and merciful God the onely aide stay comfort of all those that trust in thee the principall helpe of them that feare thee we giue thee most humble hearty and vâ— feâ—â—ed thankes for that thou haste vouchâ—â—fed to deliuer this wâ—â—â—aÌ„ M. thy seruant from the great paines and trauaile of childbirth which are so great so greeuous and so daungerous that eâ—en by thine owne wordes they are sayd to be moste greeuous In so much sweete Lord as wheÌ„soeuer thou settest fooâ—th in thine holy scripture any grâ—at paine or daÌ„gâ—r thou resemblest it alwaies to a Womans paine in trauaile Therfore we confesse acknowledge that wee in the behalfe of thys our Syster are so much the more bounde vnto thee so farr extending thy furtheraunce and helpe to her deliuery froÌ„ such extreamitie and anguish we fall downe eueÌ„ vppon the knees of our heartes with vnfeyned thanks for this most mercifull worke of thine but most louing and mercifull God thou knowest that although she bee deliuered of this heauy burden yet the paynes some thing continue which without thy most sweete mitugation thereof will driue her to further greefe and sorrow We humbly beseeche thee therefore to consider of the estate of this thy poore seruaunt by thy goodnes thus deliuered that thou wouldest vouchsafe to mitugate and asswage her paines and greefe that she may be able to beare the same with perfect patience and continuall thanke for her happy deliuerance And forasmuch sweete Lorde as the tendernes misery of mankinde is such that they can not of long time after their birth attaine to any meane to helpe themselues but wanting the 〈…〉 ayde and attendaunce of the mother and 〈…〉 they soone perish Wee beseeche thee to 〈…〉 gthen this little infant and tender babe nowe 〈…〉 e into this vale of misery and if it be thy good pleasure to vouchsafe it life and longer abyding heere graunt it ablenes and strength to receiue such foode and nourishment as thy prouidence hath assigned for such little infants and sucklinges And so increase within the pappes of the mother or Nurce such nuâ—riture as may be sufficient for the maintenaunce of the life and health thereof working with such effect within the bowels of the tender infant as it may thereby growe more and more to the estate of man according to thy good pleasure and strengthen bothe the mother and the infant that they may bothe grow to such perfect health and ablenes as the one may giue the other take sufficient sustenaunce for the preseruation of life and increase of strength through the mighty power and working of thee For which sweete Lorde and for all thinges els necessary for them and for all other in their like case we pray vnto thee as thy sonne Iesus Christe hath himselfe taught vs saying Our Father c. Oh Lord increase our fayth And receiue this woman thy seruant and euer more mightely defend her Oh Lord blesse this little babe and receiue it into the number of thy children Oh Lord guide it euermore to the full obteyning of thy fauour mercy to the perfit fulfilling of thy wil all his daies Amen To thee be all prayse for euermore Amen A praier for wisdome As worldly wisedome seeketh nought In time of neede auayling ought So heauenly wisdome worketh still The things that please gods heauenly wil. WIsdome as sayth S. Augustine is the knowledg how to choose those things that are good and to auoyd those thinges that are euil And Aristotle defineth it to be a vertue of the mind wherby these grâ—ces are obteyned which tend to the felicity of this life and the life to come Thomas Aquâ—nus sayth that wisdom is the meane wherby we are reconciled vnto God If so then what a precious iewel is this what more excelleÌ„t gyft can wee craue at the handes of God then that whereby we may doo that onely which is good such things as are tending to eternall felicity and which reconcile vs to God our maker through Christ our redeemer and Sauiour the beginning whereof is the feare of the Lorde whose loue towardes vs is so greate that he wylleth him that wanteth wisedome I am 1 to aske at his handes and he wil giue the same most aboundauntly asking it in faith as hee gaue it vnto Salomon 1 Kin 3 so plentifully and in such sort as they came froÌ„ the fardest partes of the world to heare the same Pray therefore that thou mayst obteyne it it is better then golde or precious stones Pro. 16 and more sweeter then honny or the honny combe OH almighty and euerliuing GOD whose gift it is that babes sucklings and men of base degree haue the knowledge vnderstanding of thy will and men of profounde learning deepe study and worldly experience often want the same Oh God which expellest darknes giuest light which takest away ignoraunce plaÌ„test knowledg wisdome denying the same to none that vnfeynedly asketh it at thine handes without the which nothing can be obteyned which good is nothing auoyded which is euill nothing continue safe bee it neuer so durable nor any enterprise either rightly begun or happily ended without the same which Salomon considering hauing promise at thine handes that whatsoeuer he asked hee shoulde obteyne aboue all thinges aboue wealth or riches worldly praise renowne or glory beauty or strength yea aboue possessions or kingdoms he onely requested wisedome which thou so aboundantly bestowedst on him that they repayred and came from farre to heare the same which is none other thinge sweete Lorde but the knowledge of thy diuine wil heaueÌ„ly misteries it is the knowledge how to chose the good auoid the euill it proceedeth onely from thee and with thee it hath beene from the beginning Sende it downe from heauen where it attendeth about thy seate replenish mine hart with the knowledge thereof Giue me a newe heart and a right spirite for mans vnderstanding faileth in many thinges but thy wisedome instructeth the simple maketh the tongues of infants eloquent directing the steppes of the blinde VVherefore Oh Lorde I most humbly beseeche thee to establish the same in my spirite and wryte thy Lawes in mine heart that I walke not in the way of error but may abstaine from sinne cleaue vnto righteousnes and walke in innocencie all the dayes of my life Oh sweete Lord graunt me this thine especiall gift of heauenly wisedome that I may perfectly knowe what thy diuine will and pleasure is that I may alwaies directe my waies according vnto the same louing thee in all thinges and aboue all thinges continuing moste thankfull for all thy fatherly benefits bestowed and conferred vpon me And that prosperity ouercome me not nor in aduersity be foolishlie mooued to seeke reamedie or releefe els wher but at thine hands onely who aâ—t my God and my â—auiour and who hast promised to giue wisedome to all theÌ„ that faythfully aske it Oh Lord heare my prayer and let
my cry come vnto thee Giue me perfect wisdome wherby I may truely discerne the difference betweene thine heauenly reuelations which is wisedome from aboue and vaine cogitations of worldly wittes considering that the one in all thinges as well in aduersitye as prosperity in sicknes as in health in anguish of minde trouble or greefe of bodie as in wished estate and pleasure continueth most constant stable patient and firme with due consideration that it can not be but good whatsoeuer thou sufferest to light vpon vs But contrariwise sweete Lorde the other seeketh with more dilligence to auoyde afflictions troubles and worldly calamities the crosse sweete Lord which thou layest vpon thy children then wisely to auoyde thy heauy displeasure And that by worldly deuised meanes as by riches freendship pollicy and strength with this deceiuable and fonde conceite that Fortune where she fauours there is plenty and peace but where she frownes there is continuall want and trouble But my most sweete Lord and heauenly comforter graunt that it may be farre from mine heart to thinke that any thing commeth to passe otherwise then by thine almighty prouidence who willest nothing nor doost any thing but what is most expedient and necessary for the vse both of ourbodies and soules which we can not rightly conceiue without this especiall gift of thine wherewith for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake endue me that I be not lead by fonde conceyte or deceiue my selfe with worldly experience but gouerning my life according vnto thy wyll measuring all mine actions wordes and thoughtes by the right rule of knowledge and weying them in the balaunce of perfit wisedome in the ende I may be founde in the number of those discreete Virgins who had theyr Lampes continually readie and not in the number of those that were taken vnprouided That the coÌ„ming of thy son Iesus Christe bee not terrible vnto me as to the loytering seruant for want either of the light of a pure life or gaines by my tallant but most acceptable and ioyfull hauing the Lampe of loue the candle of a true faith continually burning with in the secrete Closset of mine heart That in the ende I may haue free enteraunce with thine elect into that most glorious kingdome which thy sonne Iesus Christe purchased with hys blood for me and all beleeuers Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose AS long as we beare about vs this fraylâ— bodye imprisoning the soule our natures seeke by all meanes that which is contrarye to the spirite accounting that wisdome which is meere foolishnes where fore good Lord vouchsafe to sende downe that wisedome which wayteth about thy throne And plant the same in mine heart that measuring all my dooinges and deuises by the rule thereof may alwaies doo and intende that which liketh thee and shunne the contarie through Jesus Christ our onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen Oh Lord increase our faith A praier in miserie and trouble Though thraldome thou doo heere abide Be patient God will soone prouide To ease thee or to ende thy dayes Beare thou his crosse and giue him praise LIke as the fornace tryeth and seasoneth the Potters vessell Eccl. 27. and as the fire purifieth the Syluer from the drosse So dooth aduersitye season purifie the harts of christians froÌ„ the drosse of security For by crosses and many troubles Ro 5. commeth patience and by patience hope through tryall and therefore shoulde wee thinke it an exceeding ioy when troubles assaulte and pennurye pricketh vs Iea. 1. according to the will of God whereby we are stirred vppe to committe our soules to Gods protection and wyll by well dooing manfully bearing all afflictions all extreametyes of thys world and keepe as it were secrete the sorrows which calamitye bringeth vnto vs 3. Esd 10. and that with patience wherby thou shalt appeare an happy man receiue a crown of life which God thy faithfull Creator hath promised to all those that beare his Crosse with patience And thinke not that want of releefe in pouerty Lacke of comfort in sicknes vexation of enemyes slaunders misreportes contempts or any other kinde of trouble eyther of body or mynde happeneth vnto thee by Fortune as it is among such as haue not the feeling of the trueth coÌ„monly termed But by the prouidence of God and that for thy good if with wisedome thou weigh the same by patience accepting it as a fatherly louing correctioÌ„ putting thee in minde of thine offences and vncertenty of worldly vanityes and be not dismayde but turne from thy wicked wayes cleuing and referring thee by hearty prayer vnto God whose wyll it is for thy better profiâ—te that such thinges shoulde light vppon thee without ircksome taking it or with greater desire to dye then had S. Paule when he prayed to be losed and to bee wyth Christ. Stand fast stande faythfull and take patiently all crosses all afflictions all temptations and calamities heere being a ready way to patience and pray for the ayde of almightye GOD whose hande is alwayes readye to helpe such as are afflicted heere for his Christs sake By many trybulations wee muste enter into the kingdome of heauen Call vpon God Psa 7. in the day of trouble and he will deliuer thee The Lorde heareth the cryes of the righteous Psal 34. and deliuereth them out of all theyr troubles But if thou crye and bee not heard I meane preseÌ„tly releeued think not much at it it is for the best wherfore accept it willingly and make of necessity a vertue which is take patiently that which of thy selfe thou canst not auoyde MY God my God vouchsafe to turn thy loouing and fauourable countenance towards me thy pore creature who am brought very low and mine enemies laugh reioyce at my fal I am like an Owle in the desert that the birdes of the airegaze woÌ„der at mine estate is altered my store is turned into scarcity and my wealth into want my plenty into pouerty and ioy into sorrowe sadnes Oh sweete Lord my prosperity is turned into aduersitye my freendes haue forsaken me And where they haue often promised to helpe mee they doo not onely not performe the same but they disdaine my company they loath and abhorre my presence I am vtterly refused of al mine acquaintaunce and they that were before my familiars are now my deadly foes Sweete Lorde thou seeest howe I am clapt vp in cares howe I am inuironed with a thousand causes that procure intollerable greefe bothe in body minde Oh Lorde I haue no refuge I haue no place of defence I haue no meane to helpe my selfe I am so bewrapped in calamitie that I can not enioye any liberty either of body or minde but moste sweete Lord most loouing and moste fauourable most able and moste ready to helpe such as come to thee loden with distresse loe heere I lye at the gate of thy mercy knocking for ease humbly crauing thine assistaunce who hast willed such as
with Hipocrites but blesse the Lord in fayth and thou shalt be blessed OH God of vnspeakable mercie father of meruailous louing kindnes the onelie giuer of all good and perfect giftes who art more readie to giue then we to aske hearing befor we cal and giuing before we desire thinges necessary for vs I yeelde thee humble thankes for thy continuall fauour and louing kindnes towards vs thy creatures for whose saluation when we were lost thou wast contented euen of thy meere loue to sende thine onely delight into this world thy sonne Iesus Christe taking humaine nature vpon him and abyding the most bitter pangs of death vpon the Crosse to redeeme vs againe into thy fauour which by our disobedience was lost from darcknes wherevnto our blindnes had broughte vs into the lighte of trueth from ignoraunce and errour to wisedome knowledge Oh what greater comfort what greater ioy what a greater benefite coulde thy diuinitie haue bestowed vppon silly man then being of a castaway to bee made a saued soule of a lost sonne made the child of God and of a poore banished wretch to bee made an inheritor of the kingdome of heauen Lorde if it were possible for vs to yeelde vnto thee as manie thankes and prayses as coulde fill euen thine eates at the ful did yeelde our bodies and soules to bitter torments in hell for thy sake frō which thou hast redeemed vs it were nothing in recompence of the least parte of thys thy loue in giuing this sacrifice thy sonne in whom was thine onely and whole delight to pacifie thine owne displeasure and to purchase thy fauour and loue againe a thing most merueilous that the offended shoulde seeke tha'ttonement with the offendour and after so vnspeakable a meane and yet requiring nothing at our hands but thankfulnes obedient harts Lord I yeelde thee all possible thanks I yeelde thee thankes euen frō the bottome of mine heart from the very depth of mine vnderstanding who hast deserued more then we can by any means in desire satisfie or any way requite not onely in gyuing thy sonne for vs but in leauing vnto vs a continual rememberance of the same thy gospel wherin consisteth the rule for our direction vnto thee euen thy word which although heauen and earth passe and perishe yet shall not one iotte thereof as thou hast promised deminishe or decay without the which we shoulde haue continued in our accustomed blindnes These thy benefites are vnspeakable yet sweete Lord the creating of vs after thy likenes making vs after thine owne image deserueth no lesse praise and thanks where it lay in thy power to haue fashioned vs after sundry other formes as of wormes in the earth fishes in the sea beasts of the land most owgly and most straunge hauing neither the knowledge of thy will sence or seeling of thy goodnes which is the sweetest comfort in the world yea without the which is no true comfort at all nor enioy any quality either of body or minde which is any thing at all comparable to the gifts which thou hast endued mankinde withall I thanke thee also sweete Lord for all other thine vnspeakable mercies benefits as for feding vs clothing vs protecting vs hetherto giuing vs al thīgs necessary both for our soules bodies lord as of thy free fauor meere mercy thou hast vouchsafed vnto vs thy creatures all these and many other vnspeakable benefittes So vouchsafe the like loue and tender care towardes vs alwaies that we may prosper in our vocations goe forward in the daily seruice of thee and through the merites of thy sonne Iesus Christ obteyne pardon for our sinnes past and liue in thy faith feare and loue heereafter enioying all thinges requisite for mine owne and for the releefe of those whom thou hast committed vnto me and also for all other thy seruauntes so that we may haue sufficient and not be chargeable but rather helpfull to others for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake graunt it Amen Oh Lorde increase my fayth A deuoute prayer or Meditation that we may alwaies haue consideration that we must dye which as it is good at all times so especially in the time of any common plague or sicknes a godly meditation Remember as thou art a man So must thou dye none helpe it can No thing more sure the time vnsure Wherefore take heede liue not secure SYlenas the Philosopher hauing it but by the instinct of nature before the publishing of the gospell could see furder into the estate of man in those dayes then wee endeuour to vnderstande liuing too securelye nowe in the cleere light of the same For his opinion was that if wee consider with our selues what we are whereof we are and what we shall be wee coulde not but lament our miserable estate This saying of his was meruailous then when men liued in darknes but muche more meruailous that it is no better considered nowe in the time of the light of truth For wher we shoulde haue great care to liue well wee liue in wicked securitie and where we shoulde haue greater care to dye well wee foolishlye thinke to liue for euer But let vs perswade our selues and not only perswade but fully resolue our selues that we shall dye and let vs endeuour to make a good ende for a good ende excuseth a badde life paste And euen so likewise is an euill ende a greate argument of an euyll life For sake sinne and imbrace deathe wyllynglye so shalt thou seeme happye in this life and not vnhappye at the howre of death In the morning thinke not to liue tyll night and at night thinke not to liue tyll morninge So shalt thou lyue so muche the more cyrcumspectlye and bee alwayes readye to dye Account thy selfe in thys worlde but as a gueste that lodgeth for a nyght and departeth in the morning and as a wandryng Pylgrime of no certayne abode lyst vppe thy mynde to God Ecclesi 4 hauing heere no certayne Citty for if thou liue tenne or an hundred or a thousande yeeres there is no helpe but the graue muste bee thine end Blessed are they Reu 14. that dye in the Lorde VVherefore prepare thy selfe to dye not in your owne wisedome for that will deceiue you But in the wisedome of GOD that your hope may be sure his ioyes yours and his goodnes your inhearitaunce OH God the onely giuer of life the mainteyner and preseruer thereof and the life after death graunt me continuall due consideration that as this bodie of myne is builded vpon an earthly foundation and framed of the substaunce of dust and clay which is not durable the glory thereof vanishing like the flowre of the fielde which is soone cutte downe and withered So the same beeing the mansion or rather the Prison of my poore soule so frayle weake and feeble subiect to so many infirmities diseases greefes and maladies yea to so many causes that procure the dissolution of bodye and soule
that it often happeneth wheÌ„ we think least thereon it commeth sodamly as the lightninge and taketh vs vnwares VVherefore grant Oh GOD of my life that I may haue such continuall care foresighte and dylligent respect vnto the direction of my dealinges cogitations and wordes that I loade not my poore soule so muche with the burden of scenlesse securitye sinne and iniquitye that the bodye beeing sodainly intangled with the snare of deathe it bee carryed where there is no reste no ioye no comforte or consolation but continual mourning weeping and anguishe of minde as the Glutton spoken of in thine holy Gospell who going on blindly loosly and carelesly without regarde eyther of thee or remem braunce of his ende in moste detestable couetousnes and all kinde of wickednes was sodainly taken from hys mucke wealth which he had wrongfully gotten and myserably whorded vppe and yet denying poore Lazarus the croomes that fell and were taken from his table but was carried by the deuyll and his Angells into euerlasting and moste bitter tormentes where was weeping and gnashing of teeth Oh my sweete Lord let not mine heart be so blinded with the vale of vanitie nor nouseled in the delightes of this world so intangeled in the nette of concupiscence nor clad in the weedes of wilfull forgetfulnes of mine estate that I bee taken as the ritch man who deuising within him selfe to enlarge hys Barnes wherin he might conuey his graine so much encreasing who standing in his euill conceite of couetousnes thinking himselfe most secure was taken vnawares from his aboundaunce and left hys riches he knew not to whom Oh most gratious and most louing God a most vnhappy end wherin steed of heauenly contemplations and godly cogitations which thou requirest at al times of such as are thine but especially at the houre of death there appeared a most horrible intent of couetousnes which thou vtterly abhorrest a manifest token good Lorde of forgetfulnes of his ende and an argument that hee was the childe of Sathan But thou shewest mercye to as many as conuert and turne to thee Oh my most louing father lighten mine eyes that I sleepe not in sinne nor wander in darknes according to the will of the fleshe that I fall not vnawares into the dungion of distruction death and hell but make me alwaies ready and willing to come vnto thee euen with desire when it pleaseth thee to call me by laying thy hande by any plague or sicknes vpon me let me not drawe me as it were backwarde when thou inuitest me to the sweete banquet of thine heauenly kingdome as by the worde and gospell preached and reueiled vnto vs which is an especiall calling vs or when I feele my selfe distempered greeued or vexed with any kinde of sicknes plague or disease which is another of thy callinges and an especiall warning that we must dye or when by course of time in extreame age wee may imagine our ende to be neere but Lord when I am at my dayly busines and laboure when I eate or drinke when I am in my best temperature health in childehoode and young yeeres at all times and in all places giue me grace to thinke that death standeth at mine elbowe alwayes ready to strike mee that I sleepe not in sinne and securitie till the time sodainly come of my departure and so be taken vnprouided and perish withour repentaunce who can perswade him selfe to liue long and see many daies especially in daungerous and contagious times of sicknes and seeing so many examples dayly to the contrary euen in the most temperate time of health some we see at their Mothers pappes by humaine indgement likely to liue sodainely to giue vppe the ghoste some in theyr youth some in middle yeeres yea when grauest experience aboundeth to be sodainly called away to be no more seene Al which notwithstanding Oh Lord such is the blindnes of our nature that we think this world a coÌ„tinual being for vs and couer euen with greedines to see many dayes where we heape sinne vpon sinne to the ouerburdening of our poore soules seldome or not at all thinking to dye Graunt sweete Lorde that as I desire to liue so I may haue a greater desire to liue well that I may make an happy ende abandoning all feare of death that the cogitation thereof may dwell in peace with in the mansion of mine heart and when it shall approche neere vnto me I flie not from it but may goe foorth with ioy to meete the same considering that it is a meane to ende my cares and to begin my ioy it is the finishing of sorrow and enteraunce into blisse which made thy seruaunt Paule to say That he desired to be deliuered of the burden of this life and to be with thee where is nothing but ioyes vnspeakable and contrarie heere on earth nothing but care and woe which mooued thy seruaunt Iob to call this life a warfare and this world a wildernes and vale of misery where is nothing but conflictes betweene the flesh and the spirite dayly increase of sinne and continuall care of vanities Oh good God giue vs carefull hearts to loue thee while we liue heere giue vs continual feare vnfeyned zeale perfit faith godly care to doo good to all men and earnest desire to come vnto thee who art the ende of all trouble and laboure and the beginning of ease the ende of strife and the beginning of peace the ende of all misery and the beginning of all blisse wherevnto sweete Lord graunt that with vnseyned desiâ—e we may faithfully endeuour our selues to come and to take possession of that thy most glorious kingdome where thy sonne is gonne before to direct vs the way and where thou sittest to iudge according to euerye mans desertes making all those that thou findest with the Lampe of true faith burning in their harts partakers of the euerlasting ioyes thereof In number of whome Oh sweete Lord accept me heere that I may appeare among them in the world to come through Iesus Christ our Lorde in whose name I commend my selfe into thy handes to liue for euer in thee sweete God Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A short prayer to the like purpose OH God in whose handes consisteth the life of all mankind for thy Sonne Jesus Christes sake vouchsafe to giue me grace to sett before mine eyes as a most certaine mark where vnto this frayle body of mine must tende it selfe the Image of that which is to the faythfull the ende of payne and beginning of pleasure the ende of misery and beginning of blisse but to the secure and careles the ende of their pleasures and beginning of eternall paynes Ueuchsafe me therefore earnest desire of seruing thée and leading my life according vnto thy will that wheÌ„ so euer it pleaseth thee to call me I be not through feare striken with doubt of condemnation but euen at my laste gaspe through vnfayned faith in Jesus Christ may take
hold of thy miracles wonders which thou so apparantly diddest worke to declare and manifest thy selfe to be our redeemer and aduocate and to confirme the same in our heartes by faith as thou diddest in the heartes of thy Disciples who notwithstanding there beeing present with thee continued yet neuerthelesse in darknes and misbeleefe without the working of thine holy spirite in them whereby they confessed thee to be very Christe son of the liuing God and onely sauiour of the world Among all which thy great benefits Oh good Iesus we yeelde thee all possible thankes for that it hath pleased thee to leaue vnto vs after thy departure vnto the right hande of thy father the Lanterne of light the Gospell of comfort the word of trueth the foode whereon our soules may continually feede at full without the which wee had beene left vnto our former darknes walking in error in our wonted ignoraunce And for that thou knowest vs from the beginning to be carryed into blindnes and error wrongfully interpreting the parrables darke sentences of thy gospel through the same thy loue hast left vs a continuall coÌ„forter euen thine holy Ghoste proceeding froÌ„ thy father thee who in the likenes of a Doue discended froÌ„ heauen vpon thee showing himselfe vpon the Apostls in fiery tongues Oh holy ghost our coÌ„forter we yeeld thee most huÌ„ble thanks that through the gift of thy grace we haue our harts prepared our vnderstaÌ„ding lightned mouthes opened to conceiue rightly thy word to declare abroad the wonderfull thinges of thy lawe and to manifest the secrete misteries of the kingdome of God Thou â—rt the true light and the light of trueth without the which it is impossible to please God the father nor haue accesse to God the Sonne who together with thee Oh holy ghost are but one God in esseÌ„ce though three in person Make our heartes pure make vs cleane sanctifye vs and seale vs among the number of the electe and chosen that when wee shall approche vnto the seate of iudgment we may receiue through the merittes of Iesus Christ not onely the stipende of seruants but the rewarde of obedient children euen the inheritaunce of the kingdome of heauen There to rest with thee Oh Father our maker with thee sweete Iesus our Sauiour and with thee Oh holy ghoste our comforter and sanctifier for euer and euer To whome bee all prayse and eternall glory world without ende Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A praier to be saide before the receiuing of the Communion THere is sayde sufficient in a certaine exhortation set downe in the booke of coÌ„mon prayer to stirre vppe the minds of all well disposed persons willingly and zealously to come to this holy table wher vnto before we come wee ought to addresse and prepare our hearts to put of all rancor mallice wickednes and all kinde of vice with the fruites of the olde man which is disobedience and sinne and to put on the newe man which is righteousnes comming therevnto in a pure cleane hart abounding with loue peace fayth charity that wee may receiue it to our comfort Reade the 11. chap. of the firste Cor. from the 20. verse vnto the 29. and there shall you finde not onely the manner of the institution and celebration thereof but also howe to receiue it with heauenly profit the daunger in the vnreuerent and vnfaythfull receyuing of the same to the cosort of the Godly shame of the wicked SVVeete Iesus sonne of the euerliuing and omnipotent GOD vouchsafe I humblye pray and beseeche thee euen for thy death sake to instill into mine hart the gift of thy grace whereby approching vnto the sweete banquet of thine holy body blood which thou vouchfafest to giue for the redemption of vs miserable sinners I may by faith eate and drinke the same and be made a fitte and faithfull member of thy misticall body laying aside the darknes of olde Adam embracing the light of thine obedience loue and patience that that most preacious bodye of thine bee not giuen not thy blood shed for me in vaine but may direct the whole course of the residue of my life by thine holy spirite according to thine heauenly wil in all thinges that after this life ended I may appeare before the tribunall seate of his high and heauenly maiestie as a faythfull member of thine and enioy that heauenly enhearitaunce which thou our head and guide hast purchased for all true beleeuers in thee Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth At the receiuing of the breade say thus Vouchsafe oh sweet Iesus that as thou hast giuen thy flesh to be the breade of our eternall saluation So vouchsafe to worke in me by a liuely faith that I receiuing the same may be and euermore continue one in thee and thou in me Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth At the receiuing of the cuppe say thus Oh lorde vouchsafe that as thy blood was shed for me a sinner So graunt that it may through a liuely faith wash me from the filth of sinne and renue in mee the fruites of righteousnes that I may become a fitte member of thee liue and dye in thee for euermore Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A prayer after the receiuing of the Communion VSe not the manner of many who in the day wherein they repayre vnto the holy table of the Lorde doo not onely lightlye esteeme the weightines of the matter but lewdly gyue themselues to wanton companyes gadding heere there to banquets tauerns loosly aboue other dayes giue theÌ„ selues to wanton behauiour but remember thy promise that thou hast made to god to become a new man to 〈…〉 all wantonnes and cleaue vnto godlines of life Be not like the dog that 〈…〉 â—o his vomit or the â—â—w to her wanted wallowing in the dyrt of sinne 〈…〉 â—e holy as your heaueÌ„ly 〈…〉 er is holy Seeke the 〈…〉 me of God and the 〈…〉 thereof and all thinges shall bee gyuen â—â—u and as the true members of Christ in the ende râ—igne with him in eternal glory OH omnipotent most mercifull father I thy silly creature praise thee not able to yeeld thee thanks sufficiently for thine vnspeakable fauour and louing kindnes in feeding mee at this time with the spiritual foode of the body blood of thy sonne our sauior Iesus Christe whom thou vouchsafest to send for our redemptioÌ„ into this miserable world and to giue him euen to the death in remembraunce whereof vntyll his second comming hee hath willed vs to eate his bodye and to drinke hys blood to thende by sayth we should be vnited and knitte vnto his body and beeing washed from all our sinnes to leade a new life vouchsafe I humbly beseeche thee for his sake to endue mee with thine holy spirit wherby heerafter casting aside the workes of darknes I may from hencefoorth walke in the light of thy Gospell in the number of thy chosen wayting faithfully when he shall come
the clowdes with most sweete wordes of comfort but such as haue seene thee euen the poore and little ones to bee sicke and comfortles and haue denyed them helpe releefe and ayde or hungrye and haue with-helde foode Thirstye and haue not giuen drinke naked and haue not clothed them Such sweete Lorde shall suffer hunger colde nakednes and thirst with vnspeakable greefe of conscience which shall neuer haue ende Oh that it woulde please thee therefore Oh mercifull God of thy greate goodnes fauour and louing kindnes to consider of these latter dayes and perrilous times wherein we liue wherein eniquitie hath gotten the vpper hand charity waxing cold and loue banisht from amongst brethren and thy selfe sweete Lorde euen thy poore and little ones the Orphanes and Widowes not onely not releeued not comforted not defended but troden vnder feete neglected and forgotten euen of such as haue aboundaunce Vouchsafe vouchsafe good Lorde according to thy promise to shorten these dayes least also thine elect be seduced with vanitie and forsake thee theyr onely comfort It is come to passe which thou hast sayde That as towardes the Summer trees and plantes of the earth doo budde so before thy comming to make vs so much the more prepared thou hast promised to sende vs foreknowledge by sundry signes and tokens bothe in the earth belowe which hath by thy passing as it were by vs quaked already at thy presence as also by the Sunne and moone other thy creatures apparantly showing thy rodde of vengeaunce to be ouer our heades ready to strike Oh Lorde wee cannot but looke for vtter distruction according to the weight and aboundance of our sins and iniquities vnles it may please thee to show thy mercy for Iesus sake in coÌ„uerting vs we haue sinned we haue gonne astray we haue wrought wickednes in yeelding to the will of the flesh but most sweete Lorde let thy light so shine into our hearts that we may now beginne to seeke onely thy kingdome leaue the darknes of sinne growe to all goodnes and be mortefied as touching the olde man which is corruption dye to the world And remooue sathan that with godly desires we may attayne vnto the perfecte feeling of thy grace that hauing obteined the pure vnderstanding of thy word we may guide our liues by the rule therof that after the finishing of this our pilgrimage we may thorow the merites of thy sonne Iesus Christ enter into thy kingdome of eternall glory there for euer and euer to raigne enioying the sight of thee and to thy name with the rest of thy saintss sing laude and prayse eternally Oh Lord increase our fayth and giue vs grace vnfeynedly to repent vs of our sinnes Amen A praier necessarie to bee sayd after and at the end of all our prayers VOuchsafe Oh Lord and mercifull Father in whose handes resteth the harts of all men who knowest what wee want before we pray what wee will aske before we speake what wee doo in al thinges Vouchsafe to forgiue mine ignorance dulnes and slacke comming vnto thee the fountaine of all health and helpe encrease my faith dayly more and more and kindle in me the perfecte gift of prayer that I may at all times serue thee in trueth and whatsoeuer I haue asked according vnto thy wyll at this time giue me and what I haue omitted vnrequested for my selfe or any for whom thou wouldest we should pray for for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake gratiously graunt for which and for al thinges els necessary for mee and theÌ„ for body or soule I pray thee as thy sonne taught vs saying OVr father which art in heauen hallowed bee thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will be doone in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this day our daily breade And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse agaynst vs. And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all euill Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth and continue the same effectually in me all men vnto the end Amen Great plagues remaine for the vngodly but who so putteth his trust in the Lorde mercy imbraceth him on euery syde Psal. 32. PAule before he would presume to eate gaue thanks Act. 27 35 Christ likewise before hee gaue the bread and Fyshes to them that were wyth hym in the wyldernes yea although he were Lord of all looking vppe to heauen from whence commeth all goodnes blessed it and gaue thankes and brake it vnto them Mat 14. the store beeing small replenished many thousandes and left many Baskets full wherefore take the blessings of God with thankes A prayer before meate OH bountifull GOD vouchsafe to looke downe with thy fauourable eyes of pittie vpon our weaknes and want and giue vs at this time those things which may be to our coÌ„fort sanctifie these thy gifts that our bodyes beeing replenished we may be thankfull and enioy at thy mercifull handes the bread of eternall life to the releefe of our poore soules through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour Amen God saue and still increase thy flocke Keepe vs within thy folde Vouchsafe to heare when wee doo knocke Oh Lord our strongest holde Preserue our Queene be thou her stay This Realme of thine defend Indue vs with thy grace for aye On thee we all depend Oh Lord increase our fayth WHen God hath fedde your poore bodyes bee not therewith pust vppe with forgetfulnes what he requireth at our handes for his blessings but in a reuerent and deuout manner giue thankes that he may continue his louing kindnes to your comfort vnto the ende A thankes giuing after meate WE thanke thee most bountifull Lord for this thy fatherly feeding our hungry bodies so vouchsafe to feede our silly soules with the breade of eternall life That after this life ended we may ascend where Christ is gonne before Amen Sith God hath fedde our bodyes poore VVhich els would soone decay Remember such as lye at doore Say not their cryings nay God saue his Church our Queene defende this Realme preserue for aye And graunt vs all a godly ende And ioyfull rysing day Oh Lord increase our fayth FINIS A Table to finde out the principall Prayers conteined in this booke A Prayer to Christ. Folio 1. A prayer for the assistaunce of Gods holy spirite fol. eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fo 3 A morning prayer for the working day fol. eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 5 A prayer for the Queene eodem A prayer for the Sunday morning fol. 7 A short prayer to the like purpose fol 9. A confession of sinnes eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 11 A prayer for the euening fol. 12 A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 14. A prayer for the increase of fayth eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol 17. A prayer against the deuill the world and the fleshe very necessary to be often sayd eodem A short prayer to the same effecte fol. 20. A prayer for the helpe and assistaunce of God in all our dooings and that we doo nothing but in hys feare and due obedience eodem A short prayer to the like purpose folio 23. The sorrowfull sinner afflicted in conscience by reason of his sins may say thus eodem A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 26. A prayer for a competent necessary liuing fo eod A prayer necessary after the hearing of the worde of God folio 29 A short prayer to the like purpose folio 31 A thankes giuing to God for his benefits eodem A deuout prayer or meditation that we may alwais haue consideration that we must dye which as it is good at all times so especially in the time of any common plague or sicknes a godly meditation folio 33. A short prayer to the like purpose fol. 37 A prayer vpon the Lettany or prayer for all men at all times necessary eodem A prayer for the fulfilling of the tenne commaundements fol. 40 A short prayer to the like purpose foli 44. A prayer for the true ordering of worldly titches very necessary for such as God hath endued with the wealth of this world eodem A short prayer to the like purpose foli 47 A prayer to be sayd of a woman with child fol. 48 A short and most necessary prayer alwayes to bee sayd of one with childe folio 49 A thankes giuing to God after the deliuery fol. eod A prayer for wisedome folio 51. A short prayer to the like purpose foli 53 A prayer in misery and trouble fol 54 A short prayer to the like effecte often to be sayde folio 57. A payer to be defended from enemies eodem A short prayer to the like purpose folio 60 A prayer when a man taketh a iourney folio 61. A thankes giuing after returne folio 62 A thankes giuing to God the father God the sonne and God the holy ghoste woorthy to bee often sayde folio 63 A prayer to bee sayde before the receiuing of the Communion fol. 67 A prayer after the receiuing of the communion fol. 68. A deuout meditation or confession of our sinnes with humble request vnto almighty God c. folio 69 A prayer necessary to be sayde after and at the ende of all our prayers fol. 74. A prayer before meate folio 75 A thankes giuing after meate fol. 76 FJNIS ·GOD· ·IS· ·MY· HELPER a 〈…〉 te the rest 〈…〉 Child be de 〈…〉 ying the 〈…〉 prayâ—r and 〈…〉 at the â—ude 〈…〉 prayer
vs not forgitt it leaste God forgett vs. ALL possible thanks we giue vnto thee Oh Lord of mercy King of all the Kinges and kingdomes of the earth for that thou hast vouchsafed to place ouer vs thy little flocke of thys Realme so pure a guide of true religion Elizabeth by thine heauēly prouidēce our Queene vnder whom enioying the free libertie of the true seruice of thee we rest in a quiet estate bothe of bodie and minde We humbly pray thy fauourable regarde to beholde with mercifull eies the same thy seruant our soueraigne Lady and gouernes And so fructify her heart with the good graine of thine holye spirite that she alwayes inclined by the working thereof to the settinge foorth of thy worde may walke according to the truth of the same sincerelie that we thy seruants and vnder thee her subiects seeing her godly example may be ashamed to fall frō that due forme of honouring thy name which for thy glory shee hath through thy grace by the rule of thy worde prescribed vnto vs. Banish good Lord from her heart all ignoraunce and print therein perfect wisdome and knowledge of thine heauenly will giue her an obedient minde abounding withall humilitie towardes thy diuine maiestie Saue and defende her from the tyrannie of forraine power and authoritie and from all such as profesle not inwardlie vnfeyned zeale of thy Gospell giue her godlie Counsellors and such zealous and true harted ministers of thy wyl that she and we according to the trueth of euerye our seueral functions may truelie serue thee in this life and in the ende for euermore raigne with thee in thine heauenly kingdome for Iesus Christes sake our only Redeemer Aduocate and sweete Sauiour Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A prayer for the Sunday morning Let labour passe let prayer bee This day the cheefest worke for thee AS the Lorde hath assigned vnto mā sixe dayes of seauen for his necessarie trauaile So hath he expreslie commanded Gen. 2. the seauenth to be hallowed and kept onely for the seruice of him wher in all busines sette aparte we should referre our selues to prayer to the hearing or reading of the worde of the Lorde without any vngodlie exercise at all wherfore as did Dauid Psal. 55. 6. euery day so let vs especiallie this day instantlie call vppon the name of the Lord and he will heare vs. And with Esay Esay 26. Let our soules with a longing desire in the night seeke vn to the Lorde and in the morning earelie call vppon his name so shall our dooings please him all shall goe well with vs. And especiallie vpon this day which the Lord hath reserued for the seruice of himselfe Nu. 1◠Punishing such euen with death who breake the same as appeareth in the booke of Numbers by him who was at the commaundement of the Lorde stoned to death for gathering stickes on the Sabaoth day Esay 56. Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabaoth day vndefiled seruing the Lorde in prayer Esay 58. Not in seeking his ownewil nor speaking a vaine word Pray that it may bee honoured and not abused dishonoured as it is least God the Creator of it and vs punish our disobedience OH almightye Father most wholesome protectoure keeper both of soules and bodyes of the faithfull I yeelde the humble and hartie thankes for defending sauing mee thy sinfull creature this night past and all my life hethervnto frō suddaine death and from other perrils daungers wher into my sillie soule and weake bodie are subiecte to fall And wherewith I am so besette that had I not beene preserued by thee it could not otherwise haue beene but my bodie had perished and my sillie soule beene carryed into eternall perdition But most sweete Lord my strong Castell defence my shield buckler my sure refuge and succour who hast continuall regarde of the safety of thy seruants that thou neuer sufferest them to bee ouercome with any kinde of euill nor to fall into any kinde of daunger vouchsase to forgiue me what soeuer I haue committed and doone against thy diuine will eyther sleeping or waking this night or anie time secretlie or openlie heeretofore by reason of the corruption which remaineth in me And vouchsafe that as I haue quietlie passed this night so I may enioy at thy merciful hands whatsoeuer thy fatherlie prouidence shall thinke meete and conuenient for mine owne and for the releefe of such as thou hast committed vnto my charge and gouernement Establish good Lorde within my weake feeble bodie strength to withstande all euill motions of the flesh all vngodlie desires of the minde worldlie vanities that I may feruentlie as I ought continuallie both in the morning and at night and at noone day yea and at all times and in all places truely serue thee without hypocrisie dissimulation or mallice And for thy mercies sake keepe mee this day and all the rest of my transitory life from suddaine and vnprouided death keepe my tongue and lips that I speake or vtter nothing which may be eyther vncomelie to be spoken or whereof may redownde hurt or hinderaunce to my selfe or others but that I may endeuoure as much as in me lyes to speake and vtter those thinges which may be to the setting foorth of thy glorie maintenaunce of peace and concorde and to the reducing such into the right way as wander and goe astray As for slaundering lying backbyting falsewitnes bearing enuie and such like good Lorde take vtterly from me And keepe mine heart and minde from the moste damnable sinne of murmuring against thee and from dyspayre that in all aduersities tribulations and troubles I may alwayes beare a patient contented faithfull and a thankfull minde with full perswasion that if thou suffer mine aduersaries being maliciousliebent against me to reuile me persecute me to molest or hurte me or if thou permitt either fire to consume me or my substaunce or any other casuall meane to diminish mine estate and stay of my liuing or if I sustaine losse of freendes sicknes of bodie or hurt of my limmes it proceedeth not but by thy diuine prouidence yea onelie of thy meere loue and fatherlie care which thou hast of mine amendment for nothing happeneth to those whome thou louest breede it within theyr weake mindes neuer so great greefe or fall it out neuer so contrary to theyr desires but it bringeth with it some secrete working for their good Wherefore in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ I most humbly beseeche thee that thou wilt vouchsafe to settle in mine heart such perfection of patience as what soeuer eyther this day or heereafter shall happen or befall vnto me I may accept it as a most wholesome medicine for my so deadlie disease of securitie and so in hope of thy louing kindnes and mercie to goe forwarde this day and all my life in perfect loue vnfeyned zeale and continuall obedience to thy will In hearing thy worde attentiuelie in reading the
same dilligentlie in following it effectually and in praying vnto thee zealously and faithfully imbracing all goodnes willingly and auoyding all euill watilie that so spending this day I may the better proceede to the execution of my calling this weeke following to the releefe of my necessitie furtheraunce of my neighbours That so continuing vnto the ende I may receiue the reward of thy celestiall kingdome which thy sonne Iesus Christe hath purchased with his bloode for all true beleeuers in thee In number of whome sweete Lorde for the merytes of him thy sonne make me that I with them and they with me may continually sing laude and prayse vnto the Trinitie eternallie which graunt for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A short prayer to the like purpose ALL possible thankes I render vnto thee most louing and moste mercifull Father that it hath pleased theâ— to bee my carefull watchman this night preseruing me from many euils vouchsafing sleepe vnto mine eyes to the vnspeakable comfort of my poore boâ—â—e Let it likewise please thee I humbly beseeche thee to giue me grace according to thine heauenly will 〈◊〉 expresse commaundement as at all times so this day especially to imploy me to the seruice of thee in all godlines and purenes of life leauing all bodily labours and exercise as to the Sanctetie which thou in the beginning gâ—uest vnto the day when thou hadâ—est sinished all thy worke dooth instly deserue Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A confession of sinnes Confesse thy sinnes to God on hie Who pardons sinners when they cry FOr asmuch as all men by nature are sinners and none Christ excepted euer liued without man folde offences Let vs with Dameâ—l â—â—â—esse Da. 9 that we haue sinned that we delt wickedlie in trâ—sgressing the lawe of the Lord. Pro. 28. For who so hideth his sinnes shall not prosper but he that confesseth them and forsaketh them shall finde mercie For when Adam Gen. 3. had broken the coÌ„maundement of the Lorde be excused his fault was accursed But Dauid confessing his wickednes found fauour The lost sonne Lu. 15. after long going astray at last returned confessing his fault and obteyned pardon Iohn Baptist. Mat. 3 when hee first preached the gospell he baptized none but such as confessed theyr sinnes wherefore let vs faithfully and continually vpon our knees acknowledge our sinnes and prepare our selues to vnfeyned repentaunce and vndoubtedlie we shal obteine mercie at the haÌ„ds of the Lord For if we acknowledge our sinnes 1. Iohn 1. he is faithfull to forgiue them according to his promise Say with Dauid Psa. 23. I will acknowledge my sinnes vnto the Lord and will not hide mine iniquitie from him yea confesse against thy selfe and he wyll forgiue thy sinnes OH omnipotent father and euerliuing God from whose wisedome foreknowledge no secretes are or may bee hidden but doost plainely consider behold the workes wordes and thoughtes of all creatures I most huÌ„bly beseeche thee of thine infinite mercye to haue compassion vppon my sinnes which are so great and greeuous so many and they so vile and lothsome to thine heauenlie eyes that thou canst not abide to turne thy louing countenaunce towardes me Oh Lorde I doo confesse that my conception my birth yea and all my life hath beene in sin our Fathers and mothers sinfull euen from the stocke of our great Grandfather Adam whose blindnesse shoulde haue beene our light and whose sight was turned to our blindnes darknes by the deceitful most vile alurings of that enemie of ours the wilie and moste subtill serpent sathan by whose â—ntisements our forefather beeing clothed with innocencie and simplicitie in most pure vnspeakable happines was mooued to the desire of the knowledge of that that thou woldest he should haue beene ignorant of And which thou haddest vtterlie forbidden him By breking of which thy commaundement he with Eue whome thou hadst ordeyned out of hys owne flesh to be his companion and comfort where with thine Angell according to thy determinate will driuen out of Parradice a place of ioy to a pitte of sorrow from good to euill from ease to laboure and trauaile from quietnes to trouble from wealth to want from light to darknes from myrth to mourning from succoure to be succourles In so much Oh Lord as he our father purchased for vs his children none other possession or inheritaunce but the vnhappy enteraunce into sinne and corruption And we his children beeing by succession ingrossed in this detestable stocke of sinne haue hethervnto notwithstanding thy most louing and by so sundry meanes calling vs by thine holye Gospell of comfort continued therein to our vtter perdition deserued death and distruction confessing and acknowledging our selues runnagates outcastes and trewantes and of our selues altogether vnable to cast away and lay aside these workes of darknes and to obteine againe the Lanterne of light Yet for as much as I am most sorry from the very bottome of mine heart that I haue offended thee wilfully and disobedientlie strayed from the wayes of thy Lawes And doo vnfeynedly condemne al my former life to be most vile determining in heart by thy grace to forsake sinne and cleaue vnto godlines and purenes of liuing to decline from euill and to doo good I most humbly euen vpoÌ„ the knees of mine heart beseeche thine almightye Maiestie to lysten with a moste willing and attentiue eare vnto my groninges secrete sighes and vnfeyned repentance and with the eyes of thy mercye to beholde my lamenting spyrite and so vouchsafe to accept the same as it may bee vnto thee a sufficient sacrifice for all former euills That I beeing free from sinne not by any deserte or meryte of mine owne but onely by the death and passyon of thy Sonne Iesus Christe may take perfecte holde of the remission thereof and fully perswade my selfe that through the death of him thy sonne I am agayne restored to the former happines and blessed estate which oure first parent Adam was in the beginning placed in And the heade of that subtill Serpent sathan who so wylilye deceyued him by the seede of the Woman to bee altogether bruzed troden downe and vanquished and his power quite taken from him So that hee is not able anye more to lifte him selfe vppe againste the Chyldren of Fayth as hee seeketh and desyreth yea and often preuayleth againste the weake and feeble ones Vouchsafe sweete LORDE and moste loouing Iesus to consider my weakenesse and frayltye and mortefye in mee all delightes of thys miserable worlde and the corrupt fleshe And stande betwene mee and Sathan that hee preuayle no further agaynste mee then I shall bee able to resyste for wee can not stande but doo continually yeelde vnto the deceiueable showes of this worlde the false motions of the fleshe and temptations of Sathan without thy continuall ayde and assistaunce wherewith I beseeche thee both at this time and euer aâ—me me wash me with thy
ingraffe the same in mine heart that I may both nowe and euer make vnseyned confession thereof as thine Apostls haue sette downe in these wordes I beleeue in God c. Oh Lord now vouchsafe to imbrace me with the Armes of thy mercie vouchsafe to receiue me into the bosome of thy loue shaddowe me with thy winges that I may safely take my rest this night in peace in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christe in whose name I referre me wholie into thy louing protection beseeching thee that when my last sleepe shall come I may take mine euerlasting rest with thee in thy celestiall kingdome sweete God Amen Oh Lord into thine handes I commend my selfe Oh Lord increase my faith A short prayer to the like purpose OH almightie Lord God I thanke thee that this day past thou hast of thy meere mercy vouchsafed vnto me thy poore creature not enelie protection against all daungers and euills But also all thinges necessary So I humbly beseecâ—â— thee of the same thy mercy and for thy sonne Jesus Christ his sake to 〈…〉 de the like protection and fauour towardes me this night that I may enioy at thine handes safe and quiet rest to the comforte and refreshment bothe of my bodie and soule for Jesus Christes sake Amen Oh Lorde increase my fayth A prayer for the increase of Fayth If thou wilt haue what thou doest craue Pray thou in saith the Gospell sayth FAith as saith S. Paule vnto the Hebrues Heb. 11 is a sure foundation of thinges hoped for an euident feeling of the manifolde promises which God the father hath made vnto vs 1. Pet. 1 touching our saluation in his sonne Christe our sauiour and whereby also wee already inwardely taste of the vnspeakable toyes wher of wee shalbe heereafter made full pertakers Heb. 11 in Heauen without it wee can doo nothing But by it Gal. 3. wee are blessed of him and by it 1. Pet. 1 we are saued by it Eph 6 are all the fiery darts of hell and sathan quenched The iust man Aba 2. shall liue by fayth the daughter of the woman of Canaan Ma. 8. was healed by the faith of her mother Elias the Thesbyte 3 Kin. 16. 17. through fayth was fed with Rauens in his distresse and hunger hee prayed for rayne and through fayth obteyned it by his faith was the Oyle of the widdowe of Zarphat encreased Dan. 6. her child raysed from death to life The three Children were deliuered from the whot fornace by fayth and Daniell out of the Lyons denne by sayth the sinfull woman Luk. 7. obteyned pardon the Apostles by sayth Act. 3. healed sundry diseases Nowe wl at greater Iewell can there be had at the handes of God then fayth for haue fayth and all thinges foode sent from heauen defence from Lyons saftye from fire in the whott Ouen forgiuenesse of sinnes and whatsoeuer els concerneth eyther body or soule And therefore let it be a principall requeste vnto his Maiestie that he will vouchsafe that gift VVithout wauering aske it and God will giue thee it aboundantly VVithout sayth Heb. 11. it is impossible to please God Neyther can we haue accesse to Christe Eod. without it who is the Mediator betweene God the Father and vs. O Halmighty God and father of our Lord Iesus Christ by whose worde we are taught that to loue thee feare thee and serue in trueth godlines and sinceretie of life is the onely way and meane to continue thy loue and fauour towardes vs without the which wee can not but perish And beleefe and confidence in thy sonne Iesus Christe the onely meane of our redemption and attonement with thee the onely holde of our saluation whereof we can not be sufficiently assured without thine especial gift of faith which is the ancor wherevnto the cable of our saluation is fastned And beeing broken the hope also of our saluation decayeth waxeth of none effecte plant therfore most merciful God one sparcke of true faith in mine harte that I may certainlye know thee perfectly loue thee and duely feare thee and vnfeynedly acknowledge Iesus Christ to bee sent into this miserablâ— world to saue vs miserable sinneâ—s for vs by his bitter death to purchase thy fauoure and loue againe which we had loste by the fall of our Father Adam Oh Lorde graunt me to take such holde of his death passion resurrection and assention as by his death we may haue pardon by his resurrection rise to righteousnes by his assention ascende with him to celestiall glorie and finally attribute the cause and meane of our saluatioÌ„ to proceede onely by his passion Increase this faith in vs good Lord dayly more and more that it may growe by the working of thine holie spirite to full perfection accompanied with good workes and godlie behauiour without the which I caÌ„ fesse faith caÌ„not be that I may bothe in life and conuersation fulfill thy diuine will in all things with-holde not from me good Lorde that singuler gift of thine which is the stay of our happines the want therof a most certaine token of our perdition It is the strength of the weake feeble ones the staffe stay that guids the blind the onlie way that leads vnto the vnspeakable ioies of eternal blisse the meane to obteine possesse enioy the only good which is the knowledge of thy will the bande of mutuall peace the Forte the Castell and comfort of a distressed minde and the onelie harbour of a sorrowfull soule no good thing wanteth to him on whom thou vouchsafest to bestowe the same to whom all thinges are light in whom remaineth no darknes at all Banish therefore sweete Lorde all misbeleefe all wauering and doubting out of mine heart and plant insteede thereof vnfeyned fayth that applying the same to euery affliction both of bodye and minde I may vanquish and ouercome sathan with stande the delightes of the worlde and suppresse the corruptible motions of the flesh ouercome my bodely enemies and enioy at thy good pleasure health of bodie soundnes of minde perfection of limmes and all thinges els requisite for me as no thing is impossible to him that enioyeth this thy gift estecttually indeede a most precious iewell an vnspeakable good thing for thou sayst VVho so heareth thy word and beleeueth in Iesus Christe whome thou haste sent shall haue euerlasting life Then Lorde on the contrary he that beleeueth not is in daunger of euerlasting death Oh Lord increase my faith wher by I may beleeue in that thy sonne and take hold of all his promises who said That who so beleeueth in him shall want no manner of thing that is good Lord I beleeue helpe mine vnbeleefe Giue mee fayth but as the grayne of a Musterde seede and I shall be able to doo great wonders yea I shall bee able to remooue sathan out of his desired habitation expelling him and his ministers out of my minde and walke no longer according to the will of the
and haue a taste of eternall saluation that death bee not terrible vnto me but rather when it cōmeth I may with ioy receiue the same in the name of Jesus Christe mine onely sauiour and redeemer Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A praier vppon the Lettany or praier for all men at all times necessary Pray thou in faith for eache degree As God by Iames commandeth thee So shalt thou prosper in thy wayes And liue both many and happy daies THe Lettany beeing a moste singuler deuout praier for the estate of all men in generall and sette out for the vse of the whole congregation as it were with one mouth one voyce to be pronounced begging at the handes of God not onely pardon for such seuerall offences as are therein expressed but also crauing thinges necessary as well for them that are absent as present yea for all men a thing most commendable godly praying one for another as S. Iames willeth Iam. 5. vs to pray one for another that wee may be hearde of God for the prayer of the righteous auaileth much And because the zealous may without the so often repitition of these wordes Good Lorde deliuer vs and we beseech thee c. priuatlye vtter his godly desire of the prosperitie of his Christian bretheren without answering himselfe in those respectes I thought it not much amisse to contriue it into this prayer following the which I pray the Reader willingly to accept OH almighty God and father of all that beleeue and trust in thee Oh Lorde God sonne redeemer aduocate of all thē who faithfully serue thee Oh God holy ghoste who proceeding from the father and the sonne santifiest the elect and chosen ones Oh blessed most glorious Trinitie three personnes and yet but one God haue mercy vpon vs who most miserablie haue offended Remember not our offences nor the offences of our fore-fathers nor punishe vs according to the multitude of our sins Spare vs good Lorde whome thou hast redeemed and so directe all our cogitations and actions that wee giue none occasion of thine anger towardes vs for euer mercifully saue and defende vs frō sinne mischeefe from the craftes and assaults of sathan from thy displeasure and eternall damnation good Lorde for thy mercies sake deliuer vs from darknes of misbeleefe from hautines of minde from mallice enuie hatred and double dealing from euill motions of our corrupt fleshe and from all worldly vaneties Saue vs from plague pestilenee from extreame hunger and famine from sodaine death from heresie and false doctrine and graunt vs alwayes will and ablenes to fulfill all thy most godly commaundementes with a cleane and a pure heart Oh sweete Iesus deliuer vs from all euill euen by thy death and passion by thine anguish of mind by thy bloody sweate by thy glorious resurrection from the deepe of death and hell and by thine assention into thy celestiall kingdome Bee present with vs good Lorde in all our troubles vexation of minde at the howre of our departure hence And for thy meere mercies sake be thou fauourable vnto vs in the day when we must giue account for our life past that we be not rewarded according to our desertes but by thy merites may enioy eternall saluation Oh most mercifull and euerliuing God wee most miserable and most wretched sinners heere humbly prostrating our selues before thee beseeche thee to listen to our petitions and graunt vnto thine vniuersall Church godly deuout preachers of thy word and gospel that it may dayly increase in vertuous and godly gouernment dayly growing and proceeding from faith to faith truely knowing thee and vnfeynedly seruing thee Graunt vnto thy seruaunt Elizabeth our Queene true vnderstanding of thy will and vnto her counsaile knowledge and wisedome That vnder her for her and in thy name they may establish godly Lawes statutes and ordinaunces for our good and godly gouernment and vnto vs thy people grace continually to follow and fulfill the same Be thou good Lord her defendour in all aslaultes of her enemies and so rule her hearte in thy faith seare and loue that she may alwaies seeke to aduaunce thine honour and glory deface superstiton errour and false religion and euer be able to vanquish and ouercome suchas rise vp against her to seeke the contrary Lighten the hearts of all Byshops ministers and Pastours of thy church with right vnderstanding and knowledge of thy worde that they may not onely in speeche doctrine but also by their conuersation and life soundly and sincerely vtter the same to the true edification of thy people Oh Lord let not such as are put in authority to see the due execution of thy lawes be slowe negligent or ignorant therin but endued with grace wisdom vnderstanding boldnes may execute iustice maintain thy trueth without affectiō fauor or respect of persons vouchsafe to endue vs all with continuall vnfeined good will one towards another that wee may liue all the daies of our life in vnitye peace godly agreement pleasing thee by liuing according to the rule of thy blessed commandements Graunt vs Oh Lord feruent desire to be where thy word gospell is preached taught and endue vs with thy grace to heare to beare away not only to heare and beare away but to expresse the same in our life conuersation that the truth of thy gospel which is the fruit of thine holy spirit may dailye increase in vs call home all wandring soules which are carried into blindnes by the subtiltie procurements of sathan his wicked ministers following strange Gods worshipping that that cannot auaile them in their distresse and giue them Oh Lord repenting heartes conuerting the soule Shewe them thy true light that they seeing it though a farre off may by little and little attaine vnto the perfit enioying of the same Strengthen al them that haue taken holde of thee by true faith and pure religiō that they fall not from thence by any deceiuable show of any counterfeit secte comfort those that are weake lift vp those that are downe that they by thee thou in them maist beate down keepe sathan vnder their feete Vouthsafe good Lord to giue succor help cōfort to all such as are in any kind of affliction daunger necessity or tribulation preserue and keepe safe all such as labour trauaile by sea or land for the benefit of our common weale Strengthen all women with child and sende them good deliueraunce comfort all them that are sicke and giue them either patience to beare it or mittigate their greefe giue health and nourishment to al young children and graunt them grace to goe forward in nurture and knowledge of thy will Lorde we beseeche thee to showe compassion vppon all such as suffer impty sonment and giue them deliueraunce at thy good pleasure Prouide good Lord for such poore children as are fatherles or helples consider the cause of all
haue vnto thine hands praying thee to direct me by thy grace wisdome to the bestowing it according vnto thy will In the name of thy sonne Iesus Christe to whome with thee and the holy ghost bee continuall laude and prayse for euer and euermore Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A short prayer to the like purpose OH God almighty the gyuer of all good thinges the onely stay of mankinde their guide and comfort giue grace vnto mee thy seruaunt that as thou hast blessed my store and increased my wealth in somuch as I haue not onely that which may suffice mine owne necessary want but haue also sufficient to releeue others in neede Driue from mine heart all naturall desire of more and giue me a will to distribute and according to the aboundaunce of my wealth to feede the hungry cloth the naked and to doo all thinges els which thou requirest of them on whom thou bestowest thy blessinges to the furtheraunce of godlines and not to liue to my selfe and for my selfe onely but to the helpe of all that want my furtheraunce That laying vppe a good foundation in the ende I may leaue the world willingly and purchase through Jesus Christ thy kingdome eternallie Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A prayer to be sayd of a woman with childe As Eue thy Grandame causde thy thrall Pray to the Lord case it he shall For as by Eue thy thraldome came Christ Iesus since to â—ase the same PRay that GOD may mittigate the paines of your trauaile which by reason of the transgression of your Graundmother Eue God hath pronounced to be great saying vnto her and in her vnto you all in sorrowe Gene. 3. shall you bring foorth Childe And you daily see that th'extremity thereof doth often ende the dayes of manye a sister of yours before that howre healthfull and strong And therfore I thinke it a parte of great wisdome to prepare addresse yourselues against that howre euen to giue vp the ghost for without the mercifull helpe and fauor of almightye God you can not escape death wherefore I wish as many as are in that case to betake them humbly on their knees vnto him in harty praier without whose outstretched arme no womaÌ„s helpe can bee auailable in that behalfe pray therfore pray that God of his tender mercy will vouchsafe you an howre wherin you may be happily deliuered OH mercifull God and omnipotent father maker and Creatour of all thinges who in the beginning haddest placed mankind in most vnspeakable happines where they should haue continued had not our first parents brokeÌ„thy precept and will wherby they procured thine heauy indignatioÌ„ against theÌ„ selues their posteritye for euer so that the earth for their sakes was accursed denying thinges necessary for their vse with out their great labour industry paines and sweat of body And vnto vs the daughters of Eue for her transgression thou haste appoynted moste greeuous paines and torments of body in the trauaile of childbirth saying that in sorrowe and great paynes wee shall bring foorth childe Oh sweete Lord for as much as thou art almighty and bringest all thinges to passe according vnto thy good pleasure and shewest thy selfe in no thing more omnipotent then in the conceyuing forming and bringing mankinde into the world which although it were in the beginning ordeyned most easie by the subtilty of our continuall enemy sathan in causing our first parents to transgresse thy commaundement and to breake thy will by tasting the forbidden fruite it is nowe most painfull greeuous and perilous In so much Oh sweete Lorde as without thine especiall grace fauour and mercy it is altogether impossible to bee brought to pasâ—e our imperfection and feeblenes is such that of ourselues we are not able to endure the least of all the panges and sorrowes that dooth accompany this kinde of trauaile Wherfore sweete Lord mine humble and moste hartie desire vnto thy maiestie is that thou wouldest vouchsafe to extende vnto me and to all women in this my like case thy mercy and louing fauour to mittigate the paines thereof that we may be able patiently to endure and continue the panges of the same at the howre appointed Make that easie and light vnto vs which our desertes haue made burdensome and heauy that the burden wherewith I am now loden may fortunately be deliuered from the shoulders of my weake body Sende vs all good Lorde happye deliueraunce that we may be made ioyfull mothers And vouchsafe vnto me and to all that haue conceiued and be with Childe strength to bring foorth that which thine omnipotencie hath so wonderfully wrought in vs. Be present with vs in our trauailes Oh Lorde helpe vs most mercifull God and mightily deliuer vs. Let thy power might and loue be no lesse manifested in the deliuery then in the forming of thy creature that beeing through thy goodnes made glad and ioyfull mothers we may obteyne our perfect strength againe and liue to prayse and please thee for euermore Amen Oh Lord increase our fayth A short and most necessary prayer alwaies to be sayd of one with child OH Lord whose goodnes we haue offended and deserued infinite plagues looke vpon me and pardon me laye aside thy iustice and shewe thy mercy let me haue the benefit of thine helping hande and not feele the wright of thine heauy hande Fauourably lighten me of this burden in thy good and gratious time and in the howre and instaunce of my deliuery be present with mee Lorde and tender my safety through Jesus Christe Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A thankes giuing to God after the deliuery As God hath now deliuered thee So well thy prayse deserueth hee For if he had not stoode thy freende These panges of thine had wrought thine end FOr asmuch as it hath pleased almighty God of his great goodnes to giue thee good deliuerance and to ridde thee from the great paynes perril wher with thou were euen nowe afflicted Fall down humble and prostrate thy selfe in heart with the reste that are present giuing no lesse vnfeyned thanks vnto his omnipotent maiestie for his holy help in sauing thee then thou diddest or oughtest to pray for his aide happely to deliuer thee and let not the ioy or glad tydings of a son or a daughter born into the world or the departure of theÌ„ so much possesse thine heart but that it may be alwayes ready to gyue prayse o God for thy safe deliuery as did Hannah who being deliuered of a sonne giue harty thankes to God And thinke not that the extreame plunges of the very birthe beeing past thou art presently acquited of al daunger for the weaknes frailty rawnes of your health is many dayes after great And therefore what soeuer thou be tendringe thine owne safety prayse God continually praying for strength and he will giue it thee for vnthankfulnes is a meane to purchace in steeâ—e of Gods fauour his indignation to punish a newe OH almightye
again for our deliueraunce out of thys mortall life And whilest I liue heere vouchsafe mee an vnfeyned desire to be partaker of that his holy institution and through thine holy spirite to leade my life according vnto thine heauenly will in all thinges keeping my body vndefiled as a fitt receptacle for so heauenly foode that my soule may enioy the benefitte of the mistery thereof by saith according to thine heauenly prouidence through Iesus Christ our sauiour and redeemer Amen Oh Lord increase my fayth A deuout meditation or confession of our sinnes with humble request vnto almightye God that he will vouchsafe to establish true repentaunce in our heartes and of his mercy turne away his plagues which we iustly haue deserued for our manifold iniquities Let vs fall downe with weeping eyes With one consent from heart on knees Our sinnes haue so deserued thâ—all Nothing so sure as sodaine fall LEt vs sette as a glasse before the eyes of our heartes the cause of the firste floode which was falling from God working iniquity where in the whole worlde Noe wyth a small number of persons only excepted perished Gen. 6. Let vs likewise call vnto our remembraunce the sodayne distructioÌ„ of Sodom Gomorra with sue and brimstone from heauen for disobeying the voyce of the lord pronouÌ„ced by Lot for their repentaunce wherein we may as it were beholde before hand what will becoÌ„e of vs without our spedy repentance neglecting as we do the words message of the Lord reuealed vnto vs by his prophers prechers threatning plagues to follow our wilful â—eâ—ellion let vs not be like vnto the deaf Adder stopping our eares froÌ„ hearing of our iniquiry which wee embrace with such greedines but like relenting harted Niniuits put on the sackcloth of vnfeined repentaÌ„ce mourning for our many thousand sins with fasting earnest praier froÌ„ the lowest to the high est after the good example of Dauid Iob prostrate our selues in hearte with lameÌ„ting spirits vnto the mercies seat of our good god who as he is not hastye in plaging expecting our repentaunce so will his punishment bee the greater without our harty speedy conuersioÌ„ let vs not therfore be slowe to turne vnto him let vs not deferr from day to day for sodainly wyl the wrath of god come wheÌ„ we think not of it in hys vengance wil be destroy vs vnawares Paâ—â— 7. yet so louing is he merciful that if we cal vpon his name making our prayers vnto him vnfeinedly repenting vs of our sins from the bottome of our harts he will heare vs from his holy heauens receiue vs again vnto hys mercy Esd 10. according to his promise vnto Israell let vs remember the wicked king Achab who humbling himselfe and clothing himselfe in Sackcloth sleeping in heirecloth obteined pardon for his sinnes The mercye of the Lorde is so great towardes them that repent that the examples thereof are infinite in the scriptures VVherefore let vs speedely for sake our sins and more and more growe in hatred therof Eccl 17. vnfeynedly cleauing vnto rightcousnes and holynes of trueth Eph. 4. Repent repent for the kingdome of God is at hand Mat. 3. OH Lorde vouchsafe to poure thine holye spirite into our heartes whereby we may sighe lament weepe and euen rent our hearts at the consideratioÌ„ of the wicked and abhominable estate of this world which is so farr gonne with the child of selfe loue that without thine vnspeakable mercy it is euen at the point to be deliuered into the pitt of eternall perdition wherefore gyue vs grace wee humblye beseech thee from the high est to the lowest from the greatest to the leaste to repent vs of our sinnes and heartily to turne vnto thee whose high displeasure wee haue deserued through our manifolde transgressions whoÌ„ thou hast in respecte of our disobedience pronounced rebels bastards children of the bondwomaÌ„ without repentance barred froÌ„ the inheritance which thy son Iesus Christe hath purchased for all true beleeuers Lord what shall become of vs we haue so much yeelded our selues to the desire of sin walked according to the coÌ„uersatioÌ„ of the olde man which is corruption so far degenerating froÌ„ thy lawes diuine institutions fellowing so much the wil of sathan the lusts of the flesh the vile alluringes of the wicked world that thou hast caste vs off as none of thy children in so much as when wee consider the heauy intollerable burden which by our vnrighteousnes wee haue deseruedly heaped vpoÌ„ our selues in loosing the fauour of so louing and bountifull a father and so sweete a sauior it driues vs into a greate feare and terrour procuring a great dislike and lo thing of our selues for the time but our nature beeing nothing but corruption falleth into a present forgetfulnes of our ende and turneth forthwith vnto his vomitt againe But most louing God euerliuing when the deserued punishments which hangeth ouer our heades shall light and fall vppon vs for the same what shall wee doo It is prepared and it is comming we can not by any deserts of ours but onely by the intercession mediation and desertes of Iesus Christ which neyther auaileth without our true repentaunce auoyde it Mollifie therefore our harde and stony heartes Oh Lorde for the same thy sonne Iesus Christes sake giue vs lamenting spirites endue vs with vnfeyned sorrow for our sinnes and make vs wylling and ready to returne vnto thee our nature beeing so vile and our blindnes so great that we are moste apte euen with great obedience care and dilligence to serue to please and to obey men of Aucthoritye heere in thys world by whose disâ—auour there can aryse but some smal or no hurte or punishment at all And neuer giue our selues or very seldome to the fulfilling of our duties to thee by executing those thinges which thou commaundest vs wherby we breake and forfeit that bande which thy sonne Iesus Christe sealed with his preacious blood vpon the crosse therby confirming for euermore a league and peace betweene thee and such as forsake sinne and cleaue vnto righteousnes and trueth Oh vnhappye creatures that we are who beeing in the very bosome of so louing and so mercifull a God shoulde by yeelding vnto the desires of the fleshe the vanities of the world and the will of sathan bee thruste out of thy presence wherein consisteth all peace all loue all hope quietnes of minde patience long suffering meekenes and all good whatsoeuer But wandring and going astray after our owne corrupt desires what remaineth in vs but strife hatred misbeleefe dispayre couetousnes adultery witchcraft contempt of thy Lawes and all kinde of euill and rest as accursed Lord we acknowledge that sinne iniquity hath gotten the highest roome it sitteth and ruleth in all corners of the earth and righteous dealing simplicity and innocency is condemned of many Roote out therefore good Lorde roote out of our heartes all hautines deceit