and bitternes which descendedst in Iordan vpon our Lorde and Sauior Christ in the likenes of a doue that we may be void of bitter enuie and contention in our harts and haue no roote among vs that bringeth forth gal and wormewood O thou substantial flame proceeding from the brest of the Father and his eternal Sonne lighten our harts with the fire of chaste burning loue thou which apperedst at the feast of Pentecost vnto the Apostles in clouen tongues like fire see vnto our coldnes and comfort vs with thy quickening heate and breathings that we may receiue thy chrisme and annointment O thou ghest of the soule make thee a mansion place within the secret parts of our harts that we may be an house for thy diuinitie which may dwel perpetuallie in our members and neuer depart from vs through our Lorde and Sauior Christ Amen 3. A praier for a stedfast hope BLessed be God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which according to his abundant mercie hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuelie hope by the resurrection of his Sonne from the dead to an inheritance immortal and vndefiled and that vadeth not away reserued in heauen for such as beleeue on him through the confession of the truth which is according to godlines vnder the hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie hath promised before the world began For we are saued by hope But hope that is seene is no hope For how can a man hope for that which he seeth But if we hope for that we see not we doe with patience abide for it For such is the wil of almightie God that we shal not haue saluation as long as we are here in this world but onelie in hope nourishing the same as it were clasped in our armes but then we shal perceiue the same in deede when we depart from hence one daie For hope is the vnseparable companion of Faith. For how can that be hoped for which is not beleeued And this hope depending vpon the promise of God is so certaine as if the thing it selfe were present For God which hath promised to vs saluation is truth and can neither deceaue nor be deceaued Wherefore we beseech thee O eternal Father autor of hope and comfort fil vs with al ioie and peace in beleeuing that we may abounde in hope through the power of the holie Ghost and aboue hope in hope beleeuing may neuer doubt of thy promises but in a sure confidence of hart applie to our selues the remission of sinnes and verilie beleue that we please thee through Christ looking in a certaine and strong hope through sufferance for the saluation of our soules in the life to come And albeit the helpes of our happines appeare not in this world yet let vs retaine a stedfast hope amōg al the terrors and feares of conscience and neuer suffer the same to be taken from vs by any snares of Satan but expecting that blessed appearing of the glorie of the mightie God and of our Sauior Christ which hath giuen himselfe for vs alwaies fasten the same vpon the good things absent and to come O thou onelie begotten Sonne of God which hast loued vs and giuen vs euerlasting comfort hope through grace comfort our harts establish vs in euery word and good worke that we stick not vncertaine neither be tossed betweene hope feare but may hold fast the confidence gedst thy selfe downe from the hiest top of glorie to vtter shame putting on our flesh thy Maiestie being hid and dissembled for a time And so becamest thou obedient vnto thy Father not onelie in obeieng him with greater reuerence than anie other creature else did but also in offering vp thy selfe a sacrifice for sinnes thereby to redeeme vs being bondslaues through pride vnto sin and death to exalt vs to an hope of eternal life and withal by thine example to teach vs and to propose an example of true lowlines and humilitie saieng Learne of me for I am meeke and lowlie in hart We beseech thee through thine humilitie and passion giue vnto vs a contrite spirit a contrite and an humbled hart which thou despisest not O lord For thou art neere vnto al them which are of a trobled hart and wilt saue such as are humble in spirit Thou regardest their praiers giuest to them thy grace and thy secrets are reuealed vnto the lowlie Grant therfore that we following thy footesteps may humble our selues from the hart without hypocrisie Turne our harts that they be not wickedlie humbled after the maner of hypocrites which bow themselues and are sad casting downe their faces towards the earth whose inward parts notwithstanding are ful of deceit O God holie Ghost which art the ruler of our mindes and the giuer of good gifts which not onelie commendest but also commandest vs to haue benignitie lowlines modestie and patience that being clothed therewithal we may endeuour to facion our selues after thee thinking modestlie and soberlie of our selues Gouerne thou our minds that we may be subiect one to another not onelie honoring but also preuenting one another in dooing the same and alwaies applieng our selues to humilitie may seeke thy glorie and the profit of our neighbor Let neither pride nor luxuriousnes haue dominion either in our sence or speech neither let vs lift vp our pecocks feathers nor extol our eielids through arrogancie neither glorie in proude and vaine opinions but by humblenes of minde submitting our selues one to another may thinke others better than our selues and consider what our condition is For man taken from the earth must returne vnto the same and be the heire of wormes and serpents Especiallie our request is that we be not puffed vp in spiritual gifts remooue arrogancie pride from vs that our harts be not lifted vp nor yet our eies exalted neither let vs wade in greater higher things than becommeth vs cause vs to frame and tame our minds like a child newlie weaned which is lowly with his mother Let our minds be weaned like a childe knowing not what pride meanes Keepe the prowde diuel that he prouoke vs not to sinne nor to swel vp through a vaine perswasion of fleshlie righteousnes neither wickedlie to boast of thy gifts abusing them to our owne glorie and contempt of others Suffer vs not to seeme wise in our owne eies Amende this vice ingraffed in vs by nature that no man loue or like himselfe too wel and in respect of himself contemne others hauing not the like or not so excellent gift as he hath Suffer not good wits teachers armed with publike auctoritie to be pricked and tickled with the spurs of pride curiositie to the moouing of idle questions and disputations either through ambition or hatred For that is not the wisedome descending
8. Euening praier on Mondaie O ALMIGHTIE and merciful God thou hast made the Moone for certaine seasons the Sunne which thou hast created knoweth his going downe Thou makest darknes and it is night wherin men betake them to rest cease from their worke and recreate their wearied members through sleepe Thou art the God forming light and creating darknes Therefore in the euening we wil praise thee and going to bed wil giue thee thanks because thou hast kept vs this daie of thine onelie mercie without any merit of ours from al danger and hurt When we are in troble we cal vpon thee and in the euening wil we remember thy mercie and truth which thou hast shewed vnto vs abundantlie Our eies preuent the night watches to meditate vpon thy wonderful things and our studies shal be alwaies of the excellencie of thy Name For thou hast sent from heauen and deliuered vs and hast brought them to shame that troade vpon vs O God thou hast sent thy mercie and truth and taken our soules from the mids of them which compassed vs about Therefore we wil sacrifice freelie vnto thee and praise thy most glorious Name For thou hast deliuered vs from al troble and our eies haue seene our desire vpon our enimies O Lorde God of our saluation daie and night doe we crie before thee when our eies are trobled through griefe and bitternes of our soules we poure out our teares before thee and in this place we humblie beseech thee couer and put out al our offences that as the Sunne of this daie is now downe and hidden so thou woldest also hide al our iniquities and drowne al our offences in the bottom of the sea that they neuer be seene with eies nor come forth into iudgement O our God we blush and are ashamed to lift vp our eies vnto thee For we are not worthie to lift vp our eies vnto Heauen because our sinnes are mo than the heares of our head Our offences haue taken such hold on vs that we are vnable to looke vp We haue sinned O Lord we haue sinned and haue committed iniquitie yea we haue rebelled and departed from thy precepts from thy iudgements We haue not obeied thy seruants which spake in thy Name to our Kings to our Princes and to our Fathers and to al the people of the lande O Lord righteousnes belongeth vnto thee but vnto vs open shame and confusion O Lord thou art iust and al thy works and al thy waies are mercie and truth thou iudgest truelie and rightlie for euer Remember vs and looke vpon vs according to the multitude of thy mercies neither punish vs for our sinnes nor remember our offences nor our forefathers which haue not obeied thy commandements We faint in our mourning we wil cause our bed to swim and water our coutch with teares Our eies be trobled through the griefe of our wickednes and our faces be withered O Lord God of hosts heare our praier O God our protector behold and looke vpon the face of Christ thine onelie begotten Sonne making intercession for vs and winke at our offences Hide thy face from our sinnes blot out al our iniquities Create in vs cleane harts O God and renue right spirits within vs Cast vs not away from thy presence take not thine holie spirit frō vs Restore to vs the ioie of thy saluation and stablish vs with thy free Spirit that we may doe al things according to thy wil and serue thee alwaies with a willing minde O Christ King of glorie we beseech thee blessed Lorde defend vs this night let our rest be in thee graunt vs thy grace that neither much sleepe ouerwhelme vs nor Satan inuade vs nor the flesh betraie vs vnto him and make vs giltie in thy sight Let our eies sleepe but let our harts wake cause thy right hand to protect such as trust in thee O Lord lighten our eies that we slepe not in death that Satan hurt vs not and our enimie saie I haue preuailed against them Watch ouer vs O eternal Sauior least the subtil tempter ouertake vs and we sleepe a perpetual sleepe and wake no more For thou art made our euerlasting helper Keepe vs as the apple of thine eie hide vs vnder the shadowe of thy wings O Lorde that neither ouglie visions nor horrible dreames nor sightes and monsterous apparitions troble vs in the darke In thy Name O sweete Iesu wil we go to bed and giue sleepe to our eies and slomber to our eie lids compasse vs about and raise vs againe to the ioieful sight of tomorrow light and after this miserable life bring vs to the beholding of eternal happines that in thy light we may see light and euermore praise thee raigning worlds without ende Amen 1. On Tuesdaie Morning praier O Almightie euerliuing true merciful God eternal Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which together with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost hast created the frame of this worlde withal things therin conteined and preseruest the same as yet according to thy free pleasure al creatures without ceassing euermore should extol and praise thee that doe euen the very fowles of the aire which earelie in the morning among the thick branches of trees and from the mids of rocks giuing out their sound and flieng about in the aire with most pleasant tunes doe magnifie thee the eternal God Lord and Creator of al things And therfore we men also earelie in the morning shold praise thee for thy benefits and euermore extol thy mercie with diuine commendations Thou hast preserued vs this night passed and from our cradles to this present houre hast thou kept vs safe Thou hast caused vs to come from sleepe and darkenes vnto the light of this daie and from our beds through thy benignitie we doe arise in safetie Hadst not thou O Lorde bin present with vs and watched vs the insatiable crueltie of Satan had deuoured vs Hadst not thou kept our houses and vs the keeper of the Citie had watched in vaine If the Lorde had not bin on our side when men rose vp against vs they had then swallowed vs vp quicke when their wrath was kindled against vs then had the waters of troble drowned vs and the streame of miseries had gone ouer our soules yea the swelling merciles waters had gone ouer our soules Blessed be the Lorde which hath not giuen vs a praie for their teeth Our soules are escaped euen as a bird out of the snare of the foulers the snare is broken and we are deliuered Our helpe is in the Name of the Lorde which hath made both heauen and earth Now harken therefore vnto our words O Lorde marke our crie vnderstand the voice of our praier our King and our god For vnto thee Lorde
we wil praie heare our voice in the morning Earelie wil we stand before thee and behold thy fortitude and Maiestie looking for thine assistance with a woonderful desire O God and gouernor raise vs vp earelie earelie we saie liâ—t vp our eares to the hearing of thee our instructor Open thou our eares that we rebel not against thee neither yet go backwarde but let thy voice sound in our eares make them obedient vnto thee that we be not obstinate like the serpent neither hardened like the deafe adder which stoppeth his eares but let them be open to heare thy Lawes and testimonies and harken alwaies vnto the crie of the poore that the morning light may rise vnto vs and our light breake foorth as the daie and our health spring vp sodeinlie Againe shut vp our eares hedge them in with thornes and put bars vpon them that they neither admit nor allowe false doctrine and that they turne not from the truth to fables and other follies But thou O our God and Creator which didst plant the eare hearest al things make the same with a willing and readie minde to obeie thee our maker and Redeemer Heare vs Lorde for thy louing kindnes is good turne vnto vs according to the multitude of thy tender mercies stop not thine eare from our sighing and from our crie Incline thine eare O Lord and heare vs for we are poore and needie Haue mercie on vs O Lord because we crie vnto thee al the daie long Let vs heare thy louing kindnes in the morning which is better than al riches yea than life it selfe make vs to heare ioie and gladnes that the bones which thou hast broken may reioice We beseech thee O eternal God by the incarnation and natiuitie of thy Sonne Iesu Christ that through thy worde entering into our eares and mindes thou wilt transforme vs into new men and be borne of thee and as new borne babes may desire that milke not of bodie but of the minde which knowes no deceipt whereby we may growe and taste how sweete thy promise is vnto the godlie which embrace the same through faith and that laieng aside al malitiousnes and guile and al dissimulation and enuie we may walke as children but in vnderstanding may be perfect And being thus regenerated kepe vs O eternal God both this day and at al times from euil tydings that our eares heare no rumors of wars nor be terrefied by any greeuous chance Fil vs in this houre with thy fauor that al this daie reioicing together we may delight in thy praises through our Lord Iesus Christ which liueth and raigneth with thee for euermore Amen 2. A thankesgiuing vnto God for our Sanctification O God the holie Ghost which proceedest from the Father and the Sonne and with them art worshipped and glorified in the vnitie of the true and eternal Deitie and art also the substantial amitie betweene the Father and the Sonne We worship thee we praise and glorifie thee and with our whole hart we thanke thee for al thy benefits especiallie for calling vs by the voice of the Gospel vnto the Christian congregation for illuminating vs with thy gifts for sanctifieng vs with a stedfast faith and for keeping vs hetherto in the same For by the font of the wholesome lauor that is by the water of holie baptisme being poured into vs thou dost continuallie worke in vs regeneration and renuing of the inwarde man. Harken we beseech thee vnto our supplication teach vs miserable men which by the proper strength of our only reason caÌ„ by no meanes trust in or approch to Christ our Lorde and Sauiour teach vs O our God what thy pleasure is and leade vs into al truth For without thine assistance none can saie that Iesus is the Lord. O blessed light fil the inwarde partes of thy faithful without thy grace nothing is within man which is not hurtful Wash that is filthie water that is drie heale that is wounded bow the obstinate cherish the frozen and reclame them which wander Giue to thy faithful trusting in thee the reward of wel doing the entrance into happines and euerlasting comfort Thou in thy giftes seuenfold which art the Spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisdome vnderstanding the spirit of counsel strength the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord inspire into vs through the preaching of the Gospel thine heauenlie wisedome about thine essence and diuine pleasure which is hid from the world Grant that we may know the Father and the Sonne by thee and may alwaies beleeue that thou art the spirit of them both and so worship one God in trinitie and the trinitie in vnitie whose wil is that not one should perish but be conuerted and liue and that as many as beleeue in the Sonne should haue euerlasting life For the Father sent the Sonne not to condemne the worlde but that the worlde through him might be saued O Lightener of the minde poure vpon vs thy new light and purge the horrible darknes of our minds so that we may see and knowe our chiefe Father whom pure eies onlie doe behold O thou heauenlie comforter giue vnto vs a testimonie grant vnto our minds a token of the certaintie of our beliefe so that wee doubt not neither wauer about thy diuine goodnes toward vs. Make our harts quiet and secure that with a ful trust and confidence we may approch to the throne of thine heauenlie grace receiuing by adoption the right of children and inflamed with spiritual ioie in al boldnes and libertie may crie Abba Father Thou which art the earnest of our inheritance to the redemption of the promise and art effectual by thy worde and Sacraments signe our harts with the seale of thy promise whereby we may haue the same and retaine it surelie in our harts through thy deede Thou most faithful Aduocate strengthen vs against al the assaults and tentations of Satan so that we may neuer doubt of thy diuine prouidence and predestination whereby we are chosen and called in Christ vnto euerlasting life and neuer being stroken with a seruile feare and oppressed with dreadful doubtings may in a rage flie and forsake our God. O surpassing comforter leaue vs not destitute of thine aide and patronage but vouchsafe euermore to be present with vs in our crosses and trobles least otherwise we faint But rather make vs to reioice in tribulations knowing that a crowne of life is laide vp for such as loue him O thou teacher of men instruct vs how and what we ought to praie for according to thy wil that we may be heard and make thou intercession for vs with sighes that cannot be expressed O thou clenser of the hart giue vnto vs the simplicitie of minde without gal
in supplications praiers night and daie being diligent in al good works not occupied in pleasures neither wanton idle wandering from house to house no tatlers nor busiebodies no speakers of things vncomelie nor giuers of occasion whereby thy worde may be blasphemed Keepe al parents that they being taken awaie either by war or vntimelie death their wiues be not widowes their sonnes orphanes running here and there a begging be thou their helper euen for Christ his sake our Lord and Sauior Amen 7. A praier against desperation O Most merciful God greatlie haue we sinned and alas are guiltie of manifolde crimes For this cause diuerslie is our conscience clogged so that we are wonderfullie agast beholding such bloodie wounds of our soules And albeit thy Gospel dailie doth offer vnto vs in good sooth forgiuenes of our sinnes through thy meere grace yet our faith is maruelouslie weake by reason of the infirmitie of our flesh and dailie batterings of Satan which by craft endeuoureth to plucke vs from al hope and consolation Therefore vnto thee doe we crie O most holie Father and eternal God keepe vs in thy Name that in tentations and extremities â–ª we neuer faint in courage Moderate and mitigate our vexations let them come to a ioieful ende that we fal not into the most heinous sinne of incredulitie and despaire Comfort vs that in the middes of death we may trust in thee the God of our life and righteousnes Let vs neuer despaire of thy mercie grace nor thinke with Cain that blasphemous cursed wretch that our sinnes are mo than may be forgiuen O staie vs Lord according to thy word and we shal be safe Let vs alwaies beleue that where sinne aboundeth grace doth more abounde and as sinne hath raigned vnto death so that grace doth raigne through righteousnes vnto eternal life by Iesus Christ our Lord. O Christ Sauior of the world and most gratious God whose mercie commeth vpon vs like a streame art the eternal Orator which both outwardlie talkest to mankinde by thy Gospel and inwardlie in our harts inflamest thy light which is true confession faith and comfort in thee we beseech thee from the bottome of our harts encreâ—â— faith establish hope 〈…〉 then patience within vs. For this certainelie is tru 〈…〉 one little drop of thy most 〈…〉 blood shed for vs is of more power to saue vs than al our enormous manifold sinnes to condemne vs. Wherfore looke back vpon vs O Sauior with thine eies of mercie as thou lookedst back vpon Peter in the hal of the hie Priests house after he had both renounced thee and cursed himselfe least through diffidence we fal from thy grace as Iudas the traitor did which hoong himselfe and afterward brake in the middes whereby al his bowels gushed out and so commit the like offence and sinne against the holie Ghost O God the holie Ghost be thou present with vs at our extreeme neede when the Diuels wil accuse vs and our conscience beare witnes against vs when the cogitations of hel and death wil daunt vs when we shal be enuironed with horrible dangers and tentations when the whole world wil forsake vs and al 〈…〉 ings set themselues against vs 〈…〉 n our harts O comforta 〈…〉 at that time with the seale 〈…〉 stimonie that vndoubtedlie 〈…〉 n beleeue the forgiuenes of sinnes the resurrection of the flesh and euerlasting life which shal be giuen without faile to vs and to al beleeuers O blessed Trinitie and eternal God of one essence giue grace that in euerie combate and especiallie at the point of death being mindful of thy couenant made with vs at our christening and of thy most comfortable promise annexed He which beleeueth and is baptised shal be saued we may neuer doubt either of thy merciful goodwil toward 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 perpetual happines and applie thy benefits which certainelie thou hast promised faithfullie wilt performe vnto our selues For thy promises made to such as beleeue trust on thee be not vaine and to no purpose Likewise vpholde our soules by the Sacrament of thy Supper that strengthened with the seale of this newe testament wee may be the more certaine and confirmed touching our reconciliation and euerlasting righteousnes and alwaies beare it fixed in our minds For if the testament of a man which is proued after the death of the testator be not smal accounted of much more should the last testament and holie sacrament of our Sauior Christ remaine pure in continual force and remembrance O blessed Trinitie and eternal Vnitie lift vp our sorowful harts and poure vpon vs the wholesome comfort of heauenlie blisse at the point of death refresh vs with the sweete sight of thy cheereful countenance that with exceeding ioie we may desire to depart to come into thine heauenlie house where thou liuest and raignest a God for euermore Amen 8. Euening praier on Saturdaie WE wil coÌ„fesse thee O Lord King and praise thee O God our Sauior we giue thankes vnto thy Name For thou art our defender and helper and hast preserued our bodies from destruction and from the snares of the slanderous tongues and from the lips that are occupied with lies Thou hast bin our helper from such as stoode vp against vs and deliuered vs after the multitude of thy mercies and for thine holie Name sake from the roaring of theÌ„ which were readie to deuour vs out of the hands of such as sought after our liues and from the manifold afflictions which we had from the deepe of hel from an vncleane tong from lieng words from false accusations and from vnrighteous sentence Our soules shal praise the Lorde vnto the death For our liues drew nigh vnto hel downeward Euils enuironed vs on euerie side and there was no man to helpe vs We looked about if there were any man to succour vs but there was none Then thought we vpon thy mercie O Lorde and vpon thine actes that thou euer hast done of old For thou deliuerest al which put their trust in thee and riddest them out of the handes of their enimies Then wee lifted vp our praiers from the earth and praied for deliuerance from death We called vpon the Lord the father of our Lord that he would not leaue vs without helpe in the daie of our truble and in the time of the proude We wil praise thy Name continuallie yeelding honor and thanks vnto the same For our praiers were heard and thou hast saued vs from destruction and from al euil Therefore we wil acknowledge and praise thee we wil magnifie thy Name for keeping vs from our youth vntil this present weeke and for protecting vs alwaies of thy gratious mercie Righteous
and heresies ouerflowe Wherefore wel may I say as did Nestor vnto his children Praie for vnles that God helpe vs we al perish Furthermore our couenant made with God at our Baptisme whereby we promised to forsake the Diuel al his workes c. to beleeue al the articles of the Christian faith and to keepe Gods holie wil and commandement c. shoulde driue vs therevnto For neither can Satan be resisted nor our faith manifested nor GOD duelie honored without praier Finallie omitting al other reasons which are infinite the shortnes of our life the suddaines of Christes comming his seuerenes in iudgement when he is come should make vs not slightlie to ouerpasse this noble exercise For what auaileth it though in this worlde we abounde in wealth excel in honor haue al thinges according to our harts desire and then when Christ shal returne we are founde vnreadie and so lose our soules Happie therefore is that seruant whome the Lorde at his comming shal find watchfull and happie are those Virgins which expect the bridegroome with oyle in their lamps But that euil seruant which shal saie in his hart my Lorde wil long be a comming and so begin to smite his fellowes yea and to eate and drinke with the dronken his Lord wil come in a daie when he looketh not for him and in an houre when he is not aware of and shal hew him in peeces and giue him his portion with hypocrites there shal be weeping and gnashing of teeth and those virgins which are careles and secure accompanie not the bridegroome to his wedding but are excluded out of the gates and heare I knowe yee not The waightines of these reasons Honorable haue especialie mooued me through the earnest request of some which for their godlie zeale I loue vnfainedly and reuerence did greatlie prick me forwarde to bring these diuine Meditations I cal them diuine partlie because they are of diuine matters concerne the glorie of God partlie for that they procede from a diuine spirit but in this respect chiefly because they are wholy as fewe or no other praier Booke is that I knowe taken out of the pure fountaines of the diuine Scriptures of the right learned and vertuous of famous memorie Maister Iohn Auenar into our English tongue A booke certes most necessarie in respect of the extreeme securitie wherein we liue Gratefullie it hath bin accepted hetherto in the Latine and Germane tongues and now by the working of Gods holie spirit shal profite verie much if it be vsed as it should be that is if the vser thereof praie Religiouslie in faith charitablie being voide of rancor and malice zealouslie with an ardent affection of the minde and humbly without pride 1 Faith is necessarie For without faith it is impossible to please God. Therfore onely the faithful doe praie For how can men cal vpon him in whome they haue not beleeued It is sinne whatsoeuer is not done through faith Therefore the praier of infidels is no praier but hypocrisie and a damnable abuse of good words neither can it obtaine any thing at the handes of God according to that of Saint Iames He which wauereth let him not thinke that he can obtaine any thing from God. 2 Charitie is necessarie For we must praie one for another and for our enimies as our Sauior doth counsaile vs saieng When ye stande praieng forgiue if yee haue ought against any man that your Father also which is in Heauen may forgiue you your trespasses c Againe the spirite of God saith Forgiue thy neighbor the hurt that he hath done thee and so shal thy sinnes be forgiuen thee also when thou praiest A man that beareth hatred against another how dare he aske forgiuenes of god He that sheweth no mercie to a man which is like himselfe how dare he aske forgiuenes of his sinnes c. and for al men as may appeare in the first Epistle of Saint Paule vnto Timothie 3 Zeale is necessarie For what is praier without the same but a verie babling and vaine multiplication of words yea there is no praier where this affection is not For praier is a vehement desire of the hart to obtaine something at the hands of god God loketh not vpon the face as man doth but beholdeth the hart neither doth he listen to the sounde of the mouth but to the sighes of the minde After this manner doe Christians praie their affections are bent towardes God they alwaies hunger and thirst after righteousnes 4. Humilitie is necessarie For vpon whome shal my spirite abide saith the Lord but vpon him which is of a lowlie spirite The praier of him which humbleth himselfe goeth through the clowdes Much better is it for a sinner to be humble than for a righteous man to be arrogant as may appeare in the Pharisie Publicane It remaineth now that as the Auctor of this Booke choase for patrone thereof not for any defence that it needed but because others the more willinglie woulde reade and accept the same being dedicated vnto an honorable person gratious in the eies both of the Nobilitie and baser sort the mightie Prince Lorde Augustus Duke of Saxonie c. so mooued thervnto by the singular fame of your honors most virtuous inclination I present the same now translated for what other paines I haue taken I spare vpon good considerations to vtter vnto your honor beseeching you to accept this my doing in good part as my hope is you wil and then I doubt not being graciously receaued of so worthie a person but gratefullie it wil be vsed of the better sort for whose sake I haue published the same God almightie which is the father of lights mercy and consolation from whom euery good gift and euerie perfect gift doth proceede blesse your honor as with accesse of temporall benefits so especially and aboue all with encrease of his heauenlie blessings that long you may liue a godlie Counsailer to our virtuous Queene a profitable member to this Realme of Englande a speciall fauorer of the Church of Christ and a famous aduancer of his truth and glorie to your euerlasting comfort and felicitie Amen At London the tenth of October An. D. 1579. Your honors to commande Thomas Rogers ¶ A Preface of Maister Iohn Auenar Doctor of Diuinitie and Publike Professor of the Hebrue tongue in the Vniuersitie of Witeberge taken out of his Epistle before his Booke of daily Praiers dedicated to the most mightie Prince and Duke Augustus High marshal of the Romane Empire c. THe chosen vessel of God Saint Paule in his former Epistle vnto Timothie doth exhort that first of al deprecations supplications intercessions and giuing of thankes be made for al men For Kings and for al that are in auctoritie that we may leade a quiet and peaceable life in al godlines
thee and may be thine properlie abiding in thy kingdome serue thee with a willing minde in righteousnes and true holines so that at length in the latter daie we may rise againe with our bodies vnto a blessed life and so both in bodie soule being redeemed from al euils in perpetual blisse happines may triumph with al thine holie Angels Patriarches Prophets and al thine elect and endued with vnspeakable and euerlasting ioie may praise thee our Sauior which hast ascended aboue al the heauens sittest at the right hand of God the Father almightie with whom thou liuest and reignest for euermore Amen 3. A praier for Faith. O Eternal God and heauenlie Father which art Alpha Omega the beginning the ending thou art the cause and absolute perfection of our life and saluation the euerlasting and infinit good from whom proceedeth euerie good giuing and euerie perfect gift to wit from the Father of lights with whom is no variablenes neither shadowing by turning We beseech thee in the Name of our Sauior Christ thy Sonne that through thine holie Spirit thou wilt plant in our harts a true knowledge of the same thy Sonne and keepe vs therein euermore make it plentiful and prosper euerie daie that replenished with the knowledge of thy wil in al wisedome and spiritual vnderstanding we may walke worthie the Lorde pleasing thee in al things being fruitful in al good works and encreasing in thy knowledge strengthened in al might through his glorious power vnto al patience and long suffering with ioiefulnes and may abounde in faith and word and knowledge and al diligence For this cause we bowe our knees vnto thee Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ of whom is named the whole family in heauen in earth that thou wilt grant vs according to the riches of thy glorie that we may be strengthened by thine holie Spirit into new men that Christ may dwel in our harts by faith being rooted and grounded in loue may be able with al Saints to comprehende the true knowledge of thine essence and wil according vnto thy word reuealed No man hath seene thee O God at anie time neither hath anie behelde the countenance of thy Maiestie For no man knoweth the Sonne which is of thy verie substance but thou the Father alone neither hath any knowen thee but the Sonne he to whom he doth reueale thee Wherefore we beseech thee of thine infinit goodnes and mercie draw vs vnto him let him bring vs vnto thee Giue the knowledge of saluation to thy people by the remission of their sinnes through thy tender mercie that in thy Sonne we may find righteousnes euen remission of sinnes reconciliation and newnes of our mindes through the holie Spirit whereby we may become heires of eternal life being iustified by the grace of Christ in whom we beleeue which was offered for our sinnes For he taking our punishment vpon himselfe did satisfie thy iustice fullie and washed vs by his pretious blood from al our iniquities and reconciled vs in the bodie of his flesh through death to make vs holie and blameles and without fault in thy sight Make vs therfore strong in faith and constant to resist al the ingins of Satan and proceeding from faith to faith to attaine that righteousnes which is auaileable before thee by the redemption which is in Christ Iesu whom thou hast appointed to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood that iustified by his grace we may haue peace of conscience and free accesse vnto the Father Holie and merciful God we humblie beseech thee which hast raised in vs the sparkles of true faith make perfect this good which thou hast begon in vs and bring it vntil the daie of our Lord Iesu Christ wherby abounding more and more in knowledge and in al iudgement we may allow the better and be pure without offence vntil that daie filled with the fruite of righteousnes which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glorie and praise of God. Wherefore appoint thy strength establish O God which thou hast wrought in vs that fighting a good fight we may retaine faith a good conscience least vnder persecution and aduersities being tossed we make shipwrack of our faith Helpe our weake and feeble faith which is like the graine of mustard seede within vs that encreasing dailie more and more it may take deepe roote and remaine firme alwaies and immoueable and neuer vanish awaie among so many sectes and diuisions in this worlde Extinguish al the doubtings of thy wil sticking in our corrupt nature let vs not mistrust thy promises of eternal and temporal benefits but applieng thy promises vnto our selues alwaies giue credit vnto thy worde and so depending wholie therevpon contrarie to al sense of humane reason we shal obteine a crowne of immortal glorie Grant likewise heauenlie Father that our faith be not barren vaine or dead without good workes and fruites of the Spirit but effectual working by charitie that we may receiue the ende of our faith euen the saluation of our soules and behold thee whome we now see by faith as it were in a glasse darklie in another world looking vpon thy Maiestie face to face in Christ our Sauior our Lord and God Amen 4. A praier for the Kingdome of God. MErciful and gratious God which hast called vs vnto thy kingdome and glorie and of thy fatherlie and good pleasure enioined vs this care that first and afore al things we should seeke thy Kingdome and the righteousnes thereof We beseech thee through and for thy Sonne our Lorde and Sauior Christ his sake teach our weake minds gouerne our wil and harts that without inuerting this thine appointed order we may first seeke that thou maiest shine within vs apprehende thy righteousnes by a true and liuelie faith and be vnited vnto thee our eternal King. Grant therefore that thy worde may be preached euerie where plainelie and purelie without fraud and that we may cast downe al our imaginations and euerie hie thing that is exalted against thy knowledge and leade our vnderstanding captiue to the obedience of the worde which thou hast deliuered and obey thy Gospel in al simplicitie of faith according to the good plesure of thy wil to the praise of the glorie of thy grace Assist vs O our Father which art in heauen that both thy word may be purely and sincerely preached we thereby as becometh the sonnes of God reformed in our liues Giue vs thine holie Spirit that we may beleeue thy word through thy grace and so leade a godlie and virtuous life in this worlde and liue hereafter with thy sonne in eternal blisse Breake thou of and hinder al the consultations and deuises both of the diuel the worlde and the flesh which do neither sanctifie thine
from aboue but earthlie sensual and diuelish For where emulation and strife is there is sedition and al manner of euil works Grant therefore that al of vs being humble may be exalted to eternal life Amen 5. A praier for wedded folkes O Most holie God and mercisul father which of thy singular prouidence and woonderful wisedome diddest ordaine matrimonie in Paradyse and that in the time of innocencie for the multiplieng and conseruation of mankinde thereby to gather vnto thy selfe continuallie out of godlie families an holie catholike church which may rightly acknowledge serue and celebrate thine holie name for euermore and deliuer the true vnderstanding of thee vnto posterities by one generation to another This thine institution did thy Sonne God coequal with thee and coeternal confirme and adorne in Cana of Galile by turning water into good wine A notable honoring of mariage doubtles for Christ not onlie to be present himselfe at the nuptial feast but also to set out the same with the first myracle that he wrought after his natiuitie Likewise thy holie Spirit doth witnes by the worde deliuered vnto vs and saith that mariage is honorable among al. And the same thy Spirit reioiceth in three things which are commended both before God and man in the concorde of brethren in the loue of neighbors and in a man and wife that agree wel together For such as be at variance can neither cal vpon thee as they should nor please thee as they ought O eternal God it is sufficientlie apparent with what a rage and insatiable hatred Satan the most deadlie enimie to al thy works doth labour and set himselfe to the breaking of and ouerthrow of this thy sacred ordinance Wherefore we beseech thee impart thy fauor vnto al maried folks that they may acknowledge thee to be the autor and institutor of this knitting together in wedlock and knowe and beleeue stedfastlie that they are in a good estate wherein they may please thee through christ thy Sonne For hauing this comfort they wil more willinglie and cheerefully discharge the duties of their calling in true confidence and calling vpon thy Name But such as doubt of their kinde of life hauing their conscience wounded trobled minds can neither cal vpon thee truelie nor cheerefullie go about and finish their affaires Grant therefore vnto al and euerie married bodie that in true faith and confession they may retaine the indissoluble chaine of wedded state and the strong bonds of godly fellowship that they may loue one another and in the sweate of their browes eate their bread and bring vp their children in al godlines through instruction and information of the Lorde and neuer feare the crosse which accompanieth this kinde of life Worke so that Satan by no meanes weaken and ouerthrowe this thine ordinance nor that married folkes wearied with the trobles of wedded life raise mortal hatred among themselues and so detest and abhor this thine holie institution seeke vnlawful diuorcements For by this engine of incredulitie and snare of mistrust being comprehended they wil easilie rush headlong into enormous offences by casting of the yoke of the Lorde and be carried through dissention into horrible cōfusions of concupiscence to adulterie whoredome wicked forsakings so long til polluted with filthie spots and defiled with most horrible staines they bring themselues hedlong into euerlasting torments Grant therefore O most merciful God that al at debate may come to amitie and be reconciled in thy Name and being mindful of the knot of mariage and mutual bond betweene them may dwel and liue peaceablie together in true faith and feare of thy Name That husbands abusing their auctoritie doe not exercise tyrannie ouer their wiues but rather loue them and dwel with them according to knowledge giuing honor vnto them as vnto the weaker vessels euen as to them which are also heires of grace and life Likewise that matrones contemne not their husbands denieng subiection but rather studie by chaste obedience and holie conuersation and lowlines to ouercome them Let neither hate other extremelie and so violate the state of mariage and bring themselues out of thy fauor through their discorde and contention wherby their praiers be interrupted For where neither part doe their dutie there must needes ensue first pouertie subtiltie lieng and al impietie afterward a wounded conscience and last of al vtter despaire O most chaste God which didst therefore institute the order of matrimonie that by the same both the weake nature of mankinde might liue purelie in lawful wedlock and an holie Church be gathered vnto thy selfe giue thy blessing to al which are married that they may haue godlie children their wiues proue like the fruiteful vine and their children appere like the oliue branches round about their table and may see their childers children the peace safetie of the Church the which Christ thy Sonne repairer of mankind by taking our flesh vpon him hath copled to himselfe which liueth and raigneth with thee in the vnitie of the holie Spirit a God for euermore Amen 6. A praier for yong folkes OMost merciful God and eternal Father which out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength of thy praise and wilt also that yong men and maidens old men and children should praise thee the eternal God in true confessing inuocating and celebrating of thy diuine maiestie through al generations for euermore Thou hast enioined vnto children that they shewe due honor subiection and reuerence to their parents and obeie them willinglie in al good and lawful things We beseech thee on the behalfe of al infants children and yonger sort as wel maidens as of the male-kind implant in them a true fear o◠thy Name that from their youth they may confesse thee to be the onelie true God and Iesus whom thou hast sent to be Christ and encrease daily in this wholesōe knowledge profiting as in yeeres so in fauor both before thee and men Let them not cast of the yoake of obedience and subiection neither yet abuse the gentlenes of their parents and elders vnto libertie of sinning nor by their hardnes and austeritie conceaue an hatred against them and refuse their correction but make them pacientlie to take the warnings and discipline of their parents in good part to the glorie of thy Name and saluation of their owne soules O Christ louer of mankind which cōmandest children to be brought vnto thee and receiuing them into thine armes in token of a singular and deere good wil laieng thine hands vpon them didst blesse them We beseech thee which for our sakes wast borne an infant and didst shed thy most innocent blood vpon the altar of the crosse aswel for infants as for elder folkes blesse thou al infants and children impart thy grace vpon them that they may feare thee and haue their parents in great reuerence according to thy wil which
nature the children of wrath and of death aliens and strangers from the testaments of promise hauing none hope and without God in the world but now are fellowe Citizens with the Saints and of the housholde of GOD built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophetes Iesus Christ being the head corner stone which sustaineth the whole building by his word of power Heare vs thy seruants making supplication for such as yet haue not heard the sound of thy Gospel neither knowen thy Name but sitting in darknes and in the shadow of death haue their minds darkned and are alienated from the life of God by the ignorance that is in them and are carried away vnto dumbe Idols and fained Gods euen as they are led and runne to worship that which is no God. Giue grace that thy word may be knowen among them and preached in euerie land and the sound thereof go out into the endes of the worlde that thou also maist be found of them which sought thee not and famous among such as neuer asked after thee Send forth thy worde that they may be healed walke no more in the vanities of their minde O God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ King of glorie giue them the Spirit of wisedome and reuelation through the confessing of thee lighten their mindes that they may know what the hope is wherevnto thou hast called vs and how precious the glorie is of thine inheritance in the Saints and how excellent the greatnes of his power is toward vs which beleeue according to the working of his mightie power which thou hast wrought in him when he was raised by thee from the dead and placed at thy right hand in heauenlie places aboue al principalities and powers Open the harts of vnbeleuers that hearing thy word they may acknowledge thee the onelie true God Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent and may worship thee the Father in the Sonne the Sonne in thee the Father with the holie Ghost euen as thou hast reuealed thy selfe Take the vale from the harts of the Iewes least being blinded in the reading of the old Testament they stumble at the stone and rock of offence by incredulitie and hardnes of their harts that thy Sonne Christ crucified and preached be not vnto them a stumbling block and thy Gospel the sauor of death vnto death but that being conuerted by true faith to the knowledge of thee the Father in the Sonne their face being vncouered they may behold thy glorie knowing by the writings of the Prophets the Messias which thou hast appointed to be the Sauiour of the world Likewise gather thou the Gentils to whom thy Gospel the word of the crosse is meere foolishnes into thy Congregation that they may embrace thy mysterie casting of al fleshlie wisedome and leade al their cogitations captiue to the obedience of the Gospel Moreouer our praier and supplication is not onelie for those aboue mentioned but also for such as either although they resist not thy truth and pure religion openlie and obstinatelie professe our religion yet mingled with manie superstitions and abuses worshipping and calling vpon Saints departed out of this life or be addicted to outward ceremonies and rudiments of this world burdening their consciences with mans obseruations and traditions of their fathers or trusting to their owne righteousnes or rather to the workes and deedes of the flesh refuse and make little account of thy righteousnes which is the true iustification and go about to establish their owne righteousnes But Christ is the ende of the Lawe for righteousnes to as manie as beleeue And an other foundation can no man laie than that is laide in thy Sonne the Messias which is the waie the truth the life and the ende of the Lawe For by his perfect obedience and fulfilling of the Lawe by his innocent and bitter death he hath restored vnto vs true saluation and perfect righteousnes that euerie one which beleeueth on him might not perish but haue euerlasting life O God the sight of the blind bring them home againe which through ignorance either are entangled in doubtful labyrinthes and grosse errors or countenance polluted religion that lightened by thy spirit they may returne into the right waie And such as with impudent faces and stiffe necks do obstinatlie with an affected ignorance withstande thine holie Spirit whose senses the God of this worlde hath blinded that the light of thy glorious Gospel shine not ouer them represse bridle their malice that by slaughters persecutions they nether troble nor destroy thy Church Amen 6. A praier for our benefactors O Merciful faithful and louing God rewarder of al good workes Forasmuch as ingratitude is the most odious detestable vice of al the which both thou doest abhor no wise man can abide as a thing deseruing infinit paines and rigorous punishment For he which rendreth euil for good euil shal not depart from his house And the hope of the vnthankful shal melt away like the winter ice and flow away as vnprofitable water We beseech thee giue vs grateful mindes alwaies remembring benefits receiued least forgetting the merits exhibited vpon vs we fal into the filthie and abhominable fault of ingratitude But gouerne vs with thine holie Spirit that we may alwaies giue thanks vnto thee a most bountiful God for such benefits as thou hast bestowed not vpon vs onelie but vpon al mankind For creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs being sinners forlorne and condemned for deliuering vs from sinne death and hel by the most holie and pretious blood of thy deere Sonne for bestowing thy righteousnes thine holie Spirit and euerlasting life vpon vs for conseruing our soules and bodies safe and sounde finallie for giuing and that abundantlie al such things as are necessarie for the sustentation of this life and besides for thy merciful protection against al dangers al which thou doest of thy meere mercie and Fatherlie goodnes without any merits or worthines of ours And therefore we wil extol thee O God of our life and yeeld thanks to thy Name O most hie For thou art gratious and thy mercie endureth for euer We wil giue thee thanks O Lord among the people we wil sing to thee among the nations For the greatnes of thy mercie reacheth vnto the heauens So infinite and great are thy benefits conferred vpon vs O Lord that we are vnable to conceiue them in our minds Notwithstanding our mouthes shal speake of thy righteousnes and saluation for we know none end thereof What recompence shal we make to the Lord for al the benefits that he hath done vnto vs We wil take vp the cup of saluation and cal vpon the Name of the lord We wil pay our vowes vnto the Lord in the presence of his
thy gentlenes heape vengeance vpon my selfe against the daie of vengeance Make me to confesse my sinnes and that with hartie sobs so thou being a faithful and iust God wilt pardon al mine offences clense me from my sinnes and wilt not disdaine to accept me into fauor when I doe not refraine to acknowledge my wickednes Moreouer poure into me a true and liuelie faith that I neuer mistrust thy worde annexed to the Sacraments which promiseth vnto mankinde the remission of sinnes For to eate or drinke with the mouth onelie is to no purpose but faith must come therevnto and apprehende the worde with the promises annexed For they are the groundes and principles of this sacrament So that whosoeuer giueth credit to these words Which was giuen and shed for you in the remission of sinnes the same man hath that which is promised by them namelie eternal life and saluation For where the remission of sinnes is there likewise righteousnes life and saluation is But he which doubteth of these wordes he without doubt is an vnworthie receiuer and commeth vnprepared For the doubting man neither eateth thy flesh spirituallie nor yet drinketh thy blood though carnally and to our eies he seemeth to consume the sacrament of thy bodie and blood with his teeth and mouth but his damnation rather Not because thy supper is poyson but for that an euil man taketh a good thing naughtilie Finallie also grant that receiuing this thy Sacrament of the newe Testament I may put of according to the former conuersation the old man which is corrupt according to the lusts of error and be renued in the spirit of my minde putting on the newe man which after God is created in righteousnes and holines of truth And albeit my nature be such that I cannot liue without spots of wickednes yet so blesse me that I may neuer offende willinglie but altogither depending vpon thy goodnes whose manner is to pardon the true penitent sinners may boldelie approch to thine holie supper Especiallie seeing we haue libertie to enter into the holie place through the blood by the newe and liuing way which thou hast prepared for vs through the vaile that is by thy flesh And seeing we haue an high Priest ouer the house of God make vs to draw nigh with true harts in assurance of faith sprinkeled in our minds from an euil conscience and washed in bodie with pure water cause vs to holde fast the profession of our hope without wauering for he is faithful that promised and let vs consider one of another to prouoke vnto loue and to good workes not forsaking the assemblie of the faithful as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as we see the daie approching Amen Another praier before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Christ the onelie mediator betweene God and man which of thine ardent and vnspeakeable good wil tookest our flesh vpon thee to become a sacrifice and raunsome for al mankinde and for the better conceauing of that thy benefit didst ordaine before thy paineful passion a perpetual memorie of thy loue and that by erecting a couenant of the newe Testament which testifieth of thy presence merite power and mercie washing awaie dailie the sinnes of beleeuers And the more effectuallie to cōmend the depenes of this mysterie didst ordaine this Sacrament in thy last supper being euen readie to go frō thy Disciples vnto thy passiō the more depelie to fixe it in our harts that it neuer slip out of our minds but dailie in faith feare and reuerence be recorded and remaine according to thine holie institution whole and perfect without adding or diminishing from the same For though it be but a mans testament yet if it be confirmed and prooued by the death of the testator no man diminisheth or addeth therevnto Vnto thee doe I crie O Sonne of God which art partaker of our flesh and bone of our bones beseeching thee from the bottome of mine hart that it woulde please thee to giue me grace that with an earnest desire and due reuerence I may couet to receaue thy supper and therin thirstinglie to seeke for the nourishment of my soule Remooue from mine hart al loathing contempt and curiositie of prophane men which set thēselues against thee and proudlie despise this thine institution like vnto dogs despising holie things and vnto hogs treading most precious pearls vnder their feete Lift vp my minde that in feare and trembling in faith and spiritual comfort I may approch to the worthie receiuing of thy precious bodie and blood not as hypocrites doe which hide and dissemble their sinnes neither as epicures despising both thee and thine holie ordinance And therefore stir vp in me an vnfained desire of this heauenlie nourishment that from thee the bread of life and fountaine of saluation I may draw vital iuice to the quickning of my soule In which communion thou bestowest vpon beleeuers both the merits of thine obedience and passion and also thine other benefits whatsoeuer Besides inwardlie thou dost replenish vs with newe and celestial ioie in quickening comforting teaching and gouerning vs that so we may haue and get our strength frō thee euen as the branches drawe their iuice and force to fructifie from the vine Lighten therefore the eies of mine hart that I may knowe what the hope is wherevnto we are called and what the riches of our inheritance are in the Saints and what exceeding greatnes of thy power and mercie is hid in this supper and how vnspeakable be the riches of the glorie of this Sacrament whereby thou communicatest to al and ech of thy faithful together with thy bodie and blood al the treasures of thine heauenlie goodes to be receaued by faith For thine holie and blessed mouth hath saide I am the bread of life which came downe from heauen he which commeth to mee shal not hunger in any wise and he that beleeueth on mee shal neuer thirst And the bread which I shal giue is my flesh which I wil giue for the life of the world O most sweete bread heale thou the palate of mine hart that I may taste the sweetnes of thy loue heale me of al mine infirmities that I delight in no fairenes besides thee O most heauenlie whight bread containing within thee al comfort and the perfect sweetenes of al sauor which doest alwaies refresh vs let mine hart eate thee and with thy pleasant sauor let al the bowels of my flesh be replenished O thou bread of life which camst downe from heauen and giuest life to the world come into mine hart and purge me from al filthines of the flesh and spirit enter thou into my soule heale and sanctifie mee both within and without Be thou the buckler and perpetual defence of my soule and dodie that I may come vnto thy kingdome the right