation Good Lord giue me grace therefore all the daies of this my
great benefit not to haue manie worldlie gifts whereby the laud and praise of men might blind my soule and deceiue me Lord I knowe that no man ought to be ashamed or miscontent that he is in a lowe estate in this world and lacketh the pleasures of this life but rather to be glad and reioice thereat For so much as thou hast chosen the poore and meeke persons and such as are despised in the world to be thy seruants and familiar friends Witnesse be thy blessed Apostles whome thou madest chiefe pastours and spirituall gouernours of thy flocke which departed from the counsel of the Jewes reioising that they were counted worthie to suffer rebuke for thy name Euen so O Lord grant that I thy seruant may be as well content to be taken as the least as other be to be greatest and that I be as well pleased to be in the lowest place as in the highest and as glad to be of no reputation in the world for thy sake as other are to be noble and famous Lord it is the worke of a perfect man neuer to sequester his mind from thee and among manie worldlie cares to go without care not after the maner of an idle or a dissolute person but by the prerogatiue of a free mind alwaie minding heauenlie things and not cleauing by inordinate affection to anie creature I beseech thee therefore my Lord Iesu keepe me from the superfluous cares of this world that I be not inquieted with bodilie necessities ne that I be not taken with the voluptuous pleasures of the world ne of the flesh Preserue me from all things which hinder my soule health that I be not ouerthrowne with them O Lord God which art sweetnesse vnspeakable turne into bitternesse to me all worldlie and fleshlie delights which might drawe me from the loue of eternall things to the loue of short and vile pleasures Let not flesh and bloud ouercome me ne yet the world with his vaine glorie deceiue me nor the feend with his manifold crafts supplant me but giue me ghostlie strength in resisting them patience in suffering them and constancie in perseuering to the end Giue me for all worldlie delectations the most sweet consolation of thy holie spirit and for all fleshlie loue indue my soule with feruent loue of thee Make me strong inwardlie in my soule and cast out thereof all vnprofitable cares of this world that I be not led by vnstable desires of earthlie things but that I may repute all things in this world as they be transitorie and soone vanishing awaie and my selfe also with them drawing toward mine end For nothing vnder the sunne may long abide but all is vanitie and affliction of spirit Giue me Lord therefore heauenlie wisdome that I may learne to seeke and find thee aboue all things to loue thee Giue me grace to withdrawe me from them that flatter me and patientlie to suffer them that vniustlie greeue me Lord when temptation or tribulation commeth vouchsafe to succour me that all may turne to my ghostlie comfort and patientlie to suffer and alwaie to saie Thy name be blessed Lord trouble is now at hand I am not well but I am greatlie vexed with this present affliction O most glorious father what shall I do Anguish and trouble are on euerie side helpe now I beseech thee in this houre thou shalt be lauded and praised when I am perfectlie made meeke before thee and when I am cleerelie deliuered by thee May it therefore please thee to deliuer me For what may I most sinfull wretch do Or whether may I go for succour but to thee Giue mee patience now at this time in all my troubles helpe me Lord God and I shall not feare ne dread what trouble so euer fall vpon me And now what shall I saie but that thy will be done in me I haue deserued to be troubled and greeued and therefore it behooueth that I suffer as long as it pleaseth thee But would to God that I might suffer gladlie till the furious tempests were ouerpassed and that quietnesse of hart might come againe Thy mightie hand Lord is strong ynough to take this trouble from me to asswage the cruell assaults thereof with them as thou hast oftentimes done before this time that when I am cleerelie deliuered by thee I may with gladnesse saie The right hand of him that is highest hath made this change The fourth Chapter To despise all things in the world and yeeld our selues vp to God that he may be all in all for our redemption in time of neede LOrd grant me thy singular grace that I may come thither where no creature shall let me ne keepe me from the perfect beholding of thee For as long as anie transitorie thing keepeth me backe or hath rule in me I may not freelie ascend to thee O Lord without thee nothing may long delight or please for if anie thing should be liking and sauourie it must be through helpe of thy grace seasoned with the spice of thy wisedome O euerlasting light far passing all things send downe the beames of thy brightnesse from aboue and purifie and lighten the inward parts of my hart Quicken my soule and all the powers thereof that it may cleaue fast and be ioined to thee in ioifull gladnesse and ghostlie rauishings O when shall that blessed houre come that thou shalt visit me and glad me with thy blessed presence when thou shalt be to me all in all Uerelie vntill that time come there can be no perfect ioie in me But alas mine old man that is my carnall affections liue still in me and are not crucified nor perfectlie dead For yet striueth the flesh against the spirit and moueth great battell inwardlie against me and suffereth not the kingdome of my soule to liue in peace But thou good Lord that hast the Lordship ouer all and power of the sea to asswage the rages and surges of the same arise and helpe me destroie the power of mine enimies which alwaies make battell against me shew foorth the greatnesse of thy goodnesse and let the power of thy right hand be glorified in me For there is to me none other helpe nor refuge but in thee onlie my Lord my God to thee be honour and glorie euerlasting O Lord grant me that I may wholie resigne myselfe to thee and in all things to forsake my selfe and patientlie to beare my crosse and to followe thee O Lord what is man that thou vouchsafest to haue mind of him and to visit him Thou art alwaie one alwaie good alwaie righteous and holie iustlie and blessedlie disposing all things after thy wisdome But I am a wretch and of my selfe alwaie readie and prone to euill and do neuer abide in one state but manie tunes doo varie and change Neuerthelesse it shall be better with me when it shall please thee For thou O Lord onelie art he that maiest helpe me and thou maiest so confirme and stablish me that my
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
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
setting foorth of thy most glorious inuisible and eternall Maiestie in this my fraile earthlie and visible maiestie may cleerelie shine and appeare in me to the benefit of thy Church farre and neere And that I remembring whose minister I am may first aboue all things in a perfect zeale of thy house and loue of thy people euer seeke thy honour and glorie and studie continuallie to preserue thy people committed to my charge in wealth peace and godlinesse Deere Father so blesse mee so loue mee so in the spirit of counsell prudence knowledge and fortitude sanctifie strengthen and direct me that in a perfect faith feare and loue as in thy sight I may walke vprightlie without offence giuing in the obedience of thy holie word and fulfilling of thy blessed commandements all the daies of my life and may be a true follower of that King which is the Souereigne ouer the holie hill of Zion whose seate and kingdome endureth for euer Giue mee grace both thankfullie to acknowledge thy manifold great benefits bestowed vpon mee and also faithfullie and diligentlie to discharge my dutie towards thee and thy people in executing thy iudgements indifferentlie without parcialitie to the aduancement of thy kingdome the establishment of my throne and the vniuersall comfort and commoditie of all thy people Make me good Lord of an entire affection and perfect hart towards thee and of an humble and gentle spirit towards all vnder my gouernement after the example of Christ our eternall King who to fulfill thy will O GOD did vouchsafe to take flesh of the virgin Marie and became man for man that man might become a God vnto men and who also did verie much abase and humble himselfe as a seruant euen vnto the death of the Crosse to redeeme both Prince and people out of thrall and bondage of sinne Sathan death and hell Let my naturall affection and disposition I saie O Lord continue to my foes terrible to my subiects amiable to mine offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull to all men indifferent and parciall to none that being guided by thee to gouerne thy people iustlie in all godlie peace and quietnesse I may be able with a good conscience to witnesse of mine integritie before thee and all the world as thy faithfull seruants Moses Samuel and Nehemias somtimes did of theirs and boldlie and trulie with them saie Behold here I am beare record of me before the Lord before his annointed Whose oxe or whose asse haue I forceablie taken awaie Or whom haue I done anie wrong to Or whom haue I iniured or hurt Or of whose hand haue I receiued anie bribes to blind mine eies therewith and I will restore it you that my people seeing and well perceiuing my motherlie affection faithfull gouernement carefull diligence and diligent watchfulnesse ouer them by all meanes to doo them all the good I possiblie may or can in thee may woorthilie witnesse rightlie answere and iustlie confesse and saie of me to thy glorie and my perpetuall praise as the Israelites heretofore said of Samuel That I haue not grieued them nor troubled my land by oppression or iniurie that I haue not hurt them nor taken ought of anie mans hand nor by anie meanes either by my selfe or others willinglie abused my power or dealt vniustlie with my people Oh kindle more and more in my hart I beseech thee most holie Father a pure zele aboue all things to promote thy glorie and a vigilant care not onelie to serue thee my selfe sincerelie but also to haue thee diligentlie serued of my familie people And to this end vouchsafe I praie thee both to adorne me with all thy heauenlie gifts and also to blesse my whole familie court and houshold with thy graces and vertues that all these both high and lowe one and other which are placed therein vnder me may for their vertuous life true faith and right religion towards thee their God and for their loiall harts and conscionable obedience towards me their Prince and Mistres and for their entire affection and charitie one towards another as brethren and lastlie for their hartie loue and naturall good-will they beare to their Commonwelth and countrie be an example and patterne of true godlinesse and puritie both in religion and life for all the whole Realme and countrie yea the whole world besides to followe as their head fountaine and light Moreouer O blessed God as hitherto by thy mightie protection thou hast preserued me and in thy great mercie maugre the heads of all mine enimies miraculouslie hast deliuered me and established me in this my kingdome thus long in admirable peace and blessed quietnesse all glorie and praise be rendered vnto thy glorious name therfore so I beseech thy gratious goodnesse O Lord in like mercie to blesse preserue maintaine keepe and defend me and my Realme still from all both forreine and domesticall conspiracies treasons deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils imminent and to come both bodilie and ghostlie publike and priuate that I may still gouerne blessedlie ouer a blessed people and my Realme and people by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of thy Gospell and happie enioieng of perfect peace and quietnesse both outward and inward Thou O Lord of hosts hast ordeined me the Gouernour ouer thy people and made my people to be thy people and thou Lord art become our God yea and our great and mightie God besides whom wee haue none other God I knowe also my God that thou triest the hart and hast pleasure in righteousnesse behold therefore I offer vow and dedicate my selfe willinglie and entirelie in the vprightnesse of my hart to serue and worship thee onelie for euer with ioie and therfore am I thine handmaid bold to praie this praier vnto thee beseeching thee for euer to keepe me and to helpe me in this my good purpose of holie seruing and worshipping of thee For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all to speake of O direct thou continuallie the thoughts of my mind and prepare my hart euermore vnto thee Giue vnto me thine handmaid a perfect hart to keepe thy commandements thy testimonies and thy statutes and cause me to vse my power lawfullie to the reforming both of thy house and estates according to the prescript rule of thy written word reuealed will that so it may please thee O Lord God to confirme for euer thy mercifull promises made vnto me in my father DAVID and to blesse the throne or house of thy seruant with thy blessing that it may continue and be established before thee for euer And that this may the better come to passe to the glorie of thy name the benefit of thy Church and wealth of my Realme as I hartilie wish and desire remoue far from thy Church far from me O excellent father all those which fall from thee by infidelitie and are through obstinate wilfulnesse traiterous rebels to thy sacred
heare the mournings of the prisoners thy persecuted members and to loose them foorth of bonds and fetters of whose life it was vtterlie despaired that in Zion once againe thy name O Lord and thy praises I saie in Ierusalem might be published by my ministerie as it is this daie manie nations and people running together to worship thee who hast now shewed thy selfe much more glorious therein than at anie time before Therefore O God which art indeed the Gouernor and Lord ouer all people in heauen and in earth thou art our God by a peculiar right and mine onlie honor For so great glorie haue I attained by this thy defence and saluation and so bright is the glittering of this honour wherewith thou hast crowned me that I may woorthilie triumph in thee being thus preserued and deliuered by thee and also condignelie celebrate this daie wholie to thee with banners displaied which hast so gratiouslie granted all the petitions of thine handmaid Namelie for that thou Lord being euer mindfull of thy promise and word which is of force for euer and prouiding for thine owne onlie glorie didst so mercifullie and miraculouslie preserue me from dangers and rebuking euen Kings and Princes for my sake so pretious and deere was my bloud in thy sight that none should touch thine Annointed nor doo me anie harme at the time appointed by thee thou allowing iustifieng and commending me as innocent whom others did maliciouslie condemne as guiltie of wickednesse didst most faithfullie and freelie performe thy promises towards me and changing my miserable estate into blisse didst bring me foorth glad and ioifull whom thou hadst appointed thine elect handmaid and chosen seruant to gouerne thy people and affaires in this kingdome CAP. IIII. WHerefore I humblie acknowledge that it is thou O almightie GOD which raisest vp the abiects and exaltest the miserable from the dunghill to place them among the Princes of the people and which somtime laiedst helpe vpon one that was mightie and didst exalt one chosen of the people my father DAVID thy seruant I meane whom thou tookest from the sheepfold and with thy holie oile didst annoint and broughtest to feed thy people and inheritance in Israel Euen thou O God I saie the selfe-same good God it is I confesse which hast also consecrated ELIZABETH to thy selfe to gouerne thy people ouer whome thou dooest chieflie rule and who hast vouchsafed in like fauour and in as great mercie to call me out of the prison to the palace and to appoint me to be the Prince and Pastor to feede the posteritie of Iacob and most deere people of Israel with the spirituall food of thine eternall word My preferment Lord and promotion I knowe is come neither from the east nor from the west from the south nor from the north neither as I haue well perceiued was it in mine owne power to exalt my selfe and to mount vp out of so great miserie to so high dignitie But it was thou my KING and my God euen thou most iust Gouernour of all things which bringest to passe mightie things farre passing the condition of mankind and rulest the state of kingdoms to whom alone it belongeth and in whose power and authoritie it is to cast downe whom thou wilt and to exalt whom it pleaseth thee which hast exalted mee thine handmaid and giuen vnto me thine absolute authoritie ouer all the great Princes and people of England that I should gouerne the verie Magistrates Commons thereof by the direction of thy word wisdome and counsell Yea I take thee to record O Lord against the slanders of all men that I neuer desired this honour as though I had deserued it neither laboured that I should be brought vnto this dignitie nor that I am now proud being promoted by thee thervnto nor that I doo so much as thinke or reioice that I am brought to this Kinglie office by bloud birth or by mine owne endeuour or power But alwaies I haue and still will confesse and humblie acknowledge to thy glorie that it was thou onlie O Lord my Redeemer and Sauiour vpon whome I did earnestlie call and set mine eies which at what time it pleased thee to heare me didst vouchsafe to embrace me with thy speciall grace and fauour and to bestowe this so great a benefit vpon me First to choose and take me onelie out of the rest of the people and to exalt me aboue others and then to consecrate mee to thy selfe and to annoint me with thy holie oile to be the QVEENE of this Realme and that not for anie desert of mine at all I saie but onlie bicause it so pleased thee to vse my seruice and endeuour in this so weightie businesse to defend thy people by my power receiued from thee Finallie it was thou O heauenlie KING who fauouring me thine handmaid more than I deserued didst richlie apparell mee in the roiall robes and all ouer cloathedst and beedeckedst me with statelie garments brodered with gold and pretious stones and as vpon this daie settedst me in the regall throne and causedst me most gloriouslie to come foorth from the yuorie Palace of my Coronation accompanied with manie noble Princes goodlie Uirgins and bearing the diademe or Crowne of pure gold vpon mine head At what time also thou madest the most fragrant odours of my sweet garments so spread it selfe that nothing was more pleasant vnto the beholders who as then vpon that happie daie so continuallie euer since doo runne together and presse in great multitudes vnto me to see me and to declare their thankefull harts to thee for me and their good willes they beare toward me in thee euermore they crie with lowd voices and ioifull harts vttering foorth to the praise of thy name and my great comfort these and such like hartie praiers vnto thy Maiestie for mee saieng God saue the QVEENE God saue the Queene ELIZABETH So that I may now iustlie saie O most excellent father that this is the daie in deede wherein thou hast chieflie shewed thy mercie vnto me and that this daie thou didst as it were beget me a deere Daughter vnto thy selfe in that as vpon this daie thou didst so gratiouslie annoint me thy Minister and Queene to deliuer thine afflicted Church to reigne vpon thy holie mount Zion there to declare to all nations the woonderfull works that thou hast done for me and thy people Israel as I doo at this present Go to therefore O my soule returne now to thy rest and take thine ease seeing that so notable a change of thine estate is happilie wrought by the Lord for he hath well deserued thereby euerlasting praise for his mercie The third part conteining three Chapters CAP. I. BUT O Lord my God who am I thy sinfull seruant that thou hast been thus mindfull of me And what haue I deserued who of all others haue least deserued and am thy most vnworthie handmaid that thou shouldest thus regard me and exalt me to so high dignitie
shall or will receiue me If thou despise me and turne thy face from me who shall looke vpon me Recognise and knowledge me O Lord to be thine although vnworthie comming to thee although I bee vile and vncleane For if I be vile and vncleane as I confesse my selfe in deede to be thou canst make mee cleane If I be sicke thou canst heale me If I be dead and buried thou canst reuiue me for thy mercie is much more than mine iniquitie Thou canst forgiue me more than I can offend Therefore O Lord doo not consider nor haue respect to the number of my sinnes but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me and haue mercie on me most wretched sinner Saie vnto my soule I am thy health which saiedst I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he liue and be conuerted and turne to thee O Lord bee not angrie with me I beseech thee but for thy great mercie sake forgiue and pardon me all my misdeeds and bring me to the blisse that neuer shall cease Amen Another forme of Confession and praier to be vsed of the Maister and Mistresse with their families in priuate houses euerie morning ALmightie God and most mercifull Father we doo not present our selues heere before thy Maiestie trusting in our owne merits or woorthinesse but in thy manifold mercies which hast promised to heare our praiers and graunt our requests which we shall make to thee in the name of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who hath also commanded vs to assemble our selues together in his name with full assurance that he will not onelie be amongst vs but also be our mediator and aduocate towards thy Maiestie that we may obtaine all things which shall seeme expedient to thy blessed will for our necessities Therefore we beseech thee most mercifull father to turne thy louing countenance towards vs and impute not vnto vs our manifold sinnes and offences whereby wee iustlie deserue thy wrath and sharpe punishment but rather receiue vs to thy mercie for Iesus Christes sake accepting his death and passion as a iust recompense for all our offences in whom onlie thou art pleased and through whome thou canst not be offended with vs. And seeing of thy great mercies we haue quietlie passed this night grant O heauenlie father that we may bestowe this daie wholie in thy seruice so that all our thoughts words and deedes may redound to the glorie of thy name and good example to all men who seeing our good works may glorifie thee our heauenlie father And forasmuch as of thy meere fauour and loue thou hast not onlie created vs to thine owne similitude and likenesse but also hast chosen vs to be heires with thy deere sonne Iesus Christ of that immortall kingdome which thou preparedst for vs before the beginning of the world we beseech thee to increase our faith and knowledge and to lighten our harts with thy holie spirit that we may in the meane time liue in all godlie conuersation and integritie of life knowing that idolaters adulterers couetous men contentious persons drunkards gluttons and such like shall not inherit the kingdome of God And because thou hast commanded vs to praie one for another we doo not onlie make request O Lord for our selues and them that thou hast alreadie called to the true vnderstanding of thy heauenlie will but for all people and nations of the world who as they know by thy wonderfull works that thou art God ouer all so they may be instructed by thy holie spirit to beleeue in thee their onlie Sauiour and Redeemer But forasmuch as they can not beleeue except they heare nor cannot heare but by preaching and none can preach except they be sent therefore O Lord raise vp faithful distributers of thy mysteries who setting apart all worldlie respects may both in their life and doctrine onelie seeke thy glorie Contrariwise confound Sathan Antichrist with all hirelings whome thou hast alreadie cast off into a reprobate sense that they may not by sects schismes heresies and errors disquiet thy little flocke And because O Lord we be fallen into the latter daies and dangerous times wherein ignorance hath gotten the vpper hand and Sathan by his ministers seeke by all meanes to quench the light of thy Gospell we beseech thee to mainteine thy cause against those rauening Woolues and strengthen all thy seruants whom they keepe in prison and bondage Let not thy long-suffering be an occasion either to increase their tyrannie or to discourage thy children neither yet let our sinnes and wickednesse be an hinderance to thy mercies but with speede O Lord consider these great miseries For thy people Israel manie times by their sinnes prouoked thine anger and thou punishedst them by thy iust iudgement yet though their sinnes were neuer so greeuous if they once returned from their iniquitie thou receiuedst them to mercie We therfore most wretched sinners bewaile our manifold siunes and earnestlie repent vs for our former wickednesse and vngodlie behauiour towards thee And whereas we cannot of our selues purchase thy pardon yet we humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie vpon vs and receiue vs againe to thy fauour Graunt vs deere father these our requests and all other things necessarie for vs and thy whole Church our Queene and Realme according to thy promise in Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we beseech thee as he hath taught vs saieng Our Father c. Almightie and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing the same in vs dailie vntill we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saieng I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Almightie God which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that aske in thy Sonnes name wee beseech thee mercifullie to incline thine eares to vs that haue now made our praiers and supplications vnto thee and graunt that those things which wee haue faithfullie asked according to thy will may effectuallie be obteined to the releefe of our necessitie and to the setting foorth of thy glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauorable countenance towards vs and graunt vs his peace Amen The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it A Morning praier for Sundaie AFter due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit I sue vnto thee most mercifull father beseeching thee of mercie and forgiuenesse of mine offences which in this night or at anie time heeretofore I haue committed against thy godlie will and pleasure by anie manner of vncleannesse of soule or bodie that I haue fallen into
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
to destruction that we may be saued with those few that are appointed therevnto in Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie for euermore Amen A thanks-giuing for the conuersion of an excommunicate person or other publike offender after penance WE thanke the mercie and goodnesse of our God through Iesus Christ our Lord for the conuersion patient penance doing of this our sister whereby she hath not so much endured the reproch and infamie of hir owne sinnes as in deede she hath confounded and ouercome Satan hir deadlie foe who went about to make hir his continuall slaue and by whose subtile sleights and euill suggestions she hath heretofore beene disobedient to thy holie lawes and wholsome admonitions of thy Church And now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in hir that she is returned to our societie let it please thee for the obedience of the same our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept hir that hir former disobedience and sinnes be neuer laid to hir charge but that she may increase in all goodnesse till Satan finallie be troden vnder hir feete and ours by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Spirit be all honor and glorie now and euer Amen Before the publike administration of the holie sacrament of Baptisme the better to call to mind our owne vow and promise made long since vnto God praie priuatelie to your selfe and saie O Most blessed fore-goer and guide of Christian people Iesu Christ who submitting and humbling thy selfe vouchsafedst to be baptised of Iohn in the riuer Iordan and wast not onlie baptised in water but also in blood and in the holie Ghost vouchsafe euen so to incline bow and dispose our outwarde life with our inward mind affects and desires in the fulfilling of all righteousnesse so that we being now mortified dead to the old Adam through thy holie witnesse of baptisme by the working and operation of the holie Ghost may alwaie haue our holy couenant in remembrance before our eies that couenaunt vow and promise I saie which we haue taken vpon vs in our baptisme to the intent that we as faithfull champions striuing against the world the flesh and the diuell may vanquish and ouercome them with all other which might be noifull and hurtfull vnto vs Amen Or giue thanks for our regeneration and sanctification as afterward in the praier vpon Whitsundaie Or praie thus for the spirituall washing awaie of thy sinnes HAue mercie on me O GOD according to thy great tendernesse of hart For in wickednesse borne I was and in sinnes my mother conceiued me so that of nature all that I am I am but sin This my confession of the truth I knowe well is right acceptable vnto thee wheras in the most part of others thou hast either hid the same or made it vnknowne Purge and sprinkle mee with the bloud of Iesus Christ thine vnspotted lambe If thou wash me I shall be as white as snowe wash me thoroughlie therfore from mine errours clense me not onlie of my sinnes passed but also of my whole life to come so shall I receiue these glad tidings into my hart that my sins be forgiuen me With the baptisme of spirit in the fire of thine illumination baptise me which is the might efficacie of baptisme which we receiued in our childhood Grant that the same spirit might alwaie conduct vs let this spirituall washing of baptisme continue with vs vntill the infection and vice which we haue by nature of old Adam be perfectlie taken awaie by the death of the flesh through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie that the benefits of both the holie Sacraments may be applied vnto our soules health O Blessed Trinitie and eternall God of one essence giue grace that in euerie combate and especiallie at the point of death being mindfull of thy couenant made with vs at our Christening of thy most comfortable promise anexed He which beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued we may neuer doubt either of thy mercifull good-will towards vs or of the free remission of our sinnes but by often remembring this signe and couenant may dailie more and more be confirmed in faith and hope of perpetuall happinesse and applie thy benefits which certainlie thou hast promised and faithfullie wilt performe vnto our selues For thy promises made to such as beleeue and trust in thee be not vaine and to no purpose Likewise vphold our soules by the Sacrament of thy Supper that strengthened with the seale of this new testament we may be the more certaine and confirmed touching our reconciliation and euerlasting righteousnesse alwaies beare it fixed in our minds For if the testament of a man which is prooued after the death of the Testator be not small accounted of much more should the last testament and holie Sacrament of our Sauiour Christ remaine pure and in continuall force and remembrance Or praie that we may rightlie and trulie receiue the blessed Sacraments O Most mercifull God and louing father who by thy son Iesus Christ hast abrogated the superfluous ceremonies of the Lawe and hast deliuered vs from the bondage thereof giuing vnto vs sure certaine seals and sacraments of thy grace and our free redemption through the most pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ Grant O Lord we beseech thee that we may euermore vse them according to thy sonne our Sauiours institution who hath left them as pledges of his great loue towards mankind as continuall remembrances of his most pretious death which he suffered vpon the wood of the crosse for our redemption who by the fountaine of water hath regenerated vs and by his most pretious bloud hath purged vs. Make vs therefore to receiue these holie mysteries without corruption to vse them without alteration to continue them without superstition to the honour and glorie of thy most holie name through Iesu Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie now and for euer Amen After publike baptisme praie and giue thanks secretlie to yourselfe as time will serue saieng WE yeeld thee most hartie thanks O heauenlie Father for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate vs with the fountaine of water by faith in the bloud of thy sonne Iesus Christ and to purge vs from that originall sinne which we receiued of the old Eue. But who is able oh Lord to to giue thee sufficient praises Or who can expresse thy louing kindnesse and great mercies towards mankinde who hast not onlie redeemed him from the yoke of the lawe the bondage of hell and destruction of the diuell but also like a mercifull and louing father euen in our first entrance into this world washedst vs from iniquitie and hast giuen vs the Sacrament of Baptisme euen as a memoriall of our election in thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord whereby
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
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
of all as fathers and nursses to mainteine and cherish thy Church commanding vs not onlie to obeie and honor them but moreouer to praie for them as watching ouer vs for our good We therefore beseech thee for thy great names sake and for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie to all Kings and Princes that mainteine thy glorious Gospell but especiallie we praie thee to blesse our gratious Queene Elizabeth in all spirituall blessings in Christ Iesus and in all temporall blessings according to thy good pleasure that in the great measures of thine effectuall lawe she may more and more find great increase of vertue and wisedome and strength in Christ Iesu to the faithfull and happie discharge of hir dutie that hir holinesse and ioie and zeale of thy house may be multiplied euerlasting And seeing it hath pleased thee of thy singular mercie to giue hir this especiall honor first to suffer for thy glorious truth and afterward miraculouslie deliuering hir out of the hands of hir enimies to set a Crowne vpon hir head and to make hir the instrument to aduance thy glorie and Gospell for which she suffered and to bring hir out of darkenesse into light out of persecution into this great and long peace as we giue thee most hartie thanks for this singular benefit so we beseech thee to make hir and vs euermore thankefull for it and in thy good pleasure still to preserue hir for the continuance of these blessings towards vs with all increase from time to time to thy glorie the benefit of thy Church and hir infinite peace in Christ Iesus the Prince of peace And furthermore we praise thee for hir and the estate that such as be the enimies of the Gospell and hir enimies also for the defence therof may not despise the peace offered them vnto repentance but that they may accompt thy long suffering and hir peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement an occasion of saluation to their soules and vnfeigned loue to the truth and their mercifull Souereigne Otherwise if they stil remaine disobedient to thy truth disloiall to hir Highnesse and dangerous to the state then O God of all saluation as thou hast discouered them so discouer them still as thou hast preuented them so preuent them still and let their eies ware wearie with looking and their harts faint with waiting for the comming of that which yet commeth not neither let it come O Lord we beseech thee but a blessed and a long reigne to hir Grace and and peace to Zion for euermore Also deere Father so blesse so loue so in thy spirit sanctifie and keepe hir that she maie in the spirit of counsell and fortitude so rule that other sister also namely this hir Common-wealth that they may flourish together and growe vp together as Palme-trees in beautie and in strength giuing aid and help one to another that in the Church the glorie of God may appeare as the Sunne in his brightnesse and that the land may flowe with milke and honie and true peace abound therein as in y e triumphant reigne of Debora These graces O Lord are great and we miserable sinners vnwoorthie of the least of them therefore looke not to vs but to thy selfe not to our iniquities but to thy great mercies accepting the death and passion of thy Sonne as a full ransome for all our offences throwing them into the bottome of the sea and making his crosse and resurrection effectuall in vs to all obedience and godlinesse as becommeth thy Saincts that to all other thy good blessings towards our gratious Souereigne this may be added that she gouerneth blessedlie ouer a blessed people a people blessed of the Lord and beloued of the Lord and that thy graces may abound in the Church in the Common-wealth from daie to daie till the daie of our translation into thy kingdome where iustice inhabiteth where we also shall inhabit and reigne with thee according to thy promise for euer Grant vs these things O mercifull father for thy deere Sonne our Lord Iesus Christes sake in whose name we craue them at thy mercifull hand praieng furthermore for them as he hath taught vs to praie Our Father c. Psalme 72. Another praier for the prosperous estate and flourishing reigne of our right vertuous souereigne Queene Elizabeth O GOD without whose wisedome no kingdome can stand who of a speciall consideration hast ordeined this kingdome in the familie of Dauid teach our Queene Elizabeth whome thou hast appointed the rules of right gouernement teach I saie the Daughter of this thy Dauid whome thou hast chosen to thy selfe the rule of righteousnesse that she may iustlie gouerne not hir people but thine especiallie that she may defend the poore against the iniuries of the mightie thus the people being scattered heere and there in the mountaines and hilles being safe vnder a iust gouernment shall abound with all the commodities of peace Grant this vnto hir that she being far from all tyrannie may be a sure refuge for the poore that she may comfort the families oppressed with pouertie and iniuries that she may keepe vnder y e false accusers with most sharpe punishment so will it come to passe O Lord that the state of this kingdome being ordered by thine authoritie all men as it is meete shall acknowledge and feare thee and not for anie short continuance of time but that the Sunne and Moone shall sooner ceasse their course than thou shalt faile to be woorshipped And thou againe wilt powre downe vpon thy people from heauen all good things like a showre comming downe vpon the new mowne medowes and none otherwise than thou vsest to water the earth with showers in due season whilest Elizabeth reigneth thus gouerned by thy grace and holie spirit the iust shall flourish and great peace shall be so continued as is the firme course of the starres and the Queene hir selfe shall haue dominion from the one sea to the other euen frō Euphrates to the farthest coasts of the earth The inhabitants of the countries of the desert shall come vnder hir yoke falling downe vnder hir feet and hir enimies falling downe before hir shall licke the dust of the earth The kings of Silicia and of the Ilands shall offer presents vnto hir The Ethiopians also and the Arabians shall bring hir gifts finallie all Kings shall haue hir in admiration for hir renowme and vertue and all nations shall reuerence hir name and maiestie For hir righteousnesse shall bee praised through out all the whole world because she heareth the crie of the poore and doth defend the needie forsaken of other She hath mercie on them that are needie and she refresheth those that are in danger of their life She defendeth the poore against the iniurie of the mightie neither doth she suffer the violence done vnto them to be vnreuenged Therefore thou O God wilt keepe hir safe and gold shall be brought vnto hir out of the midst of Arabia all men shall make
the former subtiltie of sathan represse thine enimie which corrupteth thy word and vseth the same for the confirmation of damnable opinions Quench all the flames of ambition pride and curiositie Leade vs not into temptation neither suffer vs to tempt thee to contend with thee through pride in setting our owne wisedome and subtiltie against thee which was the ouerthrowe of our first parents Suffer vs not to forsake thy word neither permit that fowle and lieng spirit to falsifie the same in vs but make vs constantlie to rest vpon thy promise as to a sacred and sure anchor setting it against all the motions of curiositie and pride Last of all remoue from vs that horrible torment of idolatrie The world at this daie is wrapped in idle seruice yea vnwittinglie the whole world is full of idols to the great dishonor of thy name Fained gods are erected superstitious inuocations are confirmed idolaters swimme in wealth and rule the rost thy glorie is defaced thy maiestie blasphemed the diuell rageth and reigneth he giueth kingdomes and disposeth the goods of this world if his words be true as he lieth shamefullie For thou it is and thou alone which alterest Empires and confirmest them at thy pleasure If order be obserued thou causest it but all misorder is raised by the diuell for the which he shall be punished of thee with paines eternall Wherefore haue mercie on vs O God haue mercie on vs deliuer vs from the thicke mud of idolatrie make vs to lift vp our eies vnto thee the sonne of glorie that abhorring all feined seruice and ceremonies contrarie to thy word wee may acknowledge serue and sanctifie thee the true God Father Sonne and holie Ghost which by and for thy Sonne dooest deliuer vs from the power of Sathan and make vs heires of thine euerlasting kingdome which alone knowest the harts and grones of all creatures which onlie wilt be called vpon in the name of thy Sonne and heare vs onelie for his sake Wherefore vnto thee O our God and Iehoua doo we speake thee onelie through thine assistance will we serue and neuer giue thy glorie to another Take vp that impudent theefe Satan which would steale awaie thine honour banish him far from thy Church But gard both our bodies soules with the gard of thine holie Angels which may pitch their tents about vs and encounter with Sathan which besetteth vs on all sides Deliuer vs out of his hands from all miseries of this life and last of all passing out of this world carie our soules vnto the societie of thy Saints in life eternall Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie vpon me Of the Diuel and his manifold temptations THere wanted a tempter and thou wert the cause that he was wanting there wanted time and place and thou wert the cause that they wanted the tempter was present and there wanted neither place nor time but thou holdest me backe that I should not consent The tempter came full of darknesse as he is and thou didst harden me that I might despise him The tempter came armed and stronglie but to the intent he should not ouercome me thou didst restraine him and strengthen me The tempter came transformed into an Angel of light and to the intent he should not deceiue me thou diddest rebuke him and to the intent I should knowe him thou diddest inlighten me For he is that great red dragon and that old serpent called the diuell and Sathan which hath seuen heads and ten horns whom thou hast created to take his pleasure in this huge and broad sea wherein there creepe liuing wights innumerable and beasts great and small that is to saie diuers sorts of fiends which practise nothing else daie nor night but to go about seeking whom they may deuoure except thou rescue him For it is that old dragon which was bred in the paradise of pleasure which draweth downe the third part of the starres of heauen with his taile and casts them to the ground which with his venem poisoneth the waters of the earth that as manie men as drinke of them may die which triumpheth vpon gold as if it were mire and is of opinion that Iordan shall runne into his mouth and which is made of such a mould as he feareth no man And who shall saue vs from his chaps Who shall plucke vs out of his mouth sauing thou O Lord who hast broken the heads of the great dragon Helpe vs Lord spread out thy wings ouer vs O Lord that we may flie vnder them from the face of this dragon that pursueth vs and fence thou vs from his hornes with thy sheeld For his continuall endeuour and onelie desire is to deuoure the soules which thou hast created And therefore we crie vnto thee our God deliuer vs from our dailie aduersarie who whether we sleepe or wake whether we eate or drinke or whether wee be dooing anie thing else presseth vpon vs by all kind of meanes assaulting vs daie and night with traines and policies and shooting his venemous arrowes at vs sometime openlie and somtime priuilie to slea our soules and yet are we most lewdlie ouerseene O Lord in that whereas we see the dragon continuallie in a readines to deuoure vs with open mouth we neuerthelesse doo sleepe and riot in our owne slothfulnesse as though we were out of his danger who desireth nothing else but to destroie vs. Our enimie to the intent to kill vs watcheth continuallie and neuer sleepeth and yet will not we wake from sleepe to saue our selues Behold he hath pitched infinite snares before our feet and filled all our waies with sundrie traps to catch our soules And who can escape them He hath laid snares for vs in our riches he hath laid snares in our pouerty he hath laid snares in our meate in our drinke in our pleasures in our sleepe and in our waking he hath set snares for vs in our words and in our works and in all our life but Lord deliuer vs from the net of the fowlers and from hard words that we may giue praise to thee saieng Blessed be the Lord who hath not giuen vs vp to be torne with their teeth Our soule is deliuered as a sparowe out of the net of the fowler the net is broken and we be escaped Against the temptation of Sathan praie thus O Lord Iesu Christ the onlie staie and fence of our mortall state our onlie hope our onlie saluation our glorie and our triumph who in the flesh which thou hadst for our only cause taken vpon thee didst suffer thy selfe to be tempted of Sathan and who onlie and alone of all men diddest vtterlie ouercome and vanquish sinne death the world the diuell and all the kingdome of hell whatsoeuer thou hast so ouercommed for our behalfe it is that thou hast ouercommed it neither hath it been thy will to haue anie of thy seruants keepe battell and fight with anie of the foresaid euils but of purpose to reward vs
Afterward being deliuered from all feares thou criedst with a great voice Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Grant that in our departure out of this world we may vtter the same words Make vs to feele the presence of thy father comforting vs being pleased through thee and may know that with our bodies our soules doo not perish let vs not iest as Epicures doo saieng O fugitiue flattering pale curst naked soule whither goest thou Thou hast prepared for vs O Sonne of God a large and a pleasant place In thy Fathers house are manie resting places We feare no torments Thou hast deliuered vs from the paines of hell There is no purgatorie Thy Father embraceth our soules in his mercifull armes laieth them in Abrahams bosome replenisheth them with quietnesse with light and ioie vnspeakable till our bodies also raised againe appeare with them in his euerlasting kingdome In this faith giue vs grace to leaue this world and to rest with thee for euer and euer Amen Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie vpon me God forbid that I should reioice but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified to me and I vnto the world Or thus A fruitfull meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to be read often O Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of the euerliuing and almightie God by whome all things were made be ruled and gouerned thou the liuelie image of the substance of the Father the eternall wisedome of God the brightnesse of his glorie God of God light of light coequall coeternall and consubstantiall with the Father thou which of the loue thou haddest to mankind when hee was fallen from the fellowship of God into the societie of sathan and all euill didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediatour betweene God and man taking to thy God-head our nature as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man also the heire of all and most mercifull Messias which by the power of thy God-head and merits of thy man-hood hast made purgation of our sins euen by thine owne selfe whilest thou wast heere on earth being now set on the right hand of thy Father for vs euen concerning our nature in maiestie in glorie power infinite I pray and humblie beseech thy mercie to grant me at this present to reherse some of thy passions and sufferings for me the last night that thou wast heere before thy death that thy good spirit might thereby be effectuall to worke in me faith as well for the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affections comfort in my crosses and patience in all afflictions Amen IN the middest of thy last Supper with thy deere Apostles these things could not but be before thee namelie that they all would leaue thee the most earnest would forsweare thee one of the twelue should most traiterouslie betraie thee which were no small crosses vnto thee Iudas was admonished of thee to beware but when he tooke no heed but went out to finish his worke contemning thine admonition and counsell he could not but vexe thy most louing hart After supper there was contention amongst thy disciples who should be greatest after thee yet dreaming carnallie of thee and thy kingdome and hauing this affection of pride and ambition busie amongst them notwithstanding thy diligence in reproouing and teaching them After thine admonition to them of the crosse that would come thereby to make them more vigilant so grosse were they that they thought they could with their two swords put awaie all perils which was no little greefe vnto thee After thy comming to Gethsamane heauinesse oppressed thee and therefore thou wouldest thy disciples to praie Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellowes that thy hart was heauie to death Thou didst will them to praie being carefull for them also least they should fall into temptation After this thou wentest a stones cast from them and didst praie thy selfe falling flat and groueling vpon the earth but alas thou feltest no comfort and therefore thou camest to thy disciples which of all other were most sweet and deere vnto thee but lo to thy further discomfort they passe neither of thy perils nor of their owne and therefore sleepe apace After thou hadst awaked them thou goest againe to praie but thou foundest no comfort at all and therefore didst returne againe for some comfort at thy deerest freends hands but yet againe alas they are fast asleepe wherevpon thou art inforced to go againe to thy heauenlie Father for some sparkle of comfort in these thy wonderfull crosses and agonies Now heere thou wast so discouraged and so comfortlesse that euen streames of bloud came running from thine eies and eares and other parts of thy bodie But who is able to expresse the infinitenes of thy crosses euen at thy being in the garden All which thou sufferedst for my sake as well to satisfie thy Fathers wrath for my sinnes as also to sanctifie all my sufferings the more gladlie to be susteined of me After thy bloudie praier thou camest and yet againe foundest thy disciples asleepe and before thou canst well awake them lo Iudas commeth with a great band of weaponed men to apprehend thee as a theefe and so doth leading thee awaie bound to the high Bishops house Annas so from him to Caiphas Heere now to augment this thy miserie behold thy disciples flie from thee false witnesses be brought against thee Thou art accused condemned of blasphemie Peter euen in thy sight forsweareth thee Thou art vniustlie striken for answering lawfullie Thou art blindfeeld striken and buffeted all the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas house of their cruell seruants In the morning betimes thou art condemned againe of the Priests of blasphemie and therefore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate by whome thou art openlie arraigned as other theeues and malefactors were And when he sawe that thou wast accused of malice and that his wife had sent a messenger vnto him saieng Haue thou nothing to doo with that iust man for I haue suffered manie things this daie in a dreame by reason of him yet he did not dismisse thee but did send thee to Herod where thou wast derided shamefullie in comming and going to him and from him all the waie wonderfullie especiallie after Herod had apparelled thee as a foole Afore Pilate againe therefore thou wast brought and accused falslie no man did take thy part or speake a good word for thee Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged and to be handled most pitifullie to see if anie pitie might appeare with the Prelates but no man at all pitied thee Barrabas that notable theefe and murtherer was preferred before thee all the people head and taile was against thee and cried out Crucifige hang thee vp Uniustlie to death wast thou iudged Thou wast crowned with sharpe thornes that pierced thy braines Thou wast made a mocking stocke Thou wast
occasion that thy holie name hath beene blasphemed among the ignorant hast of late yeeres sore abashed the whole Realme people of England with the terrour and danger of rebellion thereby to awake vs out of our dead sleepe of carelesse securitie and hast yet by the miseries following the same rebellion most sharpelie punished part of our countriemen and Christian brethren who haue most neerelie fealt the same and most dreadfullie hast scourged some of the seditious persons with terrible executions iustlie inflicted for their disobedience to thee and to thy seruant their Souereigne to the example of vs all and to the warning correction and amendment of thy seruants of thine accustomed goodnesse turning alwaies the wickednesse of euill men to the profit of them that feare thee who in thy iudgements remembring thy mercie hast by thine assistance giuen the victorie to thy seruant the Queene hir Nobilitie and faithfull Subiects with so little or rather no effusion of Christian bloud as also might iustlie haue ensued to the exceeding comfort of all sorrowfull Christian harts and that of thy fatherlie pitie and mercifull goodnesse onelie and euen for thine owne name sake without anie our desert at all Wherefore we render vnto thee most humble and hartie thanks for these thy great mercies shewed vnto vs who had deserued sharper punishment most humblie beseeching thee to grant vnto vs all that confesse thy holie name and professe the true and perfect Religion of thy holie Gospell thy heauenlie grace to shew our selues in our liuing according to our profession that we trulie knowing thee in thy blessed word may obedientlie walke in thy holie commandements and that we being warned by this thy fatherlie correction doo prouoke thy iust wrath against vs no more but may enioie the continuance of thy great mercies towards vs thy right hand as in this so in all other inuasions rebellions and dangers continuallie sauing and defending our Church our Realme our Queene and people of England that all our posterities ensuing confessing thy holie name professing thy holie Gospell and leading a holie life may perpetuallie praise and magnifie thee with thy onlie sonne Iesus Christ our sauiour and the holie Ghost to whome be all laud praise glorie and empire for euer and euer Amen In time of extreame troubles by reason of the tyrannie of strange and forraigne gouernours ETternall and euerlasting God father of our Lord Iesus Christ thou that shewest mercie and keepest couenant with them that loue thee and in reuerence keepe thy commandments euen when thou powrest foorth thy hot displeasure and iust iudgements vpon the obstinate and inobedient we heere prostrate our selues before the throne of thy Maiestie from our harts confessing that iustlie thou dooest punish vs by the tyrannie of strangers and that more iustlie thou maist bring vpon vs againe the bondage and the yoke which of thy mercie for a season thou hast remoued Our kings princes and people in blindnesse haue refused the word of thine eternall veritie and in so dooing we haue refused the league of thy mercie offered vnto vs againe in such aboundance that none can be excused by reason of ignorance Yet neuerthelesse to the iudgement of men impietie ouerfloweth the whole face of this Realme For the great multitude delight themselues in ignorance and idolatrie And such alas as appeere to reuerence and embrace thy word doo not expresse the fruits of repentance as it becommeth the people to whome thou hast shewed thy selfe so mercifull and fauourable These are thy iust iudgements O Lord whereby thou punishest sinne by sinne and man by his owne iniquitie so that there can be no end of sinne except thou preuent vs with thy vndeserued grace Conuert vs therefore O Lord and we shall be conuerted Suffer not our vnthankefulnesse to procure of thy most iust iudgments that strangers againe haue empire aboue vs neither yet that the light of thy Gospell bee taken from vs but howsoeuer it be that the great multitude be altogether rebellious and also that in vs there remaine perpetuall imperfections yet for the glorie of thine owne name and for the glorie of thine onlie begotten sonne Iesus Christ whose truth and Gospell thou of thy meere mercie hast manifested among vs it will please thee to take vs into thy protection and defence that all the world may know that as of thy mercie thou hast begun this worke of our saluation by the publishing and preaching of thy Gospell among vs so of this same mercie thou wilt continue it maugre the heads of all our malicious enimies Grant vs this mercifull father for Christ Iesus thy sonnes sake So be it A thanks-giuing after our deliuerance from the tyrannie of strange enimies with praier for continuance of peace betwixt Realmes NOW Lord seeing that we enioie comfort both in bodie and in spirit by reason of this quietnesse of thy mercie granted vnto vs after our most desperate troubles in the which we appered vtterlie to haue beene ouerwhelmed we praise and glorifie thy mercie and goodnesse who pitiouslie lookedst vpon vs when we in our selues were vtterlie confounded But seeing O Lord that to receiue benefits at thy hands and not to be thankefull for the same is nothing else but a seale against vs in the daie of iudgement wee most humblie beseech thee to grant vnto vs harts so mindfull of the calamitie past that we may continuallie feare to prouoke thy iustice to punish vs with the like or worsse plagues And seeing that when we by our owne power were altogether vnable to haue freed our selues from the tyrannie of strangers and from the bondage thraldome pretended against vs that of thine especiall goodnesse didst moue the harts of our neighbours of whome we had not deserued so much fauour to take vpon them the common burthen with vs and for our deliuerance not onlie to spend the liues of manie but also to hazard the state tranquillitie of their Realme and Common-wealth Grant vnto vs O Lord that with such reuerence we may remember thy benefits receiued that after this in our default we neuer enter into hostilitie against those Realmes and Nations Suffer vs neuer O Lord to fall to that ingratitude and detestable vnthankefulnesse that we should seeke the destruction and death of those whome thou hast made instruments to deliuer vs from the tyrannie of mercilesse strangers Dissipate thou the counselles of such as deceiptfullie trauell to stir vp the harts of the inhabitants of either Realme against the other Let their malicious practises be their owne confusion and grant of thy mercie that loue concord and tranquillitie may continue and encrease among the inhabitants of both Realmes especiallie of this Isle of England euen till the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ by whose glorious Gospell thou of thy mercie dooest call vs both to vnitie peace and Christian concord the full perfection whereof we shall possesse in the fulnesse of thy kingdome when all offences shall be remooued