small but my heart may affright terrific and amaze mâ— as it did Dauid when he cut off the lap of Sauleâ— garment And when I haue sinned let thy louing countenance shine vpon me as it did vpon Peter when hee had denied thee that I may poure forth a fountaine of teares And in bed if I happen to awake at midnight giue mee thy holy Spirit that with sobs sighes and groanes in the secret closet of my heart I may cast vp loude cryes vnto thee not onely for my sinnes past in the darke night of my childhood and youth while I knew not thee but euen now since I came to some groath and manhood in Christ I haue broken all thy Commandements thy Lawes thy Statutes thine Ordinances not in ignorance but in knowledge for which I haue neede againe to pray vnto thee Wherefore Lord forgiue mee forgiue mee for thy Christ his sake O my Loue my Doue the blessed and powerfull Sauiour of my soule thou knowest that I haue sought after thee euer since I knew thee by night in my bedde haue I sought thee whom my soule loueth O my Sauiour since thou hast first drawne mee with the cordes of thy loue let the strength thereof hold mee so fast that I may for euer abide constant in the like loue to thee againe Thou hast promised that him thou once louedst that thou wilt loue him vnto the end Good God in thy loue keepe mee this night in soule and body and not onely mee in mine owne person but all that belong vnto mee for the loue of thy onely Sonne Iesus to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory by mee and all thine this night for euermore world without end Amen Amen An Inuocation to God humbly praying for remission of sinnes VVEll-spring of bounty God of feare beginning that mak'st all begin With what oblation to appeare t' appease thy wrath that 's due for sin I know the blood of bulls and beast or sweetest Incense that doth rise From earth of old they were the least and are not now of any prise O how should I be reconcil'd againe vnto thy louing fauour How long Lord shall I be exil'd from my sweete Lord and onely Sauiour How long oh haue I call'd to thee to thee in name of thy deare Sonne Yet what I ask'd thou gau'st not mee and what I would is left vndone I long haue knocked at thy dore of mercy but no â—n rance finde Sorrowes and troubles more and more increase and vexe my soule and minde I daily waite most wofull motall before thy seate of clement grace But may not peepe within thy portall nor see thy glorious beauteous face I sighe I mourne my teares are seas I sinke vnder the burdenous load Of sinne and shame and finde no ease prouoke me forward with thy word My selfe chastising I desire to quench thy wrath with floods of teares Yet still encrease thy fearefull fire and so eucrease my daily feares By prayers thee to presse who dares except by thy Sonnes mediation To seeke thy glory 's all our cares and the end of earthly mens creation What course should I then poore wretch take to doe or aske that 's good and iust But vnto thee my prayers make and onely in thy Sonne put trust If that my sinnes shall thee offend then all thy creatures rage and storme And all conspire by thy command to punish me poore silly worme Where shall I be or whether flie from sight of thine all-seeing eyne As Noahs Doue on earth am I and cannot looke against thy shine But if thou show thy louing face all creatures on my seruice tend Men beasts and Angels doe me grace to helpe me all their powers doe bend What should I then say giue or doe what paine can gaine thy fauour lost Riuers of oyle or ought thereto they are thine owne and of thy cost Accept yet Lord the sacrifice of heart and calues of lippes vnfain'd This is that offering thou didst deuise to haue thy grace to be obtaind The free-will offerings of my zeale in sense of sighing still ascending They to thy mercies seate appeale and would make peace for mine offending Although mine heart and tongue doe falter Yet through my Sauiours blest mediatiâ— Receiue this offering on thine alter with all my best imagination Heare me in him in him relieue me for without him no helpe can bee None can my soules or hearts ease giue me nor can I inward comforts see Till I know that thy wrath 's appeas'd and haue thy Charter for my pardon Then shall I finde my heart so eas'd that I desire no further gueÌ„rdon And now I most vnhappy man that did offend my God so kind By grace in him in all I can I le seeke with heart with soule and mind To honour serue obey and please him that is my gracious maker Whom I beseech to grant me peace and make me of his ioyes partaker An Euening prayer to be said with a whole Family O Most blessed Sauiour bâ— whose merits alone theâ— is graunted vnto vs this preseâ— libertie to approach vnto the Fâ— ther and in thy name after thâ— end of our labours this day accomplished by which through thy goodnesse wee haue profited our selues and furthered the continuaÌ„ce of humane society which by no meanes could continue if wee did not seriously apply our selues in the workes of our vocation in which thou hast ordained that euery man should liue not onely to his present necessity but vnto the furthering of the welfare of our children and alliance which accordingly wee haue this day done so farre foorth as the approaching â—ight would suffer and as our fraile bodies soone spent and tired with the cares and labours of this world would giue vs leaue And seeing thou hast ordained the night for man by sleepe to refresh himselfe Lord we intreate thee to giue vnto our bodies such rest and sleepe this night that the day following wee may be raised strong in minde and body to goe on in our seuerall labours honest businesse and employments in moderation wisedome and discretion as may bee most to thy glory and to the honour of thy great name O Lord wee beseech thee let not our sinnes of which wee bee many wayes guilty cause thee to remooue away our sleepe from vs nor frustrate this dayes endeauours let no blasting or mildewe or any the euill that walketh in the darkenesse hurt the fruite of our labours Let no sons of Belial when we are in our fast sleepe come in vpon vs to spoyle without nor steale within that which thou through our honest endeauours or the gift of our parents hast blessed vs withall for as the beastes of the forreâ—… which are of sauage nature hunt after the prey so wicked meâ— that aske not their bread of thee doe in the night by violent hands robbe and spoyle thy people O Lord we know not but that for the wickednesse of our hearts
amongst the deuills The world for disobedience didst punish and thou moughtest subuert But chiefely me for negligence mayest plague with all plagues 't is desert I am not worthy to breathe in ayre nor haue the vse of any creature Much lesse to thee to make my prayer cause 'gainst my God I am a traytour Thou worthily me do'st afflict at me thou takest iust offence All punishments thou doest inflict because thy wrath I did incense My trespasses doe more offend then I can please with my best zeale The worthinesse I best intend I not performe my soule Lord heale I shame at mine vnworthinesse yet faine would be at one with thee Thou art a ioy in heauinesse a succour in necessity To them that doe their liues reforme and rightly frame their penitence Sincerely follow and performe thy will without all negligence All this to doe I doe desire and what thou sayest I doe beleeue Thy pardon graunt me I require release and pardon Lord me giue O be with them that doe thee seeke and yeeld them helpe that hold by thee Instructing humble men and meeke that wisedome seeke by thy mercy Sith I so long to thee haue cried so long thee sought yet hope I will Though my sad soule in silence bide in constant Patience I wayte still Thou rightly hear'st my inward groanes my sorrowes fighes wants and desire And doest respect the outward moanes of men distrest that feare the fire Though in their lips they mute doe seeme and doe speake nothing with their tongues What they conspire thou doest it deeme and present art to right my wrongs But loe the time is not expir'd of mine ordained punishment Nor of that freedome I desir'd I le waite by hope in languishment My helpe my comfort and my life saluation mine depends on thee Within my conscience stint the striâ—e and giue me grace and liberty My life my comfort helpe and all saluation on Christ dependeth 'T is he doth raise me when I fall he all begins and he all endeth I will not murmure neither grudge nor seare nor faint but alwayes waite He is my Sauiour and my Judge his grace decreed who can retrait Is there not an appointed time for all things that by God be wrought Iob was brought low at last did clime to wealth and honour he was brought And Ioseph was afflicted long by brethren and by false accuse He was shut vp in prison strong didst all his cause and wrongs peruse At length brought'st him to honour great and Dauid was at fiâ—st cast downe And then inthroan'd in Princely seate and long enioyed the royall Crowne Poore widdowe of Sarepta shee and hers were ready for to pine Her barrell and her Cruse by thee were blest and that Prophet thine Her meale and oyle did neuer faile thou send'st that Saint euen to that end That they in dearth should neuer quaile so didst from famine her defend Wherefore a little while I le waite I know the appointed time will come I shall be freed from sinnes deâ—eite wilt mercies send in miseries roome Thou art my portion and my strength my defence and saluation Thou seest my troubles and at length wilt giue me consolation Thou sena'st them not as ignorant of them thou know'st thou didst me make Therefore what 's needfull God me graunt good Lord dâ—â— neuer me forsake I am brought to the very pit of all confusion men suppose Thou hast decreed the time most sit of my deliuery from my foes To me vnknowne that being seene I may attribute to thee then The praise who praised ere hast beene without the ayde of mortall men Which I haue sought so long in vaine yea while I called thee vpon Let me acknowledge helpe againe to come from thee or else from none And all that the world can afford be but the effects of thy deare Loue Thy power thy prouidence thy word doe send me comfort from aboue O blessed man whom thou doest chuse and callest by crosses vnto thee Whom thou by death seem'st to refuse by secret sweetnesse liues by thee With inward consolation fed with the Manna of thy loue Who dwells in thy protection with liuely hope can neuer moue He fainteth not at mightiest frowne so I O Lord assured rest Thou art my portion and my crowne to dignifie those loue thee best Thou tendrest me as a deare sonne though thou me visite with thy rod Yet suffâ—rest not me for to runne with sinners and to fall from God Although I seeme of hope depriâ—'d and that my wented comforts past Yet I O Lord shall be reuiu'd by thee and by thy grace at last For all my long and instant cries I will not shrinke though knowing this Thy wonderous power and great mercies most infinite thy mercy is If thou mad'st the rocke a water spring thy thirsty people to refresh From mine hard hearted foes canst wring some comfort for my woes reâ—resse If thou rain'dst Manna from aboue and Rauen sent thy Saint to feede Thousands of men didst feede with loue when there was little shew of bread If to thy people thou sendest Quailes in desert where all foode was scant And since thy goodnesse neuer failes should I suppose that I should want Confirme my faith for euermore that I most constantly beleeue Thou canst and wilt encrease my store and all good things thou wilt me giue All power belongeth vnto thee who can imagine or will say Thou canst not in my neede helpe me or that thy loue is tane away Sith thou hast done such mighty things so freely for men in distresse Should not I flye with swiftest wings to thee in time of heauinesse But loe O Lord all things are thine the heauens are thine the earth also The cattell fowles the shrubs the vines all things in heauen and earth belowe All things aboue all things beneath is thine who truly then can say Thou canst not giue or them bequeath to whom thou wilt who can say nay Thou mak'st the corne to spring and grow and waterst the earth with thy sweet showres Thou causest beasts with thanks to lowe with dewes thou water'st frâ—grant flowres Since then thou art the Lord of all sith thou command'st and doest forbid The rich and poore makest proud men fall that downe canst throwe and raise at neede Sith that thou try'st and wilt reward sith thou doest what shall please thy will And in what manner wilt regard and whom thou wilt canst saue or spill No liuing man commandeth thee not all the world can thee controle O Lord I still will pray to thee for health of body and of soule Let it be thus O Father deare for Christ his sake thy dearest Sonne That dy'd and rose my soule to cleare in all things Lord thy will be done All glory to the Trinity to Father Sonne and holy Ghost Combin'd in holy vnity of power and might and glory most A Prayer for loue and charity O Almighty God the Author and giuer of all things of
hainous crimes When I should walk sin drowneth me with sleepe for one good thought I sinne a thousand times Sigh O my soule weepe sorrow and lament and seeke for helpe if any hope be left Pray vnto Christ for grace thou mayst repent before his merits from thee be bereft Though by his rod afflictions humble thee and for thy sinnes thou suffer grieuous paine Yet with his flesh he still vpholdeth thee frō deepe despaire in bliss with him to raigne All glory be to God on high and to his Son our Sauiour wise and iust To whom with ioy still pray and sing will I and to my Comforter the holy Ghost Whose being was from all eternity one Deitie distinct in persons three According to the blessed Trinity distinguisht to three yet one in vnitie Abba ben Ruach sacred trinitie one drop of Nectar Lord on me bestow That glorious blood to cure sinnes miserie that all mankinde thy loue to me may know Let not sinnes hire nor grieuous punishment be condemnation to my stained soule Be pleased with Christ his all-sufficient payment who ransom'd vs from sinnes eternall thralls A prayer to be said on a Sunday morning for the right sanctifying of the Sabbath O Lord of Sabbath that in the beginning after the finishing of the sixe dayes workes in which by thy most mightie word thou didst create the heauen and the earth and produce all this wonderfull variety of things which wee perceiue euery day most admirably to be made not onely in the sensible but also in all insensible liuing things of all which workes thou hast caused man chiefely to excell hauing in him most curiously epitomised all the glory of this earthly fabrick and for all this thy great goodnesse thou hast done vnto him hast onely required of him that he in the contemplation of these created things not only without but within himselfe might finde out thee a louing Father and Creatour and doe vnto thee that high homage that thou hast commanded on this day not as slaues and seruants but as sonnes filled with all duty obedience which that wee might doe thou hast charged vs on the seuenth day to remember our Creatour not onely by refraining our seruile labour which in the sixe dayes thou hast appointed vs but by leauing the wicked workes of darknesse vnto which we are by nature and wicked desires so much addicted O Lord graunt that I may sequester my selfe this day vnto thy praise not onely in thy holy Congregation but in the secret cogitations of my heart And graunt that euery word or thing that I shall this day heare with my eares or see with my eyes may be so digested in my soule as fit subiects out of which I may bee occasioned to magnifie thy praise and glory O heauenly Father graunt that all those Sabbath dayes which haue passed in my youth and manhood while I knew thee not may be now recalled by double diligence in the deuout hearing of thy Word receiuing of the Sacraments and calling vpon thy name which on this day thou hast for euer commanded to bee done vnto thee in thy Church and holy Congregation And O Lord let my heart depart edified in thy most holy feare not for the present while I am hearing but for euer while I shall liue and let some part of thy holy Word which I shall heare expounded this day abide in me that at all times when I shall haue occasion or be called thereunto I may bee fitted and furnished to giue a full account and reason of the hope I haue in thee O Lord thy Apostles haue called this day not now the seuenth day from the Creation but the first day and the Lords day putting vs in mind of that high and admirable benefit of our Redemption as on this day accomplished by his glorious resurrection for the which wee can neuer rēder too much thanks neither publick nor priuate O Lord make my heart like the good ground mentioned in the Parable that when it had receiued good seede it brought forth thirty sixty and an hundreth fold so most sweet Sauiour graunt that I may haue thy Word so deepely rooted by the power of thy holy spirit this day sent downe into my heart that I may bring it forth in an hundreth fold thy power in my saluation And let it abide this day and euer in my soule the most sweet sauour of life vnto life O Lord driue from mee all impediments arising from the thoughts of the world the flesh and the deuill by which Sathan laboureth to frustrate in me the sauing hearing of thy Word and make me to heare thy precious Word with all reuerence and humility not as the word of man but as it is indeede the word of God And seeing thou hast said not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law are iustified O Lord make me a doer of the law And as thou hast againe said Blessed are yee if ye doe these things Wherefore Lord that I may bee capable of thy blessing graunt that this day when I haue heard I may doe the things and as thy blessed Mother pondered all thy sayings and layd them vp in her heart to remember them O sweet Sauiour helpe me this day and other dayes and times so often as I shall heare thy word or reade the same that my memory may be so quicke and fresh that I may retaine and remember all that shal most especially concerne me and not to be filled with idle knowledge but with constant doing that I may be accepted among those builders that set their house vpon the rocke most blessed Lord let me not be so simple as to thinke my selfe blessed by bare looking into thy law by an outward conformity in comming to thy Church to heare lest in so doing I become as a forgetfull hearer that offers to thee a sacrifice of fooles and so in sanctifying this thy Sabaoth so idely thou cast mee out among the hypocrites the chiefe profaners of the Sabbath in the burning lake and vnquenchable fire O Lord let no wicked temptation of sathan or of my flesh enter into my minde in the hearing of thy Word to make it vnsauourie or bitter vnto my soule but let it be this day and euer more sweet vnto my soule then honey vnto my lips O Lord let it be in some measure my meate and drinke to doe thy will and graunt that I may this day learne so much thereof that I may become wiser then my Teachers or those that regard not to keepe thy law graunt all these my requests most louing Lord both to mee and all thine this day and for euermore Amen Amen A Prayer for godly zeale O Lord knowing that zeale doth sauour our knowledge sweeten our vnderstanding confirme our faith and make acceptable all our sacrifices and seruices vnto thee and being a most excellent and perfect gift that commeth from thee the Father of gifts and how all thy seruants Moses Iosuah
my carelesse and negligent receiuing by the suddaine hand of sicknesse be struck vnto death but as the faithfull Iewes in their constant and conscionable celebration of their feast of Passeouer by them kept a perpetuall remembrance of their Egyptian deliuerrnce from Pharaohs bondage were exceedingly edified confirmed in the promises of thy loue that thou wouldest be their God and they should be thy people which they sawe fulfilled in their Fathers and still continued vnto themselues through the hope of the Messiah by whom they expected their greatest safety and deliuerance Graunt vnto mee O heauenly Father that as the Minister of thy Word and Sacraments setteth a part the Bread and Wine so I may remember the eternall loue by which in the beginning thou diddest set a part thy Sonne through faith in him to be my saluation promising that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And as I see the Wine powred out and the Bread broken so I may remember thy patient enduring the breaking of thy body and shedding of thy blood whereby thou hast payed the price and satisfied the punishment that was due vnto me and as the Bread Wine doe presently comfort and refresh my body so most sweet Sauiour let me feele my soule so comforted and edified this day and so often as I shall thinke of thee and thy mercies hereby promised and assured yea graunt that being made one with thee by spirituall vnion I may liue in thee and thou in me in the encrease of a godly life to the honour of thee my Sauiour To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be giuen by me and all thine both present and eternall praise Amen Amen Another godly Meditation before the receiuing of the holy Communion O Almighty God and mercifull Father I am a secret sinner and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions wilfully and foolishly ignorantly and obstinately haue I sinned against thee vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lye open but now I come vnto thee as the sick man vnto the Physitian as an vncleane man vnto the Well of mercy and grace offered in the pretious blood-shedding of Iesus Christ and represented to my soule in this blessed Sacrament Haue mercy vpon mee O Lord haue mercy vpon mee and forgiue mee all the euills that I am guilty of Giue mee grace that I may discerne the Lords body and so receiue it in this Sacrament with such chastity of body humblenesse of minde thankfulnesse of soule hearty contrition dread and reuerence as is meete for such a mysterie O Lord Iesus it is truly said of thee that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them and I verily beleeue that thou art the same still full of goodnesse and mercy wherefore I beseech thee leaue me not to my selfe reiect me not from thy Table come into my heart and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the spirit Enter into my soule seale and sanctifie me both within and without Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my blessed Sauiour Open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe mee to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance Send mee the hunger and thirst after this righteousnesse satisfie me with this heauenly foode make mee verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion Oh deare Lord Iesus since thou hast suffered so many things for my sake and hast commanded mee not to dispaire nor distrust thy goodnesse graunt me grace to eate of this bread and to drinke of this Cup worthily that I may continually remaine in thy grace and fauour O Lord God the Father giue mee the full consolation of this mysterie and commemoration that my faith may be encreased my hope confirmed my charity enflamed my weake conscience comforted all dangers repelled and my soule assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ let no profanenesse enter into my heart so long as I am about this holy action but giue mee grace to receiue with purity of heart and cleanenesse of soule with loue dread and stedfast faith haue mercy vpon me good Lord that by vnworthy receiuing I be not guilty of his pretious body and blood who came downe from heauen liued with men and swamme through a red sea of blood in his agony and passion to bee my Redeemer Haue mercy vpon the whole Church and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place and this companie that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice and all other actions of their life O Lord be not angry with mee a barren and dry tree a creature with a face of brasse and heart of flint I haue not so many teares as are sufficient to wash thy feete with Mary Magdalen but thou hast shed as much of thine owne blood as surficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee and all the world then be not angry with mee O Lord but let thy grace supply my wants let thy mercy pardon my sinnes let thy holy spirit prepare my soule thy merits enrich my pouerty and thy most pretious blood wash away all the spots of my life that I may worthily receiue this heauenly Sacrament so that I may bee strengthened thereby throughly filled with the heauenly foode of thy body and blood for the mortification of the old man the confirmation of my faith and the finall saluation of my soule O Lord heare my prayers graunt my requests I beseech thee Amen Godly Meditations vpon the loue and mercy of God in bestowing together with his Sonne these holy Mysteries vpon vs the commemoration whereof may moue vs to an awefull reuerence in the participation of the same O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing all creatures doe confesse thee to bee their Gouernour and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine owne hands to reuerence and magnifie thy godly Maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and similitude but chiefely because thou â—ast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death and damnation into which Sathan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the â—ondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free But thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeleued Sonne whom of very loue thou didst giue to bee made man perfect in all things freely exempted and excepted from sinne that in his body he might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy Iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the Author of death and so bring againe life vnto the world from which the whole off-spring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that
thy most excellent loue which moued thee to shew mercy where none was deserued to promise and giue life where death had gotten victory to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe not hing but rebell against thy maiestie O Lord the blinde dulnesse of our corrupt nature will not suffer vs sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits Yet neuerthelesse at the commandement of Iesus Christ our Lord wee present our selues to this his Table which hee hath left to be vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the world that by him alone we haue receiued liberty and life â—hat by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone we haue entrance to the Throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall Kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table with whom wee haue our conuersation presently in heauen and by whom our bodies shall be raised vp agâ—ine from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endlesse ioy which thou O Father of mercy hast prepared for thine Elect before the foundation of the world was layd And these most inestimable benefits wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine onely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ for thâ— which we therefore thy congregation mooued by thy holy Spirit render vnto thee all thanks praise and glory for euer What tongue or what heart can worthily giue thee thankes O Lord Iesu for thine vnspeakeâ— able loue towards vs who to thâ—â— intent to redeeme mankinde forlâ—rne didst vouchsafe to become man and to take all the miseries of our estates vpon thee insomuch that in the end thou being a pure and vnspotted Lambe wast contented to bee made a sacrifice for vs vpon the Altar of the Crosse and to abide the punishment due for our sinnes that thou mightest reconcile vs to thy Father yea and both in life and death thou didst spend giue and bestow thy selfe wholy vpon vs and for vs. And thy gracious goodnesse was not so contented but also lest we might at any time perchance forget so great a benefit or at least our trust in thee might at any time quaile euen now raigning in heauen thou refreshest our soules from time to time with the foode of thy body and chearest them vp with the holy Cup of thy blood Wherefore I beseech thee let thy spirit cleanse my heart that I may not come vnworthily to that heauenly feast and to the table whereat euen the very Angels doe tremble but that by thy shedding thy selfe into my bâ—wels I may growe manly in thee and become the liuelier by spirituall encreasements so as I may continue vnto the end in the blessed fellowship of thy mysticall body whom it is thy will to haue all one with thee in such wise as thou art all one with the Father by the knitting of the holy Ghost to whom be praise and thanks for euermore Amen I yeeld thee hearty thankes O Lord Iesus Christ for thine vnutterable loue in vouchsafing to redeeme mankinde by thine own death And I beseech thee suffer not thy most holy blood to haue beene shed in vaine for mee but that I growing vp in thee by continuall encrease of heauenly strength may become a fit member of thy mysticall body which is the Church and neuer swarne from that most holy couenant which thou madest with thy chosen Disciples in thy last Supper by distributing the bread vnto them and by reaching them the Cup and by them to all those that by a liuely faith apprehend the merits of thy most pretious death and passion My Lord Iesus Christ what am I that thou shouldest vouchsafe to come vnder my roofe Can a sinfull man deserue such grace O Lord my God I am certainly altogether vnworthy Am I better then all my Fathers were thou wouldest not shew thy selfe to Moses one twinkling of an eye and how happeneth it that thou humblest thy selfe so much as to come to a man that is both a Publican and a sinner And thou vouchsafest not onely to eate with him but also to giue thy selfe to be eaten of him Haile O bread of life which cammest downe from heauen and which giuest life to as many as receiue thee worthily Surely whosoeuer receiueth thee wâ—rthily although his soule be seuered from his body by temporall death yet shal he not die for euer because that the separation is not a death but a passing from death to life by reason whereof hee that eateth thee worthyly beginneth to liue with thee for euer when he dieth in this world thou art the bread of the Angels the very sight of thee doth solace and glorifie the Angels thou art the food of the soule the glory of heauen the solace of all Angels Saints O most holy food by the eating whereof by a liuely faith is set free from all euill is filled with all goodnesse and is vndoubtedly made immortall O sacred foode of our pilgrimage by the strength whereof wee passe out of this naughty world to the glorious company in heauen Goe on therfore O beleeuing and faithfull soule be merry and reioyce in God thy Sauiour take thy fill of this feast wherein the body of thy Sauiour is set before thee to feede on man fell from God by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree but by this foode hee is redeemed againe to endlesse glory These â—achrymae following containe godly and deâ—out Prayers for constancâ—e in affâ—ictions and to beare malicious slanders patiâ—â—tly O Lord how doe my woes encrease how many are my miseries My troubles rise and neuer cease men iudge thou wilt not heare my cries They say thou wilt me quite forsake that there 's no helpe for me in thee But Lord they are but such that make their censure with a carnall eye And doe not spiritually discerne thy secret purpose and intents Correcting them whom thou wouldst learne to know thy Law and Commandements Chastising them whom thou do'st loue and scourging them oft with thy rod That thou their hearts and mindes may'st moue to feare and serue thee mighty God The wicked outward meanes preferre and worldly helpes at neede they muster And not to God themselues referre nor comfort take from heauenly lustre Who workes by meanes his sacred will and without meanes brings to effect And against meanes can saue or kill for those him serue his true Elect Therefore let not their malice moue nor yet their taunts diâ—may my minde I will hold fast by God aboue whose promise iust and true I finde I striue thy statutes Lord to keepe what thou command'st I will performe Direct me right to thee I creepe O Lord doe thou my life reforme Defend me Lord from their despight that watch to catch me in their snare And to entrap me day and night with nets and ginnes ere I beware And scoffe me basely with reproach with shamefull
steppes and pathes of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnesse daily talke with feare end loue and all applause To thee I wholly owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created mee And bought me not with worldly pâ—lfâ— but by thy Sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy Image from aboue and vnto thee themselues betake O let me thus thy fauours find and peace of conscience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kind protected still by thy right hand That fill'd my dayes I leaue this life to take a life eternally Where Angels sing continually all glory be to God on high Amen A Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord God great in power fearefull in iudgeâ—ent and rich in mercy which â—indest and no man looseth and â—ooâ—est no man bindeth I yeeld â—hee most humble and hearty â—hankes for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed â—e this last nights sleepe in peace â—nd rest and againe loosing the â—onds wherewith I was tied hast â—iuen me power to see this morâ—ing light Now ô Lord I beâ—ech thee powre vpon mee this â—y the heauenly dew of thy comâ—rtable blessing that through the â—eration of thy gracious beames â—hat am a poore tree weake and â—rren in my selfe may bud forth â—d beare the fruits of true faith 〈◊〉 my life and conuâ—rsation Continue this goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power raise me from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenâ—sse and cloath me with the armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the glasse of thy will Increase in me all godly deâ— sires together with true contriâ— tion of heart that I may vnfainedâ— ly despise the pleasures of thiâ— world with hearty repentanâ— be conuerted vnto thee send thâ— holy Angel to guide me and keep me in all my wayes and prospâ— the worke of my hands that I nâ— uer faile in my vocation to dâ— some good to all men and escheâ— if it be possible all euill O Lord I beseech thee pâ— serue and keepe my senses â—aâ— and souÌ„d that I be neither corrup ted by prosperity nor deiected by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bould on thy mercies But grant me grace ô mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all that comes from thee with a religious heart and contented minde O blessed Lord Iesus Christ blessed bee thy name for our redemption great was thy loue sore was thy passion print in our mindes we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that wee may love thee which so louedst vs and euermore praise thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to bee presented to thy Faâ—her but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities encrease our Faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy faâ—hers iust wrath make good thy â—romises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy grace for the performance of all thy Commandements prosper ô Lord the workes of our hands and bring vs safe to the end of this day for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen Amen An Euening Meditation I Lay me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord onely makest me dwell In safety with great quietnes and doest ill dreames from me expell My body to enormities is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmities my life and health it cannot keepe Good Father all sufficient my louing God I yeeld thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my wayes In that thou hast this day now past me strongly guarded with thy hands With loue refresht me first and last with mercies more then sea-shore sands That hast me brought to this dayes end blacke night and darkenes drawing neare Wherein all creatures rest attend and lay them downe till day appeare I finding my debility poore creature run to the diuine O strength mine imbecility and aide this soule and body mine Thou hast me made of matter grosse and brittle substance out of clay Which still is subiect to the crosse a tennis ball for worldlings play He wanting comfort cannot liue after much sorrow and great griefe Therefore I doe my body giue and soule to thee Lord grant reliefe O Lord I doe thee humbly pray as thou art fountaine of all rest Bee thou my succour helpe and stay let me by thee this night be blest Consider me in my weakenesse and let my carefull eyes behold My miseries and my distresse to cry for mercy make me bold And since 't is time that night now brings the bodies rest and quiet sleepe O shadow me vnder thy wings let thy protection safe me keepe Looke ouer me with watchfull eyes when this corrupted flesh of mine In slumbring sleepe and dulnesse lyes depriu'd of sense with closed eyne Vnable my poore selfe to saue from dangers of the darkesome night Keepe me my bed else is my graue and I shall neuer see the light Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwell and in sure safety to abide Thou watchest ouer Israel watch ouer me be by my side Thou art my Castle and my Fort my sword my buckler and defence My rocke my refuge and comfort saue me from force and violence Alas without thee what am I a beast that rightly nothing knowes A senseles blocke sillie flie that no good doe nor no good showes Thy louing fauour Lord extend ouer the house wherein I rest My bed with Angels Lord defend and soule and body by thee be blest Oh lay me downe in rest and peace in rest and peace ô let me rise In rest and peace ô giue some ease from torments troubles teares und cries Let not the sleights of sinne deceiue nor wicked practise ouertake me Let nothing me of hope bereaue oh doe not thou though all forsake me Lord I am poore oh make me rich with those great riches of thy blessing My soule my soule is blacke as pitch let pardon follow my confessing In hope of this I lay me downe depending on thy prouidence I care not if the world doe frowne for I am safe by thy defence Lord let it be for I am thine my rest make sweete and comfortable To thee I doe my selfe resigne Lord grant all this for thou art able An Euening Prayer for a priuate person O Most holy Father and my most gracious God which giuest vnto all men the cheerefull light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations and likewise sendest the silent nights that then they my rest their wearied limbs and busied mindes and so returne their due thankes for thy goodnesse I sinfull creature adore and praise thee for the totall
now returne humble and hearty thanks O Lord diddest thou no wonderfully in this life protec◠vs of thy selfe and with thy holy Angels it were not possible fo◠any man to liue one day in health or life O God I thanke thee fo◠the continuall blessings which 〈◊〉 haue receiued euery day night of this present life and for thy liberality in giuing me such plenty of foode and rayment not onely for my necessity but for my plenteous and free liuing not onely in health but in sicknesse And I thanke thee that thou hast giuen me such plenty that I may be able to lend and do good vnto others and that thou hast made my Cup to ouerflowe and hast giuen mee discretion to vse them soberly thankfully and honestly and that thou hast giuen me a heart to take my part of them and kept mee from prodigall vaine and wastfull spending of them so that my family haue not wanted in due season that portion that hath bin fit for them to haue and mee to giue them O Lord I thank thee that since I came to mans estate thou hast kept me from vaine and idle courses of liuing and that I haue not diminished thy blessings but encreased them for it is thou O Lord that giuest meanes and power not onely to keepe the patrimony of our Fathers but to encrease it Yea it is thou that giuest power vnto our hands to get goods thou makest wise thou makest simple thou makest rich and poore thou makest noble and ignoble wee liue moue and haue our Being all in thee and from thee and what soeuer we are in this life wee are at thy will and pleasure and thine especiall appointment for though we rise early and goe to bed late yet without thy blessing wee labour in vaine and haue but paine and sorrow the reward of our desires Wherefore O Lord I thanke thee againe and againe for thine vnspeakeable loue which thou hast manifested vnto mee not onely in blessing mee with an honest vocation and meanes in this world to liue and maintaine my charge at home and abroad in honest profits and recreations whereby thou hast made my life pleasant and comfortable vnto me but aboue all I thanke thee for thy mercy in Christ Iesus wherewith thou louest mee both before and since my being and that thou hast so especially cared for my soule while I knew thee not neither cared for to know thee for I was so dead and hardned in the custome of sinning so that I could not nor did care to call vpon thee but followed the concupiscence of my owne carnall and fleshly desires sauouring nothing but that which did altogether offend and displease thee hating thy word not onely in it selfe but also the Ministers thereof and professours thereof because of it whom otherwise I should haue loued vntill it pleased thee by the power thereof to illuminate my blinde vnderstanding and made mee to see the wretchednesse wherein I lay for want of thy grace O Lord such was and is thy loue that when with the sight of my wretchednesse I began to dispaire thou didst reueale thy Sonne vnto me and promised mee that though my sinnes were as red as scarlet yet if I did beleeue in thy promises confesse my sinnes and forsake them they should bee forgiuen which I did and euer since through thy grace haue done and will doe hereby hast thou iustified mee and sanctified me and giuen me an assured hope of my glorification And thus of the member of Sathan hast thou made mee of thine owne free adoption a member of Christ. Wherefore most louing Creatour support mee by the assistance of thy holy spirit that I may stand fast and perseuere in these Graces and gifts of grace the seales of my adoption vnto my liues end And may abound in all fruits of righteousnesse sanctification and holinesse vnto a perfect man in Christ Iesus This is that mercy of mercies surpassing all others which onely maketh mee happy in whatsoeuer outward wants or condition I shall be in this life and though thou gauest mee all my desire which this world can afford yet without it I should still remaine most miserable though in neuer so great an estate or esteeme of the men of this world Therefore for this blessing whereby thou hast pleased to saue me by faith and repentance I doe praise and thanke thee not with the tongue and lippes onely but with the whole man Let all that is within mee praise praise thee O Lord while I haue breath I will praise thee for thou onely art worthy to bee praised yea my soule praise thou the Lord To thee most glorious Trinity be giuen all possible praise might and maiestie in heauen and in earth by thine elect Angels and vs men in our bodies and spirits for euermore Amen Amen This Meditation inciteth vs to repaire vnto God in Prayers in silent sighes and in inward desires and groanes O Father full of knowledge deepe thou searchest secrets of the heart Behold'st desires wee priuate keepe with hidden silence in the darke But yet thou doest thus much require thy children should knowe and confesse Thee for to be their light some fire that iudg'st their workes in righteousnesse As thou hast fram'd in man a heart wherewith his Maker to beleeue A tongue and lips and euery part wherewith he glory may thee giue And thou doest challenge at his hands free sacrifice of thankes and praise And honours due throughout all lands that all men canst deiect and raise Thy children must not in their minde be dumbe nor in their tongues be mute When they should seeke thine helpe to finde and by petition shew their suite Thy Sonne doth bid me aske and haue and finde to seeke to knocke to enter What they doe want that they may craue by faith in him they may aduenture Thou still art ready to be found and helpe thine owne in their distresse That in their faith are constant found and patient in their heauinesse Therefore deere Father I beset with many miseries distrest Come vnto thee thine ayde to get and after trouble to finde rest And haue thy grace without within but I that am of sinners chiefe Because thou hat'st in me my sinne may doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe Alas poore wretch what shall I doe to aske I am so farre vnfit Vnapt my God to seeke vnto vnworthy to haue benefit Of what I craue or doe desire and yet to cry I will not linne Thy mercies great I will admire and craue to cure my wofull sinne O let thy spirit me sanctifie vntye my tongue open my lips I cannot silence keepe for why my conscience euery houre me whips My miseries growe more and more within my bones I finde no rest Thy grace anew to me restore and let me speake what likes thee best Let thine eares euer be enclinde to my extreame and dolefull cries Let me thy mercies ready finde to take my teares from weeping eyes Thou
goe forth with hiâ— Armies and giue them gloriouâ— victories banish from his Couâ— all priuie foes forraigue and do mesticall graunt that hee maâ— with vprightnesse and true since rity both with heart and minde obserue and keepe thy lawes and that his Highnesse and all his subordinate Magistrates may indifferently and faithfully minister iudgement and iustice to all his people Wee beseâ—ch thee O Lord preserue his body in health his minde in quietnesse and both in â—ll sincerity and godlinesse that â—y his good example hee may both stop the mouthes of his adâ—ersaries and winne the hearts â—f all those that beleeue Make his â—ayes O Lord as the dayes of â—eauen that he may raigne many â—cares ouer vs and wee his Subâ—ts may long liue a peaceable â—nd quiâ—t life in all godlinesse and â—onesty vnder his happy gouernâ—â—nt Graunt vnto him wife and â—â—ithfull Counâ—ellours louing and â—bedient Subiects dutifull and â—ue seruants Deliuer him O â—ord from all conspiraciâ—s treaâ—s and other dangers graunt him alwayes a glorious victory ouer all his enemies pardon and forgiue him all his sinnes make him walke all the dayes of his life in the way of thy commandements that hee may liue in thy feare and dye in thy fauour and that in the resurrection of all flesh he may receiue a crowne of righteousnesse through the merits and mercy of Iesus Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen Amen LACHRIM 2. Herein the distressed expresseth his hope and confidence to be in God alone and not in man nor in any other externall meanes I Cannot Lord excuse my sinne most infinite before mine eyes And many more are me within I haue forget which secret lyes of life am weakened in beliefe Our Fathers pray'd with trust in thee in dangers out of troubles all Being deliuered and set free and were rais'd vp when they did fall Thou hearest them when they thee sought and didst them lend thy ayding hands When they almost to death were brought and them deliuered out of bands Great was thy fauour Lord to all them that tooke hold on thee by faith But what am I that am so small a worme no man as Dauid saith Yet I beleeue helpe vnbeliefe Lord I am couered with shame Be thou my glory ease my griefe that I may magnifie thy name The wicked worldlings me contemne because thou hid'st thy face from me Deriding grace and me condemne because of imbecility My neighbours that should me assist disdaine me my familiars all That should me comfort doe desist their helpe to raise me from my fall They say of me my hopes are vaine my kinsfolkes who should yeeld me ayde In my necessities refraine to come to me they are afraide And tauntingly they scoffe and say deseruedly he thus doth suffer Is iust he wrought his owne decay none other kindnesse they me offer I know 't is thou that sitt'st on hie doest send and suffer maladies And therefore I on thee relie to remedie my miseries My woes O Lord by such encrease as should in friendly wise relieue me They that should seeke to make my peace they are the men that most doe gritue me But I that taste the Cup will say 't is thou hast don 't and I will beare it When 't is thy will who can say nay 't is out of loue why should I feare it Relieue my soule with timely dewe and comfort me restore Restore my soule vnto those ioyes the which I felt to fore Now after stormes Lord send a calme and graunt me peace yet now at last And I will praise thee with a Psalme with thankes for all thy fauour past I le magnifie thy name for aye that bring'st such wonderous things to passe That worldlings neither thinke nor say nor know why 't is or how it was The iust shall heare and Saints be glad when wicked men shall faint and quaile To see what fauour I haue had and all their hope doth quench and quaile Whom they so long haue scorn'd and deem'd euen through afflictions cast away For thy name sake Lord me esteem'd their night is past they haue their day Respect my meditation helpe me in time conuenient Lord graunt my supplication thou know'st and tri'st my hearts intent Let not the righteous be dismaide nor wicked triumph in my fall Nor yet let sinners be afraide in time of neede to thee to call And let me put my confidence direct my faith erect my hope Vnto thy gracious prouidence this of my prayers is the scope A Prayer for the calling of the Iewes and the continuall encrease of Christs Kingdome among all Nations ALmighty euerliuing God who after the floud didst preserue Noah and our Fathers Sem Iapheth Terah Abraham Isaac and Iacob from the perishing waters and from the continued deluge of sinne which remained in the families of Ham and Canan his wicked posterity and of thy abundant mercies pittied the blind ignorance in which they had plunged themselues through Idolatrous superstition and didst seperate our Father Abraham and made of him a peculiar people a royall Nation and chosen generation that for euermore should serue thee And that they might neuer forget thy great goodnesse it pleased thee to bring them into Egypt that after the fauour of Pharaoh was expired they should suffer hard and cruell bondage the space of foure hundred yeeres and then in the power of God with a mighty hand and out-stretched arme in the sight of King Pharaoh thou wouldest bring them to their Fathers promised inheritance through the red Sea and waste Wildernesse to the mount Syon the hill of God where thou diddest appeare vnto them in a glorious manner to renue and continue the couenant made vnto their Father Abraham that thou wouldest be their God and the God of their seede for euermore Wherefore thou diddest out of the midst of the flames of fire so speake vnto them that they might liue and know that thou louedst them as thou hadst done their Fathers that first came into Egypt that thou wert the same Lord and that there was no other God besides thee in heauen or in earth Yet for all this great loue of which the like was neuer heard thou didst onely require them to keepe thy statutes thy lawes and thy commandements promising it should goe well with them for euermore but they started aside like a broken bowe and cast thy promises and law behind their backes and forsooke thee the guide of their youth and in their olde age euen when they were growne fat and full fed with the abundance of thy blessings they still spurned kicked against thee and though thou didst early and late in the time of the Iudges and Kings which they so much desired send them Prophets yet they cast thee off and forgot the Lord that made them and serued other gods of the Heathen whom their Fathers neuer knew Yet at last when they had killed thy Prophets and stoned thy seruants thou in infinite loue sent thy Sonne