persecutours then gauest thou some tranquilitie and rest after those ragyng stormes and cruell afflictions O Lord thou remainest one for euer we haue offended and are vnworthy of any deliueraunce but worthy art thou to be a true and constant god and worthy is thy deare sonne Christ Iesus that thou shouldest glorify his name and reueng the blasphemy spoken against the truth of his gospell which is by our aduersaries damned as a doctrine deceiuable false yea the bloude of thy sonne is troden vnder fete in that the bloud of his members is shedde for wytnessyngs of thy truth And therefore O lorde beholde not the vnworthines of vs that call for the redresse of these enormities neither let our imperfections stoppe thy mercies from vs but beholde the face of thyne annointed Christe Iesus and let the equitie of oure cause preuayle in thy presence Let the bloudde of thy sainctes which is shed be openly reuenged in the eyes of thy Churche that mortall men may know the vanity of their counsels and that thy children may haue a tast of thine eternal goodnesse And seing that from that man of sinne that Romayne Antechriste the chyefe aduersary of thy deare sonne do the all iniquitie springe and myschyefe procede let it please thy fatherly mercy more and more to reuele his deceit and tiranny to the worlde open the eies of princes and magistrates that clearely they may see how shamefullye they haue bene and are abused by his deceiuable wayes how by him they are compelled most cruelly to shede the bloud of thy sainctes and by violēce refuse thine eternall testament that they in depe consideration of their greuous offences maye vnfaynedly lament their horrible defectiō from Christ Iesus thy sonne from henceforth studieng to promote his glorye in the dominions committed to their charges that so yet once againe the glory of thy gospell may appears to the worlde And seing also that the chiefe strength of that odious beaste consisteth in defension of princes let it please thee O father whiche hast claymed to thy selfe to be called the God of peace to vnite and knyt in perfect loue the hartes of all those that looke for the life euerlastinge Let no craft of sathan moue them to warre one againste an other neither yet to mainteine by their force and strengthe that kingedome of darkenesse but rather that godly they may conspire illuminated by thy word to roote out from amongest them al supersticion with the maynteyners of the same These thy graces O lord we vnfainedly desyre to be powred forth vppon all realmes and nations that they may be firmly vnited and godly knitte together in the vnitie of thy worde that in their godly concorde thy name maye be glorified and thy dispersed flocke comforted and relieued The cōmon wealthes O lord where thy gospell is truely preached and harborowe graunted to the afflicted members of Christes body and specially accordinge to our bounden duetie this out countrey of Englande we commend to thy protection and mercy Be thou vnto them a defence buckler be a watch man to their walles a perpetual saue garde to their cities that the crafty assaultes of their ennemies repulsed by thy power thy gospell maye haue free passage from one nation to an other let al preachers ministers of the same haue the giftes of thy holy spirite in suche aboundance as thy godly wisedome shal know to be expedient for the perfect instruction of that flocke whiche thou hast redemed with the preciouse bloud of thy onely and welbeloued sonne Iesus Christ Purge their hartes from al kind of superstition from ambicion vaine-glory by whiche sathan continually laboureth to stirre vp vngodly contēcion and let them so consente in the vnitie of thy truthe that neither the estimation whiche they haue of men neyther the vaine opinions whiche they haue conceyued by their writinges preuaile in them against the cleare vnderstandyng of thy blessed worde And nowe last O lorde we most hūbly beseche thee according to that praier of thy dere sonne our lord Iesus so to sanctifie and confirme vs in thy eternal veritie that neither the loue of life temporall neither yet the feare of tormentes and corporall death cause vs to denie the same when the confession of our faith shal be required of vs but so assist vs with the power of thye holy spyrite that not onely boldely we may confesse thee O father of mercies to be the true god alone and whō thou haste sent our lord Iesus to be the only sauiour of the world but also that constantly we may withstande all doctrine repugninge to thy eternall truthe reueiled to vs in thy most blessed worde Remoue from our hartes the blynde loue of our selues and so rule thou all the actions of our life that in vs thye godly name may be glorified thy churche edified and sathan finally confounded by the power meanes of our lorde Iesus Christe to whom with thee and the holy spirite be all glory and prayse before thy congregations nowe and euer So be it Arise O lord and let thine ennemies be ashamed let them flee from thy presence that hate thy godly name let the grones of thy prisoners enter in before thee and preserue by thy power suche as be appointed to death let not thyne enemies thus triumphe to the ende but let them vnderstande that against thee they fight preserue and defend the vine whiche thy righte hande hath planted let all nations see the glory of thine annoynted Hasten lord and tary not A praier against the obstinate enemies of the truth MOste righteous iudge god of all mercy and comforte whiche by thy secrete iudgmente and wisedome doest suffer the wicked to triumph and increase for a tyme for triall of the faith of thy welbeloued little flocke and the mortifyinge of theyr lustes but at length to the vtter confusion of the enemies ioyfull delineraunce of thy people loke doune we beseche thee on thy dispersed shepe out of thy holy habitation in heuen and strengthen our weakenes againste their furyous rages abate their pryde asswage their malyce confound their deuises wherwith they lifte vp them selues against christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour to deface his glory and set vp Antechrist We be not able of oure selues to thynke a good thought much lesse to stād against their assaultes excepte thy vndeserued grace and mighty arme defend and deliuer vs. Performe thy promises made to Iacob and stoppe the mouthes of the cursed Edomites call them to repentance whom thou hast apointed to saluation bringe home them that runne astraye lyghten the blind and teach the ignoraunt forgeue al those that wilfully obstinately rebell not against thy holy will let thy fearefull threatninges pearce our stony hartes make vs tremble at thy iudgementes Make the exaumples of theim whom thou haste ouerthrowne in their owne deuises as Cayn Cham Nimrod Esau Pharao Saule Achitophel Iudas such other to be a
to mortifie my erthly membres Ro. 8. Yea dere father sithe thy spirite which raised vp Christ frō death dwelleth within mee do thou who raisedst Christ frō death quickē my mortal body through thy spirite so dwellyng in me I beseche thee Iohn 14. Yea lorde Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy father make me work this wōderful great worke the thou speakest of I meane make me Collo 3. being of my self but a lumpe of synne and a monster moste ougly as the vyces whereon the membres of my earthly body aboue declared to be compacte doo proue make me I saye yet throughe thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredome vncleannes vnnaturall lustes euyl concupiscence vnordinate desyres wantonnes tendernes delicatenes idlenes drunkennes gluttony slouthfulnes distruste dispaire ignoraunce weakenes wilfulnes Idolatry superstition hypocrisie heresye errour sectes variaunce strife wrath enuie slaunders lyeng swearing cursyng vayne glory pride couetousenes thefte disceite flattery and what so euer elles lord feighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirite And then lorde Father I will boast and make vaunte agaynste myne ennemie the deuyll that I haue doone greater workes then thy dere sonne Iesus dyd at what tyme he spake these wordes amōg the iewes because Iohn 14. albeit he vanquissehed Sathan yet in as muche as he hym selfe was vtterly without synne the victorie semed the wore easy But I to vanquishe sathan being my selfe altogether synful yea contrary to my most synfull nature to subdue synne the deuyll and myne owne fleshe it seemeth a more victorye and greater worke then the other For the whiche neuerthelesse I wyll with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuyne maiestie taht the whole victory lord in deede is thine and thy holy spirit the begynner and fynisher bothe of the will and worke Nowe therfore Lorde Iesu strēthen me with thy grace myght that thou mayste by me a moste synfull wretch drawe al these my earthly membres and horrible vices before rehersed vnder my feete that I maye not onely mightely fyght againste them but also subdue them so that they may al turne to the best for me Rom. 8. Io. 12. as mete matter wheron I may exercise my fayth powre forth harty prayer and geue thee most hartye thanckes for victorie whereby I maye learne haue experience that thou haste in me drawen althinges vnto thee in so muche as thou thus lord of thy diuine power drawest bothe the deuill and the synne that dwelleth in mee to set forth thy honour and glory whiche thyng for thy mercies sake brynge to passe O God my creatoure preseruer and euerlastinge defēdour ¶ A Prayer of a christian man expressing his great anguishe heuines of minde that he had before time for his sinnes for that he felt not his hart cōforted in the ioy of gods great loue towardes him with the maner of his prayers groninges which he then made nowe powreth forth againe vnto god for his grace assistance in his new assaultes wherby the broken harted afflicted for their sinnes maye learne to stirre vp strengthen their faith and hope in like dangers and trouble of conscience 1. EVen in the myddes of the desperate assaultes of my soule the intollerable heuinesse of my minde hath heretofore Lorde cryed as shrill in thine eares as thoughe I had shryked and with lamentations cryed out saying Help helpe me my god my creatour my most prouident keper and euerlasting defender for beholde I peryshe 2 On this occasion Lorde that heauines of mynd did heretofore assault me I remembred that thou haddeste manye tymes set before myne eyes the wonderfull greatues of thy most tender loue towardes me by great multitude of thy benefites powred vpon me whiche benefytes euery of thy workes as they came before mine eyes gaue me iuste occasyon to be mindefull of 3 Wolde not thought I if I had in a maner any grace at all wolde not suthe loue brynge nowe into my harte a wonderfull delectation comforte ioye in god for the same 4 And againe coulde suche delyghte in goddes swete mercy and tender loue towardes me if I were not as euyll as a cast awaye that were none of goddes chyldren be without lothing of my syn and lust desire to do goddes holy wyl And these thinges thought I fye vpon the vnthankeful wretche are either not at all in me or elles in deede so coldelye and sclenderly that they beynge truelye waied and compared to righteousenes Esa 64. are more vile then a sylthye clothe starched in corrupte bloudde 5 Oh thought I I am aferd I haue deceyued my selfe for thy seruauntes at al times I trowe feele otherwise then I nowe do the fruites of thy spirite as Loue Ioye Peace and suche lyke But my loue alas towards thee what is it my ioye oh woe is my hart therefore is not once almost felte of me for my very soule within me as Dauid in his heuynes said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it dyd vtterly despaire Psal 77. And what peace can I feele then or certaintie of thy fauoure and loue Iustely may I powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion the lorde hath forsaken me Esai 49. and my lorde hath forgotten mee 6 Euen in the middes I say of these my former desperate assaultes myne in tollerable heuines cryed to my god and from heauen he heard my gronynges therupon first prepared my hert to aske comfort of him then he heard my praier and gaue me plētefully my asking 7 Oh my soule consider wel that thou art neuer hable to declare the excedynge goodnes of god in this that he heard the very desires of thee being afflicted who is soo redy fauourablye to graunte the requestes of the afflicted that often tymes he taryeth not vntyll they do call but or euer they cal vpon him he fauourably heareth thē as the psalmist saith the desires of the afflicted thou heareste O lorde thou preparest theyr hartes thine care heareth fauourably Psal 10. 8 Oh lorde my god marueilous thinges are these whether I consyder this marueilous maner of thy hearing orels the marueilous nature and propertye of thy goodnes Marueilous no doubt is that thy hearinge wherby the very desires of the afflicted are hearde but muche more marueilous is this thye goodnesse which taryeth not vntyl the afflicted do desire thy help but prepareth first their hartes to desyre and then thou geuest them their desires 9 Yea Lorde worthye of all praise it can not otherwise be For how shouldst thou do otherwise then thy nature and propertie is art not thou very goodnes and mercy it self how canst thou then but pitie and helpe miserie 10 Art not thou both the creatour and also the conseruer of all thinges In so much as the lyons whelpes roaryng after their pray do seeke their foode at thy handes Psa 104. Psal 147. and the rauens byrdes lackyng meate
DEare father to whome it is more easie to do all thinges then for me to thyncke anye one good thing Lo do thou but speake a worde and thy deadly sicke seruaunte my soule shall be made whole Helpe O Lord let thy strength suffise against my weakenesse and thy holy spirite againste my synfull fleshe and olde man Thou art true and faithfull O Father who hast promysed that I shall not bee tempted further then thou wile make me able to beare 1. Cor. 10. Geue therefore thy power vnto thy seruaunt that I may with a stronge fayth in thyne infallible truthe and promysed mercy vanquishe subdue what so ouer rebelleth against thy most blessed wills Do this O Father for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake our deare Lorde and gracious redemer Amen ¶ A Prayer to God the Father for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redēption in Christ O Almyghty God and father of our lorde Iesus Christ and by hym also our father the father of all mercy and god of all consolation haue mercye vppon vs and heare our prayers We most humbly beseche thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Chrystes sake his merites and cruel death whiche he suffered to delyuer vs from eternall deathe and the power of darkenes geue into our harts the spirite of truth to worke in vs a true liuely and stedfaste faithe that the cleare lyghte and brightenesse of thy gospell the glorye of Christ may shyne vnto vs and lyghten our myndes that we may learne vnderstande the wonderfull and vnspeakeable rychesse of the misteric of our redēption in Christ and by Chryst O father of glory geue vnto vs the spirite of wisedome brynge vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued sonne Iesus Christe and the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lyghten the eyes of our mindes and vnderstandinge Ephe. 1. that we maye knowe what the hope is wherunto thou hast called vs and howe ryche the glory of thine inheritaunce is vppon thy sainctes and the excedinge greatnes of thy power towardes vs that by trewe fayth vnderstanding and knowledge of thine eternall wisedome whiche is Iesus Christe we may be in deede as wee are called true christians and vnfained professours of thye holy name to worshippe thee in spirite and truthe and to sette forthe the glory of thy grace geuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our lord Amen O dere father write in our hartes loue to thy lawe hate to all synne thankefulnesse of heart and continual heate of thy holy spirite for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake To whom with thee and thy holy spirite be all honour maiestie glory thankes rule empire and dominion for euer more ¶ A prayer to be vsed of all sortes of men and at all times O Lord God for thy great mercies sake graūt vnto me these my petycions whych I shall make vnto the in Iesus Christes name and endue me with thy grace that I maye aske of thee in such sorte as thou requirest to the honour glory and prayse of thy holy name to the furtheraunce of thy worde the profitte of thy people and to my consolation and comforte throughe Iesus Christe our onely sauiour and readeuter So be it O Lord thou great and terryble god thou that kepest couenant merry with theym that loue thee and doe thy commaundementes let thyne eares be open that thou mayst heare the praiers of thy seruaunte which I make before thee at this time haue mercy vpon me thy pore creature worke of thine handes for I haue sinned done wickedly and haue offended thy maiesty greuously in that I haue gone backe departed from all thy preceptes and iudgementes haue not folowed thy seruaūtes the prophets the spake vnto me in thy name but haue from day to day prouoked thy iust wrath and indignation agaynst me O Lorde I knowledge and confesse my manifolde sinnes and wyckednesse the whiche I haue vnrighteousely committed against thee in thought worde dede fro my youth vp vntill this day for the which I am hartely sory and do vnfainedly repent purposing euermore through the assistaunce of thy grace to walke in a newe life Remember not lord the numbre of my misdedes I besech the but accordinge to thy great mercyes thinke vpon me Call to remembraunce for Christes sake thy louing kindnes and thy tender mercy the which hath euer bene of olde Hyde not thou thy face from me nor cast not of thy seruaunte in thy displeasure for I confesse my sinnes vnto thee and hide not mine vnrighteousnesse For thy mercies sake deliuer me from al my sinnes and make me not a scorne vnto the folyshe Tourne not away thy mercy frō me but let thy most louing kindnes truth alwaies preserue me Helpe me for thy names sake and deliuer me in thy strength Heare my prayer O lord and consider the wordes of my mouth for my misdedes preuayle agaynst me O be thou mercifull vnto my sinnes Let the sorowfull sighyng of thy prysoner come before thee and according to the power of thyne arme preserue those the be appoynted to dye for thy iust cause O Lord comforte the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee do I flee for succour Teache me to number my dayes that I may apply my hart vnto wisdome Satisfie me with thy mercy and that sone so shall I reioyce and be gladde in thee all the dayes of my lyfe Looke not extremely what is done amysse in me for I haue sinned againste heauen and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne yet lorde of thy great goodnes powre down some of the cromes that fall frō thy childrens table and make me as one of the least of them Rewarde me not accordyng to my deseruings for then I must nedes perishe for vnto me perteyneth nothinge but open shame confusion and damnation but with thee ther is mercy forgeuenes and saluacion O Lorde therefore doe I come vnto thee not hopyng in myne owne righteousnes but trusting onely in thy greate mercies and promises made vnto me in Chryst Iesu my lorde for whose sake I beseth thee to clense me from al my sinnes and do away all mine iniquities For thy tender mercy sake lay not my sinnes to my charge but forgeue that is paste and geue me grace to amende my lyfe to declyne from sinne and incline to vertue that I may walke in a perfect harte a cleue comience and single eye before thee this daye or nyght and euermore Remember not forde myne offences nor the offences of my forefathers neyther take thou beingeance of my sinnes spare me good Lorde spare me whome thou hast redemed with thy most precyous blonde and be not angrye with me for euer spare me good lord spare me Put me not frō thy presence oh thou god of al comfort but incline thine eare vnto my callyng Strengthen thy Seruaunte with the power of thy right hande and helpe the Sonne of thy handmayden Replenyshe my hart with grace wisedome
ye shall finde knocke and it shal be opened vnto you to preuent and drawe my will to all goodnes for none can come to thee 13. Iho. 3. ◠6 except he be drawne 13. againe excepte we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of god assiste therfore and gyde me also with thy holy spirite from time to time drawe me there fore and I shall runne after thee geue me strength and ablenes through christe our lorde to accomplyshe and fulfill the same Canti 1. lorde make me to become poore in spirite vile and lowe in my owne sight that I lift not vp my self aboue my bretherne Ihon. 1. but that I esteme my selfe to be as a seruaunt to al men to do thē good after the example of christe which came not to be ministred vnto but to minister for he hathe sayde 14. Math 5. Iames. 4. 14. Blessed are the pore in spirite againe thou resistest the 14. proud but geuest grace to the humble geue mee therefore thy grace that when so euer I be ouer taken wyth any kinde of synne and wickednes eyther in thought word or dede or that I fele my owne infirmitie or weakenesse I maye immediatly with harty repentaunce 15. 2. Timo. 2 15 which is also thy gyfte returne to thee againe and not to lie stil in the security of sin Take from me my stony vnbeleuing blynd doubtfull vnfaithfull vnthankeful hart and. 16. repose in me an hart of fleshe to bowe and encline to thy wil my carnall idle secure impenitent hart take away from me geue me an hart to feare thee to loue thee to truste in thee for euer write thy lawe in my harte graue it in my mynde that I may beleue trust and liue in thee sor euere Deliuer me frō the spirite of pryde and vaine glory all hautines of minde presumption selfe loue and selfe trust that I stand not to hye in my owne conceyt but that I may be willing rather to learne then to teach Lake from me that wicked spirite of suspicion and enuy euil gelousy vaine surmisings murmuring and grudging whispering or backbiting of any especially such as be in auctority and ministers of thy word O lord kepe me from al wrath malice and hastynesse all respecte of personnes in the faith all lying euill wordes contention flatteryng dissimulation I potresy blasphemy and vaine swering by that name of god his works or creatures from all lightnes idle wordes and all vnstablenes of hart O lord deliuer thou my hart from all filthynesse both of the flesh and spirite as heresy and errours from al vncleane thoughtes and vnlaufull desires euil concupisence and lustes of the body Lake frō me also couetousnes and mordinate care of riches all deceit and guile in my callinge and office all idlenes and slouth and geue me not ouer vnto an vnshamefast and obstinate mende Make me able and contented to beare occasions with pactence whē they be offred or geuen me and not to recompence euyll for euyll neyther to swell nor to murmure nor to be solemne nor angry Good lord make me very loth to geue occasions of euil to any man if I chaunce to geue any make me willyng to cōfesse my fault to amēd it Graunt me grace that I may be wylling and fre to geue but loth to take receaue because it is more blessed to geue thē to receiue Geue me thy grace that I neuer enuye any good mans loue or womās because they do either loue god his peple more thē I or els that they be beloued of him or his more thē I. make me to reioice in other mens gyftes not to enuy them because they be better then mine but rather to geue thankes for thē with al my hart desiring that they may be incresed in thē in me Oh lord take fro me a careful hart in al worldly thinges graunt the neyther pouerty opresse me driue me to dispatre or falsehod nether riches lift me vp to forget thee or my self but that in prosperitie I may be thankefull in aduersitie pacient humble Lord make me mery without lightnes sad without mistruste sober wythoute dulnes true withoute doublenes fearing thee with out desperation trusting in the without presumption geue me also the spirite of humblenes simplicitie mekenes gentlenes goodnes faithfulues and truth Braunt me O god the bowels of mercy and louing kindnes toward my bretheren longe suffering pacience to beare al things well that thy prouidēce shal se metee to lave vpon mee regenerate my hart with the spirit of grace dayly more and more geue me an inward taste and feling of thy fauoure mercy towardes me in Christ Iesu our lorde that I may know thee to be my god and father and my selfe to be thy chylde for euer more Lorde merease this my faith in thee and in christ thy sonne my redemer encrease and confyrine my hope in thy promyses touchinge my saluation Oh god make perfecte my loue toward thee and to my reademer and iustifier geue me a trewe and vnfamed loue to al vertue godlines and to all thy chosen people where so euer they be dispersed throughout all the worlde encrease in me strength and victory against all temptations and assaultes of the fleshe the worlde and the deuill 18. 1. corin 1 that accordinge to thy promise I be neuer further proued or tempted then thou wilt geue me strēgth to ouercome Geue me grace to kepe a good cōsciēce geue me a pure hart and minde and renue a right spirite within me geue me also the true vnderstandinge of thy holy worde that I maye neuer swarue from the true sense and meaning thereof and that my chefe felicitie may be in the same in hearing reading talking watching praying fasting mortifyinge and subduinge mine owne wyll and membres O gracious lord Iesus Christ sonne of the liuing god which wast 16. crucified and raysed againe for vs 10. Act. 2. 3 20. Act. 2. 7 21. Psal 68. Ephe. 4.22 1. Timo. 2 1. Ihon. 2 which now sit test and raignest on 20. the right hande of the father that thou mayste 21. gyue giftes vnto men and art apointed to be the onely 22. mediatoure and aduocate for vs vnto god haue mercy vpon me praye for me to thy eternall father and sanctify me with thy holy ghost as thou hast promised sayinge I will not leaue you 23. comfortlesse but will sende you the spiryte of truthe whyche shall abyde with you for euer 23. Ihon. 14. Kindle my mind and hart with thy holye spirite that I maye truely beleue in thee acknowledge and call vpon thee geue thankes and obeye thee for I feele my selfe so clothed and cloyed with infirmities and synne that I know not what to do but euen to offer vp my selfe wholy wyth all my croked and corrupte nature so muche as it is in wyll and workes vnto thy mercy to
do call vpon thee 11 If then thy fatherly prouidence and tender care O lorde vpon all thy creatures be so great that the very beastes foules haue this experiēce of thy goodnes in their necessities that their roringes and criynges haue the strengthe of earnest callinges and besechinges how muche rather do these syghinges groninges and desperate heuines of men but chiefely of all those whiche beleue in thee crye call loude in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all 12 Shulde I then nowe dispeire of thy fatherly mercy whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule harte to craue helpe at thy hande Psal 77. shulde I thinke that thou wilt absent thy selfe for euer that thou wylte be noo more intreated that thy mercy is cleane gone and thy promise come vtterly to an ende and that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindnes in displeasure 13 Nay god forbydde for all alterations are of thy right hande and turne away to the best to them that feare thee All this is no more but myne owne infirmitie Psal 77. for god is euer one his promises be vnfallible and his loue towardes his euerlastingly duringe 14 I wyll therfore in this my present temptation and greuous assault powre out my heuines of hart before thee dere father yea I will with gronynges lifte vp my soule vnto thee from whence I assuredly knowe my helpe is comming I will also for my present comforte Psal 77. cal to remembraunce O lorde my god thy tender mercies towardes me alredy shewed the multitude of thy benefites the greatnes of the same the longe continuaunce of theim euen from my conception vntyll this instante and fynally thy continuall lust and desyre to powre them vpon me 15. And moreouer sith thy goodnes is so great O lord that thou doest not only pitty misery but also callest the heuy harted and afflicted vnto the promising that thou wilt ease their misery and for as muche as Mat. 11. by the motion of thy good spirite I loth abhorre my sines I felt the greuousenes of them and thy heauy wrath towardes me for the same and finally what nede I haue of thy gracious aide and succoure therfore Lord father in thy sonne Christes name wyth sure confidence and truste in thine infallible promise in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercyfull calling and craue comfort at thy hand For this I know wel that when I loth my sinnes thou doest vtterly forget thē whē I fele the greuous burden of them thy mercy swalloweth them vp when I fele what I wante thou wylt assuredly graunt it me For sith thou mouest my harte to desire helpe how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy truthes sake geue me mine askinge 16. Yea where I knowe not howe or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirite graciously workinge in me maketh intercession mightely for me Rom. 8. with gronings which can not be expressed ther withal certifieth my spirite that by adoption through thy great mercy and goodnes I am become thy childe and heire 17. Why should I not then be of good cōfort ioyfull in thee my God For if thou be on my side who can be againste me Rom. 8. who diddeste not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for me euen whē I was thine enemy how shalt thou not with him nowe that by his deathe I am broughte into thy fauoure geue me all thinges with him and for his sake who shal lay any thing to the charge of thine elects it is thou lord that iustifiest me who then shall condempne me It is Christe that hath died for me yea rather that is risen againe for me who also is set on thy right hande and hathe taken possession yea and perpetually maketh there intercession for me vntil that ioyfull day be come when I shall haue full fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuyne maiestie in that kingedome whych thou hast prepared before the beginning of the world Ephe. 1. but in time to thy gracious goodnes thoughte beste made knowen to me by geuinge thy holy spyrite into my hart wherby when I fyrste Lorde beleued thy holy worde whych is thine own power to saue al that beleue I was sealed Rom. 1. confyrmed and stablyshed in certaynty of that thyne euerlastynge kingdome and inheritaunce For the which inestimable benefite of thy rich grace Oh Lorde my God I beseche thee euen for the loue thou barest to Christ Iesu thy sonne and the mercy thou haddeste on him when he cryed on the Crosse Mat. 27. my God my God why haste thou forsaken me helpe help I say and inflame my hart with loue so plenteously towardes thee againe that I may be euē swallowed vp in the ioyful feling of the same in such sort that I may of very thankfulnesse loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God and nothinge but thee and for thy sake Oh holy spirite whose worke this is in me increase this thy worke of thyne infinite mercy preserue me that I neuer become vnthankfull vnto thee therefore Amen deare god Amen ¶ Remedies against synfull motions and voluptuous tēptations 1. FIrst remember that sinne is so heynous a thing that god by his iustice might worthely dampne the for the same and is therfore to be abhorred as a swete poison a flattering death destruction of thy sowle which wold cutte thee of from god thy fauiour and make thee bonde slaue to Sathan thye deadly enemie 2 Auoyde therfore euen at the first the occasions thereof and betymes quashe out the braines of the children of Babylon against the hard stones Psal 137. whiles they be yet younge weake least when they be growne elder stronger they dashe thee to peeces 3 And for remedy against the same flee vnto god who cōmaundeth thee to call vpō hym in thy troubles and promiseth to delyuer thee and will not suffer thee to be further tempted then he wil make awaye out wherby thou shalte escape 1. Cor. 10. doubte not but he that causeth thee to hate the synne whiche thy nature is to loue wyl deliuer thee also frō the daunger therof and make thee to triumphe ouer Sathan to his confusion to gods glory and to thy great comforte which are the causes that our tender louynge father sendeth tēptations vnto vs and he that is not tempted what is he 1. 〈◊〉 1 4 Nowe after thou hast obteyned the victory remembre two thinges first to geue most harty thanckes to god for his grace and assistance wherby thou haste ouercome and he not vnthanckefull in any wyse and then that he who continually goeth about lyke a roaryng lyon seekyng whom he may deuoure will not be long or farre away from the but wyll attempte agayne the same or as euyll wayes to ouercome thee Watche therfore and praye ¶ A prayer for presente helpe in temptation **
and vnderstanding Comforte my soule with thy swete promyses and let thy mercies couer my infirmities For the deathe and bloudshedynge of thy Christ O Lord consider myne infirmities which are many and helpe to heale myne imperfection delyuer me from al kyndes of euilles that I do not obey vnto them as from adultery fornication vncleannesse wantonnes ydolatry good lord deliuer mee Frō witch craft lyeng hatred varyaunce zeale wrath strife sedition good lorde delyuer mee From sectes enuiyng whyspering backebityng bringing vp of euyll tumours good lorde delyuer mee From murther drunkennes gluttony and from the spirite of euyl telosie good lorde deliuer me From enuiynge of other which loue thee thy people more then I or be beloued of thee or of thye people more than I am from swelling at other mennes giftes good lorde deliuer mee From surmisynge murmuringe lowring grudging mutteringe when wordes be not spokē to my mind good lorde for thy great mercies sake deliuer mee and geue me grace that I do at no tyme enuye any good man or womaunes loue but labour to increase it that their prosperstie in worde prayse of other may be my consolation and reioysynge O lord graunt me that I may be low in myne owne syght to submit my self to beare all occasions to wrestle wyth fleshe and bloudde and get the victory Graunt me this gyfte that I maye be swyft to heare slowe to speake slowe to wrathe that my hart do not go after any euyll and wicked imaginations Geue me grace to walke soo that I geue none euill occasions and to auoid all suspitious thinges wherby euyll occasions maye growe O Lorde assist mee with thye spirite that I may labour to mainteyne peace to increase loue and to further vertue Graunte O mercifull father that I may prosper in all vertue in long suffering gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes mekenes temperaunce strength and pacience with all suche like vertues as are cōmaunded in thy holy law for mee to walke in O lorde geue me ioye in thy holy spirite that I may reioyce in thy holy scriptures that al my whole pleasure felycitie and consolation may be in thy holy woorde night and daye in readinge thinking talkinge of the same to thy glory and my edifienge Assist thy seruaūt against this world with the vaine pompe pleasure beautie thereof that it maye be vnto me as vile dust slime fylthynes and asshes that I maye vse it as thoughe I vsed it not and that it may serue me and I not it that I may take my part therof vnto my necessitie with thankesgeuing that I do not vse thy creatures voluptuousely but that I may at al tymes liue righteously soberly and godly in this lyfe Geue me grace to walke with a good conscience bothe before thee and towardes all men in bying and sellinge and in all other my doinges to cast away allyinge craft and disceite that I be not a reader of thy holy worde and a talker onely but that it may appere also in my lyfe and conuersation O Lorde graunte vnto thy seruaunte the strengthe of thy holy spirite to subdue this bodye of synne with the whele lustes therof that it may be made obedient both in wyll minde membres to do thy will that it may be weake vile simple and of no reputation in it selfe by the way of fastinge prayer and meditation of thy lawe that I may be low harted humble minded gentle spryted and to all vertues obedient Geue me grace O lorde to brydle my mouth from al vayne and lyght communication and geue me an vnderstāding hearte with suche discretyon that neyther fylthynes nor folishe talkinge nor iestinge whiche are not comely procede out of my mouthe but rather geuing of thankes O Lord my sauiour increase my faith in thee and in thy Christe and make it stronge to beleue thy promyses O Lorde my redemer increase in me a loue to do thy wyll and to thy ryghteous people O Lorde my iustifyer increase in me a sure hope of my saluation withoute doubt or wauering in aduersitie with out pride or presumption in prosperytie so that in aduersitie I maye be pacient and geue thankes in prosperitie serue thee with reuerence and godly feare all the dayes of my lyfe Increase in me Lord al other vertues agreable to a godly lyfe for I come vnto thee my god as vnto the wel euerlasting fountaine of health and saluation O heauenly father graunt vnto mee al other wheresoeuer they be dispersed throughout the whole world which professe thy holy worde so to lyue that we may dye to sinne and leade a godly conuersatiō walking innocētly before thee Preserue and defende thy seruaunte from all false opinions that I be not deceyued and caryed awaye in errour of the wicked but that I maye growe in grace and knoweledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord geue me a reuerent and pure vnderstanding of thy holy word that I may therby auoyde al rashe iudgemente and peruerse interpretations O Lorde geue me wisedome knoweledge and vnderstandinge to perceyue those false lying flatteryng spirytes whiche doe deceyue the hartes of innecentes and begyle vnstable soules O Lorde make me to be content with thys woman which thou hast geuen me to be my wyfe that we maye godly lyue together accordynge to thy holy ordynaunce Geue her an hearte of vnderstanding and set thy feare alway before her eyes that she may be obedient in word dede and thought to all that is thy wil. O Lord geue vs the power of thy holy Spirite to rule gouerne and bryng vp these our children and familie in al god lye feare and knoweledge of thy holye worde and that we maye be vnto them an example in all godlynes and vertue to the prayse of thy holy name Saue my soule oh my God whether it be throughe prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gayne sickenes or health life or deathe Ayde strengthen succour and defend thy seruaunt in all aduersitye tribulation and temptaciō and suffer not him to be tempted aboue his strength Increase my ioye that I may reioyce in persecution embrace it to my cōsolacion comfort thinke my felfe happie and blessed when I am counted worthy to suffer rebuke for thy names sake Take from my hearte the care of all worldly thinges only set before my eies the ioye of the crosse of Christe that I maye take comforte therin and despyse the shame for the great rewarde that is laide vppe in heauen for all those that with pacience suffer in aduersitie continue in well doinge vnto the ende O Lorde neither lay thou presumption vnto thy seruauntes charge nor loke not vppon my vilenes whiche am but dust earth and ashes yet lorde I haue taken vpon me am bolde to come vnto thee throughe the merites of Chrystes death and bloud shedyng to lay my prayers before thee requiringe merry pardon and forgeuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy