Church MY welbeloued is gone downe into his garden and is conuersant here in earth among men in his Church which is directed by his scriptures vnto the sweet smelling beds of spices is my loue come that he may refresh himselfe and feede in the gardens and gather lillies I assure my selfe of the loue of Christ and that I am my welbeloueds and my welbeloued is mine who feedeth among the lillies CHRIST THou art beautifull O my loue as is the place or strong and faire citie Tirzah thou art comlie and faire as Ierusalem fearfull and terrible as an armie of men with their banners Turne awaie thine eies from mee for they haue set me on fire and ouercome mee so excéeding is my loue towards thée my Church yea I must néeds praise thy spirituall and comlie beautie also in all thy members For thy hearie locks are like a flocke of goats which go downe to be shorne vpon the mountaine of Gilead Thy teeth are like a flocke of shorne sheepe which go vp from the washing place where euerie one beareth twins not one is barren or vnfruitfull among them Thy cheekes or temples are like a peece of pomgranate within thy locks of heare There are threescore Queenes and fourescore concubines or wiues and of the damsels without number For the faithfull are manie in number and diuers orders and degrées of men there are therein or the gifts and graces which I doo giue vnto my Church are infinit But my dooue is one alone and mine vndefiled dearling she is the onlie beloued daughter of hir mother and deere vnto hir that bare hir For diuers particular Churches dispersed make but one catholike Church When the daughters sawe hir they said she was blessed ye a euen the Queenes and concubins or wiues praised hir What or who is she that looketh foorth as the morning faire as the moone pure as the sunne terrible and fearfull as an armie of men with their banners Though the beginning of my Church was but small yet hath it growne vp to a great multitude I went downe vnto the nut garden and looked vpon my Church subiect to affliction what fruit it bringeth and to see what grew by the brooks in the vallie if the vine budded and if the vineyard pomgranats flourished I went downe I saie into the Synagogue to sée what fruits came of the lawe and the Prophets but I knew nothing nor found any thing but rebellion therin My soule set me as the chariots of my noble people that be vnder tribute and I ran as swift as the nobles of my people in their chariots to call them to repentance saieng Come againe turne againe O Shulamite thou perfect one turne againe O my people of Ierusalem turne againe and we will looke vpon thee What shall ye see in the Shulamite that is Ierusalem the which was Shalem that signifieth peace but like men of war singing in a companie O how pleasant and beautifull are thy goings with shooes thou princes daughter The ioints of thy thighs are like a faire iewell which is wrought by the hand of a cunning workemaister Thy nauell is like a round goblet or cup which is neuer without drinke or wanteth liquor but is euer replenished with the rich knowledge of Gods word and heauenlie desires Thy bellie or wombe is as an heape of wheate that is set about with lillies euen full of spirituall treasures Thy two breasts of the old testament and the new which came from God are like two twins of yoong Roes and are of equall authoritie in the Church Thy necke or preachers is like the tower of Iuorie and ought to be pure and godlie Thine eies also are like the water pooles that are in Nesbon by the gates of Bath-Rabbin euen thy magistrates must be well instructed in Gods word Thy nose or Iudges of good euill is like the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus Thine head that standeth vpon thee is like Carmel or skarlet the heare of thine head like purple The king is tied in the gallerie or rafters or dwelleth among manie water conduits and delighteth to come néere thée and to be in thy companie O how faire and louelie art thou my loue How pleasant art thou O my dearling in pleasures This thy stature is like a palme tree which the more it is pressed persecuted the more it groweth and increaseth and thy breasts are like the clusters of grapes I said I will climbe vp into the palme tree and take hold of hir high boughes Thy breasts also shall now be like the clusters of the vine and the smell of thy nostrils like as the sauour of apples And the roofe of thy mouth like the best wine which is meet for my best bloud and causeth the lips of the ancient to speake The Church I Am my welbeloueds and his desire is to turne towards me O come on my welbeloued let vs go forth into the field and take our lodging in the villages and there remaine CHRIST IN the morning will we get vp earelie and go see the vineyard we will see if the vine be sproong forth if the grapes be growne and if the pomegranates flourish and be shot out I will call them that professe my word to an account what fruit they doo bring foorth in my Church There will I giue thee my loue or my breasts euen my graces to the faithfull that are in my Church The mandrakes haue giuen their smell and in our gates are all sweet things new and old which I haue kept for thee O my beloued The Church O That I that is the fathers of the old testament might find thee without that is sée the incarnation of Christ and kisse thee whome I loue as my brother which suckt my mothers breasts then they should not despise thee nor mee I will leade thee and bring thee into my mothers house that thou O Christ mightest teach me and that I might giue thee drinke of the spiced wine and of the sweet sap of my pomgranats His left hand shall be vnder my head and his right hand shall imbrace me His gratious fauour shall preserue me from desperation in aduersitie and from presumption in prosperitie CHRIST I Charge you O ye daughters of Ierusalem ye magistrates or elders which rule in my Church that ye stir not vp contentions or wars therein nor wake my loue by tumults and troubles vntill she please Who is she that thus commeth vp from out of the wildernesse leaning vpon hir welbeloued I waked or raised thee vp among the apple trees where thy mother conceiued thee where thy mother I saie that bare thee brought thee into the world The Church O Set me as a seale vpon thine hart and as a signet vpon thine arme For I thy spouse desire to be ioined in perpetuall loue with thée O Christ by the seale of the holie Ghost For loue is strong as death and ielousie is cruell as the graue The
What shall I do Whether shall I go I can not hide me from his sight How oft haue I trespassed against him How oft haue I deserued his displeasure And yet how seldome hath he punished me How oft hath he beene good and mercifull vnto me How oft haue I promised and vowed amendment and how little and seldome haue I performed it This is a wofull case Who will haue pitie on me I dare not lift vp mine eies towards heauen because I haue sinned against it and in earth I can looke for no refuge because I haue beene a slander and shame vnto it What then Should I despaire No God is mercifull and a good Sauiour he doth visit them that liue in darknes and is a cheerfull light to them that sit in the shadowe of death He willeth vs to forgiue our brother though he offend seuentie tunes yea infinitelie And God is more mercifull than anie man can be and he must be the onlie refuge and comfort he will not despise his creature the image of himselfe Returne thee therefore O my soule vnto thy Lord God praie to him humblie on thy knees for grace and continue to bewaile thy sinnes past because that he which loueth thee prouoketh thee dailie with his gratious gifts and blessings to loue him and will not leaue thee vntill he haue made perfect his worke begunne and brought his mercie to full effect in thee What naturall cause beginneth his worke and leaueth it in the halfe waie imperfect The vertue of seed sowne doth not cease till the fruit be brought to perfection yet that nature worketh not at once but first prepareth the matter and then disposeth and makes it fit to receiue the shape which is the perfection and end thereof And as by naturall order and right course things do proceede and increase by little and little from the lesse to the more euen so doth God first dispose vs to his mercie and then increasing his goodnesse dailie bestoweth on vs in the end the treasure of his grace and inheritance of euerlasting ioies What bird forsaketh hir yong till they be able to liue of themselues and yet no auaile for their paine commeth to them Uerie loue worketh in naturall causes to bring foorth their affects to perfection If it be so in creatures what will the Creator doo which is loue it selfe and infinite goodnesse he will withdrawe thee from thy sinnes make thee cleane and pure and finallie blesse thee with eternall life which he hath prepared for thee O Lord I come to thee sad and mourning I sit at thy feete humblie waiting for thy mercie Thou art my hope and helper according to thy great mercies haue mercie vpon me Amen A praier to be purged from sinne and vncleannesse TAke awaie from me O Lord the burden of my corruption which by the continuall exercise of my sinne and wickednesse hath wounded my soule wofullie with the dangerous darts of transgression so that I feele my putrifaction abounding and my festered conscience ouerladen with vncleannesse so that I haue no other meane nor remedie but to prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy glorious maiestie beseeching thee intirelie of thy gratious goodnesse to salue my sores with the comfortable oile of thy mercie Thou onlie O Iesu art the sweete Physition of my soule sprinkle vpon me hysope and I shall be made whiter than snowe If thou of thine exceeding bountie and fauour good Lord wilt vouchsafe to wash awaie the spots of my sinne and wickednesse that heapeth thine indignation and furie against me I shall then excell the gold that hath beene purified in the fornace seuen fold Let it therefore good Lord and mercifull father seeme pleasant vnto thy diuine maiestie to touch my corrupted and vncleane hart with the heauenlie finger of thy grace that I may bring foorth the fruits of true repentance which are more acceptable to thy glorious and diuine presence than the offering of calues bullockes sheepe goates or anie other burnt offerings or sacrifice of peace A contrite and sorowfull soule is the thing that thou doest most delight in An humble and a lowlie spirit is the oblation that thou dooest desire A cleane and pure hart O Lord my God I knowe thou dooest loue and fauour Wherefore I beseech thee to purge me from my sinne and inquitie of thy great mercie Let the bitter deploration of mine offences and hartie contrition through thy glorious merits and painefull passion O Iesu be the onlie meane and waie to set me free from the powers of hell death and damnation And sith I am by thy goodnes begotten and borne anew strengthen me good Lord that I neuer slide nor fall from thee but that I may continuallie beare in my remembrance the state wherevnto I am called by thee Through thine aboundant loue and kindnesse wipe awaie good Lord all my sins out of thy remembrance Cleanse me in the bloud of thy spotlesse Lambe Iesus Christ and I shall be made cleane pure and safe Graunt this most mercifull God for the honour and glorie of thy name sake through the bitter death of thy sonne Iesus Christ my onlie mediatour and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all laud glorie power and praise for euer and euer Amen Another praier of the penitent for mercie O Lord I am a sinner my sinnes are heauie vpon me the burden of them is intollerable refresh me with thy grace wash awaie mine offences and I shall be whiter than the snowe Let the cheerefull beames of thy countenance shine vpon me and giue light to the darkenesse of my life We can looke for nothing as deserued but punishment due to our offences Wherefore good Lord not according to thy iustice but in the multitude of thy mercies deale with thy seruant Remember not the sinnes of my forefathers thinke not on the milde meanour of my youth passed haue pitie on thy creature which according to the likenesse of thy selfe thou hast made and shaped of earth How long wilt thou turne thy face awaie from me Forsake me not O my God but renew in me thy holie spirit Plucke awaie from me all that withdraweth me from thee Graffe in my hart thy grace that I may loue thee and feare thee and so finallie reioice in thy goodnesse with the elected and praise thee in thy woonderous works for euer Graunt this most mightie God for our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another praier to be said of the sinfull soule MY sinfull life increasing and my sinnes still abounding good Lord to whome shall I flee or to whome shall I resort for succour From offending thee I can not cease neither daie nor night and my sinnes are heauie vpon me pressing me downe euen to hell such is the weight thereof Moreouer when I prepare my selfe to amendment of life and thinke stedfastlie to serue and please thee euen
neckes Giue vs patience to suffer whatsoeuer it shall please thee to laie vpon vs. Giue vs grace alwaie to call and crie vpon thy holie and blessed name and faithfullie with teares to saie vnto thee continuallie Spare vs good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy pretious bloud neither yet good Lord be thou angrie with vs for euer Graunt this O mercifull father for the loue of thy onlie sonne Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise ascribed foreuer Amen A praier for patience in trouble and meekelie to suffer aduersitie GRatious Lord and omnipotent God whose mercie is euerlasting and infinite bowe downe thine eare and harken vnto this my praier which I make before thy diuine Maiestie most humblie beseeching thee of thine accustomed goodnesse to indue me with the works of mercie and deedes of charitie and aboue all things to giue me patience in aduersitie meekelie to suffer and patientlie to take whatsoeuer it shall please thee to laie vpon me and neuer to murmur or to grudge thereat but alwaies to thinke thy louing and gentle correction to be much lesse than the deserts of my great and manifold offences Againe if I be not vnder correction then am I not thy child For what father is he who correcteth not his children whome he most intirelie loueth This then is an euident token that thou louest vs when as thou correctest vs. For as the scripture saith Whome God loueth him he chasteneth Thou seest all things thou vnderstandest and knowest all things so that not so much as one little sparowe lighteth vpon the ground without thy knowledge yea our verie thoughts are foreknowne vnto thee Thou disposest and orderest all things as seemeth best to thy holie will and pleasure By thy helpe I may doo all things without thee I can doo nothing When thou powrest vpon vs thy creatures thy good gifts and benefits when thou bestowest vpon vs prosperitie health wealth and such like thou dooest it to this intent that we acknowledging the same should thereby be incouraged to serue honour and humblie obeie thee and alwaies praise and magnifie thy glorious name Contrariwise when thou strikest vs with thy rod of correction as plaging vs with great mortalitie suffering our enimies to inuade vs robbers for to spoile vs pouertie to oppresse vs or fire to consume those things which thou hast lent vs for the maintenance of our bodies in this mortall life thou doest it to put vs in mind that we haue transgressed thy commandements that we haue not harkned vnto thee neither done that which is acceptable in thy sight but willinglie falling into the puddle of sin and following our owne appetites haue prouoked thy iust wrath and indignation against vs. Thus thou dealest with vs O Lord to the intent that we suffering bodilie punishment and feeling the smart of the same may thereby be admonished of our dutie and with true compunction of hart desire to be released from thy scourges which we haue deserued and worthilie receiue and then acknowledge our selues to be lost children and straieng sheepe may both see and be ashamed of our vnbrideled affections and wilfulnesse which haue brought vs to calamitie and miserie and with the true penitent to saie We are not worthie most mercifull Father to lift vp our eies or voice vnto thee for our manifold sins and wickednesse Neuerthelesse presuming vpon thine aboundant mercie who refusest none that doo call vppon thee most lamentablie we doo crie Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners being now greeuouslie afflicted with the burden of punishment and affliction which thou hast laid vpon vs. Put thou therefore awaie displeasure conceiued against vs thy poore creatures and grant vs that beeing warned by this we may euer heereafter serue thee in newnesse of life and neuer commit anie thing which shall displease or offend thee This O heauenlie father I acknowledge to be our dutie But though I for my part haue not performed the same as I ought to doo yet I beseech thine inestimable goodnesse not to execute the rigour of thy iustice vpon me but to state thine hand and before thou giue me anie greater wound to behold my humilitie and repentance which being not able to recompense and satisfie the trespasses which I against thee haue committed doo offer vnto thee according as the poore widowe did all that which I am able to giue that is a sorowfull contrition of hart for my former offences done and passed Thy iustice as it is right so is it rigorous to sinners Thou art so gealous and so much doest detest sin that thou sparest not to punish thy verie elect and chosen seruants when as they fall into it Who was more acceptable in thy sight than that holie Prophet King Dauid of whome thou thy selfe didst saie I haue found a man according to mine owne hart euen Dauid my seruant yet neuerthelesse diuers and sundrie waies didst thou punish him when that he had swarued from thy testimonies Thou sufferedst him to be molested with the insurrection of his owne sonne thou didst send the prophet vnto him to offer him the choice of plagues which thou wouldest send vpon him for his wicked liuing but when he with sorowfull sighes and trickling teares turned vnto thee confessing his fault crauing pardon and promising amendment of life thou forgatest thine anger and forgauest his offence Other of thy chosen vessels thou hast permitted to be greeuouslie tormented vexed by sundrie troubles and aduersities onlie to trie their faith and stedfastnesse towards thee As thou didst suffer that patient man Iob to be most cruellie intreated by that enimie of all mankind to haue his houses burned and spoiled his cattell taken awaie his seruants driuen into bondage his children to be slaine his owne bodie to be afflicted with most loathsome diseases plagues and sores And all this thou didst not for anie euill deede of his but to shewe thine omnipotencie and power For when thou hadst tried him to the vtmost and found that his enimie the diuell could not preuaile against him or by anie paine and greefe cause him to blaspheame and speake euill of thee thou diddest reduce him to health thou diddest enrich him againe thou diddest restore vnto him againe his children friends familie and all his goods with much more than euer he before possessed shewing most manifestlie that thou wilt reward them most plentiouslie which do loue thee folowe and obserue thy commandements Wherefore I beseech thee to giue me grace that whatsoeuer waie it shall please thee to visit me with thy punishment I may take it patientlie and saie with patient Iob Naked came I into this world and naked shall I returne to the earth againe the Lord giueth the Lord taketh awaie euen as it pleaseth the Lord so be it Suffer me not to despaire or to thinke that thou dealest vniustlie with me but to saie Shall I receiue
breed in vs anie carnall desire of our vaine life but to enable our bodies with all good works during the time of this present pilgrimage that so thy good creatures may be our good releefe so long as thou wilt and so much as thou knowest to be expedient for vs thy seruants to finish our daies which thou hast numbred in the edifieng of thy Saincts and glorifieng of thy holie name And because O Lord we knowe nothing of our selues but our ignorant harts are full of darkenesse therefore we beseech thee that this thy word which is thine eternall wisdome that now we haue read and wherein we haue had our conference may be in our minds a burning lampe and shining light of thine onlie truth in our harts and in our soules a fruitefull seed of a new birth so that thine owne image may be happilie againe restaured in vs that we may bee made before thee a holie and righteous people by the inward working of thy gratious spirit dailie strengthening our harts in earnest loue of thy truth and carefull obedience of thy commandements through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator who in the sacrifice of his owne bodie hath purchased vnto vs all thy fauour and hath giuen vs boldnesse to call vpon thee vnto whome O father with thee and the holie Ghost bee all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another praier after meate on the Lords daie SAnctified be thy name O eternall father who by thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord dooest euermore protect and prouide for thy Church both spirituall and corporall blessings bestowing most liberallie vpon vs all good things asked according to thy will Lift vp thine eies O Christ and behold thy miserable people which depend altogither vpon thy prouision and acknowledge our selues to be fed and defended miraculouslie by thee Assist vs that we also may withdrawe our eies from the consultations of flesh and bloud and looke vpon thee our Lord by whose blessing we eate and store our selues And albeit all worldlie helps do faile yet bee thou a firie wall still about vs and feed and defend thy Saincts in the feelds of comfort vntill thou begin that ioifull Passouer and euerlasting Sabboth and bring vs out of the wildernesse out of the sea and penurie into the court of ioie wealth satietie and euerlasting welfare In the meane while make vs thankfull for the benefits which we enioie Let vs gather vp the remnants or fragments cast from thy sumptuous and rich banket vnto vs. Preserue our baskets and blesse our store euen the arts and schooles of learning that by them thy doctrine may be spread abroade in the world Make vs not onlie to honour thee for these thy corporall benefits but much more for giuing thy selfe vnto vs which art the bread of life Be thou our King defending vs in this life against the power of Sathan and feed vs with thy heauenlie bread which may nourish vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Another praier after meate that daie you haue receiued the holie Communion SEeing that of thy free grace and mercie O almightie God thou hast made vs partakers this daie of all thy riches both in spirituall and corporall things in Christ Iesu who of our selues are vnwoorthie to haue gathered the crumbs vnder thy table make vs more and more mindfull of so great mercies and continuallie thankefull to thee for so manifold benefits and to walke woorthie the honour and dignitie thou hast done vnto vs that we may receiue the full accomplishment of thy loue towards vs in the life to come through the same our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing vnto God for our food to be read and meditated vpon after meate WE thanke thee O King of glorie Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast from our youth to this present houre maruellouslie nourished vs giuing vs meate drinke cloathing with all other things perteining to the sustentation of this present life Naked and bare came we out of our mothers wombs wee brought nothing into the world but whatsoeuer we haue thou gauest the same yea it was afore we were borne and in our mothers wombe didst thou ordeine things necessarie for this life and sufferedst vs to enioie all things aboundantlie Alwaie thou hast a care of vs as a father vseth his children neither art thou ignorant that we stand in need continuallie of thy blessings and dailie are destitute of new releefe all which thou giuest after thy woonted and vnspeakable goodnesse We acknowledge that whatsoeuer we haue or possesse it is thy gift and confesse thee to be the fountaine of all good things and perceiue thy fatherlie goodnesse to be spread not onlie ouer all mankind but also ouer the liuing creatures Thou giuest meate to all flesh thou giuest fodder to the cattell and feedest the yoong rauens that call vpon thee For corporall goods are not distributed among men by chance or without thy prouidence neither be they atteined by the onlie industrie and power of man Thou giuest and we gather thou openest thy hand and all liuing creatures are filled with thy blessing For without thee all our endeuours be in vaine and if thou blesse not our labours we doo but eate the wind and receiue no profit Great is thy mercie O Lord which disdainest not to prouide for sinfull flesh O Lord our God great are thy woonderous works which thou hast done for vs the which we can not so much as in thought comprehend muchlesse in words expresse When we would report and vtter them we found them more than we could recite but notwithstanding thine infinite benefits can not be comprehended of mortall man yet will we not surcease to set foorth thy praise nor hide thy goodnesse from the sonnes of men but will declare it and speake of thy truth from one generation to another Blessed art thou O our God for euer and euer all that is either aboue in the heauens or in the earth beneath is thine All things come from thee and from thine hands we receiue whatsoeuer we possesse and all these things of thy meere mercie without our merits or woorthinesse Therefore we will magnifie the Lord which doth mightie things in all corners of the earth which dooth nourish vs from our mothers wombs and giueth vs all good things Grant vs likewise quietnesse of mind and peace in our time that thy grace may abound toward vs continue and defend vs while we liue O almightie and mercifull father by thy breath we take life the which through thy blessing doth abide in vs. In thee we liue moue and haue our being For man liueth not by bread onlie or by his owne wisedome and forecast neither art thou bound with a fatall chaine of second causes but by thy decree and will we enioie life and all things created at thy becke doo continue while thou thinkest good
from the Father of lights and from his Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ with whom thou reignest and art glorified most singularlie being of one substance coequall and coeternall with them in the essence of one and the same Trinitie I knowe thee Father Sonne and holie Ghost to be one a liuing and a verie God three I confesse in persons yet but one in essence whom I acknowledge worship and glorifie with mine whole hart being the true God the onlie God holie immortall inuisible vnchangable whom no man can either attaine vnto or find out This God I acknowledge to be one light one sunne one bread one life one happinesse one beginning one end one Creator both of heauen and earth by whom all things doo liue by whom all things subsist by whom all things are gouerned ruled and quickened both the things in heauen and the things in earth things vnder the earth besides whom there is no God neither in heauen nor in earth Thus knowe I thee O blessed Trinitie my Lord God who knowest me Thus knowe I thee through the faith which thou hast inspired to me I knowe thee O my light the sight of mine eies O Lord my GOD the hope of all the ends of the earth the ioie reioicing my youth and the good susteining mine age For in thee O Lord all my bones reioice saieng O Lord who is like to thee Among the gods who is like to thee Not that whom the hands of men haue made but thou who hast made the hands of men The idols of the nations are siluer and gold euen the works of mens hands so is not he which made man All the gods of the people are idols but the Lord made the heauens Let those gods which made not the heauens and the earth perish from the earth and from vnder these heauens but let both heauen and earth praise him which created both earth and heauen Amen A zealous praier vnto the blessed Trinitie WHerefore O Lord my faith which thou hast giuen me to my saluation calleth vnto thee For the faithfull soule liueth by faith he enioieth in hope which one daie he shall behold in thee O my God vnto thee crieth my pure conscience and the sweet loue of my faith which the darkenes of ignorance being driuen away thou hast brought vnto the knowledge of the truth which also thou hast plucked from the foolish bitternes of this world and made comfortable and pleasant to me through thy sweet loue Unto thee O blessed Trinitie doth the cleere voice and sincere loue of my faith call the which nourishing the same from the cradle thou hast inlightned alwaie by the light of thy grace confirmed mightilie in me through the instructions of our mother the Church Unto thee doo I call O happie blessed glorious and single Trinitie Father Sonne and holie Ghost God Lord and Comforter loue grace and communion the begetter the begotten the renewer the verie light of the verie light the verie illumination the spring the floud and the watering of one all through one all in one all things of whome through whome and in whome are all things The liuing life the life from the liuing the quickener of such as liue One of himselfe one of one one of two A being of himselfe a being of another a being from both The Father is true the Sonne truth and the holie Ghost truth so that the Father the Word the Comforter are one essence one power one goodnes and one blessednes of whom through whome and in whome all things be blessed whatsoeuer things are blessed I beseech thee therefore that as thou hast giuen me grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glorie of the eternall Trinitie and in the power of the diuine maiestie to worship the vnitie so grant that through the stedfastnesse of this faith I may euermore be preserued comforted defended in all my troubles aduersities which liuest and reignest three persons and one God blessed for euer Amen Another deuout praier to the holie Trinitie WIth all my hart and mouth doo I confesse praise blesse thee O God the Father vnbegotten and thee O God the Sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost Comforter to thee be glorie in the world of worlds Amen O blessed Trinitie thou three coequall and coeternall persons and one verie God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost who dwellest alone in euerlastingnes and in vnapprochable light which hast founded the earth by thy mightie power and rulest the whole world by thy wisedome Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts dreadfull strong righteous mercifull maruellous praise-woorthie to be beloued one God three persons one being power wisedome goodnes and one vnspeakable Trinitie I crie vnto thee Open me the gates of righteousnes and when I am come in I will praise thee O Lord. Behold I poore begger knocke at thy doore O souereigne housholder command the gates to be opened at my knocking according as thou hast said Knocke yee and it shall be opened For trulie O most mercifull Father the desires of my groning hart and the cries of my weeping eies doo knocke at thy doore All my desire is before thee and my groning is not hid from thee Lord turne not thy face anie more awaie from me neither fling thou awaie from thy seruant in a fume O Father of mercies heare the howling out of thy Ward and reach hir thy singular good helping hand that it may drawe me out of the deepe waters and out of the lake of miserie and out of the mire of filthines that I perish not thy pitifull eies seeing it and the bowels of thy mercie beholding it but that I may wade out vnto thee my Lord God so as I may see the riches of thy kingdome and alwaies behold thy face and sing praises to thy holie name O Lord which workest woonders which cheerest my hart with remembring thee and which inlightenest my youth despise not mine old age but make my bones to reioice and my hoarie heares to waxe fresh againe as the Eagle A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord for it is verie meet right and our bounden duties that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks to thee O God almightie and euerlasting God which art one God one Lord not one onelie person but three persons in one substance For that which we beleeue of the glorie of the Father the same we beleeue of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost without anie difference or inequalitie Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high and in earth peace good will towards men We praise thee we blesse thee we woorship thee we glorifie thee we giue thanks to thee for thy great glorie O
Sauiour and also the true forgiuer of sinnes Therefore doest thou assure hir that shee is mother to thy Sonne of whome thou art the onlie father And furthermore O my father here is a great loue of thy well dooing that thy holie sonne hath taken on him the bodie of a man hath mingled himselfe with our ashes which thing we may not vnderstand without a most true faith It hath pleased thee to put him so neere vs that he did ioine himselfe to our flesh and I seeing him to be called man am bold to call him brother Now sith my soule may saie of hir selfe that shee is the sister of God ought she not to haue hir selfe assured in him Yes trulie For thou doest declare with great loue that hir creation was onlie of thy good wil which it pleaseth thee alwaies to haue towards hir giuing assurance that before hir first daie or time of being prouided for hir thou thorough loue hast made hir as thou of power alone canst well doo it and also didst put hir within this bodie not for to slacke with sloth but that both of them should haue none other exercise but only to thinke how to doo some seruice vnto thee Then this truth maketh hir to feele that there is in thee true paternitie O what honor what sweetnesse and what glorie hath the soule which doeth alwaies remember that she is thy daughter and that in calling thee father shee doth thy commandement What is there more Is that all No it doth please thee to giue hir another name to call hir thy wife and that she againe doo call thee husband declaring therby how thou hast freelie manifested the mariage of hir By baptisme hast thou made a promise to giue hir thy goods and riches and to take on thee hir sinnes for she hath nothing by heritage but sinne of hir first father Adam All hir treasures that she hath of nature are nothing else but sinnes which thou hast tied vpon the Crosse and paid all hir debts with thy goodes lands Thou hast made hir so rich and with so great a iointure endued hir that she knowing hir selfe to be thy wedded wife doth beleeue to be quit of all that she oweth esteeming verie little that shee hath heere beneath She forsaketh hir old father and all the goods that he giueth hir for hir husbands sake For surelie O my GOD it hurteth my soule to be fed with such good and againe releeued in leauing the pleasures of this world for that which is eternal and where peace is without warre Father alas what ought I to thinke Shall my spirit be so bold as to take vpon him to call thee father yea and also our father for so hast thou taught in the Pater noster But to call me daughter hast thou so said I praie thee tell me Alas yea Lord when with great sweetnes thou saiedst Daughter lend me thy hart and againe thou saiedst Daughter thy faith hath saued thee O my soule instead of lending my Lord is readie to giue himselfe wholie vnto thee receiue him then and do not permit that anie creature put him from thee so that for euer with faithfull stedfastnesse he may loue thee with a daughterlie loue Now my Lord if thou be my father may I thinke that I may be thy mother Indeede I can not well perceiue how I should conceiue thee that createdst me but in this matter thou diddest satisfie my doubt when in preaching and in stretching forth thy hands thou didst saie Those that shall do the will of my father they are my brethren my sister and my mother I beleue then that hearing and reading the words that thou hast taught and vttered by thy holie Prophets and Apostles the same also which through thy true Preachers thou dost dailie declare vnto men in beleeuing it and stedfastlie desiring to fulfill the same I conceiue thee and beare thee by loue Therfore without anie feare I wil take vpon me the name of a mother What Mother of Christ O sweet virgine Marie I beseech thee be not angrie that I take vp such a title I do neither steale nor vsurpe anie thing vpon thy priuiledge for thou onelie aboue all women receiuedst of him so great honour that no man can in himselfe comprehend how he hath beene willing to take in thee our flesh for thou art the mother and perfect virgine before and after and in his holie birth In thy blessed wombe thou didst beare him and nourish him thou didst followe him in his tribulations and also in his teachings Now brieflie to conclude thou hast with God found such grace as the enimie through malice and deceit had caused Adam and his posteritie to lose by Eue and him we haue lost it and by the Sonne hath it been yeelded vnto vs againe Therefore hast thou bene rightfullie called full of grace as one to whome the Lord hath shewed aboundant fauour Sith then that he which is the best among them that be good and also the spring of all goodnesse and power hath created in thee so pure innocencie endued thee with such grace exalted thee to such dignitie that he in thee of all other the example of vertue hath builded his dwelling and temple he through loue did confirme himselfe with thee and thou through grace art confirmed in him therefore no man can giue thee greater praise then God himselfe hath giuen thee for there is no such praise as is the same which commeth from God Thou also hast had so firme and constant a faith that thou by the holie Ghost wast filled with all godlinesse I will not take vpon me therefore to giue to thee greater praise than the honour which thy sonne and soueraigne Lord hath giuen thee And as thou art his corporall mother so art thou thorough faith his spirituall mother and I following thy faith with all humblenesse am his spirituall mother also Alas my God the brotherlinesse that thou hast towards me thorough thy humblenesse in calling me sister is great for thou hast broken the kindred of mine old father calling me daughter by adoption Seeing then that we haue both one father I will not feare to call thee my brother For thou hast so reported it by the wise Salomon in his Canticle saieng My sister and spouse thou hast wounded my hart with the sweete looke of one of thine eies c. Alas my brother I wish for nothing else but that in wounding thee I might finde my selfe wounded with thy loue to that would I giue ouer my selfe And likewise thou doest call mee wife speaking to me these amorous words Arise my deere doue and come hitherward my delectable spouse Wherefore I may saie with louing faith Thou art mine and I am thine bicause thou hast called me thy loue and faire spouse If I be so such hast thou made me Alas doth it please thee to giue me such names Trulie they are able to breake the hart and cause it to burne through
wounds and his glorious bodie all to bee scourged in thy diuine presence who thereby doth mitigate thy wrath and indignation iustlie conceiued against me a miserable and wretched creature and all mankind Make me Lord still to confesse mine vnwoorthinesse and weaknesse to be such and so great that of my selfe I am not worthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen much lesse to be called thy sonne or handmaiden such and so great is the burden of my sinne iniquitie so that by the meanes of my corruption filthinesse I acknowledge my selfe to be the child of death and destruction yet build I still on thy promises good Lord and in this great danger I come vnto thee with teares saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen against thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child Of my selfe I haue nothing but by thee I haue althings of my selfe I acknowledge I haue iustlie deserued the heauie sentence of thine ire but by grace of thee O mightie Emanuel I am regenerate and borne againe from death to life from danger to ioie from perill to peace from bondage to libertie and so in fine from hell and damnation to blisse and saluation Such is the effect of thy mercie so abundant is thy loue towards me all those that with contrite harts present themselues vnto thee Increase my faith Lord that it may abound in good and fruitfull works so fortifie me that I neuer swarue from thy veritie giue me thy grace from aboue O mercifull Iesu that I may neuer shrinke from thy sacred testimonies And moreouer I with all humilitie and reuerence of hart and mind beseech thee this night which thou hast ordeined for man to rest in that thou wilt gard and protect me with thy good guiding spirit And albeit my sinfull flesh shall sleepe and slumber yet grant good Lord that my soule may continually keepe watch and ward let not the enunie find me slumbering sleeping as carelesse in the cradle of sinfull securitie least that whilest I am vnarmed that is naked and destitute of thy grace and fauour he enter in and breake vp the house of my sinfull bodie and make such hauocke and spoile that mine infected and leporous soule deformed by meanes of mine iniquitie and wounded with the dangerous darts of transgression be thrown with the bodie of sinne into the lake of destruction wherein is continuall wailing and gnashing of teeth Make me still O good Lord to consider that the bed is a plaine patterne and similitude of the graue which continuallie calleth for me all other thy creatures Make me to vnderstand that when I am laid of my selfe without thy heauenlie prouidence I can not bee able to rise againe Make me to acknowledge that sleepe is the verie figure of death to whose stroke at thine appointed pleasure I must submit my selfe Indue me with loue and charitie to all men let my lampe O Lord be garnished with oile that whensoeuer or at what time soeuer thy messenger death shall drawe me and knocke at the gates of my house I may at his summons in the daie of the resurrection of the dead be readie to attend on thee and thy bride with my burning lampe that is with a stedfast faith when as by thee I shall be cloathed anew For my mortall bodie shall then be couered with immortalitie the corruption of my sinfull and rebelling flesh shall be changed to incorruption and perfect puritie thy righteousnesse shall be mine thy merits shall make me perfect and holie by vertue whereof hell shall loose his victorie death shall loose his sting my faith and hope shall haue end and reward and I with thy Saints continuallie dwell in loue charitie with thee the heauenlie bridegroome Christ Iesus to whom with the father and the holie Ghost bee ascribed all laud glorie power praise and dominion for euer Amen A praier for the remission of sinne and to obteine a vertuous life FOrasmuch as O bountifull Lord it is most meet right and iust that all flesh shuld praise magnifie and worship thee and should without ceasing giue thanks vnto thee who onlie art the Creator and maker of all things as well visible as inuisible who onlie art the treasure of all goodnesse and well of life onlie God and Lord whome the heauens and heauen of heauens the sunne the moone the starres the earth the sea with all that moue therin yea the heauenlie companie of Martyrs the soules of the Prophets and Apostles Angels Archangels togither with the soules of all iust and righteous persons doo laud and glorifie It is most requisite that ech mortall creature liuing in this world should also acknowledge thy magnificence Wherfore most mercifull father I with my hart and mouth doo acknowledge thee to be my King and Lord the giuer of all goodnesse I confesse thee to be omnipotent reuerend merciful long suffering God of all consolation comfort mercie and pitie I knowe that of thine infinite goodnesse onelie thou diddest make man after thy similitude and likenesse placing him in the most delectable place of Paradyse And although he did transgresse thy commandement and thereby deserued eternall death and damnation yet thou like a most louing and pitifull Father diddest not vtterlie reiect him but gentlie correct him and after that thou hadst sent him into the earth commanding him there to increase and multiplie thou didst instruct his posteritie with thy lawe thou didst teach them by thy Prophets and after that sentest downe thine onlie begotten sonne to take vpon him our nature and to suffer death for our sinnes therby to make a recompense for the offence which man had committed against thee and all this thou didst of thine exceeding great mercie and kindnesse without anie desert of mankind not being so much as by anie one praier or yet intreatie therevnto incited Therefore I being boldened with such inestimable benefits so freelie giuen and bestowed doo without any feare at this time appere before thy diuine Maiestie prostrating my slefe before the seate of thy mercie and with all humblenesse of hart and mind doo make this my praier vnto thee Despise me not O Lord God being defiled with sin and iniquitie For behold I present my selfe before thee not presuming vpon mine owne woorthinesse but trusting in thy goodnesse Be mercifull vnto me a sinner light thou the dull sighted eies of my mind open thou the stopped eares of mine hart that I may both see heare perceiue and vnderstand that which thou teachest and alwaies doo that which thou commandest Make me not onelie a hearer of thy heauenlie doctrine but also a perfect folower of the same direct sanctifie and gouerne my life be thou alwaies present and readie both to heare and to helpe me Saue and defend me from all shame and reproch be thou my shield buckler against all temptations clense my mind and thought from all vncleannesse keepe and preserue me from all danger both of bodie
forgiue vs our iniquities Whosoeuer calleth on thy name shall be saued Thou hast no pleasure in the death of a sinner but rather desirest that they should liue and be conuerted Thou hast so loued the world that thou not onlie didst become man and tooke our nature vpon thee but wert content also to suffer most cruell death on the Crosse to purge our nature from mortall sinne and corruption and adorne it with immortalitie and eternall glorie not onelie in thine owne person but in vs also to satisfie the iustice of the Father for our sinnes Oh blessed shepheard thou doubtedst not to spend thy most pretious blood to saue thy beloued sheepe from rauine and spoile Good Lord so increase thy grace in me that thy holie word may take roote and flourish in me that the good seed may not be choked with thornes So order my liuing that when by course of nature I shall be dissolued from the prison of my bodie I may come to thee that when thou more bright than the sun shalt come in the midst of the legions of Angels in thy shining glorie and Maiestie to iudge the quicke the dead I may be in the number of the blessed ones whom thou shalt call to possesse the kingdome prepared for them by thy Father saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the world Thou which didst die and rise againe wilt raise and bring to life all those that are dead beleeuing in thy faith So be it A praier to liue well GOod Lord so rule the eies of my hart that they being kept simple and pure my bodie may be a cleere and shining temple of thy holie spirit So kindle in vs the loue of thy glorious sonne that we following his steps may doo that which is good and decline from the euill so that our light shining before men we may glorifie thee by our good works with thy blessed sonne our Sauiour and the holie Ghost to whose infinite Maiestie in trinitie and vnitie be all honour and glorie for euer Amen A praier for humilitie O Lord I am a sinner and sorie for mine offences I can not make satisfaction for my defaults If I haue anie good thing it commeth of thee The most acceptable sacrifice to thee is a contrite and humble hart O God let mee not be oppressed with the waues of sinne let mee not sinke into the whirlepoole and gulph of despaire Thou which liftest vp the fallen and raisest the humble and meeke clothing them with purple and settest them vp with princes in the seates of honour thou which despisest the imaginations of the proud and resistest their enterprises blesse me in all my dooings send mee happie successe in all mine affaires that I may reioice in thy goodnesse with thine elected for euer and euer Accept my humble suite good Lord I beseech thee for the glorie of thy name sake Amen A praier for the obteining of Gods grace O Almightie and mercifull God shine we beseech thee through the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and the comfortable working of thy sacred spirit the heauenlie comforter vpon our minds and harts with the glorious beames of thy heauenlie grace Giue vs such plentie of wisedome and vnderstanding from aboue that through the knowledge of thee the man of sinne that is our fraile and feeble flesh with the wicked lusts and desire of concupiscence may lie dead and buried in vs. Giue vs good Lord the feeling of thy grace that by the vertue and diuine operation of thy word the eies of our soules may be illumined and made so light that the Prince of darkenesse with all his vnrighteous ministers may be expulsed and banished from our memories So establish vs in thy truth that our harts minds and thoughts may continuallie be occupied in thy testimonies that thereby thou good Lord effectuallie shining in our harts by the vertue of thy good spirit we may learne to knowe and vnderstand what is the fulnesse of our calling and how rich thou art in the glorie of thy celestiall and heauenlie heritage of thy Saincts and that excellent greatnesse of thy power and louing kindnesse towards vs which beleeue without faining thy holie Gospell according to the might and force of thy strength which thou shewedst in Christ Iesus when thou didst raise him from the dead and didst set him on thy right hand far aboue all empire power authoritie and dominion and euerie name that is named not onlie in this world but in the world to come By whose pretious death and deerest bloud-shedding we are assured that sinne death and hell are vanquished ouercome and vtterlie destroied And if we beleeue without wauering we shall in him be able to resist all the power of hell and in Christ as conquerors to triumph with victorie ouer sinne death and Sathan and at the last to haue and enioie the fruition of his rich and glorious kingdome which he by most painefull agonie bloudie stripes greeuous and bloudie wounds and lastlie by his most painefull death purchased for his chosen and elect To whome for our sanctification iustification redemption and our saluation be rendred with his celestiall Father and the holie Ghost all laud glorie power honour and dominion for euer and euer Amen A praier against presumptuous pride and vaine-glorie WE heare O heauenlie Father and are dailie taught and instructed out of thine eternall word how greatlie the greeuous sinne of presumption pride and vaine-glorie displeaseth thy diuine maiestie We are learned that for the practise of this pestilent and heinous euill thou hast not spared the verie Angels but hast throwne them in thy displeasure for their pride vaine-glorie and presumption from beatitude to miserie from ioie without end to perdurable paine from brightnesse of thy glorious presence to vtter extreame and palpable darkenesse from the glorious fruition and participation of thine euerlasting kingdome to the bottomlesse pit of hell death damnation and endlesse flames of fire Besides this we are taught that by the transgression of Adam whose haughtie presuming through the entisement of the subtile and perillous allurement of the Serpent thought to be as thy selfe but in fine thy iustice condemned him and all his posteritie This pestiferous sinne of pride drowned him in the flouds of all dangerous euils as gluttonie luxurie and such other perils that had not thy mercie taken effect to keepe and hold plea for his and our safegard and thy sonne Christ embased the glorie and power of his diuine essence and taken vpon him our flesh and fraile nature sinne onlie except who freelie offered his innocent bodie to the death of the crosse we had perished euerlastinglie and beene vtterlie confounded Print therefore good Lord and write these examples in my memorie that I fall not from thy fauour by the exercise of this detestable sinne Make me still to consider that the proud and disdainefull are alwaies abhorred in thy sight And sith
beloued Saints and redie to crowne them with euerlasting glorie In thee are legions of Angels singing of sweet Hymnes and songs that set foorth the praise and honor of thy name in thee are the felowship of heauenlie citizens in thee resteth the sweete solemnitie of all such as returne from this miserable pilgrimage vnto thy glorie the companie of the Prophets Apostles and victorious armie of Martyrs holie men and women which haue vanquished the pleasures of the world haue their abiding with thee There are yoong children and maidens which haue passed ouer their daies in holinesse of life publishing thy praise in all puritie and pietie Euerie one reioiceth in his degree though not equall in glorie yet like in ioies and gladnesse For there reigneth perfect charitie God is all in all whose Maiestie without end they see continuallie and still in beholding him their loue increaseth Of this eternall blessednesse the holie Apostle Peter had as it were a shadowe or a tast vpon the mount Thabor at the transfiguration of Christ from whence he desired he might not depart Paule also had a proofe of it when he was rapt or taken vp into the third heauen where he heard words and sawe things so maruellous and secret as far passeth all mans vnderstanding and such as were not to be told or reuealed vnto men Moses his face became so bright through the conuersation that he had with the diuine glorie vpon mount Sinai that the Israelites could not abide it What then shall become of vs when perpetuallie with thee which art the Lord of all glorie we shall be conuersant after the maner of thy children and familiar friends Who is he then that will not seeke and desire by all meanes possible to be a dweller there both for the desire of peace ioie and eternitie and for the perfect sight of God Contrariwise who is able to expresse the torments appointed for the vngodlie and vnrepentant liuers in that deadlie place called Hell which Sathan himselfe abhorreth What other thing can be there but continuall paines eternall tribulation and infinite calamitie repleat with all euils There dwell wicked and ouglie Angels whose horrible lookes bring sudden feare greeuous paines and fearefull death with continual clouds of euer-during darknes There is nothing but howling wailing lamentation and mourning without all end fearfull scriches confused cries are there in all places suddenlie raised There the woorme of conscience neuer dieth in that damnable dungeon there is fire vnquenchable and perpetuall gnashing of teeth The miserable soule findeth there no rest but is afflicted with all kind of torments and such as can neuer be expressed all which endure for euer Alas little auaileth it those that are subiected as firebrans of hell to crie vnto the Lord for he will not heare them Then shall they knowe that all things which they had in this life are vaine and such things as they thought to be pleasant to be found more bitter than gall or poison Then where is the pleasure of the flesh so termed falslie For there is none other pleasure but to feare the Lord. Then shall they confesse and saie that the iudgement of God is true and righteous saieng Did we not heare of this and yet would not be conuerted from our wicked deeds But then shall nothing preuaile No sorowe can find comfort no complaints anie remorse no torments ease nor painfull passions an end such and so exceeding are the vexations of the second death wherewith all the bodies and soules of the vnrighteous shall for euer be enuironed Sith therefore O heauenlie Father and most gratious God it seemeth good to thine eternall wisdome by the knowledge of thine euerlasting truth to giue me knowledge of thine inestimable mercie offered freelie vnto me in Iesus Christ my mercifull Sauiour in whose bloudie death and painfull passion I am assured of eternall life and blessednesse Giue me grace to print in my remembrance thy manifold mercies that feeding my soule by faith in thee I may attaine vnto those endlesse ioies that thou hast prepared for thine adopted sonnes and chosen children in the kingdome of euerlasting righteousnesse and so escape those euerlasting torments which thou hast prepared for the diuell and his Angels From the which place of wofull vexation and endlesse miserie deliuer me O heauenlie Father for the loue of Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all laud and praise for euer Amen A praier to be said of the sicke at the houre of death MOst mightie art thou O Lord in all thy deeds and most holie in all thy waies Blessed be the name of my father my God and glorious Creator who by his diuine power and celestiall prouidence of nothing made all things fish flesh foules fruites trees hearbes and all other things whatsoeuer are conteined both in heauen earth seas and the nethermost parts thereof Man concerning the outward parts thou by thy celestiall prouidence and fatherlie bountie framedst and createdst of claie but concerning the inward substance of thy creature man thou didst fashion and make him euen according to thine owne similitude and likenesse Moreouer such and so great was thy loue and good will towards him that all the creatures or works of thy creation serued to this vse In earth thou madest him lord and king ouer the fruits thereof the beasts of the field the foules of the aire and the fishes of the little flouds and great waters In the firmament thou hast placed the glistering Sunne with his orient beames to giue him light by daie and therewith thou hast giuen him the Moone and the starres to gouerne him by night For the which cause aboue all other the works of thy creation man should and ought of right to giue thee that glorie that to thee belongeth But alas such and so great is the corruption of our fraile and sinfull flesh that for all these thy graces wee are carried awaie from thee and enter into contempt of thy precepts For which cause thou oftentimes doost correct and punish vs to the intent we might thereby feeling thy rod of correction be driuen to imbrace hartie and true repentance But when thy threats and the stripes of thy displeasure laid vpon vs can not take place amongst vs thou oftentimes giuest vs vp to folowe our lusts and affections but at last when thou dooest behold our enormities thou in a moment by the power of thy diuine iustice restrainest the rope of our disordered libertie and cuttest in sunder the bridle of our voluptuousnes either by sudden death sword fire famine sicknesse or other the diuine sentences of thy conceiued ire to the intent that other thy creatures might by the terrour of thy iustice auoid sinne and learne to amend their liues least they fall into the like calamitie or danger True and most true it is good Lord that by the exercise of sinne we are the children of death and destruction but by grace of
most readie to exceeding mercie and of whome a man may almost doubt whether thou be more slowe to wrath or more prone to pardon For is there anie thing O Lord void of thy goodnesse Naie what is there in this whole world anie where which doth not testifie thy clemencie and euen of it selfe set foorth thy glorie in this point that thou dooest suffer so manie generations and ages to passe and succeede in this world that is defiled so manie and fundrie waies and that thou dooest cause thy chosen people to knowe and declare by experience what thy dominion and power is that is to saie to be publishers of thy praise and valiant acts for committing the glorie of thy kingdome to their posteritie Wherefore by good right O Lord I will giue vnto thee due and conuenient praise declare thy woonderous works euen with a sounding voice that all may heare as it becommeth me all men to whom thou grantest the vse of this life to doo both diligentlie and continuallie As for me I will still call to mind the multitude of thy miracles and woonderous works wrought for me and I will consume all my life daies in praising thee therefore so long as I shall remaine aliue It shall be my speciall care to publish thy renowne with songs of praise And would to God that my songs might be so plesant and acceptable vnto thee as I with glad hart and cheerefull mind will celebrate thy so manie and so great benefits bestowed vpon me And be it far awaie and God forbid O my soule that euer we should forget the Lord our God But let rather my right hand forget hir cunning and all plaieng of instruments and let the tongue of euerie one of vs rather cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes than that it should be once vnmindfull of him or at anie time abandon the due deserued praises belonging to his most holy glorious mightie and eternall name and Maiestie O all ye creatures in heauen and earth agree yee vnto me and saie herevnto with one hart and mouth Amen Praise ye the Lord praise thou thy God O my soule Amen Amen The fift and last part of the Vow diuided also into fiue Chapters CAP. I. AND now O Lord my God and King I thine handmaid being appointed QVEENE by thee after such a maner of bountifulnesse as neuer was heard doo consecrate this song vnto thee both of mercie and iudgement wherevnto I doo vow and bind my selfe before thee this daie to performe them in the gouernment of the kingdome as thou both fatherlie requirest of me and gratiouslie hast commanded And first I will endeuour my selfe wholie to pietie and godlinesse and will labour diligentlie to preserue and to amplifie thy Church that thy pure worship may be continuallie exercised therein with as great care deuotion and holinesse as is possible I will go I saie into thy sanctified house O Lord euen into the holie habitation of thy most true wisdome will I enter that I may there learne thy iudgements and vnderstand thy will reuealed to doo to the vttermost of my power whatsoeuer thou requirest and commandest a King to doo For I doo testifie before thee that I desire nothing more than to visite and behold thy glorious Maiestie in thy Sanctuarie and therefore will I hasten speedilie to stand in the porches thereof to taste and see those visible signes of thy power and Maiestie shewed commonlie therein For doubtlesse thy goodnesse that offereth it selfe as it were there to be handled and felt is more sweet by far than life it selfe which causeth my soule so much the more to be inflamed with earnest desire to seeke thy face to see thy glorie and to set foorth thy praises with all my power Especiallie that the people which are holie vnto thee my God might assemble together by tribes and thousands after the maner apointed of thee to powre foorth praises and praiers and to celebrate thy holie name to the safetie and preseruation of all the families of our nation that loue and fauour thy truth to all posteritie Yea euen I my selfe O God with my father DAVID will gladlie go foorth with the multitude and lead thy people as he was woont into thy holie house O God with the voice of ioifull praisings and thanksgiuings as those that obserue thy sabaoths and festiuall daies most glorious vnto thee before the face of all people I will present my selfe often before thine altar not onlie with my hands washed in water but rather purified from all wickednes that I may openlie stablish thy praise and celebrate thy woonderfull works There will I sound foorth thy renowme with lowd voice with all my hart satisfied with the fatnesse and marowe of thy most holie delicates I will lead my life therein I saie O God setting forth thy magnificence and there will I lift vp mine innocent hart and hands with others and openlie amids the whole multitude call vpon thy name wherein is my safegard For there is nothing that I loue more deerlie than that Temple wherein thou hast set thy seate of glorie euen the house of thy Maiestie and holie Citie wherein the tribunall seate of my father DAVID left to his posteritie to minister iustice indifferentlie to euerie one is firmelie placed And why should not I doo so Why should not my soule I saie he thus inflamed and the zeale of thine house euen consume mee with feruent desire and hartie longing to seeke thy face O Iacob Seeing I haue had experience so oft of thy gratious goodnesse and miraculous helpe and seeing thou O Lord my God hast set thy house in Ierusalem that thy true worship might be by my diligence holilie exercised therein Therefore O God I euen I thine handmaid to whom thou hast appointed the kingdome will reioice and praise thee in thy sacred Sanctuarie and ioine my selfe as companion with those that doo worship thee trulie and deuoutlie therein neither will I be far or long from thence if I be Lord it shall be full sore against my will through some vrgent necessitie of my calling or office in this life And though I be absent in bodie at anie time from thy house as manie times it commeth to passe by reason I change my place so often yet I make a vow I will doo that I am able to wit whersoeuer I become I will cleaue vnto thee in my hart wholie and will not cease to thinke of thee and to meditate of thy manifold benefits powred vpon me Yea Lord thou knowest that I am accustomed to rise at mid-night when other doo soundlie sleepe and setting aside all other cares as she that is euer mindfull of thy statutes I doo watchfullie thinke how I may please thee and keepe thy commandements and how I am woont to preuent the twy-light in the morning with my lowd praiers yea that I am so farre from following the example of the wicked who lie snorting in sin securitie that contrariwise
sinnes and wickednesse my great ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards thee for all thy mercifull benefits so aboundantlie powred vpon me through Iesus Christ which wouldest vouchsafe he being thine owne deere darling in whome was and is all thy whole pleasure and delight to giue him for me to the verie death of the Crosse yea and that when I was thine vtter enimie of mercie inestimable and loue incomprehensible Who euer sawe such a thing God became man and was crucified for me that by his death I might liue Alas that euer I should become so wicked a wretch and vnkind a creature to displease so louing kind and mercifull a God and father Oh forgiue me forgiue me for thy great mercie sake for thy truth and promise sake and I will neuer trespasse againe against thy diuine Maiestie anie more but will gladlie serue thee in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life by the grace and assistance of thy good and holie spirit the which I beseech thee to giue me also that he may gouerne me and guide my hart in thy true faith feare and loue that in all my deeds words and thoughts I may glorifie thy holie name which liuest and reignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome be all honour glorie praise thanks power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes proper for the Sabaoth daie OH my most mercifull father the father of mercies and God of all consolation and comfort my God my father I most wretched sinner confesse and acknowledge my selfe vnfeinedlie with hart mind mouth now before thee to haue most greenoushe offended thy high Maiestie and goodnesse I recognise and acknowledge my selfe to be full of sinne full of vnfaithfulnesse and a seruant vnprofitable For all thy holie commandements haue I transgressed and broken First I haue not set all my whole beleefe confidence trust and hope in thee I haue not loued and honoured thee with all my hart with all my soule mind and powers of my soule Secondlie I haue diuided thine honour and worship from thee and giuen it to thy creatures and dead things imagined of mine owne fond fantasie I meane in the adoring and worshipping of images Thirdlie I haue abused thy most holie name by false and deceitfull swearing to the hinderance of my neighbour and idlelie and vainlie haue I vsed thy holie name I haue not said nor done neither thought all things to thy glorie Fourthlie in the Saboth daie I haue not giuen my selfe to hearing reading learning the holie Scriptures neither haue I giuen meate to the hungrie drinke to the thirstie lodged the harbourlesse clothed the naked visited the sicke comforted nor releeued the poore and men in prison For I haue not expended of how great weight these words of thy sonne my Sauiour Christ are neither beleeued him saieng In as much as ye haue done these things vnto one of the least of these my brethren ye haue done it vnto me Matth. 25. But I haue bestowed and spent my gold and siluer after my lewd lust and concupiscence in excesse of meat and drinke in gorgeous apparell of my bodie of my children seruants and house c. where I should not haue bestowed it or else not so largelie delicatelie nicelie and excessiuelie haue bestowed it as I haue not regarding in the meane time to suffer the deere beloued brethren of Iesu Christ to go naked and to perish for cold and hunger I haue I saie not ceased from mine owne sinfull will and lusts praieng at all times thy will and not mine to be fulfilled Furthermore I haue not honoured my father and mother I haue not so much set by them esteemed them and had them in such reuerence as thou commandest me nor obeied them neither comforted releened or helped them I haue slaine I haue broken wedlocke I haue stolne I haue sold by false weights and measures and borne false witnesse finallie I haue coueted my neighbours house I haue desired his wife his seruant his cattell his other goods vnlawfullie Thus most greeuouslie haue I sinned infinit waies O Lord omitting and leauing thy commandements Oh Father to fulfill the desire of my flesh the world and the diuell Wherefore I crie thee mercie my God most mercifull father and most humblie I desire and beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest to thy deer sonne mine onelie whole and entire Sauiour Iesu Christ to haue mercie on me and to forgiue me most miserable sinner euen in his bloud and for his pretious death sake For when I went about to seeke thee to trust vnto thee or to doo anie thing to thy glorie yet would not this lust and concupiscence that contagious originall poison and fleshlie dregges drawne of our father Adam suffer me perfectlie to doo that I would haue done Through this naturall concupiscence I striue and fight dailie against the holie Ghost in me which vnlawfull lust and desire I knowledge to be a greeuous sinne against thy highnes if thou shouldest iudge me straitlie after thy Lawe without the which concupiscence I cannot be Wherefore I being a wretched yea a most abhominable wretched sinner in my selfe cleerelie destitute of all righteousnesse of all godlinesse of all holinesse and all deseruings am come now by faith before thee vnto Christ his mercie seate and righteousnesse vnto his goodnesse deseruings and satisfactions desiring thee O most mercifull father for his deaths sake that his righteousnesse his wisedome his holinesse his goodnesse his merits and satisfactions may be mine and serue for my forgiuenesse and saluation For like as thou gauest me him to die for my sinnes euen so beleeue I that thou hast giuen me with him all his to be mine and to serue me for my saluation Wherefore glorie honor worship empire and rule be to thee oh father with the sonne and the holie ghost for euer world without end So be it Another Confession of sinnes for Sundaies to be vsed in the forenoone or afternoone O Most mercifull Lord God my tender and deere father vouchsafe I hartilie beseech thee to looke downe with thy fatherlie eies of pitie vpon me most vile and wretched sinner which lie heere prostrate in heart before the feete of thy bottomlesse mercie For I haue sinned against the throne of thy glorie and before thee O most deere Father insomuch that I am not worthie to be called thy daughter Yet neuerthelesse forasmuch as thou art the God and Father of all mercie and comfort and againe desirest not the death of a sinner but like a true Samaritan takest thought for my sillie wounded soule make me I praie thee by infunding of thy pretious oile of comfort into my wounds ioifullie to run with the lost sonne into the lap of thine euerlasting pitie For lo thou art my hope and trust in whom I onlie repose my selfe hauing in thee full confidence and faith And so I saie with a verie faithfull
shall or will receiue me If thou despise me and turne thy face from me who shall looke vpon me Recognise and knowledge me O Lord to be thine although vnworthie comming to thee although I bee vile and vncleane For if I be vile and vncleane as I confesse my selfe in deede to be thou canst make mee cleane If I be sicke thou canst heale me If I be dead and buried thou canst reuiue me for thy mercie is much more than mine iniquitie Thou canst forgiue me more than I can offend Therefore O Lord doo not consider nor haue respect to the number of my sinnes but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me and haue mercie on me most wretched sinner Saie vnto my soule I am thy health which saiedst I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he liue and be conuerted and turne to thee O Lord bee not angrie with me I beseech thee but for thy great mercie sake forgiue and pardon me all my misdeeds and bring me to the blisse that neuer shall cease Amen Another forme of Confession and praier to be vsed of the Maister and Mistresse with their families in priuate houses euerie morning ALmightie God and most mercifull Father we doo not present our selues heere before thy Maiestie trusting in our owne merits or woorthinesse but in thy manifold mercies which hast promised to heare our praiers and graunt our requests which we shall make to thee in the name of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who hath also commanded vs to assemble our selues together in his name with full assurance that he will not onelie be amongst vs but also be our mediator and aduocate towards thy Maiestie that we may obtaine all things which shall seeme expedient to thy blessed will for our necessities Therefore we beseech thee most mercifull father to turne thy louing countenance towards vs and impute not vnto vs our manifold sinnes and offences whereby wee iustlie deserue thy wrath and sharpe punishment but rather receiue vs to thy mercie for Iesus Christes sake accepting his death and passion as a iust recompense for all our offences in whom onlie thou art pleased and through whome thou canst not be offended with vs. And seeing of thy great mercies we haue quietlie passed this night grant O heauenlie father that we may bestowe this daie wholie in thy seruice so that all our thoughts words and deedes may redound to the glorie of thy name and good example to all men who seeing our good works may glorifie thee our heauenlie father And forasmuch as of thy meere fauour and loue thou hast not onlie created vs to thine owne similitude and likenesse but also hast chosen vs to be heires with thy deere sonne Iesus Christ of that immortall kingdome which thou preparedst for vs before the beginning of the world we beseech thee to increase our faith and knowledge and to lighten our harts with thy holie spirit that we may in the meane time liue in all godlie conuersation and integritie of life knowing that idolaters adulterers couetous men contentious persons drunkards gluttons and such like shall not inherit the kingdome of God And because thou hast commanded vs to praie one for another we doo not onlie make request O Lord for our selues and them that thou hast alreadie called to the true vnderstanding of thy heauenlie will but for all people and nations of the world who as they know by thy wonderfull works that thou art God ouer all so they may be instructed by thy holie spirit to beleeue in thee their onlie Sauiour and Redeemer But forasmuch as they can not beleeue except they heare nor cannot heare but by preaching and none can preach except they be sent therefore O Lord raise vp faithful distributers of thy mysteries who setting apart all worldlie respects may both in their life and doctrine onelie seeke thy glorie Contrariwise confound Sathan Antichrist with all hirelings whome thou hast alreadie cast off into a reprobate sense that they may not by sects schismes heresies and errors disquiet thy little flocke And because O Lord we be fallen into the latter daies and dangerous times wherein ignorance hath gotten the vpper hand and Sathan by his ministers seeke by all meanes to quench the light of thy Gospell we beseech thee to mainteine thy cause against those rauening Woolues and strengthen all thy seruants whom they keepe in prison and bondage Let not thy long-suffering be an occasion either to increase their tyrannie or to discourage thy children neither yet let our sinnes and wickednesse be an hinderance to thy mercies but with speede O Lord consider these great miseries For thy people Israel manie times by their sinnes prouoked thine anger and thou punishedst them by thy iust iudgement yet though their sinnes were neuer so greeuous if they once returned from their iniquitie thou receiuedst them to mercie We therfore most wretched sinners bewaile our manifold siunes and earnestlie repent vs for our former wickednesse and vngodlie behauiour towards thee And whereas we cannot of our selues purchase thy pardon yet we humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie vpon vs and receiue vs againe to thy fauour Graunt vs deere father these our requests and all other things necessarie for vs and thy whole Church our Queene and Realme according to thy promise in Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we beseech thee as he hath taught vs saieng Our Father c. Almightie and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing the same in vs dailie vntill we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saieng I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Almightie God which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that aske in thy Sonnes name wee beseech thee mercifullie to incline thine eares to vs that haue now made our praiers and supplications vnto thee and graunt that those things which wee haue faithfullie asked according to thy will may effectuallie be obteined to the releefe of our necessitie and to the setting foorth of thy glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauorable countenance towards vs and graunt vs his peace Amen The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it A Morning praier for Sundaie AFter due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit I sue vnto thee most mercifull father beseeching thee of mercie and forgiuenesse of mine offences which in this night or at anie time heeretofore I haue committed against thy godlie will and pleasure by anie manner of vncleannesse of soule or bodie that I haue fallen into
my bodie a liuing sacrifice holie and acceptable vnto thee which is a reasonable seruice gratefull obedience Both now and euerie daie Lord I commend my soule and bodie into thy hands thou hast redeemed me O God of truth Compasse me about with the watch of thine Angels which are ministring spirits sent out for their defence which are the children of saluation that they may pitch their tents about me and incounter with Satan the dragon to defend me from euill Giue thine holie Angels charge of me that they protect me in all my waies least happilie I hurt my feete against a stone so will I praise thee and magnifie thy name which liuest and reignest a true and eternall God worlds without end Amen Another praier verie effectuall to be vsed vpon the Lords Sundaie or other holie or festiuall daies SEing that the verie solemne times festiuall holidaies doo vndoubtedlie greatlie renew the reioicing of the godlie yea that more is with a certaine heape as a man would saie doo maruelouslie augment and increase their spirituall ioie in thee O most holie Lord God of Saboth and make it greater than it was For they are kept to continue and stir vs vp vnto the remembrance and recounting of thy woonderfull acts things and miracles wrought and done by thine almightie Maiestie for the conseruation and saluation of mankind and by that occasion doo exceedinglie cheere vp and fill the harts of the godlie with spirituall ioies in thee Moreouer bicause good exercises are to be renewed often but especiallie vpon the Sundaie and holie daies as though at that time we were departing out of this life and going to the euerlasting holie daies of spirituall rest and continuall ioie and therefore ought we at that time especiallie to prepare our selues with carefulnes to shew our selues more godlie and to doo thy cōmandements more straightlie as they y t shall receiue reward of our trauels at thy hand ere it be long Behold I thy sillie creature desirous to keepe the godlie rest of the new Saboth better than hitherto I haue done for which as for all other my defaults I crie thee hartilie mercie doo now therefore most humblie beseech thee O holie Father to powre plentiouslie vpon me thy blessed spirit through whose diuine power vertue and grace I may this daie be throughlie sanctified clensed dedicated and prepared both bodilie and ghostlie perfectlie to serue and worship thee according to thy will O holie God which hast commanded vs to sanctifie our selues and to be holie as thou art grant me grace with S. Iohn to be in the spirit on the Sundaie and this daie to be holie with them that be holie and altogither giuen to serue please thee in spirit and truth as becommeth the true worshippers of thee Make thou me this daie to refraine my selfe from dooing anie bodilie labour or seruile worke and vtterlie to forbeare all maner of vngodlinesse displeasant vnto thee as namelie not to abuse or mispend this holie daie in pranking packing priinting pointing frisling or vaine attiring of my selfe to be gorgious and gaie and to prance in pride neither yet in vnlawfull plaies idle sports games Ethnicall pastimes feasting banketting bellie-cheere gluttonie riot excesse chambering wantonnes nicenesse contention pride couetousnesse or in anie other fleshlie filthinesse and vaine pleasures of this transitorie world but contrariwise to occupie and giue my selfe obedientlie vnto the vertuous works and holie exercises of thy diuine precepts namelie vnto the expending of the spirituall rest and euerlasting repose of all Christian soules in heauen vnto the meditation of thy woonderfull works and vnspeakable benefits which thou O God continuallie bestowest vpon thy Church and to bee thankefull for the same to studie the Scriptures to heare and reade thy sacred word and followe the same to call vpon thee by ardent praier with hartie thankesgiuing for all thy mercies to exercise thy holie Sacraments and to comfort and giue almes gladlie according to mine abilitie to the releefe of the poore and comfort of the needie Make me I saie O Lord with holie Dauid both most willing and glad this daie to go foorth with my whole familie and the multitude into thy house and temple in the voice of praise and thankes-giuing among such as keepe it holiedaie vnto thee and at all seasons by common order appointed diligentlie to frequent the populous resort and Christian assemblie of the congregation in the Church and to be present with other thy people often in that most sacred place on earth at the most holie and alwaies to thee O God most acceptable sacrifice of praise inuocation diuine worship giuing of thanks singing of hymnes hearing of thy word vsing of thy holie Sacraments praiers intercessions and supplications which at the comming together of the whole congregation is vsed ordinarilie to be made vnto thee in the Church with verie great ceremonie and reuerence that thus being free from the trauels and drudgerie of this world and by thy grace cleansed from all mine owne carnall affections and wholie giuen ouer to serue and sanctifie thee in true rest and spirituall ease as also to bestowe consecrate and hallowe this thy sacred Sabboth or Sundaie with all other festiuall holie daies most glorious vnto thee in all holie and spirituall exercises of a faithfull and obedient Christian according to thy will I may euen heere in this vale of teares amidst all my miseries be thereby occasioned with cheerefull hart both outwardlie and inwardlie exceedinglie to reioice and trust in thee my most mercifull God and louing sauiour and after this transitorie life ended be worthie happilie to enter into thy holie Mountaine the Tabernacle of thine elect and kingdome of euerlasting blessednesse where the soules of all holie folke doo rest and there with them to be partaker of perfect holinesse and of the vnspeakable benefit of the wished wealefull rest and eternall endlesse ioie of ioies in the Paradise of God to see loue and praise thee most ioifullie in happie mirth for euer and euer through Iesus Christ our Lord to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be immortall glorie infinite power euerlasting kingdome perpetuall praise and continual thanks-giuing by all creatures through all ages worlds world without end Amen See more for Sundaie afterward Meditations HEere call to mind the commandements of almightie God concerning the kéeping of the Sabboth daie holie vnto him as namelie the third commandement Remember thou keepe holie the Sabboth daie c. Exod. 20 verse 11. Call to mind also his promises touching the same who saith If thou turne awaie thy foote from the Sabboth from dooing thy will on the Sabboth daie and call the Sabboth a delight to consecrate it as glorious vnto the Lord and shalt honor him not dooing thine owne waies nor seeking thine owne will nor speaking a vaine word then shalt thou delight in the Lord and I will cause thee to mount vpon the high places of the earth
is the fellowship of the heauenlie citizens and glorious is the solemnitie of all them that returne from the sorrowfull trauell of this our pilgrimage to the pleasantnes of beautie to the beautie of all brightnesse and to the flower of all excellencie where thy citizens behold thee continuallie O Lord. Nothing that may trouble the mind is offered there to the eare What songs what instruments what Carols what melodie what musicke soundeth there without end There sound alwaies most pleasant tunes of Hymnes and Psalmes most sweet melodie of Angels and most woonderfull ditties of songs which are sung to thy glorie by the celestiall inhabitants with heauenlie harmonie No harshnesse no gallie bitternesse nor iangling discords haue anie roome within thy realme For there is neither naughtie person nor naughtinesse There is none aduersarie nor impugner neither is there any inticement of sinne There is no needinesse no shame no bralling no mis-vsage no excusing no feare no vnquietnesse no penaltie no doubtfulnesse no violence no discord or contention But there is perfect peace full of loue continuall reioicing and praising of God carelesse rest without end and euerlasting gladnesse in the holie Ghost O how luckie should I sillie wretch be if I might heare the most pleasant Psalmes Hymnes and Carols of thy citizens and their sugred songs aduancing the praises of the souereigne Trinitie with due honour but ouer happie should I be might I once attaine to sing a song my selfe I saie to sing one of the sweet songs of Zion to our Lord Iesus Christ Another longing after the ioies of heauenlie Zion O Lightsome and glorions house of God I haue loued thy goodlinesse and the place where the glorie of the Lord God who both enioieth and hath created thee doth dwell In mine exile I sigh after thee both night and daie mine hart longeth my mind coueteth and my soule desireth to come vnto the societie of your happinesse My praier vnto him which made me is that he would possesse me in thee bicause he hath made both me and you For I desire your holie fellowship and woonderfull glorie not for anie merit of mine owne but I trust to attaine therevnto through the price of his bloud namelie of Iesus Christ whereby we be redeemed I confesse I haue gone astraie like a lost sheepe and haue too long dwelled out of my natiue soile and am far awaie cast from the face of the Lord my God into this blindnesse of banishment who driuen out of the ioies of paradise I bewaile with my selfe dailie the miserie of my captiuitie and sing a wofull song with great lamentation when I remember thee O mother Ierusalem while my feete doo but stand in thy courts O sacred and comlie Zion and I am not able plainlie to looke into thine inner places Notwithstanding I haue good hope vpon the shoulders of my good shepheard thy Creator to be brought back vnto thee that I may triumph againe with that vnspeakable ioie where withall they be cheered which dwell with thee before God his Maiestie and our Sauiour Christ which hath abrogated through his flesh the hatred and pacified all things both which are in heauen and which are in earth by his bloud For he is our peace which made of both one and ioining the two contrarie wals together hath promised that he will giue the euerlasting felicitie of your happinesse in himselfe after the like maner and measure when he said They shall be like the Angels of God in heauen Another longing or desire of the soule after the supernall Ierusalem O Mother Ierusalem the holie citie of God and the deerly beloued spouse of Christ after thee dooth mine hart couet and my soule exceedingly is in loue with thy beautie Oh how comlie how glorious how honourable art thou Thou art all faire there is no spot in thee Triumph and reioice O beautifull daughters of the Princes For the King hath a pleasure in thy fairenesse and loueth thy goodlie personage O thou fairer than the children of men But what is my beloued O thou fairest among women of the welbeloued My welbeloued is white and ruddie the chiefe of ten thousand Like as the apple trees of the forest so is my welbeloued among the sonnes of men Under his shadowe had I delight Lo now I sit and his fruit is sweet vnto my mouth My welbeloued put in his hand by the hole of the doore and mine hart was affectioned towards him In my bed by night I sought him that my soule loued I sought and I found him I hold and will not let him go vntill he bring me into my mothers house into the chamber of hir that conceiued me For there thou wilt giue mee thy teates most abundantlie and perfectlie and wilt satisfie mine hart with a maruelous satietie so that I shall neither hunger nor thirst anie more Oh happie shall my soule be yea happie and alwaies happie shall I be could I once get to behold thy glorie thine happinesse thy beautie thy gates thy wals thy streets thy manifold mansions thy noble citizens and thy mightie King in his Maiestie For thy wals are of pretious stones thy gates of the richest pearls and thy streets of the pure gold wherein is soong the ioifull Halleluiah without intermission Thy manifold buildings are founded vpon squared stones builded vpon Saphyres inclosed with golden wals whereinto none shall enter but the cleane neither shall anie vncleane person inhabit it Beautifull art thou become O mother Ierusalem and sweete in thy comforts No such thing is in thee as we suffer in this world and as we behold in this wretched life There is neither darknes nor night nor anie change of times in thee There shineth not in thee either the light of the lampe or the brightnesse of the moone or the glittering of the starres but the God of God light of light euen the sunne of righteousnesse euermore doth enlighten thee The white and vnspotted lambe is thy pure and cleare light thy sunne the cleerenesse and euerlasting contemplation of this most glorious king is all thine happinesse He is the King of kings in the middest of thee and you are his ministers about him There be the singing quires of Angels there be the companies of supernall citizens there the solemnitie of all which haue returned from this wofull peregrination vnto thy ioies There be the prudent Prophets the twelue Apostles the victorious host of infinite Martyrs and the sacred conuent of holie Confessors is there There be both vpright men and holie virgins which haue ouercome the pleasures of this world and the weakenesse of sexe There be those yoong men and maidens old men matrons which haue spent their time in godlie conuersation There be the sheepe lambs that haue escaped the snares of this world where they now triumph in their seuerall mansions The glorie of each particular man differeth but common is the ioie of them all There full and perfect charitie doth reigne
vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs an hart to loue and dread thee and diligentlie to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekelie thy word and to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of the spirit We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the waie of truth all such as haue erred and are deceiued We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to strengthen such as doo stand and to comfort and helpe the weake-harted and to raise vp them that fall and finallie to beate downe Sathan vnder our feete We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to succour helpe and comfort all that be in danger necessitie and tribulation We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by land or by water all women labouring of child all sicke persons and yoong children and to shew thy pitie vpon all prisoners and captiues We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes and all that bee desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to haue mercie vpon all men We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to forgiue our enimies persecutors and slanderers and to turne their harts We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindlie fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enioie them We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to endue vs with the grace of thy holie spirit to amend our liues according to thy holie word We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Grant vs thy peace O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Haue mercie vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. The Versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes The Answere Neither reward vs after our iniquities Let vs praie O God mercifull father that despisest not the sighing of a contrite hart nor the desires of such as be sorowfull mercifullie assist our praiers that we make before thee in all our troubles and aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs and gratiouslie heare vs that those euils which the craft and subtiltie of the diuell or man worketh against vs be brought to naught and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may be dispersed that we thy seruants being hurt by no persecutions may euermore giue thanks vnto thee in thy holie Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy name sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble works that thou diddest in their daies and in the old time before them O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thine honour Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne c. As it was in the beginning is now and euer c. From our enimies defend vs O Christ Gratiouslie looke vpon our afflictions Pitifullie behold the sorrowes of our harts Mercifullie forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauourablie with mercie heare our praiers O sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon vs. Both now euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Lord Christ The Versicle O Lord let thy mercie be shewed vpon vs. The Answere As we doo put our trust in thee Let vs praie WE humblie beseech thee O Father mercifullie to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glorie of thy name sake turne from vs all those euils that we most worthilie haue deserued and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercie and euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of life to thy honour and glorie through our onlie mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for the Queenes Maiestie O Lord our heauenlie father high and mightie King of kings Lord of lords the onlie ruler of princes which dooest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vpon earth most hartilie we beseech thee with thy fauour to behold our most gratious souereigne ladie Queene Elizabeth and so replenish hir with the grace of thy holie spirit that she may alwaie incline to thy will and walke in thy waie Indue hir plentifullie with heauenlie gifts graunt hir in health and wealth long to liue strengthen hir that she may vanquish and ouercome all hir enimies and finallie after this life she may attaine euerlasting ioie and felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for Bishops and Curates ALmightie and euerlasting God which onlie workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops and Curates and all congregations committed to their charge the healthfull spirit of thy grace and that they may trulie please thee powre vpon them the continuall dewe of thy blessing Grant this O Lord for the honour of our Aduocate and Mediatour Iesu Christ Amen A praier of Chrysostome ALmightie God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and dooest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfill now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen 2. Corinth 13 verse 13. THE grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the fellowship of the holie Ghost bee with vs all euermore Amen ¶ Other godlie Collects and praiers to be vsed after the Letanie as occasion serueth and first In time of drought for raine O GOD heauenlie father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessarie to their bodilie sustenance send vs wee beseech thee in this our necessitie such moderate raine and showers that we may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort and to thy honor through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another ALmightie God mercifull Father who in thy holie word hast promised to
corne with hailestones nor with hailestones smite thou our cattell and deliuer our flocks from the thunderbolt Cast not the feercenesse of thy wrath anger and displeasure vpon vs. Giue vs not hailestones for raine neither flames of fire in our land but of thy mercie conuert the thunder into gentle raine whereby it may bring out fruit aboundantlie Send not among vs either vntimelie or vntemperate showres which be either noisome to the fruits and bring the mildew or destroie the corne Restraine in like sort the winds and violent tempests that they bring none hurt neither to vs or our goods euen for Christes sake our Lord and Sauiour Amen In time of dearth or famine O GOD heauenlie father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitfull beasts increase and fishes doo multiplie behold we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people and graunt that the scarsitie and dearth which we doo now most iustlie suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnesse be mercifullie turned into cheapenesse and plentie for the loue of Iesu Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost bee praise for euer Amen Another praier in time of anie plague or sicknesse warre penurie orscarsenesse c. O Eternall and euerliuing God most mercifull father which of thy great long suffering and patience hast hitherto suffered and borne with vs most miserable offenders who haue so long straied out of thy waie and broken all thy lawes and commandements and haue neither by thy manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs vnworthie and vnthankefull sinners nor by the voice of thy seruants and preachers by continuall threatnings out of thy holie word hitherto bin moued as the children of loue to returne vnto thee our most gratious father either for feare of thy iudgements as humble and lowlie seruants to turne from our wickednesse And therefore most righteous iudge thy patience being as it were ouercome at the last with our obstinate repentance thou hast most iustlie executed those thy terrible threats now partlie vpon vs by plaguing vs so with most dreadfull and deadlie sicknesse with troubles of warres with penurie and scarsenesse of foode and victuall whereby great multitudes of vs are dailie afflicted and consumed We beseech thee O most mercifull father that in thy wrath thou wilt remember thine old great mercies to correct vs in thy iudgements and not in thy iust anger least we be all consumed and brought to naught Looke not so much vpon our deseruings O most righteous Iudge to take iust vengeance on our sinnes but rather remember thine infinit mercies O most mercifull father promised to vs by thy deerelie beloued sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ for whose sake and in whose name we doo earnestlie and humblie craue mercie and forgiuenesse of our sinnes and deliuerance from this horrible sicknesse wars dearth c. being thy iust punishment and plague for the same And as thy holie word doth testifie that thy people of all ages being iustlie plagued for their sinnes and yet in their distresse vnfeinedlie turning vnto thee and suing for thy mercie obteined the same so likewise we most worthilie now afflicted with greeuous and dreadfull plagues for our iniquities praie thee O most mercifull father to grant vs thy heauenlie grace that we may likewise both trulie and vnfeinedlie repent and obtaine thy mercie and deliuerance from the same which we beseech thee O father of all mercies God of all consolation grant vs for the same Iesus Christs sake our onlie sauiour mediator and aduocate Amen In time of anie common plague or sicknesse ALmightie God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid diddest slea with the plague of pestilence threescore and tenne thousand and yet remembring thy mercie didst saue the rest haue pitie vpon vs miserable sinners that now are visited with great sicknesse and mortalitie that like as thou didst then command thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdrawe from vs this plague and greeuous sicknesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A forme of meditation and praier verie meete to be vsed dailie of all honsholders in their houses especiallie in the dangerous and contagious time of the plague The Maister Mistres kneeling with their familie in some conuenient place of their house well perfumed before with frankincense or some other wholesome thing as iuniper rosemarie rosewater and vineger c. shall with feruent harts saie or cause to be said that that followeth The seruants and familie to euerie petition shall saie Amen Maister or Mistresse WE reade in thy holie word O Lord what blessings thou hast of thy mercie promised to them that liue obedientlie according to thy blessed will and commandements Wee reade also the cursses that thy instice hath pronounced against such as despise thy word or negligentlie passe not to liue thereafter And among the rest of thy heauie cursses thou threatenest by name the plague and the pestilence with other noisome and most painfull diseases to such as forsaking thee worship strange gods and followe their owne vaine fantasies in stead of thy sacred ordinances We find also how extreamelie thine owne people the Iewes haue oftentimes fealt the performance of these thy bitter threatenings and that for sundrie and diuers offences bicause they loathed Manna and were not contented with thy miraculous prouision but would haue Qualies and other daintie victuals to content their luxurious appetites thou slewest so manie with a sudden and mightie plague that the place of their buriall was named thereof and called The graues of lust Also for murmuring against the ministers of thy word Moses and Aaron thou destroiedst with a sudden plague xiiij thousand and more besides those traitors whom the earth swallowed for their rebellion And had not Aaron intreated for them and gone betweene the quicke and the dead thou wouldest haue consumed them all as thou wast minded to haue done before when they despised the plentifull land which thou hadst promised them had not Moses staied thy wrath when thou saiedst I will strike them with the pestilence and vtterlie destroie them Furthermore when they had lost thine Ark through their owne sinnes and the sinnes of their priests the keepers therof after that the Philistines were forced through thy plaguing hand religiously to send it home againe thou strookest with the plague fiftie thousand of the Beth-samites thy people for rashlie presuming to looke into the same not hauing thy warrant so to doo In the time of King Dauid thou destroiedst three score and ten thousand of thy people in three daies with thy wasting plague of pestilence mooued thereto by the transgression of Dauid the King whom for the sinnes of the people thou sufferedst to be tempted and subdued with a vaine curiositie to number the people Also shortlie after the death of that immaculate Lambe our Sauiour thou sufferedst the plague to reigne among the members of his bodie the Church of the Corinthians
for not worthilie preparing themselues and for misvsing the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and manie died thereof as thine holie Apostle Saint Paule hath taught vs. Since which time O Lord as the Monuments of thy Church and other Chronicles doo declare thou hast from time to time so plagued with pestilence not onelie cities but also whole countries for these and other like causes that we may iustlie looke for the comming of our Sauiour so manie and so horrible pestilences haue beene among vs alreadie All which causes O Lord for the which thou hast so afflicted thy people are through the malice of Satan and our wilfull consenting vnto him growne so ripe in vs that were it not for the exceeding greatnes of thy mercie and compassion we should all presentlie perish and that woorthilie so horrible and outragious are our iniquities For we loath not onelie the plentifull prouision of wholesome victuals and apparell which thou hast giuen vs for our bodies more abundantlie than to manie nations trauelling by all meanes to get wherewith to pamper our flesh with wines spices silks and other vaine costlie and delighting things but the pretious Manna of our soules thy holie word and Sacraments we can not awaie with we are so full that we are glutted therewith We so little esteeme the heauenlie kingdome which our Sauiour hath so deerlie prepared and kindlie promised to vs that we abhor it and are readie to stone those few that commend it and exhort vs for our owne good to trauell thitherward better liking and crediting those false prophets the Epicures and Atheists that with their lies discourage vs therefrom What murmuring and grudging make we against the ministers of thy word which thou of thine especiall goodnesse hast in mercie giuen vs How despise wee our bishops preachers and other ministers of thy holie Sacraments whom thou hast commanded vs to reuerence and honour Did not we through our wicked liues wretchedlie leese the Arke of thy holie word and the true ministration of Sacraments not manie yeeres agone which the popish Philistines tooke from vs And now when thou through thy plagues laid vpon them hast miraculouslie sent it againe see how hold we be with the Beth-samites vnreuerentlie to receiue it For manie make of it a gazing-stocke to serue their eies and tongues rather than a lawe to obeie and followe in their liues Yea the knowledge of thy truth goodnesse and mercie breedeth in manie of vs a carelesse securitie and a contempt of thy holie ordinances For we presume vpon thy mercie and promises not regarding the conditions nor anie of thy commandements which in our baptisme we vowed to obserue Yea we make thy Gospell a cloke of our couetousnesse vnder colour whereof we seeke our owne lucre and hide all our wicked and filthie practises If the Corinthians deserued to be plagued for abusing thy holie Sacraments how much more are wee woorthie of fierce wrath that not onelie abuse it but also abhor contemne it bicause it is ministred as it ought For thou knowest O Lord what a sort there are which bewitched with the diuell and the Popes doctrine doo vtterlie abhor Christs holie communion and sauing for feare of the lawe would neuer come at it In what sort these receiue and how they be prepared is not vnknowne vnto thee How rashlie also and vnaduisedlie and vnprepared the common multitude doo frequent it partlie appeareth in that manie of them neuer forgiue old offences nor reconcile themselues nor in anie thing doo amend their old sinnes and vices Seeing then that we Lord the common sort and multitude doo thus abound in all kind of wickednesse how can it be but that thou of thy iustice must suffer our magistrates to offend also in somewhat to the end thou maist iustlie take vengeance of our sinnes For these manifold heapes of sinnes and wickednesses O Lord thou hast iustlie at this present sent this dangerous pestilence among vs as thou hast often and long time threatened by the mouthes of thy faithfull preachers who continuallie haue called vpon vs to staie thy wrath by earnest repentance amendement of life but we haue alwaies beene deafer and deafer The delight in our sinnes not onlie stopped our eares but also hardened our harts against their hartie and friendlie admonitions And in that we now O Lord doo begin to feele and acknowledge our sinnes it commeth more of thy rigour in plaguing vs than of anie good inclination of our selues Mollifie therefore O Lord our flintie harts with the suppling moisture of thy holie spirit Make vs to reuerence thee as children for loue of thy mercies and not to dread thee like slaues for feare of punishment Seruants Amen Maister or Maistres O deere Father reclaime vs thy lost children O mercifull Sauiour pitie vs thy putrified members O holie Ghost repaire vs thy decaied temples O holie and glorious Trinitie haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Seruants Amen Maister Grant vs O Lord such true repentance as may through the bloud of our Sauiour blot out the staines of our heinous iniquities Forgiue vs our sinnes O Lord forgiue vs our sinnes for thine infinite mercies sake Seruants Amen Maister Forgiue vs our blasphemies idolatries and periuries Forget our vaine and outragious oths As thou hast by thy rigour and plagues forced vs to acknowledge thee to be our iust and righteous Lord so let vs through thy mercie and forgiuenesse feele thee to be our mild louing Father and giue vs grace for euer hereafter to reuerence this thy glorious name Seru. Amen Maister Take from vs O God the care of worldlie vanities Make vs content with necessaries Plucke awaie our harts from delighting in honours treasures and pleasures of this life And ingender in vs a desire to be with thee in thine eternall kingdome Giue vs O Lord such taste and feeling of thine vnspeake able ioies in heauen that we may alwaie long therfore saieng with thine elect Hasten thy kingdome O Lord take vs to thee Seru. Amen Maister Make vs O Lord obedient to thy will reuealed in thy holie word Make vs diligent to walke in thy commandements Forgiue vs our contempt and murmuring against the magistrates and ministers whom thou hast in thy mercie appointed make vs obedient vnto their godlie lawes doctrine Saue and preserue O Lord thine annointed our QVEENE ELIZABETH that she in thy grace and feare may long reigne amongst vs. Giue peace to all Christian nations Mooue vs by thy spirit to loue one another as the members of our bodie that we may all doo thy will in earth as it is in heauen Seru. Amen Maister Dig out of vs O Lord the venemous roots of couetousnesse and concupiscence or else so represse them with thy grace that we may be contented with thy prouision of necessaries and not to labour as we doo with toile strength guile wrong and oppression to pamper our selues with vaine superfluities Feed our soules O
creature O Lord whome thou hast redeemed with thy pretious bloud Wo is me that euer I haue offended thee but now I purpose by thy grace to amend my life Take from me therefore O mercifull father all my sinnes and iniquities Cast out of my soule all the filthie fowle matter of the venemous contagion and infection of sinne and by thine ancient and accustomed mercies powre thy heauenlie medicine and preseruatiue of thy loue into my wounds which may refresh and restore me to my former puritie and cleannesse that being purified both in bodie and mind I may deserue and be made fit thorough Christs merits woorthilie to tast of these most holie mysteries Come this daie O Lord and minister vnto my sicke and languishing soule some heauenlie cordiall of comfort not because I am iust but a sinner because not the whole but the sicke haue neede of a Physician O verie true Charitie in which is euerlasting felicitie O the onlie hope of my soule haue mercie vpon me and blot out all my misdeeds Thee doth my hart expect and desire fulfill my lust and longing which thou hast put in me euen as thou wouldest I am thine O Christ forsake me not as vnmeete or a stranger Let thy right hand alwaie preuent me and defend me from all euill Come O Lord whome I wretch haue sore offended and forgiue and forget all mine offences for the which thou hast shead thine owne most pretious hart bloud Come sweet Lord and giue me the meate of eternall health Come O vnspotted sacrifice deliuer me from euerlasting death Come thou Physician of the weake and diseased Come thou food of the hungrie Come Lord visit this house dedicated and consecrated in thy name And behold I come to thee whome with all my hart I couet and desire towards whome with all earnest consideration of mind I aspire and studie to attaine whome with all mine entrailes I hartilie loue and embrace whose blessed bodie and bloud in these holie mysteries I earnestlie desire to receiue that thou maist alwaies abide in me and neuer forsake me or depart from me O most sweet father So be it Another ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who most louinglie callest vs to the participation of all good things in Christ Iesu giue vs also grace woorthilie to esteeme the honour thou vouchsafest vs of in bidding vs to the marriage feast of thy Sonne so that we may esteeme of nothing in comparison of it And seeing few are chosen though manie be called giue vs also O Lord a liuelie faith working by loue as a seemelie garment for so great a solemnitie that being entred by thy fauour into thy house we dishonest it not and so honourable a companie as thou hast called vnto it by our wicked conuersation that as vnwoorthie we be not cast out againe but in all our behauiour may doo honour vnto both that we may alwaies remaine with thee and enioie the happinesse thou hast prepared for vs in thy Sonne the full fruition whereof because thou hast deferred to the rising vp againe of the dead strengthen in vs O Lord the blessed hope of this resurrection that according to thy promise thou maist make vs like to thine Angels that are in heauen and the glorious estate of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and praise now and for euer Amen Another O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which delightest in those bankets whereby men approch to the companie of thy celestiall wel-fare we beseech thee conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Graunt that with Marie Magdalen casting our selues before thy feete we may earnestlie with teares bewaile our offences and againe lifting vp our hand vnto thee we may laie hold on thee and embrace thee as she did Kisse thou vs with thine holie kisse and by thy spirit powred into vs stirre vp in vs a new life which may annoint thee by true confessing of thy goodnesse and delight thee with the sweet sauour of true inuocation and new obedience Grant also that in this life we may worship thy feet which bring tidings of peace And forasmuch as in this last age of this world the messengers of peace are vitterlie to weepe assist vs that we may be touched with the miseries of thy Church and studie to our power to mitigate them and so be made members of that companie vnto whome thou hast forgiuen much and which againe entirelie doth loue thee and againe being called out of the vale of teares may come to thy heauenlie banket which shall be without teares without grudging without greefe sinne and offences in the house of thy father where be manie ample dwelling places Amen Another praier to be said a little before you receiue the Bread O God which art rich in mercie and in all good things the most plentifull giuer and bountifull bestower of the deinties of celestiall satietie and heauenlie repast giue meate to my soule that is wearie and faint not such as it lusteth after but such as is conuenient for it For lo I a poore wretch come now vnto thee which art rich a sinner vnto thee which art mercifull O let me not returne home contemned and despised with nothing I begin an hungred let me not leaue off fasting I come vnto thee as though I were famished O let me not go awaie vnfed Although before I eate I sigh and sorowe yet good Lord I beseech thee giue mee somewhat to eate For behold with that godlie heroicall matrone of Canaan Matth. 15 verse 21. I come vnto thee and saie Lord helpe me according to thy promise for I feele the burthen of thy displeasure euen my miseries and vncleannesse and suffer not the sight of mine owne vnwoorthinesse to withdrawe me from thee Make me sweetlie and reuerentlie to reason with thee as thy holie spirit enforced that good woman to doo in these and the like words I am vnwoorthie I am giltie and vncleane I am a dog I was an outcast from thy house and courts I haue barked against the glorious maiestie of thee and thine eternall father I am defiled with the filth of idolatrie with fowlenesse of life with the spots of disobedience against thee but haue mercie vpon me O sonne of God which appearedst in the flesh and becamest a worme to wash vs from our sinnes which were vncleane beasts Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me For behold I am vnto thee euen as the little whelpe nigh famished for lacke of meate and drinke wearied with seeking about for releefe and almost dead I fall downe before thy glorious table where the sweet ypocrasse and pretious nectar of immortalitie is tasted The Fathers Prophets Confessors and Virgins most excellent lights of thy Church sit alreadie at thine heauenlie table they feede vpon the meate of eternall glorie O suffer me to eate of the crums Thou art the bread of life repell my hunger satisfie my desire
Remember now O my soule that thou art brought from thy vaine conuersation and that thy freedome is purchased neither with gold nor siluer but with the deere price of the most pretious hart bloud of that innocent and immaculate lambe Iesus Christ And euen now at the least O my soule begin and take in hand in the name and feare of God to purge the old leauen of sinne and wickednesse that corrupteth and sowreth the sweetnesse of thy life before the maiestie of God that thou maist be as new and fresh dough void of all sowre leauen of wickednesse so shalt thou shew thy selfe to be sweet bread to God that he may haue his delight in thee so shalt thou declare thy selfe a worthie host for such a ghest and that Christes gifts and graces haue their effect in thee and that thou hast the right beleefe and knowledge of his holie mysteries now receiued of thee finallie so shalt thou in applieng thy faith to the vertue of this holie Sacrament and in thy life and conuersation conforming and fashioning thy selfe to the example and signification meant thereby be most certaine and sure to liue in this life happilie in the world to come to dwell with Christ whome thou hast now receiued in euerlasting glorie which God for his mercies sake and for the deere and pretious merits of his onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christs sake grant vnto vs Amen The Praier SO great and manifold are thy benefits O most good and mercifull God towards mankind as all people in euerie place ought greatlie to laud woorthilie to praise and highlie to extoll magnifie thy blessed name For what thing can be more pleasant to men than that thou dooest easilie heare them at what time they call vpon thee for such things as they stand in need of In what other good things ought we more to reioice of than this for that thou yeeldest thy selfe appeased and fauourable to our iniquities Or why bee we not right happie and blessed whome thou diddest vouchsafe to annexe vnto thy selfe in thy sacred congregation in feeding our hungrie stomachs with spirituall good things and heauenlie deinties and refreshing vs continuallie with the most exquisite and well furnished banket of thy blessed Sacraments making vs to eate aboundantlie of thy heauenlie Manna and food of Angels and to drinke plentiouslie of the full cup of thy holie spirit and diuine grace to our endlesse comfort and consolation in thee Oh Lord thou dealest fauourablie euen with all other creatures also for thine elects sake Thou stablishest the mountaines stillest the raging of the sea appeasest the madnesse of the people and dooest refresh and lighten with great ioie the vttermost parts of the earth through the brightnesse of the heauenlie fires Thou sendest seasonable weather and timelie showers whereby onlie commeth fertilitie of the feelds woonderfullie garnished with all kinde of fruites whereby both men and beasts haue aboundantlie wherewith to feed Grant thou therefore thus much also vnto vs who art the author of so manie good things that we may alwaie be mindfull thereof to render most condigne thanks vnto thee and that an alteration of our old leauen being now made through the vertue of this blessed Sacrament which we haue receiued we may like the eagle from time to time renew our youth in godlines of life and vse to our health and comfort those things which thou so louinglie bestowest vpon vs thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen At the solemnization of Matrimonie praie thus ALmightie God and most mercifull father who hast ordeined marriage to be kept without blame or breach to the end not suffering that anie should put asunder those whome thou hast ioined together Sanctifie those which are called to this estate of life to keepe it according to thy holie institution and ordinance And furthermore as thou requirest that we should loue thee aboue all things esteeming more thy fauour than either the riches or honour of this world or life it selfe so we beseech thee O Lord to teach vs how to vse these transitorie things that we abuse them not in setting our harts vpon them or delighting more in them than is meete but that we may so loue our husbands children house lands and our owne liues or whatsoeuer thou giuest vs for our comfort heere for a time that we may keepe still the highest degree of our loue for thee our spirituall husband so that where the question shall be betweene thee and anie thing else we may make losse of all things to abide perfectlie in our loue towards thee to the end to whome with the father and the holie ghost be all laud and praise for euer and euer Amen Or as at the solemnization of Matrimonie in the fift Lampe At the buriall of anie meditate and praie as followeth O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the giuer of eternall life we hartilie thanke thee because thou art inwardlie touched with mercie towards vs oppressed both with temporall and euerlasting miseries thou hast tasted death and with thy flesh thou hast touched the graue and earth wherby it is sanctified and made light to the godlie so that it can not keepe them in etternall death According to thy commandement there stand the bringers and ministers of death euen sinne and Satan but thou pluckest the faithfull out of the iawes of death bringest them to a new life through the comfort of thy Gospell teachest them to speake and sound foorth thy glorie cōmendest them in this life to the mother the Church and at length death and all euils being subdued thou wilt bring them into thy kingdome Wee humblie beseech thee take mercie vpon thy Church in these miserable daies For she is as a widowe destitute of all worldlie helpe and dependeth onlie vpon thy mercifull aid and protection Speake vnto hir with cheerfull voice and saie Weepe not powre vpon thine the true light of faith and comfort lift vs vp in the mids of death with a confidence of thy presence and hope of eternall life Driue awaie the gard of death teach vs to set foorth thy truth and at the length let vs be placed with the sweet mother of all Saints in the true countrie of that happie citie Ierusalem where we shall for euermore enioie the blessed sight both of thee and thy heauenlie congregation Amen Another deuout praier at burials LORD thou art God for euer short is our life alwaies some of vs die other some come into the world and with thee a thousand yeeres bee but one daie yea as the least minute of an houre This life passeth awaie as dooth a dreame euen as grasse in the field greene to daie and drie to morowe If thou be displeased then we be lost if thou chasten then shrinke we for feare For thorough sinnes we be dead vnto thee Certes Lord if thou haue respect to our sinnes who shall continue Shew vs how manie be the daies of our life that we
exceeding riches that thou hast For if to thine enimies which loue thee not as the most part of this world be if to them thou giuest so plentifullie thy riches heere what shall we thinke that with thy selfe thou hast laid vp for thy freends How good thou art all creatures generallie and particularlie do teach What creature is there in the world which thou hast not made for our commoditie I will not saie how that thou mightest haue made vs creaturs without sense or reason if thou hadst would But amongst all things none dooth so teach vs thy great loue towards vs as dooth the death of thy most deerlie beloued sonne who suffered the paines and terrors thereof yea and of hell it selfe for our sakes If this thy loue had beene but a small thing it would neuer haue lasted so long nor Christ would neuer haue died Praiers and meditations to be vsed in the foure seasons of the yeere and first In the Spring-time ALmightie renewer of all things Lord Iesu which hast made this most goodlie world for our sakes which hast garnished the heauens with so manie lights vnto the vse of the daie and the night which temperest the earth with sundrie times and seasons ordeined by thee to be the nourisher of man and beasts and now thou being restored to life all things renew and confirme to vs the hope of resurrection promised by thee The medowes afore being withered waxe greene againe with new grasse the herbs are garnished with diuers gems of flowers the corne herbeth seeds buried in holes shoote foorth trees being dead afore waxe yoong againe with new boughes and being goodlie decked with new blossoms giue vs hope of fruit The sunne it selfe increaseth the grace of his light brieflie the whole face of nature springing againe whithersoeuer we turne our eies dooth speake out and preach thy goodnesse towards mankind wherethrough with sundrie solaces thou dooest ease and mitigate to vs being through our fault driuen out of Paradise our deserued exile Grant I saie O good God that we which being borne againe through baptisme haue put off the old man made now a new creature neuer slide againe to old age but that we may be euer greene with perpetuall innocencie by the pleasant breathing on of thy spirit that we may be adorned dailie more and more with the flowers of vertues proceeding to fruit woorthie of that Gospell which with the Father and the holie Ghost reigne through all worlds Amen In the Summer MOst wise Gouernor and Ruler of all things Iesu Christ behold the yeere obeieng thy commandments waxeth hot with the feruour of the sunne preparing ripe fruits vnto the vse of thy seruants humblie we beseech thee which art our true Sunne without whom nothing is bright in our soules neither bringeth foorth anie fruit stretch the beames of thy grace into the earth of our spirits that daily they may waxe hot more more with the fire of thy gratious loue and that they may bring foorth sundrie fruits of wholesome good works For thou hast witnessed in thy holie Gospell that thou art singularlie delighted with this meate and drinke This is the raine that thy feruent loue thirsted for this is also the meate that the holie Apostle Paule hungered for euen before he vnderstood and did knowe what it meant Thou camest into the world to send fire among vs neither diddest thou desire anie thing more than that it should be kindeled except our hart be touched with the beames of thy grace Increase Lord Iesu that that thou hast giuen finish that that thou hast begun vntill we growe to perfect men vnto the measure of thy fulnesse Thou hast put off mortalitie but thou hast not put off loue towards vs but euen now fulfillest the office of a mightie and friendlie Aduocate for vs with God the Father to whom equall in power and authoritie thou reignest with the holie Ghost Amen In Haruest WE giue thanks vnto thee most mercifull Father maker of heauen and earth that by thy good prouidence the yeere is waxen ripe powring out vnto vs plentious abundance of victuals grant we humblie beseech thee that as thy bountiousnes ministreth sundrie and rich abundance of fruits to the susteining nourishment of our bodies so by the grace of thy spirit without which there is no good thing brought foorth is nourished or liueth let the affection of godlinesse waxe ripe and be made vp in our minds that abiding in the faith of thine onelie begotten Sonne through all our life wee may be fruitfull in good works and also receiue a plentifull haruest in the resurrection of the iust by the same our Lord Iesu Christ which liueth and reigneth with thee in the companie of the holie Ghost for euer Amen In Winter O God the most wise maker and gouernor of the world at whose commandement by time appointed course is changed and turned into it selfe by the same behold as it were the old age and death of the yeere Winter is come whose sadnesse and incommodities be more easie vnto vs bicause of the plesantnes of the Spring time which shall shortlie succeed According to the ensample of the yeere our inward man flourisheth in his childhood is feruent in youth waxeth ripe in mans age falleth awaie and dieth in his old age but the hope of liuing againe asswageth the houre of death which is sure vnto vs euen for this cause that thy sonne hath promised it which is the euerlasting truth which also can no more be deceiued or deceiue than hee can cease to be thy sonne Through this thy sonne our inward man knoweth no old age or death but by his gift it euer flourisheth with innocencie it is euer feruent in the studie of godlinesse it euer bringeth foorth fruit and powreth out that that she hath receiued vpon other and as much as the bodies courage faileth so much more the spirit flourisheth We beseech thee that thou wilt maintaine and increase those things which thou hast vouchsafed to giue vs through thine onelie begotten sonne which liueth and reigneth with thee for euermore Amen Another praier to be said at all times and seasons of the yeere O Euerlasting GOD Creator of all things in whose hands lieth the disposition of all times and seasons qualifie we beseech thee the inclinations of thy creatures heauen and earth with such naturall and kindlie moderation as may most serue to the commoditie health and welfare of all mankind that we may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfortable sustentation dulie honoring and praising thy holie name therefore Mortifie within vs the old roots of our natiue iniquitie killing them as it were with the winter of a cold lust to ensue them Sowe the seeds of thy grace within vs that wee may spring vp in all godlinesse Send vs the feruencie of thy spirit that we may shew foorth the ripe fruits of a liuelie faith that when it shall be thy good pleasure to appoint thy final
euill concupiscence inordinate desires wantonnes tendernes delicatenes idlenes dronkennes gluttonie slothfulnes distrust despaire ignorance weakenes wilfulnes idolatrie superstition hypocrisie heresie error sects variance strife wrath enuie slanders lieng swearing curssing vaine-glorie pride couetousnes theft deceit flatterie and whatsoeuer else O Lord fighteth or rebelleth against thy holie spirit And strengthen me so with thy might that I may not onlie drawe all these mine earthlie members and horrible vices before rehearsed vnder my feet but also fight continuallie against them subdue them so that they may all turne to the best for me as meet matter whereon I may exercise my faith powre foorth hartie praier and giue thee most hartie thanks for victorie Finallie worke in me thy blessing with all the fruits of the spirit righteousnes peace loue ioie in the holie Ghost long-suffering gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes meekenes temperance strength patience and such like Grant vs the remission of our sinnes righteousnes and life Restore in our minds thy lawe and begin such a new conformitie this new yeare in this our life and conuersation as may be perfect in the life to come Be thou our sauiour by thy power and merit that in our minds we may perceiue that thy Father is at peace with vs through thy death and find thee dwelling within vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Halleluiah 4. On the Epiphanie or twelfe daie Of the apparition of Christ and the three Kings and their offerings to Christ The Preface GET thee vp beetimes and be bright O daughter Ierusalem For thy light commeth and the glorie of the Lord is risen vpon thee Lift vp thine eies looke round about thee For behold the Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightnesse that springeth foorth vpon thee The multitude of camels and dromedaries that bring the riches of the Gentiles shall couer thee all they of Saba Mada and Epha shall come bringing gold incense and shewing foorth the praise of the Lord. All these gather themselues and come to thee thy sonnes shall come vnto thee from farre and thy daughters shall gather themselues to thee on euerie side frō the east and from the west The isles also shall wait for me and speciallie the ships of Tharsis that they may bring thy sonnes and daughters from farre and their siluer and their gold with them vnto the name of the Lord thy God vnto the holie one of Israel that hath glorified thee Strangers shall build vp thy wals and their kings shall doo thee seruice yea kings princes and the host of the Gentils shall see and arise and worship thee For I haue made thee the light of the Gentiles that thou maist be my health vnto the end of the world Thou shalt suck the milke of the Gentils and kings brests shall feed thee kings I saie shall be thy nursing fathers and Queenes shall be thy nursing mothers And those shall come kneeling vnto thee that haue vexed thee and all they that despise thee shall fall at thy feet before thee with their faces flat vpon the earth and licke vp the dust of thy feet Yea euerie people and kingdome that serueth not thee shall perish and be destroied with vtter destruction and thou shalt knowe that I am the Lord the Sauiour and Redeemer euen the mightie one of Iacob and that whosoeuer putteth his trust in me shall not be confounded They that dwell in the wildernes I saie shall kneele before the Kings sonne his enimies shall licke the dust The king of Tharsis and of the isles shall giue presents the kings of Arabia Saba shall bring gifts All kings shall fall downe before him all nations shall doo him seruice He shall liue and vnto him shall be giuen the gold of Arabia Praier shall be made euer vnto him and dailie shall he be praised The Lord declared his saluation his righteousnesse hath he openlie shewed in the sight of the heathen All the world shall worship thee O God sing of thee and praise thy name most high The Lord is King the earth may be glad thereof yea the multitude of isles may reioice and bee glad thereof Bring therefore vnto the Lord O ye mightie bring presents and gifts vnto the Lord O ye kindreds and nations of the world Come I saie into his courts with praise and speake good of his name Ascribe vnto the Lord onelie the strength power kingdome and glorie worship God I saie O ye gods kings iudges and rulers of the earth worship him with an holie worship and giue him the honor due vnto his name O make his praises to be glorious in your liues and conuersation For he it is that hath exalted you and is himselfe exalted farre aboue all gods and his praise and glorie is aboue heauen and earth Halleluiah The Praier OEternall God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which after a woonderfull maner reuealedst thy selfe at the baptisme of Christ standing in the water of Iordan at such time as thou diddest testifie of thy sonne and the holie Ghost appeared in the likenesse of a dooue gouerne vs by thine holie spirit that in true faith we may obeie thee kindle in our minds a true knowledge of thy benefits bring to passe that approching vnto thee in our praiers we may discerne thee the true God aboue all feined gods in mind turne our selues into that banke of the water into the companie of those godlie auditors and beholders before whom this noble appearing was made Speake vnto vs by thy sonne in the holie Ghost and turne vs vnto true obedience And as thou broughtest godlie auditors vnto the sight of Christ which taking our flesh vpon him became our mediatour and thou eternall Father spakest out of the cloud and the holie Ghost appeared in the likenes of a dooue so bring to passe that in this life we may depend vpon the benefit of thy soone which coupled our nature vnto his to make an eternall couenant with vs. Cause the heauens in like maner to be opened vnto vs that we may heare thy voice and thy spirit rest vpon vs. Worke in vs the beginning of eternall life vntill in thy visible presence we shall be hold thy diuinivntill in the heauens not darklie and in a cloud but face to face beeing made like thy sonne And as those Christian Magicians or Philosophers of Persia some remnants of the schoole of Daniel by the conduct and leading of a starre came from farre to see thee and gaue a notable testimonie of the birth of Christ Iesus our Sauiour so mainteine euermore for thine owne glorie sake some congregation which may set foorth and celebrate thy benefits Grant that that luckie starre the light of faith may rise vnto vs which seeketh thee in Bethlem in a manger in thy word reuealed in the ministerie that we wander not from the right waie neither seeke fained bywaies of humane opinions seruice Suffer not the lampe of thy light to be extinguished either
with a crowne of the more glorie for it and to the intent that thou mightest likewise ouercome sathan in thy members as thou hast afore done in thine owne person Giue thou we beseech thee vnto vs thy souldiers O Lion most victorious of the tribe of Iuda strength against the roring Lion which continuallie wandereth to and fro seeking whome he may deuour Thou being that same Serpent the true giuer of health and life that was nailed on high vpon a tree giue vnto thy little seelie ones wilinesse against the deceiptfull awaitings of the most subtil serpent Thou being a Lambe as white as snowe the vanquisher of sathans tyrannie giue vs thy little sheepe the strength and vertue of thy spirit that being in our owne selues weake and feeble and in thee strong and valiant wee may withstand and ouercome all assaults of the diuell so that our ghostlie enimie may not glorie ouer vs but being conquerours through thee we may giue thanks to thy mercie which neuer leauest them destitute that put their trust in thee who liuest and reignest God for euermore world without end Amen 7. On Thursedaie next before Easter commonlie called Maundie Thursedaie Of Christ his last feast or institution of the Sacrament of the Supper and of his great humilitie in washing his disciples feet afterward The Preface I Saith Wisedome haue killed my victuals drawne my wine and prepared my table Come now vnto me all ye poore in spirit that are emptie and an hungred come ye fat and rich also vpon earth that go astraie and faint for thirst Come I saie O freends eate of my meate woorthilie and worship me drinke of my wine purelie and glorifie me Make ye merrie at my table holilie and praise me O welbeloued For it is I that satisfie the mouth with good things and fill the hungrie soule with spirituall deinties Yea my flesh is meate in deed and my bloud is drinke in deed which I haue prouided for my people and he that eateth me euen he shall liue by me Happie and blessed therefore are they that are called to the Lambs supper for they shall eate Manna euen Angels food in the kingdome of heauen Lord bid me vnto this feast and grant that I may sup with thee and thou with me Lord wash not my feet onlie but my hands and head also for I am altogither vncleane and if thou wash me not I shall remaine filthie still O wash me therefore throughlie from my wickednes and cleanse me from my secret faults and purge me from my presumptuous sinnes For I haue sinned I haue offended oh forgiue me and haue mercie on me The Praier O Blessed Sauiour and deere Redeemer Iesu Christ which in the holie mysterie of thy last Supper with thine Apostles didst deliuer thy blessed bodie and bloud vnder the forme of bread wine and ordeinedst that as thy bodie was broken and thy bloud shead for vs so we should thankefullie celebrate and keepe a solemne memorie of thy death till thou come Grant vs we beseech thee euer stedfastlie to beleeue and kindlie to acknowledge thine infinite and almightie power thine incomprehensible loue towards vs and that we may alwaie worthilie receiue the same blessed Sacrament according to thy holie ordinance that thereby we may obtaine increase of all goodnes in vnitie of spirit with thee our head and by thee and thy spirit with all the companie of them that be trulie thine which be thy spirituall and mysticall bodie and our spirituall and Christian brethren and sisters Suffer vs not also we beseech thee to fall into anie slothfull and carelesse negligence whereby we should vnkindlie forget so inestimable a benefit but rather at all occasions with minds woorthilie prepared for so holie an action thankefullie to renew the memorie of thy so infinite loue towards vs and to receiue the grace which thereby is offered vnto vs to the ioining of vs continuallie neerer vnto thee till we be ioined without anie separation vnto thee through thee Finallie as in thine owne blessed person thou hast giuen an example of perfect loue whereby in humblenesse and meekenesse we should serue one another as thou being the Lord and maister of vs all didst vouchsafe after thy last Supper to wash the feet of thy disciples and seruants grant vs that louing and meeke spirit of thine whereby we may be far from disdaine and despising of our brethren and readie in all good things to be dutifull and seruiceable vnto them in thee and for thee that as thou hast left vs in commandement we may loue one another as thou hast loued vs and thereby be knowne to be thy disciples especiallie O Christ that we may be faithfull in our loue toward thee who for our sakes wast content to be vnfaithfullie and vnfriendlie betraied of him that had liued familiarlie with thee that thou mightest thereby assure vs of thine euerlasting loue and mercie To thee therfore with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie now and for euer Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie on me 8. On Good Fridaie Of Christ his passion and shamefull suffering for our sinnes Leuiti 23 27 c. THIS is the daie of reconciliation to make an attonement for you before the Lord your God therefore shall it be an holie conuocation vnto you And you shall humble your selues this daie in fasting and praier and offer sacrifice made by fire vnto the Lord. And whatsoeuer soule it be that thus humbleth not himselfe this daie euen he shall be cut off and destroied from among his people Let this be a lawe and ordinance in your generations and in all your dwellings for euer saith the Lord. The Preface CHrist now once in the end of the world through the eternall spirit offered himselfe a Lamb without spot to God suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust died for all and was killed vpon the altar of the crosse as perteining to the flesh but was quickned in the spirit to put awaie sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ became sinne and a cursse for vs to redeeme vs sinners from the cursse of the lawe and to reconcile vs vnto the blessing and fauour of God his father that we should be made the righteousnes of God in him Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ was obedient vnto the death euen vnto the most vile and shamefull death of the crosse to deliuer vs from death hell and damnation and to translate and bring vs into the kingdome of God his father Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ being in the forme of God tooke on him the forme of a seruant and made himselfe of no reputation but for the ioie that was set before him endured such blasphemie railing euill speaking against him of shamelesse sinners and when he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered threatened not but committing the vengeance to him that iudgeth righteouslie despised
whither soeuer I turne me I may behold aboue me thee crucified and whatsoeuer I see it may appeare to me ruddie with thy most pretious bloud that thus be holding I may fixe my sight in nothing but onlie in thee which liuest and reignest one God world without end So be it I haue sinned I haue offended my God my God haue merceie on me A praier wherein through commemoration of Christes passion we desire pardon of our sinnes and continuance in vertue and godlinesse BEhold O pitifull Father thy most pitifull Sonne which suffered for me being so wicked Behold O most mercifull King who suffered and remember as thou art louing and kind for whom he suffered Is not this O my Lord that innocent whō although he were thy Sonne thou didst deliuer to redeeme and ransome a seruant Is not this the author and beginner of life which being led as a sheepe to be killed and being made obedient to thee euen vnto death was not afraid to take vpon him the most cruell and sharp kind of death Call to remembrance O thou distributer of all health that this is he whome although thou didst beget him by thy power yet notwithstanding thou wouldest haue to be made partaker of thine infirmitie and weakenes Trulie this same is thy God head which did take vpon him thy nature which was hanged vpon the gibbet of torment or crosse which in the flesh which he had taken vpon him did suffer sorrowfull punishment Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord my God towards the worke of thine vnspeakable pitie Looke on thy deere Sonne whose whole body is stretched foorth Marke the harmelesse hands and pure which doo drop and distill downe innocent bloud And I beseech thee be pacified and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Consider his bare and naked side being thrust through cruellie with a speare and renew and wash me with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flowe from thence Marke the vnspotted feet which haue not stood in the waie of sinners but alwaies haue walked in thy lawe how they are pierced through with sharpe nails and make perfect my steps in thy paths and make me of thy louing kindnesse to hate all waies of iniquitie Remoue from me the waies of iniquitie and make me of thy mercie to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O King of holie men by this holie one of all holie ones and by this my redeemer to make me runne the waie of thy commandements that I may be vnited and knit vnto him in spirit which did not disdaine to be clad in my flesh Doest thou not looke vpon and marke O pittifull Father the head of thy most deerelie beloued Sonne a yong man how it leaned vpon his shoulders when it was past the most pretious death Behold O my most gentle creator the humanitie and gentlenes of thy beloued Sonne and haue compassion vpon the feeblenes of thy weake and feeble handie-worke Behold O most glorious parent the torne and rent members of thy most kind louing child and remember gentlie what substance I am of Behold the paines of him that is God and man and release and loose man which is thy creature out of miserie bondage of sinne Behold the punishment of him that did redeeme and pardon the offences of them that be redeemed This is he O Lord whome thou didst strike for the sinnes of the people although he be thy welbeloued in whome was found no guile and yet neuerthelesse was he reckoned amongst them that were full of iniquitie Looke downe therefore O Lord thou louer of labouring and laden harts with the eies of thy pittie see the altar of the crosse where thy sonne thine onlie beloued babe is slaughtered Behold O father of heauen this thy bleeding babe whom for our sakes thou hadst made vnder the lawe a curse therof in giuing him to the death euen the acursed shamefull death of the crosse that he might thereby redeeme vs wretches that were his enimies from the lawe and from the curse and condemnation of it O looke vpon him I saie which is the sauiour of the world and who in his sufferings and in his life and death hath fulfilled all the prophesies behold him that was made a castawaie of the Iewes and a scorne of the Gentiles which endured treasonable hate of his friends and deadlie terrors in his troubled soule that we might haue peace of conscience and be reconciled vnto thee And let his shame and ignominie I praie thee be our honour and triumph his wounds our medicine his curse our blisse and his death our life finallie so lighten our minds I beseech thee with thy holie spirit that we may be able to conceiue and vnderstand the height and depth the length breadth and by all meanes the infinite measure of this so exceeding loue towards vs that the sight and knowledge of so great loue may so inflame vs with the loue of thee againe that all our thoughts and deeds may wholie be set vpon thee shewing our thankfulnesse vnto thee in all obedience vnto thy word and glorieng in nothing but in thy Christ and him crucified that in the end we may inioie the full fruit of all his passions and of this thine vnspeakable loue towards vs in our euerlasting saluation through Iesus Christ our onelie Lord and redeemer to whom with thee O father and the holie Ghost be giuen all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another godlie meditation or praier wherin we declare vnto God the Father that the passion of his Sonne before rehearsed was for our reconciliation and attonement with God BEhold O almightie God Father of my Lord Iesus Christ I beseech thee of thy benignitie and gentlenesse to haue mercie vpon me because of the most pretious thing that I could find the same I haue offered deuoutlie vnto thee the thing of most estimation that I could imagine I haue presented humblie vnto thee I haue left nothing but I haue declared it vnto thy Maiestie There is nothing remaining that I may adde more because I haue committed and betaken my whole hope vnto thee I haue sent vnto thee mine aduocate and spokes-man euen thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus I haue sent thy glorious child to be a mediator betwixt me and thee I haue sent I saie an intercessor by whome I trust to get pardon and forgiuenes of my sinnes In a word I haue sent the word which word as I haue said was sent for my misdeeds And behold I haue rehearsed vnto thee the passion of thy most holie Sonne Iesus Christ which passion I beleeue was suffered for me I beleeue that the God-head which was sent of thee did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature in the which he thought not scorne to suffer buffets bonds spittings mocks yea he tooke vpon him to suffer the crosse nailes and dart I beleeue also that his manhood being of this my nature during
which shall come before the finall destruction of this world and thanke thee for thy goodnesse in foretelling vs of them We lift vp our heads vnto thee which art aloft on the right hand of the eternall Father and in faith and praier looke for that ioifull daie when thou wilt appeare most gloriouslie in the clouds for the deliuerance of thy people out of these calamities Gouerne vs by thy word and spirit O most mightie protector that wee may bee watchfull and shun the cares of this transitorie world which withdrawe the mind from the exercise of godlinesse and choke all vertuous motions raised by thine holie spirit and flie from wantonnesse bellie-cheere and vnlawfull pleasures which both cause thy spirit to forsake our minds and make our bodies the receptacles of vnpure spirits whereby we are caried being secure vnto abhominable wickednes and from thence vnto euerlasting destruction Finallie purge thou our harts by thy spirit and let thy knowledge appeare in vs which may both expell our grosse darknesse and inflame in vs godlie motions that all the daies of our life we may continue in the true and sincere confession of thy name And for so much as thou hast promised to defend vs and to mitigate our paines grant that wee may both escape euils to come and stand ioifullie before thee at thy returne Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father as in the destruction of Ierusalem thou hast left a fearefull example of thy horible iudgements against the contempt of the Gospell and the wickednesse of men threatenest such plagues to come for like wickednesse vpon the world as shall cause men to die for feare of them before they come grant vs so to read thy truth and to be obedient vnto it that when the signes of these things shall come which shall astonish the wicked wee may hold vp our heads with comfort waiting for our redemption so neere at hand watch with continuall praier that we may escape all these things which shall come vpon the world in that daie and that wee may stand before thy Sonne when he shall come to iudgement and be receiued of him to euerlasting glorie to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen A godlie meditation of the comming of Christ to iudgement and of the reward both of the faithfull and vnfaithfull O Lord Iesu Christ the Sonne of the euerliuing God by whom althings were made are ruled and gouerned as of thy loue for our redemption thou diddest not disdaine to bee our mediator and to take vpon thee our nature in the wombe of a virgin purelie and without sinne by the operation of the holie Ghost that both thou mightest in thine owne person woonderfullie beautifie and exalt our nature and worke the same in vs also first abolishing the guiltinesse of sinne by remission then sinne it selfe by death and last of all death by raising againe these our bodies that they may be like vnto thine owne glorious and immortall bodie according to the power wherewith thou art able to subiect all things vnto thee As I saie of thy loue for our redemption thou becamest man and that most poore and afflicted vpon earth by the space of three thirtie yeeres at the least in most humilitie and paiedst the price of our ransome by thy most bitter death and passion for the which I most hartilie giue thanks to thee so of the same thy loue towards vs in thy good time thou wilt come againe in the clouds of heauen with power and great glorie with flaming fire with thousands of Saints with Angels of thy power with a mightie crie showt of an Archangell and blast of a trumpet suddenlie as a lightening which shineth from the east c. When we thinke least euen as a theefe in the night when men be a sleepe thou wilt so come I saie thus suddenlie in the twinkeling of an eie all men that euer haue beene be and shall be with women and children appearing before thy Tribunall iudgment seate to render an account of all things which they haue thought spoken and done against thy lawe openlie and before all Angels Saints and diuels and so to receiue the iust reward of thy vengeance if they haue not repented and obeied thy Gospell and so depart from thee to the diuell and his angels and all the wicked which euer haue beene be or shall be into hell fire which is vnquenchable and of paines intollerable endlesse hopelesse euen from the face of thy glorious Maiestie and mightie power But if they haue repented and beleeued thy Gospell if they be found watching like wise virgins with their lamps and oile in their hands if they be found readie apparelled with the wedding garment of innocencie if they haue not hardened their harts and hourded vp the treasure of thy vengeauce in the daie of wrath to be reuealed but haue vsed the time of grace the acceptable time the time of saluation that is the time of this life in the which thou stretchest out thy hand and spreadest thine armes calling and crieng vnto vs to come vnto thee which art meeke in hart and lowlie For thou wilt ease all that labour and are heauie laden If they haue visited the sicke and prisoners comforted the comfortlesse fed the hungrie cloathed the naked lodged the harbourlesse if they haue not loden their harts with gluttonie and surfetting and carefulnesse of this life if they haue not digged and hid their talent in the ground dooing no good therewith but haue been faithfull to occupie thy gifts to thy glorie and haue washed their garments in thy bloud by hartie repentance then shall the Angels gather them togither not as the wicked which shall be collected as fagots and cast into the fire but as the good wheate that is gathered into thy barne Then shall they be caught vp to meete thee in the clouds then shall their corruptible bodie put on incorruption then shall they be indued with immortalitie and glorie then shall they be with thee and go whither thou goest then shall they heare these ioifull words Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning c. Then shall they be set on seates of Maiestie iudging the whole world then shall they reigne with thee for euer then shall God be all in all with them and to them then shall they enter and inherit heauenlie Ierusalem and the glorious restfull land of Chanaan where it is alwaies daie and neuer night where is no maner of weeping teares infirmitie hunger cold sickenesse enuie malice nor sinne but alwaies ioie without sorowe mirth without measure pleasure without paine heauenlie harmonie most pleasant melodie saieng and singing Holie holie holie Lord GOD of hosts c. Finallie the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither hath it entered into the hart of man that they shall then inherit and most surelie
harts to the extinguishing of the fowle darknesse of our filthie flesh and quicken vs to the bringing out of that fruit which both may please thee and profit thy Church so shall we escape the vnquenchable fire into which they which depart from thee are cast and be sure to obtaine whatsoeuer we shall aske at thy mercifull hands in true faith and feare For thy Father is glorified through our willingnesse which is also his gift to obeie him Furthermore as thou hast instructed thy holie Church with the heauenlie doctrine of thine Euangelist S. Marke giue vs grace likewise that we be not like children caried awaie with euerie blast of vaine doctrine but firmelie to be established in the truth of thy holie Gospell And thou holie Ghost come thou incessantlie into our harts first to instruct our minds with thine heauenlie and eternall will and being instructed confirme vs in the feare of thy Maiestie that at no time we depart from the path of thy commandements For our continuance in the race of the commandements of God is a speciall argument that we loue God vnfeinedlie whom we see not And secondlie that we may find ioie and comfort in all our troubles crosses and persecutions whatsoeuer that in this life we may alwaies abide among the companie of the regenerate and in the other be made partakers of eternall happinesse ordeined for the elect before the beginning of the world Amen 11. On Saint Philip and Iames daie The heauens declare the glorie of God and the firmament sheweth his handie worke O Sonne of GOD whom truelie to knowe is euerlasting life and without whom no man commeth vnto the Father grant vs perfectlie to knowe thee to be as thou hast said of thy selfe the waie the truth and the life as thou hast taught Saint Philip other the Apostles Bring vs wandering trauellers into the waie of saluation shew vnto vs thy truth quicken vs by thy spirit lead vs to thy Father that by thee and thine humane flesh now exalted and glorified the light and life of thine heauenlie Father may be spred in vs. Make vs miserable exiles citizens of thine euerlasting kingdome prepare vs places mansions where we may drawe from thee which art the true vine of eternall life in the house and table of thy Father the new iuice of heauenlie comfort and may continuallie be there where thou art that trulie thine eternall Father may be glorified in vs Amen 12. On Saint Barnabas daie Praise the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits O Christ Sonne of GOD which art perfect charitie louing vs to the end and sufferedst vpon the altar of the Crosse a most shamefull death for our sakes to deliuer vs from death and damnation and to allure vs by that thine example vnto mutuall amitie and good-will we beseech thee inflame our cold harts with the burning affections of hartie loue And as thou hast indued thine holie Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the holie Ghost so let vs not be destitute of thy manifold gifts nor yet of grace to vse them alwaie to thine honour and glorie as he did Giue vs grace I saie first aboue all things to loue thee the true and onelie God with the Father and the holie Ghost with all our harts with all our soule and with all our strength that continuallie we may cleaue vnto thee with full purpose of hart as this thine holie Apostle exhorteth Raise vp secondlie a desire of brotherlie good-will towards our neighbours that we may helpe one another and as members of one bodie haue a mutuall compassion ech of other so that we may loue among our selues vnfeinedlie and abound in mutuall good-will that our harts may be vnblameable in holinesse before God Inflame our breasts that by thine example we may loue euen our verie enimies and blesse them which curse vs doo good to them which hate and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwaies vnto thee For he which loueth not his brother knoweth not God but abideth in death and dooeth vainelie boast against the truth Wherefore let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath but make vs quiet putting on tender mercie kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse and aboue all charitie which is the bond of perfection the end of the cōmandements and fulfilling of the lawe so that by loue our faith may be fruitfull and we at no time seuered from thee For thou art loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him so that we shall be no more seruants but friends in dooing the will of the heauenlie Father through the gratious good-will of thee his onelie begotten Sonne our Sauiour which hast chosen vs to bring foorth fruit whereby we shall so please his and thy sacred Maiestie that we shall be sure to obteine whatsoeuer we aske at his hands through faith in thy name Amen 13. On Saint Iohn Baptists daie I giue mine owne selfe the blame and take repentance in dust and ashes O Eternall Father of our Lord Iesu Christ wee yeeld thee most hartie thanks for gathering to thy selfe for and through thy Sonne an holie companie praising and celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore Also for sending from time to time teachers adorned with excellent gifts and warrants from heauen to spread foorth and publish the truth to mankinde among whome we knowe right well that the famous fore-runnner of thy Sonne euen the holie and reuerent Saint Iohn the Baptist excelled He by thy prouidence was woonderfullie borne and sent to prepare the way of thy Sonne our Sauiour by preaching repentance He was the first publisher of the new Testament the first purger of the Gospell from the grosse errours of the superstitious Pharises the spreader abroade of the articles of our faith and the imprinter of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God in the harts of men We humblie beseech thee gather from among vs an eternall Church Teach our harts by thine heauenlie spirit that vnfeignedlie we may listen to and loue the doctrine which Iohn soundeth to the world Make vs so to followe his doctrine and holie life I saie that we may trulie repent according to his preaching and after his example constantlie speake the truth boldlie rebuke vice and patientlie suffer for the truth sake as he did that being ingraffed into thy flocke we may become his disciples and bring foorth fruit woorthie repentance and behold the diuinitie which he sawe so shall we be deliuered from the wrath of God and admitted into the fellowship of eternall life Amen 14. On Saint Peters daie Their spéech is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the word of the eternall Father and the Embassador sent frō the beginning vnto thy Church speake thou inwardlie to our harts thine heauenlie wisedome lighten our nature vnderstanding with thy newe light that being demanded in euerie anguish we may trulie acknowledge and confesse
are abhominable O teach vs therefore by thy holie spirit to praie rightlie according to thy will and giue eare gratiouslie to our calling O Gratious Lord louing Father according to thy commandement we doo heere present our selues before thy Maiestie humblie prostrating our selues before thy throne of mercie acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our harts that we be miserable sinners dailie breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deede wherein we iustlie deserue euerlasting damnation and to be vtterlie throwne from thy presence Yet O Lord we see thy goodnesse againe towards vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes hast sent thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ to take vpon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therefore good Lord and through him doo we come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that we feeling the greeuousnesse of our sins and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release and ease of them in that we be through thy holie spirit assured and stedfastlie beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant O Lord that we being assured heereof in our conscience may through thy holie spirit be renewed in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and to studie to liue acording to thy blessed will during this whole life We doo not onlie praie for our selues O Lord but also for all the whole Church especiallie such as be persecuted for thy word grant vnto them that whither it be by death or life they may glorifie thy name to their liues end Be mercifull to this Church of England and Ireland we beseech thee good Lord and preserue euerie part and member of the same especiallie thy seruant Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernour Grant hir all such gifts as be needfull for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glorie and the benefit of this Common-wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouernement of thy Church according to the prescriptrule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of all superstition idolatrie and relikes of Antichrist to the gouerning of hir subiects in all peace and tranquillitie Defend hir O Lord from all conspiracies treasons and rebellions and so worke in the harts of all hir subiects that knowing hir authoritie doth come from thy heauenlie Maiestie they may with obedient harts humblie obeie hir in thee and for thee Preserue the whole Counsell the Magistrates of the Realme that being lightened by thy holy spirit they may defend the truth suppresse wickednesse and mainteine equitie Behold all the pastors and preachers of thy word blesse their labours increase the number of them place ouer euerie Church a painefull watchman remoue all idle lubbers and confound the power of Antichrist and turne the harts of the people that they may be obedient to the truth Blesse the two Uniuersities Cambridge and Oxford and all the students of the same with all the Schooles of learning Behold all those that be afflicted with anie kinde of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastlie for our selues heere gathered togither we render most hartie thanks to thy Maiestie O Lord which hast hitherto from our infancie preserued vs by thy mercie from all perils and dangers both of soule and bodie wherevnto fraile man is subiect that thou hast sent vnto vs all things necessarie for this present life as health food apparell and such like which manie of thy deere children doo want being notwithstanding as pretiouslie bought with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be and yet lie in miserie and calamitie oppressed with pouertie nakednesse imprisonment and banishment in which case also deere Father thou mightest haue brought vs saue onlie that thou dealest heerein more fauourablie with vs than with them For the which thy louing kindnesse we giue thee hartie thanks desiring thee that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorablie in mercie preserued vs by thy protection and euen presentlie this daie hast brought vs past all the dangers thereof so we beseech thee good Lord in like fauour behold vs this night that we taking our naturall rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be so defended that our bodies resting our soules may be occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towards thy children still looking for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ for our full redemption Grant that our sleepe be not immoderate according to the lusts of the flesh but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature that being thus refreshed both the bodie the mind may be more able to doo their seuerall office and function in that vocation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant that wee laieng our bodies downe to rest may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death that as we doo laie downe our bodies in bed so we may be thereby admonished that hereafter they shall be laid down in graue to be consumed to dust earth and ashes from whence they were taken that we hauing this before our eies may be stirred vp in minde warilie to walke in this our pilgrimage not knowing when the time shall be of our departure but alwaies be found readie with our lamps of pure faith clearelie burning that we may be accepted to meet the bride groome when our mortall earthlie and corruptible bodies shall be made like to the glorious bodie of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioie consolation togither with all the elect children of GOD continuallie lauding with all the heauenlie multitude the glorious Maiestie of thee our Lord God and heauenlie Father in our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ In whose name for these thy mercies and whatsoeuer else thou knowest to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church we praie vnto thee as he himselfe hath taught vs saieng Our Father which art in heauen c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable felowship of the holie Ghost be with vs preserue and keepe vs this night and euermore Amen VVhen you vncloth yourselfe and make you vnreadie to bedward praie THis our life and weake knit bodie by reason of sinne by little and little shall be dissolued and so shall be restored to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanitie which by our foolishnes we haue wrought to our selues O most meeke Father so doo thou vntie and loose me for thou hast knit me togither that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I go least I be had vnprepared vnto thy tribunali and iudgement
within booke or without and repent from the bottome of my hart the often omission of it in times past so I wish you good readers which christianlie haue consecrated and vowed to giue your selues to this holie exercise as the Lord I saie in mercie shall giue you grace leisure time and occasion and not suffer you to be tired with anie worldlie necessitie in the name and feare of God to obserue this or that order method forme or direction which he in his word dooth allow of or you knowe best will keepe you in the continuall faith feare and fauour of God For trust me if you will but a little together with me call these ten memorable things to your christian remembrance in this so holie an exercise First the commandements of almightie God himselfe whom in consideration of our owne great miserie and necessitie and common lacke of the christian congregation hath willed vs to call vpon him saieng Praie alwaies with all maner of praiers and supplications in the spirit and watch therevnto with all perseuerance Secondlie his most sweet and comfortable promises made gratiouslie both to heare and grant our godlie and lawfull requests saieng Aske and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall be opened vnto you for euerie one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord and departeth from iniquitie shall be saued c. Thirdlie our great and manifold sinnes whereof we are guiltie which will not suffer vs to sit still without care but briueth vs of necessitie to beg his most gratious pardon Fourthlie our feeble flesh and weake nature vnable in euerie respect to doo anie good thing which requireth continuall praier to aid and strength it Fiftlie the wilie subtiltie of our spirituall enimie sathan who priuilie lurketh in the inward parts waiting euen in our best actions to trip and ouerthrowe vs against whom we must by feruent praier vehementlie striue Sixtlie our owne greeuous assalts and cruell temptations which neuer giue vs truce rest nor quietnesse but hasten vs verie much vnto God for helpe Seuenthlie the zeale of the glorie of God and aduancement of his kingdome which ought wholie to drawe and moone vs continuallie to exercise our selues in the seruice of GOD. Eightlie the dailie dangers and continuall calamities that hourelie hang ouer our heads which giue vs all cause enough yea euen the most holie and that with sighs and grones continuallie to flie vnto God our heauenlie father and call vpon him by feruent praiers Ninthlie the infinite benefits and great blessings of God so bountifullie and plentifullie euerie waie powred continuallie vpon vs which giue vs both ample matter and iust occasion hourelie by thankesgiuing euen from the bottome of our harts to praise and magnifie him for the same Tenthlie and lastlie the great excellencie woorthinesse necessitie vertue fruit and profit of true and christian praier consisting partlie in the dignitie of God the commander and partlie in the effect of obteining of whatsoeuer we aske according to his will These things I saie good reader well considered I suppose you will saie here is nothing superfluous but all little enough to so needfull and profitable an exercise of our faith praier I meane as wherein the peace of conscience yea our whole saluation consisteth and whereby God himselfe is said to be present with vs not onelie by his prouidence to watch ouer vs but also by his power to susteine and succour vs and by his goodnesse and mercie to receiue vs into his fatherlie grace and fauour Yea I doubt not but you will willinglie confesse with me I saie that all sorts of deuout women haue great cause and that continuallie to take these lamps into their hands thereby either with vanished Hagar to acknowledge Gods graces towards them or with desolate Naomi to praie that God would blesse their children to be staies and staues of their age to their comfort or with heuie Hanna to powre out their harts before the Lord in teares for a sonne and for his mercie and fauour towards them or with wise Abigael by praier to preuent the mischeefes that hang as well ouer their heads as their families yea or with hir often on their knees to praie for the good prosperitie and preseruation of their gratious gouernour Queene ELIZABETH or with the church and faithfull soule of all christians to long for the kisses of the peace of Christ their spirituall spouse and neuer to cease daie nor night to seeke him whom their soule loueth till by praier and meditation they haue found him or with the wofull daughter of Sion to lament and mourne pitiouslie for their sinnes till their miseries be mitigated and they comforted or with sorrowfull Sara Tobit in fasting and teares to be deliuered from dailie reproches and slanderous roongs or wich vertuous Iudith in sack cloth and ashes to obteine strength and courage mightilie to destroie and ouercome proud Olophernes with all the huge host of his bloudie ruffians or with noble Queene Hester to proclaime a fast and call their virgins families and people together to praie daie and night to the hazarding of their owne liues also if need so require for their owne further preseruation and their peoples and subiects safetie and deliuerance out of the hands of cruell Haman and all his seditious conspirators or with chast and innocent Susanna to appeale to God the high iudge of iudges to be acquitted from a violeut death by false accusation and more vniust condeinuation or with the afflicted church in exile to acknowledge their sinnes and call for mercie to be deliuered from distresse or with the woman of Canaan to flie vnto Christ in all necessities to be releeued both bodilie and ghostlie or with our most gratious Souereigne Ladie Queene ELIZABETH to muse diuinelie of the inward loue of the soule towards Christ their spouse their Lord and father mother and brother or with the vertuous Ladie Queene KATHERINE to vewaile the ignorance of their blind life led in superstition and with hir also in all their troubles to stir vp their godlie minds patientlie to suffer all afflictions for the loue of euerlasting felicitie or with the right godlie Ladie Iane Dudley to endure the crosse to death most patientlie or with good Ladie Tirwit to exercise them selues morning and euening in fruitfull and godlie praiers psalmes hymnes and meditations or with the honourable Ladie Aburgauennie by the like to tread the path to paradise for the health of their soule or with holie Agnus and Eulalia the martyrs to triumph in the victorie of Christs death or with Anne Askew the marryr to praie hartilie for their enimies or with maister Bradfords mother to be petitioners vnto God for the constancie in faith to death of their children or with mistresse Dorcas Alarten carefullie to instruct their whole familie in the principall points of christian religion or with other graue and godlie matrones vnknowne to exhort others to mortification and holinesse of life
them among princes and to make them inherit the seate of glorie for the pillers of the earth are the Lords and he hath set the world vpon them therefore he may dispose all things at his pleasure and prefer whom he will to honour He will keepe the feete of his Saints so that they shall neither walke nor fall into any euill the wicked shall keepe silence in darkenesse for in his owne might shall no man be strong The Lords aduersaries shall be destoried and out of heauen shall he thunder vpon them y e Lord shall iudge the ends of the world and shall giue power vnto his king Iesus exalt the horne of Christ his annointed The song of the women of Israël in the praise of Dauids victorie ouer Goliah 1. Samuel 18 7. SAule hath slaine his thousand and Dauid his ten thousand The praier or wish of Abigaël for king Dauid against his enimies 1. Samuel 25 24 OH my Lord I haue committed the iniquitie and I praie thee let thine handmaid speake vnto thee and heare thou the words of thine handmaid Let not my Lord I praie thee regard this wicked man Nabal for as his name is so is he Nabal is his name and follie is with him but I thine handmaid sawe not the yoong men of my Lord whome thou sentest Now therefore my Lord as the Lord liueth as thy soule liueth the Lord I say that hath withholden thee from comming to shed blood and that thine hand should not saue thee nor reuenge thée on thine enimies So now I pray God that thine enimies and they that intend to doo my Lord euill may be as Nabal and I praie thee forget the trespasse of thine handmaid c. The song of Sion or the familiar talke and mysticall communication or diuine dialogue of the speciall loue betwene the spirituall bridegrome Iesus Christ and the bride the faithful soule his sanctified chaste and holie spouse the Church commonlie called The Song of songs or Ballat of ballats made by king Salomon Cantic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. The Church or faithfull soule speaketh to Christ O That thou wouldest kisse me with the kisses of thy mouth euen with thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding for thy loue O Christ is better and more pleasant vnto me than wine and that bicause of the good and pleasant sauour of thy most pretious balmes or ointments euen of thy great benefits which I taste and féele from thée Thy name O Christ is as a sweet smelling ointment when it is powred out and shed foorth thy mercie is set foorth and published by preaching thy Gospell therefore the Uirgins euen they that are pure in hart and conuersation doo loue thee Drawe thou me O swéete Christ vnto thee and wee will run after thee for otherwise I confesse we can not come to thée except we be drawne of thée The King hath brought me into his priuie chambers and reuealed vnto me the secret ioies not knowne to the world we will therefore be glad and reioice in thee yea wee thinke more of thy loue than of wine For they that be righteous loue thee aboue all things I am blacke I confesse through the spots of sinne persecution and troubles O ye daughters of Ierusalem but yet comelie faire and welfauoured through faith in the blood of Christ in whose fauour I haue confidence and trust as the fruites or tents of the Kedarens or Arabians and as the hangings or curtens of Salomon which within were all set with pretious stones and iewels Maruell not therfore at me bicause I am so blacke nor regard or consider me by the outward apperance for why the sunne euen the corruption of nature through sinne and affliction hath looked and shined vpon me Yea and my mothers children euen mine owne brethren which should haue most fauoured me were angrie against me and hauing euill will at mee they made me the keeper of the vineyards but mine owne vineyard haue I not kept such alas hath béene mine owne negligence Therefore féeling my faults and imperfections I flie now vnto thée O Christ my spirituall husband onlie for succour beséeching thée and saieng Tell me O thou whom my soule loueth where thou feedest the sheepe O shew me I saie where thou liest and makest them rest at the noon day for why should I be like hir that turneth aside or goeth wrong about the flocks of thy companions whome thou hast called to the dignitie of pastors in thy Church and yet they like apostataes not onelie set foorth their owne false dreames and traditions in stéed of thy true doctrine but also are become the domesticall enimies that persecute the Church Christ speaketh to his Church or the faithfull soule O Thou the fairest among women if thou knowe not thy selfe but art ignorant in my waies then go thy way foorth after the footsteps of the flock of sheepe euen after the doctrine of the Apostles and feede thy goates and kids by the tents of the shepheards and learne of the true pastors and spirituall doctors I haue compared thee O my loue vnto the troupe of horses in the chariots of Pharao bicause that for thy spirituall beautie and excellencie there was no worldlie treasure to be compared vnto thée Thy cheekes and thy neck are beautifull as the turtles and behanged with spangles chaines and goodly iewels a neckband also imbrodered with gold and studs or buttons of siluer will I make thee The Church WHen the King sitteth at the table and is at his repast hee shall smell my Nardus or spikenard for I reioice that I am admitted to the companie of my husband Christ yea my welbeloued is as a bundle of Mirrh vnto mee and he shall lie betwixt my brests for he is most déere vnto me my welbeloued I saie is as a cluster of Camphire vnto me in the vineyards of Engedi wherfore so long as I followe my Christ I can not erre from the true faith of saluation CHRIST O How faire art thou my loue Oh how faire art thou Thine eies are like the dooues eies behold most acceptable art thou vnto me and I commend thy beautie The Church OH how faire art thou also my beloued How welfauoured and pleasant art thou Our bed euen the hart of the faithfull where thou O Christ dwellest by thy spirit is all greene bedecked with flowers the beames or seelings of our house are of Cedar trees and our crosse ioints of Cipresse I am the rose of the field and the lillie of the vallies CHRIST YEa like as the lillie among the thornes so is my loue among the daughters for my Church is to be preferred before aboue all other things yea so am I also among mine enimies The Church LIke as the apple tree among the trees of the forest so is my welbeloued among the sonnes of men I can not but testifie my loue and great desire towards him for my delight is to sit and rest vnder his
shields hang therein yea and all the weapons and targats of the giants or strong men are fixed therein Thy two breasts the old Testament and the new wherin are knowledge and zeale two pretious iewels are like two twins of yoong Roes which feede among roses O that I might go to the mountaine of Mirrh and to the hill of frankincense till the daie breake and till the shadowes be past awaie Thou art all faire O my loue and no spot or blemish is there in thee in my sight Come to mee from Lebanon O my spouse come to me from Lebanon Looke from the top of Amanah from the top of Shenir and Hermon from the dens of the lions and from the mountaines of the leopards euen from all the corners of the world will I call thee my Church and faithfull vnto me O my sister for so I cal thée my Church in respect that I haue taken the flesh of man vpon me O my spouse thou hast wounded or bewitched my hart with loue O my sister and spouse thou hast wounded my hart with one of thy eies and with a chaine of thy necke yea I loue my gifts in thée whom I haue therewith made so beautifull and rich O how faire are thy brests my sister my spouse how faire is thy loue Thy breasts or loue are much better and more pleasant vnto me than wine and the sauour of thine ointments passeth all spices Thy lips O my spouse bicause of thy confession thankesgiuing and through preaching of the Gospell drop as the honie combe and bring foorth much consolation and comfort yea milke and honie are vnder thy tongue and the sweet smell or sauour of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon My sister my spouse is as a garden well locked or inclosed as a spring shut vp and a fountaine sealed vp The fruits that are planted in thee are like a verie paradise or orchard of pomegranates with sweete fruits as Camphire Nardus or Spikenard Saffron Calamus and Cinamon with all sweet smelling trees of incense Mirrh Aloes and all the best spices The Church O Fountaine of the gardens O Well of liuing waters and the springs of Lebanon I confesse that all my glorie and beautie commeth of thée O Christ who art the true fountaine of all grace and goodnesse to me the Church thy spouse Arise O north wind and come O thou south wind come and blowe on my garden that the spices smell thereof may flowe out and be carried on euerie side yea let my welbeloued come to his garden and eate of the sweet and plesant fruits that growe therein For this is all my desire to haue thée O Christ my beloued spouse to come and comfort me and to powre the graces of thy holie spirit from all quarters vpon me CHRIST I Am come into my garden euen vnto my kingdome and Church where I prepare the banket for mine elect and bestowe vpon them my singular benefits O my sister my spouse I haue gathered my Mirrh with my spice I haue eaten my honie with the honie combe I haue drunke my wine with my milke Eate ye also O friends drink ye and make you merrie O welbeloued The Church I Sleepe and am troubled with the cares of worldlie things but mine hart waketh I heare the voice of my welbeloued that knocketh saieng CHRIST OPen to me O my sister my loue my dooue my derling mine vndefiled For mine head is full of dew and the locks of my heare are full of the night drops hauing long patience towards sinners The Church I Haue put off my cote and confesse my nakednesse hauing of my selfe nothing how shall I put it on againe I haue washed my feete and am made cleane how shall I defile my selfe againe Yea therefore séeing I am once by thée made cleane I here promise now vnto thée neuer to defile or pollute my selfe with sinne againe My welbeloued put in his hand by the hole of the doore and my hart and bowels were affectioned or moued towards him I rose vp to open to my beloued and my hands dropped with Mirrh and the Mirrh ran downe my fingers vpon the hands of the barre or locke I opened vnto my welbeloued but he was departed and gone his waie past me and my hart was gone when he did speake For when I sought him and would faine haue béene annointed of Christ I could not find him bicause I thought to annoint him with my good works I sought him I saie and could not find him I called and cried vpon him but he answered mee not For he left me for a time to the end he might stir vp in me a greater desire of him by continuall praier So the wicked watchmen and false teachers that went about the citie found me they smote me and wounded my conscience with their traditions yea the watchmen that kept the walles tooke awaie my vaile or kerchife from mee I charge you therefore O ye daughters of Ierusalem ye godlie watchmen of Zion from whence the lawe saluation commeth if ye find my welbeloued that you tell him that I am sicke of loue and that ye direct me vnto him The daughters of Ierusalem or faithfull Christians to the Church saie O Thou fairest among women what maner of man is thy welbeloued aboue other louers or what is he more than other welbeloued or what can thy loue doo more than other louers that thou dost so straightlie charge vs The Church MY welbeloued to describe his perfect beautie and comlinesse vnto you is white and ruddie coloured the goodliest and chiefest person among ten thousand His head is as the most fine gold his locks are curled and blacke as a rauen His eies are like dooues eies by the water brookes which looke as though they were washed with milke and remaine by the fullers vessels and are set like pearles in gold His cheekes are like a garden bed wherin the Apothecaries plant all maner of sweete spices flowers and things His lips are like lillies that drop downe pure and sweet smelling Mirrh His hands are like gold rings set with the Chrysolite or pretious stone of Tharsis His bellie is like white Iuorie deckt or couered ouer with Saphyres His legs are as the pillers of marble set vpon sockets of fine gold His face or countenance is as Lebanus and excellent as the beautie of the Cedar trees His mouth and the words thereof are sweet and he is altogither louelie and wholie delectable euen this or such a one is my loue O yee daughters of Ierusalem and such a maner of man is this my welbeloued spouse Christ The daughters of Ierusalem or the faithfull to the Church saie O Thou fairest among women whither is this thy welbeloued Christ gone whither is thy welbeloued turned aside that we also may seek him with thee For hearing of this his excellencie and beautie we are inflamed greatlie with desire to knowe how and where to find him also The
loue vnspeakeable when it thinketh vpon the honour that thou doest vnto the soule which is much greater than it hath deserued A mother a mother Alas but of what child is it My God my sonne O Iesus what speech is this Mother daughter sister and brother O happie kindred O what sweetnesse doth proceede out of that paternitie But what daughterlie and reuerent feare ought I to haue towards him my father yea and my creator my protector and sauiour to be my brother Alas heere is a great loue I will therfore saie with Salomon Now can my hart no longer refraine but breake in sunder to make roome for the same so sweete a brother so that none other name be written in the same but onlie the name of my brother Iesus the sonne of God None other creature will I giue place to for all the scurging and beating that can be done vnto me keepe my hart then my deere brother and loue and let not thine enimie enter into it The third Chapter Of the soules infidelitie or apostasie from GOD. O My sweete Father my child my brother and spouse with hands ioined humblie vpon my knees I yeeld thee thanks and praises that it pleaseth thee to turne thy face towards me conuerting my hart and couering me with such grace that thou doest see no more my euils and sinnes So well hast thou hidden them that it seemeth thou hast put them in forgetfulnesse yea and also they seeme to be forgotten of me which haue done and committed them For faith and loue so working in me causeth me to forget them wholie putting my trust in thee alone Then my Father in whome lieth vnfeigned loue whereof can I haue feare in my hart I confesse that I haue done all the euill that one creature can doo and that of my selfe I am naught Also I haue offended thee as did the prodigall child following the foolish trade of the flesh wherewith I haue prodigallie spent the substance and aboundance of goodes which thou heere hast giuen me to vse to thy glorie and for the mispending of them pouertie hath taken me and hath withered me awaie euen as haie and yeelded my spirit dead for hunger compelling me to eate the reliefe of swine but in such meates I found verie little sauour Then I seeing my life to be so miserable did returne to thee my father againe saieng Alas deere father I haue sinned against heauen and before thee I am therefore no more Worthie to be called thy child But O bountifull and mercifull father do thou no worsse to me than to one of thy houshold seruants Alas deere father what loue and zeale is this that thou wouldest not tarie my comming and praier but speedilie stretching foorth thy hands receiuedst me when I did thinke thou wouldest not looke on me and so receiuing me in stead to haue punished me thou didst assure me of my saluation Where is he then that shall punish me when my father shall denie him my sinne There is no Iudge that can condemne me vnlesse God himselfe will damne me the want of goodnesse I feare not for I haue my God for my father my enimie shall do me no harme for my father will take all his strength awaie from him If I owe any thing he shall paie it for me if I haue deserued death he as a King shall pardon me and deliuer me from prison and death But heere is the woorst what maner of mother haue I beene For after that I by faith had receiued the name of a true mother I became verie rude vnto thee my Sonne because that after I had conceiued and brought thee foorth I left reason and being subiect to my will not taking heed vnto thee I fell asleepe and gaue place to my great enimie the which in the night of ignorance I being asleepe did steale thee from me craftilie and in thy place she did put hir child which was dead and so I did leese thee which was a sorowfull remorse for me Thus did I loose thee my sonne by mine owne fault because I tooke no heed to keepe thee Sensualitie my neighbour I beeing in my beastlie sleepe did steale thee from me and gaue to me hir child which had no life in him named sinne whome I said I would not haue but vtterlie did forsake him She affirmed that he was mine owne but I knew him to be hirs For as soone as I came to the light of grace which thou hadst giuen me then I knewe my glorie to be changed when I saw the dead child not to be mine For the same which was aliue whom she had taken awaie was my child so apparant was the change betweene Iesus and sinne But now heere is a strange thing this old woman causeth me to keepe this dead child whome she reporteth to be mine and so will she mainteine O Salomon thou true and wise Iudge thou hast heard this lamentable processe and ordeined to content the parties that the child should be diuided in two parts The false woman agreeth it should be so but I remembring him to be mine owne sonne which was aliue was rather content to leese him than to see his bodie parted in twaine For true and perfect loue is neuer content with the one halfe of that it loueth rather I had therefore to weepe for the whole than to recouer the one halfe without life Alas noble Salomon giue her the child which is aliue For better it is for me to die than to see my sonne diuided But my Lord thou didst better looke to it than I. For thou seeing the anguish that I did suffer and how I rather did forsake my right than to behold such cruelnesse thou saiedst This is the true mother and so caused them to giue me my child againe for whome before my hart was sorowfull O sweete Iesus thus hast thou proued me how much I loued thee yea and when by sinne I had lost thee yet didst thou returne vnto me Alas how gentlie doest thou vouchsafe to come againe to hir which being let by sinne could not keepe thee my sweete child my sweete sonne my helper my nourisher of whome I am an humble creature Do not permit that euer I do leaue thee againe for I do repent the time past Now come sensualitie with thy rablement of sinnes thou hast no power to make me to receiue thy dead child For my sonne is strong and will defend me he shall not permit that thou take him anie more awaie from me his strength is greater than anie others therefore may I sleepe and take rest neere him For all things well considered he shall keepe me from thine assaults O sweete rest of the mother and the sonne together my sweete child my God onlie vnto thee be the honour and praise for that euerie creature may see how it hath pleased thee to call me lesse than nothing a mother and the more it is strange and hard to be done the more ought thy
hide my fault from euerie bodie in giuing me againe the part of thy bed and also in shewing that the multitude of my sinnes are so hidden and ouercome by thy great victorie that thou wilt neuer remember them more so that now thou seest nothing in me but the graces gifts and vertues which it hath pleased thy free goodnesse to giue me O charitie most pretious I do see well that thy goodnesse doth consume my lewdnesse and maketh me a new godlie and ioifull creature The euill that was mine thou hast destroied and made me so perfect a creature that all the good a husband can do to his wife thou hast done it to me in giuing me a faithfull hope in thy promises Now haue I through thy good grace recouered the place of thy wife O happie and desired place O gratious bed O thou right honourable seate of peace rest from all warre high sleepe of honour separate from the earth Doest thou receiue this vnworthie creature giuing hir the scepter and crowne of thine Empire and glorious Realme Who did euer heare of such a storie as to raise vp one so high which of hir selfe was nothing and maketh of great valure which of it selfe was naught The fift Chapter Of the vnion of death and life in the faithfull soule by Christ ALas what is this For casting mine eies on high I see thy goodnes thine vnknowne grace and thy loue so incomprehensible that my sight is woonderfull in beholding thee but looking downeward I might see what I am and what I was willing to be Alas I do see in it the lewdenesse darkenesse and extreme deepenes of mine euils My death which by humblenes closeth mine eie the admirable goodnesse of thee and the vnspeakable euill which is in me thy right highnes pure maiestie my right fragill and mortall nature thy gifts goods beatitude my malice great vnkindnes O how good art thou vnto me and how vnking haue I bene vnto thee this that thou wilt and this that I pursue Which things considered causeth me to maruell how it pleaseth thee to ioine thy selfe to me seeing there is no comparison betweene vs both Thou art my God and I am thy worke thou my creator and I thy creature Now to speake brieflie though I cannot define what it is to be of thee yet know I my selfe to be the least thing that may be compared vnto thee O most happie loue Thou madest this agreement when thou didst ioine life death together but y e vnion hath made aliue death life dieng and life without end haue made our death a life Death hath giuen vnto life a quickning y t through death I being dead may receiue life and by death I am rauished with him which is aliue I liue in him otherwise of my self I am dead And as concerning bodelie death to me it is nothing but a comming out of prison death is to me life for through death I am aliue And as this mortall life filleth me full of care and sorowe so death yeeldeth me content O what a godlie thing is it to die that the soule may liue For in deliuering hir from this mortall death she is deliuered from the death miserable and matched with hir most mightie louer Is not then the soule blamelesse which faine would by to haue life Yes trulie and ought to call death hir welbeloued friend O sweet death pleasant sorowe mightie king deliuering from all wickednes O Lord those which trust in thee and in thy death are mortified by the hope they haue in thy passion Thus with a sweet sleepe dost thou put them out of that death which causeth manie to lament O how happie is the same sleepe vnto him which when he awaketh doth find through thy death life euerlasting For death is none other thing to a Christian man but a libertie or deliuerance from his mortall band and the death which is fearefull to the wicked is pleasant and acceptable to them that are good bicause that death through death is destroied Therefore my God if I were rightlie taught I should call death life the end of labour and beginning of euerlasting ioie For I knowe that long life doth let me from the sight of thee O death come and doe thine office on me that I may see my spouse or else sweet loue transforme me in thee and then shall I the better tarie the comming of death O sweet Lord let me die that I may liue with thee For there is none other that can deliuer me but thou onelie O my Sauiour through faith I am planted and ioined with thee O what vnion is this sith that through faith I am assured to thee and may call thee father brother sonne and husband O my father what paternitie O my brother what fraternitie O my child what delectation O my spouse what coniunction is this A father full of humilitie a brother hauing our similitude a sonne engendred through faith and loue a husband louing and releeuing in all extremitie But whom dost thou loue Alas it is she whom thou hast withdrawne from the snare wherin through malice she was bound and hast put hir in place name and office of a daughter sister mother and wife O my Sauiour it is a great sauour of sweetnesse right pleasant and delectable when a soule after the hearing of thy word shall cal thee without feare his father his brother child and spouse such a soule doubtlesse may continuallie burne in loue Is there anie loue vnlesse it be this maner of loue but it hath some euill condition Is there anie pleasure to be hereto compared Is there anie honour to this but may be accounted shame Yea is there anie profit equall to this Moreouer to conclude is there any thing that I could more earnestlie loue Alas no. For he that vnfeinedlie loueth God reputeth all these things wordlie of lesse valure than the dunghill Pleasure profit and honour of this world are all but vanitie and trifles vnto him which hath found God Such loue is so profitable honourable abundant in grace that I dare saie she onlie sufficeth the hart of a godlie soule and yeeldeth hir so constant that she neuer desireth or would haue other For whosoeuer hath God as he ought to be had accounteth all other things superfluous or vaine Now thanked be my Lord and my father through faith I haue gotten the same loue wherfore I ought to be satisfied and content Now haue I thee my father for defence of my want on foolishnes and my long youth Now haue I thee my brother for to succour my sorowes wherein I find no end Now haue I thee my sonne for my feeble age as an onlie staie Now haue I thee a true and faithfull husband for the satisfieng of my whole hart And now sith I haue thee I will and doo forsake all them that are in the world holding thee fast that thou maiest no more escape me Seeing now that I haue possessed
doo so shalt thou practise with ease hauing a guide and amend with profit hauing a zeale It is easier to see these than to learne begin at the easiest to come to the harder see thou hir confession that thou maiest learne hir repentance practise hir perseuerance that thou maiest haue like amendment despise thy selfe in eschewing vice that thou maiest please God in asking grace let not shame hinder the confession which hindered not the offense Be thou sure if we knowledge our sinnes God is faithfull to forgiue vs and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnes Obeie the Prophets saieng Declare thy waies to the Lord. Thus far thou maist learne to knowe thy selfe next this be thou as diligent to releeue thy selfe in Gods mercie as thou hast beene to reueale thy selfe in thine owne repentance For God hath concluded all things vnder sinne bicause he would haue mercie vpon all who hath also borne our sinnes in his bodie vpon the tree that we should be deliuered from sinne and should liue vnto righteousnes by whose stripes we be healed Here is our anchor here is our shepheard here we be made whole here is our life our redemption our saluation and our blisse let vs therefore now feed by this gratious Queenes example be not ashamed to become in confession Publicanes since this noble Ladie will be no Pharisie And to all Ladies of estate I wish as earnest mind to followe our Queene in vertue as in honour that they might once appeare to prefer God before the world and be honourable in religion which now be honourable in vanities so shall they as in some vertuous Ladies of right high estate it is with great comfort seene taste of this freedome of remission of the euerlasting blisse which exceedeth all thoughts and vnderstandings and is prepared for the holie in spirit For the which let vs with our intercession in holines and purenes of life offer our selues to the heauenlie father an vndefiled host to whom be eternall praise and glorie throughout the earth without end Amen The Lamentation or Complaint of a sinner made by the most vertuous and right gratious Ladie Queene CATHERINE bewailing the ignorance of hir blind life led in superstition verie profitable to the amendment of our liues The first Chapter Of an humble confession of sinnes to the glorie of God WHEN I consider in the bethinking of mine euil and wretched former life mine obstinate stonie and vntractable heart to haue so much exceeded in euilnesse that it hath not onelie neglected yea contemned despised Gods holie precepts and commandements but also imbraced receiued and esteemed vaine foolish and feined trifles I am partlie by the hate I owe to sinne who hath reigned in me and partlie by the loue I owe to all Christians whom I am content to edifie euen with the example of mine owne shame forced and constrained with my hart and words to confesse and declare to the world how ingrate negligent vnkind and stubborne I haue beene to God my Creator and how beneficiall mercifull and gentle he hath been alwaies to me his creature being such a miserable and wretched sinner Trulie I haue taken no little small thing vpon me first to set foorth my whole stubbornesse and contempt in words the which is incomprehensible in thought as it is in the 12. Psalme Who vnderstandeth his faults Next this to declare the excellent beneficence mercie and goodnesse of God which is infinite and vnmeasurable Neither can all the words of Angels and men make relation thereof as apperteineth to his most high goodnesse Who is he that is not forced to confesse the same if he consider what he hath receiued of God doth dailie receiue Yea if men would not acknowledge and confesse the same the stones would crie it out Trulie I am constrained and forced to speake and write thereof to mine owne confusion and shame but to the glorie and praise of God For he as a louing father of most abundant and high goodnesse hath heaped vpon me innumerable benefits and I contrarie haue heaped manifold sinnes despising that which was good holie pleasant and acceptable in his sight and choosing that which was delicious pleasant and acceptable in my sight And no maruell it was that I so did For I would not learne to knowe the Lord and his waies but loued darknesse better than light yea darknesse seemed to me light I embraced ignorance as perfect knowledge and knowledge seemed to me superfluous and vaine I regarded little Gods word but gaue my selfe to vanities and shadowes of the world I forsooke him in whom is all truth and followed the vaine foolish imaginations of my hart I would haue couered my sinnes with the pretence of holinesse I called superstition godlie meaning and true holinesse errour The Lord did speake manie pleasant and sweet words vnto me and I would not heare he called me diuerslie but through frowardnesse I would not answere Mine euils and miseries be so manie and so great that they can accuse me euen to my face Oh how miserablie and wretchedlie am I confounded when for the multitude and greatnesse of my sinnes I am compelled to accuse my selfe Was it not a maruellous vnkindnesse when God did speake to me and also call me that I would not answere him What man so called would not haue heard Or what man hearing would not haue answered If an earthlie Prince had spoken either called I suppose there be none but would willinglie haue done both Now therefore what a wretch and caitife am I that when the Prince of princes the King of kings did speake manie pleasant and gentle words vnto me and also called me so manie and sundrie times that they can not be numbred and yet notwithstanding these great signes and tokens of loue I would not come vnto him but hid my selfe out of his sight seeking manie crooked and biwaies wherin I walked so long that I had cleane lost his sight And no maruell or woonder For I had a blind guide called Ignorance who dimmed so mine eies that I could neuer perfectlie get anie sight of the faire goodlie streight and right waies of his doctrine but continuallie trauelled vncomfortablie in foule wicked crooked and peruerse waies Yea and bicause they were so much haunted of manie I could not thinke but that I walked in the perfect and right waie hauing more regard to the number of the walkers than to the order of the walking beleeuing also most assuredly with companie to haue walked to heauen wheras I am most sure they would haue brought me down to hell I forsooke the spirituall honouring of the true liuing God and worshipped visible idols and images made of mens hands beleeuing by them to haue gotten heauen yea to saie the truth I made a great idole of my selfe For I loued my selfe better than God And certainlie looke how manie things are loued or preferred in our harts before God so manie are taken and esteemed for idols and false
of the physician Behold Lord how I come to thee a sinner sicke and grieuouslie wounded I aske not bread but the crums that fall from the childrens table Cast me not out of thy sight although I haue deserued to be cast into hell fire If I should looke vpon my sinne and not vpon thy mercie I should despaire For in my selfe I find nothing to saue me but a dunghill of wickednesse to condemne me If I should hope by mine owne strength and power to come out of this maze of iniquitie and wickednesse wherein I haue walked so long I should be deceiued For I am so ignorant blind weake and feeble that I can not bring my selfe out of this intangled and wayward maze but the more I seeke means waies to winde my selfe out the more I am wrapped and tangled therein So that I perceiue my striuing therein to be hinderance my trauell to be labour spent in going backe It is the hand of the Lord that can and will bring me out of the endlesse maze of death For without I be preuented by the grace of the Lord I can not aske forgiuenesse nor be repentant or sorie for them There is no man can auow that Christ is the onlie Sauiour of the world but by the holie Ghost yea as S. Paule saith no man can saie The Lord Iesus but by the holie Ghost The spirit helpeth our infirmitie and maketh continuall intercession for vs with such sorowfull gronings as can not be expressed Therefore I will first require and praie the Lord to giue me his holie spirit to teach me to auow that Christ is the Sauiour of the world and to vtter these words The Lord Iesus and finallie to helpe mine infirmities and to intercede or intreate for me For I am most certaine and sure that no creature in heauen nor earth is of power or can by anie meane helpe me but God who is omnipotent almightie beneficiall and mercifull welwilling and louing to all those that call and put their whole confidence and trust in him And therefore I will seeke none other meanes nor aduocate but Christes holie spirit who is onlie the aduocate and mediatour betweene GOD and man to helpe and releeue mee The third Chapter VVhat true faith worketh in the soule of a sinner BUt now what maketh me so bold and hardie to presume to come to the Lord with such audacitie and boldnesse being so great a sinner Trulie nothing but his owne word For he saith Come to me all ye that labour and are burdened and I shall refresh you What gentle mercifull and comfortable words are these to all sinners Were he not a frantike madde beastlie and foolish man that would runne for aide helpe or refuge to anie other creature What a most gratious comfortable and gentle saieng was this with such pleasant and sweete words to allure his verie enimies to come vnto him Is there anie worldlie Prince or Magistrate that would shew such clemencie and mercie to their disobedient rebellious subiects hauing offended them I suppose they would not with such words allure them except it were to call them whome they cannot take and punish them being taken But euen as Christ is Prince of princes and Lord of lords so his charitie and mercie exceedeth and surmounteth all others Christ saith If carnall fathers do giue good gifts to their children when they aske them how much more shall your heauenlie father being in substance all holie and most highlie good giue good gifts to all them that aske him It is no small nor little gift that I now require neither thinke I my selfe worthie to receiue such a noble gift being so ingrate vnkind and wicked a child But when I behold the benignitie liberalitie mercie and goodnesse of the Lord I am encouraged boldened and stirred to aske such a noble gift The Lord is so bountifull and liberall that he will not haue vs satisfied and contented with one gift neither to aske simple and small gifts and therefore he promiseth and bindeth himselfe by his word to giue good and beneficiall gifts to all them that aske him with true faith without which nothing can be done acceptable or pleasing to God For faith is the foundation ground of all other gifts vertues and graces and therefore I will praie and saie Lord increase my faith For this is the life euerlasting Lord that I must beleeue thee to be the true God and whom thou didst send Iesus Christ By this faith I am assured and by this assurance I feele the remission of my sins This is it that maketh me bold this is it that comforteth me this is it that quencheth all despaire I knowe O my Lord thine eies looke vpon my faith S. Paule saith We be iustified by faith in Christ and not by the deeds of the lawe For if righteousnes come by the lawe then Christ died in vaine S. Paule meaneth not here a dead humane and historicall faith gotten by humane industrie but a supernall and liuelie faith which worketh by charitie as he himselfe plainlie expresseth This dignitie of faith is no derogation to good works For out of this faith spring all good works yet we may not impute to the woorthinesse of faith or works our iustification before God but ascribe and giue the woorthinesse of it wholie to the merits of Christs passion and refer and attribute the knowledge and perceiuing thereof onlie to faith whose verie true and onlie propertie it is to take apprehend and hold fast the promises of Gods mercie the which maketh vs righteous and to cause me continuallie to hope for the same mercie and in loue to worke all maner of waies allowed in the Scripture that I may be thankfull for the same Thus I feele my selfe to come as it were in a new garment before God and now by his mercie to be taken iust and righteous which of late without his mercie was sinfull and wicked and by faith to obteine his mercie the which the vnfaithfull can not enioie And although S. Iohn extolleth charitie in his Epistle saieng that God is charitie and he that dwelleth in charitie dwelleth in God Truelie charitie maketh men liue like Angels and of the most furious vnbrideled and carnall men maketh meeke lambes Yea with how feruent a spirit ought I to call crie and praie to the Lord to make his great charitie to burne and flame my hart being stonie and euill affected that it neuer would conceiue nor regard the great inestimable charitie and loue of God in sending his onlie begotten and deere beloued sonne into this vale of miserie to suffer the most cruell and sharpe death of the crosse for my redemption Yea I neuer had this vnspeakeable and most high charitie and abundant loue of God printed and fixed in my hart duelie till it pleased God of his meere grace mercie and pittie to open mine eies making me to see and behold with the eie of liuelie faith Christ crucified to be mine
shall be depriued Then this Crucifixe is the booke wherein God hath included all things and hath most compendiouslie written therein all truth profitable and necessarie for our saluation Therefore let vs endeuour our selues to studie this booke that we being lightened with the spirit of God may giue him thanks for so great a benefit The fift Chapter Of the glorious victories of Christ ouer all enimies IF we looke further in this booke we shall see Christs great victorie vpon the crosse which was so noble and mightie that there neuer was neither shall be such If the victorie and glorie of worldlie Princes were great because they did ouercome great hostes of men how much was Christes greater which vanquished not onelie the Prince of this world but all the enimies of God triumphing ouer persecution iniuries villanies slanders yea death the world sinne and the diuell and brought to confusion all carnall prudence The Princes of the world neuer did fight without the strength of the world Christ contrarilie went to warre euen against all the strength of the world He fought as Dauid did with Golias vnarmed of all humane wisdome and policie and without all worldlie power and strength Neuerthelesse he was fullie replenished and armed with the whole armour of the spirit And in this one battell he ouercame for euer all his enimies There was neuer so glorious a spoile neither a more rich and noble than Christ was vpon the Crosse which deliuered all his elect from such a sharpe and miserable captiuitie He had in his battell manie stripes yea and lost his life but his victorie was so much the greater Therfore when I looke vpon the sonne of God with a supernaturall faith and light so vnarmed naked giuen vp and alone with humilitie patience liberalitie modestie gentlenesse and with all other his diuine vertues beating downe to the ground all Gods enimies and making the soule of man so faire and beautifull I am forced to saie that his victorie and triumph was maruellous And therefore Christ well deserued to haue this noble title IESVS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE IEWES But if we will particularlie vnfold and see his great victories let vs first behold how he ouercame sinne with his innocencie confounded pride with his humilitie quenched all worldlie loue with his charitie appeased the wrath of his father with his meekenesse and turned hatred into loue with his so manie benefits and godlie zeale Christ hath not onlie ouercome sinne but rather he hath killed the same in asmuch as he hath satisfied for it himselfe with the most holie sacrifice and oblation of his pretious bodie in suffering most bitter and cruell death Also after another sort that is he giueth all those that loue him so much spirit grace vertue and strength that they may resist impugne and ouercome sinne and not consent neither suffer it to reigne in them He hath also vanquished sinne because he hath taken awaie the force of the same that is he hath cancelled the lawe which was in euill men the occasion of sinne Therefore sinne hath no power against them that are with the holie Ghost vnited to Christ in them there is nothing worthie of damnation And although the dregs of Adam do remaine that is our concupiscences which in deede be sinnes neuerthelesse they be not imputed for sinnes if we be trulie planted in Christ It is true that Christ might haue taken awaie all our immoderate affections but hee hath left them for the great glorie of his father and for his owne greater triumph As for example When a Prince fighteth with his enimies which sometime had the souereigntie ouer his people and subduing them may kill them if he will yet he preserueth and saueth them and whereas they were Lords ouer his people he maketh them after to serue whome they before had ruled Now in such a case the Prince doth shew himselfe a greater conquerour in that he hath made them which were rulers to obeie and the subiects to be Lords ouer them to whome they serued than if he had vtterlie destroied them vpon the conquest For now he leaueth continuall victorie to them whome he redeemed whereas otherwise the occasion of victorie was taken awaie where none were left to be the subiects Euen so in like case Christ hath left in vs these concupiscences to the intent they should serue vs to the exercise of our vertues where first they did reigne ouer vs to the exercise of our sinne And it may be plainelie seene that whereas first they were such impediments to vs that we could not moue our selues towards God now by Christ we haue so much strength that notwithstanding the force of them we may assuredlie walke to heauen And although the children of God sometime do fall by fariltie into some sinne yet that falling maketh them to humble themselues and to reknowledge the goodnesse of God and to come to him for refuge and helpe Likewise Christ by his death hath ouercome the Prince of diuels with all his hoast and hath destroied them all For as Paule saith it is verified that Christ should breake the Serpents head prophesied by God And although the diuell tempt vs yet if by faith we be planted in Christ we shall not perish but rather by his temptation take great force and might So it is euident that the triumph victorie and glorie of Christ is the greater hauing in such sort subdued the diuell that whereas he was Prince and Lord of the world holding all creatures in captiuitie now Christ vseth him as an instrument to punish the wicked and to exercise and make strong the elect of God in Christian warfare Christ likewise hath ouercome death in a more glorious manner if it be possible because he hath not taken it awaie but leauing vniuersallie all subiect to the same He hath giuen so much vertue and spirit that whereas afore we passed thereto with great feare now we be bold through the spirit for the sure hope of the resurrection that we receiue it with ioie It is now no more bitter but sweete no more feared but desired it is no death but life And also it hath pleased God that the infirmities and aduersities do remaine to the sight of the world but the children of God are by Christ made so strong righteous whole and sound that the troubles of the world be comforts of the spirit the passions of the flesh are medicines of the soule For all maner things worke to their commoditie and profite For they in spirit feele that God their father doth gouerne them and disposeth all things for their benefit therefore they feele themselues sure In persecution they are quiet and peacefull in trouble they are without weerinesse feares anxieties suspicions miseries and finallie all the good and euill of the world worketh to their commoditie Moreouer they see that the triumph of Christ hath beene so great that not onelie he hath subdued and vanquished all our enimies and the power
Christian libertie is godlie intreated of Trulie it is no good spirit that moueth men to find fault at euerie thing and when things may be well taken to peruert them into an euill sense and meaning There be in the world manie speakers of holines and good works but verie rare and seldome is declared which be the good and holie works The works of the spirit be neuer almost spoken of and therefore verie few knowe what they be I am able to iustifie the ignorance of the people to be great not in this matter alone but in manie other the which were most necessarie for Christians to knowe Because I haue had iust proofe of the same it maketh me thus much to saie with no little sorowe and greefe in my hart for such a miserable ignorance and blindnesse amongest the people I doubt not but we can saie all Lord Lord. But I feare God may saie vnto vs This people honoureth me with their lips but their harts be far from me God desireth nothing but the hart and saith He will be worshipped in spirit and truth Christ condemned all hypocrisie and feigned holines and taught sincere pure and true godlinesse but we worsse than frantike or blinde will not followe Christs doctrine but trust to mens doctrines iudgements and saiengs which dimmeth our eies and so the blind leadeth the blind and both fall into the dich Trulie in my simple and vnlearned iudgement no mans doctrine is to be esteemed or preferred like vnto Christs and the Apostles nor to be taught as a perfect and true doctrine but euen as it doth accord agree with the doctrine of the Gospell But yet those that be called spirituall pastours although they be most carnall as it doth verie euidentlie and plainelie appeare by their fruites are so blinded with the loue of themselues and the world that they extoll mens inuentions and doctrines before the doctrine of the Gospell And when they be not able to mainteine their owne inuentions and doctrines with anie iot of the scripture then they most cruellie persecute them that be contrarie to the same Be such the louers of Christ Naie naie they be the louers of the wicked Mammon neither regarding God nor his honour For filthie lucre hath made them almost mad but frantike they be doubtlesse Is not this miserable state of spirituall men in the world much to be lamented of all good Christians But yet I cannot allowe neither praise all kind of lamentation but such as may stand with Christian charitie The eight Chapter Of the fruites and rules of true Christianitie for men to followe CHaritie suffereth long and is gentle enuieth not vpbraideth no man casteth frowardlie no faults in mens teeth but referreth all things to God being angrie without sinne reforming others without slanders carrieng euer a store-house of mild words to pearce the stonie-harted men I would all Christians that like as they haue professed Christ would so endeuour themselues to folowe him in godlie liuing For we haue not put on Christ to liue anie more to our selues in the vanities delightes and pleasures of the world and the flesh suffering the concupiscence and carnalitie of the flesh to haue his full swinge For we must walke after the spirit and not after the flesh For the spirit is spirituall and coueteth spirituall things and the flesh carnall and desireth carnall things The men regenerate by Christ despise the world and all the vanities and pleasures thereof They be no louers of themselues For they feele how euill and infirme they be not being able to do anie good thing without the helpe of God from whome they knowledge all goodnesse to proceede They flatter not themselues with thinking euerie thing which shineth to the world to be good and holie For they knowe all externe and outward works be they neuer so glorious and faire to the world may be done of the euill as well as of the good And therefore they haue in verie little estimation the outward shew of holinesse because they be all spirituall casting vp their eies vpon heauenlie things neither looking nor regarding the earthlie things for they be to them vile and abiect They haue also the simplicitie of the doue and the policie of the serpent For by simplicitie they haue a desire to do good to all men and to hurt no man no though they haue occasion giuen and by policie they giue not nor minister anie iust cause to anie man whereby their doctrine might be reproued They be not also as a reede shaken with euerie winde but when they be blasted with the tempests and stormes of the world then remaine they most firme stable and quiet feeling in spirit that God as their best father doth send and suffer all things for their benefit and commoditie Christ is to them a rule a line an example of Christian life They be neuer offended at anie thing although occasion be ministred vnto them For like as Christ when Peter would haue withdrawne him from death answered and said Go backe from me Sathan for thou offendest me that is As much as lieth in thee thou giuest me occasion with thy words to make me withdrawe my selfe from death although I yeelded not thereto For this thy procurement can not extinguish the burning desire I haue to shed my bloud for my chosen Euen so the perfect men are neuer offended at anie thing For although the world were full of sinne they would not withdrawe themselues from doing of good nor waxe cold in the loue of the Lord. And much lesse they would be moued to do euill yea rather they be so much the more moued to do good The regenerated by Christ are neuer offended at the works of God because they knowe by faith that God doth all things well and that he can not erre neither for want of power nor by ignorance nor malice For they knowe him to be almightie and that he seeth all things and is most aboundantlie good They see and feele in spirit that of that will most highlie perfect can not but proceede most perfecte works Likewise they be not offended at the works of men For if they bee good they are moued by them to take occasion to folowe them and to reknowledge the goodnes of God with giuing of thanks and praising his name dailie the more But if they be indifferent and such as may be done with good and euill intents they iudge the best part thinking they may bee done to a good purpose and so they bee edified But if they bee so euill that they can not bee taken in good part by anie meanes yet they bee not offended although occasion bee giuen naie rather they be edified in asmuch as they take occasion to be better though the contrarie bee ministred to them Then begin they to thinke and saie thus If God had not preserued me with his grace I should haue committed this sin and worsse O how much am I bound to confesse and knowledge
counted as sheepe appointed to bee slaine neuerthelesse in all these things wee ouercome through him that loueth vs. For I am sure that neither death nor life neither Angels nor rule neither power neither things present neither things to come neither quantitie or qualitie neither anie creature shall bee able to depart vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. They are not by this godlie faith presumptuouslie inflamed nor by the same become they loose idle or slowe in dooing of godlie works as carnall men dreme of them so much the more feruent they be in dooing most holie and pure works which God hath commanded them to walke in They wander not in mens traditions and inuentions leauing the most holie and pure precepts of God vndone which they knowe they be bound to obserue and keepe Also they worke not like hirelings for meede wages or reward but as louing children without respect of lucre gaine or hire They be in such libertie of spirit and ioie so much in God that their inward consolation can not be expressed with tongue All feare of damnation is gone from them for they haue put their whole hope of saluation in his hands which will and can performe it neither haue they anie post or piller to leane to but God and his smooth and vnwrinkled Church For he is to them all in all things and to him they leane as a most sure square piller in prosperitie and aduersitie nothing doubting of his promises and couenants For they beleeue most surelie they shall be fulfilled Also the children of God be not curious in searching the high mysteries of God which be not meet for them to knowe neither doo go about with humane and carnall reasons to interpret Scripture persuading men by their subtile wits and carnall doctrine that much knowledge of Scripture maketh men heretikes without they temper it with humane doctrine Sophistrie Philosophie and Logicke wherewith to bee seduced according to the traditions of men after the ordinances of the world and not after Christ S. Paul doth most diligentlie admonish vs which arts are not conuenient meet to be made checkmate with Scripture For the Scriptures be so pure and holie that no perfection can be added vnto them For euen as fine gold doth excell all other mettals so doth the word of God all mens doctrines I beseech the Lord to send the learned and vnlearned such abundance of his holie spirit that they may obeie and obserue the most sincere and holie word of God and shew the fruits thereof which consisteth chieflie in charitie and godlie vnitie that as we haue professed one God one faith and one baptisme so we may be all of one mind and one accord putting awaie all biting and gnawing For in backbiting slandering and mis-reporting our Christian brethren we shew not our selues the Disciples of Christ whom we professe In him was most high charitie humilitie and patience suffering most patientlie all ignominie rebukes and slanders praieng to his eternall father for his enimies with most perfect charitie and in all things did remit his will to his fathers as the Scripture doth witnesse when he praied in the Mount A godlie example and lesson for vs to followe at all times and seasons as well in prosperitie as in aduersitie to haue no will but Gods will committing and leauing to him all our cares and greefes and to abandon all our policies and inuentions For they be most vaine and foolish and indeed verie shadowes and dreames But we be yet so carnall and fleshlie that we run headlong like vnbrideled colts without snaffle or bridle If we had the loue of God printed in our harts it would keepe vs backe from running astraie And vntill such time as it please God to send vs this bit to hold vs in we shall neuer run the right waie although wee speake and talke neuer so much of God and his word The true followers of Christs doctrine haue alwaies a respect and an eie to their vocation If they be called to the ministerie of Gods word they preach and teach it sincerelie to the edifieng of others and shew themselues in their liuing followers of the same If they be maried men hauing children and familie they nourish and bring them vp without all bitternesse and fiercenesse in the doctrine of the Lord in all godlinesse and vertue committing the instruction of others which apperteine not to their charge to the reformation of God and his ministers which chieflie be Kings and Princes bearing the sword euen for that purpose to punish euill dooers If they be children they honour their father and mother knowing it to be Gods commandement and that he hath thereto annexed a promise of long life If they be seruants they obeie and serue their maisters with all feare and reuerence euen for the Lords sake neither with murmuring nor grudging but with a free hart and mind If they be husbands they loue their wiues as their owne bodies after the example as Christ loued the congregation and gaue himselfe for it to make it to him a spouse without spot or wrinkle If they be women maried they learne of S. Paule to be obedient to their husbands and to keepe silence in the congregation and to learne of their husbands at home Also they weare such apparell as becommeth holinesse comlie vsage with sobernesse not being accusers or detractors not giuen to much eating of delicate meats and drinking of wine but they teach honest things to make the yong women sober minded to loue their husbands to loue their children to be discreet chaste houswifelie good and obedient vnto their husbands that the word of God be not euill spoken of Uerelie if all sorts of people would looke to their owne vocation and ordeine the same according to Christs doctrine we should not haue so many eies and eares to other mens faults as we haue For we be so busie and glad to find and espie out other mens dooings that we forget and can haue no time to weigh ponder our owne which after the word of God we ought first to reforme and then we shall the better helpe an other with the straw out of his eies But alas we be so much giuen to loue and to flatter our selues and so blinded with carnall affections that we can see and perceiue no fault in our selues And therfore it is a thing verie requisite and necessarie for vs to praie all with one hart and mind to God to giue vs an heauenlie light and knowledge of our owne miseries and calamities that we may see them and acknowledge them trulie before him The twelfe Chapter The conclusion with a Christian exhortation to the amendement of life IF anie man shall be offended at this my lamenting the faults of men which be in the world fantasing with themselues that I doo it either of hatred or of malice to anie sort or kind of people verelie in so dooing they shall doo me
and soule This fraile life is nothing else but a continuall warfare in this world our sinnes most like to cruell enimies assault vs on euerie side againe our daies are but few in number Guide me therefore with thy grace so to spend my small short and transitorie time in this world the verie fountaine welspring and vale of all miserie that I may be made a member of Christ partaker of thine eternall felicitie To the which seeing that through mine owne desert I shall neuer be able to aspire for sinne trulie so aboundeth in me that ech deed and act of mine is not onelie infected but altogither polluted therwith none other remedie haue I to ease my selfe none other salue to heale my sore but onelie to take hold of that promise of thine wheras thou saiest Come vnto me all ye that ye that labour and be ouerladen and I will refresh you This is my hold-fast this is mine anchor and sure staie For verelie sweet Sauiour when I looke vpon mine owne frailnesse and behold how readie I am to offend thee then I quake for feare then I am almost in vtter despaire but as soone as I call to mind thy great loue and kindnesse and how that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should repent and liue and that in what daie soeuer he doth hartilie repent and call vnto thee thou wilt heare him then I am releeued then I am not a little comforted knowing surelie that thou wilt performe that which thou hast promised in faithfull assurance whereof I now saie vnto thee Turne thou me O my God and I shall be turned from all my wickednesse deliuer me Heale my soule which is wounded with sinne for I doo acknowledge mine iniquitie and am hartilie sorie for mine offences correct me O Lord but yet not in thy furie looke not vpon my weaknesse but thinke vpon thine owne worthinesse remember thy louing kindnesse and in the abundance and multitude of thy mercies wipe cleane awaie pardon and forget all my sinnes through which I haue either in word deede or though or anie other kind of way offended thee blot them out of thy remembrance and let the bloud of that immaculate lambe Iesus Christ wash them awaie let mine old offences so decaie and die in me that I neuer commit them any more or by anie meanes renew them in thy sight And in the meane time doo not withdrawe thy grace from me but cause me to doo all that which good is O Father remoue thy wrath awaie from me and restore vnto me thy fauour turne thou thy louing countenance vnto me and plentifullie powre foorth thy mercie vpon me Incline my hart to doo that onelie which is acceptable in thy sight guide thou my footesteps in thy paths and suffer me not at any time to straie from thy waies let me alwaies haue the feare of thee in my hart and the remembrance of thy benefits fresh in my memorie and if at anie time through weakenesse and failtie I doo transgresse thy commandements yet doo not therefore reiect and cast me out of thy sight but be thou that good Samaritane and powre the oile and wine of mercie and forgiuenesse into those wounds which sinne shall make in me Disdaine me not for my reuolting but haue mercie vpon me according to thy great goodnesse and according to the multitude of thy mercies wipe awaie mine iniquitie Hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings and protection lighten mee with thy holie spirit Make me thy seruant so indue me with thy grace that I may vnfeinedlie with hart and voice serue honour and praise thee all the daies of my life Amen Another praier for the obteining of grace and mercie O Most mercifull Lord God whose Maiestie is incomprehensible power infinite whose magnificence is exalted aboue the heauens vouchsafe I beseech thee frō thy high throne to behold the worke of thy hands haue pitie on the vnhappie and desolate condition of thy creature I am a sinner conceiued in sinne and of my selfe I haue no good thing wherefore O Lord I cleaue to the altar of thy mercie Thou art my anchor my hope my refuge and staie Therefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me for no flesh can be iustified in thy sight Thou knowest the frailtie and weakenesse of men We are taught by the fall of Peter that we can doo nothing without thee Graunt vs therefore good Lord thy grace without which in this world we are like by the waues of temptations to be swallowed in the gulph and whirlepoole of sinne to be drowned as the ship without anchor and Pilote in euerie tempest to runne on the rocke and perish Guide vs therefore by thy grace good Lord through the flouds of this carefull world that we may rest for euer in the pleasant port and happie hauen of euerlasting ioie with thine elected through our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie in all worlds Amen A Confession to be said of the penitent person O Most mercifull Lord God I haue offended against the throne of thy Maiestie my sinnes are euer before mine eies I am not worthie to liue or enioie the fruits wherewith thou hast blessed the earth Mine owne conscience is my tormenter bringing testimonie and witnesse against me The Sunne doth hide his light against me and the place is the woorsse wherein I become O Lord what shall I doo Shall I despaire No thou art mercifull and more readie to forgiue than we to aske I will confesse my sinnes to thee I am wearie of my sinfull life I am sorie in my soule for mine offences Wherefore good Lord thou which dooest ease them that are laden and refresh them that trauell thou which hast promised mercie to the penitent looke on me thy seruant with thy cheerefull countenance behold me with those pitifull eies with which thou didst Marie Magdalen and the woman taken in adulterie Thou which hast shed thy bloud ou the altar of the Crosse offering thy most pretious bodie an eternall sacrifice for our sinnes despise not that which thou hast redeemed Thou which cammest into the world to call sinners to repentance and to saue the lost sheepe of Israel haue mercie vpon me and leade me by thy grace to the fold amóng thy sheepe for they go in sweet pasture and are not in danger of Wolues for thou art their shepheard and keepest good accompt of euerie one of them Though I haue gone astraie wandring from thy flocke and borne the marks of the world yet good Lord disclaime not thy right I beseech thee but take me vnto thee that I may be safe vnder the shadowe of thy wings He may sleepe soundlie whome thou dooest keepe Thou art the watchman of Israel All honour and glorie be vnto thee for euer Amen Another godlie Confession and meditation of the penitent I Altogether vnhappie and comfortlesse haue greeuouslie offended my Lord God
soone after doth my corrupt and infected nature offend and displease thy diuine Maiestie so that I am prone and readie to run headlong into all kind of wickednesse and sin such is my strength such is my force or rather weakenesse in perfourming those things which thou requirest at my hands So that good Lord I am readie vtterlie to despaire and forsake thee vnlesse thou of thy great mercie and pitie send thine aide from aboue and powre into me thy most healthfull grace that I may make hast to flee vnto thee with most bitter teares a sorrowfull hart and bowing knees lamenting my sinfull life and greeuous offences committed against thee trusting most assuredlie and faithfullie in the merits of my Sauiour Iesus Christ that by his most bitter death bloud-shedding which is of far greater force vertue and effect in preseruing me than all my sinnes and offences are in condemning and casting me awaie for whose sake I most assuredlie beleeue all my sinnes and offences are cleerelie forgiuen and shall neuer be laid to my charge but that I shall enter with thee in the last daie into thine euerlasting kingdome there to be with thee for euermore to whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen A praier to God the father ALmightie God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ whome no desert merit or worthinesse of ours but thine owne great clemencie mercie and pitie caused to send downe thine onlie begotten sonne into this world to beare the burden of our sinnes with the which we most miserable sinners were ouerladen and that he should suffer most cruell torments yea and also most bitter and shamefull death and sanctifie the reprochfull name of the crosse with the renting of his blessed bodie and shedding his most pretious bloud thereon thereby to make attonement betweene thee and vs thereby to paie the raunsome for our soules thereby to consummate and finish the perfection of our redemption and saluation Which thing it was thy good will that he should doo not onelie to asswage thy wrath indignation but also to bring vs againe into thy grace and fauour and that we being deliuered out of the bondage of sinne and hell might serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of our life and by the free gift and benefite of his death and passion be made partakers of his resurrection and of thine endlesse and vnspeakable glorie Wherefore my God my maker my Lord my King seeing thou hast so aboundantlie bestowed thy heauenlie gifts vpon me and all mankind and hast so plentifullie powred out thy grace and fauour on vs that for our sakes thou wouldest not spare thine owne sonne how shall we escape thine indignation which for this care and kindnesse of thine are most carelesse and vnkind And among all other which waie shall I poore creature turne me How shall I who haue beene most vnthankefull for thy benefits and most vnmindfull of them be so bold as to lift vp my hart or hands vnto the heauens and to call vpon thee Thou of thy singular goodnesse didst so prouide that the wickednesse of old Adam should be purged and washed awaie with the bloud of Iesus Christ but I haue wilfullie fallen into sinne againe Thou madest me the child of light but I haue made my selfe an inheritour of darkenesse Thou madest me thine by creation I haue made my selfe the child of perdition What shall I now therefore do Shall I doubt of anie further mercie and forgiuenesse No no sweete Lord so great is thy mercie which surmounteth all thy workes so large are thy promises so sure is the performance of them to all such as take hold thereof so deere in thy sight are the merits of thy sonne Iesus so acceptable vnto thee is the hartie repentance of a sinner that with the remembrance thereof I am prouoked to crie vnto thee saieng Father I haue sinned against heauen and against thee I am no more worthie to be called thy child Neuerthelesse behold thou me not as I am a greeuous offender but as thy creature Haue now no respect to mine offences but behold my repentance thinke not vpon my wickednesse but vpon the wounds of my Sauiour Iesus Looke not vpon my false hart which hath wauered from thy lawes but behold the bleeding hart of thy sonne Iesus Christ which was pierced to release me and set me free My sinnes I cast vpon thy backe beseeching thee that his merits may beare them and thy mercie pardon them Heare me O Lord my God heare me for I knowe the more earnestlie that I seeke for and desire thine aide the readier thou art to stretch foorth thine hand to helpe me Heare me therefore O Lord bow downe and incline thine eare vnto my praier inspire me so with thy holie spirit that I may loue thee aboue all things and that I neuer faile to put my hope and trust of saluation in him whome thou wouldest to be my redeemer and sauiour Make me by the forsaking of all wickednesse so to rise from falling into sinne that I may obtaine the true seruing of thee with innocencie and purenesse of life Graunt this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie Amen A praier vnto God the sonne O Most sweet sauiour O most mercifull redeemer O bountifull Iesu the sonne of God who although thou art high yet thou art most humble although thou art omnipotent thou art also most meeke and as thou art most mightie so art thou most mercifull To thee O Christ the guide of all felicitie the father of heauen hath giuen all power both in heauen and in earth Thou art the true pastor of our soules thou art our Messias Thou castest off none that sue vnto thee but as thou hast taken awaie the hand-writing that was against vs and hast fastened it to thy crosse so art thou readie to impart the merits of thy passion vnto all such as with true repentance of their sins call vpon thee faithfullie Wherefore my sweet Iesus I most faithfullie and vnfeinedlie acknowledge the benefits that thou hast bestowed vpon me and stedfastlie beleeue that thou being an immaculate lambe in whose mouth was neuer found guile didst suffer most cruell torments at the hands of sinners for the loue of vs most wretched sinners For the which cause I most hartilie beseech thee and most humblie praie thee to accept me into the number of them whom thou wilt make coinheritours of thy bitter paines And although I of my selfe be most vnworthie thereof yet thy merits can make me woorthie to them do I flie crauing that I may be so armed and defended by them that I may subdue the world the flesh and the diuell euen as thou hast gloriouslie conquered sinne death and hell Thou seest O my sauiour how I am dailie and hourlie beset with these three enimies and so hardlie beseeged of them that without thy helpe I can by
it is thy good will and gratious pleasure to regard the humble and lowlie man giue me such meekenesse from aboue that I may continuallie present thee with the sacrifice of a gentle meeke and contrite spirit that I may auoide the plagues and punishments which thou hast prepared for the proud and haughtie minded Graunt this good Lord for Iesus Christ his sake mine onlie mediator aduocate who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost in glorie permanent euerlasting Amen A praier against couetousnesse or too much care of the world GOod Lord seeing that it is thy pleasure that we shall not be carefull for worldlie things if a sparowe falleth not on the ground without thy fore-sight how much more care doest thou take for vs thy children Good Lord thou feedest the birds of the aire and cloathest the lillies of the feeld which take no care Wherefore good Lord so prouide for our necessitie and sicknesse we beseech thee that we casting all our care vpon thee may cheeflie studie to please thee and serue thee which liuest and reignest king of all kings for euer Amen A praier against lieng and euill imaginations O Lord cleanse my hart I beseech thee from all vnpure wicked cogitations and thoughts and giue me a cleere conscience shamefast eies innocent hands and a tongue to tell the truth seeing that there is nothing hid that shall not be discouered Good Lord I beseech thee to search my thoughts and renew in me thy holie spirit Direct my feete in thy waies that walking after thee in the path of the righteous I may passe through this vale of miserie bearing thy banner stoutelie in my warfare and obtaine euerlasting ioie the promised hire to such as here haue patientlie borne thy crosse and valiantlie fought with the armour of faith against temptations and all euils Vouchsafe O Lord to graunt my petitions I most humblie beseech thee for thy onlie begotten sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake Amen A necessarie praier in Meeter against vices O Lord my God make thou my hart repentant for to be The spirit of contrition do thou ingraffe in me Unto mine eies let there be giuen aboundant teares of wéeping And let my hands be occupied with often almes giuing O thou my King quench out of me all foule fleshlie desire And with the loue of thée alone set thou my hart on fire O my redéemer driue awaie the spirit of pride from me And graunt to me that great treasure of méeke humilitie Take from me O my Sauiour the furious rage of ire The shield of patience giue to me the which I do desire O Creator roote out of me all spitefulnesse of mind And graunt in stead thereof againe méekenes that I may find O bountifull father giue me a faith that shall endure With hope agréeing therevnto and charitie most sure O thou my guide kéepe from my lips all lieng vanitie And from my mind driue far awaie all vaine vnconstancie All wauering take thou from my hart from my mouth scoffing With all proud lookes and gluttonie backbiting slandering Couetousnes wipe cleane awaie with curiositie The fond desire of vaine-glorie with all hypocrisie Let me neuer the poore despise nor yet the weake oppresse And let me not blaspheme for then I die remedilesse O thou which didst me forme make take all rashnesse from mée And leaue me not such a mind as will not with peace agrée Take from me ydlenesse and sloth and heauie lumpishnesse Take from me disobedience and eke all stubbornesse O my God for thy déere sonnes sake I humblie beséech thée To graunt me the works of mercie with aboundance of pitie That I may thée both loue and feare and eke pitie the poore Make me good men alwaies to loue and wicked to abhor Make me so little to estéeme those things that worldlie bée With hart voice that I may craue in heauen to be with thée Amen A thankesgiuing for benefits receiued at Gods hand O Most mercifull Father I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy great benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner of thy free mercie onlie Thou hast of thy fatherlie loue brought me vp tenderlie and instructed me in thy holie lawe Thou hast giuen me knowledge and vnderstanding Thou hast preserued me from manie dangers and euils which diuers men haue felt Thou hast blessed me with health quietnesse ioie plentie and wealth which a number doo want Thou hast taken care of me and done all things for me Lord though I can deserue nothing but punishment by thy iust displeasure yet good Lord I trust to thy goodnesse crauing mercie and not iustice And for thy mercie sake I beseech thee to continue thy grace and to increase thy good gifts towards me and haue me in thy protection till my liues end Good Lord blesse me that I may enioie the fruits of the earth and vse them to thy honour and glorie Good Lord be thou mine aid and guide in all my dooings my buckler and defence in all dangers that I may freelie and ioifullie sing praises to thee which liuest and reignest one God almightie and incomprehensible worlds without end Amen Another thankesgiuing for the goodnesse of God to vs. O Almightie God and euer-ruling King whose infinite power and maiestie our wits can not comprehend whose glorious brightnesse with our mortall eies we can not behold whose woonderous works and manifold mercies the tongs of men can not sufficientlie declare Good Lord I yeeld thee most humble thanks for thy singular great gifts and benefits bestowed vpon me a sinner Good Lord thou hast blessed me with knowledge with increase and plentie of all things thou hast giuen mee friends health and rest that I should eate my meate with ioie and praise thee in all thy gifts and works I knowe that I haue no good thing but it commeth from thee and oulie for thy mercies sake thou hast so regarded me thy seruant Wherefore good Lord I beseech thee to graunt me thy grace withall that I may vse these thy gifts to thy honour and glorie and the comfort of them that neede that vsing the talent which thou hast lent me I may become a good seruant and obtaine eternall blisse the promised hire to such as doo well Uouchsafe good Lord for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to heare my praiers Almightie God refresh me with thy grace I beseech thee comfort me with thy mercie and blesse me that safe from all euils free from feare of all dangers in peace and quietnesse I may sing praises to thy holie name and reioice in thee with thine elected for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said in time of quietnesse and prosperitie GIue vs good Lord the comfortable healthfull spirit of thy grace and aboundant fauour that we may without ceasing make our continuall boast of thy praise We know and from the bottome of our harts confesse that thou hast dealt more louinglie with vs
prosperitie at the Lords hand and not to be content with aduersitie And alwaie to thinke vpon this Happie are they whome thou doest punish For though thou make a wound thou also giuest a plaister though thou smitest thy hand maketh whole againe Mine iniquitie is great but be thou merciful vnto my wickednes O deliuer me from thine anger and presse me not further than I shall be able to beare But now that I acknowledge that whatsoeuer trouble thou hast sent me or wilt laie vpon me is either for the punishment of mine iniquitie or for the triall of my constancie I may with repentant Dauid find remission of my sins and with patient Iob release of mine aduersitie and obtaine such fauour in thy sight that thou neuer againe so greeuouslie punish me but that I may so passe this life that I may afterward liue with thee to whome be honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another praier in trouble and aduersitie HAue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me most miserable creature which doo that which I ought not feare that which I haue most iustlie deserued If I weigh with my selfe the wickednesse that I haue done the punishment thereby deserued is not halfe so great as the sinne that I haue committed But thou art a mercifull God and thy iudgements are right neither dooest thou at anie time punish vs vniustly Thou almightie God madest vs when as we were not and when as we were lost and damned thou didst miraculouslie restore vs. I knowe and I am sure that our life is not led by sudden and vncertaine motions but is disposed and directed by thee thou hast a fatherlie care of vs all but especiallie of such as doo put their whole trust and confidence in thy mercie Therefore I humblie praie and beseech thee that thou wouldest not deale with me after my deseruings but according to thy great mercie which doth exceede the sinnes of the whole world And as often as thou dooest punish me outwardlie giue me grace inwardlie with patience to beare the same and that thy praise neuer depart out of my mouth Order my dooings euen as shall be most necessarie both for my bodie and soule Thou onlie hast power ouer all things thou knowest all things to thee be all honour for euer Amen Another praier in trouble for the obteining of mercie BEhold out from the bottome of my hart doo I crie vnto thee O Lord beseeching thee that thou wouldest saue me from the bottomlesse pit of hell I knowe that there is mercie with thee doo not therefore marke what I haue done amisse Enter not into iudgment with thy seruant for then can I by no meanes be iustified in thy sight The remembrance of mine offences is greeuous vnto mee and therefore I right humblie craue pardon thereof My hart is troubled my soule is vexed there is no health in my flesh Forsake me not mine onlie staie and comfort despise not my contrite hart open the bosome of thy mercie take cleane awaie mine iniquitie bring my soule out of tribulation turne the extremitie of thy iustice into thy tender mercie And when thou shalt come to iudge the quicke and the dead be not reuenged on me by eternall damnation but to take mee amongst thine elect into the blessed state of saluation Grant this O Father for Christ his sake our mediator and aduocate Amen Another O Lord my God although I haue committed that whereby I am an offender can I make my selfe not to bee thy creature Though through sinne I haue lost my cleannesse and puritie haue I also taken awaie thy goodnesse and mercie Though I haue committed that wherefore thou maiest condemne me hast thou not done that whereby thou maiest saue me True it is O Lord that my conscience doth shew me that I haue deserued damnation but thy mercie exceedeth all offension Spare me O God bicause it is not vnpossible for thy power it is not vnmeete for thy mercie it is not vnaccustomed or yet contrarie to thine infinite goodnesse Wherefore thou which hast created me doo not destroie me Thou O Iesu which hast redeemed me doo not condemne me Thou which hast made mee let not thy worke be cast awaie by my wickednesse Wipe awaie all that is mine and draweth me from thee and knowledge all that is thine in me and may bring mee vnto thee which liuest and reignest one God in persons three to whom be all honour now and euer Amen Another praier wherin the penitent longeth for comfort HOw long O Lord wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me How long wilt thou bee angrie with thy seruant How long shall I abide mourning and solitarie as the bird that hath lost hir yoong O Lord thinke on me in thy mercies and doo not correct me in thy wrath for then shall I become as the dust and smoke in the wind O Lord forsake not thy seruant Israel whom thou hast chosen My hart being comforted in thy mercies shall reioice and I will sing vnto thee and praise thee in thy good works and miracles which thou hast done in our fathers time So be it Being tempted by the ghostlie enimie as all that feare God are to doubt in anie article of the Catholike faith to despaire in Gods mercie to yeeld to melancholie fansies to be vexed with vnkindnes of friends or the malice of enimies to be troubled with sicknesse or anie other waies oppressed with griefe of bodie and mind saie deuoutlie as followeth I Humblie accept most mercifull Iesus this heauie temptation which now I suffer at the hands of thy diuine prouidence and would a greater if thou please to laie it on me for thy sake who hast ordeined this from the beginning for the tender loue thou bearest to the health of my sinfull soule and I most hartilie thanke thee for it I confesse I haue deserued woorse for my sinne and vnkindnesse towards thee and am not woorthie to receiue anie comfort or consolation at thy hands Therfore to the honour of the passion and death which thou willinglie sufferedst on the crosse I offer my selfe to sustaine this or anie other aduersitie with all my hart not seeking otherwise ease or reliefe than in and by thee O Lord and as thy good will and pleasure shall appoint Yet this one thing I craue and beseech thee for the tender loue thou bearest to me and all mankind for in me is no vertue or ought that good is to helpe and assist me with thy holie spirit as my trust is thou wilt who promisest that no man shall be tempted more than he shall be able to beare And giue me all what euer shall be necessarie to sustaine with patience this crosse and temptation which thy diuine wisdome hath appointed for me to the intent that I bearing the same willinglie with thee here in this world may conceiue assured hope to be partaker of thy glorie in the world to come Grant this my request most mercifull
are giuen vs in the Supper doo represent vnto vs C They represent vnto vs that the bodie and bloud of Iesus Christ haue such vertue towards our soules as the bread and wine haue towards our bodies M Understand you that the bodie of Iesus Christ may be inclosed in the bread and his bloud in the wine C No. M Where then must we seeke Iesus Christ to enioie him C In heauen in the glorie of his father M What is the meanes to come vnto heauen there as Iesus Christ is C It is faith M It behooueth vs then to haue true faith before we can well vse this holie Sacrament C It is so M And how may we haue this faith C We haue it by the holie spirit that dwelleth in our harts and assureth vs of Gods promises which are made vnto vs in the Gospell Unto God the Father of whom and by whom and in whome are all things And vnto Iesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer of the world And vnto the holie Ghost be honour and glorie for euer So be it The true summe of all Christian Religion Mother MY child art thou a Christian Child Yea by the grace of God whereas of nature I was a child of wrath as well as others M Art thou certaine that thou art a Christian C Yea through faith and the holie spirit who giueth witnesse vnto my spirit that I am the child and heire of God M What is it to saie a Christian C It is the same which by faith in Iesus Christ hath receiued the holie spirit as a child of God dooing his dutie in time and place M What is the dutie of a Christian C It is for to knowe God for to serue him in spirit and truth according to the doctrine of Iesus Christ M In how manie points consisteth the true Christian adoration and the true seruice of God C It is faith which is the onelie foundation of Christians M The faith commeth it of vs C No for it is the gift of God M Where lieth this faith C In the hart for with the hart we beleeue to righteousnesse with the mouth we confesse to saluation M Be we then bound to render a reason of our faith and hope C Yea to all men that demand it of vs so that it be done with wisedome gentlenes reuerence and gratious words M And he that confesseth not Iesus Christ in time and place doth he not renounce him C Yea for he that is not with him is against him he that gathereth not with him scattereth abroade M Giue me then a reason of thy faith and first what confession makest thou of the Christian faith C The same that the Church holdeth being founded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles which is brieflie comprehended in our Creede M Canst thou make confession in the common language C Yea I thanke God M Saie it with an high voice and pronounce it well C I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. M Beleeuest thou that thou art saued by this faith of the Church C Yea well if I haue it in my selfe as the first word sheweth I beleeue in God For the iust shall liue by his owne faith M What is it to beleeue in God C It is a full assurance and hope to trust and commit all to him according to his promises in Iesus Christ M Can we haue this faith in perfection whiles we be in this world C No. For we haue neede with the Apostles to require augmentation of faith The Lord increase it in vs and make vs perseuere in it vnto the end Of Inuocation Mother WHat is the second part of Christian adoration and seruice of God Child It is inuocation whereby we haue all our refuge vnto our father through faith in the name of Iesus Christ M Why puttest thou inuocation after faith C Because it is one of the greatest and principall fruite of the same For whosoeuer calleth vpon the name of the Lord in faith shall be saued M Haue we commandement to call vpon God onlie and not vpon others C Yea euen as we are commanded neither to beleeue nor worship anie other but him alone M Should we not praie to the father in the name of other but of Iesus Christ C No. For the father hath giuen vs none other aduocate but him who onlie is verie God and verie man and we haue no promise to be heard in the name of anie other but in his name onlie M Yea but we knowe not what we ought to praie as apperteineth C Iesus Christ teacheth vs by his holie spirit according to the forme that he hath giuen vs. M Rehearse it in the common language to the end that we all may vnderstand it and be edified C Our father which art in heauen c. M Wherefore will he that we call him father C To declare the loue that he beareth towards vs in Iesus Christ to the end that in full assurance and boldnesse we may come to him onlie and not to be afraid of him no more than a child is of his father M What doth this word our shew C The vnitie and charitable brotherhood which ought to be heere well practised among vs according as the communion of Saints requireth M Seeing that God is euerie where and filleth heauen and earth ought not we to seeke and worship him in all his creatures C No. For he is a spirit and incomprehensible wherfore he willeth that in Iesus Christ we seeke and worship him in spirit and truth lifting vp our hearts aboue all corruptible things M What conteine the sixe petitions comprehended in this praier C The three first all y t which makes for the aduancement of the honor and glorie of God which we ought to desire with our whole hart and before all things M And the three last what doo they conteine C Our entertainement and saluation which is also the glorie of God M Why addeth he to the end For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer C To shew that the dignitie efficacie of our praiers consisteth not in vs but altogether in that good father by Iesus Christ working in vs by the holie spirit M Then is it to saie that we all will liue and die in his obedience subiection and glorie C Yea acknowledging him to be the author of all goodnesse and vnto whome onelie apperteineth the true maiestie roiall with all power and glorie for euer M What is the conclusion of this praier C It is that all our desires requests and actions of grace be addressed vnto God alone through Iesus Christ confirming vs throughlie in substance vnto that which it conteineth as vnto the perfect rule of all true godlinesse M Why is this word added to the end Amen or So be it C To assure vs that our praier made thus in truth and according to his will is trulie heard Of Obedience Mother WHat is the third point of Christian adoration and
setting foorth of thy most glorious inuisible and eternall Maiestie in this my fraile earthlie and visible maiestie may cleerelie shine and appeare in me to the benefit of thy Church farre and neere And that I remembring whose minister I am may first aboue all things in a perfect zeale of thy house and loue of thy people euer seeke thy honour and glorie and studie continuallie to preserue thy people committed to my charge in wealth peace and godlinesse Deere Father so blesse mee so loue mee so in the spirit of counsell prudence knowledge and fortitude sanctifie strengthen and direct me that in a perfect faith feare and loue as in thy sight I may walke vprightlie without offence giuing in the obedience of thy holie word and fulfilling of thy blessed commandements all the daies of my life and may be a true follower of that King which is the Souereigne ouer the holie hill of Zion whose seate and kingdome endureth for euer Giue mee grace both thankfullie to acknowledge thy manifold great benefits bestowed vpon mee and also faithfullie and diligentlie to discharge my dutie towards thee and thy people in executing thy iudgements indifferentlie without parcialitie to the aduancement of thy kingdome the establishment of my throne and the vniuersall comfort and commoditie of all thy people Make me good Lord of an entire affection and perfect hart towards thee and of an humble and gentle spirit towards all vnder my gouernement after the example of Christ our eternall King who to fulfill thy will O GOD did vouchsafe to take flesh of the virgin Marie and became man for man that man might become a God vnto men and who also did verie much abase and humble himselfe as a seruant euen vnto the death of the Crosse to redeeme both Prince and people out of thrall and bondage of sinne Sathan death and hell Let my naturall affection and disposition I saie O Lord continue to my foes terrible to my subiects amiable to mine offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull to all men indifferent and parciall to none that being guided by thee to gouerne thy people iustlie in all godlie peace and quietnesse I may be able with a good conscience to witnesse of mine integritie before thee and all the world as thy faithfull seruants Moses Samuel and Nehemias somtimes did of theirs and boldlie and trulie with them saie Behold here I am beare record of me before the Lord before his annointed Whose oxe or whose asse haue I forceablie taken awaie Or whom haue I done anie wrong to Or whom haue I iniured or hurt Or of whose hand haue I receiued anie bribes to blind mine eies therewith and I will restore it you that my people seeing and well perceiuing my motherlie affection faithfull gouernement carefull diligence and diligent watchfulnesse ouer them by all meanes to doo them all the good I possiblie may or can in thee may woorthilie witnesse rightlie answere and iustlie confesse and saie of me to thy glorie and my perpetuall praise as the Israelites heretofore said of Samuel That I haue not grieued them nor troubled my land by oppression or iniurie that I haue not hurt them nor taken ought of anie mans hand nor by anie meanes either by my selfe or others willinglie abused my power or dealt vniustlie with my people Oh kindle more and more in my hart I beseech thee most holie Father a pure zele aboue all things to promote thy glorie and a vigilant care not onelie to serue thee my selfe sincerelie but also to haue thee diligentlie serued of my familie people And to this end vouchsafe I praie thee both to adorne me with all thy heauenlie gifts and also to blesse my whole familie court and houshold with thy graces and vertues that all these both high and lowe one and other which are placed therein vnder me may for their vertuous life true faith and right religion towards thee their God and for their loiall harts and conscionable obedience towards me their Prince and Mistres and for their entire affection and charitie one towards another as brethren and lastlie for their hartie loue and naturall good-will they beare to their Commonwelth and countrie be an example and patterne of true godlinesse and puritie both in religion and life for all the whole Realme and countrie yea the whole world besides to followe as their head fountaine and light Moreouer O blessed God as hitherto by thy mightie protection thou hast preserued me and in thy great mercie maugre the heads of all mine enimies miraculouslie hast deliuered me and established me in this my kingdome thus long in admirable peace and blessed quietnesse all glorie and praise be rendered vnto thy glorious name therfore so I beseech thy gratious goodnesse O Lord in like mercie to blesse preserue maintaine keepe and defend me and my Realme still from all both forreine and domesticall conspiracies treasons deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils imminent and to come both bodilie and ghostlie publike and priuate that I may still gouerne blessedlie ouer a blessed people and my Realme and people by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of thy Gospell and happie enioieng of perfect peace and quietnesse both outward and inward Thou O Lord of hosts hast ordeined me the Gouernour ouer thy people and made my people to be thy people and thou Lord art become our God yea and our great and mightie God besides whom wee haue none other God I knowe also my God that thou triest the hart and hast pleasure in righteousnesse behold therefore I offer vow and dedicate my selfe willinglie and entirelie in the vprightnesse of my hart to serue and worship thee onelie for euer with ioie and therfore am I thine handmaid bold to praie this praier vnto thee beseeching thee for euer to keepe me and to helpe me in this my good purpose of holie seruing and worshipping of thee For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all to speake of O direct thou continuallie the thoughts of my mind and prepare my hart euermore vnto thee Giue vnto me thine handmaid a perfect hart to keepe thy commandements thy testimonies and thy statutes and cause me to vse my power lawfullie to the reforming both of thy house and estates according to the prescript rule of thy written word reuealed will that so it may please thee O Lord God to confirme for euer thy mercifull promises made vnto me in my father DAVID and to blesse the throne or house of thy seruant with thy blessing that it may continue and be established before thee for euer And that this may the better come to passe to the glorie of thy name the benefit of thy Church and wealth of my Realme as I hartilie wish and desire remoue far from thy Church far from me O excellent father all those which fall from thee by infidelitie and are through obstinate wilfulnesse traiterous rebels to thy sacred
assist me most puissant Prince of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may be truelie able to aduance iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseech thee thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience towards mee thy minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holie spirit that I may perseuere in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Grant this oh mightie God of hosts for the merits and passion of thy deere sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ AMEN The praier of King SALOMON for Wisdome to gouerne well Wisd 9. O GOD of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things with thy word and ordeined man through thy wisdome that he should haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made and gouerne the world according to equitie and righteousnesse and execute iudgement with an vpright hart Giue me wisdome which is euer sitting aboue thy seate and put me not out from among thy children For I thy seruant and handmaid am a feeble person and of a short time and yet lesse in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdome be not with him he shall be nothing regarded Thou hast chosen me to be a QVEENE vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Thou hast commanded mee to maintaine thy Church which from the beginning thou hast chosen Oh send out of thy holie heauens therefore vnto me that thy wisdome wherewith thou madest the world gouernest thy works and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight right in thy commandements Send hir I saie from the throne of thy Maiestie that shee may be with mee and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandements For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all things and she shall leade me soberlie in all my works and preserue mee by hir power and glorie so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouern thy people righteouslie and be well and woorthie to sit in my fathers throne Amen Holie Praiers and godlie Meditations desciphering in Alphabeticall forme the Roiall name of our vertuous Souereigne Queene ELIZABETH properlie to be vsed of hir Maiestie ELIZABETH E ENter not into iudgement with thy seruant O LORD for no flesh is righteous in thy sight PSALME 143 verse 2. O GOD which dwellest in light that no man can attaine O God which art hid and canst not be seene with bodilie eies nor comprehended with anie vnderstanding neither expressed with the tongue of men or Angels O my God what is it to be righteous in thy sight It is that wee should bee without sinne before thee which no man euer was since the fall of Adam For which cause the holie Prophet DAVID saith in this wise Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight O vnhappie that I am loden and burdened with sinne who shall haue pitie or compassion on mee or whither shall I go My sinnes are euer before me mine vnrighteousnesse condemneth me What shall I doo Shall I despaire God forbid For mercifull meeke and louing is my Sauiour My refuge therfore shall be in my God for certaine I am he will not forsake his owne image neither wil he forsake the worke of his owne hands Wherfore most meeke louing and mercifull Father to thee come I all sad and sorowfull But what shall I saie vnto thee I will saie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight And againe I will with the Prophet powre out before thee the words of sorrowe I will hartilie beseech thee saieng Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me according to thy great mercie not after the mercie of men but after thy great mercie which is incomprehensible which is vnmeasurable and which passeth all sinnes without comparison According therefore vnto that thy great mercie by the which thou hast so loued the world that thou gauest thy sonne for it by the which thou hast taken awaie all our sinnes by the which through his crosse thou hast lightened all men by the which also thou hast restored all things in heauen and in earth wash me I saie O Lord wash me in his bloud restore me in his resurrection and iustifie me by thy grace and fauour and the redemption which is in Christ AMEN L LORD looke thou no more on my sinnes but according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities Psal 51. verse 1. THy mercie O Lord is the abundance of pitie thy compassions are the works and processe of thy mercie by the one thou lookest gentlie on the poore and wretched by the other thou forgiuest the multitude of sinnes O sweet and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ the sorowfull and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet she washed them with hir bitter teares she wiped them with the heares of hir head thou forgauest all hir sinnes and sentest hir awaie in peace this was good Lord one of thy compassions Peter thrise denied thee and forsooke thee with an oth thou mercifullie lookedst on him and he beholding thee bitterlie wept and thou Lord forgauest him which was another of thy compassions The theefe on the Crosse was saued with one word Paule in the furious madnesse of persecution was called and by and by was filled with the holie Ghost these all Lord are thy pitifull compassions Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD with whome is no alteration neither shadowe of change and sith there is but one Mediatour and attonement betweene God and man that is Christ Iesus which endureth for euer why doost thou not powre out thy plentious compassions vpon vs as well as thou didst vpon our forefathers Why standest thou so far O Lord and hidest thy face in the needfull tune of trouble Hast thou forsaken vs Or are all thy mercies spent and none left O Lord my God I hartilie beseech thee most humblie praie thee that thou wilt according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities that as thou hast drawne and receiued innumerable sinners vnto thee and hast made them righteous in thy sight euen so thou wilt vouchsafe to drawe and take me and also to make mee righteous through thy grace and so to clense and purifie my hart that after all mine iniquities and vncleannesse put out it may be as a cleane table in the which thy finger O GOD may write the lawe of thy loue and charitie AMEN I IN the daie of trouble I will call on thee ô LORD Psa 120 vers 1. Because thou hast said In what houre so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will no more
did this woman continue still in praier and said It is truth Lord that thou saiest it is not meete to cast the childrens bread vnto dogs But yet Lord the dogs doo eate of the crums which fall from the childrens table And thou Lord reioicing in hir great constancie didst saie O woman great is thy faith be it vnto thee as thou desirest Now therefore sweet and mercifull Lord Iesu as thou diddest vouchsafe to accept and heare the praier of Cornelius and of this woman of Canaan so I hartilie beseech thee to heare my humble praiers which I make daie and night before thee not onelie that thou shouldest deliuer me from bodilie oppressions but also from the spirituall power of the diuell that after this mortall life I may come to thy blessed presence in the euerlasting kingdome where thou reignest God with the Father and the holie Ghost AMEN G GIue eare Ô LORD and let all my sorrowfull complaints which go foorth of vnfeined lips come before thee that my mouth may shew foorth the woorthie praise of thy name Psalme 17. verse 1. THy praise is a great thing O Lord for it proceedeth out of the fountaine whereof no sinners drinke There is no glorious praise in the mouth of a sinner Deliuer me therefore O Lord from the waie of sinners and my tongue shall magnifie thy righteousnesse and my lips and my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise Thou hast the key of Dauid which shuttest and no man openeth and openest and no man shutteth Therefore open thou my lips as thou hast opened the mouths of infants out of whose mouths thou hast established thy praise Trulie the Prophets and Apostles and all other thy Saints praised thee despised themselues The sucklings extoll thy fame and glorie which they knowe through thy heauenlie and celestiall grace Thy friends which spreading thy glorie haue conuerted innumerable soules from sinne vnto vertue and true felicitie Thy beloued haue openlie preached thy bountious gentlenesse and mercifull fauour which thou shewest in thy deere sonne vnto all the world Now therefore mercifull God giue me true humilitie that thou maist stablish thy praise by my mouth Make me as one of the infants and sucklings that I may euer hang on the paps of thy wisdome For thy paps O Lord are better than wine and thy wisdome better than riches Make me as one of thy friends or beloued that I may constantlie abide in thee that my mouth and voice may among the sucklings extoll and set foorth thy praise saieng and singing Ozanna in the highest AMEN I I Am filthie and vncleane before thee Ô LORD If thou therefore sprinkle me with Isope I shall be cleane If thou wash me I shall be whiter than snowe Psalme 51. verse 7. I Sope Lord is a lowe herbe it is hot and of a good sauour which signifieth nothing else but thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ which humbled himselfe vnto death euen vnto the death of the Crosse which with the heate of his feruent loue loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud which also with the redolent and sweet sauor of his beneuolence and righteousnesse hath replenished the world Therefore with this Isope shalt thou O holie Father sprinkle me when thou shalt powre vpon me the vertue and bloud of thy deere sonne Christ when he through faith shall dwell in me when through loue I am ioined with him when I shall imitate and followe his humilitie and passion then shall I be cleansed from all mine vncleannesse Then shalt thou wash me with mine owne teares which flowe out of the loue of thy sonne Christ Then shall I sigh till I be wearie then shall I water my bed euerie night with my teares so that it shall swimme in them and then Lord shalt thou wash me and I shall be whiter than snowe AMEN N NOT euerie one that saith to me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen Matth. 7 verse 21. THy will is O heauenlie father that we do beleeue in thy beloued sonne whome thou hast sent Thy will is that we beleeue that he whome thou hast sent is come in the flesh And thy will is that we imitate and keepe his saieng Thy will is also that we should heare him For thou spakest from heauen saieng This is my welbeloued Sonne in whome I delight heare him Giue me therefore O heauenlie father a stedfast faith a strong faith yea such a faith that no tribulation that no vexation that no persecution may cause me to denie thy Son whom thou hast sent but that I may with a pure and constant faith confesse him to be come in the flesh for the redemption of the world and that I may imitate and folowe him that I may keepe his saieng who was deliuered for my sinnes and was raised againe for my iustification Giue me also O holie father a perfect hearing and not a corrupt hearing but that I may through the teaching of the holie Ghost heare thee out of the Prophets out of the Apostles out of the pen of the Euangelists and out of the mouth of thy Spouse the Catholike Church to whome thou saiedst I will send you a comforter euen my spirit which shall leade you into all truth Grant me O Lord this spirit for there is none that can saie Iesus is the Lord but by this thy holie spirit AMEN A A Sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit a contrite and humble hart ô GOD shalt thou not despise Psalme 51. verse 17. A Broken and troubled spirit and not broken and troubled flesh pleaseth thee O Lord. For the flesh is broken and vexed because it hath not the carnall things that it desireth or else feeleth in it selfe things which it hateth The spirit is broken and vnquieted for his fault because it hath offended against God whom it loueth He soroweth that he hath sinned against his maker and redeemer and that he hath not regarded such a good and louing father This broken and sorowing spirit is vnto thee O Lord a sacrifice of most sweet sauour which notwithstanding hath his confection of most bitter spices euen of the remembrance of his sinnes For when our sinnes are gathered together into the morter of the hart and beaten with the pestle of compunction and made into powder and moistened with the water of teares therof is made an ointment and sacrifice most sweet which being offered to thee O Lord thou wilt not despise Marie Magdalen which was a great sinner made such an ointment and put it into the Alablaster boxe of hir hart She feared not to enter into the Pharises house and there humbling hir selfe at thy feete sweet Lord washed them with hir teares wiped them with hir heare and annointed them with most pretious ointment and ceassed not to kisse them Surelie Lord hir sacrifice was right acceptable and pleased thee so that thou preferredst it aboue the Pharisie which
for into thy hands I commit me Amen E ENter thy iudgements in the tables of my hart destroie mine affections with thy loue send thy wisdome from the holie heauens and from the seate of thy Maiestie that she may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may iudge the people righteouslie and discerne betweene good and euill G GRatious Lord thou that art the most high God aboue all the earth long-suffering and of much mercie sorowing the sinnes of man and of thy great goodnesse hast promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lord I haue sinned mine iniquitie is multiplied aboue the sands of the sea and there is no hope of life in me because I haue stirred thee to anger in multiplieng offences before thee And now O Lord trusting in thy mercie I bow the knees of my hart beseeching thee of thy goodnesse destroie me not togither with mine iniquitie For the dead whose soules are out of their bodies can neither praise nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstie soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lord I powre my praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnwoorthie and reserue not eternall punishment for mee For thine owne sake I aske it and will praise thee all the daies of my life Amen I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the light of thy word leade me Lord in thy waie and I shall enter into thy truth Print thy feare in my hart that I may reioice in thee Let thy word be a lanterne vnto my feet and a lampe of light vnto my paths so shall I not erre from the right waie but walke like a pure and wise virgin with an vpright hart chaste mind and cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee most mightie God of hosts which sittest vpon the Cherubins and hast dominion ouer all the kingdoms of the earth Thou which madest the heauens all things comprehended in them bow downe thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold saue mee from the hand of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto me that all the people may knowe that thou alone art my God Amen A ASsist mee O Lord my God with thy heauenlie grace and renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength ablenesse to doo thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of wilie Satan that they may haue no place in mee but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the desire of sinne errour and of worldlie vanities may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind that the life of my Sauiour Christ may alwaies appeare in me to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost be all honour triumph and glorie for euer and euer Amen The versicle EUen now and euer vouchsafe O LORD for thy deere sonnes sake to heare my humble petitions The answere REceiue my praiers I saie O GOD and in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and grant mee thy grace The Collect. O Emanuel my Lord and my GOD Iesus Christ sonne of the pure virgin Marie thou art not onelie the sweete spouse of my soule but with God the Father a most meeke Mediatour full of mercie and truth Wash awaie my sinnes with the most pretious bloud of thy holie passion make me rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holie spirit to all duties and works in this life towards thee I may enioie afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holie Saints and pure Uirgins in euerlasting honour and triumph Amen The Praier O Roote of Iesse my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast redeemed all mankind from sinne death and hell thou which hast said I am the waie truth and life The waie in doctrine commandements and examples truth in promises life in reward I praie thee by thine ineffable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer me euer to straie from thee bicause thou art the waie nor at anie time to distrust thy promses which art the truth and performest whatsoeuer thou promisest neither let me rest in anie other thing bicause thou art eternall life without the which there is nothing that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in earth By thee we learne the sure and expedient passage vnto true helth that we wander no longer in the Laberinth of this world Thou hast exactlie taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whom we ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunatelie borne by thee we are assured there is no hope of health but through faith in thee that thou art the onlie brightnesse which giuest light to all men trauelling the darke desarts of this world where is nothing but a profound dimnesse wherby we neither see our calamities nor frō whence we ought to seeke remedie of our euill Thou vouchsafedst to descend into the earth disdainedst not to take our nature vpon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake off the dimnesse of our ignorance by thy commandements mightest direct our feete in the waie of truth peace By the examples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the waie to immortalitie and by thy steps hast restored to vs a plaine easie profitable waie out of an vneeuen and rough waie So thou art made vnto vs a waie which knoweth no error in the which least we should be wearie thou hast vouchsafed to vphold vs in thy benignitie with great sure promises For who can be wearie accounting himselfe redie through thy steps to enter thy heauenlie heritage Therefore whilest we be in this iournie thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steed of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are sustained Neither was thy goodnes content with this but knowing the weaknesse of our flesh in the meane while with the comfort of thy spirit dooest so refresh our strength whereby we run cheerefullie And as thou being made vnto vs the waie dooest driue awaie all errour so being truth dooest thou take awaie all distrust Finallie being made life vnto vs dooest reuiue the dead in sinne to liue by thy spirit releeuing all things vntill in the resurrection all mortalitie vtterlie abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christ shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be one true God where now thorough faith we behold onlie in a glasse and riddle And then seeing more felowlie the glorie of the Lord wee shall be transformed into the same image Therefore I beseech thee most mercifull Sauiour that
by the illusion of the diuell or else by frailtie of mine owne flesh trespassing against thy godlie Maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deede And I most hartilie thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen me this night and that to the innumerable benefits hitherto powred vpon my soule and bodie thou hast vouchsafed to preserue me this night past from sudden death and all other euill and mischiefe spirituall and corporall that anie person man or woman hath beene striken withall by thy permission and sufferance knowing of a suretie that the selfe-same or such like had worthilie light on my head also haddest not thou defended and preserued me and giuen me time to amend my life so that I might liue henceforth not as I will but as thou wilt And now seeing thou O almightie God and most mercifull father in the tables of the commandements deliuered to the hands of thy seruant Moses vpon the mount Sina among other precepts diddest giue charge vnto thy chosen children of Israel that in sixe daies they should doo all such works and aaffaires as they had to doo and rest from labour the seuenth daie graunt I beseech thee blessed father that siuce I haue by thy mercie happilie passed ouer this whole weeke vnder thy gratious protection I may not onelie rest this daie from my dailie trauels but that I may abstaine also from the works of sinne and iniquitie and sanctifie this daie wholie vnto thee with praiers and thankes-giuing abounding in all works of loue and charitie as thou hast commanded in thy holie word that I may be found pure without spot or blemish at that daie when thy Sonne Iesus Christ shall come to iudge the world with righteousnesse and equitie And forasmuch as thou hast ordeined this daie among the rest wherein we should meete all together with brotherlie loue and affection to yeeld thee praises for the innnumerable benefits we haue receiued at thy hand to acknowledge thy fatherlie loue and pitie towards vs from time to time and to giue thee thanks in generall for all and vniuersall thy benefits hitherto bestowed vpon vs I beseech thee to grant me thy holie spirit that I may be the more zealouslie inflamed to serue thee in true holinesse and integritie of life and by the operation of that spirit I may kill all carnall lusts vnlawfull pleasures concupiscence and all other spots of vncleannesse whereby I may be made thy child by adoption and grace and my bodie the temple of the holie Ghost being throughlie purged and purified from the dregs of iniquitie and abhomination Giue me grace most mercifull Father to spend this daie to thy pleasure in all good works of the spirit and charitie proceeding from an vndefiled faith in Christ Iesu that I fall not into anie kind of danger but that all my dooings may be ordered by thy gouernance to doo alwaies that is righteous in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another Morning praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and mercifull God eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three in persons one in substance God in verie deede and from euerlasting I extoll thy sacred Maiestie I praise thine vnspeakeable mercie thy diuine truth I exceedingly commend for that of thy fatherlie and woonderfull goodnesse thou hast protected me this night vnder the shadowe of thy wings Yea thou also hast made me quietlie to take my rest notwithstanding the dangerous snares of my deadlie enimie the diuell Thou art the God which exaltest vs from the gates of the shadowe of death and from the power of darknesse thou deliuerest vs. Therefore I will acknowledge thee for thy goodnes and for the woonderfull things which thou dooest among the sonnes of men I will magnifie thee in the great congregation and among much people will I praise thee My hart is readie O my God my hart is readie I will praise thee O Lord among the people and sing to thee among the nations For thy mercie is aboue the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds I will not hide thy mercie and truth in the great congregation bicause it is a good thing to praise the Lord and to sing to thee O thou most high to declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me praise his holie name Which forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thine infirmities Which redeemeth thy life from destruction crowneth thee with mercie and compassion Which satisfieth thy longing with good things and protecteth thee from thy youth Which also hath kept all my bones this night not one of them is broken To the King euerlasting immortall inuisible and onlie wise God be honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen VNto thee O Lord doo I lift vp my soule O God earlie will I seeke thee my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh lusteth after thee in a barren and drie land where no water is to see thy strength and glorie O eternall God which hast brought me to the beginning of this daie defend me with thy mightie power that this daie I fall into no sinne nor run into anie kind of danger but let all my cogitations words and works tend to the setting foorth of thy righteousnesse Lighten my mind this morning with the shining and clearnesse of thy wisdome that in my hart that true daie-star may rise and shine as it were a candle in a darke place Giue me the spirit of wisdome and reuelation in the knowledge of thee and lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that I may knowe what my hope is how great the glorie of mine inheritance and what the excellent greatnesse of thy power towards me is Fill me with thy mercie in this morning so shall I be glad and reioice all my life long Mercifull God endue me with thine holie spirit that I may neither thinke speake or doo anie thing this daie but that which may please thee and tend to the aduancement of thy glorie and health of my soule Gouerne thou mine vnderstanding and will and so direct all the cogitations of my hart that I may wholie be thine and sauour of nothing besides thee my God and redeemer Teach mee the waie of thy commandements O Lord and I will keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding to keepe thy lawes and to loue thee my Lord and God with all my hart with all my soule and with all my strength and let all thy testimonies be my delight and counsellers Comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord haue I lifted vp my soule For thou Lord art good and gentle and of great kindnesse to as manie as call vpon thee Behold O God earlie now this morning I doo offer my selfe a morning sacrifice vnto thee a troubled spirit a broken and an humble hart O Lord thou wilt not despise Make me fit that I may likewise dailie offer vp
such things as be allowed and pleasant vnto thee least at anie time cleauing to superstition and hypocrisie I doo worship thee amisse but fill my hart with grace and stuffe it with sweetnesse of spirit euen as my bodie is stuffed with abundance of meats Lord rid me out of mine vngodlinesse plucke from me mine ignorance of thee banish my slothfulnesse of insearching thee Compell my flesh through thy spirit to his bounden dutie and obedience and bring to passe that I may now alwaies applie my selfe wholie without wearinesse and drinesse of mind vnto the right sincere worshipping and seruing of thee here in thy presence O Lord open thou my lips and then shall my mouth extoll thy renowmed name and publish thy praise not with fained lips but with a full glad hart lustie stomach and quicke spirit and saie with the congregation Our Father c. As at euening praier in the Church Another Meditation before Euening praier in the Church SEing thou hast beautified all those with a notable promise O most mightie God which are knit together in the honouring of thy blessed name so that thou wilt not onlie be present with them but also bestowest excellent gifts and benefits vpon these men whosoeuer they are that excell in sincere faith and pure godlinesse and haue an exceeding desire to be often in the blessed congregation in so much as there is nothing which they more couet or desire than to appeare diuers times in the daie before thee in the sacred assemblies yea it ought to be a most pleasant thing vnto vs to celebrate thy high praises perpetuallie and shew foorth thy maruellous works without ceasing For the performance whereof godlinesse would require that wee should not onlie doo the same in the daie time but also in the night season We will therefore lift vp pure hands in all places touching the publishing of thy glorious name and render perpetuall thankes according to our bounden dutie for thine vnspeakable goodnesse and louing kindnesse extended towards vs. But seeing that this ought to be done in the most sacred and holie assemblies our earnest request is to haue thee present heere with vs and to bestowe thy plentifull blessings vpon thy beloued Israel First deliuer vs wee humblie beseech thee from our heinous faults enorme sinnes and lewd corruptions wherewith we haue greatlie defiled our selues And then let our weake and feeble harts be strengthned in thy blessed waie and the withered powers of our mind which are dried vp watered with the holie Ghost that we being altogither repaired and wholie renewed may continuallie celebrate and praise thee and haue a great desire to direct our praiers vnto thy mercie-seate with a most holie intent as Christians ought to doo Cause vs now not constrained and brought thereto by compulsion but of a willing hart to come before thy presence and become true worshippers of thee yea and such as doo thinke it a goodlie matter to spend not onlie houres but daies and nights yea and all our yeares and life in the sincere seruice and right worshipping and honouring of thee in the sacred Church Let nothing be so deere and pretious vnto vs as to continue in the praises and commendations of thy glorious name from morning to night praieng both publikelie and priuatelie for all other as well as for our selues Graunt O excellent father that we in giuing due thanks for thy benefits may ioifullie sing double praises to thy glorious name for euermore that our minds I saie may dailie more and more bee strengthened hartilie to confesse couragiouslie to extoll and aboue all things to exalt thy wonderfull praises vncessantlie through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen A Psalme of exhortation to praier in the morning or euening O Come let vs worship fall downe and kneele before the Lord our maker and let vs hartilie reioice in the strength of our saluation Let our soules reioice I saie in the mercie of the Lord and not be ashamed to publish his praise Let vs doo our duties betimes both earlie and late and he will giue vs a reward in his due time For a good thing it is to giue thanks vnto the Lord and to tell of his louing kindnesse earlie in the morning O come therefore praise the Lord with me and let vs magnifie his name together Bring hither the booke take the Psalter and sing vnto the Lord a new song Let vs sing praises I saie lustilie vnto him with a good courage and shew our selues glad in him with Psalmes euen now in the time appointed and vpon our solemne feast-daie For great is the Lord and highlie to be praised in the Citie of our God euen vpon his holie hill of Zion Glorie be to the c. As it was in the c. Another Psalme exhorting all creatures to praise God O Praise the Lord of heauen yee Angels of his ye Saincts that excell in strength and fulfill his commandements yee seruants of his that harken to the voice of his words and doo his pleasure Praise him in the height ye children of Zion and be ioifull in your King with glorie For God is verie greatlie to be feared in the counsell of his Saincts and to be had in reuerence of all them that are about him Praise him all yee heauens and ye waters that bee aboue the heauens O God the verie heauens shall praise thy woonderous works and thy truth in the congregation of the Saincts Yea let heauen and earth praise thee the Sea and all that moueth therein O sing vnto the Lord all the whole earth woorship him and stand in awe of his iudgements ye multitude of Isles Praise the Lord O Ierusalem praise thy God O Zion Praise the name of the Lord O yee seruants of the Lord yee that by daie or by night stand in the house of the Lord euen in the courts of the house of our God O all yee righteous that loue and seeke the Lord and be true-harted towards him praise his holie name and magnifie him all yee seed of Israel that feare and dread his Maiestie Praise the Lord also all ye heathen and nations of the world worship you him and glorifie his name For he is great passing all praise Praise the Lord O ye Kings of the earth Princes and all Iudges of the world yea worship him all yee gods For he is higher than the heauens and far exalted aboue all gods O yee kindreds of the people ascribe vnto the Lord the worship power and honour due vnto his name bring presents and come into his courts with praise Let the people praise thee O God yea let all the people praise thee both yong men and maids old men and children let them all remember thy holie name and declare thy power from one generation to another world without end O speake good of the Lord all yee works of the Lord in all places of his dominion Let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord. For his
vnholie may appeare before thee graunt that both now at this present and so oft heereafter as I shall enter into this holie place and Tabernacle of the congregation and appeare before thee I may be throughlie sanctified both bodilie and ghostlie by the diuine graces of thy spirit the better therein to serue and worship thee The which thing that I may euen now this daie the better accomplish and doo according to thy will as I hartilie desire and to the glorie of thy name and the full discharge of my christian dutie I most entirelie beseech thy Maiestie first to sanctifie purifie cleanse make happie and keepe holie my wretched soule and sinfull bodie the posts whereof deere father are sprinkled with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne who most deerelie bought them O comfortable ghest of the soule leaue not our houses desolate cease not to fill vs by thy continuall presence with thy life and righteousnesse Dresse cleanse and sweepe the foreletten cottage once againe I saie good Lord with the beesome of thy celestiall grace and heauenlie felicitie from all the pollution and filth of sinne and wickednesse Once againe O Christ vouchsafe to cast out of the house of my soule that vncleane spirit and foule feend Sathan mine old ghest and enimie with the finger of God and when he is cast out of me giue me grace to watch still continuallie by hartie and earnest praier that he enter not againe into me For being once mine old ghest he knoweth euerie hole and corner of my house Therefore grant me grace to watch continuallie I saie O Lord by feruent praier and vertuous works proceeding from a firme faith least he returne into the house from whence hee was cast out and finding it emptie swept and garnished he go and take vnto himselfe seuen other foule spirits worsse than himselfe and they enter in also and dwell there with him and so mine end be woorsse than my beginning which God forbid Oh suffer not the holie house Lord of thy Diuinitie and Temple of the holie Ghost my bodie and soule I meane cleansed with thy bloud and decked with thy righteousnesse to bee by my mortall enimies defiled spoiled or made a cage of vncleane birds a dungeon of diuels a den of theeues a hell of wicked spirits and a sinke of sinne through delectation in sinne and infidelitie Withdrawe not thy hand from me let me not returne vnto my vomit like the dog let not mine end be worse than my beginning as hapned to Caine Saule Iudas Arius and manie mo But as by thy great mercie my body and soule are made the temple tabernacle of y e holie spirit so by the same thy rich mercie infinite goodnes grant that the same may now become thy holie habitation sacred seate of euerlasting glorie and so be purified cleansed throughlie sanctified and made cleane by thy diuine inspiration and gratious presence that no heapes of soile dregs of dust or remnants of filth be to be found in any priuie or secret corner of this thy spiritual temple to offend y e celestiall eies of thy diuine maiestie so shall thy holie Hall which is my clensed soule in all reuerence deuotion godlie worship this daie and euer resound in the Church all places of thy dominion with thy perpetuall praises to thine eternall glorie Amen Another praier to serue God sincerelie in the Church O LORD God our celestiall Father whose fidelitie and truth is stablished in the high heauens among thy chosen beleeuers who also art woonderfull in the congregation of the faithfull and most mightie of all power and present euerie-where beholding all things done in all places on earth Forasmuch as thou O gratious God hast chosen this house that thy name might be called vpon therein and that it should be an house of praier and petition for thy people mercifullie promising therewithall that wheresoeuer two or three be gathered together in thy name there thou wouldest be in the middest of them and whatsoeuer they beleeuing asked of thee it should be done vnto them Behold we therefore whome by thy grace thou hast elected to be thy people and heritage and with whome thou hast made an eternall couenant and promise to helpe heare assist and confirme in all goodnesse righteousnesse and holinesse doo heere now at this present through the motion of thy good spirit assemble and gather our selues together in thy name with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and according to our bounden dutie with one mind and mouth in spirit and truth to laud and magnifie thy holie name and maiestie Humblie beseeching thee O Lord to haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners to purge vs and iustifie vs through faith from all our offences old and new to inflame and lighten the lamps of our harts with the oile of sanctification which is thy holie spirit and so there-through to sanctifie our soules to prepare our harts and dispose all our members wholie to true pietie godlinesse and deuotion that we may be woorthie continuallie to lift vp in this holie place of thy glorious presence and diuine habitation pure harts innocent hands and most feruent praiers vnto thee in heauen Grant also O gratious God that we with one hart and voice in all holinesse and godlinesse trembling dread Christian reuerence humble obedience spirituall worship and diuine seruice may incessantlie giue all honour and glorie vnto thee and for euer to celebrate thy most holie name and Maiestie in this thy holie temple as it apperteineth euen by offering vp dutifullie vnto thy diuine Maiestie the most sweet and acceptable sacrifice of broken and contrite harts of zealous and true repentance of humble and vnfeined confession of pure and incessant praier and of most woorthie and condigne lauds and praises that so wee may continue blessed in thy holie mountaine for euer and in the end according to thy faithfull promise obtaine euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen How the soule should rightlie worship and praise the Lord in all places O GOD the true and the souereigne life of whom in whom all things doo liue whatsoeuer things doo liue trulie and in happie state O God euen goodnesse and goodlinesse from whom through whom in whom are all good goodlie things which art good and goodlie God whose faith quickeneth hope erecteth and loue linketh vs. God who hast commanded vs to praie vnto thee and makest thy selfe to be found and openest to him which knocketh God whom none seeketh but the admonished and no man findeth but the purged God whom to knowe is life whom to serue is to reigne whom to loue is the saluation and ioie of the soule Thee both with my lips and with mine hart and with all my strength I doo praise blesse and worship To thy clemencie and goodnesse I doo yeeld humble thanks for all thy benefits and to thy Maiestie doo I sing holie holie holie O blessed Trinitie
I beseech thee vouchsafe to come vnto me and to make me a meet temple for thine holinesse I doo praie the Father through the Sonne I praie the Sonne through the Father I praie the holie Spirit by the Father and the Sonne that all wickednesse may be set far awaie from me and that all the holie vertues may be implanted within me O infinite God of whom through whom and in whom are all things made both visible and inuisible which inclosest thine outward works and fillest thine inward gouernest them aboue and bearest them belowe keepe me the worke of thine hands which trust in thee and hope onlie in thy mercie Keepe me I beseech thee both here and euerie-where now and alwaie within and without before and behind aboue and beneath round about so that there be no place for the snares of the enimie against me Thou art God almightie keeper and protector of all that trust in thee without whom none is in safetie no man is free from danger Thou art God and beside thee there is none other either in heauen aboue or in earth belowe which doost great things and vnsearchable and maruellous things without number Meete it is therefore that thou be praised that thou be honored that thou be magnified with commendations To thee the whole troupe of Angels to thee the heauens and the powers doo sing and continuallie yeeld praises as creatures to their Creator seruants to their Lord souldiers to their King Euerie creature doth extoll and euerie soule doth glorifie thee the holie and vndefiled Trinitie To thee the holie and humble men of hart to thee the spirits and soules of the righteous to thee doo all the supernall citizens together with all the orders of blessed spirits yeeld humble praise and glorie and exalt thee aboue all things for euer O Lord gloriouslie and honourablie doo those heauenlie citizens adorne thee with praises Man also the most excellent among thy creatures doth magnifie thee yea and I too a miserable sinner doo exceedinglie desire to praise thee and greatlie doo I loue to loue thee aboue all things O my God my life my strength and my praise giue me grace to praise thee Put thy light in my hart and thy word into my mouth that both my hart may thinke vpon thy glorie and my tongue sing and speake out thy praises euerie daie But for as much as praise is not seemelie in the mouth of a sinner and I am a woman of polluted lips purge mine hart I beseech thee from all iniquitie sanctifie me both within and without O almightie sanctifier and make me worthie to sound foorth thy praise Receiue in good part from the hand of the hart and from the loue of the mind receiue I praie thee the sacrifice of my lips and let it be acceptable in thy sight and ascend vp vnto thee like a sweete smelling sauour Amen Another MY soule praise thou the Lord and all that is within me praise his holie name My soule praise thou the Lord and forget not all his benefits Praise the Lord all yee his works in all places of his dominion My soule praise thou the Lord. Praise we the Lord whom Angels praise dominions adore powers doo reuerence to whom the Cherubins and Seraphins continuallie doo crie Holie holie holie Ioine we therefore our voices to the voices of the holie Angels and according to our abilitie let vs praise the God which we both haue For they whose eies euermore be fixed vpon the Lord whom they behold not through a glasse darklie but face vnto face they doo most purelie and without ceasing praise the Lord. O Lord that immortall people of thine Angels doo praise thee and the celestiall powers doo magnifie thy name who haue no need either to read this our scripture or to seeke after the knowledge of thee the holie and glorious Trinitie For they alwaies behold thy face where they read without syllables of time what thine eternall pleasure is they read they choose and they loue yea alwaies they read and what they read they forget not By choosing and louing they read this constancie of thy counsell and their booke shall at no time be shut and folded bicause thy selfe art and wilt euerlastinglie be this to them O much blessed are those heauenlie powers that can religiouslie and purelie with an exceeding delight and vnspeakable ioie magnifie thee with praises Thence they praise whence they reioice forsomuch as alwaies they behold that which offereth them continuall occasion both to praise and reioice But we pressed downe with the weight of flesh and placed far awaie from thy countenance in this exile and distracted through varieties of the world we alas are not able woorthilie to praise thee through faith We praise thee not of perfect knowledge but these angelicall spirits praise thee of knowledge not through faith For our flesh is the cause why we praise thee otherwise than they doo Notwithstanding albeit we sing praises to thee after diuers sorts yet thou art but one God Creator of all things to whom is offered the sacrifice of praise both in heauen and in earth But one daie we shall come vnto their companie with whom alwaies we shall see thee and praise thee without ceasing Now then O Lord grant that whiles I doo liue in this fraile bodie both mine hart and my tongue and all my bones may glorifie thee and saie Lord who is like vnto thee Let thine holie memorie and thy blessed sweetnesse possesse my whole soule and rauish me with desire of inuisible things Let my soule I beseech thee passe from visible vnto inuisible from terrestriall vnto heauenlie from transitorie things vnto eternall let it passe I saie and see thy woonderfull vision Thou art God almightie three in persons yet but one in the substance of the Godhead whom we serue and worship namelie the Father vnbegotten the Sonne onlie begotten of the Father the holie Spirit both proceeding from and remaining in them both an holie glorious Trinitie one God almightie which when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when thorough our owne default we were lost mercifullie and maruellouslie hadst deliuered vs. Oh suffer vs not to prooue either vngratefull for so great benefits or vnwoorthie so manifold mercies Unto thee doo I praie sue and beseech increase my faith increase my hope yea and increase my loue also Through the same thy goodnesse make vs to be euermore stable in faith and fruitfull in all good works that by a right faith and works agreeable vnto faith we may come through thy mercie vnto euerlasting life where seeing thy perfect and full glorie euen as it is we may worship thy Maiestie and being made woorthie to behold thy glorie may sing Glorie to the Father who hath made vs. Glorie to the Sonne who hath redeemed vs. Glorie to the holie Ghost that hath sanctified vs. Glorie to the souereigne and blessed Trinitie whose works are vnseparable and whose kingdome hath none end Unto thee
For God there is all in all whome they doo alwaies behold and by beholding him continuallie they burne the more in loue towards him They loue and they praise him they praise and they loue him all their worke is to praise God without ending without fainting without toiling O happie yea and euermore happie shall I be if after the resolution of this mortall bodie I may heare those celestiall songs of melodie which are sung vnto the praise of the eternall King by those citizens of the supernall countrie and by the companies of the blessed spirits Happie then yea much happie should I be might I be counted woorthie to sing those sugred songs and to wait on my King my God and my Captaine to behold him in his glorie according as he hath promised saieng Father I will that they whome thou hast giuen me be with me euen where I am that they may behold my glorie which I had with thee before the foundation of the world And in another place If anie man serue me let him followe me For where I am there shall also my seruant be And againe He that loueth me shall be loued of my father and I will loue him and will shew mine owne selfe vnto him Another godlie and Christian praier for the Church and congregation presentlie assembled ALthough the holie Scriptures doo teach vs euerie where that the heauen O most good and mercifull God is thy dwelling place yet the same doth in such wise set out thine infinite goodnesse as the Church is both called and also is in deede thy sanctified house wherein thou most frequentest wherein also thy blessed name is lifted vp with high praises the faithfull instructed in thy sacred words and the holie Sacraments dulie receiued And therefore the godlie hauing an especiall regard to the honour of thy glorious name most earnestlie with a feruent mind and vehement affection doo continuallie stir vp one another to make holie assemblies with woonderfull exhortations to the intent the pure worshipping and holie inuocating of thy blessed name might onlie be therein practised Now therefore and at what time so euer we shall come together in the holie congregation our earnest request is that wee may be there with cheerefull and verie desirous minds For thou trulie hast of an exceeding liberalitie adorned thy holie Church with most flourishing right excellent gifts neither is there anie thing pretermitted that apperteineth to hir garnishing which may either belong to the spirituall decking and beautifieng thereof or to the plentious enriching of it in abundance of all heauenlie good things Which seeing they haue proceeded most fullie from thee this onlie remaineth that thou wouldest be present with vs and them which are assembled together in the name of Iesus Christ and so condescend vnto our feruent praiers who thereby doo call vpon thee as the members thereof may be annexed together with a perpetuall concord Cause all our meetings I saie good father to be in such sort as we may render due honour vnto thee Let the sacred Scriptures be heere purelie and sincerelie interpreted and let thy glorious kingdome from daie to daie be more and more inlarged making all these things to be established with thy ioious peace and the tranquillitie of thy holie spirit yea so long as we praie for the quietnesse and felicitie heereof Let vs procure substantiall and perfect good things both to our neighbours and also vnto thy blessed house and holie sanctified Church And cause that those Citizens which doo credit the sacred doctrine of thy holie Church may by thy excellent benefit become frends and faithfull brethren one to another and in the end beeing quite deliuered from thrall bring thou to passe that one daie we may altogether repose our selues in the true and most holie Ierusalem through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for the increase of the Church THE Church is vnto thee O most good and mercifull GOD as a most roiall Queene espoused to the intent she may bring foorth vnto thee a most plentifull and holie seede Wherefore forasmuch as thou hast coupled hir vnto thee to be thy wife by faith and that she is reputed of the vngodlie as a barren woman because shee seemeth to haue left off child-bearing grant hir to be made vnto thee through thy sacred word and holie spirit afruitfull and ioifull mother of manie holie and vertuous children by whome thy glorious name may be exalted with perpetuall praises in thine holie house euen as it becommeth them Let hir be glad with a perfect and substantiall ioy for the great number of hir most faithfull religious sonnes and daughters Multiplie increase the issue of thy sacred Church I saie O God with a plentifull and an innumerable issue and let hir ingender godlie children vnto thee dailie more and more euen such as are worthie of such a father mother and to be partakers of thy blessed spirit Grant that we may altogether aspire vnto the loue of thee our most delectable bridegroome and that throughour labour laid together in stead of our forefathers who are now alreadie gathered vnto thee manie mo faithfull religious and holie children may be begotten vnto thee anew with whom we may alwaies in our posterities set out celebrate thy famous honour most noble praises Shine thou downe out of Zion O God euen from thine exceeding high vnapprochable light vpon the virgin thy blessed Church preserue hir from the number of perils which she is in cōtinuall danger of Let hir not fall to ruine nor be as a lampe despised in the opinion of the rich welthie men of this world but let thy mountaines glister and giue their light as lamps of fire Yea let righteousnes saluation breake forth out of zion as a shining light and burning lamp that all men may see it and glorifie thee Let the lamps of hir loue I saie O God be as coales of fire and a verie vehement flame of the Lord to dazell ouercome and consume hir enimies after a woonderfull and miraculous manner and cause the seuen lampes of the Uirgins euen all thy spirituall gifts and graces O GOD in the Saincts to burne bright and cleere without anie quenching before thy throne for euer Let thy Church be as a flourishing Uine spreading it selfe far abroade so that Antichrist with all his craft and industrie may not be of force to cut and hew it downe And euen as thou O Lord hast euerie where maruellouslie replenished the earth with thine inestimable goodnesse so in like manner be so good as to let the number of thy true and faithfull suppliants bee dailie more and more greatlie enlarged Let there bee continuall labouring in thy beloued Church by doctrine and example to nurture the blessed children so that their works may be a singular ornament thereof to thy glorie and the increase of all manner of vertue Let hir I saie be made dailie like vnto a most fruitefull woman that
age of the fulnesse of Christ which is the head by whom the whole bodie being coupled and knit together by euerie ioint for the furniture thereof according to the effectuall power which is in the measure of euerie part receiueth increase of the bodie vnto the edifieng of it selfe in loue O most holie Father keepe vs by thy name that wee may be one in thee and that among vs which are beleeuers there may be one hart and one mind O Christ our onlie Sauiour and Mediatour which before thy passion didst praie that we might be one in thee euen as thou art in thy Father grant that thy Church may be at concord and agree in one true faith and confession Let there continue among vs a godlie counsell let there be one agreement in faith one mind in praier that we may growe vp in thee and that all our harts may be coupled togither by the bond of the spirit vsing thy gifts as they should be to the aduancement of thy glorie and to the common profit both of thy Church and Common-weale and walking woorthie our calling wherevnto we are called with all humilitie and gentlenesse with all lenitie forbearing one another through charitie being carefull to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace Represse the furiousnesse of Satan which soweth dissention among thy flocke to weaken our faith and to hinder our praiers whereby thy glorie is defaced Grant therefore that we prooue not desirous of vaine glorie prouoking one another and enuieng one another that we bite not one another to our destruction For of emulation springeth contention which being once inflamed boile out into mortall diuisions And as manie as maintaine emulations contentions and factions are carnall and walke as men Wherefore take from vs the zeale of the flesh which is foolish and let all enuie wrath pride and arrogancie be far from vs. Likewise let vs auoid foolish and vnlearned questions knowing that they engender strife and contention and serue for nothing but to the subuerting of the hearers ingraffing of errors Where a desire of strife is there certainlie God dwelleth not and they which raise tumults of nothing and disquiet thy flocke those wilt thou O sonne of God destroie Come holie spirit replenish the harts of the faithfull here assembled and else where and inflame in them the fire of thy loue which once didst gather the nations into the vnitie of the faith through the diuersitie of tongues Ioine our harts togither that wee may nourish christian concord among vs and that wee all glued as it were together in louing harts may be of one mind in thee so shall thy pure doctrine zealouslie be mainteined and no false interpretation of the scripture obstinatelie be defended Bring home to thy fold all such as are turned from the vnitie of true religion that thrre may be one pastor and one fold To such as are gone out from vs grant constancie that they may continue with vs teaching the Gospell to the saluation of the hearers And if it happen that anie contrarie to the doctrine which they haue learned raise dissention and offences grant that we may auoid them least the harts of the simple through their sweet persuasions and flatterie be deceiued O God author of peace and concord giue grace that euerie of vs may thinke the same thing acording to our Sauior Christ Amen ⧠The Letanie O God the Father of heauen haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Father of heauen haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer of the world haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer c. O God the holie Ghost proceeding from the Father the Sonne haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holie Ghost proceeding from c. O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three persons and one God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sinnes spare vs good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most pretious bloud and be not angrie with vs for euer Spare vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from the crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnesse of hart from pride vaine glorie and hypocrisie from enuie hatred and malice and all vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and all other deadlie sinnes and from all the deceits of the world the flesh the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightening and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battell and murther and from sudden death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of hart and contempt of thy word and commandement Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mysterie of thy holie incarnation by thy holie natiuitie and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agonie and bloudie sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy pretious death and buriall by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the comming of the holie Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the daie of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners doo beseeth thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holie Church vniuersallie in the right waie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to keepe and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and Gouernour We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to rule hir hart in thy faith feare and loue and that she may euermore haue affiance in thee and euer seeke thy honour and glorie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to be hir defender and keeper giuing hir the victorie ouer all hir enimies We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of thy Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy word and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it foorth and shew it accordinglie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the counsell and all the Nobilitie with grace wisdome and vnderstanding We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to mainteine truth We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe all thy people We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue to all nations
most humblie beseech thee in zeale and loue to doo this one thing so acceptable a seruice to thee and most needfull for vs to be done euen with attentiue and desirous minds to heare thy holie word preached and so farre to exceed the Queene of Saba and those which haue sought for wisdome from the vttermost parts of the earth as the wisdome thou offerest vs in it exceedeth all other and so much more redilie to practise it than they did which heard thy Prophets as thy sonne is aboue all the Prophets that we with wise Martha making our choise by thy grace of the better part may be made wise in him vnto saluation and it neuer be taken from vs but remaine with vs till it put vs in possession of that happie life which in a blessed hope we looke for by it And grant vs so to be carefull ouer our dutie which thou hast commanded that wee especiallie regarding that which is chiefest with thee and most needfull for our selues may therby declare our selues to be in deed of God bicause we heare Gods word and to be the true sheepe of thy fold bicause we harken diligentlie to thy voice and followe thee with Susanna Ioanna Marie Magdalen and all other godlie men and women and so by this meanes finallie not faile of thy promises but obteine to our endlesse comfort and the glorie of thy name the blessing and gift of eternall life among all faithfull beleeuers in the kingdome of heauen through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another verie Christian praier both of the preacher and auditorie present OH Lord how beautifull are the feete of them that bring the glad tidings of the Gospell of peace of saluation of all good things Surelie without preaching we should all perish Blessed and praised be thou therefore O Father for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Gospell life foode doctrine and peace in our time Blessed and praised be thou therefore O Christ bicause thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell and maitainest the ministers of thy word and preseruest cherishest and defendest thy catholike Church against the diuell and all thine enimies Yea blessed I saie and praised also be thou therefore O holie spirit bicause thou being powred vpon the Apostles dooest now also kindle thy light in our harts rulest instructest admonishest helpest vs gouernest and guidest oâ—â— labours to a prosperous end and sanctifiest vs to eternall life And now for as much as the chiefe authoritie of speaking is indeed of thee O Lord alone for a mortall man hath but a dead hart I humblie beseech thee to blesse this thy preacher heere present with thy diuine grace that he may doo the worke of an Euangelist and make thy Gospell knowne vnto vs. Giue vnto him the spirit of feare godlinesse fortitude counsell zeale knowledge discretion wisedome vnderstanding and constancie and let him as he hath receiued thy gifts so like a good and faithfull disposer of thy manifold graces trulie minister the same vnto vs. Lord let him come vnto vs with abundant knowledge and abilitie of the diuine mysteries of the blessings of the Gospell of Christ to communicate and impart vnto vs. And now that he is about to speake grant that he may speake in thee that is by thy helpe and grace and as he is allowed of thee so to vtter the words of God as he hath receiued them from thee that thou in althings maist be glorified Put vpon his hart the breast-plate of perfect iudgement the Urim of knowledge and the Thumim of holines and righteousnes of life and puritie of doctrine Let thy word be in his hart as a burning fire shut vp in his bones yea let his bellie be as the wine which hath no vent or like the new bottles that burst that being full of good matter thy spirit within may compell him to speake his mind effectuallie Yea doo thou O Lord I saie secretlie speake and worke in him and let thy secret power and vertue be put here vnto this action to this his labour and exercise of faith that he may accomplish that thou requirest to be done for the conuersion and saluation of thy people present Giue him the earnest-penie of thy spirit in his hart and open the doore of vtterance vnto him that he may make manifest the sauour of thy life and knowledg vnto vs. Lord thou hast said Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it Open thou therefore his lips that his mouth may shew forth thy praise and shew vs the waie wherein we may walke straight to thee O let his mouth I saie be filled with thy praise that he may preach thine vndefiled lawe to the conuerting of soules and giue wisdome to the simple and light to the blind Let vtterance be giuen now vnto him that he may open his mouth boldlie to publish the secrets of the Gospell whereof he is an Ambassadour that therein he may speake boldlie as he ought to speake not sparing anie man nor hauing regard to please anie maner of person Touch thou O God the mouth of this thy preacher with the hot glowing cole of thy spirit whereby he being first clensed may the more feruentlie and purelie preach thy Gospell vnto his brethren in the discharge of his dutie as he that first is mooued with the zeale of thy glorie and then touched with a carefull affection towards thy people as Esaie was Giue vnto this thy preacher the audacitie of Eliah Iohn Baptist that like the true minister of God he may stoutlie boldlie without anie respect of persons or desire to please men as he that feareth God more than the faces of men reproue the people of their sinnes Let him as thou hast giuen in commendement crie alowd and spare not let him lift vp his voice like a trumpet and with all diligence and discretion shew thy people their transgressions and reprooue vice vnfeinedlie And bicause O Lord in vaine shall he cast the net of thy word except thou blesse the draught and his labour yeeld no profit vnlesse thou prosper it doo thou therefore luckilie set him on loose thou his tongue to speake and put thou into his hart what to saie Blesse him that thy word may be with him that he may be able thoroughlie to instruct vs what is thy will that he may catch our soules and by thy secret diuine power drawe vnto him the harts minds and eares of the hearers so shall he conuert and win manie vnto thy Christ and thou thereby be highlie glorified Let thy spirit speake by him and thy words be in his tongue that he vtter nothing rashlie or vndiscreetlie but by the motion of thy good spirit speaking sincerelie and holilie of thee as in thy sight Giue to him and to all such as beare thy word and are the ministers of the spirituall life such care zeale and diligence that they may indeuour faithfullie and painfullie to fulfill their office to the vttermost And
vp them that fall and finallie to beate downe Satan vnder our feete we beseech thee to heare vs good Lord Amen A verie necessarie praier against hypocrites false teachers and deriders of the Gospell WHosoeuer they be O almighty God that make a true account of sincere goodlinesse and pure religion are exceeding sorowfull if they see the sacred Church scattered wholesome doctrine derided the praises of thy diuine name had in contempt and such things as appertaine to a deuout woorshipping of thee turned vnto heathenish gewgawes and voluptuous pleasures To the intent therfore these things may in no wise happen as now vnto vs which we see not to be far off we powre foorth dailie before thee with great submission these our dolfull complaints That thou wouldest first of thine exceeding great goodnesse and louing mercie blot out all our heinous sinnes and offences being in a maner infinite and exceeding greeuous committed not onelie through weakenesse and ignorance but also done oftentimes both maliciouslie and of set purpose Be fauourable I saie O God vnto our greeuous sinnes and turne awaie from vs in such sort the most fierce wiles and subtil laiengs await of Antichrist as thy sacred Church be not depriued of all blessed ioie and spirituall gladnesse O Lord I beseech thee shew some experiment and proofe of thy selfe declare thy name and thy power amongst those thy spitefull enimies Bring downe Antichrists kingdome with all his vngodlie sects and schismaticall factions Certes ouerlong it hath oppressed vs yea and at this verie daie it still letteth hindereth and holdeth vnder foote verie manie which else speedilie would haue run to the kingdome of libertie and beleeued the Gospell Pull it therfore downe O Lord with all his stumbling blocks euill examples peruerse doctrine and neuer suffer it to recouer againe Lord thou both seest and right well perceiuest how the cruell malicious and vngodlie Antichristians would inuade the Church being so puft vp with pride inflamed with furie scorning as well diuine lawes as humane with like statelinesse and equall contempt dooing nothing with courtesie and faithfulnesse but practising mischiefe and naughtinesse and endeuouring so much as in them lieth that thy blessed word may no where flourish that true religion might be vtterlie extinguished that the perfect inuocating and calling vpon thy glorious name might be quite rooted out and to bring all things to naught by forged tales mens traditions politike deuises diuelish deceipts and verie much outrage But as for thy beloued Israel sith she hath by thy great mercie enioied so long peace and blessed tranquillitie let hir be ioined more and more vnto thee hir welbeloued so as she may continuallie laie sure hold vpon thy worthie praises Suffer not the mouths of hir good and wholesome instructors to be closed vp and put to silence Permit not thy due honour to be had in obliuion nor yet let the hymnes and songs wherwith thou art highlie praised and celebrated be vsurped of such as will haue the same in derision and scorne Finallie we humblie beseech thee O excellent father that what wrath or indignation so euer is due vnto vs by reason of the heinous sinnes we haue wickedlie committed thou wouldest yet for the glorie of thy famous name turne it frō thy sanctified Church thy deere spouse and powre out the same rather vpon them who with an enimielike rage and most malicious affection imagine nothing else but quite to marre and vtterlie laie waste thy blessed heritage and in deede be no lesse aduersaries to thy blessed name than of our peace and quietnesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for vnbeleeuers that all men may embrace the Gospell VNto thee doo we crie O Lord father and maker of all men which art rich vnto all that call vpon thee and which commandest the light to shine out of darkenes For thou wilt that all men should be saued and come to the knowledge of the truth And therfore of thy great loue thou diddest call vs to the participation of the lot of the Saints in light which are by nature the children of wrath and of death aliens and strangers from the testaments of promise hauing none hope and without God in the world but now are fellowe Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ beeing the head corner stone which susteineth the whole building by his word of power Heare vs thy seruants making supplication for such as yet haue not hard the sound of thy Gospell neither knowe thy name but sitting in darkenesse and in the shadowe of death haue their minds darkened and are alienated from the life of God by the ignorance that is in them and are caried awaie vnto dumbe idols and fained gods euen as they are led and run to worship that which is no God Giue grace that thy word may be knowne among them and preached in euerie land and the sound there of go out into the ends of the world that thou also maist be found of them which sought thee not and famous among such as neuer asked after thee Send foorth thy word that they may be healed and walke no more in the vanities of their mind O God father of our Lord Iesu Christ King of glorie giue them the spirit of wisedome and reuelation through the confessing of thee inlighten their minds that they may knowe what the hope is wherevnto thou hast called vs and how pretious the glorie is of thine inheritance in the Saints and how excellent the greatnesse of his power is toward vs which beleeue according to the working of his mightie power which thou hast wrought in him when he was raised by thee from the dead and placed at thy right hand in heauenlie places aboue all principalities powers Open the harts of vnbeleeuers that hearing thy word they may acknowledge thee the onlie true God and Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent and may worship thee the father in the sonne and the sonne in thee the father with the holie ghost euen as thou hast reuealed thy selfe Take the vaile from the harts of the Iewes least being blinded in the reading of the old Testament they stumble at the stone and rocke of offence by incredulitie and hardnesse of their harts that thy Sonne Christ crucified and preached be not vnto them a stumbling blocke and thy Gospell the sauour of death vnto death but that being conuerted by true faith to the knowledge of thee the father in the sonne their face being vncouered they may behold thy glorie knowing by the writings of the Prophets the Messias which thou hast appointed to be the Sauiour of the world Likewise gather thou the Gentiles to whome the Gospell the word of the Crosse is meere foolishnesse into thy congregation that they may embrace thy ministerie casting off all fleshlie wisedome and leade all their cogitations captiue to the obedience of the Gospell Moreouer our praier and
to destruction that we may be saued with those few that are appointed therevnto in Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie for euermore Amen A thanks-giuing for the conuersion of an excommunicate person or other publike offender after penance WE thanke the mercie and goodnesse of our God through Iesus Christ our Lord for the conuersion patient penance doing of this our sister whereby she hath not so much endured the reproch and infamie of hir owne sinnes as in deede she hath confounded and ouercome Satan hir deadlie foe who went about to make hir his continuall slaue and by whose subtile sleights and euill suggestions she hath heretofore beene disobedient to thy holie lawes and wholsome admonitions of thy Church And now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in hir that she is returned to our societie let it please thee for the obedience of the same our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept hir that hir former disobedience and sinnes be neuer laid to hir charge but that she may increase in all goodnesse till Satan finallie be troden vnder hir feete and ours by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Spirit be all honor and glorie now and euer Amen Before the publike administration of the holie sacrament of Baptisme the better to call to mind our owne vow and promise made long since vnto God praie priuatelie to your selfe and saie O Most blessed fore-goer and guide of Christian people Iesu Christ who submitting and humbling thy selfe vouchsafedst to be baptised of Iohn in the riuer Iordan and wast not onlie baptised in water but also in blood and in the holie Ghost vouchsafe euen so to incline bow and dispose our outwarde life with our inward mind affects and desires in the fulfilling of all righteousnesse so that we being now mortified dead to the old Adam through thy holie witnesse of baptisme by the working and operation of the holie Ghost may alwaie haue our holy couenant in remembrance before our eies that couenaunt vow and promise I saie which we haue taken vpon vs in our baptisme to the intent that we as faithfull champions striuing against the world the flesh and the diuell may vanquish and ouercome them with all other which might be noifull and hurtfull vnto vs Amen Or giue thanks for our regeneration and sanctification as afterward in the praier vpon Whitsundaie Or praie thus for the spirituall washing awaie of thy sinnes HAue mercie on me O GOD according to thy great tendernesse of hart For in wickednesse borne I was and in sinnes my mother conceiued me so that of nature all that I am I am but sin This my confession of the truth I knowe well is right acceptable vnto thee wheras in the most part of others thou hast either hid the same or made it vnknowne Purge and sprinkle mee with the bloud of Iesus Christ thine vnspotted lambe If thou wash me I shall be as white as snowe wash me thoroughlie therfore from mine errours clense me not onlie of my sinnes passed but also of my whole life to come so shall I receiue these glad tidings into my hart that my sins be forgiuen me With the baptisme of spirit in the fire of thine illumination baptise me which is the might efficacie of baptisme which we receiued in our childhood Grant that the same spirit might alwaie conduct vs let this spirituall washing of baptisme continue with vs vntill the infection and vice which we haue by nature of old Adam be perfectlie taken awaie by the death of the flesh through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie that the benefits of both the holie Sacraments may be applied vnto our soules health O Blessed Trinitie and eternall God of one essence giue grace that in euerie combate and especiallie at the point of death being mindfull of thy couenant made with vs at our Christening of thy most comfortable promise anexed He which beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued we may neuer doubt either of thy mercifull good-will towards vs or of the free remission of our sinnes but by often remembring this signe and couenant may dailie more and more be confirmed in faith and hope of perpetuall happinesse and applie thy benefits which certainlie thou hast promised and faithfullie wilt performe vnto our selues For thy promises made to such as beleeue and trust in thee be not vaine and to no purpose Likewise vphold our soules by the Sacrament of thy Supper that strengthened with the seale of this new testament we may be the more certaine and confirmed touching our reconciliation and euerlasting righteousnesse alwaies beare it fixed in our minds For if the testament of a man which is prooued after the death of the Testator be not small accounted of much more should the last testament and holie Sacrament of our Sauiour Christ remaine pure and in continuall force and remembrance Or praie that we may rightlie and trulie receiue the blessed Sacraments O Most mercifull God and louing father who by thy son Iesus Christ hast abrogated the superfluous ceremonies of the Lawe and hast deliuered vs from the bondage thereof giuing vnto vs sure certaine seals and sacraments of thy grace and our free redemption through the most pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ Grant O Lord we beseech thee that we may euermore vse them according to thy sonne our Sauiours institution who hath left them as pledges of his great loue towards mankind as continuall remembrances of his most pretious death which he suffered vpon the wood of the crosse for our redemption who by the fountaine of water hath regenerated vs and by his most pretious bloud hath purged vs. Make vs therefore to receiue these holie mysteries without corruption to vse them without alteration to continue them without superstition to the honour and glorie of thy most holie name through Iesu Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie now and for euer Amen After publike baptisme praie and giue thanks secretlie to yourselfe as time will serue saieng WE yeeld thee most hartie thanks O heauenlie Father for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate vs with the fountaine of water by faith in the bloud of thy sonne Iesus Christ and to purge vs from that originall sinne which we receiued of the old Eue. But who is able oh Lord to to giue thee sufficient praises Or who can expresse thy louing kindnesse and great mercies towards mankinde who hast not onlie redeemed him from the yoke of the lawe the bondage of hell and destruction of the diuell but also like a mercifull and louing father euen in our first entrance into this world washedst vs from iniquitie and hast giuen vs the Sacrament of Baptisme euen as a memoriall of our election in thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord whereby
lookers on to feede our selues and not to hire others to feed for vs that so we may liue by our owne meate and not perish for hunger while other deuoure all We are come togither I saie O my soule with this congregation assembled presentlie to celebrate a sacrifice not priuatelie in one kind for the dead nor to make a mysterie a sacrifice nor of a communion to make a priuate eating nor of two parts to haue but one nor yet to applie it for the dead and so we to loose the fruit that are aliue No no my soule God forbid that we should come to celebrate this holie mysterie after anie such sort or to anie such vse or purpose For that were to declare our selues vnwoorthie of the Lord yea to be accursed of him for committing such spirituall blasphemie and robberie But knowe that we are come hither now publikely and openly at this the Lords boord to minister doo that which he himselfe a little before his death vouchsafed in his owne person most wiselie kindlie and louinglie to inuent prouide institute ordeine doo establish and command as a most necessarie waie and meane for it the better to take some place in vs and not to be frustrate of it end and purpose Yea to doo that which his holie Apostles also afterward togither with the godlie fathers in the primitiue Church both vsed practised authorised and confirmed according as it was deliuered and giuen by the first author thereof onelie that is to saie euen openlie and publikelie to celebrate in the Lords most happie commemoration and remembrance at this his holie table the heauenlie memorie of that most maruellous worke and deere bought benefit of our redemption and saluation wrought by Christ Iesus to our endlesse consolation profit commoditie and eternall saluation in his with all reuerence named most pretious death painfull crosse bloudie passion And wite thou well O my soule that like as Moses Aaron and Phinees long since did somtimes eate Manna in the wildernesse then spirituallie vnderstanding those visible things euen so now we in like maner spirituallie vnderstanding these holie mysteries for it is the spirit that quickeneth and giueth life the flesh profiteth vs nothing as saith our Sauiour must here also spirituallie hunger spirituallie taste spirituallie eate the flesh of Christ and spirituallie drinke his bloud indeed in these holie mysteries by faith onlie and assured constant beleefe that the blessed bodie of Christ was crucified and his pretious bloud shed vpon the Crosse for our saluation And so receiue this the Lords supper euen for a token badge or cognizance of this faith and saluation in Christs merits declaring therby euermore his death and passion with thanks-giuing vntill he come Neither must we now so much as once dreame of anie grosse or carnall eating or fleshlie feeding or thinke that we are come at this present to feed our senses and bellie to corruption for that were baselie to abiect and bind our selues to the elements and creatures and so to declare our selues drowned in deed in the dirtie lake of blindnesse and ignorance but onlie and in truth to nourish and feed our inward man to immortalitie and life euerlasting namelie that as our outward man is nourished by letting in this bodilie meat into the stomach that is helthsome and sound to be digested so our inward man may be spirituallie fed and satisfied by receiuing the meate thereof into our soule and hart sound and whole in faith And therfore we shall not need now at this present time in dooing these things to whet our teeth O my soule but as S. Cyprian saith with sincere faith to breake and diuide this holie bread For surelie without faith which indeed is the onelie instrument most necessarie in the right vse of all these holie mysteries it is impossible to please God heerein neither can the vnbeleeuers and faithlesse folke feed vpon the Lords pretious bodie nor enioie the eating and drinking of this so high and diuine nourishment of spirituall food Yea to haue anie other eating than spirituallie by faith onelie is plaine idolatrie It behoueth vs therfore O my soule diligentlie to ponder weigh and consider of these things that now at the last we may not onelie vnfeinedlie and thoroughlie trie prooue and examine our selues our owne consciences and liues but also humblie acknowledging our faults vnto God hartilie repenting our former sinfull life asking mercie of GOD the Father for Christs sake and gladlie forgiuing all our offenders effectuallie and carefullie there withall plucke vp euen the verie roots of heathenish infidelitie and all distrust in Gods mercifull promises to the end we may thereby in verie deed shew our selues liuelie plants of the fruitfull oliue liuing branches of the true vine and woorthie members of Christs mysticall bodie euen such as haue our life our abiding our vnion and as it were our incorporation with him Finallie O my soule we must not now like chattering Iaies so much regard or consider these earthlie elements and terrene creatures which we see with our corporall eie and still remaine so but especiallie and in deed haue respect to the heauenlie graces and benefits which our faith beholdeth in and by them Neither must we by anie meanes cleaue to these inferiour or base things which lie here beneath and are visiblie discerned but leauing them altogether wee must rather resemble and plaie the parts of the Egles who flie mount vp thither where the dead bodie lieth that is giuing credit to the words of Christ who saith The words that I speake are spirit and life And againe remembering that God willeth such as will be true worshippers of him to worship him in spirit and truth we must now so behold the bread and wine with our naturall eies that we may neuerthelesse especiallie lift vp the eies of our mind to heauen and looke vp by faith vpon the holie bodie and bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ God and man as he is there sitting at the right hand of God his Father in equall glorie power and maiestie alwaies seeking it there where the sunne of righteousnesse euermore shineth continuallie holding fast and still cleauing by faith onlie to the rocke whence we may sucke in deed the sweetnes of euerlasting saluatin So shall we O my soule now repenting hartilie our former fowle life being in perfect loue and charitie with all men maruelling with reuerence and feare at these sacred things now touching these holie and fearfull mysteries with our mind receiuing them with the hand of our hart and taking them fullie with our inward man by faith onelie be sure at this holie table euen now presentlie to receiue not onlie the outward Sacrament but the spirituall thing also not the figure but the truth not the shadowe but the bodie and that not to death but to life not to our destruction but to our saluation which God euen our owne God for his mercies sake grant vs now effectuallie to
penitent from the kissing of thy blessed feet And in likewise despise me not nor put me awaie as vnwoorthie from the receiuing of thy bodie in the blessed Sacrament for my sinnes and wickednesse but grant thou me cōpunction of hart plentie of weeping tears to wash awaie my sinnes wickednesse so that with a pure hart and cleane conscience I may this daie receiue the Sacrament to my soules helth that I may obtaine and possesse thereby euerlasting life with all holie Saints in heauens glorie and in this present life with the holie spirit to be replenished and neuer to admit other louer besides thee Grant me blessed Iesu so to receiue the Sacrament of bread and wine that I may be woorthie to bee accounted for a member of thy mysticall bodie heere in earth And though as yet I be not worthie to be numbered among the simplest and lowest of thy seruants but rather to be reiect and out-cast for my sinfulnesse yet good Lord of thine infinite power thou maist make me able equall and like to the meanest of thine elect seruants Come thou Father of the fatherlesse come thou comforter of the comfortlesse come and cleanse my soule from all contagiousnesse of sinne For it is not conuenient and according there to be anie vncleannes where thou the spouse of virginall chastitie shouldest come in and dwell Come therefore and sanctifie my soule and make it cleane by thy gratious presence that no heapes of soile or remnants of sinne be to be found in anie least cranie or corner of thy spirituall house or temple my bodie and soule I meane to offend the celestiall eies of thy diuine Maiestie so shall thy holie hall which is my cleansed soule ring and resound with thy perpetuall praises to thy glorie Come I saie O God and apparell my naked soule with the rich ornaments of thy vertue and grace and with the white raines of thy righteousnesse and innocencie that I may delight thee therein to abide And as thou disdainedst not to touch the sore leapers with thy holie hands so good Lord vouchsafe to annoint my simple soule with the ointment of remission and pardon that in this life by stedfast hope firme faith and perfect charitie I may so increase in vertue from daie to daie that I may atteine to the glorious fruition of thy Godhead in the kingdome of heauen where I may see thee face to face and praise thee with all thine elect and chosen Saints worlds without end Amen Another verie deuout praier before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Most sweet and louing Lord Iesu Christ whom now I deuoutlie and hartilie desire to receiue this daie thou knowest mine infirmities and necessities which I suffer in how manie euils and vices I lie wherewith I am often greeued tempted troubled and vnquieted and defiled Unto thee doo I come for remedie vnto thee doo I earnestlie praie for comfort and helpe I speake vnto thee who knowest all things vnto whom euen all my verie secret thoughts are manifest and who onlie canst perfectlie comfort and helpe me Thou knowest what good things I lacke before all things and how poore and beggerlie I am in vertues Behold I stand before thee requiring grace and mercie Feed and cherish thy hungrie begger kindle my coldnesse with the fire of thy loue lighten my blindnesse with the bright cleerenesse of thy presence turne all earthlie things into bitternesse vnto me all heauie greeuous hard painfull and contrarie things into patience to me Lift vp my hart vnto thee in heauen and suffer me not to wander or go astraie from thee vpon the earth Thou onlie from this time foorth for euermore dooest waxe sweet vnto me because thou onelie art my meate and my drinke my loue my ioie my sweetnesse Oh would to God thou wouldest vouchsafe altogether to enflame burne and euen consume me with thy presence and to change me into thy selfe that I may be made one spirit with them by grace of the inward vnitie and softning of thy feruent loue Suffer me not to depart an hungred nor thirstie from them but worke mercifullie with me as thou hast often heeretofore maruellouslie wrought with thy Saincts What maruell is it if I should be altogether set on fire inflamed with thee and should faile in my selfe and be changed Sith thou art a fire euer burning and neuer failing a loue purifieng the hart and lightening the vnderstanding Behold therefore I wretched sinner not presuming of mine owne merits but trusting onlie of thy mercie and goodnesse am bold to come in trembling and feare vnto this thy table of most sweete deinties O most holie Lord Iesu Christ For I haue an hart and bodie defiled marred and polluted with manie faults and offences a mind and a tongue not chastlie nor warilie kept Therefore O holie Deitie O dredfull Maiestie I wretched caitife in great perplexitie of mind taken vnwares betwene many troublsome straights doo now run againe to thee the fountaine of all mercie Unto thee doo I hasten me to be healed and cured vnder thy protection doo I flie And whome I can not endure as a Iudge I earnestlie desire to haue a Sauiour To thee O Lord doo I open and shew my woundes vnto thee doo I vncouer and detect my shamefastnesse I knowe that my sinnes are great for the which I am sore afraid but I hope and repose my trust in thy great mercies which are infinite surpassing number Turne thine eies of thy mercie towards me O Lord Iesu Christ heauenlie King euerlasting God man crucified for man heare me trusting in thee and haue mercie vpon me full of all miserie and sinne Thou which art the flowing fountaine and vndrainable wel-spring of all mercie and pitie I beseech thee from the bottome of my hart that thou wilt forgiue me all my sinnes and in this life so to purge awaie the rust and filth thereof that in the life to come they may not be imputed vnto me O God of vnspeakable pitie whose power is infinite without whome I can not possiblie resist sinne comfort and helpe me so greatlie that I neuer heereafter anie more commit anie mortall or deadlie sinne and from hencefoorth may ouercome all the temptations of the diuell that I may direct my whole life thoughts words and works altogether vnto thee and that thou maist in the end of my life so preserue and keepe me that Sathan vrge me not with his terrours and feares and so bring me into desperation O flowing fountaine of charitie make my mind free from all the creatures which might drawe me from thy loue and fauour that in thy loue I may profit go forward and preuaile that now verelie and in the end of my life I may worthilie receiue thee and so my soule being powred out of the sacke of my bodie doo thou in mercie bring it vnto the euerlasting palace of thy heauenlie father to see and behold the cleere renowmed glasse of the holie Trinitie Remember thy
with thy presence fill me with thy comfort spirituall deinties Make my faith strong to beleeue thy word and promises that being made holie as thou art holie I may now holilie taste and see how sweet thou art in this life by inchoation and in the life to come perfectlie pleasantlie and perpetuallie enioie thy heauenlie table O our Father giue vs this daie our dailie bread that we may walke in the strength thereof daie and night vntill we come to thy holie hill of Horeb. My sweet Lord let me feed vpon thee My life enter into my soule O sweet loue O louing sweetnesse let my bellie eate thee and my soule be refreshed by thee the heauenlie Bridegrome For thou art the bread and fountaine of life yea all things indeede whereby the righteous liue which loue thee Thee doo I couet loue and woorship with whome I shall dwell reigne and be blessed Upon thee doo I call for my soule which thou preparest to receiue thee through the desire which thou breathest into it Come therefore O purger of sinnes thou which art the curer of wounds the strength of the feeble the comforter of the sorowfull the worship and honour of all them that liue and the onelie health of the dead Come I saie O blessed Trinitie and enter into my soule come I beseech thee and haue mercie vpon me make me meete for thee that thou maist possesse that which thou hast both made and redeemed sanctified and preserued that I may haue thee as a seale vpon my hart Giue me thy selfe O God my God restore thy selfe vnto me for nothing else can suffice thy seruant and mercifullie graunt vnto me according to the multitude of thy great mercies that my basenesse may please thy Maiestie my vilenesse thine almightie power O sweet Christ O Charitie my God dulcet honie snowie milke the foode of Angels make me to growe in thee that I may eate thee with a sauorie taste Make me to ouercome the enimie of my saluation that thou maist vouchsafe to giue me according to thy promise to eate of the tree of life which is in the middest of the Paradise of God and of the Manna that is hid and that I may one daie or other be called vnto the Lambes supper and eate bread at thy table in the kingdome of GOD among the blessed ones O deere God I praie thee let my mind thus kindeled with the loue of thee flie euen till it come to the beautie of thy celestiall house to the throne of thy glorie and there let it be fed at the dining table of the heauenlie citizens in the place of full feeding by the plentifull running streames and pleasant pastures Behold Lord I stand at the doore and knocke I beseech thee by the bowels of thy mercie wherewith thou being the daie-spring from an high hast visited vs open the hand of thy pitie to a wretch that knocketh and vouchsafe mercifullie to bid me enter into thee that I may rest with thee dwell with thee and sup with thee and thou with me and that I may be refreshed to the full of thee which art the liuing sweet white-bread and heauenlie repast wherewith when I am once fed and that my strength is come perfectlie vnto me againe I may ascend vnto the more high things neuer from hencefoorth hunger or thirst anie more so greatlie after vanities So be it When ye are about to receiue the bread lift vp your hart and eies vnto God in heauen and saie O Father I hartilie thanke thee who hast giuen thine onlie begotten son to take vpon him our naturall bodie which bodie was once offered to thee vpon the altar of the crosse for the health welth and saluation of all sinners for whose sake O father I beseech thee to haue mercie vpon me and in remembrance of whose most bitter death and painfull passion with all possible thanks for all thy benefits brieflie comprised therein I now in trembling and feare receiue this holie bread to feed therby in my soule on Christs blessed bodie which was giuen for me and that onelie by faith to mine euerlasting comfort and saluation and thine eternall glorie Amen Or thus O Heauenlie Father and blessed God I render vnto thee most hartie thanks for all thy benefits which thou hast shewed vnto me most wretched sinner but especiallie for that most sweet smelling sacrifice which thine onlie begotten sonne offered vnto thee on the altar of the crosse by giuing his most pure vndefiled bodie vnto the death for the redemption of mankind In remēbrance wherof according to thy welbeloued sonnes ordinance I now receiue this holie bread most intirelie beseeching thee that I may both be partaker of the merits of thy deere sonnes bodie breaking and also lead a life woorthie of so great a benefit vnto the glorie of thy name Amen When you see the wine behold it with your corporall eies For as Christ saith it is wine but lift vp your soule vnto Christ in heauen whose bloud is there alwaie fresh and liuelie before the Father to sprinkle and quicken thee and praie saieng O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of the liuing GOD which being vpon the crosse with thy hands spred abroad for the redemption of all mankind diddest drinke the most bitter cup of thy passion I beseech thee vouchsafe now to drawe the mouth of the soule that thirsteth after thee vnto the high flouds and flowing streames of thine eternall abundance and satietie yea drawe me wholie vnto thy selfe which art the liuing well to the intent I may according to my capacitie drinke of that wherevpon I doo liue O my God my life thou didst saie with thy holie and blessed mouth If anie man thirst let him come vnto me and drinke O well of life grant vnto my thirstie soule alwaie to drinke of thee that according to thy holie and true promise waters of life may flowe out of my bellie O well of life replenish and fill my mind full of the riuer of thy pleasures make my hart to be drunken as it were in thy loue that after the maner of them that be drunken with wine which forget all things saue the cup so I may forget all vaine and earthlie things and continuallie haue nothing else in my remembrance but thee onelie thy bitter death thy painfull passion and pretious bloud-shedding Come I praie thee into my hart and make it drunken with the abundance of thy plentifulnesse so that I may forget all temporall things make me I saie throughlie drunken with thy cup that I may forget euen my selfe and vtterlie renounce all mine owne vngodlinesse sinne O Christ which art the euerlasting suffisance that shalt be giuen to the hungrie and thirstie refresh vs continuallie with the most exquisite and well furnished banket of thy blessed Sacraments and make vs drinke plentiouslie of the holie cup of thy blessed spirit and grace Let the inspiration of thy most sweet spirit succeed like springs of water
vnto thee by repentance and through consideration of this new and eternall couenant touching the remission of sinnes made with vs be erected and vpholden vnto a liuelie and puissant hope O sweet Iesu grant that being fast linked vnto thee by this holy mysterie I may receiue power strength from thee beleeuing thy promises and be wholie addicted therevnto without anie doubting that so my conscience in feare and troubles may haue perfect consolation Suffer me not to be separated from the members of thy bodie which is the Church whereof thou art head fulfilling all in all but graunt that abiding in thy word and kingdome I may be without fault in the foundation and without sinne against my conscience and walke worthie this Sacrament forsaking vtterlie and renouncing the diuell and all idolatrie all vices and carnall desires which fight against the soule For we cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the diuels too Make me also to remember that by this Sacrament I am bound to doo good vnto others For as manie graines of corne doo make one loafe and manie grapes make one wine so being manie yet are we but one loafe and one bodie in asmuch as we all participate of one bread and drinke of one cup. Ioine vs therefore togither O Sauiour of the world at this common banket through the band of loue that we may be fastened vnto thee our head that as thou didst die for vs so we againe may not feare to suffer and to giue our liues for the glorie of thy name that we neuer be separated from thee neither in life nor death Make vs also hartilie to loue one another like the true and liuelie members of thy bodie that if neede require we may giue our liues for our brethren Suffer not concord of minds to be broken For he that receiueth the mysterie of vnitie and keepeth not the bond of peace he doth not receiue the mysterie for himselfe but a testimonie against himselfe Giue grace therefore that leauing aside all wrath fiercenesse maliciousnesse and enuie we may forgiue one another euen as thou forgiuest vs and beare one with another for the better auoiding of strife dissention sectes and pernicious heresies Keepe this thine ordinance and right vse of thy Sacrament amongst vs euermore that this good worke and diuine ceremonie may alwaies be a note and badge of our publike profession whereby we are knowne from pagans and tokens of loue confession and thankefulnesse Remoue awaie all abuses and prophanations of this holie and sacred supper together with the horrible and idolatrous adorations inuented by Sathan and his members to the shamefull deforming of thy godlie goodlie institution but maintaine I humblie beseech thee the true and vnpolluted vse thereof till thy pleasure is to returne in the clouds to iudgement with great power and glorie that it neuer be out of remembrance and last of all at our resurrection from death appoint vs places of thine heauenly table where we may taste the new wine in the kingdome of thy father abiding with thine elect Angels and blessed Saincts for euermore Amen A meditation of the trust which a Christian soule ought to haue in the passion of our Lord Iesu with a thanks-giuing vnto God for the manifold benefits thereof I Might despaire verelie because of my manifold sinnes and negligences without number if it were not that thy word O God was made flesh and dwelt amongst vs. But I can not neither dare I now despaire because that seeing when we were enimies we were reconciled by the death of thy Sonne who being obedient vnto thee to the death yea euen to the shamefull death of the Crosse hath taken awaie the hand-writing of our sinnes and nailing the same to his crosse hath crucified both sinne and death How much more are we now reconciled and saued by him For all the hope certitude and surenesse of all my trust is in his pretious bloud which was shead for vs and for our saluation In him doo I take hartening and by meanes of him who sitteth at the right hand of God and sueth for vs I looke backe with a carelesse eie and now trusting in him in whome I am alreadie risen againe and receiued alreadie mounted vp into heauen and there doo sit among the Angels I haue a desire to come vnto thee not hauing mine owne righteousnesse but that which I haue through the same thy Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ For the which O most mercifull God and most gentle louer of mankind we giue thee thanks who through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when we were lost through our sinnes most maruellouslie didst deliuer and recouer vs againe To thy goodnesse I saie doo I giue thanks and manifold praises doo I shew foorth to thee with all my hart mind which through the vnspeakable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed of thy maruellous goodnesse to loue vs wretches and vnworthie to be beloued didst send the same thine onelie begotten Sonne from thy bosome vnto our Common-weale to saue vs sinners which were at that time the children of perdition and damnation I render vnto thee all possible thanks for his holie incarnation and natiuitie and for the blessed virgin Marie his mother vpon whom he did vouchsafe to take flesh for vs and for our saluation to the intent that like as he is verie God of God so he might be verie man of man I giue thee condigne thanks for his passion and crosse for his death and resurrection for his ascension into heauen and his seate of his Maiestie on thy right hand I giue thee thanks I saie for that most sacred shedding foorth of his pretious bloud wherewith we are redeemed and also for the most holie and quickening sacrifice of his blessed bodie bloud which this daie and dailie in thy Church we feed of and drinke of wherewith also we are washed cleansed and sanctified are made partakers of the onelie high diuinitie Finallie I giue thee thanks for the maruellous and vnspeakable charitie and loue wherewith thou didst loue vs vnwoorthie persons and didst saue vs by thine onelie and beloued sonne For so thou didst loue the world that thou gauest thine onlie begotten sonne to the intent that none which trulie beleeue in him shuld perish but haue euerlasting life And this thing verilie is euerlasting life to knowe thee and also Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent to be verie God by an vpright faith and works woorthie for such a faith Wherefore with all my hart and mouth I doo confesse praise and blesse thee O God the father vnbegotten and thee O God the sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost and comforter To thee O blessed trinitie be all glorie and praise thanks togither with all power dominion and might in the world of worlds for euer Amen A meditation to be vsed after the receiuing of the holie Communion to stirre vs vp through the
and to the end for thine owne glorie sake And wee beseech thee O Lord to heale not onlie our heads and limmes but also our harts and soules that we may both in the lawfull keeping of thy Sabboth and all other thy commandements be obedient vnto thee the Lord of the Sabboth And as thou hast taught vs the right keeping of the Sabboth to stand chieflie in dooing of good one vnto another giue vs grace continuallie to keepe this Sabboth inuiolable and vnprophaned that we may onlie doo those things which are holie and acceptable vnto thee and may ceasse from all our lewd works and waies And especiallie O Lord grant that we may auoid carefullie the first step of the ladder that leadeth to that horrible sinne of blasphemie which is not to be forgiuen neither in this world nor in the world to come Amen Ghostlie Meditations with the which it is meete for vs Christians to occupie our selues once in the daie or at the least for those whose leasure will not serue once in the weeke and that euerie Sundaie and holie daie which the Author found in an old and ancient written copie for the excellent matter therin conteind hath thought it good now to publish it to the glorie of God and profit of his Church FIrst let vs call to our memorie the bountifull goodnesse of almightie GOD extended towards vs in the creation of the firmament the earth the sea and all that therein is conteined which he hath made for our onelie comfort and the seruice of vs. And let vs here with also consider the greatnesse and omnipotencie of his power which was able with his word onlie of nothing to make althings those so wonderfull works that they are not able to be comprehended within the compasse of mans reason Call we also to mind the vnsearchablenesse of his diuine wisedome through which in so goodlie order continuallie he both can doth conserue all those things and lastlie let vs not forget his incomparable loue towards vs who of his onlie meere goodnesse without anie part of ablenesse of our deserts hath prouided all these things for our vse and not onlie that but hath moreouer made vs of capacitie and vnderstanding to discusse and knowe how to vse the same for the seruing of our necessities as the diuersitie of times and occasion requireth Let vs not therefore shew our selues vnto him vnthankfull Nextlie let vs call to mind from how sundrie perils as well ghostle as bodilie he hath and dooth from time to time preserue vs namelie from perils on the land perils by water perils of fire perils through sicknes from imprisonment from open shame from slanders from extreme beggerie from famine from pestilence and other horrible diseases from sudden and shamefull death and sundrie other mischiefes which we may vnderstand to haue happened and dailie doo perceiue to happen vnto others which should in like sort haue happened vnto vs if through his mercifull goodnesse we had not beene therefrom preserued and herewith let vs also call vnto mind our health our wealth and all other Gods good gifts which he hath lent vnto vs and render vnto him most humble thanks therefore Also let vs thinke how he hath made vs of no vile sort nor condition but euen vnto his owne likenesse indued with the most pretious gifts of reason vnderstanding memorie and will which noble gifts he hath giuen vs to the intent we should with these honour him accordinglie which if we doo not but doo abuse the same to worldlie vaine and fantasticall delights we may then assure our selues not onelie to make a straight account thereof but also to be most greeuouslie punished therefore Moreouer let vs call to mind how mercifull and like a most louing Maister and Sauior Christ the Sonne of God and second person in Trinitie Lord and king ouer all rule and power descended downe from the bosome of his Father and from his heauenlie throne into this miserable world and here tooke vpon him our fraile flesh suffering in the same by the space of three and thirtie yeeres hunger thirst cold watch pouertie euil report hatred disdaine slanders rebukes checks taunts scornes buffets binding beating whipping wrongfull accusation false condemnation yea and at the last most vile spitefull cruell and shamefull death and that innocentlie and giltlesse thereby to deliuer vs from our gilt and the eternall death which all we by the transgression of our first parent Adam had most iustlie deserued And herewith let vs also thinke what reproch shame it is to vs to repine or grudge to suffer the like for his sake sith he being both our Lord and Maister of the singular loue he did beare vnto vs hath suffered all those for our sakes should not we then being but seruants or rather vile slaues in respect of him disdaine or repine at that which he not onelie our Maister but King ouer all kings hath not disdained to suffer Also let vs consider how that by the merits of his most bitter passion and his grace giuen vnto vs in the Sacrament of baptisme he hath forgiuen vs cleerelie clensed vs and vtterlie discharged vs of all our former sinnes Herevpon let vs call to mind how oft since that time we haue offended him by falling againe into deadlie sinne therewith let vs call to remembrance the particularitie of our offences the greeuousnesse of the same how long we haue continued in them without repentance taken for them and then let vs weigh the abundance of his great mercie first how gratiouslie he hath abidden the time of our repentance how readie he hath beene to forgiue vs vpon due repentance taken and perfect confession without dissimulation made thereof vnto him Remember we also how lewdlie how wickedlie and how sinfullie we haue bestowed the short time which God hath here in this world lent vnto vs to fight and warre continuallie against our most mortall aduersaries the world the flesh and the diuell which trauell without ceassing to worke our euerlasting destruction and to bring vs to euerlasting death and to beereue vs from the life eternall ioies endlesse Thinke we also if God of his great mercie had not gratiouslie spared vs life vntill we had repented that wickednes in what wretched condition and most extreme torments of hell paines had we beene in now and so should haue continued for euer world without end But how deere then should those short pleasures and vaine delights of the flesh haue beene vnto vs Let vs also call to mind the houre of death the vncerteintie of the time thereof and that we knowe not when where or in what maner it shall be but like as we are most certeine we can not escape it so are wee as sure if we happen then to depart this life in deadlie sinne that we shall then not onelie die the bodilie death but also the spirituall death which is eternall death both of bodie and soule Let vs therefore
by thine owne name and sealed me with thy blood that the remembrance of thee should be euermore with me and that he should neuer depart from my hart who for my sake shunned not the crosse Thou hast annointed me with the oile wherewith thou thy selfe wert annointed that I might be called a Christian after thy name Christ Behold thou hast registred me vpon thine hands to the end that the remembrance of mee might be alwaies present with thee yet notwithstanding so as if the remembrance of thee be alwaies present with me Thus then haue thy loue thy grace and mercie alwaies preuented me For thou hast oftentimes deliuered me from manie and great perils O my deliuerer When I went astraie thou broughtest mee backe againe when I was ignorant thou taughtest mee when I sinned thou diddest chastise me when I haue beene in heauines thou hast cheered me when I haue beene in despaire thou hast recomforted me when I haue beene fallen thou hast lifted me vp when I haue stood thou hast vpholden me when I haue gone thou hast guided me when I haue come thou hast receiued me when I haue slept thou hast watched me and when I haue cried vnto thee thou hast heard me O Lord where shall I haue words to vtter the signes of thy singular loue toward me considering thine innumerable benefits wherin thou hast brought me vp from the beginning Namelie euen from the benefit of the creation when at the first beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine owne image in honouring and aduancing me among the creatures which thou madest and innobling me with the light of thy countenance which thou imprintedst vpon the lampe of my hart thereby disseuering me as well from sensible as from senselesse creatures and abasing mee but little beneath the Angels And yet was all this but a small matter in the sight of thy Godhead For without ceassng thou hast dailie nourished this vnprofitable woorme which stinketh with sinne with all the singular and exceeding great store of thy good gifts and benefits and thou hast as it were suckled and strengthened me thy little tender babe with the teates of thy comfort For to the intent that I should wholie serue thee thou hast appointed all thy creatures to serue me These and manie other good turnes hast thou done vnto me O Lord my God the life of my soule for all which I render vnto thee againe most humble and hartie thanks-giuing beseeching thee O Lord that it may be a pleasure to me wretch that I am to be alwaies talking of them alwaies thinking vpon them and alwaies giuing thee thanks for them O my God shew me I saie how much I am bound to loue thee make it appeare to me how much I ought to please thee Open me the doore of thy light that I may enter in and both knowe acknowledge vnto thee with my whole hart that thy mercie is great toward mee and that thou hast deliuered my hart from the bottome of hell so as I might euer praise thee for all thy good gifts and loue thee with all my hart and with all my soule and with all my mind and with all my strength yea and that with the verie bowels and intrailes of my hart and of all my sinewes O Lord my God the blessed sweetnesse of all that delight in thee whose name is woonderfull and praise woorthie through heauen and earth So be it Another forme of thanks-giuing vnto God for all his benefits and praier for grace to confirme and increase the same O Most highest almightie and eternall God whose glorie replenisheth heauen and earth If thy holie and celestiall powers doo neuer cease in lauding thy most holie Maiestie how should we cease earthlie and lowlie seruants which are redeemed with the pretious bloud of thy onelie sonne And for as much as thy louing kindnesse and fauour in especiallie worketh towards vs we also ought continuallie to giue thanks for thy great goodnesse but haue mercie O mercifull father For the necessitie of this life dooth not suffer vs to thanke thee continuallie Wherefore though not continuallie as I ought I worship thee my maker with trembling feare I giue thee thanks for all thy benefits that when I was nothing thou madest mee gauest me a liuing soule quickened with thy holie spirit formed mee with thine owne image that it might be able to receiue thee which art the high God By thy prouidence thou hast brought me to those things that are expedient for me giuen to me knowledge and true faith in thee and planted a godlie mind in me and instructed me in the mysteries of thy holie word Sacraments But oh Lord how dare I recite thy benefits by number seeing thy louing kindnesse is an vnsearchable bottomlesse sea and an innumerable For I can not so soone giue thanks for thy benefits shewed of old as new haue euen ouerwhelmed me Oh Lord how great a benefit is this that I may to thee giue thanks For what fellowship hath vnrighteousnesse with righteousnesse What partaking darkenesse with light What agreement filthinesse with puritie Follie with wisedome Mortalitie with thee that art immortall Oh my vilenesse Oh thy goodnesse Yea though the spirit were readie yet is the flesh fraile but thou O Lord if thou wilt canst make me strong And so O most mercifull father vouchsafe that I may euer giue thanks and laud to thee For what good gift did I euer desire of thee but thou first willedst it to me Who better knoweth what is good for me than thou And because I need a mediator accept thine innocent Sonne Iesus Christ with his crosse and passion bloud-shed death and resurrection for me I haue not this deserued but thou father of thy mercie and truth hast by the same thy deerelie beloued Sonne promised and giuen vs thy mercie and fauour Open therefore O my mercifull Father for this thy deerelie beloued Sonnes sake euen this daie thy woonted hand of mercie and fulfill my mind and hart with a good will and let thy right hand defend me And if my sinnes which I acknowledge to be great and innumerable therefore I repent and am hartilie sorie doo let thy goodnesse O father wipe them awaie for this is thy glorie to forgiue sinnes and therefore no flesh may reioice before thee for thou Lord onlie art pure and without sinne Haue mercie vpon me thy bondseruant and vppon all people and O father bring them vnto the knowledge of thee that art onlie God and of Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent the onlie sauiour and redeemer mediator and aduocate for vs and after this present life bring vs to eternall blisse and felicitie by the deere merits of thy Sonne Iesus Christ For thine is the power kingdome and glorie for euer Amen Another to the same effect HOnour and praise be giuen to thee O Lord God almightie most deere father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath
pleased thy gratious goodnesse freelie of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks be giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifieng vs with thy holie spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessitie for sauing vs from all dangers of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in all our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we acknowledge to haue receiued of thine onlie goodnesse euen so we beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake to grant vs alwaie thy holie spirit whereby we may continuallie growe in thankefulnesse towards thee be led into all truth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towards thee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere father to receiue thy word anie more in vaine but grant vs alwaie the assistance of thy grace and holie spirit that in hart word and deede we may sanctifie and doo woorship to thy holie name that we may help to amplifie thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may bee hartilie well content with thy good will and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O father without the which we can not serue thee but blesse thou so all the works of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to be chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be merciful O Lord vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our Captaine and defender in all temptations Hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from all inconuenience and end our liues in the sanctifieng and honouring of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ On the seuenteenth daie of Nouember commonlie called The Queenes daie Sundrie formes of Christian praiers and thanks-giuings vnto God for the preseruation of the most vertuous Ladie Elizabeth our most deare and dread souereigne Quéene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. verie necessarie to be vsed as generallie of all faithfull subiects continuallie so especiallie of the Mother and hir Daughter vpon the seuentéenth daie of Nouember and euerie Sabboth and holie daie in honourable remembrance of that ioifull Sabboth rest and peace from carefull mourning which that memorable seuententh daie brought to vs the banished exiles of England and persecuted members of Christ by the most happie entrance of hir most roiall and excellent Maiestie into this hir Emperiall Crowne and kingdome A Psalme Mother COme O all you that feare God come hither I praie you and giue eare a while and reherse with me y e great benefits that he the Lord hath bestowed vpon vs. Daughter For lo when the most mightie men gathered their power against vs and laie in wait for our life they conspired togither to worke our destruction as though the Lord had determined the same and exhorted one another saieng God hath forsaken them therefore persecute them now flieng awaie and take them being destitute of all helpe Moth. These men our aduersaries I saie wheresoeuer we remoued or went by sea or by land laie in wait most diligentlie for vs yea multitudes of the cruell enimies did not ceasse craftilie to enuiron and beset vs round about and ran vpon vs with gaping mouthes like raging and roring lions of malicious minds to bring vs to extremitie and to deuoure vs. Daugh. For thy sake O Lord alone were we killed euerie daie neither were we in anie better condition than sheepe appointed of butchers to the slaughter Moth. Manie of vs wandered in the waste wildernesse and sought strange cities commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst ouerwhelmed with the shadowe of death and being cast downe by the burthen of our miseries laie downe flat cleauing to the earth Daugh. The bands of death compassed vs round about and bound vs most wicked men like most raging flouds made vs afraid enuironing vs round about Moth. We were snared and cast fast bound with chaines into most darke dungeons yea we tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water Daugh. Then we called vpon the Lord in these extremities We called vpon the Lord I saie and he heard our voice out of his high palace and receiuing into his eares the crie that we made vnto him he deliuered vs from our miseries and distresse Moth. He gathered vs home which were scattered from the East the West from the North South and brought vs from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking the fetters and giues of iron in peeces Daugh. The Lord hath deliuered our life from death he staid the teares of our eies and established our feet that they did not fall he hath brought vs out of our distresse Hence haue we our light whereby he causeth vs to shine and hath driuen awaie our darkenesse Moth. Therfore will we praise thee O Lord among the nations and will sing lauds vnto thy Maiestie yea we will declare thy power and will shew foorth thy praise and mercie earlie in the morning because thou hast defended vs and wast our refuge in extreme dangers Daugh. Oh acknowledge and declare ye openlie that the Lord is good for his bountious goodnesse is for euer Let all the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confesse that his louing kindnesse is perpetuall Praise ye the Lord. Moth. Glorie be to the Father and to the c. Daug. As it was in the beginning is now c. ¶ The Versicles Mother O Lord shew thy great mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Daughter And grant thine euerlasting helth and saluation vnto vs. Moth. O Lord saue Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernor Daugh. Which putteth hir onlie confidence in thee O God hir tower Moth. Oh send hir still continuall helpe from thy most holie place Daugh. And euermore from dangers all defend thou hir most roiall Grace Moth. O let not the infernall fo haue anie aduantage of hir Daugh. Nor let the wicked enimie once approch to hurt hir Moth. Indue hir ministers alwaie with righteousnesse and equitie Daugh. And make thou thy chosen seruants full ioifullie to praise thee Moth. O Lord saue thy people from all perils and dow them with thy gifts Daugh. And blesse thou thine inheritance with all thy bountious benefits Moth. In our time O Lord giue vs thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding Daugh. Bicause none other God dooth fight for vs but onelie thou our King Moth. O soften thou our hardened
harts and clense our filthie soules from sinne Daugh. And by thy spirit and gifts of grace make vs a holie life for to beginne The praier Mother O Lord GOD most mercifull father who as vpon this daie placing thy seruant our most deer Souereigne and most gratious Queene Elizabeth in the Empire of this kingdome diddest deliuer thy people of England from danger of war and oppression both of bodies by tyrannie of conscience by superstition restoring peace and true religion with libertie both of bodies and minds and hast continued the same thy blessings without all desert on our part now by the space of these foure and twentie yeeres We who are in memorie of these thy great benefits assembled here togither most humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to grant vs grace that we may in word deed and hart shew our selues thankfull and obedient vnto thee for the same and that Elizabeth our vertuous Queene through thy grace may in all honour goodnesse and godlinesse long and manie yeeres liue and reigne ouer vs and we obeie and enioie hir Maiestie with the continuance of thy great blessings which thou hitherto hast by hir thy blessed minister powred vpon vs hir people This we beseech thee to grant vnto vs for thy deere Son Iesus Christs sake our Lord and Sauiour Daughter Amen Or else saie thus WE yeeld vnto thee most mightie and mercifull father immortall thanks for that it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie and fatherlie bountie after the stormes of so manie troublesome times to conduct vs as vpon this daie out of banishment and exile into the comfortable port of tranquillitie by the hand of thy most gratious seruant and our deere Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth When we were as sheepe wandering astraie in the wildernesse thou ordeinedst hir Maiestie to bee our shepheard to gather vs againe into thy sheepefold When we had beene long tossed hither thither with the outrage and cruell furie of tyrannicall persecution like a poore weather-beaten barke that hath beene continuallie tormoiled and tossed on the perilous surges of the outragious and swelling seas finding no sure rode nor harborough wherein to rest but continuallie in danger either to sinke into the sands or to be ouerwhelmed with waues or violentlie to be dashed in peeces against the maine rocks Euen then I saie when we despaired vtterlie of safegard standing stil in feare of the hazard of euerlasting confusion thou cōmittedst the helme to be guided by hir Graces wisedome who at last conducted vs into the hauen of this long desired peace and tranquillitie Therefore whereas thou hast placed hir in the regal throne to be our Dauid our Iosias our Samuel yea to be our shepheard and ring-leader in the waie of true holinesse and sincere religion Inspire hir mind with the manifold blessings of thy grace that she may walke all the daies of hir life in the path of thy commandements and happilie discharge hir dutie in that stewardship and dispensation which thou hast committed to hir Maiesties hands Inflame hir mind more and more with the loue of thy holie Gospell that all hir deeds thoughts and practises may tend to the propagation and planting of thy word and Christian religion in these hir Maiesties dominions Incline the motions of hir vertuous disposition aboue all things to seeke thine honour and glorie to sowe the seeds of the Catholike faith abundantlie in all places to cut off the brood of superstition and idolatrie to constitute true preachers of thy word and stablish euerie where thine holie Gospell and true religion Preserue hir most mercifull Father as hitherto thou hast most miraculouslie done from the diuelish deuises and practises of hir enimies that she may haue a long and happie reigne among vs to the aduancement of thy glorie and ioie and comfort of all vs hir subiects Let hir naturall disposition continue to hir foes terrible to hir subiects amiable to hir offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull indifferent to all men and in all respects parciall in no point neither in causes ecclesiasticall nor yet in matters concerning politike gouernement Assist hir most mercifull Father with the might of thy heauenlie spirit to quaile the pride of the triple-headed Romish Cerberus to banish his beggerlie ceremonies to abridge the terme of his reigne and finallie to cut off and preuent the seeds that continuallie striue to spring vp from abhominable superstition and idolatrie Grant hir grace most mercifull Father to run the remnant of hir race in the right path of thy commandements declining neither to the right hand nor to the left but so vsing all times thy heauenlie word as the rule and compasse to direct hir course Preserue hir Grace most mercifull Father in continuall health of bodie and quietnesse of mind that she may be alwaies able to rule the bridle of hir high charge and to execute right and iustice to all sorts and degrees to the aduancement of thy glorie and the vniuersall commoditie of hir Maiesties subiects And finallie grant O most mercifull Father that when it shall please thee to end the terme of hir daies in this world thou wilt make hir partaker of the celestiall ioies which are prepared for them that feare and loue thee since the foundation of the world Grant this most mercifull Father for thy deere Sonne our Lord Iesus Christs sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost three persons one God be all glorie honour and praise world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing and praier vnto God for the preseruation of the Queenes Maiestie and the Realme ALmightie God and most mercifull Father which in thy great mercies hast both giuen vnto vs a peaceable Prince and gratious Queene and also haft hitherto verie often and miraculouslie saued hir from sundrie great perils and imminent dangers and by hir mercifull vnbloudie and gratious gouernement hast preserued vs and the whole Realme from manifold mischiefs and dreadfull plagues wherewith nations round about vs haue beene and yet be most greeuouslie afflicted haue mercie vpon them O Lord and grant vs grace we beseech thee for these thy great benefits that wee may be hartilie thankfull and obedient vnto thee to flie from all things that may offend thee and prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs and to order our liues in all things that may please thee that thy seruant our Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth and we thy people committed to hir charge may by thy protection be continuallie preserued from all treacherous deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils both bodilie and ghostlie and by thy goodnesse may be maintained in all peace and godlinesse Grant this O mercifull Father for thy deere sonnes sake our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another meditation to be vsed especiallie vpon the 17. daie of Nouember wherein the godlie English giueth thanks to God for the
crosse whereon his glorious bodie was broken and his pretious bloud shead a sufficient ransome a full satisfaction a iust recompense of thy iustice and lawe for all them that beleeue and embrace thy Gospell and sacred truth But O Lord our good God be mercifull vnto vs who by our infirmitie through the fall of this lordlie man our great grandfather Adam can not now liue in anie peaceable or good condition and state without Magistrates and Kings to rule and gouerne vs. We therefore most humblie and hartilie beseech thy diuine Maiestie for the loue of thine onlie Sonne Iesus Christ to looke downe with thy fatherlie compassion vpon thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and dread souereigne Graffe in hir roiall hart by the working of thy holie spirit thy manifold good gifts and benefits as wisdome grace perseuerance in thy truth increase of faith and affiance in thee Defend hir O Lord with thy mightie hand and outstretched arme graunt vnto hir a most honourable long and prosperous reigne ouer vs. Moreouer O Lord if the seruice of golden vessels in thy Temple at Ierusalem were acceptable vnto thee vouchsafe this thy seruant to be esteemed in thy sight as a most honourable ornament in the new Ierusalem not built with monie by the labour of the seruants of the first Salomon but bought with the pretious bloud of the second Salomon thy Sonne our Sauiour Behold hir and make hir to be O Lord as the pretious stone or signet of thine owne hand as the apple of thine eie as the white lillie and sweet rose of the inclosed garden and as the deere doue of thy delights for thy truth sake to the enimies whereof make hir name most dreadfull and to the Church wheresoeuer dispersed most acceptable and ioifull Confound and put to shame O Lord all those that with or procure anie euill to hir roiall person and heroicall virginitie or diminution of hir kingdomes and imperiall dignitie ouer them And when for the multitude of our sinnes O Lord thou wilt punish vs with the wind of thy displeasure by taking from vs this our fragrant and sweet smelling flower which we beseech thee for thine own name sake long to defer then O Lord plant hir in the garden and paradise of thy presence where she may growe and dwell in felicitie incomparable which the eie hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither euer came it into the vnderstanding of man those ioies which thou hast prepared for hir and all thine elect Moreouer O Lord grant thy heauenlie wisedome and grace vnto all vs hir subiects that we may aduisedlie consider and dutifullie call to our remembrance the manifold blessings that we so long time haue enioied and doo presentlie possesse through thy mercie by hir ministerie authoritie and the execution of hir kinglie office vnder the which we doo not onlie reape and peaceablie enioie the fruits of our labours and other corporall commodities but also that which is more woorth than all this euen the freedome and libertie of conscience the preaching and hearing of thy most holie word and the administration and receiuing of thy holie Sacraments For all which and manie other thy blessings O Lord worke in vs thy grace to yeeld vnto thy diuine Maiestie all possible and continuall praises and thanksgiuing that it be not said vnto vs Are there not ten cleansed or Is not England preserued from all tyrannie enioie all these benefits But where are now their returning to giue thanks Quicken our memories therefore O Lord that we neuer be forgetfull of thy great goodnesse towards vs and make vs more and more for thy sake reuerentlie to feare hir dutifullie to obeie hir and faithfullie to loue honor and serue hir as our naturall louing prince and mother and as the meane by whome we receiue all these thy good blessings that hir Maiestie perceiuing our diligence and readinesse to obeie and serue hir may be the oftener put in mind to feare honor loue serue obeie thy diuine and incomparable Maiestie Furthermore inspire hir roiall hart O Lord with thy diuine grace that as she hath begun to set foorth and mainteine thy sacred truth so she may zealouslie and boldlie increase perseuere continue in the same whereby the filthinesse and nakednesse of Antichrist may be more and more reuealed superstition more and more abolished remoued and that old lieng serpent roring Lion sathan our ancient enimie may be more and more restrained kept backe from his malicious purpose in seeking to deuour and draw vs all in ignorance securitie Grant all this O Lord to our great comfort hir honor and immortall fame yea to the discharging of hir owne conscience kinglie dutie and euermore reward crowne these thine owne good gifts in hir O Lord not for the worke sake but for Iesus Christs sake And when thou shalt to our great sorowe and losse but to hir great ioie and profit take hir from vs crowne hir O most mercifull God with a crowne of euerlasting glorie and giue hir the full possession of that eternall kingdome purchased by the blood of that immaculate Lambe thine onlie Sonne our Sauiour and Redeemer Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one immortall and euerlasting God be all honour dominion praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Another praier for the Queenes Maiestie and for the state present and to come in our posteritie O Most gratious Lord GOD and King almightie iust euerlasting vpon whose wil dependeth the rule staie and direction of althings both in heauen and in earth giuing men power and dominion ouer the people and nations of the world to whom being obedient to thy most holie will and commandements thou giuest wise careful industrious vertuous happie and prosperous kings princes rulers and magistrates to rule and to gouerne to the peace blessing comfort and wealth of the same but the vnrighteous people lasciuious contemptuous idolatrous superstitious blasphemous and rebellious against thy word and Maiestie shall be deliuered ouer to the hands and tuition of foolish idle dissolute negligent and vnfortunate princes rulers and gouernours by whose brutish disorder loosenesse and follie the state beautie strength and bonds of peace iustice loue and gouernement shall be neglected broken disturbed spoiled and by intestine hatred and discords or else by forren vanquishments and discomfitures destroied whereby both land and people are left a praie to the inuasion spoile and rauine of the greedie and victorious destroier who in his mercilesse rage executeth the plagues of thy iust wrath O Lord so that man woman child beast foule nor fish scapeth the stripes thereof Their countries townes cities and dwellings burnt spoiled rent torne and made waste iustice lawe discipline nurture ciuill fellowship honest arts and exercises religion knowledge and feare of thee scorned banished and persecuted and the land being filled with abhomination beastlie tyrannie slaughter bloud robberie theeuerie
rapine and murder the people killed strangled starued spoiled and mocked bound and caried awaie to be sold as beasts in the market to seruitude and slauerie there to consume their daies in miserable thrall and sorows the kingdome and inheritance transported to the possession of the destroier who raised vp in thy wrath and armed with the power of thy displeasure ministreth due punishment for the sinne and disobedience of ech reuolting nation that falleth away from thee and will not be reconciled to grace witnesse of all the states empires kingdoms tongues nations peoples and kindreds of the earth from the beginning of the world to this daie but in these latter daies speciallie of the Iewes Aegyptians Armenians Graecians Italians Hungarians Polonians and others whose seruile thrall and calamities ought neuer to be out of our remembrance which should mooue vs continuallie to behold the blessing of thy loue and the heauie sorrowes of thy displeasure Wherefore in the abundance of thy mercies and louing kindnesse and for loue of thy deere Sonne whom through the gift of thy grace we professe in the truth of his Gospell we beseech thee O mercifull Father fauourablie to looke vpon this Realme and people of England Turne not awaie thy face O Lord take not thy grace and holie spirit from vs let vs still enioie the blisse and comfort of thy louing countenance keepe vs in thy waie and couer vs vnder the shadowe of thy wings suffer vs not to be taken from thee make vs to followe and to put our whole trust and confidence in thee then shall we be safe Thy mightie hand O God giueth the victorie and in the power of thy fauour shall the enimie be vanquished and his strength brought to nothing Safe is the citie where thou O Lord art the watch-man but who so standeth out of thy tuition he is a readie praie vnto y e destroier therefore go not farre from vs O God For thine elect sake were the heauens and the earth with all their implements formed made of nothing for their preseruation maintenance was rule gouernment deuised and stablished And for their sakes are empires kingdoms countries and nations preserued saued and blessed and for iniurie and ignominie done to them and to thy truth and holie name are they changed plaged subuerted and destroied Great is thy mercie compassion O Lord long suffering ready to forgiue behold vs O Father and haue mercie vpon vs remember not our iniquities nor the iniquities of our forefathers take not iust vengeance of our sinnes neither reward thou vs after our deserts Spare vs good Lord spare vs and for thy sweet Sonnes sake Christ Iesus our Sauiour haue mercie vpon vs. Yea Lord haue mercie vpon vs and vpon our posteritie holding continuallie thy holie hand ouer vs and blesse vs. Increase our faith make our children childers childrē obedient to thy word and through holie conuersation in thy Sonne our redeemer make vs and them acceptable vnto thy selfe O GOD that being sanctified in faith and loue toward thy heauenlie will and Maiestie we and they may be deliuered from thy wrathfull displeasure for euermore Powre foorth abundance of thy grace and blessing vpon our Queene that in the fulnesse of thy gratious fauour she may haue long life in health and happie daies aided with faithfull vertuous prudent counsellers and ministers to doo all things to the nourishing and maintenance of true religion and vertue Increase the light of thy Gospell the number of faithfull and godlie preachers and ministers of thy word whose industrie and labour by the peace and tranquillitie of thy Church may largelie augment the number of thy Saints to the glorie of thy name and to the ioie and blessing of the land and people For the preseruation and continuance whereof in the bowels of thy fatherlie care and fauor remember vs O louing God Leaue neither vs nor our posteritie headlesse neither put vs ouer to the yoke of a strange nor irreligious Prince but after the blisse-full daies of this thy gratious handmaid our Queene whom O Father let it please thee to reserue in happie and ioifull state to the end giue peace and concord to thy people with a vertuous wise godlie and fortunate Prince whose constant zeale care industrie and endeuour towards the cherishing and aduancement of thy truth and glorie may purchase thy fatherlie loue and furtherance to fill the land and people with all maner of blessings as thy heauenlie wisedome knoweth necessarie where beautified with vertue and godlinesse it shall prosper and triumph in continuall peace and victorie giuing honor and gladsome thanks to thy glorious Maiestie that with thy deere Sonne our Lord and Sauiour and with the holie Ghost reignest in vnitie of power glorie and dominion praised for euer and euer Amen Another verie godlie praier meete to be said of all true subiects in time of anie priuie conspiracie or open rebellion for our gratious Souereigne Queene Elizabeth and for the present state O Almightie God King of kings Lord of lords the onelie God and gouernour of all things thou art he by whom alone kings doo reigne Thou most high bearest the rule ouer the kingdoms of men Thou in Christ thine onelie Sonne being the most gratious Father of thy chosen Church doost for the comfortable nourishing of it dispose the roiall state among men Through this thy grace it is come to passe that we the English nation now a portion of the same thy Church doo enioie the gouernement of Elizabeth our Queene whom thou hast against all practises of thine and hir aduersaris deliuered out of perils and by thy mightie hand brought to reigne ouer vs. Mercifullie guiding hir thou hast made hir to vs a mother to thine afflicted flocke a nurse in that benefit which we haue in libertie in true religion and common peace maruelouslie protecting hir thou hast kept hir to defend vs to vse and hold this benefit quietlie And euen now in thy mightie maruelous mercie thou hast discouered the practises of such craftie cruell enimies as purposed to spoile hir of vs vs of hir and both hir and vs of thy religion and of peace determining to deliuer vs ouer to the tyrannie of that shamelesse man of Rome and the bloudie sword In which purpose of mischiefe if thou haddest permitted them to preuaile we had suffered for our sinnes at thy hand O Lord most iustlie but at their hands most vnnaturallie and vniustlie For we doo offend thy Maiestie manie waies we offend not them anie waies yet such is their wickednesse that they will hate vs onelie bicause we in truth doo professe to serue thee For this cause they conspire against thee O God like hypocrites against our Queene like traitours against our Commonwelth and countrie like spoilers against vs euen as Cain did against Abel But thy great goodnesse hath deuised better for vs than they doo Thou hast spared vs whom they would haue spoiled
sakes but for thy name sake and through the merits of Iesus Christ our onlie guide and chiefe shepheard who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost now and euer Daughter Amen For all Vniuersities and Schooles Mother BLesse thou therefore O Lord with the dew of thy spirit all Uniuersities and Schooles that sith it hath pleased thee that from them as by thine appointed meanes we should haue our preachers and teachers they may be there instructed in all godly knowledge and learning and be made fit to walke woorthilie in their vocation at what time soeuer it shall please thee to call them forth Grant we besech thee that as they ought to be lights and nursses vnto their countries euen so they may giue vnto them a godlie and perfect life and nourish them vp in good and sound doctrine to thy glorie our comfort and the discharge of their duties And for bicause that now a daies charitie waxeth cold and the number of couetous worldlings is much increased which seeke rather to keepe backe their liuings and to plucke awaie from them rather than to bestowe anie thing to the maintenance of their studie blesse thou them therfore with all things sufficient to the seruice of thee and increase of good learning that the lacke thereof be no hinderance to the building of thy house and to the setting foorth of thine honour and glorie And remooue from among vs most mercifull Father whatsoeuer is occasion of let or hinderance vnto all those that couet knowledge to the sanctifieng of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen For the good estate of this Realme Mother BEcause also thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee in the daie of troble promising that thou wilt heare our praiers we therefore humblie beseech thee to be fauourable vnto this our Realme and not to visit our offences so sharpelie neither to giue vs to drinke of so bitter a cup as vnto our iudgement it seemeth thou hast prepared for vs. What are we O Lord that wee may abide the force of thy iudgments We denie not but that we haue most woorthilie deserued whatsoeuer punishment thou hast euer hertofore powred forth vpon anie other nation But sith thy name is now called on among vs sith we make no account of anie helpe but onlie in thee sith we acknowledge our offences and humblie desire pardon for the same in Iesus Christ O let not thy iust iudgements laie hold vpon vs if it be expedient for vs and more to thy honour and glorie that we taste of thy mercie Thou hast hitherto dealt exceeding mercifullie with vs thou hast planted among vs a goodlie vineyard and that of the best plants thou hast walled it round about and watered it plentifullie with the dew of thy blessing in so much that thou couldest haue done no more for vs than thou hast done neither hast thou dealt so with other nations But we alas wretched sinners contrarie to the deserts of this thy louing kindnesse haue brought foorth wild grapes which thou hatest in steed of good and sweet grapes which thou lookest for Wee haue taken thy word into our mouthes but we haue hated to be reformed thereby yea we haue vtterlie despised thy holie word and had the preachers thereof in derision and so haue we made open the readie waie vnto all our damnable works blasphemie idolatrie murther adulterie pride couetousnesse disobedience sensualitie vnmercifulnesse oppressions slanders vnthankfulnesse whatsoeuer else our corrupt natures casting aside grace and discipline is woont to bring foorth And whilest we did all these things thou heldest thy peace and winkedst thereat therefore did we foolishlie imagine that thou art like vnto vs and delighted with sinne as we are And thus haue we in all our works prouoked thy diuine Maiestie to greeuous displeasure against vs. But now O holie God seeing that by thy long sufferance thou hast so mercifullie striken our hard harts with secret consideration of our miserable estate we beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to giue vs likewise a repentant hart sorowfull for all our former misdeeds that thereby we may also attaine to the promises which thou hast annexed therevnto namelie that thou breake not downe the wall of this thy vineyard that thou suffer it not to be eaten vp or troden downe that thou laie it not waste so that briers and thorns growe vp therein And that thou command not the clouds not to raine vpon it neither that thou turne our roote into rottennesse neither yet that thou make our buds to rise vp like dust bicause we haue cast off thy lawe O Lord God of hosts and contemned thy word O holie one of Israel O make vs not a byword vnto our neighbours and a scorne vnto those that dwell about vs but rather grant we beseech thee that hencefoorth we may hartilie repent and walke before thee in newnesse of life to thy honor and glorie to the example of our neighbours to the conuersion or confusion of our enimies and to our euerlasting comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen A praier for repentance Mother ALthough our infirmities doo euidentlie appeare and by diuers waies shew foorth themselues vnto vs almightie and most mercifull God yet in nothing more than that we cannot perceiue and behold our owne wickednesse in such sort as it is indeed With our tongs we can not but confesse because thou thy selfe hast said it that we are altogither vnrighteous that there is not one of vs that doth good that we all imagine mischiefe But although we are driuen by thine eternall truth outwardlie to confesse the same yet haue we no such inward feeling thereof as we ought to haue because we are altogither closed vp in our owne stubbernesse and self-selfe-loue Wherfore it commeth to passe that we can neither repent vs of that we should amend neither yet hartilie acknowledge that we certainlie knowe to be within vs. But O holie God how long shall we be cleane without vnderstanding How long shall our flesh haue dominion ouer thy good spirit in vs How long shall the cloud of our vnsensiblenesse darken and blemish our inward sight Uerelie our sinnes haue deserued that not onlie thou hide thy face awaie from vs for a time but that thou shouldest vtterlie cast vs off from thy fauour and grace to eternall damnation But sith that thou art wont to deale more mercifullie euen with the sonnes of men and vnto vs also hast giuen a good likelihood thereof in that that now thou hast striken our harts with some feeling of our owne wretchednesse which putteth vs in good comfort and hope that thou hast done it to this end to the intent that thou maist bestowe larger graces on vs also therefore we are somewhat emboldened although we are but dust and ashes humblie to desire of thee that in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ euen now at the length thou wilt vouchsafe to giue vnto vs the
and righteousnesse all the daies of our life through the same thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Glorie be to God on high Another Meditation of the maruellous incarnation of the word which is Christ by whose meanes it pleased God to helpe mankind fallen from him BEhold now O almightie God the viewer and searcher of mine hart Like as with hart I beleeue which is counted righteousnesse vnto me so with mouth doo I confesse before thee which is to my saluation after what sort and maner thou didst vouchsafe in the end of the world to succour and aid mankind Thou in deed onelie O God the Father art not read at anie time or in anie place to be sent but of thy Sonne the Apostle saith When that the time was fulfilled God sent his Sonne In that he saith he sent he doth sufficientlie declare that he being sent came into this world When as he being thy Sonne O our God and a gentle and kind louer of mankind did take vpon him to be the seed of Abraham not of Angels and so taking mans nature not Angels did vouchsafe to humble himselfe to be borne a verie perfect man of blessed Marie a pure virgin and so being made like vnto vs in all things sinne onlie excepted for he was the verie lambe without spot that tooke awaie the sinnes of the world did appeare and shew himselfe in the similitude of flesh subiect to sinne that he might condemne sinne for sinne and that wee might be made the righteousnesse in him But what is that which he that is the chiefe of the Euangelists doth saie He was in the world and the world was made by him Thither trulie was he sent by his humanitie where he alwaies is and alwaie hath beene by his diuinitie The which sending or embassage I beleeue with all my hart and confesse with my mouth to be the consent worke of all the whole Trinitie I beleeue also that his manhood being in this my nature during his infancie was trobled with creeping and scrallings and was wrapt in cloths after the maner of other children and was vexed in his youth with labours and troubles I beleeue I saie that the Godhead which was sent of them did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature to the intent he the Sonne of God being made man might cure mine infirmitie and redeeme the sinnes of sinfull man Therefore doo I blesse thy name euerlastinglie and glorifie the same with all mine hart O almightie and mercifull Lord for that vnspeakable and maruellous coniunction of Godhead and manhood together in the vnitie of a person and not after this sort that the one should be God and the other man but one and the same was both God and man man and God Neuerthelesse although by thy maruellous will the word was made flesh yet neither of both the natures was changed into other substance In the mysterie of the Trinitie there is not a fourth person added For the substance of the word of God and of man was vnited and knit togither but not confused and mixt that that thing which was taken of vs should be turned into God and that which neuer had been before that time that is his flesh and manhood should be the same that had beene euer without anie beginning that is his Godhead Oh maruellous mysterie Oh vnspeakeable fellowship Oh maruellous meeknesse of the heauenlie mercifulnesse which is euer woorthie marueling and euer to be loued We were but vile seruants and behold we are made the sonnes of God yea and heires of God togither with Christ From whence came this goodnesse And who brought vs to this state But I require thee O most mercifull Father by thine inestimable pitie goodnesse and charitie to make vs woorthie of these manie and great promises of the same thy sonne our Lord Iesu Christ Send foorth thy strength O God and establish the thing that thou hast wrought in vs make perfect that which thou hast begun that we may be able to come vnto the fulnesse and perfectnesse of thy pitie Make vs through the holie Ghost to vnderstand and through thy sonne to desire and with due honour alwaie to worship this great mysterie of thy pitie in Christ his blessed natiuitie so manifest in our flesh that as thou hast giuen vs him thine onelie begotten Sonne I meane to take our nature vpon him and this daie to be borne of a pure virgin so wee being regenerate and made thy children by adoption and grace may dailie be renewed by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee from our birth through the same thy deere Sonne our souereigne Lord and sweet Sauiour Iesus to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be immortall praise and thanks-giuing now and for euer Amen A meditation concerning the true knowledge of Christes incarnation THE knowledge of the truth is first to knowe thy selfe and to endeuour to be that which thou oughtest to be and to amend that which ought to be amended And secondlie to knowe and to loue thy maker and creator for that is the whole happines of a christian man or woman See then how vnspeakable the gratious goodnesse and entire loue of God towards vs is He hath created vs of nothing and giuen vs all that we haue but alas forasmuch as we haue loued the gift more than the giuer and the creature more than the Creator therefore we are fallen into the diuels snare and become his bondslaues Neuertheles God being moued with compassion sent his most deere and onlie Sonne to redeeme vs slaues and his holie spirit to make vs his sonnes and daughters againe He hath giuen his Sonne I saie euen his best beloued child to be the price of our ransome the holie Ghost as an assurance of his loue and to be short he reserueth himselfe whole for vs to be the heritage of our adoption And so almightie God according to his exceeding gratiousnesse and mercie hath for verie loue and good will to mankind bestowed not onlie his benefits but also himselfe vpon him to recouer him againe not so much to himselfe as to him To the intent that man might bee borne of God God I saie was first borne of them O then who is so hard-harted that he will not bee softened by the tender loue of God thus preuenting wretched man with so great hartie and vnspeakable good will in that he vouchsafed to become man for mans sake Yea who can anie more find in his hart to hate man or woman whose nature and likenesse he or she so plainelie seeth in the manhood of God Doubtles he or she that hateth from hencefoorth a man or a woman hateth God and so looseth all his or hir labour whatsoeuer taken vnder pretence of Christianitie For God as is said became man for mans sake that he might be a redeemer as well as a creator and that man might
the strawe wast thou laid and among the beasts diddest thou send foorth thy crie The seed of Dauid had almost withered awaie Thy good mother that blessed virgin Marie nursed and nourished thee vp as a spring in a drie land among much troubles and in thy tender age what with the tyrannie of Sathan and the crueltie of Herod into a farre countrie thou wast exiled The good old man Ioseph thy foster-father and thy blessed mother Marie at the commandement of the Angel astonished through the feare of danger at hand in the night stole awaie with thee and tooke a long iournie euen with greefe of hart An hundred miles trauelled they through the desolate wildernesse by the craggie and solitarie places of Arabia euen through that nation which alwaie for theft robberie theeuerie and crueltie hath been most infamous and at length they brought thee into the prouince of the Emperour of Rome whom God would should bee thy protectour The watch of Angels did defend thee with thy blessed mother they were thy leaders and companions of thy banishment and draue awaie the cruell theeues alwaies from thee Hereby hast thou O Sonne of God put vs in mind both of our miserie and of thy benefits For mankind was banished out of paradise from the state of happinesse and ioie into the miseries of this life Yea thy Church in this world is in banishment and oppressed with men of might The most excellent members of thy Church most commonlie are pursued to the death but taking compassion on our miseries of thine owne accord thou becamest an exile for our sakes and an intercessor for mankind Thou madest thy selfe of no reputation thou tookest vpon thee the miserable masse and skin of our nature thou wast a pilgrime in this world thou haddest not a place to hide thine head in thou vsurpedst none authoritie without calling after a woonderfull maner did the word lurke thy flesh suffering and dieng and all to bring vs againe into our natiue countrie indeed from whence our beginning was and where our citie is Wherefore from the bottome of our hart we beseech thee Sonne of God instill into vs a true loue of that celestiall countrie kindle within vs a true desire of thy companie comfort vs in this our banishment and send thine holie Angels to protect vs to driue awaie the tyrannie of Sathan and of thine enimies Finallie when our soules shall depart out of this vale of miseries place them we beseech thee in the tower of our true countrie And as thou sauedst thy Church notwithstanding the raging tyrannie of cruell Herod when both thou with thy carefull parents tookedst thy flight into Aegypt and Iohn the Baptist was hid in the desert beyond Iordan so hence forward defend vs against the furie of diuels and men Oh Lord from the brests and imbracements of their tender mothers did the cruell and wicked seruants of bloudie Herod the tyrant as this daie plucke awaie the yoong infants And such is the outward state of thy Church manie times that of hir it may be said Rachel would not be comforted bicause hir children were not left aliue vnslaine yet maintainest thou for all that some remnant and castest thine enimies into eternall damnation Wherefore as thy praise was this daie confessed and shewed foorth not in speaking but in dieng by the yoong babes infants and innocents who washed their wounds and tender skins in the bloud of the Lambe and bare witnesse of thy comming in the flesh by their death the which are exalted into a farre better life where thou wipest all teares from their eies and at the glorifieng of thy Church wilt place before all thine elect this sweet companie in vnspeakeable glorie and rebuke to their vtter confusion the diuell and his instruments hired for their wickednesse so mortifie and kill all vice in vs that in our conuersation our life may expresse thy faith which with our tongues we doo confesse and keepe vs in the profession of thy truth Mitigate the troubles of thy Church that it perish not altogither and being deliuered from this sorowfull banishment ioine vs to the citizens of thy kingdome which folowe the Lambe whither soeuer he goeth and cheerfullie sing Glorie be to God on high Amen 6. On the daie of Saint Paules conuersion from a persecuter to an Apostle Their sound is gone out into all lands and their words into the ends of the world WE yeeld thee most hartie thanks O Lord Christ Sonne of the liuing God for gathering alwaies to thy selfe a Church out of mankind through the voice of the ministerie and especiallie at this time for sending thine elect vessell Paule thine Apostle to spread foorth the memoriall of thy benefit among the Gentiles and people whose life at that time was most filthie vnder that monster among men Nero the Emperour Great was the benefit which came by his preaching and as great was and is the commoditie which they did in foretime and we in these last daies of the world doo reape by his godlie and heauenlie writings We beseech thee euen with deepe sighes continue oh continue among vs thy light inflamed through the ministerie of this heroicall Doctor And grant that as thou hast taught all the world through the preaching of this thy blessed Apostle so we which haue his woonderfull conuersion now in remembrance may followe and fulfill the holie doctrine that he taught Grant that manie labourers mightilie may be thrust into thy vineyard and faithfull obseruers of the doctrine of Paule earnest seekers of the aduancement of thy truth right diuiders of the word of life learned in shewing the difference betweene the Lawe and the Gospell wise in comforting the troubled conscience of the wicked patternes of the faithfull in word and conuersation such as may become all in all to winne manie to the glorieng in afflictions fearing neither the hatred of men nor the ingratitude of the world shewing constancie vnto the death in the confession of the truth Blesse also the hearers of Saint Pauls preaching that they may prooue the true followers of Paule fighting a good fight keeping faith and a good conscience casting off the old man and putting on the new euen thee Iesus Christ being renewed by thy spirit vnto a true light and life trulie touched with a desire of thee trulie coueting to be dissolued and to be with thee that translated out of this darkenesse into thy woonderfull light they may see thee face to face and knowe the causes of secret things which are hid from vs in this life And forasmuch as in this world thou wilt haue the beginning of thy wisedome to be learned and biddest vs to drawe our water from thee the fountaine grant that heerein also manie may imitate the faithfulnesse and labour of thine Apostle make them as diligent in reading and preaching so in brideling and chastising their bodies painefull and constant in thy seruice till they be brought vnto thy schoole where all thy Saints
and happie in the works of our vocation take into thy custodie for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Be gratious and fauourable oh Lord to all men and euen to our verie enimies and according to thy good will and purpose forgiue them their sinnes conuert vnto thy truth all those whom thou hast appointed in Iesus Christ to saluation Be mercifull O God to all our brethren and sisters that suffer anie kind of persecution or affliction whether in mind or in bodie especiallie such as suffer for thy name and Gospell giue them patience constancie and stedfast hope till thou send them full and good deliuerance of all their troubles Be gratious to all those whom thou hast coupled and linked to vs in loue and friendship whose harts thou hast mooued to praie for vs to wish vs good to succour and helpe vs in our necessities grant vs all thy blessing and holie spirit to sanctifie vs in the vnitie of faith and dwell in vs for euer Finallie oh Lord haue mercie vpon mine husband children and familie which thou hast giuen vs make me to be content with him as thy gift and increase thy feare in our harts that we may trulie loue thee and one another of vs in thee so that we may be pure both in soule and bodie and may godlie liue togither according to thine holie ordinance Giue him an hart of wisedome and vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaie before mine eies that as Ioseph cast off all surmises of the mis-behauiour of Marie his spouse and obeied the word of thine holie Angel so he may beare with mine imperfections and bee obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Oh Lord giue vs the power of thy spirit to gouerne our selues holilie and to rule and bring vp these our children and familie in all godlie feare nurture information of the Lord and knowledge of thy holie word and that we may be alwaies vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thine holie name Plant in mine hart all vertues that be necessarie and requisite in a Christian woman giue mee grace so to vse them and all other good gifts which I haue receiued at thy mercifull hands as may be most to thy glorie and praise to my consolation and saluation and to the profit of thy Church Behold Lord although I am but dust earth and ashes yet I haue taken vpon me and am bold to come and make these petitions and requests vnto thee not trusting in mine owne woorthinesse or righteousnesse which I doo acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled but onlie in thy great mercie and promise and through the merits of Christs death bloud-shedding to laie mine humble praiers before thee requiring mercie pardon and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy grace to doo thy will all the daies of my life and to obteine all these my petitions O therefore heare me speedilie good Lord forgiue me fauourablie O Lord and tarie not ouerlong but for thine owne sake doo it and for thy deere Sonne Iesus Christs sake in whom all thy promises are Yea and Amen which is our onelie Redeemer Mediator Sauiour and Iustifier to whom with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise now and euer Amen Another good and godlie praier to be said at all times of euerie Christian both man and woman O Almightie and euerlasting GOD Father Sonne and holie Ghost thou that hast made heauen and earth and all things in them conteined haue mercie vpon me poore wretched sinner dailie assaulted with all kind of miserie and wretchednesse I beseech thee O Father for the loue of thy Sonne Iesus Christ consider my weakenesse frailtie and imperfection and haue mercie vpon me Increase thy graces in me my souereigne Sauiour my deere Redeemer and mine onelie Iustifier For I come vnto thee O Lord according to the words of our Sauiour Christ who hath said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are laden and I will ease and refresh you Oh most mercifull Father ease me of and from the great burden of my sinne which I haue vnrighteouslie committed against thee either in thought word or deed and refresh my soule dailie with thy mercies Sprinkle me with the sweet hysop of thy mercie and then shall I be cleane wash me and then shall I be whiter than snowe Powre vpon me ioie and gladnesse and make my bones reioice which thou hast smitten Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Oh giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked that sinners may be conuerted vnto thee Deliuer me from bloud guiltinesse O God thou that art the God of my health that my tongue may praise thy righteousnesse Open my lips O Lord then shall my mouth shew foorth thy praise Consider mine imperfection and helpe it with thy mercies Remember thine old woonted mercies and faithfull promises made vnto our forefathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all other Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and other thy Saints in our Sauiour Christ Iesus who being compassed with infirmitie and weakenesse of the flesh came vnto thee O Lord as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of their health and saluation and thou mercifullie susteinedst them keepedst them deliueredst them in all their temptations and tribulations If their feet at anie time slipt or went out of the waie and committed sinne against thee yet thy mercie was alwaies readie so that thou by thine holie spirit diddest procure them to repentance so that they turned againe vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe thou mercifullie acceptedst at their hands For bicause they were desirous to liue perfectlie in thy sight thou preseruedst them so that they were found faithfull before thee O Lord thou art the same and thy yeeres endure for euer I beseech thee O Father beare mine imperfection and helpe it likewise with thy mercie if at anie time I happen to fall and commit sinne against thee as thou saiedst by thine holie Apostle Paule Let thy grace at all time be sufficient for me in such wise that I may immediatelie turne againe by true repentance vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe accept alwaies at mine hands for Iesus Christs sake so shall I be found perfect before thee For although the spirit bee willing yet is the flesh vntoward and weake Therefore doo I not leaue mine owne righteousnesse before thee For I knowe and confesse in me that is to saie in my flesh is nothing but plaine miserie wretchednesse and sinne Therefore doo I come vnto thee and beseech thee for Christes sake to extend thy mercifull hand towards me
victorie ouer all hir enimies a long prosperous and honourable life vpon earth a blessed end and life euerlasting Moreouer O Lord grant vnto hir Maiesties most honourable Counsellers and euerie other member of this thy Church of England that they we in our seuerall callings may trulie and godlie serue thee Plant in our harts true feare and honor of thy name obedience to our Prince and loue to our neighbours Increase in vs true faith and religion Replenish our minds with all goodnes and of thy great mercie keepe vs in the same till the end of our liues Giue vnto vs a godlie zeale in praier true humilitie in prosperitie perfect patience in aduersitie and continuall ioie in the holie Ghost And lastlie I commend vnto thy fatherlie protection all that thou hast giuen me as husband children and seruants Aid me O Lord that I may gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice And forasmuch as in this world I must alwaies be at warre and strife not with one sort of enimies but with an infinite number not onelie with flesh and bloud but with the diuell which is the prince of darkenesse and with wicked men executors of his most damnable will grant me therefore thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battell with an inuincible constancie against all corruption which I am compassed with on euerie side vntill such time as I hauing ended the combate which during this life I must susteine in the end I may atteine to thy heauenlie rest which is prepared for me and all thine elect through Christ our Lord and onlie sauiour Amen Another praier for mortification and holinesse O Lord our God most gratious and most mercifull I doo acknowledge before thee that I am vnwoorthie to appeare before thy high Maiestie to offer vp vnto thee a sacrifice of praier being full of sinne and corruption naturallie glad of euill and vnprofitable to good yea beeing so miserable that I see not my miserie I feele it not I bewaile it not as I ought to doo but multiplie mine iniquities prouoking thy iust iudgement against me My zeale is cold my loue feeble my exercises of religion faint and few and I take no waie but that which leadeth from euill to worsse and finallie would leade me from sinne to the reward of sinne All this is true deere Father yet my hart is not moued with feare all this true yet I doo not sorowe for it but walke with ioie where I must if I continue reape affliction Therefore be mercifull vnto me and blesse me be mercifull vnto me and in Christ Iesus wash awaie all mine iniquities be mercifull vnto me and create in me a new hart and prepare it to praier and to thy holie seruice For thou alone O Lord art my hope and the mightie God of my saluation Thou hast giuen me a desire to serue thee O teach me that I may doo it and the good worke which thou hast begun make it perfect in me that I may no more loue goodnesse and yet followe vanitie but that my good desires in thee may be increased and all of them accomplished so shall I praise thee and magnifie thee for euer For there is no honour but thy honour no glorie but thy glorie O Lord. It is in vaine to trust in princes but trulie to trust in the Lord bringeth plentifull saluation From age to age it hath appeared that thou O Lord God art mercifull and that in thy courts there is nothing but truth and holinesse This world is full of vanitie full of pride full of rebellion and the flesh also The world hath manie baits to destruction and the flesh doth delight in them they are sworne togither to betraie vs to Sathan yea we betraie our selues Therfore deere Father by the crosse of Christ mortifie in vs the deeds of the flesh and crucifie both vs to the world and the world to vs that our soules may liue In our generall calling make vs obedient to serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of our life in our particular callings also make vs faithfull that we may neither put awaie a good conscience nor make shipwracke of faith I beleeue O Lord helpe mine vnbeleefe In the daie of peace and prosperitie make vs sober in the daie of trouble and aduersitie make vs to looke vp and cheerfullie to wait and trust in thee for our deliuerance that our enimies mouthes may be stopped by our godlie conuersation and their harts pricked with zeale to turne vnto thee Neither doo I praie O Lord for my selfe alone but for the whole bodie vnto the which I am ingraffed by Christ Iesus that is for thy Church O God for thine inheritance that thou wouldest increase it from one end of the world to another that all nations may worship before thy footstoole Especiallie O Lord I praie for them that professe thy Gospell as for this our nation that thou wouldest be mercifull vnto it turning our harts to thee for our gratious Souereigne the Queene and for all hir Counsell that thou wouldest powre thy graces vpon them to the discharge of their dutie and our peace for all the holie teachers of thy Church that thou wouldest blesse them and their labours for the peace and full beautie of this Church for the peace and wealth of the Commonwealth We praie thee also for to blesse the meanes to bring this to passe also we praie thee for our parents for all others to whom we owe especiall loue or seruice but principallie we beseech thee to shew thy compassion vpon all that are in persecution for thy Gospell O Lord increase and renew their strength giue them victorie and turne their aduersaries harts if they apperteine to thine holie election otherwise O Lord bring vpon them the cōfusion that they would bring vpon others and into the pit that they haue digged let them fall and neuer rise vp againe O Lord heare vs in these suits pardon our dull spirits in praier and giue vs these and all other graces needfull for vs and thy Church to thy glorie for our Lord Iesus Christs sake in whose name as he hath taught vs so we praie saieng Our Father c. After that you may ad anie morning or euening praier Another verie deuout praier for grace and mercie O Lord God almightie three in persons yet but one GOD who both art in all and wast before all and wilt be in all things a blessed God for euermore Now and alwaies into thine hands I doo commend both my soule my bodie my sight hearing tasting smelling and feeling with all my cogitations affections actions outward and inward things my sense and vnderstanding my memorie my faith and beleefe and perseuerance that thou maiest keepe them daie and night euerie houre and moment O sacred Trinitie heare my petition and saue mee from all euill from offending and from sinning anie maner of waie from all snares and pursuits
doo through the onelie merits of our Lord and Sauiour Jesus Christ to whom be all honour glorie dominion power and praise for euer and euer Amen The praier ALmightie and most mercifull God my heauenlie Father I thy poore child and most vnwoorthie bidden ghest to this thy prepared sacrifice and celestiall feast after due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit and with a forgiuing and charitable mind heere prostrate on my knees before thy throne of mercie with most lowelie hart humblie beseech thy Maiestie euen for thy deere and onelie sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou hast once for all euer alreadie giuen an oblation and offering for our sinnes to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner and to forgiue me all mine innumerable and horrible offences both old and new committed against heauen and earth and against thee And new I praie thee sanctifie me throughlie O God and make me who hartilie desire in feare trembling to please thee in all things that I doo a woorthie communicant a godlie ghest and fit partaker heere this daie of thy heauenlie food in this great and sumptuous Supper of my Lord and my God by giuing vnto me of thine accustomed goodnesse the right knowledge and vnderstanding out thy word of the thing it selfe these holie mysteries I meane and the manifold fruits and benefites thereof and also by causing me through the working of thy mercie and grace to bring now with me a true and constant faith the roote and wel-spring of all newnesse of life as well in praising thee and louing my neighbour as purging mine owne conscience by earnest repentance and continuall contrition from dead works and filthinesse of sinne so that neither the ignorance of the thing O gratious God may cause me to contemne it nor vnfaithfulnesse make it void of fruit nor sinne and iniquitie procure me thy heauie plagues but grant that I may by faith in knowledge and amendment of life in faith be heere now so vnited to thy sonne Christ my head and most deerelie beloued spouse in these his holie and heauenlie mysteries to my comfort both in bodie and soule that afterward I may haue full fruition of him in deede to mine euerlasting ioie and saluation in eternall life through the same Iesus Christ our Lord blessed for euer Amen Another godlie praier O Iesu Christ holy and eternall God I miserable woman and wretched sinner acknowledge and confesse that I am not woorthie the least of all thy mercies and most vnwoorthie to receiue thee vnder the roofe of my soule by participating of thy most blessed bodie and bloud For horrible and infinite are the sinnes wherewith I am defiled Wo is me Lord. For I am a woman of polluted lips and dwell among people that haue vncleane lips And therefore the verie entrailes of my hart are troubled and my bones doo shake because I finde my soule a most vnworthie ghest for so heauenlie a supper And yet againe mine hart is woonderfullie lightned when I call to mind that thou the deere sonne of almightie God camest not into this world to call the righteous but sinners vnto repentance For they that be whole need not the Physician but they that are sick Besides I knowe right well and constantlie doo beleeue that notwithstanding my filthinesse thou canst make mee woorthie which alone canst make that cleane which is conceiued of vncleane seed and righteous men of sinners when thou forgiuest our sinnes of thy woonted grace thine holie spirit being powred vpon vs. Through which thy power and mercie I beseech thee graunt such grace vnto me a sinner that I may woorthilie approch to this heauenlie sacrament least otherwise by mine vnwoorthinesse I be made giltie of thy bodie and bloud and so in stead of life receiue my iudgement and condemnation Giue grace therefore that afore I presume to come vnto the participation thereof I may examine my selfe by calling my sinnes into mind searching out my waies and by vnfeigned and hartie repentance returning vnto thee my Lord least otherwise by concealing my sinnes with Iudas the traitor I eate the bread of the Lord against the Lord and by abusing thy gentlenesse heape vengeance vnto my selfe against the daie of vengeance O make me therefore I saie to confesse my sinnes and that with hartie sobs so thou being a faithfull and iust God wilt abandon all mine offences and cleanse me from my sinnes and wilt not disdaine to accept me into fauour when I doo not refraine to acknowledge my wickednesse Moreouer powre into me a true and liuelie faith that I neuer mistrust thy word annexed to the Sacraments which promiseth vnto mankind the remission of sinnes For to eate or drinke with the mouth onelie is to no purpose but faith must come therevnto and apprehend the word with the promises annexed for they are the grounds and principles of this sacrament so that whosoeuer giueth credit to these words Which was giuen and shead for you in the remission of sinnes the same man hath that which is promised by them namelie eternall life and saluation For where the remission of sinnes is there likewise righteousnes life and saluation is But he which doubteth of these words he without doubt is an vnworthie receiuer and commeth vnprepared For the doubting man neither eateth the flesh spirituallie nor yet drinketh the bloud though carnallie and to our eies he seemeth to consume the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud with his teeth and mouth but his damnation rather not bicause thy supper is poison but for that an euill man taketh a good thing naughtilie Finallie grant also that receiuing this thy Sacrament of the new Testament I may put off according to the former conuersation the old man which is corrupt according to the lusts of error and be renewed in the spirit of my mind putting on the new man which after God is shapen in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth And albeit my nature be such that I can not liue without spots of wickednesse yet so blesse me that I may neuer offend willinglie but altogether depending vpon thy goodnesse whose manner is to pardon the true penitent that sinners may boldlie approch to thine holie supper especiallie seeing we haue libertie to enter into the holie places through thy bloud by the new and liuing waie which thou hast prepared for vs through the vaile that is by thy flesh And seeing we haue an high Priest ouer the house of God make vs to drawe nigh with true harts in assurance of faith sprinkled in our minds from an euill conscience and washed in bodie with pure water Cause vs to hold fast the profession of the hope without wauering For he is faithfull that promised and let vs consider one of another to prouoke vnto loue to good works not forsaking the assemblie of the faithfull as the maner of some is but exhorting one another
and so much the more as we see the daie approching Amen Another most Christian and deuout praier to be said before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Christ our Lord and Sauior which before thy greeuous agonie and heapes of trouble thorough the wrath of thine almightie Father lighting vpon thee commandedst thy Disciples Peter and Iohn to prepare the passouer that together they might eate the same Thou longedst for our saluation and didst eate of the lambe which was a figure of thy selfe and expressedst the image of that banket which thy people the Israelits vnder the conduction of thy seruant Moses about to depart out of Aegypt did celebrate Hauing finished the supper of the old couenant thou begannest a new couenant testifieng of thy presence and benefits in the Church Mooue thou our harts to thankfulnesse that with like desire we may desire to come vnto thy table and seeke the nourishment to eternall life Suffer vs not to loath thine heauenlie banket as prophane and curious men doo which contend with thee contemne the order which thou hast appointed Amend all abuses and prophanings of thine holie table horriblie deformed with filthinesse for the which we are punished in all places with manifold plagues and diseases By thy wisedome thou healest our diseases and infirmities and by the visible signes of Sacraments thou confirmest our faith Thou art effectuall by them in the beleeuers according to thy promise We blesse the bread and wine as thou hast willed and beleeue that with them we receiue thee in true faith and puritie of mind Thou declarest by this thy Supper that trulie thou tookedst our flesh vpon thee for our sakes euen to ingraffe vs to thine owne flesh and bring vs to eternall life This is eternall life which is begunne in this world whereby the soule is renewed vnto eternall happinesse Moreouer this blessed meate doth witnesse and testifie that our bodies which are replenished with the sense of thy liuing flesh shall rise againe to perpetuall glorie Increase and nourish by the profitable taking of thee this light within vs. Worke that thy Sacraments taken and digested thou maist come into vs and we into thee Assist vs thy ghests O sweet housholder that woorthilie we may feed vpon thy meate Trie our soule with earnest and vnfeined conuersion Let vs not plaie the hypocrites nor prophanelie dallie with thee and thy holie Sacraments Cause vs rightlie to discerne thy bodie and bloud from other common meate Let vs neuer eate the bodie of the Lord against the Lord. Grant in true and vnfeined faith we may enter into this thy sacred couenant that we may alwaies abide in thee and thou in vs. Likewise by thine holie spirit which is the bond of loue in this publike and common banket ioine vs to thine other members of thy Church Giue grace that all which feed of this bread may be one bodie knit vnto thee which art the head working all things in all Let the diuell at no time disturbe this pleasant concord betweene thee and vs as is betweene the head and other members of the bodie Let vs gather also by the same the summe of doctrine which is preached in the Church Let it raise vs vp vnto thankfulnesse for thy benefits Increase our desire to continuall praier whereby we craue all things which we stand in need of Continue that custome euen till thou returnest gloriouslie in the clouds to iudgement Maintaine some places for preaching and godlie ceremonies and bring in at no time barbarous ignorance Furthermore the dooing herof is a ministerie of our profession against Sathan and all his instruments Confirme in our minds by thy spirit this sound and pure vnderstanding Let vs not be oppressed with idolatrous darknesse approouing horrible abuses in carrieng about in laieng vp in offring the halowed bread without any vse not so much as one sillable of all these things can be seene in thy first institution Wherefore represse the diuell blasphemouslie dealing with this thine ordinance And first consume this world vtterlie with fire before we be wrapped againe in such horrible darknesse of idolatrie and superstition Mitigate the punishments sicknesse infections warre and miseries which for the prophaning of this Supper the whole world doth endure Let thine Angel spare such as with griefe of hart bewaile these abuses Feed vs and fill vs thy ghests with thy liuelie presence Dwell thou in vs. Worke in vs. Sharpen the remembrance of thy benefits within vs. And finallie at our resurrection from the graue giue vs a place in thy seat where we shall find a new taste in the kingdome of thy Father So be it Another praier to be said before the receiuing of the blessed Communion as you kneele at Gods boord O Lord although I be not woorthie to receiue thee into the house of my soule for mine innumerable offences and sins done against thy great goodnesse yet trusting good Lord in thy great pitie and infinite mercie I come to receiue thy blessed bodie as a sicke creature to thee that art the health of life vncleane to thee that art the well of mercie blind by ignorance to thee that art the light euerlasting needie of thy grace and poore in vertue to thee that art the King of heauen and earth naked of good works to thee that art the author of grace I come as a wretch to thee my Lord and maker all desolate and comfortlesse to thee my helpe and succour For besides thee there is no consolation I come as a sinner to thee that art the mediatour and meane betwixt God and man I come as a caitife to thee my most mercifull Sauiour I come all sinfull to thee the granter of remission and pardon dead by sinne to thee that art the restorer to life euill to thee that art all goodnesse hard-harted to be releeued by the infusion of thy super-abundant grace desiring thee meekelie to heale mine infirmities and sicknesse to wash awaie my sinne and filthinesse to lighten my blindnesse to reduce me to the right waie where I am out thereof to comfort me desolate of goodnesse Haue mercie on my wretchednesse pardon my sinfulnes giue me the light of grace thus burdened in sinne that I may receiue thee the food of all Angels the King of glorie the Lord of all lords with such chastitie of bodie with such purenesse of mind and cleannesse of soule with such contrition of hart and abundance of weeping teares with such spirituall ioie and gladnesse with such dread and reuerence with such faith hope and charitie with such obedience and humilitie with such loue deuotion faithfulnesse and thankfulnesse as it is beseeming for such a Lord to be receiued and to my soule most expedient And be not displeased good Lord that I a sinner with an vncleane hart and polluted mind come hither this daie to receiue thy pretious bodie in sacramentall bread and wine but remember mercifull Lord that thou refusedst not the sinfull Marie Magdalen being
in the order of their redemption for the infinite benefits of their saluation and for taking our fraile nature and miserable flesh subiect vnto all calamities and destruction vpon him and carieng the same and vs therewith vnto eternall life We therefore liuing in this vaile of wretchednesse lift vp our heads vnto thee O notable Silo which art the fruit of the Uirgin and separate our selues from the detestable damned crue of vnpure spirits and of men powring out blasphemous outcries against thy truth and glorie From our harts we praie thee regenerate and make vs thy children by adoption and grace and dailie renew vs by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee For of our selues we are nothing but flesh and corruption as they that are borne of flesh and can not become thy children except we be begotten and borne againe by a new birth of the holie Ghost Therfore we beseech thee renew vs I say dailie by thy mightie power from aboue that being borne of the spirit our harts and our hands our deeds and deuises and whatsoeuer is in vs may be spirituall as thou art Ioine vs to the societie of thine holie Angels which sing glorie to thee on high and make vs members of that congregation which is knit vnto thee by an indissoluble bond of euerlasting peace with gratefull minds to record and celebrate thy benefits We thanke thee for sauing mankind from eternall damnation and for making the attonement betweene thy father and vs through thine incarnation For so it was expedient according to the order of iustice that the punishment of a guiltlesse man should quit mankind guiltie and that a sufficient satisfaction might be made it was required that he which would be the mediatour should be God God I saie to abide the intollerable burthen of Gods displeasure to vanquish death and to restore vnto man life and saluation to enter into the most holie place and be an eternall Priest God to vnderstand the secret counsell of the father to be priuie vnto the cogitations of harts to heare the grones of all men to be the King of his flocke defending the same against the power of sathan and his members Finallie God to place his Church raised from death in the eternall kingdome of his most glorious father Now forasmuch as the nature of man was not able to bring these things to passe we thanke thee O our sauiour being the word the expresse image and interpretor of the father for vouchsafing to take the office of a mediatour betweene God and vs. Begin in vs we most humblie beseech thee this so great a benefit We are weake we are fowle and filthie but as thou wast brought into this miserable world borne a weake infant and that in a pinching time of the yeare swadled with wretched bands endued with the rags of a miserable nature and laid in a manger among the brutish kind being notwithstanding the verie wisedome of thine eternall father So let thy wisdome appeare in vs miserable men womē in this wofull darkenesse of ours among the blacke clouds of this doting age amongst these troubles and destructions of Common-weales Kindle in vs the sparks of that wisedome which shall be perfect in the life to come and ioine vs to the felowship of thy Saincts Grant that from the hart and ioifullie we may ascribe all glorie fame and honor vnto thee the true God which art wise righteous almightie pure liberall and mercifull according to the rule described in thy commandements which didst send thy Sonne to bring vs to that glorie whereof we were depriued and to restore vs againe to our first integritie which was lost through sinne O Sonne of God confirme thou and seale these things in our harts by thy holie spirit powred vpō vs which may worke within vs vnfeigned righteousnesse that by the same thy spirit shining in the nature which thou tookest vpon thee we may be committed to thee vpholden quickened brought by thee vnto eternall life that that league made betweene God and vs may eternallie be confirmed and we loued in the beloued and the eternall Father may loue vs with that loue wherewith he loueth thee the substantiall image of himselfe Suppresse the diuell that he breake not this woonderfull and profitable peace and suffer vs not hanging on thy necke running to thine armes seeking thy fauour to be plucked out of thy hands Keepe vs we beseech in thy lap as a louing shepheard cherisheth and beareth about his tender lambs And forasmuch as the first tidings of thy natiuitie were brought by the Angel of the Lord vnto shepheards grant that shepheards of the soules that is the ministers and teachers may faithfullie testifie thy benefits vnto mankind and publish abroad what they see knowe spreading foorth thy fame and glorifieng God for the peace which he hath eternallie concluded with vs and finallie may bring thy sheepe to thy stall that is to the congregation of the faithfull Open before vs thy swadling clouts which is thy word that in this life it may crie within vs and we thereby may feele the sense of thy most sweet promises which thine eternall Father hath vttered of thee Blessed are all they which put their trust in him Furthermore our petition is that thou wilt blesse vs and our countrie with all Common-weales Increase among vs dailie y e number of the faithfull prosper the course of the Gospell and suffer not the light thereof by the malice of Sathan to be extinguished Likewise vphold those kingdoms which minister releefe vnto thy Church Repell from the borders of thy seruants the rabblement of Turks Infidels which threaten the decaie of thy Church and destruction of kingdoms Blesse the labours of our hands keepe vs from the contagious diseases and last of all make vs and ours the vessels of mercie and profitable instruments to thy Church and Common-weale Amen Glorie be to God on high Or thus ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who according to the prophesies spoken long before hast giuen vs thine own Sonne to be conceiued of the holie Ghost and borne of the blessed virgin that in thy nature and ours he might be our holie and true Emanuel and Sauior and Sanctifier of those that trust in him Touch our harts with thy holie spirit that considering this so great loue of thine to abase thy Sonne to take vpon him the forme of a seruant to make vs sonnes and heires to thee that our soules may magnifie thee O Lord our Sauiour and blesse thee the Lord GOD of Israel for thus visiting and redeeming thy people and grant vs also the fruit of this thy mercie that by his holinesse our vncleannesse may be done awaie and our corrupt nature sanctified by his holie birth and natiuitie that we putting our trust in him may by him be deliuered both from all our sins and all our enimies and attaine to the fruit of this his infinite loue and goodnesse euen to serue him in holinesse