and by crauing pardon for their sinnes Howsoeuer things may seeme to succeed to their great contentment they doe but deceiue themselues for there is no blessing promised to such carelesse meÌ„ though they haue the names and receiue the seales of Christians And therefore let euery man that feareth God and desireth to see a good day to follow the morning let him begin the day with the seruice of God in prayer if hee haue a family let him conuent them and conioyne with them in prayer If he haue none or be absent from it let him serue the Lord in priuate The faithful herein findeth such liuely comfort and assurance of Gods prouidence as he feareth not whatsoeuer the day following can cast vpon him all things shall worke together for his consolation And whatsoeuer hee doth it shall prosper A Prayer for the Morning for priuate families Lord increase our faith prepare our hearts to prayer and open our lippes O Mercifull Lord God louing father in Iesus Christ wee thine vnworthy people fall heere downe before the footstoole of thy Maiestie and with vnfayned hearts giue thankes vnto thee for thy mercies in number more then can be numbred for they are more then our sinnes and our sins more then the sea sands which are without number Thou hast bene our watchman this night thou hast not onely kept vs from bodily daungers and harmes but hast giuen vs rest when our weake bodies were infeebled with wearinesse and labours and hast brought vs to the beginning of this day in safety whereas many haue perished this night in their beds and haue not risen to prayse thee How vnthankefull should wee shew our selues Lord if we should enter into our worldly affaires without remembring thy mercies and our owne sinnes in asking pardon for them Receiue therefore wee humbly pray thee good father at our vnworthy hands the sacrifice of our humble prayers and prayses which we offer vnto thee this morning in the name of thine owne dearest Sonne in whom thou hast acknowledged thy selfe so well pleased as thou deniest nothing to any faithfully asking for his sake Jn him and by him and for him we come Lord vnto thee humbly and heartily praying pardon for our sinnes wherby we haue transgressed thy lawes offended thy great Maiestie in whose displeasure is death Pardon vs mercifull Lord God pardon vs remoue our sinnes farre from vs and wiâ—e them out of the booke of thy remembrance Remember the merits of Christ our Redeemer leaue vs not in our owne miserable estates lest we should forget to be mindfull or to be ignorant how to prayse thy Name for thy goodnes past and enter into our worldly occasions without being reconciled vnto thee in Christ for thy wrath being inkindled towards vs neuer so little nothing can truely prosper that we take in hand we may labour and yet without thy blessing it shall not profite vs 〈◊〉 may eat and drinke but it shall not nourish vs we may follow our vocations with great diligence rysing earely and taking rest late yet shall it not feede vs. Oh gracious Lord let thy blessings accompany all our labours And grace vs euer with thy presence according to thy promise not to obserue our imperfections but to direct our heartes in prayer to prepare vs to obedience to season vs with thy holy spirit and to blesse and prosper all our actions That whatsoeuer wee thinke speake or doe this day may be acceptable in thy fight So shall all things goe well with vs and prosper vnder our hands we shall prayse thy name and extoll thy mercies and goodnesse which haue bene are and shall be towards vs for euer And as thou hast taken away the vale of the darkenesse of night which resembleth death And hast opened vnto vs the windowes of heauen to giue vs the light of the Sunne which resembleth life So abandon thou the workes of darkenesse and ignorance put away our faintnesse and dulnesse in prayer And let the light of thy sauing truth shine vnto vs and the Sunne of righteousnesse extend his beames of heauenly vnderstanding into our heartes That we all may walk this day in the way which is Christ the Lord imbrace the truth which is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world And euer inioy that life which is eternall in him which was and which is and which is to come So shall our rysing from our naturall rest this morning by thy power as out of our graues of mortalitie assure vs of our finall rysing out of the graue of our sins to immortality And as thou hast blessed vnto vs our temporal sleepe this night So vouchsafe to blesse vnto vs this day the vse of thy creatures that they may all serue to our comfortable vse in Christ Iesus according to our necessities And graunt that wee abuse them not to ryot or wantonnesse but may carefully and religiously watch and be sober that when our finall sleepe shall ouertake vs we may lay downe our mortall bodies not vnto the resurrection of death vnto death but of the resurrection of life vnto life eternall And during the time of our mortalitie remember vs O Lord in the abundance of thy mercies lest that wee who are but dust and ashes should so fasten the eyes of our desires vpon the base things of this life that we should forget the life to come Graunt rather Lord that we may vse the things of this life at thy hands so as we may not be seduced by them but rather led by the consideration whence and from whom we receiue them vnto the authour and giuer of them So shal they not onely not be vnto vs vaine or base but worthy to be had in reuerence for thy sake that giuest them freely and blessest them graciously vnto our vse comfort which great mercy of thine cannot but aduance the eies of our dul vnderstandings to the contemplation of thy spirituall and heauenly blessings As how we were freely from all beginnings elected to saluation by thee how we were created when wee were not by thee how we were redeemed when wee were captiues vnto Sathan by thee How wee were sauctified when we were most prophane by thee How we are iustified being guiltie of iudgement by thee How we haue taken hold of the hope future glorification of our corrupt vile bodies in the life to come by thee These thy super-abounding mercies O Lord who hath a heart to conceiue or a tongue sufficiently to expresse The Angels that attend thee in the heauens beholding thee face to face and minister thy will in heauen and earth are not yet able to declare the good things themselues inioy by the glory of thy presence Much lesse are we Lord who lodge in houses of clay able to comprehend thee and the height and depth of thine incomprehensible goodnes shewed to them in earth whom thou hast made heires with thy Sonne of the glory in heauen How much lesse able
by the latter but that Antichrist would haue reinuested himselfe where now Christ Iesus is vnto vs all in all Blessed bee thy name O Lord whose eye beheld and whose prouidence preuented them and whose arme as with a rod of yron brake the actors in pieces like a potters vessell To thee therefore most louing Lord God to thy Sonne Christ and to the holy Ghost be prayse for euer Amen Lord increase our faith and euermore preserue thy seruant our King A short thankesgiuing and prayer for the Kings preseruation DEare Father infinite in power towards vs giue vs hearts to remember with thankefulnes thy too much forgotten goodnes in so mercifully defending our King and vs thy people from many dangers And forget not Lord how the wicked still study the meanes to effect that which thou in mercy diddest then preuent CoÌ„sider how they secretly thirst for the blood of thine Anointed and of his most worthy branches likely to proue powerfull protectors of thy truth and consequently long for the confusion of thy people It suffiseth that thou seest it but it suffiseth not for vs to haue the words and not to vse the workes of assurance of thy protection And therfore we humbly pray thee gracious Lord God most louing father to pardon our sinnes which are the greatest aduersaries that can rise vp against vs. Thou sendest good and religious kings to a people from whom thou expectest the fruits of holy obedience But if they waxe cold in profession and slacke in practizing thy reueiled will thou takest their godly 〈◊〉 religious and louing kings from them and in stead sendest them Tyrants mercilesse and irreligious princes neither the wisedome nor power of man can preuaile where thou art a partie in the iudgement Wherefore louing Father as thâ—â— hast furnished the heart of Iames thy seruant our King with heauenly wisedome furnish our hearts with true obedience to follow thy will reueiled in thy word that so our obedience beginning towards thy Maiestie may appeare and worke more and more in our continuall thankefulnesse vnto thee 〈◊〉 him and our loue and true loyalty to him that thy word may still preuaile with vs remaine amongst vs and wee euermore abide constant in thee that howsoeuer enemies rage whatsoeuer euill counsaile they take we may be either still free in thee protected by thy hand or may with patience vndergoe thy fatherly tryall knowing that all things worke together for the best to them that loue thee and are chosen of thy purpose in him by whose merits both hee our king and we thine and his people haue receiued the promise that thou wilt neuer faile vs nor forsake vs. Lord increase our faith A most piâ—â—ie and patheticall Prayer for the King and ouerthrow of Antichristian religion and enemies of the truth BLesse LORD and graciously defend and preserue our King looke vâ—n him as thou didst vpon Dauid chosen after thine owne heart Leade him by thine owne right hand in all his wayes that hee may leade vs thy people vnto thy holy Sanctuarie Giue him a reioycing heart to see his subiects readie to resort vnto thy holy Temple receiuing thy blessed Sacraments and faithfully seruing thy sacred Maiestie by his religious example Let him euer be instant to call vpon stirre vp and incite the Ministers of thy word that they be instant in sounding the trumpet of thy word vnto thy people that sin may bee weakned obedience to thee increased that mercie and truth may meet together and righteousnes and peace may kisse each other Giue him euermore a preuailing power to bring to nought or weaken the power of Idolatry and superstition within his Kingdomes and to further construie the sincere seruice of thee let him neuer cease O Lord vntill hee haue banished or fully reformed the Fauorites of Antichrist namely such as haue the marke of that Beast in their foreheads or in their hands whose names are not written in the booke of Life Giue him Lord an eye to finde them out and a right resolution to abandon them without respect of persons together with all flatterers and Hypocrites And blesse vnto him godly wise religious and faithfull Counsellers and as thou hast giuen him a sword and Scepter let him truly and valorously vse them to the cutting off of all the daungerous branches of sinne and impietie and all the inormities of thy Church and Common weale and to the defence of the godly and innocent Let his person Lord be euer in thy protection keep him as the apple of thine eye preuent all secret practises and open violence preteÌ„ded against him Stand betweene him and the enemie and let the hailestones of thy seuere iudgements fall vpon the heads of them that hate him wouÌ„d the hayrie scalpe of all that rise vp against him And in all his occasioned incounters with Antichrist or any of his adherents giue him Ioshuahs prosperous victories Dauids zeale and Elishacs faith Discouer vnto him largely the counsell of thine owne will giue him a forward willing and constant heart to effect what thou commandest and grant that he dismay not more in the ouerthrow of Antichrist then Ioshuah did at the confusion of Ierico Be thou his buckler whet his sword bend thou his bow make ready his arrowes vpon the string and let them all and alwayes be directed by thy prouidence to the destruction of his thine irreconciliable enemies as was the Sliâ—â— of Dauid against Goliah so let the. Judgements be against the wicked in the day of battell Let his Subiects loue him let his enemies feare and flie him let all Nations admire his righteous iudgements Princely gouernment and religious constancie let them all bee moued to follow him as he deliteth Lord to follow thee in truth and equitie to the glorie of thy vniuersally admired name through Christ in whom let him euer bee blessed And so blesse vs Lord that we may blesse thee for him Amen Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to bee vsed of such as are of the Kings Maiesties priuie Counsell IF men of meanest professions bee moued by common reason to seek vnderstanding to manage their own priuate occasions how much more ought men of most eminent places especially Counsellors to Kings craue wisedome and fitnes of God for so high a calling How can they consult deuise deliberate direct and determine matters of weightiest consequence without extraordinarie gifts of prudence How can they marshall the care and carriage of him that hath the care and charge of the gouernment and defence of Kingdomes and people in peace and warre not onely in matters Ciuill but Ecclesiasticall Spirituall and Temporall Is it a small matter saith Dauid to be sonne in law to a King So may a man say Is it a small preferment to be thought a fit man to be of the secret counsell of a King Many thirst no doubt and desire this highest honor who haue not first truely examined their gifts of
are wee to conceiue the glory prepared for thine elect in the heauens Giue vs therefore good father hearts of loue vnto thy Maiestie that we may striue with a godly egernesse rather to abandon all lets impediments which may hinder vs from that promised glory then curiously to seeke to knâ—w in this mortalitie that the secrets whereof thou hast reserued vntil our immortalitie And let not the cares of this transitory life and the blind affections which we naturally beare vnto the pleasures thereof choake the good seede of grace in vs. Make the way of our saluation familiar vnto vs as thou hast made it plaine for vs. And let not our bodily labours hinder our hearts from continuall meditation of thy goodnesse towards vs. Let vs lift vp pure mindes vnto the heauens with a longing desire to with thee where is no labour or sweate or feare or care or hunger or thirst or nakednesse or enemies or strife or paine or griefe But all comfort all ioy all peace and blessednes and glory vnspeakable Giue vs therefore longing hearts to remoue out of this body of miseries yet so as we omit not our callings vntill thine appointed time but that we may labour accordingly in the world not as we so loued the world as we should imbrace it as our home but vse it as our Tabernacle or lodging place for the time of our pilgrimage And let thy blessing bee so vpon our labours this day as wee may liue thereby haue sufficient of all necessaries as food rayment friendship peace plentie health of bodie preseruation of our limbes and sences and a blessing vpon all that belongeth vnto vs. That we be not constrained to vse vnlawfull meanes for our reliefe Then as we by thy blessing haue entred into this morning shall passe the day with comfort and end the same in peace of conscience and consolation of the holy Ghost and so continue from day to day vntill the last of our dayes when we shall surrender againe vnto thee to be disposed both our soules and bodies for euer to liue with thee in the glory purchased by Christ our mediator our hope our strength and our euerlasting redeemer to whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all power maiestie and dominion ascribed for euer Amen O Lord euermore increase and confirme our faith A short prayer for the morning to be said of one in priuate or in a Family vsing the plurall instead of the singular number ALmightie Lord God whose presence is alwaies light vnto thy Saints vouchsafe as thou hast banished the darknesse of the night past and made the light to shine vnto our corporal eyes So let the sauing Sunne of thy holy Spirit lighten the darkenesse of mine vnderstanding this morning And as the Sun of the firmament cleareth cheereth and comforteth all thy creatures in earth with the beames thereof so let thy sacred and sauing countenance recomfort my sad and dulled heart and as it hath pleased thee to giue me power and ablenesse to rise out of my bed of corporall rest and by the sleepe which I haue this night enioyed haue in some measure shaken off the heauie sluggishnes of my fleshly part So I beseech thee to giue me power to rise out of the bed of sinne and securitie and with cheerefull alacritie to cast off the dulnes and drowsines of my corrupt heart that with full affection and entire loue I may praise thee for thy loue wherein thou hast preserued mee this night from perils and dangers of the darknes wherein the secret arrowes of Satan and sin are sent forth to wound euen the vpright in heart wherein diuers casualties befall them that are dead in their sleepe not able to preuent the least danger incident to soule or bodie and hast now graciously brought me to the beginning of this day in safety the end whereof nor the least remaining part what it shall afford me thou only knowest from whose all-seeing eyeâ— nothing is hid but as well the times to come as the seasons past and present are alike manifest As thou therefore knowest what shal succeed me this day turne those things from me Lord in thy prouidence which thou knowest dangerous and blesse vnto me all things for my comfort and whatsoeuer befalleth me contrary to my health wealth or peace make me wise to make vse thereof to the confirmation of my further faith in thee knowing Lord that all things shall worke together for the best to them that loue thee And therefore giue me patience to vndergoe al thy corrections and trials and to be vnfainedly thankfull for all thy benefits And for asmuch as nothing can prosper vnto vs without thy blessing blesse Lord I beseech thee vnto me all such thy creatures as I shall haue cause to vse this day giue a blessing vnto all that appertaineth vnto me whomsoeuer or whatsoeuer and let the meditations of my hart the words of my mouth and the labours both of my bodie and minde be sanctified vnto me this day that whatsoeuer I doe it may prosper I recommend my selfe my soule and bodie all that I haue charge of vnder thee into thy fatherly tuition and defence this day for I know Lord and am assured that thou to whom I commit me arâ— able and willing to keepe me Let not my sinnes gracious Father which I haue no power to resist preuent thy mercies but in thy mercie preuent my sinnes for Satan the World and mine owne corruptions are euer ready to draw me into forbiddeÌ„ vanities But strengthen thou the armes of my faith teach my spirituall fingers to fight valiantly against their enemies giue me the sword of the Spirit the brest-plate of righteousnes the helmet of saluation that I feare not their assaults this day that fighting the good fight of faith I may preuaile and receiue the crowne of victorie through Christ that triumphant Lion of the Tribe of Iudah Remember thy promises made vnto all that beleeue in him I beleeue Lord helpe mine vnbeliefe Let the fruits of that loue that is greater then faith and hope appeare in mine actions this day the chiefe wherof is obedience vnto thee So shall I passe this day in thy faith feare due reuerence of thy great and glorious name and daily more and more prepare my selfe in a holy readines to attend thy calling mee out of this mortall to an immortall condition And for my greater comfort in this my pilgrimage giue me a true feeling of the ioyes promised in the Kingdome of glorie euen here in the Kingdom of grace that hauing heere receiued the earnest of thy holy Spirit I may daily looke for the principall in the Kingdom purchased by Iesus Christ in whose name I humbly recommend my selfe and all my labours this day vnto thy blessed prouidence and direction yeelding vnto thee all praise in Iesus Christ by the holy Ghost blessed for euer and euer Lord increase my faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said
sinne sinfull sinne sins of all sorts committing things forbidden and omitting things commanded So that I cannot but confesse against my selfe I am wholly not only sinfull but a lump of sin it selfe a puddle of putrifaction a sinke of vncleannes a gulfe of grosse impieties and a carcasse of most filthie leprosie full of spirituall rottennesse vnworthy the light of the Sunne to lighten my corporall eyes to see to do euill not worthy to breathe in the ayre to speake euill nor worthie to partake of the ordinary food of men to strengthen my flesh the more to sinne nor worthie to consort with humane societie to make them sinfull by my sin Oh wretch that I am how haue I plunged my selfe into thy heauie displeasure how haue I lost thy loue who louest righteousnes and hatest iniquitie Oh wretch that I am how haue I runne without right reason to my ruine rashly Lord I am vnfainedly sorie for my sinnes and I long to be reconciled vnto thee lest I goe to my graue with griefe lest from the graue I should come into iudgement with horror and be inforced to heare that fearefull and finall sentence of reprobatiō pronounced against 〈◊〉 neuer to be reuoked indure torments neuer to be eased Oh Lor 〈…〉 mercifull and louing remember I am but dust forget not how orignall sinne seazed vpon me before I had sence or power to commit actuall sin call to minde that I was conceiued and borne in sinne and brought corruption in my flesh frō my mothers wombe which I could not preuent And although it be the rule of thy seuere Justice to lay the guilt of parents vpō their children yet let thy mercies which are aboue thy Judgemēts shew themselues now when else there is no hope Amen Lord increase my faith and forgiue my sinnes Another shorter prayer for forgiuenesse of sinnes O Heauenly father thy promises are many faithfull and comfortable Thou wilt not the death of a sinner but desirest rather that he should repent and liue If thou then desirest rather that I liue then perish giue me a repenting hart renue a right spirit within me reforme me and I shall be reformed for in me Lord there is no goodnes no power and as little will to doe good but a will and power to do euill only Let therefore thy grace worke effectually in me a new heart a new minde new affections holy and sanctified So shall sin become lothsome vnto me which I haue loued and holines of life shal be sweet vnto me which I haue neglected thy Commandements that I haue transgressed I shall indeuour to fulfill thy patience which I haue abused I wil answere with more filiall obediēce The curses then that I haue deserued shal be turnd into blessings and I shall frame the residue of my life in better actions I shall abandon as deceiuing vanities those sinnes wherin I haue delited and shal shun the baits wherwith Satan hath allured me to sin and whereunto I consented by the vanity of mine vnregenerate affections Oh pardon pardon my sins good Father in Iesus Christ fill my hart with the liuely apprehension of thy mercies speake peace vnto my sad and sorrowfull soule reuiue my dead distracted thoughts plunged in despaire cast thine ey◠vpon Christ thy beloued in him 〈◊〉 louing eye vpon me who without him am a cast-away Heare him 〈◊〉 mediator for me heare me a sinner for his sake and pardon me for thy mercies sake Take me now Lord out of the dungeon of feare wherin I haue bin long a captiue sold vnder sin Set me now free from the danger of death and hell Let Satan flie and fall before my face Let sin haue no more power ouer me receiue me into thy fauour assure me of full and free remission of my sinnes in Christ worke true peace in my conscience The sting of death being broken the feare of the iudgement to come may be turned into a liuely assurance of saluation that white I liue here I may euermore feele the liuely worke of thy holy Spirit in me Make the residue of my dayes the dayes of vnfained mourning for my former offences and of a most vpright and righteous conuersation to come and let faith euermore preuaile against all future temptations that I may finish the course of my life in that peace which proceedeth of perfect loue which loue bringeth forth filiall obedience vnto thee which obedience is more acceptable in thy fight then the sacrifices of bullocks and goates Accept me now good Father in Iesus Christ into thy fauour remit my sinnes number me amongst thine elect and seale me vp in thy mercies against the day of my finall visitation Heare me O Lord and let thy holy Spirit guide mee euer vnto that day through Christ my Sauiour my Mediator my Strength and my redeemer Amen O Lord increase my faith and pardon my sinnes A MOTIVE TO A Prayer for a godly and holy life and for power of resisting Satan and sinne THe course of euery mans life declar's what kind of man he is whether carnal or spiritual for as the tree is knowne by his fruit so is euery man known of men by his life conuersation And it is much to be lamented that men though carnally minded will iustifie themselues and make protestation of their hope that they shall be saued as well as he that walketh most sincerely before God and men And this out of a voluntarie ignorance and blindnesse in not knowing and truly distinguishing betweene the wayes of sanctitie and sinne the first leading to heauen and eternall life through grace and faith in Christ the other to hell and reprobation through our owne corruption by the obeying the will of Satan It is more then wonderfull to obserue the courses of carnall men who pretend that they are trauelling to that blessed New Ierusalem and yet take the direct way to Cursed Ierico they couet in conceit to ascend the holy hill of Sion and yet will not leaue that wicked Babylon They professe to liue after the Spirit but doe the workes of the Flesh. They would seeme to liue in Light but behold they are in Darknes not considering that he that liues after the flesh shall die yet how loth are carnall men to leaue the way that leadeth to destruction and how vnapt and vnwilling to walke in the way of life which is Christ in whom if we truely beleeue we walke in him if we truly walke in him we truely liue in him and that life is the summe and end of all our hope it is the marke whereat we ayme all our holy endeuours Let vs therefore determine with our selues and constantly resolue to walke before God and to be vpright Let vs make our supplications in his presence with our whole hearts And let vs duely consider our wayes what they haue beene And let vs now turne our feete vnto his testimonies Let vs strengthen and confirme our resolutions of a godly life by
in Iesus Christ iâ— hope that thou wilt either restore me to happie health or in thy good time take me to thy more happ 〈…〉 kingdome and howsoeuer the will shall be make me patient in my greatest fits of paine and 〈◊〉 mitigate the extremitie of my disease that I be not driuen to bee sencelesse of my sinnes or forgetfull of thy promises through the violennce thereof nor lay more vpon me Lord then I shall be able to beare Another prayer to be said of a sicke man I Doâ— confesse vnto thee Oh father my sinnes for which I do acknowledge thou doest deseruedly afflict me I cannot beare nor vndergoe the stripes that I haue deserued at thy hands who knowing thy will haue not done according vnto the same but haue cast thy holy CommaÌ„dements and mine obedience vnto them behinde my backe what I should not haue done that I haue done and what I should haue done I haue not done O vnprofitable seruant that I haue bin yet cast me not away good father for I am the worke of thine owne hands as touching the framing of this my earthly tabernacle as for sinne it is of myselfe therein was I begotten and borne and thereby doe I daily offend thee and so much the more haue I sinned by how much I haue enioyed the health and strength of my bodie and the vse of my sences and I cannot but acknowledge Lord that it is good for-me thaâ— thou hast afflicted mee with this thy fatherly visitation giue me grace to accept it as a fauour of thine and the fruit of thy mercie for my renouation and reformatiâ—on and let not Satan suggest or perswade mee that it is in iudgement as the fruit of thine indignation to driue me to despaire of the sauing health The health of my bodie is a sweet blessing vnto me yet thou knowest Lord what a spurre it is to forbidden vanities And sicknes as it is in it selfe is most grieuous and lothsome yet being seasoned with thy inward grace a sweet remedie against the killing disease of sinne Oh show it downe Lord into my distressed soule the sweet showres of thy sanctifying Spirit that I may hee sanctified throughout so shall my sicke and weake bodie bee richly and sweetly comforted in this comfortlesse condition which were it not supported by thy fauour loue could not but faint al the powers both of my soule bodie faile within me Oh speak coÌ„fortable things Lord vnto thy diseased seruant extend a fatherly helping hand to make my bed in my sicknes Thou art the Physitian of our soules bodies I am sicke in both cure me Lord in both my sicke soule hath need of the bloud of the Lambe to refresh it and to clense it from spirituall leprosse and my body Lord lieth at the foot-stoole of thy mercy and as thou by thy word didst make me in the beginning so by thy word canst thou reuiue me that am neere both spiritually corporally dead If thou in thy wisedome thinke that this my infirmity be more profitable vnto me then health or death more coÌ„uenient for me theÌ„ life performe thine owne good pleasure towards me only make me inwardly and outwardly ready that I setting both the houses of my soule and bodie in order through Christ I may recommend both into thy most sacred and sauing disposition Grant this Oh Father for Iesus Christ thy beare Sonnes sake who liueth and raigneth with thee in the heauens with whome and in whom grant Lord that I may liue and after this life raigne for euermore Amen O Lord increase my faith euermore Meditations vpon the sicke mans recouerie of his health I Will prayse thee O Lord with all my heart and I will magnifie thy name for euer for many are thy mercies towards me for thou hast deliuered my soule from the lowest graue Therefore now as thâ—â— hast renued my outward health renue my inward obedience Rectifie my iudgement make true peace in my conscience blesse my sences purifie my affections order my memorie increase and con 〈…〉 e my loue of thee who hast shewâ—â— me more mercies and fauours then my tongue can expresse O my soule praise thou the Lord and all that is within thee praise his holy name my soule praise thou the Lord and forget not all his benefits which forgiueth all thy sinnes and healeth all thine infirmities which hath redeemed thy life from the graue crowned thee with mercie and louing kindnesse which filleth thy mouth with good things and renueth thine age as an Eagle Thou Lord are full of compassion and mercie slow to anger and of great goodnesse thou wilt not alway childe neither keepest thou thine anger for euer Thou hast not dealt with mee according to my sinnes nor rewarded mee according to mine iniquities As a father hath compassion on his sonne so hast thou compassion on them that feare thee I will praise thee O Lord among the people I will sing vnto thee in the congregation of the Saints for thy mercie is great aboue the Heauens and thy truth reacheth vnto the cloudes Thou knowâ—st whereof I am made Thou remembrest that I am but dust Let my soule therefore liue and it shall prayse thee Lord increase my faith and confirme it ouermore in Christ Iesus Amen A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said of such as visite a sicke friend or brother MAn that is borne of a â—â—man hath but a short time to liue and is full of miserie Therefore is euery man subiect to sicknes and death To bewaile therefore the sickenesse or death of our dearest friends beyond that which is â—it is much to be reproued because it argueth a kinde of discontent that God should visite vs in the visitation of our friends children or dearest parents We must therefore auoid two extreameâ— â—â—â—st that we sorrow not as doe the Heathen that haue no hope of a future better life Secondly wee must beware wee follow not the steps of Ieroboam who â—ought help at the hands of Baal-zebuâ— for his sonne And as did Ahaziah in his owne sicknesse we must rather enter into an holy consideration that God in whatsoeuer he layeth vpon our selues or vpon them we loue as our selues it is for his owne glory and therefore to be praised of vs both for ours the good of those our friends whom he afflicteth if we beleeue his promises that all things shall worke together for the good of them that loue him The best office then and the most Christian duety that a Father can performe for and in the behalfe of his sicke childe or one deare friend or brother for another is first to admonish him that sinnes cause sicknesse and to moue him to repent them that euery man is borne to die and therefore to perswade him to prepare himselfe for another condition not to flatter him as too many doe as that they seenâ— cause why he should feare death at this time they seeme rather to assure him
enemie desires to heare or see or finde some reprochfull blemish in him whom he loueth not and to that end will obserue and marke our conuersations and will solicite others to prie into our wayes to the end he may bring vs into slander But the man that is wise as a Serpent will seeke also to be innocent as a Doue knowing that he walkes in the light and his enemies are euer attending on his wayes in couert It therefore concernes vs much to consider how we walk before men much more how we stray before our enemies and because it is not in our power to walke before God or men to be vpright the first and principal thing for which we ought to pray is for the grace of God to liue an vpright life that our enemie the diuell haue no aduantage against vs. So shall our corporall enemies be inforced to be silent and hauing clensed and conformed our conuersation to a righteous course then our prayers to God for deliuerie against our enemies will be truely auaileable for then will hee take our cause into his owne hand and he will be our buckler sword and defence and we shall be safe vnder the shadow of his wings especially if we seeke according to the rule of Christ to doe them good that seeke to doe vs hurt for it is the part of a true Christian to seeke atonement euen with his enemies And as the Wise-man counselleth If he that hateth thee be hungry giue him bread Christ commands the same So mayest thou ouercome him and so winne him that his owne conscience shall moue him to turne his hatred into loue or else shalt thou heap coales of wrath on his head and God shall haue respect to thine offering and accept thy prayers Vse therefore this prayer following or some to 〈◊〉 purpose and God shal worke for thee and turne all enmitie of men and Satan to thy good A Prayer against enemies LOrd looke downe in merciâ— from heauen vpon me marke and consider mine enemies what they are and how many that lay wayt to doe me hurt Many 〈◊〉 there is no helpe for me in thee So proud and malicious are they th 〈…〉 they forget that thou art God who defendest the poore and oppressed that call vpon thee They remember that thou â—ittest a righteous Judge to iudge thy people with equitie how thou crushest the enemies of thy people as an earthen pot with a rod of iron Lord let them know that thâ—â— art God 〈◊〉 thy deliuery of me out of th 〈…〉 〈◊〉 They are too strong for 〈◊〉 too wise and politicke toâ— too malicious for Lord thou knowest I would gladly be at peace with them but when I seeke it they 〈◊〉 the more insolent and the read 〈…〉 to oppresse me And therefore I appeale vnto thee for succour to whom saluation belougeth Leade me and direct my wayes aright O Lord because of mine enemies deliuer me from them and saue mee for thy mercies sake O Lord my God I trust in thee saue me from mine enemies and deliuer me lest they deuour me lift vp thy selfe on my side against their malicious furiâ— let their malice come to an end let their snares be broken let their deuices come to nought and their policies wherby they plot my hurt become foolishnes and turne to their own shame Maintaine thou Lord my right and my cause for thou art set in the throne and iudgest right yet deale not with me according to my sinnes But to mine aduersaries what offeÌ„ce haue I committed I know not yet would I be reconciled and liue at peace But if thou haue raised them vp to trie me Lord giue me streÌ„gth and patience and then let them rage and swell for I know thou hast limited their power they cannot doe what they list and therefore J will not feare what they can doe vnto mee they may raile as Shem did on Dauid they may seeke my life as Iesabel did the life of Eliah and as Saul did the life of Dauid they may vow not to eat nor drink vntil they haue done me some mischiefe but thou hast a ring in their nosthrills thou hast bound them within the compasse of thine 〈◊〉 will and power keepe them 〈◊〉 lest they preuaile against me and say thou art not able to deliuer 〈◊〉 out of their hands as they said reprochfully of thee touching thâ— dearest Sonne Let him deliuer him if he will haue him Oh saue me 〈◊〉 deliuer me in that thy Sonne from the power of this malicious generation Thou hast euer beene 〈◊〉 yet art my strength my defence and my saluation therefore shall 〈◊〉 not much be moued at their contentions but vnder the shadow of the wings will I reioyce Teach 〈◊〉 thy way O Lord and I shal walke in thy truth knit my heart 〈◊〉 thee and I will feare thy 〈◊〉 So shal mine enemies 〈◊〉 put to 〈◊〉 lence they watch ouer my way 〈…〉 and couet to catch me in my sinnes and lay baites to allure me to the breach of a good conscience that they may colour their hatred with the seeming desire of sincerity But thou knowest me and them I cannot iustifie mine integritie before thee for I am a man ful of infirmities but these men I haue not offended therefore iudge betweene me and them and leaue me not in their power nor in me a reuenging spirit but rather that I may couet to doe them good that if they will not be hartily reconciled the coales of thy displeasure fall on their 〈◊〉 â—ates And my soule shall reioyce in thee yea I shall reioyce in thy saluation I shall praise thy name who hast deliuered me from him that is too mighty for me And let not mine enemies Lord vuiustly reioyce ouer me let them neuer say in their hearts nor see the day wherein they may truely imagine or say that they haue preuailed against me So shall my tongue vtter thy righteousnes and praise thy goodnes thy prouidence mercies while I haue any being Which grant Lord for thy deare Sonnes sake my only Mediator Amen Lord increase my faith and defend me from mine enemies A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said of euery true Christian for the Ministers and Preachers of the word of God IF men did duely and religiously consider what a blessing it is to haue the word of God sincerely preached vnto them they would be more thankfull to God for them who are as the conduite pipes to bring and conuey the water of life vnto them the glad tidings of peace and reconciliation with God in Christ. Men naturally loue them that giue them corporall food and necessaries they dearely esteeme and reuerence the Nurses and Eoster-fathers that yeeld them but things to strengthen and maintaine their naturall liues and the Physitians by whose art and industrie they perswade themselues to haue receiued health for their bodies And is it not much to be admired that men receiuing the nourishment and vitall streÌ„gth of
many yet forget not to bee good vnto thy chosen leaue not thy Saints vnto the spoyler rather shorten these dayes of sinne lest that the increase of vngodlinesse seduce euen the righteous and they perish also by straying from the way of life Lord increase our faith Another Prayer for the Uniuersall Church in the time of affliction or persecution MOst gracious Father as thou hast shewed thy selfe in former times a most powerfull protector of thy Church euer since the propagation thereof and by thy holy spirit hast conserued it in the vnitie of thy spirit in a constant true profession of thy word in a bolde and sincere confessing of Christ the head of that sanctified body euen when persecution vnto death raged and tyrannized most Bee still mindfull of the same thy little flocke feede it still with thy word defend it still with thy mightie hand guide it euer with thy holy spirit and euermore preserue it as the vine which thine own right hand hath planted Gather together thy sheepe scattered vpon so many mountaines let not the wolues seaze vpon thy tender lambes to teare them in peeces while there is none to helpe Let not the subtill foxes bewitch them with a false religion Let not the wild Boâ—e of Antichristian persecution deuoure them Let not Sathan nor sinne preuaile against them But as thou hast promised let thy Church and euery member of the same be as Mount Sion that shall neuer bee mooued let them stand fast for euer Let them florish in all faith and obedience as trees planted by the riuers and bring forth fruits of religion true pittie aboundantly compasse them with armies of thine Angels as thou diddest compasse Elisha with horses and chariots of fire and as the mountains compasse Ierusalem So let thy preuayling power compasse them about Suffer none O Lord to doe them violence but if in thy wisedome thou thinkest meet to make any member of thy Church a witnesse of thy trueth giue him the spirit of true vnderstanding of thy word faith and constancie to imbrace what measure of affliction or persecution thou shalt thinke fit to lay vpon him for the same forsake him not O Lord in his trials nor lay no more vpon him then it may please thee to giue him power to indure Make thy children O Lord strong and then cannot the threats of the cruellest Tyrants dismay thy outwardly weakest witnesses from vndergoing the extremest passion of martyrdome O fortifie all them whom thou hast appointed to any kind of torment for the testimony of the truth of the Gospel of Iesus Christ. Season them so with the assurance of their future glory that they flie not nor start backe for feare of whatsoeuer torture thine enemies may threaten or execute The least of which not being assisted and made easie by thy all-shining countenance vpon the soule of the persecuted cannot but dismay him and dismaying make him faint and fainting make him fall and so to denie thee Looke downe therefore O Lord vpon and visite all thine afflicted members protect them from secret conspiracies open practises and violent incursions plotted by Sathan and Antichrist and attempted by their bewitched instruments by whom thy Church and the members thereof and dayly afflicted and indangered Take thou wee humbly beseech thee our defence into thine owne hands Stop the breach which the enemie hath made Maintaine Lord thine owne word protect and keepe thine owne people conuert reuert or confound them that fight against thee by word or sword and fight against them that fight against thee in thy members that thou maiest be glorified thy Church increased and euery member of the same euerlastingly comforted in Christ their head Be it so good Father Amen Lord increase our faith Another short Prayer for the prosperitie of the Church and gouernment thereof GOd Father in Iesus Christ looke downe from heauen vpon and visite the viâ—e which thy right hand hath planted Send labourers into thy vineyard that they may so prune it and dresse it that it may branch and beare plentifully good fruit Suffer nâ— loyterers or idle persons in steade of labourers to enter into or vndertake to husband this vine Let no prophane person haue any superintendencie within the same But let the holy the faithfull the diligent industrious and such 〈◊〉 haue care to aduance thy Gospel and glory to instruct to exhort to improue rebuke and to bee instant in season and out of season be established ouerseers in this vineyard By whose watching and worke all the branches may be so succoured and carried vpward as they may not cease growing vntill they mount vp vnto the perfection of spirituall knowledge and practise of all pietie and fiâ—â—all obedience and consequently became members of that celestiall Ierusalem Send Lord such watchmen to keepe thy vine as by the sword of the spirit may be able to incounter and keepe out expulse abandon and driue away all hurtfull and prophane beasts all Swinelike drunkards all Lyonlike furious and Wolfelike denouring and rauening persons all Camelionlike Hypocrites all Leopardlike spotted Professors and all Foxelike crafty deuisors of and inâ—iâ—â—rs to new and false doctrines which the Gospel of thy Sonne Christ Iesus warranteth not Let onely the meeke sheepe and humble lambes the truly religious and holy be euermore gouernours and the gouerned in this heauenly Vineyard thy Church And although no visible Congregation can bee without these hidden and dangerous members knowne onely to thy selfe confirme the faith of euery childe of thine that they may be more and more inlightened confirmed in their hope through a sound and sincere profession of thy truth neuer to be remoued vnto the end Amen Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be sayd for the Kings Maiestie WHen God had caused to be diuided the land of Canaan into parts according to the Twelue tribes of Israel he substituted as vnder and in the name of himselfe first Judges and after Kings to gouerne theâ— whereof some were vertuous religious and fearing God and they defended the truth of God protecteâ— his Church vnder them Some weroâ— dolaters perturbers of the Church 〈◊〉 God and Tyrants The first respecting the lawes of God and good of his Church made the lawes of God the paterne of their gouernments The second either not knowing God or knowing him did not honour him as God but fell from the liuing God themselues and caused the people to fall likewise from God to Idols therby highly incensing God to indignation against them who grieuously punished them with their Kings Dauid Iosiah Hezekiah Asa and Ieboshaphat were Kings that feared God 1. King 15. 12. 2. Chron. 17. 3. These did God aduance to comfort his children by the free vse of his word and to defend them from the aduersaries hand 2. Chron. 1. 11. Contrarily he setteth vp tyrants for the punishment of a rebellious people as Nehemiah complaineth Nehem. 9. 37. Manasses made the streets of Ierusalem
to auoid the danger when the blow is giuen The very terror of the miseries present will so astonish and perplexe our harts as we shal run as men amazed for succor and shal find none for reliefe and none will giue it and for safetie and none shall bee able to preserue vs from the destroying angels hand Our faith will faile vs our prayer will bee cold and not steed vs when we shall runne here and there as at our wits end for feare of the dangers before our eyes O let vs therefore delay no time to flie vnto God not with our old polluted ragges of sinne and iniquitie but with renewed hearts and heartie repentance Let vs meete the Lord as the Niniuites did so shall wee recouer our spirituall strength and if any of these calamities fall vpon vs wee shall bee hardie in Christ our Sauiour and with courage meete the enemie in the gap namely the sword vndergoe famine with constancie and in pestilence rest boldly on the prouidence of him that hath promised to keepe his faithfull ones in whatsoeuer danger And therefore let vs bee mooued to some consideration that as our fathers haue been visited with these calamities for their sinnes wee cannot dreame of greater immunitie considering our sins are as ripe and as rotten as were theirs and Gods power is not diminished but his heauie and punishing and destroying hand is readie to bee stretched out still A Prayer to God to be vsed in the time of peace to preuent warre in plentie to preuent famine and in the time of health to preuent the pestilence fit also to be vsed in the time of warre famine and the pestilence also GReat and terrible art thou O God and in thy furie takest vengeance against a rebellious stubborne stifenecked and a wicked people Bee patient with vs O Lord be patient with vs and although we be of vnholy coÌ„uersations spare vs and be merciful vnto vs. Shoote not the arrowes of thy displeasure against vs for the least of them is able to wound the hayrie scalpe of thy mightiest enemies and to crush them in peeces like a Potters vessell O stay stay thine anger against vs preuent warres draw not thy sword vpon vs take not the staffe of bread from vs send not the pestilence among vs for we are not able to stand in thy fight when thou art angrie Be appeased towards vs good Father in Christ our Mediatour free vs of the dangers which wee haue deserued and which as wee cannot but feare doe houer ouer our heads for our sins Our sinnes are many monstrous horrible and as it seemeth incorrigible Thou hast shaken thy sword ouer vs wee saw it and were for the time afraid thou hast punished vs with pestilence we haue felt it and were indangered Thou hast weakened the staffe of bread amongst vs wee haue tasted it And yet we continue in our wonted disobedience we goe on still in our wickednesse like vnto those rebellious Iewes that put to death the Lord of life who are giuen vp vnto a reprobate sence We also haue eies to see and yet see not our dangers eares to heare and yet we heare not with sense thy fearefull threats for sinne and thy seuere iudgements vpon them that transgresse thy commandements wittingly we haue hearts to perceiue and yet we seeme not to vnderstand those things that belong vnto our peace and punishment we are not sensible of thy displeasure but we lull our selues asleepe with the sweet deceiuing delights of our fleshly affections and harden our hearts as Adamants against thy word O gracious Father giue vs repentant hearts for our sins vnderstanding harts of thy will giue vs obedient hearts to practise true pietie and holinesse in faith vnfained that we may appease thy wrath inkindled against vs through Christ the Mediatour of all that returne to thee in a holy submission Turne vs therefore Lord and wee shall returne from our euill wayes and obtaine mercy in him that is our aduocate with thee Iesus Christ the righteous by whose intercession it may please thee to spare vs thy people spare vs let neither the sword that deuoureth without mercie come neere vs let not famine too much afflict vs that hath no measure in pinching and let not the pestilence steale vpon vs that secretly flieth and striketh without respect of person sere or age Lord giue vs repentance and accept thine owne gift our repentance and our atonement with thee that if it please thee these euils fall not vpon vs as wee haue deserued but being made one againe with thee thine eye may bee vpon vs euer in mercie to deliuer our soules in death and to preserue vs in faâ—ine Thou art God a strong hold in the day of trouble let vs not esteeme our selues strong in our own might nor leane vpon our own wisdome to defend our selues when any of these calamities shall bee inflicted vpon vs. Make vs righteous so shalt thou preserue vs thou art the strength and hope of Israel of al that are of a holy conuersation faithfull Bee vnto vs a strong rocke whereunto wee may alwaies resort in warre in famine in pestilence and in all the calamities that accompanie or follow them Make vs constant in all goodnesse giue vs helpe against trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Harken therefore vnto the prayer of thy seruants and deliuer vs in Christ. Amen Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO A short prayer to be vsed in the time of warre THe children of Israel continuing to commit wickednesse in the sight of the Lord the Lord raised the Philistims against theÌ„ who made war vpon them and made them their seruants for fortie yeeres Iudg. 13 1. he raised likewise the Ammonites against them who vexed them 18. yeeres Iudg. 10. 7. and gaue them into the hands of the Midianites for 7. yeeres Iudg. 6. 1. As men fal from God so he sendeth them enemies as it were to inforce their reformation and if these kinds of afflictions cannot win them hee giues them ouer to more sharper calamities as he did the children of Israel whom he deliuered into the hands of meere spoilers and sold them into the hands of their enemies round about them which way soeuer they went his hand was stil against them Iudg. 2. 14. 15. yet when they repented cried vnto him he raised vp meanes to release them and deliuered them Iudg. 3. 9. 10. whereby we may be mooued to seeke the Lord before the Lord send foorth his persecuring ministers as the children of Israel intreated Samuel to pray vnto God for them before their danger fell vpon them that God might bee pleased to preuent that which they feared and at Samuels intercession they were preserued and their enemies scattered and confounded 1. â—am 7 8. 9. This is the course that Christians ought to take first to clense themselues from sinne and then to repaire vnto God in humble supplication for defence and preseruation and by
promise they may be assured of timely deliueraÌ„ce in the instant of their greatest danger Some trust in chariots and some in horses but let vs remember the name of the Lord our God A Prayer to be vsed in the time of warre O God of hoasts wee beseeth thee looke downe vpon vs thy people oppressed and afflicted with the fearefull visitation of the sword wherwith thou threatnest to punish vs for our disobedience Thou art the God of peace send peace if it please thee and if they will not bee appeased breake the swords of thine and the Kings and thy Churches enemies shiuer their speares in sunder confound their counsels distract their league dissipate and disperse their companies stop their furie frustrate their hopes strike terror in their hearts weaken their armes take from them the staffe of bread and stand thou in the defence of thine Anointed incourage his heart and the hearts of all his subiects to shew themselues faithfull in thee girâ— thou their victorious swords vpon their loynes Manage thou their battels and giue them the victorie Giue them such successe as Iehosh aphat had against his enemies by thee Confound the enemie as thou didst Sennacheribs souldiers do vnto them as thou didst vnto Pharaoh and to his hoast Prosper them that fight for thy truth as thou didst Dauid against the Philistims and let thine Anointed take vp the triumphant song of Dauid The Lord hath diuided mine enemies asunder as water is diuided Goe out before our Captaines as thou didst before Deborah and Barak giue vs vi 〈…〉 ie as vnto them for it consisteth in thy power and prouidence not in Goliahs strength nor in Achitophels counsell nor in multitudes but in thee alone and therefore in thee do we trust let vs neuer be confounded It is sinne wee confesse that stirreth vp these calamities against vs giue vs repenting hearts and reformed spirits Let vs lift vp pure hands with vndefiled hearts as Moses did vnto thee and prosper Let our enemies fly before vs as before Iosuah and let their strong holâ—â— be as the wals of cursed Iericho hurle them downe and let them neuer bee built againe to trouble the peace of thy Church Thou art the author of peace extend thy peace ouer her like a floud Lord lift thou vp thy countenance vpon vs and giue vs thy peace in Christ. Amen Lord increase my faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer in the time of famine or dearth FAmine is the most grieuous plague that can befall man in this life for the want of foode causeth the bodie to pine and consume it pincheth the very entrails of al creatures brutish and humane without respect In so much as to appease this greedie monster as it may be termed men are inforced to feed on things most lothsome and vnwholesome instead of things salutarie and good There may be a Dearth without Famine but neuer Famine without a Dearth for to appease the violent furie of hunger men will giue their greatest Jewels and in the times of much necessitie hunger is of so homely a condition as where in the time of abuÌ„dance it scorned base and homely meats she scornes not now the basest nor the vilest things Famine is a Tyrant Dearth but a theefe the one fauours neither poore nor rich but oppresseth all without respect of person age or sexe the other is parciall stealeth from the poore and giueth to the rich it pineth the needie and filleth the wealthie and therefore is Dearth vncharitable vnreasonable and vnconscionable vncharitable in not giuing to the poore vnreasonable in not obseruing where most need is vnconscionable in withholding from the poore and giuing to the rich but they are both the instruments of Gods heauie displeasure for sinne and therefore not bee preuented or relieued without true repentance and faithfull prayer God hath promised that such as seekâ— him with a faithfull heart shall want no maner of thing that is good and in the time of dearth they shall haue enough Woâ— bee vnto them that in the time of dearth keepe in their corne and other victuals to inhaunce the prices that grinde the facts of the poore they shall be numbred among the wicked and their names shall be written among those that haue no loue but the faithfull shal feed and be satisfied and the little that the righteous hath shall be better more comfortable vnto him then the great abundance of the vngodly Therfore in the time of this kinde of visitation it behoueth all men to pray vnto God whose power is able to doe wonderfull things to make a cup of cold water and a morsell of bread to giue strength whereupon to walke fortie dayes as Eliah did and to increase the small portion that we haue and to make it powerfull to nourish vs as to the widow of Sarepthah Trust thou therefore in the Lord be doing good and thou shalt be fed assuredly They shall not bee confounded in the perillous time that trust in the Lord but in the dayes of famine they shall haue enough A Prayer in the time of Famine and Dearth O Great and powerfull mercifull and louing Father in Jesus Christ who hast made man to serue thee and all creatures to serue maÌ„ Look down wee beseech thee vpon vs now in the time of distresse want of necessaries to sustaine our mortal bodies Thou knowest whereof we are made remember that we are but dust and our liues are sustained by those thy creatures that thou hast created for our vse which thou hast now so diminished and decreased as the staffe of our sustinance is broken and we waxe faint vnder the burthen of thy heauie displeasure It is our sinnes Lord that haue drawne downe this fearefull visitation vpon vs which we are not able to beare And therefore as thou art gracious merciful powerfull and prouident forgiue vs our sinnes in thy mercie in Christ. Releeue vs by thy power for his sake and prouide for vs in thy prouidence call to minde thy mercies of old wherein thou relieuedst not only our faithfull Fathers but such as were strangers also vnto thy Couenant the Aegyptians to whom thou diddest send Ioseph to prouide for the Famine to come a speciall worke of thy wonderfull prouideÌ„ce Come now vnto vs Lord coâ—â— now vnto vs increase our small store and blesse it as thou diddest the oyle and meale of Eliahs h 〈…〉 faile vs not nor forsake vs in the 〈…〉 e of our greatest need leaue vs not in our distresse Thou haddest compassion Lord vpon foure thousand which were to depart from thee and diddest feede them when they had nothing to eate and thou gauest them sufficient with seuen loaâ—es â—as also fiue thousand with fiue loâ—â—es and a few fishes all men suffised and many fragments remained Why therefore should we feare or despaire of thy prouidence seeing thou canst feed so many with so little shew of outward meanes and as thou canst releeue with little in quantitie so
A PENSIVE Soules delight OR The Deuout mans helpe Consisting of Motiues Meditations and Prayers For all persons and purposes vpon what occasion so euer either priuate or publike By IOHN NORDEN PHILIP 〈…〉 Be nothing carefull but in all things 〈…〉 be shewed vnto God in prayer and supplication with giuing of thankes And the peace of God 〈◊〉 passeth all vnderstanding shall preserue your hearts and minds in Christ Iesus LONDON Printed by Will. Stansby for Iohn Busby and are to be sold at his shop in S. Dunstanes Churchyard in Fleetstreete 1615. 1. Ianuarie called of the Latins Ianuarius Graecians Gamelton Hebrewes Tebeth and is their 10. moneth hath 31. daies 1 A Calends The first day of this Moneth Christ was circumcised Luk. 1. 21. The tops of the mountaines appeared vnto Noah Gen 8. 5. The Israelites put away their wiues Ezra 10. 16. 2 b   3 c Nones of Ia. 4  4 d Nones of Ia. 3  5 e  The 5. of this moneth word was brought vnto Ezechiel the Prophet that the Citie Ierusalem was â—mitten Ezechiel 33. 21. 6 f Day before the N. The sixth of this moneth Christ was worshipped of the wise men Mat. 2. 1 c. baptized Mat. 3. 15. turned water into wine Ioh. 2. 1. c. as testifieth Epiphanius 7 g Nones of Ianuar.  8 A Idus of Ianuarie 8  9 b Idus of Ianuarie 7  10 c Idus of Ianuarie 6 The 10. of this Month Nabuchadnezzar King of Babel moued therunto by the rebellion of Zedechiah besieged IerusaleÌ„ most fiercely as may appeare 2. Kings 25. c. Ier. 52. 4. Also Ezechiel was willed to vtter his parable Ezech. 2. c. 11 d Idus of Ianuarie 5  12 e Idus of Ianuarie 4  13 f Idus of Ianuarie 3  14 g Day before the Id.  15 A Idus of Januarie  16 b Calends of Februarie 17  17 c Calends of Februarie 16  18 d Calends of Februarie 15  19 e Calends of Februarie 14  20 f Calends of Februarie 13  21 g Calends of Februarie 12  22 A Calends of Februarie 11  23 b Calends of Februarie 10  24 c Calends of Februarie 9  25 d Calends of Februarie 8 Paul called and conuerted the 25 of this moneth Acts 9. 3. 26 e Calends of Februarie 7  27 f Calends of Februarie 6  28 g Calends of Februarie 5  29 A Calends of Februarie 4  30 b Calends of Februarie 3  31 c Day before the Galends of Feb.  Festiual daies in this moneth be Circumcision the first Epiphanie the sixth day 2. Februarie called of the Latins Februarius GraeciaÌ„s Elâ—phebolioÌ„ Hebrews Shebat and is their 11. month hath 28. daies vnlesse it bee yere Bissâ—util and then 29. 1 d Calends The first of this moneth Moses repeated the Law vnto the children of Israel Deut. 1. 3. 2 e Nones of Februar 4 The second of this month our Sauiour was presented to the Lord and Marie purified Luke 2. 22. 3 f Nones of Februar 3  4 g Day before the N.  5 A Nones of Februa  6 b Idus of Februar 8  7 c Idus of Februar 7  8 d Idus of Februar 6  9 e Idus of Februar 5 The ninth of this month Noah 40. daies after he had seene the tops of the mountaines sent out of the Ark a Rauen afterward a Doue which returned Ge. 8. 6 c. 10 f Idus of Februar 4  11 g Idus of Februar 3  12 A Day before the Id.  13 b Idus of Februar  14 c Calends of March 17  15 d Calends of March 16 The 15. of this month the Iewes spend merily together for that the Spring of the yeare doth enter then as they thinke  16 e Calends of March 15 The 16. of this moneth Noah the second time sent out a Doue which returned with an Oliue branch in her bill Gen. 8. 10.  17 f Calends of March 14  18 g Calends of March 13  19 A Calends of March 12  20 b Calends of March 11  21 c Calends of March 10  22 d Calends of March 9  23 e Calends of March 8  24 f Calends of March 7 The 24. of this month Zechariah was commanded to prophecie Zechary 1. 7. Matthias was elected into the number of the Apostles Acts 1. 26. 25 g Calends of March 6  26 A Calends of March 5  27 b Calends of March 4  28 c Calends of March 3  29 d Day before the Calends of March.  Festiuall daies in this moneth be the 2. called the Purification of Saint Marie The 〈◊〉 which is Saint Mâ—thias day 3. March called of the Latinâ— Martius Graecians Mouuichyon Hebrewes Adar and is their 12. moneth hath â—1 daies 1 d Calends  2 e Nones of March 6  3 f Nones of March 5 The Temple of Ierusalem was finished the 3. day of this month Esra 6. 15. In the 1. of Esdr. 7. 5. it is said to be the 23. of this moneth 4 g Nones of March 4  5 A Nones of March 3  6 b Day before the N.  7 c Nones of March  8 d Idus of March 8  9 e Idus of March 7  10 f Idus of March 6 The tenth of this month Christ was aduertised that Lazarus was sicke Ioh. 11. 3. 11 g Idus of March 5  12 A Idus of March 4  13 b Idus of March 3 A feast was celebrated among the Iewes for the ouerthrow of Nicanor the 13. of this moneth 2. Mâ—â— 15. 37. Also vpoÌ„ the same day al the Iews vnder Ashuerosh were commanded to bee put to death Esth. 3. 13. vpon the same day the Iewes had a priuiledge giuen them to slay all their enemies Est. 8. 12. This day also the Iewes solemnized for their ioifull deliuerance Est. 8. 17. 14 c Day before the Id. The 14. day of this month was called of the Iews Mardocheus day 2. Macc. 15. 37 also Purim as may appeare Est 〈…〉 9. vers 21. 26. 15 d Idus of March The 15. also is another day of Purim Est. 9. 21. 16 e Calends of Aprill 17 The 16. of this Moneth Lazarus was raised from the dead Iohn 11. 43. 17 f Calends of Aprill 16  18 g Calends of Aprill 15  19 A Calends of Aprill 14  20 b Calends of Aprill 13  21 c Calends of Aprill 12  22 d Calends of Aprill 11  23 e Calends of Aprill 10  24 f Calends of Aprill 9  25 g Calends of Aprill 8  26 A Calends of Aprill 7  27 b Calends of Aprill 6  28 c Calends of Aprill 5  29 d Calends of Aprill 4  30 e Calends of Aprill 3  31 f Day before the Calends of April  This Moneth hath one testiual day called the
Annunciation of Saint Mariâ— celebrated the 25. of this moneth 4. April called of the Latins Aprilis Grecians Thargelion Hebrewes Abib or Nisan and is their 〈◊〉 moneth hath 30 daies 1 g Calends The first of this Moneth Noah vncouered the Arke saw earth Ge. 8. 13. Moses reared the Tabernacle Exo 40. 2. 17 the Temple began to be sanctified 〈◊〉 29. 17. 2 A Nones of April 4  3 b Nones of April 3  4 c Day before the N.  5 d Nones of April  6 e Idus of April 8  7 f Idus of April 7  8 g Idus of April 6  9 A Idus of April 5  10 b Idus of April 4 The 10. of this â—onth the childreÌ„ of Israel â—aised thorow the riuer IordaÌ„ on dry foote Iâ—su 4. 19. the Paschal Lamb was chosen Exo. 12. 3. 11 c Idus of April 3  12 d Day before the Id.  13 e Idus of April The 13. of this moneth the edict of King Ahashuerosh came out for the murthering of the Iewes Esth. 3. 12. 14 f Calends of May. 18 The 14. of this month the Passeouer was kept Exo. 12. 6. Leuit. 23. 5. Ios. 5. 10. 15 g Calends of May. 17 The 15. of this moneth the Israelites departed out of Egypt Numb 33. 3. 16 A Calends of May. 16 The 16. of this moneth Hezekiah made an end of sanctifying and purging the Temple 2 Chron. 20. 17. 17 b Calends of May. 15  18 c Calends of May. 14 The 18. of this month the childreÌ„ of Israel walked on drie land through the midst of the red sea Exod. 14. 19. 19 d Calends of May. 13  20 e Calends of May. 12  21 f Calends of May. 11  22 g Calends of May. 10  23 A Calends of May. 9  24 b Calends of May. 8 The 24 Daniel saw his vision Dan 10. 4. 25 c Calends of May. 7  26 d Calends of May. 6  27 e Calends of May. 5  28 f Calends of May. 4  29 g Calends of May. 3  30 A Day before the Calends of May.  The 25. of this moneth the feast of S. Marke is obserued 5. May called of the Latins Maius Graecians Scrirophorion Hebrevves Liar vvhich is their 2. moneth hath 31. daies 1 b Calends The first of this Moneth Moses vvas commanded to number the children of Israel Numb 11. c. 2 c Nones of May. 6  3 d Nones of May. 5  4 e Nones of May. 4  5 f Nones of May. 3 The 5. of this Moneth Christ is thought to haue ascended vp into heauen Mar. 16. 9. Luk. 24. 51. Act. 19. They which could not keep the Passeouer at the day appointed by the Lord vvere willed to celebrate the same the 14. of this month Nu. 3â— v. 10. 11. So did the Israelites at the commandement of King Hezekiah 2. Ch. 30. 15. 6 g Day before the N.  7 A Nones of May.  8 b Idus of May. 8  9 c Idus of May. 7  10 d Idus of May. 6  11 e Idus of May. 5  12 f Idus of May. 4  13 g Idus of May. 3  14 A Day before the Id  15 b Idus of May.  16 c Calâ—nds of Iune 17 The 16. day Manna rained from heauen Exod. 16. 14. 17 d Calâ—nds of Iune 16 The 17. day Noah entred the Arke and the floud began Gen. 7. 11. 13. 18 e Calâ—nds of Iune 15  19 f Calâ—nds of Iune 14  20 g Calâ—nds of Iune 13  21 A Calâ—nds of Iune 12  22 b Calâ—nds of Iune 11 The 22. fire from Heauen consumed such as murmured against the Lord. N 〈…〉 〈◊〉 23 c Calâ—nds of Iune 10 The 23. the Israelites with great ioy triumphingly entred into the Castle of Ierusalem 1 Mac. 13. 51. 24 d Calâ—nds of Iune 9  25 e Calâ—nds of Iune 8  26 f Calâ—nds of Iune 7  27 g Calâ—nds of Iune 6 Noah the 27. the water being dried vp came foorth of the Arke Gen. 8. 14 c. 28 A Calâ—nds of Iune 5  29 b Calâ—nds of Iune 4  30 c Calâ—nds of Iune 3  31 d Day before the Calends of Iune  The first of this Moneth is vsually celebrated for the feaâ—â— of Philip and Iacob 6. Iune called of the Latins Iunius Giaecians Ekatombaion Hebrewes Siuan which is their third moneth hath 30. daies 1 e Calends The first comming of the childreÌ„ of Israel vnto mouÌ„t Sinai was the 1. of this moneth where they abode 11. moneths and 20. daies in which time all those things were done recorded in Exod. cap. 19. 1. c. 2 f Nones of Iune 4  3 g Nones of Iune 3  4 A Day before the N.  5 b Nones of Iune  6 c Idus of Iune 8 The sixth of this moneth Alexander that mighty Monarch of the world was borne of whom Dan. c. 11. 3. doth prophesic Also on this day that famous temple of Diana in Ephesus numbred among the 7. wonders of the world was set on fire by Herostratus The Iewes likewise kept their feast of Pentecost on this day 7 d Idus of Iune 7  8 e Idus of Iune 6  9 f Idus of Iune 5  10 g Idus of Iune 4  11 â— Idus of Iune 3  12 b Day before the Id.  13 c Idus of Iune  14 d Calends of Iuly 18  15 e Calends of Iuly 17  16 f Calends of Iuly 16  17 g Calends of Iuly 15  18 A Calends of Iuly 14  19 b Calends of Iuly 13  20 c Calends of Iuly 12  21 d Calends of Iuly 11  22 e Calends of Iuly 10  23 f Calends of Iuly 9 The 23 of this month the first edict came out for the safetie of Gods people the Iewes against Haman and the rest of their enemies Esther 8. 9. 24 g Calends of Iuly 8  25 A Calends of Iuly 7  26 b Calends of Iuly 6  27 c Calends of Iuly 5  28 d Calends of Iuly 4  29 e Calends of Iuly 3 The 29. of this month the Arke of Noah throught the increase of waters was lifted vp from the earth Gen. 7. 12. 30 f Day before the Calends of Iuly  Festiuall daies in this moneth are the 24. which is the feast of S. Ioh. Baptist 29. which is S. Peters 7. Iulie called of the Lâ—â—ins Iullus Oraeciaâ—s Metag 〈…〉 Hâ—brewes Thamus being their 4. moneth hath 31. daies 1 g Cale 〈…〉 s.  2 A Nones of Iuly 6  3 b Nones of Iuly 5  4 c Nones of Iuly 4  5 d Nones of Iuly 3 The 5. of this moneth Exechiel saw his visions Ezeth 1. 1. 6 e Day before the N. The 6. of this moneth the Capitol of Rome counted one of the 7. wonders of the world was burned and the mirror
of Christian Princes King Edward the sixt died the sixt of this moneth Annâ—â—553 â—553 7 f Nones of Iuly  8 g Idus of Iuly 8  9 A Idus of Iuly 7 The 9. of this moneth Ierusalem after it had a long while been besieged by Nebuchadnezzar was taken Ier. 39 2. 10 b Idus of Iuly 6  11 c Idus of Iuly 5  12 d Idus of Iuly 4 The â—2 of this month Iulius Caesar the first Roman Emperor was borne Of him is this moneth called Iuly 13 e Idus of Iuly 3  14 f Day before the Id.  15 g Idus of Iuly  16 A Calâ—nds of August 17  17 b Calâ—nds of August 16  18 c Calâ—nds of August 15 The 18. of this month the Egyptians begin their yere Plin. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 4â— 19 d Calâ—nds of August 14  20 e Calâ—nds of August 13  21 f Calâ—nds of August 12  22 g Calâ—nds of August 11  23 A Calâ—nds of August 10  24 b Calâ—nds of August 9  25 c Calâ—nds of August 8  26 d Calâ—nds of August 7  27 e Calâ—nds of August 6  28 f Calâ—nds of August 5  29 g Calâ—nds of August 4  30 A Calâ—nds of August 3  31 b Day before the Calâ—nds of August  The 25. of this moneth is the feast of S. Iames the Apostle and vpon this day K. James was crowned King of England 1603. 8. August called of the Latins Augustus Graecians Boedrâ—miâ—n Hebrewes Ab which is their 5. moneth hath 3â— daies 1 c Calend. The first of this moneth Aaron 40. yeeres after the childreÌ„ of Israel were come out of Egypt died on mo 〈…〉 Hor Num. 33. 38. Also on this day Ezra with his coÌ„pany came out of Babel vnto Ierusalem Ezra 7. 9. 2 d Nones of August 4  3 e Nones of August 3  4 f Day before the N.  5 g Nones of August  6 A Idus of August 8  7 b Idus of August 7 The 7. of this moneth Nabuchadnezzar burnt the house of the Lord and al Ierusalem 2. King 25. 〈◊〉 9. 8 c Idus of August 6  9 d Idus of August 5  10 e Idus of August 4 The 10. of this moneth some thinke Ierusalem to haue been burnt by the Babylonians Ierem. 52. 12. Iosephus lib. 5. cap. 26. said it was burned afterward by the Romans the same day Therefore doe the Iewes on this day obserue a most straight fait and goe bare-footed and sitting on the ground reade twice ouer the Lamentations of Ieremie 11 f Idus of August 3  12 g Day before the Id  13 A Idus of August  14 b Calends of Septemb. 18  15 c Calends of Septemb. 17  16 d Calends of Septemb. 16  17 e Calends of Septemb. 15  18 f Calends of Septemb. 14  19 g Calends of Septemb. 13  20 A Calends of Septemb. 12  21 b Calends of Septemb. 11  22 c Calends of Septemb. 10  23 d Calends of Septemb. 9  24 e Calends of Septemb. 8  25 f Calends of Septemb. 7  26 g Calends of Septemb. 6  27 A Calends of Septemb. 5  28 b Calends of Septemb. 4  29 c Calends of Septemb. 3  30 〈◊〉 Day before the Calends of Sep.  31 e   The 24. of this moneth is vsually called S. Barthelmewes day 9. September called of the Latins September Graecians Maimacterion Hebrewes Elul which is their 6. moneth hath 30. daies 1 f Calends The first of this Moneth Haggai the Prophet began to prophecie Hag. 1. 1. 2 g Nones of Septemb. 4  3 A Nones of Septemb. 3  4 b Day before the N.  5 c Nones of Septemb.  6 d Idus of Septemb. 8 The sixt of this month Ezechiel saw another vision Ezece 8. 1. 7 e Idus of Septemb. 7 The 7. of this moneth our late most noble Queene Elizabeth vvas borne at Greenevvich Anno 153â— 8 f Idus of Septemb. 6 The 8. of this Month Anno 73. Ierusalem vvas vtterly vvith fire and svvord destroied by Titus the Emperour Ioseph lib. 7. cap. â—6 9 g Idus of Septemb. 5  10 A Idus of Septemb. 4  11 b Idus of Septemb. 3  12 c Day before the Id.  13 d Idus of Septemb.  14 e Calends of October 18  15 f Calends of October 17  16 g Calends of October 16  17 A Calends of October 15  18 b Calends of October 14  19 c Calends of October 13  20 d Calends of October 12  21 e Calends of October 11  22 f Calends of October 10  23 g Calends of October 9  24 〈◊〉 Calends of October 8  25 b Calends of October 7 The 25. of this month Nehemiah finished the vvalleâ— of Ierusalem Nehem. 6. 15. 26 c Calends of October 6  27 d Calends of October 5  28 e Calends of October 4  29 f Calends of October 3  30 g Day before the Calends of October  Festiual daies in this moneth be the 21. S. Matthew 29. S. Michael 〈◊〉 Oâ—â—ob called of the Latins October Graeciaus Pianepsion Hebrewes Thisri and is their 7. moneth hath â—1 daies 1 A Calends The 1. of this moneth the Iews celebrated the feast of Trumpets Leuit. 23. 24. the later Iewes cal this day the beginning of the new yere Ierusalem after it had bin possessed of Christian Princes 88. yeeres through mortall dissension came into the hands of the Saracen Ann. 1187. 2 b Nones of October 6  3 c Nones of October 5 The 3 of this month some hinke the Iewes fasted for the death of Gedaliah wherby occasioÌ„ was offered to bring them againe into the miserable seruitude of the Egyptians 2. King 25. 25. Ierem. 4â— 1. 2 c. 4 d Nones of October 4  5 e Nones of October 3  6 f Day before the N.  7 g Nones of October  8 A Idus of October 8  9 b Idus of October 7  10 c Idus of October 6 The 10. of this month the feast of reconciliation was kept Leuit. 23. 27. So did the yeere of Iubilâ— euery fifty yeere begin as on the same day Leuit 25. 9. 11 d Idus of October 5  12 e Idus of October 4  13 f Idus of October 3  14 g Day before the Id.  15 A Idus of October The 15. of this moneth the Iewes obserued the feast of Tabernacles 7. daies together in memory of the â—ords protecting them in the desert Leuit. 23. 34. 16 〈◊〉 Calends of Nouember 17  17 c Calends of Nouember 16  18 d Calends of Nouember 15  19 〈◊〉 Calends of Nouember 14  20 f Calends of Nouember 13  21 g Calends of Nouember 12  22 A Calends of Nouember 11  23 b Calends of Nouember 10 Â
24 c Calends of Nouember 9  25 d Calends of Nouember 8  26 e Calends of Nouember 7  27 f Calends of Nouember 6  28 g Calends of Nouember 5  29 A Calends of Nouember 4  30 b Calends of Nouember 3  31 c Day before the Calends of Nouemb.  Festiuall daies in this moneth are 18. day S. Luke 28. Simon and Iude. 11. Nouember called of the Latins Nouember Graecians Anthesterion Hebrewes Marbesuam their 8. moneth hath 30. daies 1 d Calends  2 e Nones of Nouemb. 4  3 f Nones of Nouemb. 3 The third of this moneth Constantius the Emperour Sonne to Constantinus the great departed out of this world An. 364. Hist. tripart in the end of the fist booke 4 g Day before the N.  5 A Nones of Nouem  6 b Idus of Nouemb 8  7 c Idus of Nouemb 7  8 d Idus of Nouemb 6  9 e Idus of Nouemb 5  10 f Idus of Nouemb 4 The tenth of this moneth An. 1483. D. Martin Luther was borne in Islebia 11 g Idus of Nouemb 3  12 A Day before the Id.  13 b Idus of Nouemb.  14 c Calends of Decemb. 18  15 d Calends of Decemb. 17 The 15. of this moneth was made a new holiday by Ieroboam without the commandement of God whereupon hee committed most â—icked Idolatry in Dan and Bethel but he remained not long vnpunished nor his people vnplagued for the same as may appeare 1. Kin. 12. verse 32. 33. 1. King 13 1 2. c. 16 e Calends of Decemb. 16  17 f Calends of Decemb. 15 Queene Elizabeth began happily to raign for the aduancement of the Gospel of our Sauiour Christ the 17. of this moneth 1558. 18 g Calends of Decemb. 14 The 18. of this month Tâ—tu the Emperour most cruellie executed to death a great number of the Iewes Ioseph lib. 7. cap. 10. 19 A Calends of Decemb. 13  20 b Calends of Decemb. 12  21 c Calends of Decemb. 11  22 d Calends of Decemb. 10  23 e Calends of Decemb. 9  24 f Calends of Decemb. 8  25 g Calends of Decemb. 7  26 A Calends of Decemb. 6  27 b Calends of Decemb. 5  28 c Calends of Decemb. 4  29 d Calends of Decemb. 3  30 e Day before the Calends of Decemb.  Festiuall daies in this moneth are the first day The feast of All Saints The 30. and last day Saint Andrew the Apostle 12. December called of the Latins Decâ—mber Graecians Poseidon Hebrews Sisleu and is their 9. moneth hath 31 daies 1 f Calends  2 g Nones of December 4  3 A Nones of December 3  4 b Day before the No.  5 c Nones of Decemb.  6 d Idus of Decemb 8  7 e Idus of Decemb 7  8 f Idus of Decemb 6  9 g Idus of Decemb 5  10 A Idus of Decemb 4  1â— b Idus of Decemb 3  12 c Day before the Id.  13 d Idus of December  14 e Calends of Ianuarie 19  15 f Calends of Ianuarie 18 The 15. of this moneth Antiochus placed an abominable Idoll vpon the altar of the Lord. 1. Macc. 1. 57. 16 g Calends of Ianuarie 17  17 A Calends of Ianuarie 16  18 b Calends of Ianuarie 15  19 c Calends of Ianuarie 14  20 d Calends of Ianuarie 13 The 20 of this month Esdra exhorted the Israelites to put away their strange wiues 1. Esd 9. 5. 6. c. 21 e Calends of Ianuarie 12  22 f Calends of Ianuarie 11  23 g Calends of Ianuarie 10  24 A Calends of Ianuarie 9 The foundation of the second Temple was laid the 24. of this moneth Hagg. 2. vers 11. 19. 25 b Calends of Ianuarie 8 The 25. of this month our Sauior Christ was borne of the Virgin the yere after the worlds creation 40 18. On â—hich day also Antiochus Epiphaneâ— entâ—ed into Ierusalem with a mighty army 〈◊〉 spoiled the same Ios. lib 21 c 16. On this day he prophaned the altar of the Lord 1. Macc. 1. 6â— which day also the Iewes kept holy because thereon the Temple was purged from idolatry 1. Mac. 4. â—9 26 c Calends of Ianuarie 7  27 d Calends of Ianuarie 6  28 e Calends of Ianuarie 5 The 28. of this month Heâ—od caused the poore Innoâ—ents to be â—uâ—thered thinking thereby to haue slaâ—ne â—hrist Mat. 2. 16. c 29 f Calends of Ianuarie 4  30 g Calends of Ianuarie 3  31 A Day before the Calends of Ianuar.  Festiual daies in this moneth are the 21. Thomas Apost 25. The Natiuâ—ty of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Steuen 27. Iohn the Euang 28. Innocents called commonly Childermas day ¶ A rule to know how many daies be contained in euery moneth in the yeere Thirtie daies hath Nouember April Iune and September The rest haue thirtiâ— and one Except it be Februarie alone Which alâ—aies hath twenty eight meere VVhen it is no Bisextil or Leape yeere ¶ A note of the Moneths weekes daies and houres throughout the whole yeere The yeere containeth Moneths 12. VVeeks 52. Daies 365. Hours 69478 Day Naturall hath 24 houres Day Artificiall hath 12 houres ¶ An Almanacke for ten yeeres The yere of our Lord. The prime Sundaies letter Leape yeere Ash wednesday the first day of Lent Easter day Whitsunday 1615 1 A  Feb. 22. Apr. 9. May. 28 1616 2 G F Feb 14. Mar. 31. May. 19. 1617 3 E  Mar 7. Apr. 20 Iune 3. 1618 4 D  Feb. 18 Apr. 5. May 24. 1619 5 C  Feb. 10. Mar. 28. May. 16. 1620 6 B A Mar. 1. Apr. 16. Iune 4 1621 7 G  Feb. 14. Apr. 1. May 20. 1622 8 F  Mar. 6. Apr. 21 Iune 9. 1623 9 E  Feb. 16 Apr. 13. Iune 1. 1624 10 D C Feb. 11. Mar. 28. May. 16. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL IOHN DACKHAM ESQVIRE ONE OF the Masters of Requests to the most Mightie IAMES King of Great Britaine SIR EVER SINCE through your fauour I haue had accesse vpon occasions vnto your house And hauing seene the religious ordor which you obserue in the course of your diuine exercise of prayer with your people I haue studied to giue some testimony of my thaÌ„kfulnesse that you were pleased to admit me an often partaker of the same with you as also of your immerited fauours in many other kindes not being able to recompeÌ„ce the least of them Now to shew my selfe in some measure mindfull that I owe you thankfulnesse I am bold to leaue with you this silly pawne the Pensiue Soules Delight consisting of Motiues vnto and Prayers for diuine purposes to stirre vp such as haue any holy desire to that most sweet exercise for in nothing doth true godlines shew it selfe more then in faithful prayer with the sincere practise of a
in the Euening in priuate Families IT is a matter too common with many to passe the day in a kind of lawlesse vanitie and the night in carelesse securitie as if the day and night were only made for man to serue himselfe with the pleasures and profits he can make of either forgetting the true end for which either themselues or the day and night were made that themselues were made to glorifie their Maker in reason and religion The day to serue them for holy exercises and lawfull labours And the night for their corporall rest But contrarily themselues they prophane through many sinnes The day they abuse by idlenesse wantonnesse and vanities And the night they pollute with many forbidden euils And yet passe from day to night and from euening to the day light neuer calling to minde that holy duetie required of them thanksgiuing to God for blessings receiued their humble prayers for pardon of their sins committed and their continuall supplications for their safetie and prosperous successe in their labours and affaires Doth the profession of a Christian require no more then to eate and drink to labour or loyter to passe the time in gaming pleasure idlenes ease and slâ—â—pe Are not these the workes that worldlings wallow in Some are too great and glorious to labour and yet haue no leasure to pray Some are so busied in worldly affaireâ— as they can admit no time to serue God but the Sabbath day and then to come to the Church to see and be seene is the deuotion of many Is this to loue God aboue all things as all haue vowed to serue him before all things and to depend vpon him in all things It rather argueth that the Loue of God is not in them the Feare of God is farre from them and the Grace of God is not with them Remember yee that thus forget God that as the day is past that gaue light to the eyes and darkenesse come that shadoweth the Sunne So the day of Life passeth away and the night of Death approcheth wherein if we liue not in the light of grace while it is to day we shall neuer see the light of glorie to our comfort in the night of our bodies death Therefore before we betake vs to our rest let vs commend our selues and all that we haue in faithfull prayer to God calling together conioyning with our families if we haue any and in a holy and reuerent humiliation of bodies and mindes fall downe before him that seeth vs and who hath promised to be in the midst of two or three gathered together in holy prayer A prayer to be said in priuate Families in the Euening before they goe to rest ALmightie and most louing Lord God Father of compassion infinit in power iust in thy Judgements wonderfull in thy prouidence euer readie and neuer failing in mercie them that feare thy name we acknowledge thy great goodnes towards vs this day past and our owne vnworthines to partake of thy mercies by reason of our manifold and great sinnes which as it seemeth thou neither seest nor obseruest in that thou hast as it were passed by them so patiently this day as in stead of punishing them hast made vs rich partakers of many most acceptable blessings Yet Lord we doe not by this thy forbearance to punish vs either iustiâ—â—e our wayes wherein we haue walked this day or thinke our selues freed from thy displeasure for our sinnes but doâ— vtterly condemne our selues and wholly attribute our preseruation from punishment our health out peace our plenty and the good successe of our affairs vnto thine own free mercie and whatsoeuer crosse losse hurt or detriment hath be fallen vs this day in bodies goods credit or reputation among men we lay it and impute it wholly and altogether vnto our sinnes which haue worthily deserued much more then we feele or are able to beare what we or any of vs haue done against thee this day thou knowest what thou hast done for vs wet cannot expresse with our lips nor conceiue in our harts for thy mercies are so infinite and thy prouidence so high and so farre past finding out as the more we search and seek to know the hid treasures of thy loue towards vs so much the more ignorant we are of knowing what thou are we therefore acknowledge our selues stâ—ners and thy selfe the Father of incomprehensible mercies which as Dauid thy seruant confesseth are more then he could expresse Great and manifest haue bin thy fauours towards vs we haue found them felt them and enioyed them this day and all our dayes in thy keeping feeding cloathing and comforting our mortall bodies In giuing vnto vs preseruing for vs many things for our vse the beasts of the field the plants of the earth haue beene seruiceable vnto vs through thy blessing Giue vs we beseech thee vnderstanding and feeling hearts to acknowledge thy mercies Teach vs to know and to take knowledge of our own wants which are many grant that they may be supplied by thee Let vs looke into our owne corruptions that they may bee reformed and weakened by thee for Nature reuenleth not vnto vs our spirituall wants nor can cleanse vs from our sinnes which are many and yet we account them few great and yet we see them not weightie and yet they seeme light vnto vs we are spiritually poore and spirituall blinde yet not poore in spirit as we ought we are rather barren of spirituall knowledge and blinde to our owne imperfections which puffeth vs vp with a vaine conceiâ— of our owne worthines Our faith is feeble fraile and imperfect yet we thinke it strong our prayers are cold and weake our minds and affections wauering and inconstant in that diuine duty yet would we seem religiously zealous Thou findest in vs Lord these imperfections and we dote of our owne merit which is a meer forbidden presumption Open Lord the eyes of our vnderstandings that we may finde out and feele our own errors and looke into the working of thy grace wherein thou acceptest vs as poore in spirit by the imputation of Christs humblenes our faith perfect through the perfection of his obedience and our prayers auaileable through his preuailing mediation So that thy spirituall consolations in Christ are farre more abounding towards vs then we are able to comprehend Open therefore Lord the dore of thy diuine knowledge that we may become wise in thee and enter into that holy of holiest in puritie of spirit in faith sound with prayers feruent thanks vnfained Stirre vp in vs a greater measure of obedi 〈…〉 then hitherto we haue shewd vnto thee that we receiuing grace for grace may adde faith to faith wisedome to knowledge and finde how sweet a thing it is to serue thee truly to walke before thee in vprightnes of heart And as we are now come to the end of this day and consequently haue finished the trauaile thereof and now couet our rest so we may
most holy mystery by the outward receiuing of visible bread wine worke gracious Lord in me a true liuely and spiritual feeling of the grace which thou hast promised vnto all worthy Receiuers And for as much as our assurance dependeth vpon thy promise and thy promise confirmed vnto vs by a liuely faith and that faith is thine owne free gift also by the operation of thy holy Spirit worke in me Lord this faith that may confirme vnto mee the effect of thy promise the free forgiuenesse of my sinues newnes of life a holy and sanctified conuersation a right reuerend vse of all thy creatures a religious feare to offend thee and vnfained loue of thee in Christ that as I haue bin now a partaker of the outward elemēts I may also and absolutely partake of the inuisible grace that my soule may be liuely and continually fed with that heauenly bread which maketh our soules strong in and by him whose bodie and bloud I haue here sacramentally eaten drunke and thereby through faith am vnited euen of thy free mercie vnto and made one with thee in him in whom whosoeuer is truly ingrafted shall liue for euer in the glorious heauens with him as coheires of that endlesse Kingdome of glory which he purchased by his obedience to the death of the Crosse. Good father let the remembrance of that his death be so imprinted in my hart this day that I neuer forget it but couet to renue and continually retaine the remembrance thereof by often communicating at this holy Table which though it be as a snare vnto the vnworthy partakers it is a sure seale of saluation to the faithfull truly penitent And therefore good Father confirme my repentace renue mine obedience strengthen my faith Make me a liuely member of Christ that as I haue this day promised to become a new creature and thou hast renued againe to me thy promise of remission of my sins and of my reconciliation with thee through the bloud of the Lambe Let this holy and heauenly condition be truely performed in my behalfe for euer So shall I be assured that thou wilt neuer faile in thy sacred couenant of grace to me being euer the same yea and Amen Thou Lord knowest my strong corruptions and the feeblenesse of my naturall power to resist sinne and what strong and powerfull aduersaries there lie in wayte for my soule laying continuall snares to entangle mee anew to make if it were possible this my reuniting into thee in Christ of none effect and to seduce me again into the wayes of vngodlines But good Father preuent me with thy grace that as I haue promised this day to forsake sinne and cleaue vnto righteousnesse so I may performe and perseuere in a sanctified life vnto my liues end through Christour Lord. Lord increase and confirme my faith euermore A MOTIVE TO a Prayer to be sayd of a man in any kind of trouble ALthough the word of God do approue Afflictiō to be necessary for them that shall be saued yet is it otherwise thought and helde of the carnall man who can hardly beleeue that it is a token of the loue of God towards him hee rather perswades himselfe that when God sends him great increase of Cattell Corne Oyle Wine Health Worldly prosperitie and the pleasures of this life that then God loues him But how farre hee is deceiued the holy Ghost declareth by the Prophet Dauid who confessed that it was good for him that he was afflicted And Christ himselfe affirmeth that through many troubles his Saint◠must enter into the kingdome of heauen Not by pleasures delites of the flesh and vanities of the mind If we did remember the sentence pronounced for Lazarus and against the Rich man and did duely consider it we could not but thinke prosperitie rather dangerous then delightfull and that a meane estate is more profitable then painefull Thou hast receiued thy pleasure saith Abraham but contrarily Lazarus indured paine Therefore art thou tormented and he is comforted No other reason is alleadged of either sentence yet neither of them is said to be punished or preserued for the ill or good that the one or other did Onely fulnesse and want plenty and penurie pleasure and paine are said to be the causes of either condition Not that the ones riches in themselues deserued damnation but the abuse or that the others pouertie deserued saluation but his patience which yet was not the cause but the effect of Gods election And the others abuse of the blessings of God an argument of his reprobatiō But God to preuent the grosse fruits of corruption in vs maketh our powers weake and our willes thereby the more conformable to his will As Physicke often preuenteth a disease that begins to seaze on the bodie and for the time is harsh lothsome bitter and much vnsauorie yet salutary in the end So is Affliction of whatsoeuer kinde medicinable to such as can brooke and digest it through faith patience and prayer and bringeth the affections into a sanctified temper That the vnholy humours of pride arrogancie auarice lust and other corporall and earthly vanities oppresse not the soule which is carried by the violence of superfluous vanities into many noysome desires and consequently into infinite hazards of making shipwracke of saluation Take it not therefore heauily whatsoeuer thou art that art visited with whatsoeuer crosse or triall although in it own nature it be euill being a punishment of sinne for he that made the bitter waters of Mara sweet and changed the nature thereof for his Israels sake hath changed the nature of the crosse to them that are his insomuch as they not onely find comfort in it But many sweet effects it bringeth foorth making them glorious in their basenesse rich in their pouertie strong in their weakenesse and liuely in their seeming death Moreouer it causeth vs to see how iust how prouident and how mercifull the Lord is how weake and miserable all mankind is And how fickle how inconstant and false the world is It beates downe the pride of nature and humbles vs that we are not so prone and apt to sinne as when wee haue prosperitie at will As our sins and transgressions are the fruits of our corruptions So are afflictions and crosses necessarie to mortifie them and to preuent their increase To speake of the kindes of trouble they are many yet may be reduced vnder these three heads pouertie sicknesse enemies vnder the first are comprehended the want of al necessaries vnder the second the griefes of body and mind and vnder the third whatsoeuer is aduersarie vnto vs. And therefore the prayer following is fit to be vsed in any of these that the Lord will be either pleased to remoue them to moderate their extremitie or to giue patience to vndergoe it A generall meditation or prayer in whatsoeuer trouble or crosse GRacious and most mercifull Lord God whose wisedome is past finding out and whose prouidence
considereth that death is the end of all flesh and that sicknesse is the fore-runner of death cannot bee suddenly surprised because he stil expecteth the comming of that which whether it tarrie long or come quickly come it will and finding vs secure and wanton and carelesse and deliting our selues in the strength of our sinning parts it wil be so much the more grieuous and irkesome by how much we affect the strength to sinne which is thereby weakened And to that end doth God euen in loue punish his own children with sicknes and maladies of the bodie to kill sinne presently possessing vs and to preuent the power of future sinning and threatneth the stifnecked and rebellious with many infirmities as to smite them in the knees and in the thighes with a fore botch that they shall not be healed euen from the sole of the â—â—ore to the top of their head The Lord will make the plagues of the disobedient wonderfull and of long continuance and their diseases cruell and of long durance For as much then as Sicknesse is both the reward of sinne as also the physicke for sinne It implieth both the mercie of God towards his and his iudgements against the impenitent And therefore whosoeuer thou be that art visited with whatsoeuer bodily disease or infirmitie think that God hath sent it as a cure or a curse A cure to them that enter into the examination of their sinnes and truely repent them and a curse vnto them that make no vse of it as too many worldlings doe who in their sicknesse are as inclinable in desire to sinne as in their health And nothing preuenreth the acte of sinne but weaknes to effect it or oportunitie to attempt it If therfore the will to do euill be not mortified by the sicknes of the bodie it is an argument that that man or woman hath his or her conscience seared vp which is a fearefull estate and full of horror howsoeuer it be for the time hidden euen from his or her feeling and sence in fine it will work in the accusing conscience and bring forth the fruit of despaire of recouery of bodily health and plunge the soule into the pit of ineuitable perdition It is therefore a most dangerous negligence in men so little to consider the inconstancy of corporal health which is long in decaying yet sodaine in surprising men of greatest strength and when men are taken and cast downe be he as strong as Samson he is inforced to yeeld vnto weaknes and if he haue any sparke of grace he will then indeuour to turne his heart vnto God as Hezekiah did but then cannot his petitions be so powerfull as when he enioyed his health neither can his repentance be so well manifested being as it were wrested from him by this kinde of extremitie as when it is wrought in bodily strength for whatsoeuer commeth by compulsion is not so acceptable as what is voluntarie yet is repentance truely begun in sicknesse and effectually continued though weakly in respect of the bodies infirmity yet may it be most true through the strength of faith without repentance there is no cure comfortable to the soule or bodie Though God may permit a wicked man to be cased or cured of his bodily disease by humane physicke yet the soule lieth still in almost deadly sicknesse The truest ground of preuailing physicke is to make peace first with God the good and great Physitian according to the counsell of the Wiseman who thus aduiseth My sonne faile not in thy sicknesse to pray vnto the Lord and hee will make thee whole yet he addeth a condition That he leaue off from sinne that he order his hands aright and that he clense his heart from all wickednesse and if hw be able truely to say as Hezekiah in his sicknes did I beseech thee Lord remember now how I haue walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and haue done that which is good in thy sight Then he may bee assured that his sicknesse shall be turned from a curse to a blessing and God that hath made the wound will binde it vp and cure it he will raise him againe or giue him patience in a liuely hope to change this mortall for an immortall estate and for his patient suffering this medicinable crosse will giue him a glorious crowne of eternitie Whosoeuer therfore thou be that art visited turne vnto the Lord pray vnto him trust in him and recommend thy life death vnto his free disposition who worketh all things for the best to them that loue him A Prayer to be said of one that is sick or diseased LOrd God almightie Father louing in thy Son Iesus Christ cast thine eye of compassion â—n me thy creature whom thou hast at this time touched with sicknesse and brought low by thy present visitation Thou createdst me in the beginning not to liue euer in this â—abernacle of dust but that my liuing bodie of dust should be againe dissolued into dust without life at â—hine appointed time for all â—lesh is grasse and as the flower of the 〈◊〉 it withereth decayeth with 〈◊〉 sicknes or griefe of minde we are all but as â—arthen vessels whome thou canâ—â— make and confound with the breath of thy mouth and howsoeuer and whensoeuer the most Iustie and strong stand conceited of their health and permanent securitie of their bodies agilitie and the â—imbleâ—es of their limbes and sences suddenly thou touchest them and they become feeble in strength their beautie changed their sences dulled their hearts fainting and all the parts and powers of their bodies altered and the whole man turned as it were into the very image of pale death it selfe Thou hast appointed that all men shall once die but thou conceilest from al men the time when the place where the manner how they shall die and therefore it behâ—ueth all men to be euer watchful in well doing that when thou shalt send thy Messenger Sicknes of bodie to put them in mind that their day is comming they be not found vnprepared and great happinesse it is to him whom when he is suniâ—â—oneâ— he may chearefully say I am heereÌ„ Lord ready to attend thy will Oh make me thus ready deare father that now thou callest me I may not only not flie from thee for feare of death but hartily willingly and faithfully crie Come Lord Iesu come quickly for I am no better then my Fathers who are fallen asleepe therfore if this my sicknes be vnto death fortifie me against the feare thereof The spirit Lord is willing but flesh and bloud weake and fearefull But assist my spirit by thy sauing Spirit So shall 〈◊〉 heart within me reioyce that thou remembrest me and my weake 〈◊〉 feeble body shal sing forth thy goodnes in this sad and sicke estate all the powers of my bodie and faculties of my soule shall conioyne in the heauenly harmonie of thy sauing truth in the peace of mine owne conscience
to swim with the blood of his religious subiects Good and gracious Princes are as defensiue walles vnto a people against the rage and violence of enemies such as of whom Dauid speaketh Psal. 47. 9. Gebal and Ammoâ— and Amalâ—â—h the Philiflims the inhabitants of Tyre and such like conspiratora against and oppressors of the children of God that sticke not to say Come and let vs cut them off from being a nation Psal. 68. 4. 7. Dauid complained in his time that the kings of the earth did band themselues and Princes assenibled together against the Lord and against his people and hath it not bene seene in our dayes that mighty potentates haue conspired against Gods anointed and vs And that secret trecheries haue bene coyned to indanger the peace and safety of prince and people And hath not that God that deliuered Dauid from Saul deliuered vs from them that rose vp against vs And shall we thinke that the publike and prinate petitions which the godly haue made for their Soueraignes hath not much preuailed to preuent the dangers which haue bene euen at the point of execution Let vs therefore neuer forget his goodnesse but so much the more become instant suppliants vnto that great King of kings that he will blesse preserue protect and defend his most excellent Maiestic whose vertues shine to the glory of the kingdome his integritie learning religious constancie admired were he a tyrant we ought to pray for his prosperitie how much more being most graciously louing vnto his subiects ought wee to intercede for him to God according to the precept of the Apostle 2. Tim. 1. 2. where he chargeth that all men should pray for kings who are appointed by God Let vs therefore pray for his health wealth peace prosperitie and safety that wee likewise in and by him may still as we now doe partake of thosâ— excellent blessings peace plentie and the free vse of the Gospel of Christ. And as Dauid prayed that the counsell of Athithophel might be made foolishnesse So let euery one of vs pray that God will destroy all the deuices of such as seeke or wish the hurt of his Maiestie the disturbance of his Church or Common-weale and to that end let this prayer following or some to the like purpose bee often vsed A Prayer and thankesgiuing for the Kings Maiestie to be often vsed of euery good subiect O Mighty and euerliuing Lord God who dwellest in the most glorious heauens in greatnes and glory whose wonderfull and vnresistible power protecteth those that feare thee and confoundest the strongest mightiest princes that rise vp against thee Thou afflictest the subiects of rebellious princes and comfortest those that are conformable vnto thy will kings and people 〈◊〉 cannot forget how the multitude of thy mercies did compasse vs aboâ—â— on euery â—ide in the dayes of thy late chosen Elizabeth vnder whâ—â— thou gauest vs peace plentie 〈◊〉 aboue all the vse of thy sacred word the staffe and strength of our soules which hath the promise of all kinds of blessings which 〈◊〉 inioyed vntill her translation froâ— vs vnto thee At what time aâ— thou Lord well knowest such was our generall feare of perill to haue succeeded her departure as the wisest of our Ancients became doubtful what would be the successe of the succession yet farre beyond our imaginations but farre more beyond our deserts thou forgetting our sinnes remembredst thy mercies Insomuch as although thou tookest from vs a most worthy De 〈…〉 yet thou hast in her steade giuen vs in thy prouidence a Iosiah most worthy who still leadeth vs thy people through the wildernes of many spirituall dangers towards mount Sion the holy hill of assurance of saluation through Christ thy Sonne and laboureth through a holy zeale to bring them that erre from thy truth into the way that leadeth vnto eternal life to reconcile the obstinate and to confirme the weake So that we cannot but acknowledge that indeede thy mercies are infinite towards vs in him O that men would therefore prayse thy name for thy goodnesse and for thy blessings bestowed vpon vs the most vnworthy amongst the children of men Lord we confesse that among all thy mercies and miracles there is none more admired in the world then is thy goodnesse and loue towards vs howsoeuer vnworthy in keeping vs notwithstanding so many Antichristian stratagems vnder thine owne protection continuing to vs the light of thy sacred truth that shineth amongst vs more bright theâ— the 〈…〉 nne in her strength As if thâ—â— haddest a more speciall respect vnto vs thâ—â— to any other nation 〈◊〉 thine owne dearest and peculiar people Thou hast anointed vnto vs a religious â—ing to watch 〈…〉 uer vs to nourish vs with the 〈…〉 ilke of thy sauing word and hast not permitted a stranger from thy truth to intrude vpon vs But with the sword of the spirit hast hitherunto guarded vs from the entrie of forraigne Potentates enemies vnto thy Gospel Inlargâ— therefore good Father thy gift of wisedome and power vnto thiâ—â— owne peculiar choice Iames thiâ—â— Anointed that he may be watchfull to obserue and powerfull to withstand the enemies of thy truth abroad and at home Let no Achitophel bee neere his person nor any sinister counsell bee heard or malicious hand be lifted vp against him Be a Father of mercy vnto him and to his seede that vnder thee he and they that haue and shall proceed from his or the loynes of them that proceede from him may be fathers and furtherers of many comforts to thy Church for euer Take him not from vs as thou hast taken our neighbour kings though our sinnes deserue it and haue already made a dangerous breach in that Royall stocke wherein vnder thee our hope of happinesse dependeth much And therefore Lord depriue vs not of him nor any of his issue in thine anger who brought vs peace after peace and is as Dauid vnto vs a man chosen after thine owne 〈…〉 uing kindnesse to rule vs 〈◊〉 to continue vs in the rules of right religion a blessing aboue blessings Giue vs not â—uer therefore vnto the will of his and ours and thine owne enemies who vnder the counterfeit colour of the name and cause of Christ seeke to persecute Christ himself in his meÌ„bers falsly perswading themselues that the murdering of Princes and massacring of people is a sacrifice acceptable to thee and a marke of Catholike religion How it had fared with vs the king and people if thou hadst permitted that plot of confusion lately practised to haue preuailed thou knowest Thy chosen Israel wanting a king all people did what they listed If then Lord they had depriued thine English Israel of King Counsell Bishops Iudges and Chiefe men of the land what could haue succeeded but vniuersall confusion Wee confesse thy power and prouidence to â—e absolute and couldest haue raysed and restored others for thine owne glory But our sinnes deseruing the first could not bee worthily seconded
will moue me to deale euermore iustly knowing that I fit not to execute mine owne will or mans iudgement but thine And if I wilfully erre thou wilt not hold me guiltlesse but wilt iudge me vniust and punish mee iustly Let not the opinion of the multitude either ouersway the truth in me or terrifie me from giuing sentence according to equitie And let me neuer be wearie of well doing but if cause so require it giue mee strength as thou diddest to Moses to heare and iustly to determine all controuersies from morning to night giue me a sincere heart free from malice and reuenge close mine eyes shut vp mine eares and claspe my hands that neither affection blinde me nor bribes peruert iudgement in me but that I may doe all things to the glory of thy name euer ayded by thy holy Spirit in and for thy welbeloued Sonnes sake Christ Jesus Amen Lord increase my faith in me confirme wisdome and iust iudgement A MOTIVE TO be vsed of Christians for Iudges and superior Magistrates THe necessitie of establishing Iudges and Magistrates to gouerne direct and punish doth giue vs to vnderstand that such and so many are the corruptions of our crooked deformed and rebellious nature at could not but breake into most inhumane vnnaturall impious and dangerous actions as if it were not preuented by laâ—es ordinances punishments and executions would breede speedie confusion among men And were there not Magistrates and Iudges to arbitrate and administer iustice and iudgement euery man would be Iudge reuenger of his owne pretended wrongs and would doe right to none he would maintaine his owne euill wayes to be vpright his oppressions to be iustice and his actions were they neuer so impious to be lawfull and right the weakest in power in their iustest complaints should be iudged vniust Wee may obserue notwithstanding lawes and statutes that in stead of Iustice and righteous dealing among men Rapine hatred dissention wrongs and murders vniuersally abound and what might we thinke would bee the state of things if Iustice should cease to execute her office and offenders goe without punishment Would not cain kill Abel Would not Haman conspire against Mordecai Would not Iesabel murther Naboth for his vineyard Would not Shemei raile vpon nay take away the life of Gods Anointed Would not Achan take the excommunicate thing Would not Iudas betray his master Nay would not Zimri and Cozhi commit wickednesse openly Would not all and all sorts of men run out of rule and would not sorrowfull confusion soone follow God foresaw this when he prescribed the lawes in two tables and constituted gouernours to keepe the people in obedience by inflicting punishments vpon offenders and to defend the cause of the innocent Moses and his Centurions first gouerned the multitudes of Israel then Iâ—shuah after them Judges and lastly Kings and were it not that Iustice continued her force neither Church nor Common-weale could stand If God should deale with vs as oftentimes he did with his owne peculiar people the Iewes for their sinnes namely to send vs corrupt Judges irreligious and tyrannous Magistrates would it not be vnsauory vnto vs and burdensome for vs And nothing more procureth it then our disobedience to God and there is no other mean to free vs but our obedience to godly and religious Magistrates and to the wholesome Christian lawes established for our peace not for feare of punishment but for a religious conscience sake If we obey God we cannot but loue and obey such as he hath set gouernours ouer vs and if we loue them we cannot but pray for them not as they are men onely and as they are members of Christ mysticall body with vs but as they are Gods ministers and beare the sword to correct the guilty and to defend the innocent Let no man thinke it therfore a superfluous but a Christian duety to pray for Iudges and superior Magistrates that God will indue them with graces and gifts answerable to their callings as with Wisedome Iustice Righteousnesse right Religion Courage and Christian integritie that they doing their dueties as gouernours we may as rather led by their godly examples then by their seuere iustice neither feare the punishment for disobedience to Gods Magistrates nor they our gouernours the threats denounced against such as peruert Iustice and Judgement A Prayer for Iudges and superior Magistrates to be vsed of all good and Christian subiects and especially of them that haue causes depending before Iudges and Magistrates FOrasmuch most gracious God and louing Father in Iesus Christ as thou being the Iudge of Iudges hast appointed Iustice and Iudgement to be done in earth and hast for the execution thereof appointed ministers called Iudges hast commanded thy people to obey them wee appeale vnto thy mercie for our disobedience vnto thy lawes which we dayly transgresse and thereby cannot but incurre the danger of Judgement euen in this life And we acknowledge that the sentence of an earthly Judge is not his but thine he pronouncing our punishment thâ—â— confirmest it Their censure 〈◊〉 thine if it be iust if vniust it is not thine but theirs yet their mini 〈…〉 is our iust reward for our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therfore humbly beseech 〈◊〉 to direct our hearts and our câ—â—â—ersations in all obedience to thy lawes and to the constitutions of thine Anointed who beareth the sword to punish offenders and to defend the innocent the fatherles widowes and the oppressed and from his supereminent authoritie vnder thee the power of inferiour Iudges and Magistrates is deri 〈…〉 to heare and determine causes of controuersie betweene man and man and matters of offence against the stare of superiours the peace of the Church and Common-weale They are indeed bu◠〈◊〉 whom wee see in their sâ—â—tâ—s of Judgement whom wee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whom we obseruâ— to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 th 〈…〉 censure they pronounce but their hearts are in thine hands and their sentence by thy direction or permission thou directest none but according to equitie yet permittest iniustice to bee done vnto men for their iniquities hee that iudgeth vniustly and hee that is vniustly iudged haue their punishments the one in augmentation of his 〈◊〉 to his greater punishment to â—â—â—ne the other either in iudgement for sinnes past or in mercy to reforme him Consider therefore most gracious Lord God how and in what porill thy people stand vnder the censures of Judges vniust and lay not vpon vs the burden of their vniustice but conforme their hearts to true Judgement and account none to that high office of iudging thy people but such as thou shalt first furnish with wisedome experience and true sinceritie Let them be of like and of one mind with thee abandoning partialitie bribery and respect of persons and be thou alwayes with them and direct them in all causes of Judgement let them neither admit reward and so corrupt Justice nor follow the opinion of the multitude and so ouerthrow the truth
Let thy lawes be alwayes before their eyes let them neuer swarue from thy statutes in condemning the innocent and instifying the wicked Blesse them Lord with true knowledge of the word direct them by thy holy Spirit so shall they not erre in Judgement and thy people be freed frâ—â— iniustice and wrongs thy Church shall be in peace and euery member receiue iustice the Common-weale shall flourish righteousnesse and peace shall meete together mercie and truth shall imbrace each other Amen Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO A Prayer to be said of a man or woman vnmarried intending to marrie IT is the highest point of discretion in a man or woman to bee very carefull and circumspect in making choice of a husband or wife for rash and vnconsiderate mariages haue bred dangerous inconueniences not only betweene the man and wife in inferiour families but Cities and Kingdomes haue bene ruined by vnequall irreligious vnions of men and women of contrarie humors qualities and conditions Gods holy institution prophaned religion slaundered and the Church of God offended Mariage maketh two persons one before God but how can light and darknesse truth and falshood sinne and sanctitie good and euill agree can fire and water be at vnion in one vessell how then can a faithfull man marrying an Infidel a good woman knitting her selfe to a ribald a religious man or womaÌ„ vniting her self to a wicked and irreligious partie become one holy body How can it be but the euil wil rather peruert the good then the good reforme the euil For al men and women are by nature more apt to be ouercome with duill then to permit their euil to be ouercome 〈◊〉 goodnesse And therefore dis 〈…〉 premeditation holy consultation 〈◊〉 deepe deliberation ought to p 〈…〉 this kind of resolution Lawfull it is for euery man and woman to 〈…〉 ie yet in the Lord namely in his feare in a reuerend regard of his holy institution respecting the ends of that holy mysterie procreation of children mutuall societie and helpe one of another And how standeth the coniunction of the religious and prophane of the beleeuer and the infidell of the godly and the wicked with the former ends Can there be concordance or sweete societie betweene these contraries It may be said that the vnbeleeuing wife shall thâ— saued by the beleeuing husband and t 〈…〉 vnbeleeuing husbaÌ„d by the beleeuing wife but not without the beliefe of either for the vnbeleeuing wife must learne to beleeue of the beleeuing husband and the vnbeleeuing husband of the beleeuing wife and so bee saued otherwise he or she shall not be saued for euery man and woman shall be either saued by his or her owne faith or not at all But for a man or woman for any carnall respect to aduenture coniunction with the contrary minded and qualified tempteth God and consequently in steade of a promised blessing to them that marry in the feare of God a threatned curse followes them The godly wife of the religioâ—s husband shall be as a fruitfull vine vpon the walles of his house his children like oliue branches round about his table Thus shall the man and wife bee blessed that feare the Lord. This blessing yet consisteth not in the fruitfulnesse of the wife nor multitude of chlidren onely for so haue many heathens bene blessed that neither know God nor feare him But the substance of the blessing is in the vertues and religious carriage of the louing wife and in the obedience and goodnesse of the children wherewith God will blesse a godly man and vertuous wife for there cannot be in it self a greater burden or crosse to a vertuous father then to haue many and they vitious children It behooueth therefore these kindes of vnmarried persons to obserue in this weighty action some necessarie rules the first not to consummate the contract without approbation of their parents or gouernours secondly if either partie respect any priuate end more then the vertue and religious conuersation of the other that partie giues testimonie that it is not the feare of God that he or she standeth vpon but the satisfaction of his or her carnall affection which commonly is met withall in the iustice of God with many crosses and domesticall or forraigne afflictions wherefore it behoueth euery man or woman thus intending to couple him or her selfe in marriage with any to aske counsell of God in prayer So no doubt but God according to his promise will be the marriage maker and yeeld them mutuall continuing comfort one of another But if they rashly run into it without the approbation and allowance of the word of God it is seldome auoided but mischiefe or misery succeedeth A Prayer to be sayd of a man or woman vnmarried intending to marrie O Gracious euerliuing and most louing Lord God vouchsafe I humbly beseeth thee as thou in the beginning diddest create man and woman and diddest institute the holy order of marriage that the one of them might be a helper vnto the other and hast confirmed and approued this holy coniunction by many diuine examples of thy blessed presence As also by thy prouidence in ayding and assisting the vnmarried depending on thee to make their choice according to the rule of right religion Be pleased Lord that I feeling in my self a desire to enter into this sacred order may be directed by thee that I setting apart all carnall respects as chiefe motiues I may aime onely and altogether to make such a choice as aboue all things may please thee who art the authour and giuer of all goodnesse without whose prouidence and direction things of meanest importance cannot be effected without great affliction and danger And by whose fauour mercy things of weightiest consequence are easily and most comfortably brought to passe Forasmuch therefore gracious father as this mysterie of marriage is most high and honourable among all men the bed vndeâ—â—led Let mee not rashly runne into my choice as if mine owne wisedome or naturall policie could worke my contentment or comfort But aduise thou me and direct me O Lord and although I confesse it not expedient that I should expect from thee publike reuelatioÌ„ or visible Angels to leade me yet let thy holy Spirit so guide mine affections that I like not whom thou thinkest not meet to be conioyned vnto me in thy feare But let all things so succeede my proceedings as may argue and assure me of thy fatherly furtherance and diuine allowance as thou diddest in all things further with blessed successe the seruant of Abraham in choosing a wife for Isaac So let all things O Lord be blessed vnto me preuent mine owne desires if they concurre not with thy good pleasure and alter my will and intention if they answere not thy will and giue me an vnderstanding and feeling heart that I giue not way vnto my naturall motions and vaine inclination which in this single estate often ouerswayeth in me the rule of right reason
in Lebanon let our pastures yeeld plentiful and wholesome food for our câ—â—tle let our seruants be vnto vâ—â—â—â—stie strong faithfull and diligent in their labours Teach vs rightly to manage the things we take in haÌ„d and blesse all our handy labors and indeuours Continue the strength and vse of our limbs and sencâ—â— that wee may bee able to vndergoe that burthen patiently and thankefully which thou laidst vpon all mankind in the beginning the tilling and manuring of the earth which without thy blessing we cannot but confesse can yeeld vs no increase to our comfort our rising earely our hardest labour and our late and little taking rest can profit vs little without thy blessing Blesse vs therefore Lord and our labours blesse all that and those that do belong vnto vs. And as thy blessings and plentie shall increase and abound vnto vs so let our continuall desires to do good increase and according to our meanes be helpefull to the poore and needie and charitably performe all the workes of true pietie If riches increase make vs the more humble if they diminish make vs patient let not Satan delude vs in either with pride or dispaire Let not our corporall enemies haue power to preuaile against vs to hurt vs in bodie goods or good name Let vs walke before thee in true sinceritie let vs liue in thee religiously and faithfully in thy feare and loue and die in thy fauour in Christ Jesus Amen Lord increase our faith A MOTIVE TO A prayer to be vsed in the time of and to preuent any of these three seuerall common calamities that may happen vpon a people namely of warre of faminâ— and of the pâ—stilencâ— THere are three capitall and chiefe scourges wherewith God vseth to correct a disobedient people warre famine the pestilence the least of them of force to confound kingdoms War is a grieuous affliction where it is acted especially ciuill and internall combustionâ— in a kingdome where the father shall be against the sonne the sonne against the father brother against brother and one neighbor to shead anothers blood Where one friend stands suspicious and fearefull of another where is no certaine freedome no assured safetie of any mans person or goods but infidelity trechery rebellions treasons murders thefts rapines rauishments and vniuersal confusion threatens all men in all places by â—ll impious and bloodie meanes How many Countries kingdomes nations and people haue tasted of this vnsauorie cup histories humane and diuine amply intimate Our own Chronicles record many ciuill miseries to haue infested this kingdome and parts of the same where insurrections haue begun especially in the time of the dissention betweene Henrie the third and his Barons the troubles of the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster and other like troubles of later memorie And what calamities haue accompanied this kind of punishment are likewise at large related in domesticall and forraine in prophane and diuine histories namely famine and pestilence Samaria being besieged such was the famine there as an Assâ—s head was worth fourescore peeces of siluer and the fourth part of a kab of Doues dung was sold for fiue peeces of siluer mothers did seeth and eate their owne children 2 King 6. 25 28. 29. The like at the siege of Ierusalem according to Iosephus And as Plinie reporteth wheÌ„ Hambal besieged Cassilinum a City in Italy a mouse was sold for â—00 peeces of mony he that sold it died of famine he that bought it saued his life In these extreme famines things most lothsome became daintie foodâ— horses dogs rats mice hides of beasts shooes boots and many other abhorred things As not onely diuers cities in France and other forraine parts but our owne natiue countrie can too well witnesse not vnfit to be remembred as a necessarie caueat Acts and Mâ—n In the time of Edw. 2. the Scoâ—s taking opportunitie by the quarrelâ— that rose betweene the King and his Nobles about Pierce Gauestone inuaded England in so furious and hostile manner as our Countrie men vnder the crueltie of the enemie were besides the generall slaughter driuen to that penurie and want of victuals that they were inforced to feed on the former most vnwholsome relicks The King himselfe could hardly get corne and victuall to sustaine him and his followers Some did steale other mens children and ate them many prisoners were in that height of hunger as they tooke and tore in peeces new-come prisoners and ate them raw and halfe dead And this extreme famine and warre with the pestilence that followed the warre and the famine consumed the greatest part of the people in the land for it is commonly found by experience that warres follow securitie famine war and the pestilence followes famine A statute was therupon made in respect of the scarcity of bread that no corne should be vsed in making of drinke a statute fitly to be in part put in execution at this day being so highly abused to drunkennes one of the most capitall sins that draw downe threats of these calamities to be renewed vpon vs. And how is it considered what preuention is there fought fulnes plentie breed securitie our securitie idlenes our idlenes Atheisme Idolatrie selfe-loue contempt of God and his word oppressions cruelties pride riotousnesse lasciuiousnes wantonnesse and consequently the neglect of prayer And these call for warres warres for famine famine for the pestilence and these come with armies of euils vpon a people forgetting God fearefull to be considered euen the least of these namely that which Dauid chose being inforced to vndergoe one of the three It is an affliction much against our natures to yeeld vnto yet more tolerable then terriblâ— warre or intolerable famine It threatens death yet with a milder countenance then sterne warre or meager and consuming famine But seeing sin is the impulsiue cause of all these miseries in the fierce wrath of God who againe is the efficient and working cause how forgetfull are we wretches that find in our selues this cause of the causes of our dangers and will rest carelesse how by whom or by what meanes to preuent the comming of them vpon vs knowing that they are sudden And if the wrath of God bee inkindled yea but a little how shall we bee able to stand in his presence how shall wee auoid the comming forth and the execution of his most fierce decree If one destroying Angell could in one day by one of these three dreadfull calamities send so many soules vnto their places as of the people of Dauid and hoste of Senacherib what may we thinke if he send his other most fearefull ministers together to visit our trespasses Let vs therfore seek atonement with God in Christ in time Let vs not play the secure seruants that perswade them selues their Master wil be long in comming if he come and find vs in our drunkennes and surfering and bribing and tyrannizing ouer our weake fellow members it will bee too late then to seeke
especially the seas which oftentimes rage and roare vnder the burden of their sinnes that passe in them much daunting dismaying and threatning the dry land and the inhabitants thereof much more such as in thy prouidence are appointed to haue their trauell and trafficke therein we therefore in al humblenesse come vnto thee O Iehouah who art the God and gouernour of the immensible and vnfadomable sea Thou callest for and commandest the tempests to arise thou liftest vs the waues thereof and wee are mounted vp to the clouds and suddenly descend into the deepe againe So that we are euen at the doore of death yet such is thy might and thy mercie that at thy rebuke they are still and at thy word the tempest ceaseth Receiue vs therefore into thy blessed protection for we recommend our selues vnto the seas in thy name confessing that it is neither the strength or swiftnes of our ship that can saue vs neither can our power or policy preuent the dangers of the merciles waues It is not the Card nor CoÌ„passe that can direct or bring vs to the hauen where wee would be It is only thy power prouidence and conduction whereupon we doe depend In thee is our hope and help for thou commandest and the Seas obey at thy word the Red Sea â—laue in sunder it stood still in heaps to giue way to Israel a worke against the ordinarie course of nature and therefore much more easie may it seeme to vs for thee to giue way to vs through the Seaâ— by naturall and ordinarie meanes And the rather for that wee know that at thy rebuke the Sea of Ienazeret being in violent rage was suddenly appeased Speake the word and the Seas shall giue vs comfortable free passe without any impediment The winds and Seas obey thee thou art omniâ—â—tent thou canst doe what thou will in mercy and iudgement Go with vs O Iehouah and be our guide as thou wert neere vnto thy Disciples when they were like to perish iâ— the mercilesse waters Prosper 〈◊〉 voyage blesse our meanes let thy holy Angels accompanie vs as assisting and preuailing ministers for our safetie and good successe Rebuke and quiet the winds and tempests when they arise Defend vs from mercilesse and tyrannous â—â—rates when they assaile vs keepe vs from ship wracke when wee are in perill Supply vs with all necessaries for our corporall sustinance and safetie â—ouchsafe vnto vs health and strength of body wisdome and power to manage our affaires to thy glory and our comfort Take from vs and euery one of vs all impietie sinne and vncleannes furnish vs with heauenly knowledge increase and strengthen our â—aith in thee confirme our hope of happie successe make vs intirely to loue thee giue vs true zeale to serue thee and to call vpon thee â—â—tonely in all our calamities and â—angers as of necessitie but contiâ—ually as of a Christian duty That thou maist bee pleased euermore to guide vs and by thy mighty hand in thy mercy to direct our course and bring vs to the hauen where we would be and leaue vs not vnto the mercilesse waters for without thee there is none that can deliuer vs. O giue vs hearts neuer to forget thy goodnesse watchfull and obedient hearts that wee neuer fall from thee to our naturall vanities and corruptions giue vs not ouer to our owne hearts lusts to sweariâ—â— swaggering drunkenuesse whoredome and to the prophane course of life whereunto by nature we are inclined But assist vs euer with thy grace that wee we may liue orderly honestly religiously and â—olily before thee to deale faithfully and truly with all men at land and sea euer depending on thy prouidence who neuer failest nor forsakest them that call vpon thee in spirit and truth Blesse our going foorth blesse 〈◊〉 voyage blesse our indeuours bless our calling and trafficke and 〈◊〉 vs a comfortable prosperous and happy returne Make vs thankfull in holy obedience which is the sacrifice wherewith thou art 〈◊〉 pleased Grant vs gracious Father these and all other blessingâ— corporall and spirituall for thâ— Christs sake in whose blessâ—â— name we augment these our 〈…〉 prayers with that heauenly 〈◊〉 which he hath taught vs. Our Fâ—ther which art in heauen c. Lord increase our faith A Prayer before meate PArdon we beseech thee O mercifull Lord God our manifold sins which we haue done and do continually commit against thy Maiestie and thereby haue deserued to bee depriued of al thy blessings and of these which now thou plentifully tendrest vnto vs for our nourishment Thou in Iesus Christ hast promised to blesse thy creatures vnto our vse Blesse these vnto vs we beseech thee and grant that they may be vnto vs the comfortable meanes to strengthen our mortall bodies Let vs not abuse them by excesse but vse them soberly to thy glory and our nourishment through Christ our Lord. A thankesgiuing after meate WE acknowledge good Father louing in Iesus Christ that of thy free mercie and bountie we haue at this time aâ— all the daies of our liues been plentifully nourished with corporall foode Inlarge the gifts of thy sanctifying spirit in vs and in all the members of thy Church Preserue euermore our King giue vs peace plentie health and happines through Christ our Lord. Amen FINIS A briefe Table of all the Mottues and Prayers contained in this Booke Prayers A Motiue to Prayer 1 A Prayer for the assistance of God holy Spirit in any spirituall or godly corporall action or indeuour fit to be vsed before euery lawfull enterprise especially before euery diuine exercise 2 A Motiue to a Prayer to bee vsed in the Morning in priuate Families 5 A Prayer for the Morning for priuate Families 8 A short Prayer for the Morning to be said of one in priuate or in a Family vsing the plurall instead of the singular number 17 A Motiue to a Prayer to bee said in the Euening in priuate Families 21 A Prayer to be said in priuate Families in Euening before they goe to rest 24 A short Prayer for the Euening to be vsed of one man in priuate 32 A Motiue to a Prayer for the members of Christ to be vsed after priuate Prayers in Families 37 A Prayer for the members of Christ whersoeuer dispersed fit to be vsed after our ordinary Prayers of Morning and Euening 39 A Motiue to the confession of our sinnes to God and to stirre vs vp to pray for the remission of the same 43 A Confession of sinnes with a Prayer for pardon for the same 47 Another short Prayer for forgiuenesse of sinnes 51 A Motiue to a Prayer for a godly and holy life and for power of resisting Satan and sinne 54 A Prayer for a godly life and to resist sinne and Satan 57 A Motiue to a Prayer before the receiuing of the holy Communion or the Lords Supper 63 A Prayer to be said before the receiuing of the Sacrament of the Body and Bloud of Christ. 67 A