me wretched woman for thy beloued sonne Iesus Christes sake who liueth and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost one God euer world without end Amen God the Father of all comfort and consolation blesse keepe and defend me from all the illusions and suggestions of sathan now and euermore also giue me grace to walke in thy feare Amen Reade more of this in the Quéenes meditation page 10. and 16. 17. c. in the second Lampe A praier of Marie Magdalens repentance O Good Iesu the onlie hope of the penitent person which opening the bowels of thy compassion and to declare and shew a token of thy great loue didst gratiouslie giue absolution and pardon of all hir sinnes to Marie Magdalen that greeuous sinner and sinfull woman at what time she touched with great remorse and sorrowe stood weeping before thee and powring foorth abundance of teares washed thy feete and kissing them wiped them with the heare of hir head in token of hir hartie repentance and sorrowe for hir forepassed sinfull life spent in adulterie and vncleannesse O despise not me also I beseech thee most mercifull Iesu which am a more sinfull woman and now likewise most humblie with great remorse of conscience and sorrowe for my sinfull life past doo prostrate my selfe before the feete of thy mercie washing them with the inward teares of contrition and kissing them with the lips of deuout earnest praier And vouchsafe O sweet Christ to make me meete to heare thy voice so full of loue and compassion so full of elemencie sweetnesse and mercie which the same Marie Magdalen was made woorthie to heare that as hirs so also my manifold sinnes and offences committed against thee and thy whole Church and mine owne bodie and soule may quite be forgiuen and washed awaie by thine onlie grace and merits O blessed Sauiour Iesu Amen Another praier of the woman taken in adulterie O Most tender harted Iesu which so gentlie deliueredst the woman taken in adulterie and so mercifullie sentedst hir awaie in peace and vncondemned of thee from hir accusers Behold my adulterous soule standeth heere before thee which so often hath forsaken thee hir true and faithfull spouse as she hath consented to the vile suggestions of the adoulterous and corrupt enimie Alas my conscience accuseth me yea and all my lewd works and wicked actions doo all bewraie and condemne mee But O Lord enter not thou into iudgement with them I praie thee neither doo thou remember mine old or new offences to plague them as they deserue but deliuer me also a most sinfull wretch and a woman corrupted and abused in adulterie Deliuer me I saie a woman altogither giltie of horrible iniquities from mine accusers and being fullie persuaded in my conscience that I am freelie forgiuen of thee and from this and all other my crimes and offences absolued pardoned and quitted before the tribunall seate of thy iudgement let me now depart in peace and vncondemned For it is thy propertie alwaies to haue mercie and to spare sinners that repent and turne vnto thee as I doo heare at this present vnfeignedlie yea there is no end of thy mercies and compassions to such as forsaking their old sinnes doo vnfeignedlie seeke and cleaue vnto thee to whome therefore with the Father and the holie Ghost be blessing praise power and dominion now and for euer Amen Of this matter reade more in the latter end of the sixt Lampe and in diuers places of the seuenth Lampe A praier to be said of anie damsell daughter or maiden child O Most mercifull God and heauenlie Father which hast commanded mee to honor my parents by whome I was borne and doo liue for such obedience doth please thee for thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christes sake and thou hast promised to reward the same with long life manifold benefits and heauenlie blessings I humblie beseech thee O Lord giue to my parents and all other that I am bound vnto in this world a long life and protect them from all miseries hurt and danger Also grant mee grace to obey them and all others which haue authoritie ouer me in deed and in word and in all patience that I may haue thy benediction and blessing Let mee helpe my parents in their age and neuer greeue them as long as they liue and if their vnderstanding faile let me beare with them and neuer in my lustie youth despise them Imprint in my mind the paines which my mother hath endured for my sake not onlie before I came out of hir wombe but also till I was of anie discretion for which cause be it far from me that I at anie time make hir sad or out of quiet through anie my lewd behauiour and disobedience Furthermore O mercifull God and heauenlie Father I beseech thee forgiue me the sinnes of my tender age and youth whereby I haue and do still offend both thee and my louing parents Pardon them I saie O Lord for thy mercie sake Remember not my rebellions make me both to knowe my follie and to be hartilie sorie for mine offences Place before mine eies continuallie the example of our sauiour Christ which in his childhood was obedient vnto his parents thereby both teaching and shewing to all children what their dutie is Keepe me O Lord from the wicked companie of vngodlie men and when they shall entise me let me not walke in the way with them Refraine my feete from their paths least I come into the dangerous and suspicious iudgements of other folke and hazard therby mine honestie chastitie and good name and vertue to the perill and hurt both of my selfe and my parents Increase O Lord not my yeares onelie but also my wisedome chastitie shamefastnesse sobernesse temperance and all kind of vertue and obedience requisite in a godlie child that I may growe in fauour both with thee and all good men and women through thy beloued Sonne our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ Amen Another verie necessarie praier to be said of anie daughter or maiden child FOrasmuch as in thy holie word O almightie God and heauenlie Father it is said that a wise daughter is an heritage vnto hir husband but she that liueth dishonestlie bringeth hir father to heauinesse againe A daughter that is bold or past shame dishonoureth both hir father and hir husband and the vngodlie shall regard hir because she is not inferiour vnto them but both hir father and hir husband shall despise hir because of hir foolishnesse I beseech thee therefore take from mee a stout stomach an incorrigible hart an impudent mind an vnshamefast eie and a bold countenance with all other vices and marks of a reprobate and disobedient child and in stead thereof giue vnto mee a gentle spirit a meeke hart an humble mind a demure looke a sober countenance an affable and seruiceable bodie with all other good graces and comelie conditions of a chast virgin and godlie child towards hir parents Oh suffer me not to be of the number
in lawe Let all contumelie despite rancor brallings tauntings curssings slanderings reuilings vpbraidings with such other like wicked and vnchristian behauiour either in thought word or deed of a reprobate and accurssed child of Sathan be far from me that so I may auoid the plagues threatned and obteine the blessings promised Take from me I saie O Lord all hardnesse of hart euill custome vaine opinion churlish conditions and disdainefull or coie behauiour neither let me willinglie greeue hir or in anie thing be offensiue vnto hir as long as we liue togither O let me not I saie through euill maners lewd disobedience and peruerse rebellion be a vexation of mind to this my mother in lawe and parents as Iudith and Bathcath the two wiues of Esau were to Isaac and Rebecca their father and mother in lawe but giue me grace after the good counsell of Raguell and the holie example of Sara his daughter to obeie this my father or mother in lawe as she did Anna and Tobit hir father and mother in lawe to honor hir in deed and in word and in all patience and to vse all gentle courteous mild meeke and sweet words yea all childlike dutie and christian behauiour vnto hir for thy sake that thereby I may win hir good will and motherlie fauour more and more towards me Grant that I knowing my father and she to be now all one flesh as my husband and I am one bodie may reckon and repute hir now also to be as mine owne mother and to take my husbands parents for my parents and so to loue cherish reuerence and obeie them in euerie condition no lesse than as mine owne naturall parents that being seruiceable alway vnto them and fulfilling in all points the roomth and dutie of a good and godlie daughter in lawe I may find them againe the more to loue cherish and prefer me as their owne daughter Let me not be displeased if my husband loue his owne mother but rather as it becommeth a good and a vertuous wife if I see he doth not behaue himselfe towards hir like a naturall sonne giue mee both grace and wisedome quietlie to exhort him and friendlie to desire him to behaue himselfe better towards hir that she seeing and well knowing my chastitie of bodie my louingnesse towards my husband and my good will and gentle nature towards hir may through these vertues if she be curst alter hir fierce mind towards me and turne it to good and be the better content with me neuer heereafter to hate me either as a daughter in lawe or as a stepdaughter Finallie grant that after the good example of vertuous Ruths obedience to Naomie hir old mother in lawe I may with great humilitie entirelie loue hir hartilie praie for hir and dutifullie honour serue cherish and obeie hir yea and to spare no painefull diligence to doo hir all the good I possiblie may or can in thee and for thee that thus obeieng nourishing and susteining my mother in lawe in hir necessities none otherwise than if she were mine owne mother and bearing patientlie at hir hands all infirmities and miseries for thy sake while I liue may to thy glorie and others good example declare my good affection and great loue that I beare towards hir as she that standeth both in awe and feare of thy commandements and gladlie endeuoureth to obeie thee and my superiours in all things according to thy word and that this my mother in lawe may also sometime worthilie saie of me to my praise and others encouragement as Naomie said of Ruth namelie that I am better in troth vnto hir than seuen of hir owne sonnes This grant O God for thine owne glorie sake and my comfort and commendation in Christ Iesus to whome with thee the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen A praier to be said of anie woman when she is woed of anie man to be his wife O Lord God of our fathers creator of heauen and of earth the sea and all that in them is which workest all things according to thine owne purpose and will which rulest the harts of all men and women and disposest them after thine owne counsell as seemeth best to thy godlie pleasure Oh good God the preseruer of mankind in thy great loue by thy godlie prouidence thou didst prouide and giue vnto our first father Adam a fellow-helper not onlie like vnto himselfe but euen of his owne bodie and substance commanding them to increase and multiplie to the figuring and coniunction of thy deere sonne Iesus Christ our continuall and onlie mediator and thy holie congregation for the which blessed be thy name for euer Oh thou God of all comfort and father of all mercie when thou art angrie with vs for our sinnes then shewest thou vs mercie and in time of trouble and temptation thou forgiuest sinnes to all them that call vpon thee faithfullie To thee therefore oh deere father I turne my hart and direct mine eies as thou hast commanded vs to doo in all our needs and necessities beseeching thee to be mercifull vnto me oh deere God and heare me thy poore handmaid and worke of thy hands Thou hast made all mankind of the mould of the earth and hast wrought in me and this man that now woeth mee according to thy good pleasure Thou hast regenerated vs by thy holie spirit and new created vs in thy deere sonne Iesus Christ vnto good works that we should walke in them so that we can not nor may not come togither in marriage after the manner of the heathen which be ignorant and knowe not thee to be their God Now therefore O louing father to whome all harts are open and knowne in this beginning of our loue and coniunction of our minds I humblie beseech thee so to order our affections and rule our harts and desires that therein we seeke nothing but thy glorie and the profit of thy Church Therefore in Christes name I praie thee suffer vs not to go amisse but as a father helpe and guide vs to a right marriage in the which we may liue honestlie and prosperouslie euen as we ought to thy honour and either deliuer vs from all euill lusts and concupiscence of the flesh and defend vs from all slander and shame whereby anie offence may be giuen to thy people or else in thy good time take vs out of this earth and miserie Thou knowest O Lord that I haue not fished with poison nor endeuoured to allure him by deceipts charmes to loue me and that this coniunction of our minds is not begun in vs for voluptuousnes nor of lust but onlie in the feare of thee and for the desire of Christian societie and mutuall loue and the increase of godlie fruit to the profiting of thy holie congregation We knowe O Lord that it is thou onelie that prouidest the marriage that hast the harts of vs both in thy hand and that giuest the will to consent
world without end So be it Another praier of a woman with child before hir trauell O Almightie and mercifull God maker of heauen and earth which for sin hast enioined to me and all woman kind a greeuous paine to bring foorth children I mislike not this thy decree but I acknowledge the same to be holie irreprehensible and good for all that thou hast created and ordeined are verie good Wherefore I beseech thee in the name of Christ thy welbeloued Sonne assist me in my paines helpe me in the danger of deliuerance and conuert my mourning into mirth In the meane season keepe thou mee with the child in my wombe from all hurt and danger Grant also that my child yet vnborne may come into this world sound and perfect without deformitie Protect me likewise with thy fauour whereby I may escape all danger feare frights and vntimelie deliuerance Bring into my mind all my misdeeds and offences that vnfeignedlie I may be sorie for them and walke heereafter warelie in my calling and when the time of my deliuerance shall approch assist me with thy grace and bring out my child in good time well proportioned according to thine image and restore me to my woonted strength if it be thy good pleasure Giue also vnto my newlie borne babe togither with outward baptisme thine holie spirit whereby it may be regenerated vnto euerlasting life admitted into the societie of thy saincts and continue in thy seruice and godlie conuersation euermore O Lord God mercifull father into thine hands I commend both my selfe and my child doo with vs as it pleaseth thee thou hast made and redeemed me therefore thy will be done In thee will I trust as long as I shall liue Thou art my refuge in Christ our Lord and sauiour Amen Another praier of a woman with child before hir labour AL thy waies are iust oh deere father and thy iudgements are true altogither for worthilie doth man liue in the sweate of his face and the woman bring forth children with much paine and trauell and with great danger Yea O mercifull father this paine is not a sufficient punishment for the greeuous transgressions wherewith wee and our fore-fathers haue transgressed thy most holie will The punishment in respect of our demerits is too small but in respect of our weakenes too great for vs without thee to endure Wherefore as I acknowledge O mercifull father this trauell in child-birth which now approcheth to be a iust reward of my manifold sins so I acknowledge also thy readie arme of defence stretched out ouer me and ouer all them that call vpon thee in faith Grant therefore O deere father that I may in faith praie and wait for that time of my trauell patientlie that I may endure it when it shall be present constantlie and thankefullie knowing that although I then feele some tast of the reward of sin yet I feele not all and that little which I then feele thou dooest presentlie reward The which comfortable and glad issue grant me O Lord if it be thy good pleasure and hauing receiued such fruit of my bodie grant me moreouer wisedome and strength to bring it vp in thy feare and to trauell as it were againe with it till it be borne againe into a heauenlie life to the glorie of thy holie name and my great ioie so that it may finallie in Christ Iesus be partaker of those blessings which thou dooest plentifullie raine downe vpon the faithfull and their seed for euer And bicause I am not woorthie to present this my suite to thy heauenlie maiestie of my selfe a most wretched and sinfull woman I offer it in the name of the righteousnes and in the strength of my Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ praieng furthermore as he hath taught vs to praie Our father c. Another praier of a woman with child before hir trauell OH most deere father Lord of heauen earth which gouernest all things by thy wisedome so that nothing is done without thy prouidence Thou causest the winde to blowe the stormes and seas to arise and in their chiefest rage with a word thou stillest them againe Thou sendest fire raine and snowe from heauen threatening great destruction and yet not one of them can passe the bounds that thou appointest them so that they go and doo onlie what thine almightie word hath commanded them the bounds and measures where of they may not neither are they able to passe whereby most dâ—â—re God thine almightie wisedome and power is manifest vnto vs in all thy works but most chieflie in the woonderfull worke of the forming of man who of a maruellous small and loathsome substance is made a liuing creature and nourished within the closure intrailes of the womb and hauing a soule or mind infused into it by a heauenlie beginning is alwaie desirous to be returned againe as out of a strange countrie into his owne Therefore O heauenlie father I yeeld thee most hartie thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to count me worthie and made me the shop and receptacle of this thy most excellent worke And I beseech thee most louing father that as thou hast giuen me aptnes and power to conceiue and receiue thy creature and workemanship into my bodie so thou wouldest giue me power and strength to beare and to nourish it vntill it come to good perfection and that I may safelie bring foorth the same Thy goodnes oh gentle father did at the beginning appoint and ordeine that this thy worke of propagation and bringing foorth of man should be to vs easie pleasant and without danger But our sins alas deere God through the disobedience and breaking of thy lawe and commandements hath made it to be dangerous painefull and full of perill which thou didst laie vpon our grand-mother Eue and vpon all vs hir posteritie as a correction and punishment for sin and therefore I confesse deere God that through my manifold sins I haue not onlie deserued this thy rod of correction but far sorer and more greeuous punishment yea euen thy wrath were it not that thy mercie exceedeth all thy works and thy tender loue towards vs is such and so great that in thy iustice thou thinkest vpon mercie and hast not onlie giuen thy deerelie beloued Sonne to shed his pretious hart bloud to take awaie our sins but also hast chosen vs in him before the world began to be thy children by whome thou hast assured vs that thy fatherlie care and godlie prouidence ouer vs is so great that euen the verie heares of our heads are numbered in thy sight Wherefore oh most mercifull father I am bold to run presentlie vnto thee with all my trust hope and confidence that thou hast giuen me praieng and beseeching thee for thy great mercies sake for thine infallible promise and truth sake which neuer faile anie that put their trust in thee and for thy Sonne Iesus Christes sake oh most mild and mightie worker that thy clemency may refresh and
this world and for euer shall praise thee might be gathered and chosen And forasmuch O Lord as a prudent a wise and a godlie man commeth from thee and is thy gift who onlie triest the harts and reines and knowest the verie secret cogitations and conditions of all men prouide I beseech thee and giue me vnto a man of vnderstanding of sound and Christian religion of wise gouernement and behauiour of a good life and vertuous disposition euen such an husband I say as may be faithfull constant gentle honest tender and louing vnto mee and godlie zealous sincere and religious in thy sight but from an vnwise irreligious vnfaithfull and wauering minded man from an hastie testie rash heddie furious bitter angrie vnthriftie and couetous husband good Lord for thy holie name sake deliuer me and grant that obteining at thy fatherlie hands a good husband euen according to mine or rather thine owne hart and being holilie coupled togither in Christian loue and puritie we may both liue togither vertuouslie and quietlie in thy feare without sinne or shame and also die in a good age godlie and Christianlie in thy faith without eternall death and condemnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another LOrd thou hast commanded by thine holie Apostle that wee should abstaine from fornication and that euerie one of vs should knowe how to keepe our vessell that is our bodie in holinesse chastitie and honour and not in the lusts of concupiscence and vncleannes as doo the heathen which knowe not God I beseech thee giue me grace to behaue my selfe according to this thy holie commandement that in this my single life and state of virginitie I defile not my bodie with whoredome adulterie fornication or with anie other filthinesse and vncleanenesse but so order my selfe with all honestie sobrietie chastitie and purenesse of life that I may glorifie thee my Lord God both in soule and bodie Amen Or praie thus ALbeit most mercifull Father mariage is honourable among all persons and the bed vndefiled yet forasmuch as partlie for the tendernesse of mine age I am not apt for holie wedlocke and partlie through thine exceeding and aboue naturall gift for none can liue chaste except thou giue hir that gift I liue yet free from the sweet yoke of Matrimonie I hartilie praie thee that as I haue receiued of thee the gift of continencie and virginitie so I may haue grace from thee to bridle my selfe from lusts from all foolish appetits and to frame my life in all godlie vertuous exercises both of the bodie and mind yea so go foorth I praie thee to continue and increase this thy gift of chastitie in me that I may the more freelie and quietlie in all godlie patience and sufferance serue thee and care for those things that please thee and pertaine to thy glorie and also that I passing ouer the time of this my yong age in thy feare in godlie trauels vertuous labours and maidenlie behauiour may eschew all euill lusts riotous resorts and wanton companie that when it shall please thee to call me to the holie and honourable order of blessed wedlocke I may bring with me a cleane chaste and vndefiled bodie and so be apt and fit to liue in that godlie state of Matrimonie auoiding all fornication whoredome and vncleannesse all dissention strife and debate that thou maiest blesse me and my mariage prosper my godlie trauels send me good successe in all my doings and make me a ioifull mother in seeing my childers children according to thy holie promise which liuest and reignest verie God world without end Amen For the grace of Gods holie spirit to resist all sinfull motions and keepe pure the state of single life praie OH Lord the king of glorie and God of all power and might which hast promised to powre thy spirit vpon all flesh vpon virgins maidens and yong women and to giue the holie Ghost to thy children whensoeuer they shall aske the same of thee in thy Sonnes name in their praiers and allowest none to be pure virgins and thy children indeede but such as keepe themselues vnspotted of the world and walke before thee in the rule of thy lawes and obedience of thy commandements Oh Lord thou knowest I would faine walke with thee from my virginitie in righteousnesse and holinesse My desire is to walke before thee in a pure conscience chaste mind and vndefiled bodie But alas deere God I confesse the corruption of my nature polluted in the first woman Eue in Paradise is such and my weakenesse and vnablenesse to stand in temptation is so much and the custome of sinne hath gotten such dominion ouer me that I am not able of my selfe so much as to thinke a good thought much lesse to doo anie thing that is good and acceptable in thy sight Wherefore oh most louing Father take not thy grace and holie spirit from me thine handmaid leaue me not to my selfe neither forsake me for then I am vtterlie â—ast awaie For thou seest O Lord that if thou doo but shadowe thy selfe a little and depart from me into how manie grieuous and horrible sinnes I fall how much more then Lord if thou shouldest vtterlie forsake me leaue me to my selfe and take thy grace and holie spirit vtterlie from me Therfore oh most intreatable God I beseech thee consider my manifold imperfections womanlie weakenesses miserable corruptions which dailie turne me out of the waie and drawe me from thee and powre downe thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie vpon me thine humble handmaid Yea giue vnto me also thy most holie word thy patience loue meekenesse integritie righteousnesse iustice temperaunce sobrietie chastitie peace long-suffering faith goodnesse holinesse and all other thy vertues fruites of the spirit and ordinarie meanes whereby I may be so instructed taught and guided gouerned protected and defended in this my single life and state of virginitie that I neuer offend against thy diuine Maiestie or mine owne soule and bâ— die but that I may haue power and strength from thee continuallie to stand against all the secret assaults and open temptations of mine enimies both bodilie and ghostlie yea grant O deere Father that I may through thy mightie power working in my weake vessell haue continuall victorie ouer all hellish hagges and also triumph ouer them in all their assaults and temptations as manie holie virgins and women haue done in all ages so that togither with them I may walke before thee in the purenesse of my virginitie with a good conscience in perfect righteousnesse and true holinesse acceptable in thy sight all the daies of my life according to thy will through Iesus Christ our Lord and onlie Sauiour and redeemer So be it Another praier in the behalfe of all Virgins or single women for the keeping of obedience modestie chastitie puritie and cleannesse of liuing O Diuine spirit God the holie Ghost which abhorrest despisest and fliest from all vncleannesse filthinesse and dishonestie and which dooest
contrariwise both reioice and hast great delight and pleasure to be resident and dwell in chaste pure cleane and virginall mindes I thine humble handmaid meekelie beseech thee both for my selfe and all other virgins and maidens that as through thy benignitie and gentlenesse we beare and carrie about in this our weake fraile and earthen vessels the same most excellent and notable treasure so through thy goodnesse and fauour we may keepe and preserue it safe and whole vnpolluted or defiled anie manner of waies as we ought Make vs gladlie to reuerence our elders and by the good motherlie admonitions and sincere honestie of the best and most godlie women to institute frame and order our trade of liuing Cause vs also to bridle our lusts and appetites and continuallie to exercise our selues with labour both of bodie and mind in patience and sufferance that we may be apt and fit both for maidenlie and husâ—ifelie affaires Let vs not giue our selues to much idlenesse deintie fare euill companie and dissolute pastime and in all the recreation of our spirits let vs beware of intemperancie and lightnesse and alwaies vse reuerence shamefastnesse and modestie Take from vs O God all nicenesse wantonnesse prodigalitie and lasciuiousnesse especiallie in the presence of our elders Let vs euer both in time and place remember our selues to be women and not beasts yea yong women and not babes and therefore to take heed that our manners and conditions exceed the manners and properties both of beasts and of babes neither let vs thinke our selues women or matrones wise enough of our selues to teach our selues but being free from all selfe-weening selfe-loue and presumption let vs rather knowe that we lacke as yet manie instructions and godlie lessons and giue vs grace to learne them at their hands whomethou doest appoint ouer vs to gouerne and teach vs that so we dailie more and more pleasing thee with pure harts and vndefiled bodies may with those wise virgins come vnto that blessed life which knoweth no corruption in the which thou togither with the Father and his Sonne my louing Spouse and heauenlie Bridegroome liuest and reignest one immortall and inuisible God blessed and praised for euer and euer Amen Another praier to the same effect MOst sweet Lord Iesu Christ my heauenlie spouse which art the glorie of the Father and the brightnesse of the euerlasting light I thine vnwoorthie handmaid beseech thee for thine incomprehensible diuine Maiestie that thou wilt giue vnto me a godlie preparation of mind puritie of hart simplicitie of spirit and cleannesse and chastitie of bodie Oh kill I beseech thee sweet Iesu and vtterlie extinguish in me all inordinate lusts pull out and plucke vp by the rootes what vice soeuer is in me and take quite awaie whatsoeuer displeaseth thee in me So rule temper and dispose all both mine outward and inward senses as also all the force and powers of my mind that through thy grace I may refraine preserue and keepe my selfe from all vniust and naughtie workes from all euill cogitations and thoughts from all wicked and peruerse purposes willes intents and affections which fight against thy holie and blessed commandements Grant moreouer that I may loue thee aboue all things that nothing may delight or please me but thou alone that I may seeke will desire and couet nothing that is contrarie and repugnant to thy heauenlie will and good pleasure Finallie grant O most gentle Iesu that heere in this world I may so godlie liue and vertuouslie behaue my selfe both in this my single life and afterward that in the last daie of my life I may be found readie with the wise virgins pure holie cleane and vndefiled and so through thee the celestiall Bridegrome most happelie enter and be caried into the celestiall countrie of ioies eternall Amen A praier to be said for all virgins and maids generallie O GOD the former of our bodies and the inspirer of our soules which neuer despisest anie age reiectest no sexe nor esteemest anie estate or condition vnwoorthie of thy grace but art the Creator and redeemer of all defend with the shield of thy protection all those thy seruants and handmaids whom it hath pleased thee to indue with the gift of continencie and virginitie that they which yet be free from the sweet yoke of matrimonie by the helpe of thy grace subduing all sinfull motions and concupiscences of the flesh and being giuen to all good works and holie exercises both of the bodie and mind may be vnseparablie vnited to the loue and obedience of thy Sonne their spouse Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ We beseech thee also O Lord minister and giue thou vnto them weapons of defence not carnall but spirituall that thou gouerning both their members and senses sinne and wickednes may neuer be able to beare rule in them nor preuaile against their bodies or soules and that they alwaie liuing in thy feare grace and fauour Satan the friend to the bad and so to the good may not be so bold to claime them as his whose vessels thou hast consecrated to glorifie thy name in puritie of life O let the dew and moisture of thy heauenlie grace quench and asswage their naturall heate and let the fire of perpetuall chastitie inflame their harts and minds Let not their modest â—nd shamefast faces be blotted with anie reproch neither let securitie or negligence at anie time be hurtfull vnto them Take from them all occasions of offence and suffer them not to endure anie open infamie but let there be in them a warie chastitie adorned and inarmed with a liuelie faith firme hope and sincere charitie that their minds by thy gift being thus prepared to continencie their vertue by the power of thy grace may be of force to incounter with the suggestions of Satan vanquish all his mightie assaults and that by despising things present and transitorie they may euer followe with desire and at the last obtaine the ioies to come Finallie make them O Lord alwaies to prefer abstinence and temperance before banketing or bellie-cheere and cause them to giue themselues to the reading of holie scripture to diuine contemplations and meditations before feasting wantonnes and excesse or riot that being fed with praieng filled with instruction and illuminated with watchings and holie exercises they may purelie performe and fulfill the office of true virginitie in this their state of single life and become meete spouses for the bridegroome And lastlie grant O gratious God that thou thus defending and shielding these thy seruants both externallie and internallie with the spirituall weapons of thy grace and holie vertues they and euerie of them may be well able to passe through the pikes of Satans host and run their race in all holinesse puritie and honestie without anie offence to thee or the world to the confusion of Satan and the exaltation of thy glorie through the same Lord Iesus Christ their euerlasting spouse and our most blessed redeemer to whom
doo it yea with such diligent care and faithfull discharge of their owne duties to thee O God with such loue and entier affection towards me their child and with such due regard to the man vnto whome they shall match me as namelie not so much for anie his externall goods of the bodie as chiefelie for the inward vertue and goods of the mind that in euerie respect it may be trulie said they haue verie well ioined and married me in the Lord to the reioicing of all parties so shall it come to passe that they thereby shall not onlie procure vnto me their daughter perpetuall ioie comfort and felicitie by causing my marriage to become easie and well-liking vnto me but also prouide by this meanes for themselues such a sonne in lawe as shall be a faithfull freend a dailie succour and continuall aid vnto them euen in their old age to their great comfort and thy glorie which grant O blessed God for his sake who was most obedient not onelie to his blessed mother Marie but also vnto thee his celestiall Father thy hâ—lie sonne Iesus I meane to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be now and euer eternall praise thanks and vniuersall power rule and dominion Amen You may reade in the sixt and seuenth Lamps more of the dutie of daughters A praier to be said of a daughter in lawe that is married FOr asmuch O almightie God as through the corruption of our nature the common custome and opinion of most are that all mothers in lawe beare a stepmothers hate vnto their daughters in lawe and contrariwise that daughters in lawe for the most part beare no great good loue and charitie towards their mothers in lawe the cause of both which hatred or enimitie as it is found vaine and vnchristian so it seemeth to arise when on the one side the mother is discontent that all hir sonnes loue should be turned vnto hir daughter in lawe and when the wife on the other part cannot suffer any to be loued but hir selfe as though the motherhood of the one were lessened by the daughter in lawe and the wifehood of the other were minished by the mother in lawe or as though friendship were impared by the multitude of freends when rather in troth it is the more increased and strengthened by alliance and mariage and therefore either ought to beare with others infirmitie and charitablie to be reconciled one to another if at anie time bralles hatred strife or discord rise or chance betweene them Therefore to auoid the causes of this common hatred betwixt me and my mother in lawe and that we may the better liue louinglie and christianlie togither as becommeth vs both before God and the world to the good example of all other grant O God I beseech thee that my mother in lawe for hir part may be content that hir sonne my husband doo loue me his wife as his deere mate and inseparable companion with whome he ought to dwell without anie displeasure Againe that I hir daughter in lawe for my part knowing my husband and I am all one may not onlie take and repute his parents to be my parents but also may be willing and verie well pleased that my husband doo loue hir also as his owne mother as vnto whome he is greatlie bound and oweth much louing kindnesse for these great benefits receiued of hir I meane his life his nourishing and bringing vp in the feare of God but especiallie bicause I gladlie doo or would loue mine owne mother also as nature thereto bindeth me and for that I both see and know how that by this my mother in lawe as by an instrument and meanes appointed of thee I now presentlie enioie this my husband hir sonne for whose sake therefore at the least I am bound both by the lawes of God nature forsomuch as we are now no more two but one flesh to loue cherish and obeie this my mother in lawe in thee as if she were mine owne mother Grant I saie O gratious God that my mother in lawe may loue me hir daughter in lawe no lesse than Naomie loued Ruth Orpha and that she may giue me good counsell teach me instruct me praie for me and doo all such things as may be an example vnto me both of godlines chastitie and sobernesse Driue far from vs all hatred enuie brallings and contentions Suffer hir not I beseech thee O Lord to make anie discord or variance betweene my husband and me for anie cause but and if anie chance betweene vs grant that she rather to the vttermost of hir power by hir wisedome and good motherlie counsellâ—giuing may auoid it and reconcile vs againe that thus she bearing a motherlie affection towards me it may so come to passe that both my husband may be the more bound to loue hir not onlie for that she is his deere mother but also bicause she hath thereby bene the cause of a great part of his felicitie in that he hath mee both a more chaste sober louing obedient and vertuous wife and better agreeing with him by the meanes of this hir motherlie instruction and graue godlie counsell and also I be no lesse bound to loue hir and to beare none other mind towards hir than if she were mine owne mother as Ruth did to Naomie and Sara to Anna by reason that I also haue by this hir graue aduice and wise teaching both gotten to my selfe more knowledge aâ— made better and haue my husband hir sonne more plesant louing and tender vnto me This grant not onlie vnto vs O good father but also to all other mothers and daughters in lawe for Iesus Christes sake our onlie Lord and sauiour Amen Another praier to be vsed of a daughter in lawe THou hast commanded in thy holie lawe O almightie God that all children should honor their parents as they will obteine the promise of long life and blessings of their parents vpon earth and contrariwise auoid thy cursse and the cursse of their parents pronounced against all disobedient and vngodlie children grant therefore vnto me whom it pleaseth thee after the death of mine owne mother to keepe still as yet in the number and obedience of a child by giuing me this woman to be my mother in lawe in stead of mine owne mother whome thou hast taken vnto thy selfe that sith I am now hir child by adoption and affinitie I may according to thy commandement fulfill and doo all that dutie which I owe and is due vnto hir euen as vnto mine owne naturall mother if she were heere aliue and that not for a shew or outward pretence of loue but with true obedience and due reuerence from the verie hart vnfeignedlie bicause I knowe it shall be rewarded of thee whatsoeuer I doo vnto hir be it good or ill O let me not be in the number of those wicked daughters in lawe which as the Prophet saith doo impudentlie rise vp and contemptâ—ouslie striue against their mothers
and make choice or ordinarie election and that thy counsell standeth not in anie mans power neither can anie man alter or diminish thy purpose Wherfore I most humblie beseech thee most mercifull father that if this coniunction of our minds and loue be thy worke and counsell that thou vouchsafe for the glorie of thy name to giue vs some token and true certificate thereof by the increasing and stedfastlie stablishing our godly loue in thee that thou wilt performe the same in vs in thy good time to thy glorie and our comfort that we may the more perfectlie loue and rightlie serue thee But if it be a false persuasion or temptation of the enimie to deceiue vs and to drawe vs from thee then good Lord for thy deere sonne Christes sake I beseech thee so to alter our loue and change our minds so order and guide vs that we may soone be certified thereof that thereby we may flie all occasions of euill and the more zealouslie cleaue vnto thee and in our trieâ—g to stand stedfast in patience so that neither selfe-will nor the lusts of our corruptions doo deceiue vs and if it be for chastening which I confesse we haue not onlie deserued but sore and greeuous punishment for our manifold and greeuous sinnes yet for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake oh deere God which hast said that thou delightest not in our destruction I most humblie beseech thee that we may by thy mercie come againe into thy fatherlie fauour and after our great sorrowe and heauines we may obteine perpetuall ioie and consolation and be receiued into the fellowship of thy faithfull fruitfull seruants and Saincts Grant this deere father for thy beloued sonne Iesus Christes sake our onlie peace and mediatour So be it Another praier to be vsed of anie woman before the solemnisation of hir marriage I Beseech thee O father which art neither made nor begotten marrie me now and for euer vnto thy sonne marrie mee vnto him in righteousnesse and iudgement in godlinesse in mercie and in compassion marrie me I saie vnto him in faith that I may trulie knowe thee my Lord and God which wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he repent and liue O thou onlie begotten sonne of God ioine me now I beseech thee vnto thy bodie that ingraffed in thee I â—ay drawe from thee the iuice of life and of heauenlie wisedome Defend me O holie Ghost and thine whole Church against the rage of Sathan the world the flesh and the diuell and let all things that I doo please thee for thou O glorious Trinitie art my husband which louest me my God whom I worship and the head whervnto I am subiect To thee be glorie and praise both of men and Angels now and for euer Amen Another praier to be vsed of the man or woman a little before they be married O Eternall Father of thy welbeloued sonne our Lord and sauiour Christ which art the maker and king of all creatures we thanke thee from the bottome of our harts for that thou hast not cast mankind fallen from thy grace through sin into euerlasting destruction as thou didst the diuell but of thine vnspeakable goodnesse and secret counsell thou broughtest foorth thy sonne Iesus and madest him an husband that hauing taken our flesh vpon him he might marrie the faithfull vnto himselfe Immortall praise and glorie to thee for reuealing this thy couenant to mankind from time to time by teachers and for calling vs to his heauenlie marriage by thy ministers we beseech thee by and for the same thy sonne so to change and confirme our hearts by thy spirit that adorned with the wedding garments of righteousnesse faith holie loue chaste minds and good conscience and without all hypocrisie dissimulation and without the sinne against our owne conscience wee may approch to this honourable estate of matrimonie and be found in the number of thine elect Let vs now trulie be espoused in faith and vertue to thine heauenlie spouse and be ingraffed in his flesh Let vs be two in one flesh and so cleaue to him that we may be one spirit and so drawe the heauenlie motion of faith comfort ioie and eternall life from him that alwaies we may be though two bodies yet but one soule Finallie our troublesome race beeing finished bring vs with thine elect vnto thy visible companie that for euermore we may remaine in the spouse of the vniuersall Church in eternall companie and comfort Amen Another meditation and praier declaring how Christ adorneth the nuptiall feast with his bodilie presence O Eternall true and almightie God which at the first creation of the world after thou hadst made man an image of thy wisedome and goodnesse bearing such shape as thine eternall sonne at a time determined did take vpon him and afterward of thy secret counsell through thy word didst vtter these words It is not good for man to be alone Thy will it was that from a few euen two the whole multitude of mankind should proceed and a sacred Church honouring thy name religiouslie and sincerelie deliuering vnto posteritie to come the true knowledge of thy word should proceed Thy will it is that both our weake nature may liue purelie in the lawfull state of marriage and thy Church multiplied more and more through the generation of the godlie O gratious God which art pure from all spot of impuritie and wouldest that the cleere vnderstanding of holinesse should shine in vs that approching vnto thee in praier we might discerne thy goodnesse from the nature of incestuous and polluted gods By thy chaste and holie spirit we humblie beseech thee purge our harts that in an holie and chaste conuersation we may be coupled togither to serue thee vtterlie renouncing thine enimie the diuell which is the author of incestuous lawes contrarie to thy commandements forbidding men to marrie for none other end but that both the one by licentiousnesse of life might be forgotten and flocks of wicked men through their lewd conuersation be withdrawne from thee to eternall miserie Be it far from vs O God that so much as in thought we should either so dishonour thy sacred maiestie or hurt our selues And we beseech thee strengtheÌ„ vs weak ones with thy diuine power that we neuer be drawne from thee our God through sinfull desires of the flesh which hinder our praiers the onelie comfort of the Saincts distressed in this miserable life neither forgo the sweetnes and ioie of a godlie conscience through hardnesse of hart and horrible blindnesse wherewith lewd liuers are commonlie punished nor when the course of this mortall life shall be cut off we feele not those torments appointed for the wicked according to that terrible threat Euerie soule which shall commit these abhominations shall perish from among the people And thou O sonne of God which hast ordeined the loue of married folks to be a mysterie of a woonderfull and heauenlie thing instill into our minds and breasts
both sense of that celestiall wisedome and a true desire of our coupling to thee In thee a true and burning good will towards man whose nature thou tookedst on thee is inflamed such a comfortable affection of vnfeigned loue should the chast bridegroome beare towards his beloued wife and the bride likewise to hir husband Thou louest and makest much of thy flesh thou nourishest and dooest comfort the faithfull ingraffed into thee by true faith and so should man and wife beeing one â—â—esh loue togither hartilie without all dissimulation Behold the Church according to the auncient custome of espousals lieth before the altar beseeching thee to reconcile thine eternall father vnto vs and to receiue vs into thy societie O our spouse most heauenlie make vs partakers of that couenant which thou entredst into with our nature Blot out all the filthinesse of our sinfull flesh by thy merite transforme vs into new through thine holie spirit and make vs by the same spirit to be one with thee depending vpon thee And forasmuch as thy diuine pleasure is to haue this heauenlie marriage to be celebrated among manie troubles in this miserable life where wine is not alwaies to be had and the face of thy Church is manie times like our water pots our fraile bodies oppressed with euils filled to the full with water and teares where also we are troubled if we be not heard when we make our praiers and hardlie we can bridle our selues with patience to expect thine houre assist and strengthen vs that these fraile vessels of ours in which thy Church hath hir nest be not broken through the malice of Sathan and rage of tyrants Graunt that in crosses and troubles of this life we may constantlie depend vpon thy counsell and assistance and doo that thing onlie which thou hast commanded and gratiouslie prouide that in that ioifull houre thy seruants and ministers may powre out the sweet wine of thy voice giue comfort in our greatest needs and bring vs to thee which art the truth and the life so that when this temporall marriage shall take an end wee may drinke new wine with pleasure in the feast of thy father Amen Ecclesiasticus 15 verse 2. As a pure virgin newlie married doth friendlie entreate hir husband so shall iustice and wisedome being pure and vndefiled greatlie entertaine hir louers Or thus Wisedome as a wife married of a virgin shall receiue or entertaine him that feareth God and keepeth the lawe A praier to be vsed of a virgin newlie married togither with hir husband the first night before they ioine togither in the dutie of marriage after the godlie example of Sara and Tobias who made and vsed the same before they laie togither for the space of three daies as appeareth Tob. cap. 8. 9. A sentence out of Tob. cap. 6. verse 17. worthie to be called to memorie of all new married folkes THey that receiue marriage after such a fashion that they shut God out from them and from their hart and giue themselues to their owne lusts euen as it were in Horsse and Mule which haue no vnderstanding vpon such hath the diuell power Therefore when thou takest an husband and art come into the chamber withhold thy selfe from him awhile and giue thy diligence vnto nothing but vnto praier with him that Sathan may haue no power ouer you that ye may be receiued into the companie of the holie Patriarchs and finallie that ye may obteine the blessing and fauour of God euen holie and sound children the fruits of your bodie and knéeling on your knées saie one after another as followeth ¶ The Praier or petition Husband BLessed and praised be thou O Lord God of our fathers and blessed is thine holie and glorious name for euer Wife Let the heauens blesse thee O God yea the earth the sea the welles the flouds and all the creatures that be therin praise and magnifie thee Husband Thou madest Adam of the mould of the earth and gauest him Eua his wife for an helper and staie Wife Of them came mankind O Lord and thou hast said It is not good that a man should be alone let vs make him an aid like vnto himselfe Husband And now O Lord thou knowest I take not this my sister to wife for fornication or voluptuousnes but vprightlie in thy feare for continencie and onlie for the loue and desire of children in whome thy name may be blessed for euer Wife Thou knowest also O Lord that I thine handmaid am pure from all sin with man and that I haue consented to take this my brother whome thou hast kept for me to be mine husband not for anie pleasure or fleshlie lust but in thy feare and for the desire also of children that in the seed of Abraham I may obteine thy blessing in children Husband Therefore haue mercie on vs twaine being the deerelie beloued children of our parents and cause vs to magnifie thee more perfectlie and to offer continuallie vnto thee the sacrifice of thy praise and of our health and sweetnesse for thy mercies extended towards vs. Wife Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs and as thou hast put awaie from vs the enimie that persecuted vs and made vs ioifull in thee so according to thy great mercie deale mercifullie with vs still and grant that we may come whole and sound each to other and become aged togither Husband Thy blessing O God be now and euermore vpon vs and vpon both our parents and as thou O Lord of thy goodnesse hast ioined vs togither so by the vertue and power of thy holie spirit blesse vs and multiplie and increase vs that we may togither see our children and our childrens children vnto the third and fourth generation Wife Yea let our seed be blessed of thee our most high and holie God that all people may knowe that thou onlie art God reigning in all the earth and to be blessed and praised for euer Husband Heare our praiers O God and for thy holie name sake grant our request through the intercession of our onlie mediatour and sauiour Iesus Christ our Lord. Wife Amen deere God Amen God the Father blesse vs God the Sonne blesse vs God the holie Ghost blesse preserue and kéepe vs the Lord mercifullie with his fauour looke vpon vs and so fill vs with all spirituall benediction and grace that we may so liue togither in this life that in the world to come we may haue life euerlasting Amen Another verie necessarie and fruitfull praier to be often vsed of all married couples for the obteining of a godlie louing and quiet life in that honourable state of Matrimonie FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O almightie God the creator and anthor of all things to direct both our minds rule our hearts and call vs from single life vnto this holie state of honourable wedlock whereby through thy mercie we haue not onlie escaped the entising snares of Sathan our ancient enimie the euill example of
the wicked world and the vnlawfull lusts of fraile flesh and so consequentlie the horrible iudgements of eternall damnation if so be that we now inseparablie liue togither according to thy holie ordinance and our promise made each to other before thee and all the Angels but also by this our happie coniunction we presentlie enioie and feele to our great comfort the ioifull iewell of a quiet conscience free from all euill delights in filthinesse of sin and occasions of offence we therefore thy humble seruants heere prostrate on our knees according to our bounden dutie with pure and thankefull minds acknowledging this great benefit to be in deed thy singular gift doo meekelie render vnto thy diuine maiestie most humble and hartie thanks euermore praising thee therefore and saieng Blessed art thou O our God and heauenlie father which art the author of our marriage and of this our coupling togither and blessed be thy most holie and glorious name for euermore yea let heauen and earth the sea and all the creatures therein praise blesse extoll woorship and magnifie thy sacred maiestie both now and hencefoorth for euermore Amen And now O mercifull father considering with our selues what need we haue to be very circumspect carefull and watching to doo our duties seeing how woonderfullie subtillie and despitefullie the diuell in these most perillous daies deludeth scorneth forbiddeth and enuieth this holie state and how few matrimonies there be without chidings brallings tantings repentings bitter curssings fightings and diuorcings which things vndoubtedlie the more is the pitie are commonlie almost euerie where committed among all estates through the instigation of the ghostlie enimie Sathan and his impes who take great delight therein forsomuch also as we are not ignorant how busie that old aduersarie of mankind is to banish the sweet loue inuiolable constancie and pleasant concord which to our continuall comfort should alwaies be betwixt vs and how in stead thereof he busilie laboureth and bendeth his principall craft to bring in horrible hatred dreadfull dissention vnpleasant strife irkesome lothsomnesse and bitter discord euermore as it were from aboue hoâ—ering in the aire assaulting our nature and condition and neuer ceasing to laie craftie traines to catch vs and still assaieng to attempt all things that may interrupt and hinder ouâ— harts desire and godlie purposes if we giue him neuer so little entrie intending by this meanes either by voluntarie separation or compulsorie diuorcement vtterlie to breake and dissolue this godly knot so fast knit by thee to most godlie vses either else at the least continuallie to encomber it with diuers displeasures great greefes and manifold miseries to our alas no little anoie and perill both of bodie and soule to others offence by euill example and most of all to thy high displeasure and great dishonour and slander of the Gospell which we O deere God professe We therefore thy humble seruants being verie desirous to auoid all these miseries and snares of Sathan our ancient enimie and to liue peaceablie holilie and comfortablie togither in this holie state of wedlocke as becommeth vs in the feare of God first confessing our owne infirmitie weakenes and vnablenes in anie thing to resist or withstand as we ought so vehement mightie and strong assaults inuasions and temptations of the diuell and secondlie knowing no other waie or meanes how to preuent the spitefull malice of so deadlie a foe but onlie in flieng by earnest and continuall praier vnto the throne of thy promised helpe and mercie euen through the hope we haue christianlie conceiued in the promise of so readie releefe and happie helpe made by thee to all that call vnfeignedlie vpon thee in the name of Iesus Christ thine onelie sonne our sauiour We I saie thy poore seruants in this faith presume and are bold to present our selues now before the sacred seate of thy most high maiestie most humblie crauing and hartilie begging of thee that for the same thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake thou wilt vouchsafe in mercie fauourablie to behold and visit vs and by thine omnipotent power and puissant might so represse bridle and restraine thou the violent force and piercing power of our ghostlie enimie and mortall fo which thus continuallie seeketh to deuour vs and most maliciouslie endeuoureth and spitefullie practiseth by all possible meanes to banish our loues to exile our ioies to abandon our comforts yea especiallie to dissolue our vnitie to cancell our bonds and breake our concord that this our marriage thy gratious aid and readie assistance alwaie furthering the same and prospering it may happilie be free from all the wicked suggestions cruell assaults and vngodlie temptations of our deadlie aduersarie and also deliuered from all those euils mischiefes miseries inconueniences troubles and calamities which Sathan so busilie laboureth to infect fester and intangle this our holie state withall Giue vnto vs I saie O good Lord the holie helpe of thy grace and Angelicall aid of thy diuine spirit so to rule and gouerne our hearts and to knit and conioine our minds and willes togither in perfect loue vnitie and concord that we be at no time by anie diuision or bitter discord disseuered or diuorced one from another but may continuallie be vigilant and carefull both by dailie inuocating vpon thy holie name and also by all possible diligence and earnest indeuours on both parts to striue and fight valiantlie against all the temptations of Sathan and other the enormities euils mischances and miseries whatsoeuer may happen vnto vs by his pernicious instigations wicked motions and most perillous suggestions Grant O deere God that as we are now of necessitie compelled by thy holie ordinance to liue inseparablie togither being conioined by thy word in mutuall loue and felowship as one bodie one flesh so we standing in awe of thee and setting thy holie feare euer before our eies may through the working of thy grace liue togither holilie godlie chastlie purelie peaceablie quietlie louinglie agreeablie and comfortablie in all happie felicitie perfect ioie sweet amitie perpetuall charitie and continuall concord all our liues long and that good Lord we praie thee without anie hate debate chiding bralling tanting threatning disliking repeâ—ting vpbraiding irkesomnesse lothsomnesse abhorring detesting diuorcing finallie without anie deadlie dissention bitter curssing and vnnaturall fightings or other vnchristian and vncharitable behauiour because in deed it is one of the three things that so greatlie pleaseth thee a man and his wife to agree louinglie togither O Lord let not the wicked vices of stiffe stubbornenesse wilfull will froward fiercenesse comberous testinesse mallipert checkings sharpe words and selfe-loue be found to reigne in either of vs neither suffer vs we praie thee at anie time to giue place vnto the prouocation of wrath and hot hastie furies of the mind least thereby we begin vnhappilie to weaâ—e to our selues the web of all wo sorowe and calamitie as manie now adaies doo by promoting the wicked purpose of the diuell or by setting forward
to helpe and deliuer vs and thy people from the crueltie of our enimies And although our sins haue instlie deserued to be punished with the sword of thy vengeance yea though we women for our abhominable pride and filthines haue merited to haue all violence vsed against vs in all vncleannesse by the enimie as our virgins to be rauished the wombe of our maidens opened and defiled the thighes of our wiues and daughters discouered and their wombs polluted and all generallie to be put to shame reproch and confusion yea to the slaughter and to haue our beds and bodies bathed in bloud yet looke mercifullie vpon vs with the eies of thy fauourable pitie who trulie and earnestlie repent vs of our sins and forget our corrupt and most filthie oâ—fences O let our contrite and sorowfull harts be a meane to mooue thee to haue pitie and compassion vpon vs our husbands and children and to vanquish thy displeasure iustlie conceiued against vs and our husbands children and families people and countrie Be thou present I saie O almightie God with vs our husbands thy souldiers in this time of our wars great necessitie and trouble fight thou their battels for them set thy hand to helpe and assist them against the enimie be present with vs I saie in this time of perill and danger Go thou foorth with our armies and hoasts and fight thou on our side then shall we be assured to preuaile Let not the multitude of our furious foes dismaie vs anie whit for victorie we doo knowe consisteth not in the power nor strength of manie men neither yet in the strength of horsses armour nor weapons but it is thou O mercifull father and mightie God that giuest the conquest where and to whome thou pleasest To thee therefore in this great perplexitie and bloudie battell doo we flie and appeale beseeching thee of thine inestimable loue and kindnes for the loue of our sauiour Iesus to looke vpon our true repentant harts and in the fulnes of thy miserations and pities to saue our liues from the sword and our goods from the spoile and deliuer vs and set vs free from the hands and power of our raging enimies abate their pride asswage their malice confound their deuises and to pardon all our sins and greeuous offences that being armed with thy defence and preserued by thee from all imminent perils we vow and dedicate our harts and minds wholie to walke in integritie and newnes of life to glorifie thee the onlie giuer of all victorie which grant good Lord through the merits of thine onlie sonne our sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be attributed all praise power and dominion for euer and euer world without end Amen A praier to be said of anie wife or daughter for hir husband or father being a Merchant-venterer or otherwise making his voiage by Sea O Almightie Lord God and most mercifull father maker of all things who by thine insearchable wisedome didst create that mightie globe of the world the heauens earth sea and all things else therein conteined vouchsafe I beseech thee to be mine husbands or my fathers aid and defence in this his dangerous voiage which he hath presumed to take reposing his onlie trust and confidence in thy mightie mercie to be deliuered and preserued from all manner of dangers and ieopardies that may happen either vpon the sea or on the drie land Thou knowest O Lord and most mercifull father that all those that trauell by sea are subiect to the hazard of diuers calamities either to be tossed at the pleasure of the wind and waues either to be dashed violentlie vpon the maine rocks or to sticke in the quick-sands or to be despoiled both of life and goods by the tyrannie of pirats but yet what crosse or affliction soeuer happen vnto him grant that he may acknowledge freelie that it is but a iust punishment for his and mine offences because from the first houre of our natiuitie we haue beene more apt and prone to followe the filthie appetites of our owne desires than to exercise our selues in the true waie of thine vndefiled lawe Notwithstanding what crosse soeuer I saie thou shalt thinke good to laie vpon him yea though thou suffer him to be drowned of the waues and swallowed downe into the deapth of the whales bellie with Ionas from which good Lord deliuer hun yet let him not despaire of thy mercie for thou art the same God foreuer thy right hand is not shortened neither is the greatnes of thy power diminished When Ionas laie three daies and three nights in the whales bellie in the sea yet didst thou at last O mighties God deliuer him safe and sound and sentest him to preach thy name to the great citie of Niniue Thou art yet the same God I saie thou wast at that time neither is thy power abridged at all and therefore although my husband or father be neuer so shaken with winds turmoiled with tempests tossed with the waues yea although he were vtterlie deuoured of the whale-fish in the bottome of the sea yet I confesse and so let him acknowledge that thou art able to deliuer him from all these dangers yea from the verie iawes of death To thee therefore doo I thine vnwoorthie handmaid make my humble supplication and intercession for my husband or father T.B. now passing the seas vnto thee doo I his seelie poore wife or child S.B. powre foorth my feruent and hartie praiers in my deere husbands or fathers behalfe because thou onlie art the castell of both our comforts and his bulwarke his watchman his keeper and defender his sure rocke and hope of his salnation To thee onlie and to none other doo I commit and commend him wholie bodie and soule goods ship fraught and all that belongeth vnto him Uouchsafe I beseech thee to blesse him preserue and keepe him in health and giue him grace so to behaue himselfe in this his iournie and at all times that in no part he offend thy diuine maiestie or prouoke thee to be angrie with him Direct his course safelie vnto the hauen mart Protect him and saue him and all his from the crueltie and force of the water-flouds Leade thou him foorth and bring thou him in Be thou O God his onlie staie and defence whether he sleepe or wake liue or die sinke or swimme vpon the waters as well as vpon the land and brieflie in all places and in all times and seasons shield and preserue thou him as my trust is in thee Thou knowest O Lord that this trade is not of his deuising nor yet proceeding of anie humane inuention but thou O father of thy meere mercie didst reueale the mysterie thereof to thy seruant Noah in commanding him to frame an Arke that might fleete vpon the flouds wherein he and his familie onlie to the number but of eight persons were saued in the great deluge or floud when all the world else for the greatnes
steale other mens goods and take thy name in vaine or trusting vpon his prosperitie he denie thee and saie What fellowe is the Lord On the other side grant him grace that he may acknowledge that he that ploweth is nothing neither he that watereth but thou Lord which giuest the increase Finallie when thou shalt depriue and take him from all the commodities of this present life giue vnto him the like constancie as thou didst giue vnto thy faithfull seruant Iob who seeing himselfe afflicted on euerie side did neuer murmur against thee but falling downe vpon the ground worshipped thy maiestie and blessed thy name for all which things we his parents praie thee in the fauour of thy welbeloued Sonne he I saie who was obedient vnto thee euen to the death of the crosse our Lord Iesus Christ to whom be glorie for euer and euer Amen A praier to be vsed of anie mother in lawe FOrasmuch O mercifull God as it is commonlie said that step-mothers be malicious towards their husbands children and hate their daughters in lawe bearing no great loue and charitie towards them I being verie desirous to falsifie this report in my selfe whom it hath pleased thee now by marriage to make a mother of so manie motherles children and that I may foreuer be free from anie least suspicion of such offence and neuer found guiltie or culpable of like malice and hatred towards the innocent doo now most humblie beseech thee of thy goodnes so to rule the fond fansies of my mind and crooked conditions of my corrupted nature with the grace of thy holie spirit that I neuer be carried awaie with passions and braids of the mind to plaie the tyrant ouer these my husbands children nor by anie meanes shew my selfe rough rigorous hard-harted or vnresonable towards them but being guided with discretion reason and good consideration let me haue compassion and pitie of their tender and weake age yea let me loue them I saie hartilie and count them euen as mine owne knowing that friendship maketh all things common among friends much more wedlocke being the highest degree not onlie of all friendship but also of all bloud and kindred doth of dutie require the same in me as also especiallie remembring that vndoubtedlie my children shall finde such fauour of others whither I die or liue as I haue shewed to other mens children For looke with what measure we meate with the same shall we be sure to be measured as saith our Sauiour Which thing well considered grant I beseech thee that I may vnfeignedlie loue these my husbands children and be vnto them that which I heare them call me so oft that is a mother not a step mother or mother in lawe after the vulgar opinion in word and outward shew onlie but a mild a gentle tender louing mother in deed and good faith comforting cherishing and instructing them euen as their owne naturall mother would O let me neuer hate or abhor them whom thou hast thus conioined vnto me in house friendship aliance and bloud and made to be brethren and sisters vnto my children Neither suffer me at anie time to wreake conceiued ire wrath and displeasure vpon these poore orphans and motherles children but make me to vse all motherlie curtesie lenitie and good behauiour towards them euen as if they were mine owne Also concerning my daughters in lawe that are maried let me not be discontent that they are bloud of their husbands more than I nor thinke my motherhood anie whit diminished thereby as she that would seeke to win loue by hating them that offend me not but take from vs good Lord I beseech thee all occasions of strife contention bralling chiding and vnnaturall fallings out and if anie discord chance betweene vs make vs also both most wiselie with all our might to auoid it and speedilie with willing minds to reconcile our selues each one to the other againe as becommeth vs that others seeing our mutuall loue concord and godlie behauiour each to other may by our good examples take occasion worthilie to glorifie thee in vsing the like Finallie grant me grace that with Naomie and other godlie women to the vtmost of my power skill and abilitie I may both loue cherish and instruct my daughters in lawe giuing them good counsell and also doo before them in my conuersation all such things as may be examples vnto them both of chastitie sobernes and all manner of godlines and vertue so shall it come to passe that I ruling mine affections modestlie and behauing my selfe curteouslie and motherlie in deed towards these my children in lawe as to mine owne shall not onelie auoid the great number of troubles and miseries which otherwise crueltie and contention would bring vpon mine head but also by that meanes obteine great loue and reuerence of these my children in lawe againe towards me and procure to my selfe a most holie delectable sweet peaceable and quiet life with my deere husband to thy glorie and our eternall felicitie Grant this O father for thy deere Sonne sake our onlie Lord and Sauiour Amen The mistresse or dames praier for hir selfe and hir familie THy commandement is by thine holie Apostle O most mercifull Lord Christ that masters and mistresses should intreat their seruants and hand-maids gentlie putting awaie threatenings and dooing that vnto them which is iust and equall forasmuch as we also haue a master in heauen with whome there is no respect of persons Grant I most hartilie praie thee I may so order my men-seruants and maid-seruants that I attempt none vnrighteousnes against them but so vse my rule and authoritie ouer them that I may alwaies remember that thou art the common Lord of vs all and we all thy seruants Againe that I may not forget that we be all brothers and sisters hauing one father which is in heauen and looke for one glorious kingdome where thou with the father and the holie ghost liuest and reignest true and euerlasting God for euer Amen Another TO haue children and seruants is thy blessing O Lord but not to order them according to thy word deserueth thy dredfull cursse Grant therefore that as thou hast blessed me with an houshold and familie so I may diligentlie watch that nothing be committed of the same that might offend thy fatherlie goodnes and be an occasion of turning thy blessing into curssing but that so manie as thou hast committed to my charge may eschew all vice imbrace all vertue liue in thy feare call vpon thy holie name learne thy blessed commandements heare thy holie word and auoiding idlenes diligentlie exercise themselues euerie one in his office according to their vocation and calling vnto the glorie of thy most honorable name Amen Another praier of dames or mistresses O Lord God almightie our heauenlie father and most merciful Lord thou art my life my soule and my bodie yea all the good which I haue and all whatsoeuer is mine al that thou hast giuen vnto me of thee
of those shamelesse children that sticke not to reuile and cursse their father and mother to their face nor of those stubborne and wicked daughters which as the Prophet complaineth doo rise vp and rebell against their owne mothers setting their commandements at naught vtterlie refusing to be corrected by them for their amendment Yea far be it from me O Lord with Lots two daughters to make my father dronke to vncouer his shame neither with curssed Cham let me not reioice or laugh at the dishonour of my parents especiallie sith I knowe that my honor commeth by them and that their reproch is in deed my dishonour And though my parents forsake me and count me as a stranger yet giue me grace neuer to forsake them vtterlie nor to saie of them as Leah and Rahel said of Laban their father We haue no more portion or inheritance in our fathers house but rather make me through the gift of thy grace obedient and verie willing to suffer for thy sake my parents to worke thine and their willes in me yea though it be to my losse if thou thinkest it so good without anie resistance striuing grudging or deniall euen as Isaac did to his father Abraham Iepthaes onelie daughter did vnto him Lots two daughters vnto their father and the seauen children of the woman in the Machabees vnto their mother c. that with these vertuous and godlie children I may be blessed and haue mine obedience crowned and rewarded Moreouer because thou O Lord in the old law hast straightlie commanded that the daughter which looseth hir virginitie and plaieth the harlot in hir fathers house should be stoned to death yea though afterward she be married to an husband which beastlie vice of filthie whoredome fornication and vnchastitie how greatlie thy sacred maiestie doth abhor and detest by this lawe besides other examples of thy iudgements mentioned in the scriptures it may and doth easilie appeare Assist me therefore I humblie praie thee that by watching and praier temperance holie exercises moderation and abstinence from superfluous meates and drinks and ouermuch fiâ—e fare which makes the mind waxe wanton and ouerlustie I may so tame this my bodie crucifie my flesh and bring it into subiection to the spirit with all the affections and desires thereof that I may neuer with Thamar pollute my fathers house nor sin against thy maiestie my friends and mine owne soule and bodie by ouerpassing the prescribed limits and bounds of honestie and chastitie Giue me grace that I follow not the concupiscence of the flesh neither prouoke my senses by vnbrideled libertie with Dinah to abuse my selfe and trespasse against my parents and friends to their harts griefe against my selfe to mine owne publike shame and reioicing of mine enimies and against thee and my country to other euill example and ouerthrowe Sanctifie me I saie O holie father that I defile not my selfe with carnall vices riotousnesse bellie-cheere nor vnlawfull pleasures Suffer me not to cast off thine holie spirit thereby to make my bodie the house of filthie feends which carrie awaie and cast headlong all intemperat vnchast and secure or retchlesse persons into euerlasting destruction but driue far from my hart all euill thoughts from my mind all wicked concupiscence and from mine eies all vnchast lookes yea be thou euer so mercifull vnto me O Lord as to helpe me continuallie with thy diuine power that the holie spirit which thou didst powre into me at my baptisme may beare the rule in all my members and so preuaile ouer the flesh and all the mordinate affections of the same that being renewed dailie after thy holie spirit I may the better walke in the spirit and serue thee in righteousnesse obedience and true holinesse all the daies of my life to the honor of thy sonne which is the most excellent floure and crowne of all pure virginitie Finallie if heereafter it shall please thee not to continue in me the gift of virginitie or single life or that my father or friends thinking it vncomelie for me to passe the floure of mine age to auoid all other further inconueniences shall iudge it needfull for them respecting mine infirmitie to marrie me and so to performe that weightie matter and ease themselues of so great a charge care and burthen by dooing their dutie betimes and not neglecting their authoritie and office as Iudah did towards his daughter in lawe Thamar to the perill and hazard of both their good names and honestie then grant I beseech thee O deere father that I for my part not so much as desiring mariage much lesse to shew my selfe to long therefore by anie meanes may be content to leaue all the care and charge of that businesse wholie vnto my parents or friends who no doubt loue me no lesse than I loue my selfe And let me be fullie persuaded that they will prouide no lesse diligentlie for me than they would for themselues but much better that all whisperings close communication sinister practises and priuie contracts being of me vtterlie eschued as a thing most vngodlie and in deede far vnbeseeming anie Christian child yea as things abhorred euen among the Infidels I may after the good examples of Rebecca Leah Sarah and such like holie virgins obedient daughters most willinglie allow and approue the authoritie power and pruiledge of my parents and friends ouer me heerein and resigning all my will to their wils be verie well content to be ruled by them in all things they shall doo in thee as becommeth a well nurtured and obedient child labouring also by all earnest and feruent praier to further the matter that I may bring a chaste mind in a chaste bodie vnto a vertuous husband to thy glorie And grant that my parents and freends also for their parts as thou hast commanded Deuter. 7 3. may carefullie endeuour by all possible and studious diligence to prouide for me their daughter a man of vnderstanding wisedome pietie and honestie euen such an husband Lord as is no Idolater or irreligious woorshipper of God no Atheist Infidell or vngodlie man nor one that shall let or hinder me from vertuous liuing but such a one as is both wise godlie vertuous holie and religious one that serueth thee O God sincerelie and liueth in thy feare christianlie and will gladlie prouoke exhort and helpe me to liue accordinglie Finallie grant I beseech thee that my parents or freends without anie respect of their owne gaine or commoditie may seeke me an honest husband and marie me in thee O Lord neither let them with couetous Laban sell me to their seruants in recompense of their seruice as Leah and Rebecca were nor yet with that hypocrite Saule giue me vnder pretence of fauour to snare and betraie the innocent as Michal and Merab were giuen to Dauid But considering that the knot of marriage cannot be lightlie loosed or dissolued sauing onlie by death let them with great studie and deliberation with good aduisement and counsell