thy honour and glory for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Another in time of Warre The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that feare him and deliuereth them O LORD GOD of Hosts that hast heretofore sundry times miraculously defended vs wee beseech thee shew thy selfe in this needfull time blesse and preserue vs who haue reposed our trust onely in thee Blesse our Armies abroad which are ioyned together for the defence of thy truth and the safety of our country sanctifie vs likewise at home to please thee that whatsoeuer they or wee doe it may prosper Be present and president at all their consultations and giue thou the casting voice in all determinations Suggest heroicall motions into the heart of their Leaders banish all heart-burnings and diuisions and assist them with the spirit of vnitie and concord that they may striue all one good way Marke them wiser then their enemies yea giue them more experience then the aged better intelligence and more sound aduertisements then their foes Lord annoint their shields blesse their swords hallow and consecrate all their weapons and engines of warre with happy successe to doe thy will Blesse the season of the yeare vnto them and sweeten the close ayre in their multitudes that neither Sunne nor Moone annoy them nor alteration of dyer or place disable them from their seruice Command the winds and Sea to fauour them and let the Land speake peace vnto them O Lord disappoint the counsels and power of thine enemies and make a ioyfull peace for thy seruants through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen ⧠A Prayer for Comfort to sicke persons Come and let vs returne vnto the Lord for hee hath torne and hee will heale vs hee hath smitten and hee will binde vs vp O Most GRACIOVS God and louing father which giuest health to make vs the better to acknowledge thee and thy liberalitie sometimes sendest sicknesse to recall vs thereby when we haue sinned against thee wee humbly beseech thee for this and all thy seruants thus afflicted not to enter into a seuere iudgement with him for his life past but in remembrance of thine owne mercie to forgiue him his sinnes and vpon the satisfaction of thy sonne to acquit him of thy iudgement O Lord grant him a true zeale and affections agreeable to thy will that he may rightly receiue the gracious offers of thy great mercy Qualifie all the troubles which either the grieuousnesse of his sinne remembred or the bitternes of his pangs susteined the subtiltie of Sathan or the feare of death may bring vpon him and lay no more vpon him ô Lord then he shall be able to beare Speake comfortably vnto him as thou hast done vnto all those that haue sought for their bodily health at thy hands Dispose and mooue his heart to receiue this fatherly correction and gracious visitation with the patience of Iob the faith of Abraham the courage of Peter and true submission to thy blessed will either for life or death and though that his outward senses the tongue and voice be not so quicke as they haue been to praise thee and pray vnto thee yet Lord we beseech thee stirre vp his heart in flame and inspire his minde to performe all such things as thou requirest and may be profitable for the soule in this combate Apply ô Lord the holy and wholesome medicines of thy Sonnes Passion death and Resurrection vnto the soule of this poore creature against the extremitie of feare faintnesse doubt and desperation Take away the extreamitie of his paine mitigate his sorrowes make his bed wipe all teares from his eyes and ease his carefull conscience Comfort him at the houre of his departure open vnto him the gates of mercie open thine armes to receiue him into thy fauour that hee may goe to the graue in peace being vpholden by thee in the assurance of a free pardon for all his sinnes and the hope of a ioyfull Resurrection In the meane time ô Lord settle his spirits that they doe not wander or flie out into any vnruly motions Continue his remembrance that hee may not forget thee but dayly and hourely haue thee in mind which art the anchor of his safety Keepe his tongue from all vaine and idle talke his heart from all feares and protect him safe vnder thy wings Be mercifull vnto vs who as feeling members of one body adore thy holy Name and implore thy diuine helpe for this thy seruant and let this example teach vs more humilitie feare reuerence towards thee now and euer Heare our prayers ô Lord for Iesus Christ sake Amen ¶ Another for comfort to the Sicke The Prayer of Faith shall saue the Sicke and the Lord shall raise him vp and if he haue committed sinnes they shall be forgiuen him OH LORD God which both in SICKNES and health hast appointed vs to pray one for another promising a blessing in greatest extreamities we poore sinners present our selues before thy Maiestie in the behalfe of this thy poore seruant that lyeth visited vnder thy hand Good Lord we beseech thee seale in his heart by thy holy spirit the forgiuenesse of all his sinnes Let the sweet feeling and taste of a liuely Faith distaste all the filthy corruptions that are in him that his body and soule may be presented pure and vndefiled vnto thee in the blood of thy Sonne LORD lay not to his charge what hee hath said or done amisse throughout all the whole course of his life but reale him vp in hope speake comfortable vnto his soule and lead him by thy Spirit vnto the treasures of thy mercy Take from him the feare and sorrow of death raise the siedge of his spirituall enemies that are round about him and giue him strength against all the assaults of the deuill that he may haue a perfect victory Let the knowledge of thee which hee hath learned since thou didst call him stand him now in stead and relieue his faith that hee may haue true repentance and yeelde vnto thee due obedience harty thanks for whatsoeuer thou shalt doe O Lord giue vnto him a taste of thy glory and those ioyes which thou hast prepared for him that in the comfort thereof hee may fight a good fight keeping the faith when the time of his departure shal come willingly forsake this present euill world and liue with thee for euer Graunt this O Lord for IESVS CHRISTS sake our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer before a Man vndertake a Iourney by Sea or land So they tooke their iourney and the Lord went before them by day in a piller of clowd to leade them the way by night in a piller of fire to them light both by day and night O Lord God thou Keeper of Israel who preseruest our going out and our comming in into thy handes I commit my selfe and all that I haue whether I be at home or abroad
sake Amen A short Prayer for the Euening I Thanke thee O Father for thy gracious protection of me this day I beseech thee keepe me also this night vnder thy wing that I resting in thee may finde such comfort and strength both in body and soule as may enable mee to the performance of my duty Grant this I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake my onely sauiour in whose name I further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer to God the Father as a Preparatiue to the Meditation ensuing O Gracious Lord almightie and euerlasting God the father of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ who was borne at Bethlem in great pouerty Graunt me I beseech thee a roome among the wise men of the East to offer the poore talent of my weake deuotion vnto him all the dayes of my life euen a true Faith for pure Gold the perfume of deuout Praier for sweet Frankincense and hearty Sorrow with bitter Teares of Repentance for dropping Myrrhe And because hee came into this world in such humilitie yet furnished with such a measure of loue that hee was content for my sake to be laden with the burthen of all our infirmities to carry our sorrowes to vnder goe a world of iniuries and miseries and at the last in a shamefull death to offer vp himselfe in Sacrifice to thee for my redemption vouchsafe me thy Grace that I may pick vp some Crummes vnder his Table and gather vp some fruits at the foote of his Crosse that when I haue seene what Iudas sould the Iewes bought what Iudas lost and I haue gained I may bathe my soule in the purple streame of his most precious blood and then entombe him lay him vp in a beleeuing heart vntill his glorious appearance So that all the dayes of my life being washed as the Apostle saith being sanctified and being iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of my God I may neuer be without sorrow for my Sinnes thankfulnes for thy Benefits feare of thy Iudgements loue of thy Mercies nor remembrance of thy presence Amen A Meditation or Prayer vpon the Life Death and Passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O LORD Christ Iesus Sonne of God thou holy mighty wonderfull God and Man who art the life of the liuing and the death of Death and therefore both in life and death aduantage Whose life for my sake was feebled with naturall infirmities and death caused by violent sorrowes yet thy life milde and thy death qiuet I beseech thee giue mee a fleshie heart to weepe and shedde teares downe my cheekes if not for thy paines who didst sweat drops of blood trickling downe to the ground afterward dyedst for my sake yet for my sins which then bred thy sorrow and now worke my woe Lord I know that for me the tempest of thy Fathers anger and fire of his wrath was stirred and kindled against thee wherfore now with the wise men of the East and all the Iewes I come to seeke thee in the Stable at Bethleem and in Mount Caluarie At Bethleem where the Manger was thy Bed to be borne in in Mount Caluarie where the Crosse was thy Bed to dye on In Bethleem where a handfull of Straw was the pillow for thy sacred Head to rest on in Mount Caluary where a crowne of Thornes and a number of Nailes pierced and fastened both head and body In Bethleem where course swadling clothes were thy best Roabes and in Mount Caluarie where thou didst hang naked in much miserie I come to adore thee to prayse thee to pray thee that as in thy life time thou wast content to be bred borne brought vp in manifold infirmities to strengthen our frailtie and to demonstrate the truth of thy Humanitie and then at thy death to disarme thy selfe and to be broken with them for the discharge of our Captiuitie the assurance of our accesse to the Throne of grace So thou wilt bee pleased as a gracious King to holde out thy golden Scepter of mercy to my fearefull conscience that I may come neere to looke into thy wounds to sue for compassion and pardon to taste of thy goodnesse who am a sinnefull wretch full of corruption and manifold infirmities 2 O sweet Iesus how shall I recount the large seuerals of thine innocent passions from thy poore Natiuity to thy guiltles death From thy bloodie sweat and heauie agonie in one garden to thy strange buriall in another How can I thinke of thy labours in preaching thy wearinesse in trauailing thy watchfulnesse in Praying thy temptings in fasting thy teares in pittying and not confesse more iustly of thee then Dauid did of his Ionathan Very kinde hast thou beene vnto mee thy loue to mee was wonderfull passing the loue of women Was it not inough euen for loue to mee to be cloathed with the vaile of flesh but that thou must be compassed with the shadow of death Was it not inough to become Earth Earth Earth but thou must become also Woe Woe Woe The God of heauen to become the Sonne of Man The Lord of life to bee made the childe of death The Maister to be turned to be a Seruant and from a Seruant to be counted a bad Seruant No proofe brought and yet scourged without measure No Inditement found and yet crucified without mercie Oh the beloued of the Lord ran through Bryars of Passions Oh the holy Lambe was betrayed carried away bound condemned consorted with malefactors and Theeues and like Ionas plunged in the maine depth of sorrowes and swallowed vp of the whale of death O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vpon mee 3 O Lord Iesus it is the ioy of my heart that thou hast taken and borne all mine infirmities All spirituall and corporall true euidences of thy humanity but no impediments to thy Charitie All of Soule all of Body and yet neither deformed in fashion nor distempered in passion nor tainted with any guilt of sinne Thy soule heauie to the death shall bring my soule to life I should neuer haue beene heartily merry except thou hadst beene painefully sad and grieuously sorrowfull I should neuer haue beene verily satisfied except thou hadst truely hungred and thirsted I should neuer haue beene deliuered from feare and absolutely bold except thou hadst naturally feared O thou euer-glorious God the consolation of Israell and the hope of all the ends of the earth relieue my carefull Conscience that am sadde disordered and disturbed in minde for feare of thy iudgements and because I haue displeased so gracious a God and louing Father Oh neuer let my soule be ouertaken with feare so farre as to dispaire nor ouerwhelmed with the Sea of thy wrath nor apparailed with the suggestions of Sathan But let it alwayes heare the voyce of thy Blood speaking better things then the blood
other plea I trust in them alwayes without wearines therfore I beseech thee grant mee mercifull audience Mercifully heare mee O Lord mercifully heare me O Lord God First I extoll thy infinite goodnesse and mercy together with thine eternall wisedome and truth that thou hast protected me all this night past and made me to rest and sleep so quietly and securely vnder the shadow of thy wings And I beseech thee from the bottome of my heart to protect me this day with thy mighty hand from all dangers both of body and soule Giue thy holy Angels charge ouer mee to keepe mee in all my wayes driue away from mee the euill angell and deadly enemie remooue all offences of this world Mortifie and kill in me all carnall lustes vnlawfull pleasures and euill affections that they may haue no dominion or raigne in my mortall body giue me a contrite heart to bewaile my former life and let me find comfort in thy mercy for the remission of my sinnes Sanctifie me O holy Father this holy day with thine especiall grace that I may honour thee as a Creator loue thee as a redeemer expect thee as a Sauiour and that I may haue modest cariage in my behauiour true deuotion in my Prayers and reuerent attention to heare thy sacred word and so vnlocke the eares of mine vnderstanding that I may obserue learne and imbrace such things as are necessary for mee to the better confirmation of my faith in Christ Iesus and the saluation of my soule by his blood Rayse mee O Father by the power of thy sonnes resurrection from sinne and iniquitie and giue me spirituall rest in the communion of Saints that hereafter when I shal leaue this world I may keepe the euerlasting Sabbath with thee in the Kingdom of Heauen Behold O Lord I knock at the doore of thy mercy for all these graces with all the powers of my strength soule and mind beseeching thee to continue vnto mee the right vse of all the powers and faculties of the same and to send thy holy Spirit to beare witnesse to my Spirit that I am thy child and shall be heire of thy Kingdome with Christ Iesus our Lord and through his merits for whose sake I beseech thee to grant all those things all that I haue prayed for Amen Noone A prayer for the Ministers of the Word O Lord Iesus which hast coÌ„manded vs to pray for labourers to the Haruest we beseech thee send painefull Ministers into thy Church Endue them with such wisedome and speech as the aduersaries may not be able to gaine-say Open vnto them the doore of doctrine giue them the spirit of boldnesse that they may faithfully dispense thy Mysteries and speake thy Word freely Take away all contentions and differences from among them Make them examples to those that beleeue in soundnesse of Doctrine and purenesse of life And because the rule of our life depends vpon thy word in their mouthes blesse them with all graces fit for their calling that wee may giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy Name for euermore Amen Sunday Euening Prayer Gen. 18. 27. 30. Behold I haue taken vpon mee to speake vnto my Lord. Oh let not my Lord be angry and I will speake OH eternall God and merciful Father from the bottome of my heart I giue thee continuall thanks that of thy mercy thou hast nourished mee preserued me by thy power gouerned me by thy word and holy Spirit this day all this weeke yea at all other times of my life hitherto and I most humbly beseech thee in the merits of Christ Iesus my Sauiour not to respect mine vnworthines but to couer bury all my misdeeds in his graue which I haue either wittingly or ignorantly done especially O Lord those which in this weeke past I haue committed in thought word and deed against thy Diuine Maiestie Water ô Lord the seed â—f thy holy word which I â—aue receyued this day â—ith the dew of thy grace â—hat with sound iudgeâ—ent and godly deuotion â—may put in practise such â—hings as I know to be â—leasing to thy diuine Maâ—estie and that my heart â—eing alwayes obedient to â—hy Commandements â—he feare of mine enemies â—aken away from mee I â—ay passe my time in â—eace holines through â—hy gracious protection Be mercifull vnto me â—O Lord forgiue the euill â—hat I haue committed supply the good which I haue omitted restore what I haue lost heale my sores clense my filthinesse lighten my darkenesse and alter the whole state of my minde that nothing may be wanting to good purposes in mee O LORD stretch out thy hand ouer me and of thy wonted goodnesse defend me this night from all euill keepe me from fearful wicked dreams vnprofitable cares vaine cogitations and outward violence preserue my body from eternall death reserue my soule from euerlasting damnation Compasse me about on euery side with thy grace inwardly and outwardly that when I shall eyther take care for things of this life or carefully seeke for those things which appertaine vnto the Kingdome of Heauen I may heare the voyce of thy holy spirit sounding in my heart from the mouth of the Apostle My God shall fulfill all your necesstties through his riches with glory in Iesus Christ Grant O Lord these and all other graces meete for me euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour In whose Name I further pray vnto thee saying that Prayer which thy Sonne in his Gospel hath taught vs Our Father which art in Heauen c. Munday Morning prayer Blessed be God which hath not turned away my prayer nor his mercy from me O Heauenly Father and Almightie God which beyond all measure hast vnlocked the treasures of thy fauour and blessing vnto mee from time to time I most heartily thanke thee forthe sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which I haue taken this night through thy gracious preseruation of me and now O Lord I consecrate my soule and body to thy seruice this day againe and euer hereafter desiring that my prayer earely now this Morning may haue accesse vnto thee O Lord I pray thee blesse preserue and keepe me this day by thy power from sinne shame and all euill and so direct mee with thy grace that all my thoughts words works may please thee Stand I beseech thee between me and mine enemies bodily and ghostly And as thou hast now raised vp my body from a sound and heauie sleepe so deliuer my soule from the dead sleepe of sinne and the darkenes of this world Helpe O Lord the creature which dependeth vpon thy prouidence only Further my businesse that I may truly walke without sinne and safely worke without danger in that vocation whereunto thou hast called me in this life O Lord Iesus haue mercy vpon me miserable sinner pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes negligences and ignorances Remember not mine obstinacies and haue compassion vpon mine infirmities Set thy
cheereful light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations likewise the silent night that then they may returne thanks vnto thee for thy benefits and so rest their wearied limbes and busied minds I sinnefull creature giue thee thankes for the totall summe of all this thy goodnes whereof I haue beene this day partaker through thy mercy O Lord looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy iust anger conceiued against mee and forgiue what hath beene amisse in mee this day euen for his sake who is thy welbeloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Root vp the thornes of mine euill inclinations and affections and in their place make the fruites of vertue spring Inflame my heart with the desire of heauenlie loue that I may keepe thy commandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and mine neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith and holines all the dayes of my life to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestions of the wicked spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy spirit Let thine Angels pitch their Tents round about this house for defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleep may be quiet vnto me without griefe or trouble Preserue me mine both in body and soule from al dangers which may come either by foolish dreames noisome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt Nature Waken me againe O Lord in due time and let mee behold the light of the next day prepare me to thy seruice euery day in all truth and sinceritie that when I haue run the race of this life thou mayest be pleased to call mee to be partaker of a better that so I may liue and raigne with thee euermore through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Wednesday Morning prayer Cause mee to heare thy louing kindnesse in the Morning for in thee doe I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walke for I lift vp my soule vnto thee O Blessed GOD and merciful father the Sun of the world neuer going downe which bringest forth nourishest and refreshest all things both in heauen and earth I most humbly thanke thee that thou hast preserued me this night and euer hitherto vnder thy protection suffering mee to liue vntill this present houre that thou hast succoured and defended me in all my needs necessities and hast prouided so graciously and mercifully for mee Now I beseech thee ô Lord not to abridge the hand of thy mercy toward mee but let the spring of thy grace flowing from the sanctuary of thy goodnes arise to all the parts of my soule in such proportion as may be for thy glory and my comfort Mortifie O my God all corrupt affections in mee and pardon my innumerable sinnes Fill me this day with thy grace that I may spend it to the honour of thy Name Set a Watch before my mouth and order my lippes that I may vtter nothing vnaduisedly either before thee or men Keepe my sences within their limits direct my will to that which is good and order my iudgement for the accomplishing of those things that appertaine to my vocation O Lord defend me from all shame and disgraces shield me from al violence and guide mee safely from all perillous dangerous wayes Make mee as thy Spouse inwardly and outwardly prepared by thy grace to bee presented a pure Virgine vnto Christ Display vpon me thy banners of loue spred abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost that with the eye of Faith I may beholde and see the Crosse of Christ and his sacred wounds the comfortable price of my redemption and stand so fast in this Christian warfare that nothing make me yeeld to the temptations of the Diuell O Lord so strengthen mee with thy grace in this vale of miserie that all my outward members may follow the direction of my heart and my heart being sincerely dedicated vnto thee I may serue thee in holinesse and Righteousnesse all the dayes of my life for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer to God the holy Ghost O Holy Spirit the Authour and giuer of life which hast guided me thus farre this day and guarded me from manifold euils I praise thee I blesse thee I glorifie thee for thy great mercie Continue thy goodnes towards me I beseech thee though I deserue it not inspire my minde with holy motions conuert me from euil confirme me in al that is good Comfort mee thou comforter when I shall haue most neede Cleare the stormes of temptation and inflame the coldnesse of my zeale with the fire of thy loue Lead me into all truth and reclayme mee when I goe astray Oh prosper the works of my hands bring mee safely from all dangers to the end of this day for Iesus Christs sake Amen Wednesday Euening Prayer Withhold not thy tender mercies from me ô Lord let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth alwaies preserue me O Lord God thou who art my life the length and strength of my dayes I most heartily thanke thee for keeping mee this day from manifold dangers both of Body and Soule which might iustly haue fallen vpon mee Nowe I humbly beseech thee bring not into iudgement what I haue done amisse this day but mercifully pardon the escapes and offences of the same Forgiue and forget O LORD all mine idle and vaine words and impute not my foolishnes vnto mee Destroy in me the kingdome of sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the world the vaine delights of the flesh Lord into thy hands I commend my selfe euen soule and body this night and euer Lighten my darkenesse that I sleepe not in death defend me that no euill happen vnto me Take not thy holy Spirit from mee but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the Tempter shall come with his assaults I may be furnished with the shield of faith to quench his fiery darts Comfort me ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull to my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let thine vnspeakeable mercy preserue me thy endles sweetnes reioyce mee thy heauenly truth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden me and thy goodnes keep me now for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the Morning in perfect sense good health and for the same be thankefull vnto thee carefully betake mee to my vocation calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Thursday Morning Prayer The Lord
bodyes the Temple of the Holy Ghost giue me grace this day and euer to crucifie the flesh with al the affections and desires thereof to bring it in subiection vnto the Spirit Quench the flames of all carnall desires in mee abate the heate of lust and let me not be led away by any wanton company I know my members are the members of Christ sanctifie me I beseech thee that whether I be married or liue single I may auoyd all vncleannes and alwayes know how to possesse my Vessell in holinesse and not in the lust of Concupiscence for Iesus Christs sake Amen Friday Euening Prayer It is good for mee to draw neere vnto God I haue put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy workes O Eternall GOD my mercifull and louing Father in Christ Iesu our Lord I render vnto thy Maiestie due praise and thankes for thy fatherly goodnesse in protecting mee this day from many damages and daungers which might haue happened vnto mee and now I beseech thee to keepe and protect me this night me and all those that depend vpon mee that we be neither disquieted by dreams nor afraid of any terrour Haue mercy vpon mee O God haue mercy on mee and of thy wonted goodnesse forgiue mee all my transgressions especially those which I haue committed this day against thy holinesse shew mee the light of thy countenance and let me finde comfort in the remorse of my conscience Blesse mee ô Lord and water mee with the dewe of thy blessings and let the drops of thy sonnes blood shed for my sinnes and yet crying for mercy distill into my heart by a liuely faith for the comfort of my soule and the amendment of my life I beseech thee O Lord take from mee all manner of darkenesse misbeliefe infidelitie carnall lusts and affections so strengthen me with thy grace that the Barke of my weake Faith sinke not nor I be ouerturned by the stormes of Sathan the waues of wickednesse nor the tempest of a biting Conscience Enter thy iudgements in the Tables of my heart that I may be content to spare of my ordinarie sleepe and be more earnest vpon the meditation of thy sacred word then the kings of the Nations haue beene to turne ouer their records in the night season Bee mindefull of mee when I happen to forget my selfe and thinke vpon me sleeping and waking Graunt me ô Lord this freedome and liberty that I may lie downe in peace and rest and rise vp againe in due time safely to the honour and glory of thy Name and the managing of my worldly businesse in thy feare through Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Saturday Morning Prayer The Lord will command his louing kindnesse in the day time and in the night season his song shall be with me and my Prayer vnto the God of my life OH IMMORTAL and euerlasting God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ I thy vnworthy seruant beseech thee to accept this my Morning Sacrifice of prayse and thankes due vnto thee alone for protecting me with thy mighty hand from the feares of this night past refreshing my weary body with naturall and kindely rest and herevnto I humbly intreat thee to ioyne thy further grace for the rousing vp of my slothfull and sluggish nature that I may arise from sinne and walke in the way of thy Commandements with all chearefulnesse this day and euermore Pardon O Lord I beseech thee the euils and abhominations of my life and conuersation Cut off the rootes boughs leaues and fruits of the euill tree of my heart put away the inward lusts doubtings and denying of thy prouidence with all those grosse and out-ward sinnes which I haue committed daily against thee and giue me a sure hope of euerlasting life that alwaies while I am in this world I may haue the tast and feeling of it in my heart Giue me grace O Lord to shun and auoid all those things which thou either hatest or hast no pleasure in Take from mee a proud looke and a deceitfull tongue bloody hands and a heart any wayes giuen to wicked imaginations Keep me this day from all perils that may come vnto my soule and body either by Sathan himselfe or his Ministers Blesse my senses and vnderstanding that in all things I may heare and speake reason and suffer me not I beseech thee to speake thinke or doe any thing this day but that which may please thee be answerable to my vocation and tend vnto the aduancement of thy glory and the health of my soule O Lord I pray thee send thy blessing vpon all my labours and giue me a mind to helpe them that haue neede according to my abilitie And so prepare my heart in all my businesse that I may alwayes begin it in thy Name and goe forward in thy feare and finish it with thy blessing that whatsoeuer I shall doe it may prosper Grant this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake our onely Mediator and Redeemer Amen Noone A Prayer for Patience O God which art the God of Patience and consolation to the Patient stay my vnbridled nature this day and euer from all discontentednes of minde and furious actions Giue mee grace to take in good part whatsoeuer doth befal me and let my heart acknowledge it to be the Lords doing and not by chance Quiet my minde in the manifold disquietings of this world and open mine eyes that I may see helpe in thee Preuent all that is against mee and all that falleth out turne to the best for mee Thy will be done and graunt mee patience for Iesus Christs sake Amen Saturday Euening Prayer I will praise thee for I am fearefully and wonderfully made Meruailous are thy workes and that my soule knoweth right well HOnour and praise be vnto thee Oh Lord most high and immortall GOD for thy gracious goodnesse and mercie extended to me this day and alwayes notwithstanding all my wickednesses which cry daily against mee and mine enemies that would swallow mee vp I beseech thee ô Lord continue thy gracious and mercifull fauour vnto mee let the shadow of thy wings be my couer thy Holy-ghost my comfort thy holy Name my Rocke and defence against all feare and trembling which may ouertake mee this night or any other time Forgiue me all that is past euen all the euill that I haue done or thought and graunt that I may euer hereafter serue and please thee in holinesse and newnesse of life Be thou my shield defence against the suggestions illusions and temptations of Sathan and all the allurements baits of the flesh with all alterations prouocations changes chances of the world Sanctifie mee with thy grace that my body may be kept vndefiled as the Temple of the holy Ghost and my soule defended cherished and tendered as the apple of thine eye O good GOD the Sunne is gone downe the Webbe of this day is almost spun and the
night at hand Blesse me I beseech thee this night and take mee into thy custodie saue me waking keepe me sleeping that I may both sleep and wake in peace and safetie Prepare me O Lord for the day following the holy sabbath the hallowed day of thy rest and my great dutie and then so vnlocke the mysteryes of thy holy word vnto mee that I may therein learne the lessons of thy glorious Maiestie and mine owne mortalitie Graunt me ô Lord such grace as I may make a right vse of all things and that the hearing of thy word the good examples of thy seruants agreeing with the rule of thy word may bee both as a bridle to restraine me from sin and a spurre to set me forward to all holinesse of life and conuersation in this world O Lord grant mee these all other good things euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the Morning O Lord God most mightie mercifull Father I vnworthy creature acknowledge mine owne vilenes naturall corruption and abhominable sinnes many times committed against thee I beseech thee admit mee to render thee my bounden thankes for thy manifold mercies extended towards me this night past and all other times of my life for my rest and sleep my food and rayment my health peace and liberty and the hope of a better life in the merites of thy Sonnes bitter passion Now deare Father I beseech thee to continue thy mercifull fauour vnto me this day and euer hereafter Forgiue me all mine vnthankfulnes vnkindnes and prophanenes towards thee thy word and seruice or towards my Neighbour Set all my sinnes ouer to that reckoning which thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord hath made vp for them vpon his Crosse neuer lay any of them to my charge but freely forgiue and forget all O Lord strike my heart with thy rod that I may alway be furnished for a true and vnfained repentance that I may not be blinded in my sinnes to delight in them or to think that thou wilt not respect my vntowardnesse but that I may be weary of them grieue for them and by all means possible striue to attaine to a true mortification of the flesh and so liue holily and iustly and soberly in this present world O good God I humbly intreat thee leaue me not to my selfe mine owne lusts and desires but assist mee with thy grace to hearken vnto thee and thy word to passe my time in feare and trembling as an obedient childe of so good a Father Blesse me Lord this day and prosper all that I shall take in hand let mee haue all my directions from thy will and the successe from thy mercifull hand Giue mee a competent stay for the maintenance of this mortall life Continue may food and rayment health peace and liberty that I may with a quite minde thankefull heart passe my time in this vale of miserie doing good to all men after mine abilitie without disgrace to my selfe or harme to any one Grant these good things most mercifull God and all other needefull graces not onely vnto me but vnto all thy deere children in the world to the good of our soules and bodies for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer for the Euening O Eternall GOD and most mercifull Father I doe confesse against my selfe that my heart and hands are full of all filthines and sinnes whatsoeuer and I am altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuerthelesse beeing so much bound vnto thee as this day past and all other times of my life doe witnesse I offer vnto thy holines by the hands of Iesus Christ my Mediator my humble dutie of praise and thanksgiuing for my creation election redemption vocation and sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord my tongue and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubins for preseruing me this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereinto I might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entred into iudgement with mee But Lord thou art mercifull passest by my offences to winne me by thy long sufferance I beseech thee make mee thankfull for all thy mercies O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes graunt me euery day more and more the sight and feeling of them with heartie sorrow and vnfained repentance for the same Giue mee grace to belieue all the sweet promises that thou hast made vnto mee in Christ Iesus both for the remission thereof and the hope of a better life strengthen me from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way without feare and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in my life and conuersation all the dayes of my life Arme me O Lord with thy grace and holy spirit against all the common corruptions of the world the temptations of the Diuell and the allurements of the flesh and settle my minde to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publike and priuate Continue thy goodnesse towards mee in prouiding for mee such things as are necessarie for the maintenance of this present life and blesse the same vnder my hand that the little which I haue may be increased and the increase may serue as well to furnish my necessarie vses as to minister vnto the necessities of others according to mine abilitie Keepe mee Lord this night from all euils which may happen either vnto my body or my soule Extend thy goodnesse toward all those that depend vpon me or I on them Giue me quiet sleepe and rest and when I shall awake let all my thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse me O Lord all the nights and dayes of my life and at the end thereof send me a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall Graunt me these good things most mercifull father and all other needfull graces for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I further call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father c. Short Prayers for Morning and Euening by I. F. 1581. A short Prayer for the Morning GOD of Light who hast preserued mee and brought mee from the darkenesse of this night shine into my heart this day and euer by thy blessed and holy spirit that I may be enlightened and ledde into all Truth that I may walke faithfully as the childe of light before thee casting away the workes of darknesse in the place that thou hast set me doing and performing diligently those things that thou hast required of me either to the praise of thy name or to the comfort of my Brethren Graunt this good Lord I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs
royall Issue and Familie Blessed bee thou O Land when thy King is the Sonne of Nobles O Almighty God king of all kings the Fountaine Rule and stay of all Soueraigntie wee most humbly thanke thee that thou hast not left vs vnto our selues to doe what seemeth best in our owne eyes but hast set ouer vs a Noble Wise and gracious King thy seruant Iames our supreame head next vnder thee Lord make all thy good to goe before him day and night vphold his Crowne maintaine his State giue him continuall peace long life and much happines Endue him with wisedome and vnderstanding to do such things both in the Church and Common wealth as may be acceptable in thy sight profitable to his subiects and hurtfull to none that loue thy truth Mercifully heare him in all his petitions and effectually worke for him in all dangers in the day of battell in his greatest consultations in the time of his recreations in the plots of Treason and in the houre of death Make vs thankfull for all thy preseruations of him both at home and abroad in this kingdome and else where Blesse preserue and keepe him together with his royall Queene and the noble Prince Henry his sonne and the rest of all their hopefull Issue that as they are like Oliue branches to his comfort round about his Table so they may be as the tall goodly Cedars for the defence of this kingdome from all euill Let him still imbrace the truth and manfully mainetaine it against all treacherous plots and sinister perswasions distasting as he hath alwayes done both alteration of religion and toleration of another Let thy power alwayes goe forth with his armies and giue them glorious victories Banish from his Court all priuie foes forraine and domestical and keepe him from al sort of dissemblers Let not our sinnes O LORD prouoke thee to shorten his dayes and depriue vs of thy good blessings but conuert vs to thy good will and pleasure and giue him the crowne of old age long and long to continue in the wayes of righteousnesse O holy Father giue him such excellent gifts as be fit the Maiestie which he beareth that hee may be in faith like Abraham in courage like Dauid in wisedome like Salomon and in hearing good and euill as an Angell of GOD. Enrich his Counsell and Nobles with wisedome loyaltie and fortitude and make his seruants that stand before him in their seuerall places with all other subiects as so many lines drawne to one Center that their hearts being tyed vnto him they may be alwayes fearefull to offend willing to obay and faithfull to accomplish whatsoeuer may stand with thy glory our Kings honour and the good of the Common wealth for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord Sauiour Amen ¶ Another for the same Let Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giuing of thankes be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authoritie O Almighty GOD which hast the Kings heart in thy hand as the riuers of waters and turnest it whithersoeuer it pleaseth thee we humbly beseech thee to keepe thy Vniuersall Church and our Common-wealth with peace and prosperitie in thy worship and Seruice Giue O Lord grace vnto our most Noble King Iames that hee may loue honour feare and serue thee that he may onely put his trust in thee Indue him with the spirit of wisedome and knowledge and with all other good gifts vertues necessary for his roial function And especially enflame his heart with an earnest true zeale to set forth thy glory and to make thy will knowne vnto all his Subiects that they may both with heart and minde obserue and keepe the same and that both he and al his subordinate Magistrates may indifferently and faithfully minister iudgement and Iustice to all his people Wee beseech thee O Lord preserue his body in health his minde in quietnesse and both in all sincerity and godlinesse that by his good example hee may both stop the mouthes of his aduersaries and winne the hearts of all those that beleeue Make his dayes O Lord as the dayes of Heauen that hee may raigne many yeeres ouer vs and wee his Subiects may long liue a peaceable and quiet life in all godlinesse and honestie vnder his sacred gouernment Graunt vnto him wise and faithfull Councellors louing and obedient Subiects dutifull and true seruants Deliuer him O Lord from all Conspiracies Treasons and other dangers and grant him alwayes a glorious victorie ouer all his enemies Pardon and forgiue him all his sinnes make him walke all the dayes of his life in the way of thy Commaundements that he may liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour and that in the resurrection of all flesh hee may receiue a Crowne of righteousnesse the onely thing which hee doth wish and hope for through the merites and mercy of Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer against temptations of the World Flesh and the Diuell Watch and pray that ye enter not into tentation O Most mercifull and MIGHTIE God the Fortres of the faithfull rocke of defence and refuge for all distressed soules which knowest wee be set in the midst of so great dangers that without thy help we cannot auoide our ruine I beseech thee keepe my body and soule from all tentations and snares of the I iuell and suffer not my senses to range and wander abroad in matters of pleasure and delight which are to no purpose good Lord take from me that which is deformed by my corrupt nature and continue that which thy GRACE hath wrought in mee that hauing thy whole armour fitted vnto mee I may be able to withstand all assaults of the enemie Let mee not be drawne away by sensualitie and the desires of the flesh but giue me power to tame this body that by sobriety moderation and abstinence from superfluous things I may bring it into such subiection as I may the better serue thee and walke in the spirit Lord sequester mee from the darkenesse filthynesse and deceitfulnesse of this World that I be not fashioned like therevnto to follow the multitude but being changed by the renewing of my minde I may walke vprightly and godly looking for the blessed appearing of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord holde backe thy hand in the day of trial and lead mee no further into temptation then thou wilt make mee able to beare Graunt O Lord that I may with strong faith resist Sathan and by watching fasting and Prayer mortifie the lusts of the flesh and by continuall meditation of thy holy Law auoid the foolish vanities and dangerous pleasures of this world Let not knowledge puffe me vp prosperitie mislead mee pouerty dismay mee sicknes turne me to impatiency nor any lack or want of necessaries for this life bring me to distrust in thy prouidence or force me to seeke vnlawfull meanes to winne them Arme me O Lord with thy Spirit encourage
regeneration hast appointed vs to receiue oft-soones the blessed Sacrament of thy Supper for confirmation of our faith haue mercy vpon mee vile wretch who for my naturall corruptions and manifolde transgressions am not worthy to approach vnto thy Table or come neere thy house Oh gracious God pardon me and disdaine not to accept mee into thy fauour but forgiue mee all my sins that I haue done said or thought in pride wrath enuy gluttony sloth couetousnesse or wantonnesse giue mee a true and liuely faith to beleeue thy word and the promise of my pardon annexed to thy Sacraments Inflame mee with loue charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my blessed Sauiour Open the eies of mine vnderstanding and helpe mee to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance Send mee the hunger and thirst after this righteousnesse satisfie me with this heauenly foode make me verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion Oh deare Lord Iesus since thou hast suffred so many things for my sake and hast commanded mee not to dispaire nor distrust thy goodnesse graunt mee grace to eate of this bread and drinke of this Cuppe worthily that I may continually remaine in thy grace and fauour O Lord GOD the FATHER giue mee the full consolation of this misterie and commemoration that my Faith may be increased my hope confirmed my charitie inflamed my weake conscience comforted all dangers repelled and my soule assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ Let no prophanenesse enter into my heart so long as I am about this holy action but giue mee grace to receiue with puritie of heart and cleannes of soule with loue dread and stedfast Faith Haue mercy vpon mee good Lord that by vnworthy receiuing I bee not guilty of his precious body and blood who came downe from heauen liued with men swam through a red sea of blood in his agonie and passion to be my Redeemer Haue mercy vpon the whole Church and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place and this company that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice and all other actions of their life for Iesus Christs sake Amen ¶ Another of the same before the Communion Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate of that Bread and drinke of that Cup. O Almightie God and merciful father I am a secret sinner and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions wilfully and foolishly ignorantly obstinately haue I sinned against thee vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lie open but now I come vnto thee as a sicke man vnto the Physitian as an vncleane man to the well of mercie grace offered in the precious bloodshedding of Iesus Christ and represented vnto my soule in this blessed Sacrament Haue mercie vpon mee O Lord haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all the euill that I am guiltie of Giue me grace that I may discerne the Lords body and so reeciue ie in this Sacrament with such chastitie of body humblenes of minde thankfulnesse of soule hearty contrition dread and reuerence as is meet for so high a mystery O Lord Iesus it is truely said of thee that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them and I verily belieue that thou art the same still full of goodnesse and mercie wherefore I beseech thee leaue me not to my selfe reiect mee not from thy table Come into my heart and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and Spirit Enter into my soule seale and sanctifie mee both within and without O Lord be not angry with mee a barren and dry tree a creature with a face of brasse and heart of flint I haue not so many teares as are sufficient to wash thy feete with Mary Magdalen but thou hast shed as much of thine own blood as sufficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee and all the world then be not angry with me ô Lord but let thy grace supply my wants let thy mercy pardon my sins let thy holy spirit prepare my soule thy merits inrich my pouertie and thy most precious blood wash away all the spots of my life that I may worthily receiue this heauenly Sacrament so that I may be strengthened therby and throughly filled with the heauenly food of thy body and blood for the mortification of the olde man the confirmation of my faith and the finall saluation of my soule O Lord heare my prayers and grant my requests I beseech thee Amen A Prayer after the receiuing of the holy Communion Purge out therefore the old Leauen that yee may be a new Lumpe as yee are vnleauened for euen Chrst our Passeouer is sacrificed for vs. O Iesus the Sonne of GOD my Lord and Sauiour with all humble and hearty thanks I prayse thee for suffering death vpon the Crosse for my sins and admitting me a miserable sinner to the participation of this blessed Sacrament the memoriall of my redemption Let me ô Lord finde and feele in my heart the inuisible power of thy heauenly grace effectually working the transformation of mee into thee the wonderfull vnion of me with thee and thy Spirituall habitation and abode in me Apply all thy merites and good things vnto my soule Let me neuer doubt the forgiuenesse of my sins but euer open the doore of this Sanctuary vnto mee that I may runne thither in my greatest need and apprehend thy gracious pardon ratified by this Seale of thy couenant Quicken mee O Lord in this life reuiue renew mee that I may disclaime my old conuersation and beâ—ome a new man Keepe me 〈◊〉 I slippe not out of this building nor become as a branch cut off good for nothing but as thou hast seuered mee from the wicked in calling me to the knowledge of thee so keep mee from all their corruptions Giue mee a perfect loue towards thee that I may not delight in any thing but in thee nor seeke any other honour but thine O Lord Iesus I meekely beseech thee let thy holy spirit strengthen me against my frailtie thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles aduersities thy merites purchase my needfull pardon and thy blood bee the Medicine for all my sores euen for thy truth and for thy Names sake Amen ¶ Another of the same after the Communion Greater loue hath no man then this that a man laie downe his life for his friends O Iesu CHRIST the Lambe of GOD which hast so loued MANKINDE that thou hast beene contented to become One with him meate vnto him and to die for him vpon the Crosse to take away the sinnes of mee and many grant that this my receiuing of this blessed sacrament may be a true testimonie vnto my conscience that I haue through faith in thee receiued full remission of all that is past am become as it were a new creature in thy sight
therefore O Lord we pray thee blesse her and the fruit of her Wombe let thy mercie be no lesse shewed in the birth then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth Guide all our hands that are about her and laie to thy helping hand with vs. Giue her an easie speedy deliuerance But if it be thy will to laye any greater weight of thy wrath vpon her acording to thy doome yet good Lord we beseech thee let thy holy spirit so comfort her inwardly with thy promises made to all and thy goodnes shewed to others that neither her naturall frailtie northe temptations of Sathan nor the extremities of her Throwes cause her to faint Comfort her helpe her finish thy worke in her ô thou preseruer of mankind that she being safely deliuered and her Babe preserued they may both liue to thy will and pleasure and wee altogether prayse thy holy Name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer after the deliuerance of women Lo children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the wombe is his reward O LORD God by whom all men and women are wonderfully fearefully made we giue thee most humble thankes that in thy iudgement towards this our Sister thou hast remembred mercie in giuing her safe deliuerance together with a comely fruit of her body Good Lord wee pray thee continue thy great goodnesse towardes her and keepe her from all further annoyance and dangers of Child-bed Preserue her day and night sleeping and waking that so in her time shee may be restored to her former health and strength and walke in her vocation according to thy will with thanksgiuing Giue thy blessing to the Infant now borne that it may in due time increase in wisedome and stature and fauour with God and man that it may be partaker of the sacred Seale of holy Baptisme borne anew by the power of thy Spirit liue a holy and sanctified life in this world afterward be made heire of euerlasting life O Lord blesse the mother also for the BABES good that shee may haue strength meanes to bring it vp to thy glory and vse all such good endeuours as become a carefull and naturall Mother Lord giue thy grace to all vs which haue beene eye-witnesses of this thy mercy and goodnesse and let this and all other thy workes daily put vs in minde to be thankeful vnto thee for our creation preseruation and all other thy good gifts to call vpon thee loue and feare thee walking in thy sight in all sobrietie chastitie and godlines from this day forward for euermore for IESVS Christs sake Amen ¶ The Childrens Prayer in their Parents life time A wise sonne maketh a glad Father but a foolish son is the heauinesse of his mother O HEAVENLY Father Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and all that beleeue in him endue mee I beseech thee with thy holy Spirit that I may be a babe of thy heauenly Family regenerate and made a new creature in the same Christ Iesus my Sauiour Make mee by all meanes to honour my Parents after the example of thy Sonne our Sauiour and not by any means to breed their sorrow griefe that when thou shalt see it good to make mee ancient and blesse mee with children then I may haue ioy in them by their obedience and holinesse Ioyne O Lord vnto the towardnesse of my Nature the ayde of thy grace that I be not seduced by false teachers to corruption either in Faith or manners but that all my vnderstanding and conceits may tend to the good of my soule and the bettering of my life Restraine O Lord the vntamednesse of my youth which at this time is wont to begin to shew it self that I neuer passe the limites of thy good pleasure Keepe me from wandering concupiscence and idlenes from wicked company naughtie fellowship Forgiue me all the misdemeanors which I haue at any time committed against thee my parents and giue mee abilitie and grace to help them in their weakest age and greatest neede remembring the paines which my mother endured for mee and the charges of my father Make mee obedient vnto them and all other my betters teachers and Gouernours help me in all dangers and necessities and grant mee thy fauour all the dayes of my life and thy kingdome at the end for Iesus Christs sake Amen Another Prayer of Children Commit thy way vnto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe O LORD GOD I beseech thee to lead my Parents in the way of thy Trueth and righteousnes Gouerne all their actions to thy glory the good of thy CHVRCH and the discharge of their duties Defend and deliuer them from all their enemies and from all deceits and dangers that I who am a childe in age vnderstanding and discretion may by their godly wisedome care and painefulnesse be brought vp in all godly instructions nourture and good order and so liue and serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all my daâ—es Grant mee ô Lord an obedient and dutifull mind not onely towards my Parents but all such as it shall please them to make instructors and Rulers ouer mee that I may submit my selfe to their godly admonitions and gouernment Incline my heart now in my tender years to seek for wisedome and good learning with all diligence Preserue mee from all euill wayes and lewd companie Mortifie O Lord the raging lustes and follies of youthful affections O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes that I may liue in thy feare and dye in thy fauour so receiue the inheritance of that place which thou in heauen hast prepared for mee through Iesus Christ my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen The Orphans or fatherlesse Childes prayer When my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me vp O Lord GOD the succour of all them that are in distresse and Father of the Fatherlesse I poore Orphane by thine appointment depriued of my Parents and chiefest stay in this World beseech thee to heare my desire to set thine eyes vpon mee for good Haue pitty vpon me O Lord and in all perils necessities stretch out thine helping hand deliuer me appoint me faithfull Patrons Gardians which will be touched with an earnest care of my wel-fare that I may be brought vp in thy feare vnto euery good worke Giue mee grace to be obedient to those that haue the ouer-sight of mee to hearken to good counsell to feare thee and flye euill company Grant that I may finde fauour and vpright dealing at the handes of them that haue the ouersight of mee and before all other Gouernors Iudges whatsoeuer Let me not be oppressed by the mightie nor seduced by the craftie and subtile but deliuer me from greedie and deuouring cormorants dissembling friendes that would make a pray of me Let me not run too and fro to seeke my bread but prouide
for mee O Lord I pray thee food and rayment and so furnish me in this short time of my Pilgrimage that I may haue a competent liuing Blesse my studies and endeuours increase my yeeres and knowledge to sitte alwayes my estate and calling direct mee with thy Spirit and blesse mee now and euermore for Iesus Christs sake Amen The Schollers Prayer The Commaundement is a Lampe and the Law is light reproofe of instructions are the way of life O Lord God which hast said If any man lacke wisedome let him aske of GOD which giueth to all men liberally and reprocheth no man and it shall be giuen him I beseech thee breath into my Soule the Spirit of Vnderstanding that in my childe-hoode I may learne and as I grow further into yeares practise the study of those things only that are agreeable to thy lawes Haue mercy vpon me lighten mine vnderstanding with the beams of thy diuine wisedom that I may haue iudgement to make the best choise witt and capacitie to conceiue and memorie to retaine beare away all such good things as I shall either heare or read Lord hew and square the rough table of my heart prepare it and make it smooth fit to receiue into it the impressions of thy diuine grace and wisedome Graunt that I may carefully seek for the pearls of true knowledge and obediently submit my selfe to all those that are my teachers and haue the ouersight of mee Giue me such a desire to attaine vnto knowledge that my study through thy working may be a pleasure vnto me and that I may not wilfully lose or vainely bestow that precious time which neuer can be called againe Poure into mee thy holy Spirit that all my trauell paines in study being blessed by thee I may plentifully reap the fruit of my labours and be thankfull vnto thee O louing Father be thou my Schoole-maister to instruct mee and let all my studies be referred to the right end that I be neither infected with Heresie nor partaker of any Sect or Schisme Lord when I shall haue attained vnto any measure of knowledge let it not puffe me vp to stand high in mine owne conceit or be proude of thy gifts but let mee be wise vnto sobrietie and cary my selfe humbly lowly and modestly and so order all my studies endeauors good Father that I may firmely resolue speedily be and constantly continue in performing any thing that is agreable to thy will that so euery thing may serue mee for the furtherance to a godly and vertuous life the discharge of a good conscience through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ The Souldiers Prayer The Lord is a man of Warre his Name is Iehouah O LORD God of hosts which teachest my hands to fight and my fingers to battell I humbly besech thee to haue mercy vpon me that am subiect to so many dangers euery day that I fall not before mine enemies Touch my heart that I may truely feele my sins and worthily lament them before thy Maiestie and since I haue vndertaken this seruice not for any couetousnesse or reuenge of blood but in obedience to my Prince to defend a righteous cause suffer me not I beseech thee to giue my members as weapons of vnrighteousnesse vnto sin but to looke carefully vnto my wayes seeking to discharge my duty towards thee and to acquit my selfe in all loyaltie towards my Prince O Lord gird mee with strength and make my way vpright conduct me with thy hand encourage mee with the Trumpet of thy Word arme me with faith and hope to thee-ward and strengthen mee to the combate Blesse all our company in our attempts and suggest vnto vs the best meanes to saue our selues and defeat the purposes of our enemies Arme vs with thy grace that wee may manfully fight in thy quarrell make our name fearefull to our enemies and abate their Pride Range vs within the limites of truth and honesty that we be not giuen to those vices which accompany the War vile affections inordinate motions and merciles cruelties Lord it is nothing with thee to help with many or with no power Helpe vs O Lord our God for we rest on thee and in thy Name are wee come against this multitde O Lord thou art our GOD let not man preuaile against thee Keepe vs O Lord from treasons mutinies and conspiracies either against our Prince or Captaines Lord heare the mournings of all Captiues detained in the hands of their enemies and worke meanes for their deliuerance And if it please thee at any time to lay that crosse vpon vs or otherwise to expose vs to death in the field then Lord keepe vs in thy Faith that wee may liue and die thy Souldiers fighting the good fight of hope fixed in thee and dye in thy fauour for Iesus Christs sake Amen The Seruants Prayer He that is called in the Lord being a seruant is the Lords freeman O Lord God which hast made vs all one in Christ Iesus whether we be bond or free I beseech thee grant me a contented mind that during the time of my bondage I bee not ashamed of that condition of life wherein thou hast placed me Cloath me in the liuery of a true Christian and grant mee alwayes to beare the minde of an honest man Giue me grace to obey and be subiect to mine earthly MASTERS with all feare whether they be good and curteous or froward and to performe their designes which Crosse not thy Commaundements Vouchsafe O LORD to send mee an vnderstanding heart to manage my businesse aright and make mee faithfull withall to be circumspect and diligent to doe all things for the best Grant mee a single and true heart without Hypocrisie and dissimulation that I doe not passe ouer my yeares with an eye-seruice as a man-pleaser but iustly and sincerely that I may in my time procure that Christian libertie and freedom which I serue for Lord blesse my Master in all his affaires and dealings let him not be subiect to any thoughts of crueltie towards me Strengthen my body to performe that businesse that I am appointed vnto and keepe mee from murmuring and grudging against any of my betters enuious detracting from the estimation of others Especially ô Lord keepe mee from euill company that I be neuer entised to spend wastefully or embezell any thing committed to my custody nor hearken vnto the perswasion of any such as wish not well vnto my Lord and Master Send peace and quietnesse betweene mee and my fellowes that in loue and kindnesse wee may all with one heart and one minde constantly chearfully ioyne together to follow our Masters businesse and serue thee and after this life become free-men of the new Ierusalem in heauen in the blessed company of all faithfull people for Iesus Christs sake Amen ¶ Another of the same Whatsoeuer good thing any man doth the same shall he receiue of the Lord whether he be
of Abell and crying not for reuenge but for pardon for me who by my manifold transgressions haue robbed God of his honour the Church of a member and my soule of life 4 Oh man of sorrowes but mirrour of patience What a weeke of paynes was this to thee What a good-Friday was that for mee What dayes of sorrowes were then one after another to thee and yet with what patience didst thou passe them ouer Patient when Caiaphus so despightfully vsed thee Patient when Pilate so vnrighteouslie iudged thee Patient when false Iudas so cunningly and treacherouslie saluted thee and designed thee to be taken Againe patient when thou didst carry thine owne Crosse patient when the Crowne of Thornes drew blood from thy sacred head and patient when all others reuiled reproached bespitted scoffed and abused thee Oh thou that so patiently peaceably mildely meekely didst carry painefull and pangfull haynous and heauie sorrowes for mee I beseech thee let thy patience discharge my impatiencie and let thine infirmities which thou didst truely take and willingly beare with such power innocency informe mine ignorance comfort my sadnesse kindle my loue discharge my feare and moderate my anger O Lord grant me patience to beare thy holy wil in all things and giue me grace in the midst of all troubles yet to continue in thy feare 5 When I desire grace O sweet Iesus to fulfill thy commandement of Loue and Charitie which is the end of thy commandement out of a pure heart and of a good conscience of faith vnfained where shall I take my patterne but from thee such a louer as is Loue himselfe for whom didst thou not loue As for thy Disciples thou didst loue them as Schollers and cherish them as children and stile them thy friends Thou didst stoope downe to wash their feete that were not worthy to vntye thy Shooe Thou diddest restore Peter that had abiured thee thou didst saue the Theefe that dyed with thee thou didst confirme Thomas that douted of thee thou didst forgiue Iames and Iohn that asked too much of thee The bloody persecutors crucifiers who did curse and execrate themselues their children to doe thee a mischiefe they euen they had thine earnest prayers before thou diddest either dispose of thy Mother oâ— pray for thy selfe Yea that Iudas that betrayed thee and sould thee for thirtie pence making no price of thee but taking a base offer thy holy hands did wash his vncleane feet and thy sacred lips did touch his prophane mouth O thou fountaine of Loue that doest drench those that loue thee in the streame of thy pleasures imbalmest euen thine enemies with the oyle of compassion and louest Mankinde with an euerlasting loue so farre that after they had borne armes against thee thou didst embrace them in the armes of thy Mercy O thou that didst grieue till thou mightest dye for me Thou that wouldst be betrayed with a kisse as it were to meete death in the middle way Thou that didst reprooue Peter when hee diswaded thee from it and didst hasten on Iudas lest he should be too slacke to bring thee to it Kindle ô kindle my desires to thee inflame my heart with thankfulnesse to thee inspire my soule with the fire of zealous loue to burne alwayes and flame vpon the Alter of my hart that for thy loue to mee I may euermore loue thee aboue all things and my neighbour as my selfe 6 This is the Consummatum est O sweet Iesus Thou hast giuen mee that which thou didst not owe mee and hast forgiuen me that which I did owe thee Thou wast content to be the By-word of the people and the curse of the Law for my sake Blessed be thy Name blessed be thy Life blessed be thy death For thy death is my birth thy crowne of Thornes is my garland the scarres of thy body are the starres of my firmament Thy gracious wounds are my happie plaisters Thy bitter Mirrhe refresheth me thine infirmities strengthen me thy stripes heale mee and thy blood clenseth me Loe I haue nothing to take to but what I haue from thee Therefore Bone Iesu esto mihi Iesus O good Iesus make good thy good name Iesus vnto mee and let thy Passion worke compassion for me that by thy mercy I may obtaine remission of my sinnes and by thy merits may obtaine euerlasting saluation in the kingdome of heauen Amen Amen Supplications OF SAINTS The Second Part. Paul and his Company ACTS 21. 5. Wee kneeled downe and prayed togâ—ther the Men their Wiues and Children This Part contayneth Prayers of an Assembly for diuers purposes A Morning Prayer for priuate Families ¶ Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the middest of them O Eternall GOD and most mercifull FATHER which giuest to them that want comfortest them which suffer and forgiuest them which repent wee sinnefull creatures sue vnto thee for grace hoping in thy mercie which is ouer all Keepe vs wee beseech thee this day as thou hast kept vs this night past keepe vs in thy feare faith and loue Forgiue vs all our sinnes in the blood of thy Sonne teach vs to sorrow for them separate them from vs that would separate vs from thee O Lord remoue from our mindes all ignorance and blindenesse and make thy word vnto vs like the starre which led the wisemen to Christ and all thy workes profitable Instruments to drawe vs vnto thee Guide vs with thy Spirit that wee may make conscience of all that wee doe and neuer make light of any euill but euen abstaine from all appearance of it Strengthen our weaknes lighten our vnderstanding that in the brunt of temptations wee may discerne betweene good euill right and wrong Giue vs the sacred hunger thirst after righteousnes that our first care may be to know thy truth and let vs so profit in the schoole of Christ that in sicknes we may finde patience in prison ioy in pouerty contentment in all things hope Prosper O Lord our labours and the workes of our hands and grant vs to learne something of euery thing till we come to lodge with thee in the Kingdome of Heauen Let our louing affections grow one towards another vnfainedly that we may loue our brethren and they vs and pray for them and they for vs and both of vs be heard of thee for our selues and one for another and thy Sonne for vs all Blesse Lord the vniuersall Church with truth peace and holy Discipline Continue thy mercie toward this realme Preserue our gratious KING the QVEENES Maiestie and Prince HENRY their Son with all their royall Progenie and whole Familie Sanctifie the Ministers of the Gospell the Bishops and all other that labour in the word and Doctrine Blesse his Maiesties Councell and all other in authoritie with necessary graces Blesse the places of good learning the Grammer Schooles the famous Vniuersities and the Innes of Court Blesse this