do appertaine vnto this commaundement Thou shalt not â—ake the name of the Lord thy God in vaine and so praier is a worke and chiefe seruice belonging to this commandement Wee may not therefore thinke that there are no sins but Idolatrie murther theft whoredome and such like but that it is vndoubtedlie a great sin also not to render this seruice to GOD that is not to praie not to aske not to looke for helpe from God in our necessities not to render thanks for the benefits we haue receiued Therefore if our vnworthines at any time do crie out against vs stop or feare vs in such â—orte that our consciences are astonied and flie from God if we doubt whether God hath respect to our paiers groannings and teares we must set before our eies how that we are commanded though we be neuer so vnworthy and our sinnes neuer so manie and great to pray for reconciliation Gods fauour and forgiuenes of our sinnes For els whereas God commaundeth vs to abstain from theft murther whordome c. we maie in like sort excuse our selues and say that we are vnworthie to obeie Gods commandements great is our iniquitie manifest is our contempt and despising of God when wee neglect and delaie to call for his help Such as flie vnto God therefore to call vpon him in their necessities obeie his will and find therein no small consolation knowing that therby they doe vnto him most acceptable seruice for as much as he pronounceth that nothing is to him more acceptable then obedience to his wil and commandement As wee are commanded of God boldlie and without all respect of our owne vnworthinesse to come vnto him as a mercifull father and one that knoweth our necessity pittieth our miserie so hath he promised verie gratiously to heare vs and graunt our requestes And hereof riseth yet a farre more comfortable and greater consolation wherin conâ—isteth our whole coâ—â—idence and trust of obtaining succour and mercie at Gods hand VVherefore he allureth vs with manie sweete promises to call vppon him Aske saith he and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you yee shall crie vnto me and I vvill heare you ye shall seeke me and ye shall find me Call vpon me in the daie of trouble and I vvill deliuer thee The Lord is nigh to all them that call vpon him that cal vpon him in truth hee doth the vvil of them that feare him and hee vvill heare their prayers Hee shall call vpon me and I vvill heare him I vvill bee vvith him in his trouble I vvil deliuer him and glorifie him At the voice of thy crie hee vvill certainlie haue mercie on thee vvhen he heareth thee he vvill ansvvere thee He that is lorde ouer all is rich and bountifull tovvardes them that call vpon him Hee vvill fulfill the desire of them that feare him he vvil heare their crie and vvill saue them And God to declare his readinesse in hearing of sinners saith Before they cry I vvill ansvvere and vvhiles they are yet thinking vvhat to speak I vvil heare Among many sweete promises of GOD though these might be sufficient to prouoke vs to feruent and hearty prayer yet there be certaine other notable and most comfortable promises which we shuld speciallie hauein remembrance as these If yee vvhich are euill can giue good giftes to your children havv much more shall your heauenlie father giue the holie Ghost to them that desire him Consider the olde generation and marke them vvell vvas there euer anie confounded that put their trust in the Lord or vvho hath continued in his feare and vvas forsaken or vvhom did he euer despise that called vpon him And of all other that is the most notable which by the Prophet Ioel is added immediatlie after the prophesie of that horrible destruction that was at hande saying VVhosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shal be saued Heere let vs consider the order of promises which pertaine either outwardlie to the bodie or inwardly to the soule Which parte the soule I mean because it is much more precious than the other wee must firste craue such things as properlie belong to the saluation thereof But first of all confessing our sinnes vnto God with most humble and penitent hearts let vs set before vs the promises of remission of the same For this sentence is true God heareth no sinners that is such as delight and continue in sin Wherfore in all other praiers yea when we bee about to aske any other thinges whatsoeuer they be let vs first thinke of the remission of sinnes hauing alway in our sight some comfortable promises thereof as this If vve confesse and acknovvledge our sinnes hee is faithfull and righteous to forgiue our offences and to cleanse vs froÌ„ all iniquities And hereunto let vs craue the light of the holie Ghost to kindle and confirme in vs the true knowledge of God Let vs pray for the continuance of Gods holie word and Gospel among vs for the enlarging of his kingdome and the aduancing of his glorie Let vs beg the gift of faith repentance feare patience prayer hope loue ioy peace of conscience with such other fruites of the spirit and for euerlasting lyfe And here also we must remember that we do not onely call our selues continuallie to account for our new sinnes crauing at gods hand mercie and forgiuenes of the same but also for those sinnes which might seeme to haue been long agoe forgotten as Dauid hauing confessed an hainous offence by that occasion returneth euen to his mothers wombe wherein he had gathered the infetion heaping together the sins of the whole life Euen so in another place when hee asketh another thing hee saith Remember not the sinnes of my youth remember me according to thy mercie for thy goodnesse sake O lord Againe Looke vpon mine affliction and trauell and forgiue all my sinnes VVhen we haue thus prayed for thinges pertaining to the soule and to the kingdom of God we must praie also for corporall benefits as well common as priuate as peace and tranquillitie of those Countries which giue harbrough to the true professors of the gospel and godlie congregations being in this life as Daniell in the mids of the Lyons Pray for the peace of Ierusalem saith Dauid Also for defence from miserie deliuerance froÌ„ trouble for happy successe in the workes of our vocation for health liuing protection of life goods name c. And although the Lorde knoweth before we aske what we haue need of and is ready to giue liberally yea doth giue oftentimes vndesired and furthermore hath promised that seeking first the kingdome of god the righteousnes thereof all other things should be giuen vs yet he commaundeth vs to aske corporall benefits and that for three causes First that wee shoulde knowe that hee is the author and giuer thereof and
to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull vnto them that truly repent we confesse thou doest most iustly punish vs for vnto haue uâ—â—ously finned against thee and wee acknowledge that in punishing vs thou doest declare thy selfe to be our most merciful father aswell because thou doest not punish vs in any thing as we haue deserued as also because by punishing vs thou doestcal vs and as it were drawe vs to increase in repentance it fayth in prayer in contemâ—ing of the world and in heartie dâ—â—â—ing for euerlasting life thy blessâ—â— presence 〈…〉 therefore gracious 〈…〉 Lorde thankefully to acknowledge thy great mercy which hast thus fauourablie dealt with vs in punishing vs not to our confusion but to our amendement And seeing thou hast sworne that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but that hee turne and liue haue mercie vpon vs and turne vs vnto thee for thy dearelie be oued Sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest should be made a slayne sacrifice for our sins thereby declaring thy great and vnspeakable anger against sinne and thyne infinite mercy towardes vs sinnefull wretches And for asmuch as the dulnesse blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithful and heartie prayer according to our great necessitie without thy singular grace and assistaunce graunt vnto vs gracious Lord thy holy and sanctifying spirite to worke in vs this good work with grace to weigh and consâ—â—r the neede and greatnesse of that we doe desire and with an assured faith trust that thou wilt graunt vs our requestes because thou are good and pracious â—ueÌ„ to young Raunes calling vpon thee much more then to before whoÌ„ thou hast made al things yea and hast not spared also thyne than deare Sonne because thou hast commaunded vs to call vppon thee because thy throne wherto we come is a throne of grace and mercie because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee beeing the way by whome we come being the doore by whom we enter and being our head on whom we hang and hope y t our poore petitions shall not be in vayne through him and for his names sake Wee beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercie wherein thau art pleÌ„tifull to al them that call vpon thee is forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankefulnesse vnbeleef self loue neglect of thy worde security hypocrisie coÌ„tempt of thy long suffering omission of prayers doubting of thy power presence mercy and good 〈◊〉 towardes vs vnsensible of thy grace â—â—â—patience â—c to this thy benefit ofim correcting vs adde thy gracious gift of repentance sayth the spirit of prayer e the contempt of this worlde and heartie desiringâ— for euerlasting life In due vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant and mercy aâ—â—el to assure vs of pardon and that thou 〈◊〉 accept vs in thy fauour as thy 〈◊〉 children in Christ for his sake as to write thy same in our hearts 〈◊〉 to worke in vs that wee may nowe begin and go forwarde in beleeuing â—uing fearing obeying praying hoping a seruing thee as thou doest require most fatherly most iustire of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy light through Iesus Christ our lord â—men A Praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods worde O Gracious God which seekest almeanes possible how to bring â—y children into the feeling and â—re sence of thy mercie and therfore then prosperity wil not serue then â—ndest thou aduersity graciously corâ—ting them heere whom thou wilt 〈◊〉 elsewhere to liue with thee forâ—er we poore wretches giue huÌ„ble â—aises thanks to thee y t thou hast â—â—ched vs worthy of thy correctioÌ„ at 〈◊〉 preseÌ„t hereby to worke y t which 〈◊〉 in prosperity liberty did neglect For the which neglecting and many other our greeuous sinnes whereof we now accuse our selues before thee Most mercifull Lorde thou oughtest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soule body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in Christ that thou seekest to forget all our offences and as though we were far otherwise than we bee indeed thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now layd vppon vs for thy trueth and Gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with thy Prophets Apostles Martyrs and Confessors yea with thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ to whome thou doest now heere beginne to fashioÌ„ vs like that in his glorie we may be like to him also O good God what are we on whâ— thou shouldest shew this great mercie Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankefulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull Father giue vs thine holie spirite nowe to crie in our heartes Abba deare father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablish vs in the same that wee may liue die in it as vessels of thy mercy to the glorie and to the commoditie of thy Church Indue vs with the spirite of thy wisedom that with good conscience we may alwaies so aunswere the enimies in thy cause as may turn to their conuersion or confusion and our vnspeakable consolatioÌ„ in Christ Iesus for whose sake wee besâ—â—che thee hence foorth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to will no otherwise for deliuerance or mitigation of our misery than may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs. Graunt this deare father not onely to vs in this place but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merites of Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen I. B. A praier to God the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost O Almighty and euerliuing God the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loude voyce hast saide of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde Heare him O maker and prâ—seruer of all thinges with thy coeternall sonne our Lorde Iesus christ which raigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holie spirit which was powred vpon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mightie Lorde which hast saide As truelie as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and ameÌ„d which also haste saide Call vppon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee haue mercie vpon vs for Iesus Christes sake whome thou wouldest of thy meruailous incomprehensible counsaiâ—e shoulde be made for vs a staine sacrifice mediatour reconciler and peacemaker to the ende that thou mightest shâ—we â—hine exceeding great wrath against 〈◊〉 and thine in estimable mercy towards mankind Sanctifie illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit that wee may trulie â—eleeue in thee call vpon thee bee thankeful vnto thee and obedient 〈◊〉 thy holy will Defende gouerne â—nd cherish thy church as thou hast
Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade me vnto the land of righteousnesse A prayer for deliuerance from sinne to be restored to Gods grace fauour againe OH Almightie and euerlasting Lorde GOG which hast male heauen and earth and all thinges therein contained O incomprehensible vnitie Oh alwaies to bee worshipped most blessed trinitie I humblie beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanitie of our Lorde Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and howe downe the great depth of thy Deitie to the bottomlesse pit of my vilitie Driue me from al kind of vice wickednes sin Create in mee a cleane heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lorde Iesu I beseeche thy goodnesse for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holie virgin and for the assumption of mans nature wherin it pleaseth thee to saue mee and to deliuer mee from eternall death that thou wouldest drawe mece out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and graunt that this my loue may recouer againe to me thy grace to increase make perfect in me y t which is wanting to raise vp in me y t which is faln to restore to me that which I haue lost and to quicken in mee that which is dead shoulde liue so that I may become comformable vnto thee in al my life conuersatioÌ„ thou dwelling in me I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at libertie my spirit from al inferior things Gouerne my soule and so work that both in soule and body I may be holie liue to thy glorie world without end Amen I. B. A prayer necessarie to be said at all times O Bountifull lorde Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the sonne of God haue pittie vppon mee mercifully heare mee and despise not my prayers Thou hast created mee of nothing thou hast redEemed mee from the bondage of sinne death hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for al for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whome thou by thy greate wisedome haste made Despise mee not whome thou hast redeemed with such a precious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroye that which thy goodnesse hath buâ—lded Now whiles I liue O Iesu haâ—e mercie on mee for if I die out of thy fauour it wil be too late afterwarde to call for thy mercy Whiles I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eies as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewayle my sinful life obtayne thy fauour to liue and by therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with me according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy highe throne of mercy trusting to obtayne thy fauour not for my merites but for thy desertes O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy father to appease his wrath to bring all finners truly repenting amending their euil life vnto his fauour againe Accept mee O Lorde among the number of them whom thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation Forgiue me my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my hearte with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in al my doinges faithfull dealing truly with al men to liue chastly in wed locke to abhore adultery fornication and al vncleannesse to do good after my power vnto al men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this presentlife that I afterward may attain euerlasting life through thy mercie and the merites of thy death and passion Amen A prayer for grace and remission of sinnes O Lorde God mercifull Father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued sonne Christ Iesus my Sauior beseeching thee for his sake to be merciful vnto me to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merites of his bloudie death Powre vpon mee O lorde thy holy spirite of grace and wisedome to gouerne lead my body and soule in thy holy work commandements Shew thy mercy vpon mee so lighten the natural blindnes and darkenes of my heart through thy grace that I may daily be renewed by thy holie spirite Open my heard heart grosse eares to heare and reade thy worde and heauenly voyce and to beleeue and followe it in my conuersation and euer to hold fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill all vice in mee that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruaunt and graunte mee thy peace al my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend mee in al daungers hath outwardlie in my bodie goods and name and inwardlye in my soule against al euil temptations and subtile baites of sathan that roaring Lyon seeking whome hee maye deuoure Graunt O Lorde that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may trulie and godlilie serue thee Graft in my hearte the loue of thy name increase in mee true religion replenish mee with all goodnesse and of thy greate mercie keepe me in the same vnto the ende Giue vnto mee the spirite of praier true humilitie perfect patience and continuall ioy in the holy Ghost I commend vnto thy pratection O Father my house all that thou hast giuen me my whole family my wife children and mee that I may wel and holily gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare seruice And forasmuch as in this worlde I must alwayes be at war not with one sort of enimies but with an infinite number not only with flesh bloud but with the diuel which is the prince of darknes grant mee thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battaile with an inuincible constancy against all corruption which I am incompassed with on all sides vntil such time as I hauing ended the combat which during this life I must sustaine in y e end I may attaine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for mee through Christ our Lorde and Sauiour Amen A praier taken out of the first Psalme ALmightie and moste gracious GOD take away from vs all euil counsel and then our sins sufer vs not to runne into an vngodlye and wicked life and finally keepe out mindes farre from the contempt of godlinesse and scorning of vertue 〈◊〉 in the steade of these euils grant 〈◊〉 we may continually bee occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not carried about like the wicked as like dust and fruitlesse chaffe with
therefore should not onlie be thankfull for the same but also stirred vp therby to seeke loue and worship him Secondlie that we shuld be wel perswaded of his good prouidence toward vs when wee vnderstand that he doth not onely promise that he will neuer faile vs but also hath his hand alwaies streched out to help them that call vpon him Thirdlie that our faith of reconciliation and forgiuenesse of sins should bee exercised through the asking of those corporal things And herein we must speciallie and aboue al things seek the glorie of God therfore we must praie for these corporall thinges in such sort that we may offer therwith our obedience vnto God Here of we haue examples of Christ when he said Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me neuerthelesse not as I vvil but as thou vvilt with this obedience to the will of God spake Dauid when he desired to be brought again into his kingdom saying If I shal find fauor in the sight of the lord hee vvill bring me againe but if hee shall saie vnto me thou doest not please me I am ready let him doe as it seemeth good And Iob saith Though he kil me yet vvill I put my trust in him Therefore for as much as we doe knowe that it is the lot of Gods children to bee alwaâ—e vnder the crosse and therfore concerning those corporall benefites we know not how or what to aske as wee ought wee must herein offer our obedience vnto God abiding his good will pleasure so long as it shall see me good vnto him to exercise vs in the want thereof who suffereth vs sometime to be afflicted for our chastisment and for the probation of our countenance and also that we may receiue with greater gladnesse if to his diuine wisdome it seeme expedient for vs that which with ardent desire we long looked for S. Paule saith VVhen vve are iudged vve are chastened of the Lorde because vve should not bee condemned vvith the vvorld But when we pray for spiritual things we must aske them absolutely and without condition for hereunto doe pertaine the chiefe promises of the gospell of the which God would haue vs most assured Verilie verilie I saie vnto you saith Christ hee that beleeueth in me hath euerlasting life As sure as I liue saith the Lord I vvill not the death of a sinner but that he returne and liue To the promise of God wee must ioyne examples wherby we learne that God hath hard holpen those that call vpon him For all deliuerances whether they bee of other wherof the scripture are ful or of our selues whereof wee haue experience are examples of Gods promises Hereby did Dauid comfort himfelfe in the anguish and heauinesse of his heart saying I vvill remember the vvorks of the Lord and call to mind thy vvoonders of olde time Thou hast mightilie deliuered thy people euen the sonnes of Jacob and Ioseph Againe I vvill be glad and reioice in thy mercie for thou hast seene my trouble thou hast knovvn my soule in aduersitie And thus being warned both by promises and examples let vs learne to cast our care vpon the Lord to call vpon him and to looke for help at his hande So shal our faith by little little be more firme and certaine and our heart shal rest in hope and exspectation of Gods help But for asmuch as of our selues we are vnwoorthie to appeare in Gods sight whose terrible Maiestie comming once into our minde it is impossible but that we should flie from him as a fearfull Iudge therefore he hath giuen vnto vs a Mediatour euen our Lord Iesus that he being a meane between God and vs might chaunge the throne of dreadfull glorie into the throne of grace that we by his merites hauing accesse vnto God might haue assured trust to find grace in his sight If anie man sinne saith S. Iohn vve haue an Aduocate vvith the father Jesus Christ the iust and he is the Reconciliation for our sinnes To him saith Saint Peter beare al the Prophets vvitnesse that through his name at that beleeue in him shall receiue forginenesse of their sinnes By vvhome saith Saint Paule vve haue boldnesse and enteraunce in all confidence through faith in him And againe VVee haue not an high priest vvhich cannot haue compassion on our infirmities but vvas in all points tempted like as vve are sinne excepted let us goe ' boldlie therefore unto the throne of his grace that vve may receiue mercie and find grace to helpe in time of neede And as wee are commanded to call vpon God and haue a promise also to be heard euen so we are commanded to make our praiers vnto him in the name faith confidence of this our mediator and wee haue no promise to be heard without him in whom are all the promises of God yea and Amen confirmed and fulfilled And no man commeth to the father but by the sonne For he is our mouth whereby we speake to the father hee is our eie whereby wee see the father and he is our right hande whereby we offer ourselues to the father VVhatsoeuer therefore we aske in his name wee haue a promise to obtaine it Veriliâ— veriliâ— saith Christ I saie vntoyou vvhatsoeuer yeâ— shall aske the father in my name hee shall giue it you in my name that is for my sake your highe Bishop praying for you Hetherto yee haue not asked anie thing in my name aske and yee shal receiue In that day ye shall aske in my name and vvhat soeuerye aske I vvil doe that the father maie be glorified in the sonne Of praier there be two parts petition and thankesguing By petition we poure foorth out desires before God requiring first those thinges that may set forth his glorie and then such benefites as are profitable and necessarie for vs. By giuing of thankes wee praise and magnifie his benefites bestowed vppon vs acknowledging that whatsoeuer good things we enioy we haue receiued theÌ„ of his free goodnes and liberalitie Therfore Dauid ioyned those two partes together in one verse when he saith Call vpon me in the day of necessitie I vvill deliuer theeand thou shalt glorifie me The scripture commaundeth vs to vse both and that continuallie For our necessitie is so great our life is so full of troubles and calamities and so many daungers hang ouer our heades euerie moment that wee haue all cause ynough yea euen the most holie with sighes and groanings continually to flie vnto God and call vpon him in most humble wise But this we may better perceiue in things pertaining to the soule For when shal so many great sins whereof we know our selues guiltie suffer vs to be without care not to craue pardon of God for the same when will Sathan giue vs rest and quietnesse when will he cease to range about seeking whom he may destroy when shall
and that wee may vnfainedly purpose and effectually labour to amend our liues this day so long as wee haue to liue in all our doings and wordes and euen in our verie thoughtes to the prayse of thy holy name and good example of our doings and words and euen in our brethren And for as much as thou knowest our weakenesse our ignorance and great vntowardnesse to carrie anie great crosse or affliction wee beseech thee our sweete Father so temper and order all things towards vs this day and for euer that we bee neuer further proued tempted than thou wilt make vs able to beare and so to helpe vs in the same as may be most 〈◊〉 thy glorie our saluation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen An Euening prayer O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie wee acknowledge and confesse that wee bee not worthy to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy diuine maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare out praiers and graunt our requests if wee consider our owne wretched deseruings For our consciences doe accuse vs our sinnes witnes against vs wee know that thou art an Vpright Iudge which doest not â—ustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faultes of such as transgresse thy commandements Yeâ— most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to commaunde vs to caâ—â— vpon thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then tâ— helpe vs when we feele our selueâ— as it were swallowed vp of death 〈◊〉 desperation we vtterly renounce alâ— wordly confidence and trust flie to thy soueraigne goodnes as our only stay and refuge beseeching thee not to cal to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ce nor our vnkindnes which haue either worthelie esteemed nor in our liues sufficieÌ„tly expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lorde and forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsakeÌ„ caÌ„not prayse thee nor cal vpoÌ„ thy name but the repenting heart the sorrowfnl minde the conscieÌ„ce oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shall euermore set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but wormes and dust yet thou art our creator and we be the worke of thy handes yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whome thou hast deerelie bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our desertes doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that all the worlde may knowe that at what time so euer a sinner dooth repente him of his sinne from the bottom of his hart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembraÌ„ce as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordayned him the day to trauell graunte O deare father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of thâ—â— mortalll life and in the meane seasoÌ„ that wee be not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our mindes vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very sleepe also may be to the glorie of thy holie name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to contente our weake nature that wee may the better be disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation to the glorie of thy holy name profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our Father which art c. Almightie and euerliuing God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing y e same in vs dailie vntil we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof wee make our confessior saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lorde blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and bee mercifull vnto vs the Lordâ— â—urne his fauorable countenaunce towards vs and graunt vs his peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost bee with vs and remayne with vs for euer So bee it 2. Cor. 9. 13. An other Euening prayer MOst mercifull God and tender father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed worde in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holie Church and in thy most gratious gouerning of vs and all thinges hitherto for our singular wealth commoditie hast also most fatherlie cared for vs and kept vs this daye from all daungers both of soule and bodie giuing vs health foode apparell and al other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore and miserable life which manie other doe want for these and all other thy good giftes and gracious benefites which thou of thine own goodnesse onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as all things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and burie all our sinnes which this daie or at anie time heeretofore wee haue committed against thy holie commandements and as nowe wee purpose to laye our bodies to rest so graunt the gard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shall come grant that it may be in thee good father so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glorie and our ioy through Iesus Christ our lorde So be it Another Euening prayer O Eternall God and most mercifull-father who this day and al the time of our life hast graciouslie defended nourished and preserued our soules and bodies
members of the mysticall bodie of Christ Iesus wee made out requestes vnto thee O heauenly father for all such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation as war plague â—â—mine sicknesse pouertie imprisonment persecution banishment or my other kinde of thy rooddes whether it be griefe of bodie or vnquietâ—es of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancie till thou sende thein full deliuerance out of all their troubles Finally O Lord we most humbly beseech thee to shewe thy great mercie vpon our brethren which are persecuted cast in prison and dayly condemned to death for the testimonie of thy trueth and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aide yet let thy sweet comfort neuer departe froÌ„ theÌ„ but so inflame their harts with thy holy spirit that they may boldly cheerefully abide such trial as thy godly wisedome shall appoint so that at length aswel by their death as by their life the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increace shine throughall the worlde In whose name wee make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs saying Our father which art c. A praier to be said before the receiuing of the communion O Father of mercie and God of al consolation seeing all creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernor Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine own hands at al times to reuerence magnifie thy godly maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and stmilitude but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs froÌ„ that euerlasting death damnation into which Sathan drew mankind by the meanes of sinne from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free but thou O Lord rich in mercy and inâ—â—nite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely wel beloued sonne whom of verie â—oue thou diddest qiue to bee made man like vnto vs in all things sinne excepted that in his bodie hee might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the author of death and so to bring a gaine life to the worlde from which the whole ofspring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lorde wee accknowledge that no creature was able to comprehende the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that thy most excellent loue which mooued thee to shewe mercie where none was deserued to promise and giue life where death had gotten victorie to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe nothing but rebell against thy Maiestie The blinde dulnesse of our corrupt nature will not suffer vs suffâ—â—antly to weigh these thy most ampâ—â— benefites Yet neuerthelesse at the commaundement of Iesus Christe our Lorde wee present our selues to this thy table which hee hath left to bee vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the worlde that by him alone wee haue receiued libertie and life that by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone wee haue entrance to the throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table and with whome wee haue our conuersation presently in heauen and by whome our bodies shall be raised by againe from the dust shall be placed with him in that eâ—dlesse ioye which thou O Father of mercie hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the worlde was laide And these most inestimable benefites wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine onely beloued son Iesus Christ For the which therefore we thy congregation moued by the holy spirite doe render to thee all thanks praise and glory for euer and euer A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion MOst mercifull father wee render vnto thee al praise thankes honour glory for that it hath pleased the of thy great mercies to grant vnto vs miserable sinners so excelleÌ„t a gift and treasure as to receiue vs into the fellowship and companie of thy deare son Iesus Christ our lord whom thou hast deliuered to death for vs hast giuen him vnto vs as a necessary foode and norishment vnto euerlasting life And now wee beâ—â—ech thee also O heauenly father to grant vs this request that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkind as to forget so worthie benefits but father imprint and fasten them sure in our hearts that wee may grow increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all manner of good works and so much the rather O Lorde confirm vs in these perillous daies â—ages of Sathan that wee may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy glorie which art God ouet all thinges blessed for euer A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in consciencâ—â—â— his offences IN the midde stâ—â— the desperate assaultes of my soule the intollerable heauinesse of my minde hath hereto fore LORD cried as shrill in thine eare as though I had shriked and with lamentations cried out saying Helpe helpe me my God my creator my most prouident keeper euerlasting defender for beholde I perish On this occasion Lorde when heauinesse of minde did heeret ofore assault mee I remembred that thou haddest many times set before mine eyes the wonderfull greatnesse of thy most tender loue towardes mee by the great multitude of thy benefites powred upon met which benefites euerie of thy workes as they came before mine eies gaue mee iust occasion to be mindfull of Would not thought I if I had in any manner any â—â—â—race at al would not such loue brinâ—â— nowe into my heart a wonderâ—â—â—â—electation ioy and comforte in God for the sameâ— And againe coulde such delight in Gods sweete mercie and tender loue towards mee if I were not as euil is a cast-awaye that were none of Gods children bee without loathing of my sinne and lust and desire to doe Gods holy will And these thinges thought I fie vpon mee vnthankefull wretch are either not at all in mee or else in deed so coldly and stenderly that they being truely weighed and compared to right cousnesse are more vile than a filthy cloth starched in corrupt bloud O thought I Iain afraid I haue deceiued my selfe for thy seruantes at all times I trowe fâ—â—â— otherwise than I now doe the fruitâ— of thy spirit as loue ioy peace such like But my loue alas towardes thee what is it my ioy is not once almost felt of mee for my very soule within mee as Dauid in his heauinesse said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it did vtterly despaire what peace
can I feele then or certaintie of thy fauour and loue Iustly may I powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion The Lorde hath forsaken me and my Lorde hath forgotten me Euen in the middest I say of these my former desperate assaultes mine intollerable heauines cryed to thee O my God from heauen thou heardest my gronings and thervpon first preparedst my heart to aske comfort of thee and then thou didst accept my praier and gauest me plentifully my asking Oh my soule consider well that thou art neuer able to declare the exceeding goodnes of GOD in this that hee heard the verie desires of thee beeing afflicted who is so readie fauorably to grant the requests of the afflicted that oftentimes he tarieth not vntil they doe call but or euer they call vpon him fauourably hearest them as the Psalmist sayth The desire of the afflicted thou hearest O Lord thou preparest their heartes thine eares heare them Oh Lorde my God meruailous things are these whether I consider this meruailous manner of thy hearing or else the meruelous nature propertie of thy goodnes Meruailous no doubt is that thy hearing whereby the very desires of the aflicted are heard but much more maruailous is this thy goodnes which tarrfest not vntil the afflicted do desire thy helpe but preparest first their hearts to deâ—â—re and then thou giuest them their destres Yea Lorde worthy of all praise it cannot otherwise â—e For howe shouldest thou do otherwise than thy nature and property is Art not thou verie goodnesse mercy it selfe How canst thou then but pitie and helpe miserie Art not thou both the creator and also the conseruer of all thinges In somuch as the Lyons whelpes roaring after their praye doe seeke their foode at thy handes and the Rauenes birdes lacking meate do cal vpon thee If then thy fatherly prouidence and tender care O Lorde vppon all thy creatures be so great that the verie beastes and foules haue this experience of thy goodnesse in their necessities that their roarings and cryings haue the strength of earnest calling and desires howe much rather doe these sighinges groninges and desperate heauinesse of men but chiefely of thy children crie and call lowde in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all Should I then now despaire of thy fatherly mercie whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule and heart to craue helpe at thy handeâ— Shoulde I thinke that thou wilt absent thy selfe for euer that thou wilt bee no more intreated that thy mercie is cleane gone that thy promise is come vtterly to an ende and that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindnesse in displeasure Nay Lorde for all alterations are of thy right hande and turne al waye to the best to them that feare thee All this is but mine owne inffrmitie for thou art euer one thy promises bee infallable and the loue towardes thine euerlastingly during I will therefore in this my present tentation greeuous assault powre â—ut the heauinesse of my heart before thee deare Father Out of the deep wil I crie and lift by my soule vnto thee from whome I assuredly knowe my helpe is comming I wil also for my present comfort call to remembrance O Lord my God thy tender mercies towards mee already shewed the multitude of thy benefits the greatnes of the same the long coÌ„tinuance of them euen from my conception vntill this instant finally thy continuall lust desire to powre them vpon me And moreouer fith thy goodnesse is so great O Lord that thou doest not onely pitie miserie but also callest the heauy hearted and afflicted unto thee promising that thou witt ease their miserie for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit I loath and abhor my sâ—nnes feele the gree uousnesse of them and thy heauie wrath towards mee for the same finally what neede I haue of thy gracious aide and succour heresore O Lorde in thy sonne Christes name with sure confidence and trust in thine infallible promise in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercifull calling craue comfort at thy hand For thou hast promised that when I loath my sinnes thou wilt vtterly forget them when I feele the greeuous burthen of them thy mercie swalloweth them vp when I seeke that I want thou wilt assuredly grant it me For â—â—th tthou moouest my heart to desire help how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy trueths sake guie mee my asking Yea where I knowe not how or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirite gratiously working in mee maketh intercession mightily for me with gronings which cannot bee expresseth and therewith certifieth my spirite that by adoption through thy great mercie and goodnesse I am become thy childe and heire Why should I not then bee of good comfortand ioyfull in thee my God For if thou bee on my doe who can be against mee Since thou diddcst not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for mee euen when I was thine enemie howe fhalt thou not with him nowe that by his death I am brought into thy 〈◊〉 giue mee all thinges with him and for his sake Who shall lay any thing to the charge of thine elect It is thou Lord which iustifiest mee It is Christe that hath died for mâ—e yea ratheâ— that is risen againe for mee Who also is set on thy right hand and hat taken possession yea and perpetually there maketh interrcession for mâ— vntill that ioyfull day be come whâ— I shall haue ful fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuine maie sty in that kingdom which thou hast prepared before the begining of the world but in time to thy gratious goodnesse thought best make known to me by giuing thy holy spirit into my hearte whereby when I first Lorde beleeued thy holy worde which is thine owne power to saue al that beleeue I was sealed confirmed stablished in the certaintie of that thine euerlasting kingdom and inheritaunce For the which inestimable benesite of the rich grace Oh Lorde my God I beseech the euen for the loue thou barest to Christ Iesus thy son and thy mercie thou haddest on him when he cried on the crosse My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Helpe help I say inflame my hart with loue so plentifully towardes thee againe that I may be euen swallowed vp in the ioyful feeling of the same in such sort that I may of very thankefulnesse loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God and nothing but thee and for thy sake O holy spirite whose worke this is in mee increase this the work of thiue infinite mercie preserue mee that I neuer become vnthankefull vnto thee therefore Amen A praier for the sicke O Most merciful God which according to the multiude of thy mercies doest so put away the sinnes of those which truly repeÌ„t that thou rememberst them no more open thy
destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised O Lord that afore wee crye thou wilt heare vs whilest wee yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shal be confounded neither any that call vppon thee shall be despised For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hel and bringest backe againe Our fathers hoped in thee trusted in thee and thou diddest deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth but according to thy mercie think thou vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bodies are vexed And nowe in the vexation of our spirites and the augnish of our souls we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake and for thy holie names sake incline thine care heare O merciful Lord. For wee doe not powre out our praiers before thee trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifolde mercies Wash vs thoughly from our wickednesse and clense vs from our sins Turne thy face from our sins and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane heartes O God and renue aright spirite within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull to our sinnes for thy names sake So wee that bee thy people sheep of thy pasture shal giue thee thankes for euer and will alwaies be shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the beginning c. A psalme of thankesgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kinde of sicknes trouble or affliction LOrde thou art become gracious to thy lande thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure and turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lorde hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had been put to silence But when wee said our feet haue slipped thy mercy O Lorde helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorrowes that wee had in our hearts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lorde our soules hanged vppon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lordes word will wee reioyce in Gods worde did wee comfort onr selues For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble I wil heare thee and thou shalt praise mee So when wee were poore needie sickly in heauines the Lord cared for vs hee was our helper â—nd our deliuerer according to his word In our aduersitie and desiresse he hath lifted vp our head and sauâ—â— vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules froâ— death hee hath fed vs in the time 〈◊〉 dearth hee hath saued vs from thâ— noysome pestilence Therefore wil wee offer in his holy temple the oblation of thankesgiuing with great gladnes wee wâ—â—sing and speake praises vnto the lorâ— our Sauiour Wee will giue thankes vnto thâ— Lord for he is gratious and his meâ—â—cie endureth for euer The Lord is ful of compassion anâ— mercie long suffering plenteous iâ— goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the hâ—â—uens and his gracious goodnes reaâ—cheth vnto the cloudes Like as a father pitieth his owâ— children euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will wee sing O thou holy one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God wee will praise the Lorde with psalmes and thankesgiuing O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our king For God is the king of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our king wee will praise thy name for euer and euer Euery daye wil wee giue thankes vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our moutn shall speake the praises of the Lord let all flesh giue thanks to hs holy name for euer and euer Blessed bee the Lorde God of Israell for euer and blessed be the name of his maiesty worlde without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the beginning c. Prayers to be said before meales and after ALL things depend vpon thy prouidence O Lord to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient Thou giuest to them and they gather it thor openest thy hand and they are sanctified with all good things O heauenly father which art the fountaine and full treasure of all goodnesse Wee beseech thee to shewe thy mercie vpon vs thy children and sanctifie these thy giftes which we receiue of thy merciful liberalitie granting vs grace to vse them soberly and purely according to thy blessed will so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good thinges and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual foode of the world wherwith our soules may be norished euerlastingly through our Sauiour Christ who is the true breade of life which came downe from heauen of whom whosoener eateth shal liue for euer and raigne with him in glorie world withour end So be it Another prayer before meales VVHether ye eat or drinke saith S. Paule or whatsoeuer ye do else let all be done to the praise glorie of God Eternall and euerlasting God fathere of our Lord Iesus Christ who of thy most singular loue which thou barest to mankinde hast appointed to his sustenance not only the fruits of the earth but also the fouls of the aire the beastes of the field and fishes of the sea and hast commaunded thy benâ— fites to be receiued as from thy handes with thankesgiuing assuring thy children by the mouth of thine Apostle that to the cleane al things are cleane as the creatures which be sanctified by the worde and prayer grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy giftes present that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceede in all good works to the praise of the holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Our father which art in heauen c. Another O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation which broughtest againe from death our Lorke Iesus the greate shepheard of the sheep through the bloud of the euerlasting couenante make vs fruitful in all good works to do thy wil and
worke in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight SanctifiE vs thoroughout and keepe our whole spirit soule and bodie faultlesse vnto the comming of thy dear sonne our Lord Iesus Christ Thou art faithful O Father who hast promised this who also shall bring it to passe to thee therfore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glorie Amen A thankesgiuing after meales LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioyce in praysing and extolling his greate mercies For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifully shewing foorth vpon vs and the truth of his promise endureth for euer Wee render thankes vnto thee O Lord God for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not onely for that it hath pleased thee to feede vs in this present life giuing vnto vs al things necessarie for the same but especially because thou hast of thy free mercie fashioned vs anewe into an assured hope of a farre better life the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holie Gospel Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father that thou wilt not suffer our affections to bee so intangled and roâ—ted in these earthly corruptible things but that we may alwayes haue our mindes directed to thee oâ— high continually watching for the coÌ„mming of our lord Isesus Christ what time he shal appeare for our full redemption To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honor and glorie for euer and euer So bee it Another thankesgiuing after meales GLorie praise and honour be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent Father who hastfed and daylie doest feede of thy most bountifull goodnesse al liuing creatures we beseech thee that as thou hast nourished these our mortal bodies with corporall food so thou wouldest replenish our souls with the perfect knowledg of the liuely word of thy beloued son Iesus Christ to whom with thee the holy Ghost be praise glorie and honour for euer So be it Another MOst bountifull and gratious God which feedest all flesh and hast promised that asking of thee we shall not lacke if wee first seeke thy kingdome the righteousnes thereof we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gratious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporal foode do rendervnto thee most harty thanks for the same beseeching thee likewise to feed our soules with that heauenlie foode which perisheth not but abideth vnto euerlasting life so that we being norished by thy goodnesse both in bodie soule may be apt readie to do al good workes which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in through Iesus Christ our Lord. Vnto him that loueth vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud and made vs Kings and Priestes vnto God his father be all glory power and dominion for euermore Amen Another THe God of glorie who hath created redeemed and presently fed vs be blessed for euermore Amen The God of all power who hath called from death the greate pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus comfort defend the flock which he hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament increase the number of true preachers represse the rage of obstinate tyrants lighten the harts of the ignorant releeue the pains of such as be afflicted but specially of those that suffer for the testimonie of thy truth and finally confound Sathan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christe So be it Prayers commonly called Lydleys prayers with certayne godly additions Before thou prayest forgiue if thou hast any thing against any man and come not to GOD with a double heart but lift vp pure handes without wrath or doubting 1. Tim. 2. AL mightie and most mercifull Father I thy poore creature work of thy hands acknowledge confes vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and â—ffences which I froÌ„ my youth vp vnto this day haue committed against thee in thoughte word deede beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy deere sonnes sake to haue mercie vpon mee and to pardon the same according to thy greate mercie which hast promised that At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put his wickednesse out of thy remembrance O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a childe of wrath for in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse to doe that thou in thy lawe requirest of mee saying Cursed is he that continueth not in all thinges that are written in the lawe to doe them Againe thy lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sould vnder sinne Therefore O LORD I come vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske ye shal haue seeke ye shall find knock it shal be opened vnto you to preuent draw my will vnto all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdom of God Therefore O Lord renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength and ablenes to doe thy righteous will Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing and acceptable to doe thy will Thy will be my will and my will be alwayes to follow thy will Let there be euer in mee one will one desire with thee and let me neuer desire to will or not to will but as thou wilt Graunt mee that aboue all things I may rest in thee and fully quiet pacifie my heart in thee for thou Lord art the true peace of the heart and the perfect rest of the soule Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable expedient for me where fore doe with mee in al things as it shall seeme best vnto thee For it may not be but well that thou dost which doest most iustly and blessedly dispose al things after thy most godly wisedome Therefore whether it be by prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gain sicknesse or health life or death thy will be done Cast out of my heart al vnprofitable cares of worldly thinges and suffer me not to be lead with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities but giue me grace that all worldlye and carnal affections may bee mortified die in mee Graunt vnto mee the strength of thy holie spirite to subdue this body of sinne with the whole lustes thereof that it may be obedient both in wil minde and members to do thy holy wil Assist me with thy grace O Lord that I may be strenthened in the inwarde man and bee armed with thy holy armor which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the shielde of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sworde of the spirit which is thy holy word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee Giue me grace that I may esteeme
Apostle S. Paule with more consolations in Christ than he felt sorrowes and terrors in the world haue mercie vpon mee a most miserable vile and wretched sinner which now draw neere the gates of death deserued both in soule and bodie eternallie by reasoâ— of my manyfolde horrible olde and newe transgressions which to thine eies O Lorde God are open and knowen Oh bee mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely sonne Iesus Christ And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes that nowe thou shouldest not heare mee conteraning thy dailie callinges yet let thy mercie which is aboue al my workes and wherewith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towards me through the merits and mediation of Christ our fauiour for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me foorth now as one of his witnesses and a recorde bearer of thy veritie and trueth taught by him to giue my life therefore of which dignitie I do acknowledge deare God that there was neuer any so unworthie and unmâ—ete no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assist me with thy strength and heauenly grace that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gratious power with Paule and al others which for thy names sake haue suffered afliction and death I may 〈◊〉 present with mee thy gratious 〈◊〉 that I may by my death glorist thy holy 〈◊〉 set forth and retifie thy veritie comfort the hearts of the heauie confirme thy church in thy truth conuertsome that 〈◊〉 be conuerted 〈◊〉 so depart out of this 〈…〉 where I do nothing but daiâ—e heape 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercie whereof howe giue and increase in me a liuely taste 〈◊〉 and feeling where through the terâ—our of death the tormentes of 〈◊〉 the paines of â—â—me the dartes of Sathan and the dotours of hell may neuer ouercome 〈◊〉 but may be driâ—en away through the working of y â— most gratious spirit which now 〈…〉 me withall y â— through the samespirit I may offer as nowâ— I 〈◊〉 readie to doe in Christ and by him myselfe wholy soule and bodie to be a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight deare father whose I am and al waieâ— haue beene euen from my mothers wombe yea euen before the worlde was made to whome I commend my selfe faith name familie and friendes countrie and all the whole Church yea 〈◊〉 my verie enimies according to thy good pleasure beseeching thee intirely to giue once more to this Real me of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace to then teaching and setting foorth of the same O deer father now guide me to come vnto thee so purge and purshe me by this fire in Christes death passion through thy spirite that I may be a buâ—nt offering of sweete 〈◊〉 thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holy 〈◊〉 now 〈◊〉 euermore world without 〈◊〉 Amen The Letanie O God the Father of heauen haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the father of heauen c. O God the sonne redeemer of the worlde haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the sonne redeemer of c. O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed glorious Trinitie three persons and one God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O holy blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou bengeance of our sinnes spake vs good Lord spare thy people whome thou hast redeemed with thy most precious bloude and be not angry with vs for euer 〈◊〉 Spare to good Lord. From all 〈…〉 from sinne from the crafts and assaults of the deuill from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnesse of heart from pride vaine glory and hypocrisie froÌ„ 〈◊〉 hatred and malice and all 〈…〉 Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and all other 〈◊〉 sin and from all the deceits of the world the flesh and the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestilence famine from battâ—l murther from sodaâ—ne death Good Lord deliuervs From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and herisie from hardnesse of heart contempt of thy word commandement Good Lord deliuer vs. By the misterie of thy holy incarnation by thy holy natiuitie and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agonie and bloudy sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy glorious resurrection and assention and by the comming of the holy Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs O Lorde God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy Church vniuersally in the right way We beeseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to keepe strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnes and holines of life thy seruant Elizabeth our most gracious Queene and goâ—ernor We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to rule her hearte in thy faith feare a loue and that she may euermore haue affiance in thee and euer seeke thy honour glorie We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to be her defender and keeper giuing her the victorie ouer all her enemies We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to illuminate all bishops pâ—stors Ministers of the church with true knowledge vnderstanding of thy worde and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it forth and she in it accordingly We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to endue the Lorde of the councell and all the nobilitie with grace wise dome and vnderstanding We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to blesse keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to maintaine trueth We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to blesse keepe all thy people We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue to all nations vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue vs an heart to loue and dread thee and diligently to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee to heare vs c. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekely thy worde and to receiue it with pure affection
gouernour of all thinges whose power no creature is able to resist to whome it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull to them that truely repent saue and deliuer vs we humbly beseech thee froÌ„ the hands of our enimies abate their pride asswage their malice and confound their deuises that wee being armed with thy defence may be preserued from all perils to glorifie thee which art the onely giuer of all victorie through the merites of thy only sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it In the time of anie common plague or sicknesse O Almightie God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid diddest stay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand and yet remembring thy mercie didst saue the rest haue pittie vpon vs miserable sinners that 〈◊〉 are visited with great sicknesse mortalitie that like as thou diddest then commaund thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdrawe from vs this plague grieuous sickenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord. A prayer for the strength and comfort of the holy Ghost ALmightie most mercifull God which giuest to thine elect people thy holy spirit as a sure pledge of thy heauenly kingdome wee most humbly beseech thee so to replenish our hearts with the grace of thy holy spirit that he may bear witnes to our spiritâ— y e we be thy children heires of thy kingdome that by thy gratious working of this thy good spirite we may kil al carnal lustes vnlawful pleasures concupiscences and euil affections contrarie to thy most blessed pleasurs concupiscences and euill affections contrarie to thy most blessed wil through our Lord sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For 〈◊〉 hope and sure taste of euerlasting life O Almightie God which hast prepared euerlasting life for al those that be thy faithfull seruants grant vnto vs 〈◊〉 hope of this 〈◊〉 euerlasting y t whites we bee heere in thit miserable world we may haue some tast and feeling of it in our heartes through the merits of our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For the true knowledge of God and his word and a life agreeable to the same GRaunt vnto vs O mercifull God we most heartelie beseechâ— thee knowledge and true vnvnderstanding of thy blessed will and word that all ignorance being expelled we maie know what thy wil and pleasure is in all things and how to doe our duetie and truly to walke in our vacation and that also wee may expresse in our liuing those thinges that me doe knowe that wee bee not onely knowers of thy wil woorde good Lord but also may be heartie faithfull workers of 〈◊〉 same through our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A prayer for the strength and increase of faith O Almighty and euerlasting God which not onely 〈◊〉 euerye good and perfect gift but also increasest those giftes that thou haste giuen â—e most humbly beseech thee 〈◊〉 in vs y e gift of faith that we may true lie beleeue in thee in thy promises made vnto vs in Christ su our Lorde and that neyther our negligence nor infirmitie of the flesh nor by grieuousnesse of tentations neither by the subtil craftes and assaultes of the diuel wee be driuen from this faith in the bloud of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ So be it For a godly life ALmighty God giue vs grace that we may cast away the works of darknes put on vs the armour of light now in the time of this mortall lifâ— in the which thy soâ—l Iesus Ihrist came to visit vs in great humilitie that in the last day when be shal come again in his glorious maiesty to iudg the quick the dead we may rise to the life immortall through him who liueth raigneth with thee y â— holie Ghost now and for euer So be it A prayer for the true perseuerance and assured hope of eternall life BLessed God which hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning grant that we may in such wise heare them reade them marke them and inwardly printe them in our heartes that by patience comfort of thy holy word we may imbrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A prayer for the obtaining of our petitions ALmightie God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and doest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy 〈◊〉 thou wilt grant their requests fulfill now O Lorde the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them graunting vs in this world knowledge of thy truâ—â— and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen The end of the Letanie A GODLIE INSTRVction conteining the summe of all the diuinitie necessary for a Christian conscience Made by Iohn Bradford A Man that is regenerate and borne of GOD the which thing that euerie one of vs bee our Baptisme the Sacrament of regeneration doth require vnder paine of damnation and therefore let euerie one of vs with the Virgin Marie say Bee it vnto mee O Lorde according to thy worde according to the sacrament of baptisme wherin thou â—â—st declared our adption and let vs lament y â— doubting hereof in vs 〈◊〉 against it as we shall be made able of the Lorde a man I say that is regenerate consisteth of two men as a man may say namely of the old man and of the newe man The old man is like to a mightie Giant such a one as was Goliah for his birth is now perfect but the newe man is like vnto a little child such a one as was Dauid for his birth is not yet perfect vntil the day of his generall resurrection The olde man therefore is more stronger lustie and stâ—ring then is the newe man because the birth of the new man is but begun now and the olde man is perfectlie borne And as the oldeman is more stirring lustie and stronger than the newe man so is the nature of him cleane contrarie to the nature of the new man as being earthly and corrupt with Sathans seed the nature of the newe man beeing heauenly and blessed with the celestial â—eed of God So that one man in as much as hee is corrupt with the seede of the serpent is an olde man and in as much as he is blessed with the seede of God from aboue hee is a new man And as in as much as hee is an olde man he is a sinner and an enemie to God so in as much as he is regenerate hee is righteous and holie and a friend to God the seede of God preseruing him from sinne so that he cannot sin as the seede of the serpent wherewith he is corrupt euen from his conception inclineth him yea inforceth him to sinne and nothing
the Lorde is and are becom new creatures by the heauenlie regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holie and innocent babes lay aside all such workes of the flesh which do depriue a man of the kingdome of God And Saint Paule commaundeth vs that laying aside those cursed vvorkes of darknesse vve should in the steed thereof put on euen as the elect of God holie and beloued tender mercie kindness humblenesse of minde meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if anie haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs end aboue all these things saith he put on loue vvhich is the bond of perfection let the peace oh God rule in your hearts vvhen ye shall stand and praie saith Sâ— Marke forgiue if ye haue anie thing against anie man that your Father also vvhich is in heauen maie forgiue you your trespassesâ— for if yee vvill not forgiue your father vvhich is in heauen vvill not pardon you your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne miserie and wretehednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrowe and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof wee may see in the deare seruantes of God when they say that out of the deep deepenesse and out of the middes of the iawes of death they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice He that desireth mercy must haue a feeling of his owne miserie And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for I haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith hee because of thy displeasure neither in there any rest in my bones because of my sin This anguish and sorrowe stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtain coÌ„fort help and succour at Gods hande and therfore such as fâ—ele themselues oppressed with great calamities hauing by the help of man no hope of deliuerance doe crie vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuing God and as the hart being vvounded braiâ—th for the riuers of vvater so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godlie sorrow which S. Paule saith worketh in Gods children repentaunce to saluation The Lorde is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvill saue all such as are afflicted in spirite To him vvill I looke euen vnto him saith the Lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my vvordes Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithful to fly vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at al times in like distresse or continuallie groning vnder the burthen of present euils yet must they needes bee euer in dread of new daungers and carefully â—ffraid of further troubles to follow As trouble and feare therfore are the verie spurs to â—ir them vp to heartie and feruent prayer â—o by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though he did therby call them vnto him This godly sorrow for sinne and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour commeth not of our selues but of the speciall goodnesse of God for we are of our selues dul and without al lust to pray â—ea so great is our imperfection that wee know not howe to pray as wee ought and therefore the spirite helpeth our infirmities instâ—ucteth vs what is right and guideth our affections Hee maketh intercession for the Saintes saith 〈◊〉 Paule according to the vvill of God and that vvith Vighes and grâ—anings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp our he arts giueth vs a desire and boldnesse to pray causeth vs to mourn when we are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with such feruent zeale and affection as we should be Now although wee knowe that it is the only work of the holie Ghost thus to moâ—e and incline our heartes to prayer notwithstanding we may not be negligent slouthfull to dispose and stirre vp our selues therevnto but rather contrariwise so often as we feele our selues colde and not disposed to praier as we ought to be wee must make our supplication vnto the Lorde that it woulde please him to inflame vs with his holie spirit wherby we may be framed to pray with such feruencie of mind as we ought to doe When we are cast downe by the sence feeling of our owne infirmity sinne aud miserie Yet must we pray notwithstanding in sure and stedfast hope to obtaine our requests These be things in deed contrarie in shewe to ioyne with the feeling of the iust vengeance of God sure affiance of fauour which things doe yet verie wel agree in that it is the goodnesse of God onlie that raiseth vs vp being oppressed with our owne euils from the which of our selues we cannot rise For as repentance and faith are knit as companions together albeit the one driueth vs downe with feare and the other lifteh vs vp again with comfort so in praying they must needs go together And this agreement Dauid expresseth in few wordes I vvill saith he in the multitude of thy mercies enter into thy house and in the temple of thy holinesse I vvill vvâ—rship thee vvith feare Therefore when wee are once touched with true repentance and feling of our own miserie we must withall haue such a perswasion of Gods fauor and mercie towards vs in all our praiers that they shall be accepted of God so far foorth as it shall be necessary for â—s This is the assurance saith S. Iohn that vve haue in God that if vve aske anie thing according to his vvill he heareth vs. If we haue not a sure â—rust and confidence in the mercie and promises of God it is vnpossible to make our praier to him aright and whosoeuer doubteth whether God heareth his prayer that man obteineth nothing to such praiers God hath made no promise But contrariwise he saith vvhatsoeuer ye shall aâ—ke in praier if ye beleeue ye shall receiue it And againe VVhatsoeuer yee desire beleeue that yee shall obtaine it and it shal be done vnto you Ask saith Saint Iames in faith and vvauer not for hee that vvauereth is like to the vvaues of the sea vvhich are tossed of the vvind and caried avvaie And why should wee wauer or doubt seeing the holie scriptures testifie of God that he is faithful iust and true in all his wordes and promises saying The Lord is faithfull in all his vvordes hee vvill euer bee mindfull of his couenant the trueth of the Lorde endureth for euer And although our faith be not so strong and therfore our prayer so hearty and zealous as it ought to be yea though our faith be faint and cold yet let vs hold fast this principle that our praiers are not frustrate or in vaine For our comfort herein we haue an example in the father which brought his sonne first to the Apostles and
hereof but certainely be perswaded all this to pertaine to me where I might haue beene borne of Turkes and infidels lot thou wouldest I shoulde bee borne of Christian Parentes brought into thy Church by Baptisme which is a Sacrament of adoption and requireth faith as well of remission of my sinnes as of sanctification and holynesse to bee wrought of thee in mee by thy grace and holy spirite Where I might haue beene boâ—e in an ignorant time Region thou wouldest I shoulde be borne in this time and Region wherein is more knowledge reueales than euer was heere or any place is where I might haue beene of a corrupt iudgement and intangled with many errurs loe thou of thy goodnesse as thou hast reformed my iudgement so doest thou keepe it nowe for the same iudgments sake doâ—st vouchsafe somwhat by the Crosse to trie mee By all which thinges I shoulde confirme my faith of this that thou alwaies hast been art and wilt be for euer my deere father In respect whereof as I shoulde be certainâ— of saluation of the inheritance 〈◊〉 heauen for 〈◊〉 should I bee thankfull cast my whelt cant on thee trust to thee and call on thee with comforte certaine hope for all things that I want For in that thou hast giuen to me this benefite to bee thy childe vndeserued and undesired on my behalfe simply and onely in respect of thine owne goodnesse and grace in Christ least at any time I shoulde doubt of it how should I but hope certainely that nothing profitable to me can be denied in that thy power in infinite For as thy good will is declared in adopting me so nothing can be finally wanting in mee which may make for my weale for then should not thy power be almightie therefâ—re my beliefe requireth that I shoulde beleeue in thee the father almighty In consideration whereof I should in all thinges behaue my selfe as a child reioice in thee praise thee trust in thee feare thee serve thee love thee call vpon thee c. But alas howe heauiâ— harted am I Now vnthankfull am I Nowe full of vnbeleife doubting of this thy rich mercie Nowe little doe I loue thee feare thee call vpon thee c. Oh be mercifull vnto mee forgiue me good Father for thine o wne sake and grant mee the spirit of thy children to reueale thy selte vnto me and Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne our Lorde by whome wee art made thy children that I may truely knowe thee heartily loue thee faithfully hang vpon thee in all my needes with good hope call vpon thee tender faithfully this honor to thee that thou art my God and Father and I thy deare Childe through thy grace in Christ â—nd so alwaies be indued with an assured hope of thy goodnes and a faithfull obedient heart in all things to thy holy will At thy handes and from thee as I must looke for allthings so come I vnto thee pray thee to giue mee these thinges which thy deere children haue and thou requirest of mee that I may come and aske them of thee as now I do through Iesus Christ our Lord. As by this worde Father I am taught to glory of thee and in thee and all that euer thou hast for thou art wholy mine my Lorde my God my father so by this word Our I am taught to glory of all the good that all and euerie of thy seruantes that euer were are or shalbe had haue or shall haue For now I am taught to beleeue that thou hast called mee into the communion of thy Church and people whome heereby I perceiue thâ—â— host commaunded to bee as carefull for mee as for themselues and in all their praiers to be as mindful of me as of themselues Againe as by this word Father I am taught to remember render my duty I ow to thee wardes faith loue feare obedience c. So by this word Our I am taught my dutie towards thy people to be carefull of them and to take their sorrow pouertie affliction c. as mine owne and therefore to labour to helpe them in hart and hand after my vocation and ability vtterly abhorring all pride selfe loue arrogancie and contempt of anie By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and to reioyce To lament because I am so farre from consideration much more from doeing my duetie to thy people in thoughts words and deeds To reioyce because I am called of thee and placed in the blessed society of thy Saintes and made a member and citizen of the heauenly Ierusalem because thou hast giuen in commaundement to all thy Church to bee as carefull for me as for themselues But alas how farre am I heerefrom As I am guiltie of vnthankfulnesse for this thy callyng mee into the blessed communion of thy deare sonne and Church yea of thy selfe so I am guiltie of selfe loue vnmercifulnesse pride arrogancie forgetfultnesse and contempt of thy children for else I could not but bee otherwise affected and otherwise labour than I doe Oh be mercifull vnto mee good Father forgâ—ue me and grant for Christes sake that as my tonge scundeth this worde Our so I may in heart feele the true ioy of thy blessed compassion and the true loue and communion which thy children haue and feele towardes their brethern that I may reioyce in all troubles in respect of that ioyfull communion that I may denie my selfe to honour thy children vpon earth and endeuour my selfe to doe them good for thy sake through Iesus Christ our Lorde I come onely to thee to giue mee that which I cannot nor must not elsewhere haue and thou requirest it of me that therefore I should as thy childe come and crane it to thy glorie Which art in heauen AS by these wordes Our Father I am taught to glorie and reioyce for the blessed communion which I am called to with thee deare Father with thy Christ and with thy holy Church so also am I heere taught by these wordes which art in heauen to reioyce in respecte of the place and blessed ioyes whereunto at the length in thy good time I shall come For nowe I may perceiue that as heauen is thy home so is it mine also being as I am thy child through Christ although here for a time I am bodily on earth and in miserie Againe by these wordes which art in heauen I am admonished not onlie to discerne thee from earthly Fathers and to know howe that thou art Almighty present in all places and of moste puritie to confirme thereby my faith to be prouoked the more to feare thee to reuerence thee c. But also I am admonished to iudge of thy fatherly loue by heauenly benefites and not by corporal simply and alonely for oftentimes the wicked prosper more in the world and haue more worldly benefites then thy children So that by this I see thou wouldest pull vp my minde from earth and earthly thinges to heauen
shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you O deare God and most meeke and mercifull father we heartily beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs for this thy Christs sake for his deaths sake for thy promise trueth mercies sake Haue mercie vpon vs pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes iniquities and trespasses whatsoeuer we haue committed against thee in thought word or deed euer or at any time hitherto by any meanes Deare father haue mercy vpon vs. Though we be poore yet our Christ is rich though wee be sinners yet hee is righteous though wee be fooles yet he is wise though we be impure yet he is pure and holie for his sake therefore bee merciful vnto vs. Call to minde how thou hast promised that thou wilt powre out of thy cleane waters wash vs from our filthe and cleanse vs from our euils Forget not that thou hast promised to take from vs our stonye heartes and to giue vs soft heartes newe heartes to put in the middest of vs right spirits Remember thy couenant namely that thou wilt be our God and wee shal be thy people that thou wilt put out of thy memory for euer al our vnrighteousnesse and hast promised to write in our mindes and hearts thy law and testimonies Remember that thou doest straitly charge vs to haue none other Gods but thee saying that thou art the Lorde our God O then declare the same to vs all we heartilie now beseech thee Forgiue vs our sinnes forget our iniquities cleanse vs from our filthines wash vs from our wickednesse powre out thy holy spirite vpon vs. Take from vs our harde heartes our stonie heartes our impenitent heartes our distrusting and doubtfull heartes our carnall our secure our idle heartes our impure malitious arrogant enuious wrath full impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts and in place thereof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull hearts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly and patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our hearts graue it in our mindes we heartilie beseech thee Giue vs the spirite of prayer make vs diligent and happie in the workes of our saluation sake into thy custodie and gouernaunce for euer our soules and bodies our liues all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further than then wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest wee haue neede of in soule or bodie deare God gratious father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time and alwayes as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thée and our death praise thee through Iesus christ our Lorde for whose sake wee hartilye praye thee to graâ—nt these thinges thus asked and all other things necessarie for soule bodie not onely to vs but to all others also for whome thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouertie sickenesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and graunt vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that wee so wickedlie haue deserued Pardon our enemies persecutors slaunderers and if it bee thy pleasure turne their harts Bee mercifull vnto our parents brethren and sisters friendes kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by anie meanes thou hast coupled and lincked to vs by loue or other wise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holie name graunt thy blessing and holie spirite to sancâ—fie vs dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glorie and euerlasting comforte and the profite of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthenning theÌ„ that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that bee fallen and keepe vs from falling from thy trueth through the merits of thy dearelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ our onelie Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whome bee al praise and honour both now for euer Amen I. B. A prayer for the true knowledge of the mysterie of our redemption in Christ O Almightie God and father of our Lorde Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the Father of all mercy God of all consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers wee most humblie beseeche thee for thy deare sonne Iesus christ his sake for his merites and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternal death and the power of darkenesse sende into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the cleere light and brightnesse of thy Gospell the glorie of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learne and vnderstand the wonderfull and vnspeakeable riches of y e mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glorie giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedome and bring vs vnto the true knoweledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ and the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our mindes and vnderstanding that wee may knowe what the hope is whereunto thou hâ—st called vs and howe rich the glorie of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saints and the exceeding greatnesse of thy power towardes vs that by trne faith by vnderstanding knowledge of thine eternall-wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeede as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professours of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and trueth to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesu our lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnesse of heart and continual heat of thy holie spirite for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake To whome with thee and thy holy spirit be al honour maiestie glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thankesgiuing for our redemption and prayer for the strength increase of faith Lord incrâ—ase our faith Luc. 17. ETernall praise and thankes bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heaueÌ„ly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laide that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whome after we heard y e word of truth the Gospell of our saluation wherein we beleeued we are sealed with the holie spirite of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doeth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth into our harts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penie of our saluation into our heartes thou doest not repent
that Father to whome we are made Children of adoption through thee Oh our head raigning on high in glorie forget not vs thy poore members heere on earth whereunto abasing thy selfe thou camest downe and sufferedst for vs most cruell death Out of this thy throne of Maiesty glore thou puttest vs in assured hope and confidence that wee also shall attayne to that blessed place whither thou art gone before to take possession for vs. Oh our stroÌ„g tower of defence and succour what can hurt vs nowe trusting in thee Most vnhappie are they which are ignorant of thee Most happy are they which alwaies behold thee Blessed are they which haue knowne thee heere in the dayes of their mortalitie But more blessed are they which see thee in the heauens and shall see thee reigning with thy father in ioyes incomparable Oh Lorde the onelie ioye and comfort of our souls shew vs thy louing countenance embrace vs with the armes of thy mercie receiue vs O good Ioseph thy younger brethreÌ„ with the kisse of comfort powre into our hearts thy holy spirite pluck vs vp from the earth earthly things open our eies and lift them vp vnto thee open thy mouth call vs vnto thee open our eares that wee may heare thee so that whatsoeuer we do speake or thinke it may bee directed vnto thee alone our redeemer mediator and aduocate If ye be risen againe with Christ seeke the thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your affection on thinges that are aboue and not on thinges which are on earth Col. 3. Another THou Lord diddest put away Marie Magdalen from the kissing of thy feete because thy flesh was not yet exalted and she knew not yet the dignitie of thy clarified bodie and beautified with the glorie of immortalitie but was addicted only to thy bodily presence She yet sought the liuing among the dead neither was it knowne to her that thou was equall with thy father Wherfore thou wouldest not suffer her so much as to kisse thy feet because it was a thing vnworthy for thy maiesty Oh thou mighty Lion of the tribe of Iuda thou conquerour of hel and death euerliuing and immortall thou art nowe risen from death for vs thou art now ascended to thy father and our father and sittest at his right hand in glorie suffer vs to come neere vnto thee that wee may kisse thee yea Lorde thou louer of our soules come thou rather vnto vs and kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that wee may bee glad and reioyce in thee drawe vs that wee may runne after the sauour of thy sweete oyntments that wee may behold thee in righteousnesse and when thy glorie shall appeare wee may bee satisfied for in thy presence there is fulnesse of ioy and in thy right hande there are pleasures for euermore A prayer for true repentance MOst gratious God and mercifull father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ because I haue sinned done wickedlie through thy goodnesse haue receiued a desire of repentaunce whereunto this thy longâ— suffering doth drawe my hard heartâ— I beseech thee for thy great mercies sake in Christ to worke the same repentaunce in mee and by the spirite power and grace so to humble mortifie and feare my conscience for my sinnes to saluation that in thy good time thou maiest comfort and quickeÌ„ me again through Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued sonne So be it I. B. A prayer for the strength and increase of faith O Merciful God and deare father of our Lorde Sauiour Iesus Christ in whome as thou art well pleased so hast thou commaunded vs to heare him for as much as hee often biddeth vs to aske of thee and also promiseth that thou wilt heare vs and graunt vs that which in his name we shall aske of thee loe gracious father wee are bold to beg of thy mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ one sparkle of true faith and certaine perswasion of thy goodnesse loue towardes vs in Christ where through I being assured of y e pardon of all my sins by the mercies of Christ thy sonne may be thankful to thee loue thee a serue thee in holinesse and righteousnes al the daies of my life I. B. A prayer for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercie in Christ OH Lorde God and deare Father what shall I say that feele all thinges to bee in manner with mee as in the wicked blind is my mind crooked is my will and peruerse concupiscence is in mee as aspring or stinking puddle O howe fainte is faith in mee How little is my loue to thee or to thy people How greate is selfe loue Howe harde is my heart By the reason whereof I am mooued to doubt of thy goodnesse towardes mee whether thou art my mercifull father and whether I bee thy childe or 〈◊〉 In deede worthily might I doubt of that the hauing of these were the cause and not the 〈◊〉 rather of thy children The 〈◊〉 why thou art my father is thy mercie goodnesse grace and trueth in Christ Iesus which cannot but remaine for euer In respect whereof thou haste borne me this good will to bring me into thy Church by baptisme and to accept me into the number of thy children that I might bee holy faithfull obedient and innocent and to cal me diuers times vp the ministerie of thy worde into thy kingdome besides thy innumerable other benefites alwayes hitherto powred vpon mee All which thou hast done of this thy good will which thou of thine owne mercie barest to mee in Christe and for Christe before the world was made The which thing as thou requirest straitely that I should beleeue without doubting so wouldest thou that in all my needes I should come vnto thee as vnto a Father and make my moâ—e without mistrust of being heard in thy good time as most shall make to my comfort Loe therefore to thee deare Father I come through thy sonne our Lorde mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for mee and pray thee of thy great goodnesse and mercy in Christ to bee mercifull vnto mee that I may feele in deede thy sweete mercie as thy childe The time Oh deare Father I appoint not but I praie thee that I may with hope fâ—ll expect and looke for thy helpe I hope that as thou for a little while hast left mee so thou wilt come and visit mee and that in thy great mercie wherof I haue neede by reason of my great miserie Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whom thou louest but surelie O Redeemer in eternal mercies thou wilt shew thy compassions For when tho â—eauest vs O Lord thou doest not leaue vs verie long neyther doest thou leaue vs to our own losse but to our lucre aduantage men that thy holy spirite with bigger portion of thy power and
earth do most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences and to forgiue vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruantes for if thou doe there shall no flesh bee saued in thy sight Wee confesse and acknowledge O Lorde that it is our sinnes which hath moued thee to wrath and to shewe such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towardes vs in these our daies first with fire from heauen betokening thy hote burning iud gnation and wrathful displeasure for sinne which aboundeth at this day then with such horrible and monstrous shatmpes against nature as wer neuer seen heere in our daies nor in any time before vs which doe betoken to vs none other thing but thy plagues to come vpon vs for our degenerate monstrous life and conuersation and now besides all this by great mortalitie plague and peâ—ilence thou hast terribly threatned vs fatherly warned vs and merciâ—ully called vs to repentance The axe is set to the roote of the tree and if wee bee not as rotten members without all sense and feeling wee may perceiue our carefull destruction and desolation to bee at hande vnlesse wee speedilie repente and â—arne vnto thee because wee haue â—â—ene so long taught out of thy most holy and sacred worde and yet no fruites of repentance or Christian life will appeare Woe and alas to these our daies that neither preaching by word most comfortable nor preaching by fire most terrible nor preaching by monsters most straunge and ouglie neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stirre by our stonie heartes and awake from our sinnes Wee feare O Lorde that the Turkes with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing will condemne vs in the lust day which if they had bin so loÌ„g instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word sweet promises of thy Gospell or seene the wonders which we haue seene no doubt their righteousnes would haue shined at this day to our greate shame and confusion thou hast no lesse 〈◊〉 vs O Lorde of thy fearefull displeasure heauy plagues at hand for our great wickednes than thou diddest the Israelites of that horrible destruction which came vpon them whome thou first in mercie diddest cal to repentaÌ„ce by the preaehinge of thy worde but when no warning would serue thou diddest sende them monstrous and fearefull â—â—gnes and tokens to declare that thy visâ—â—ation was not far off But they like vnto vs at this day did alwaies interpret these things after the imagination of their own vaine hearts promising to themselues peace wheÌ„ 〈◊〉 struction was ouer their heades Which things when we do cal to minde for asmuch as they are written for our learning Example and warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgements For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deare and thoseâ— children in take of thy great wrath against sinne what shall wee looke for who doe no lesse deserue thy fearfull scourge for of mercie it is that thou doest thus long forbeare vs and liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vppon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare crye inwardly in our soules Come Lorde Iesu holy and true in all thy doings shorten our dais bring this our pilgrimage to an eude suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sin vntil the day of vengeance least wee be caught vp amongest the number of the wicked reprobate which shall neuer fee thy louing countenance It maketh vs to cry to thee O Lorde Let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein we doe nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lorde in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame confusion though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercie Lord with fatherlie correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not away from vs. To thee wee flie for succour vnder the wings of thy mercie shall be our refuge vntil thou turne thy wrathfull countenaunce from vs. Wee knowe that thy mercie is aboue all thy workes and euen as greate as thy selfe Therefore will wee saie with holie Iob Though thou kill vs yet will wee put our whole trust in thee Thou camest to comfort plucke out of the dungeon of Hell such wretches as wee are Thou art the good Samarican that camest to heale our deadlie woundes thou art that good Phisition that camest to cure our mortall infirmities thou art the good Shepheard that camest to seeke vs wandring lost sheepe to bring vs to thy sold againe and more than that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations borne the burden of our sinnes therefore at thy hands we looke for mercie against the day of vengeance And though thou punish vs yet our hope is euer shal be that thy rodde shall no further touch vs than shall make to thy glorie our coÌ„moditie and the strengthening increase of our faith Let this thy Preaching sundrie wayes O Lord be sufficient for our warning and graunt that wee maye speedily and from the bottome of our heartes repent endeuour to doe thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in worde and frame our liues according to the same that wee maie here liue in thy feare al the dayes of our life after this our sinful course is ended may dwel with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death merites of Iesus Christ our onely redemer So be it Another prayer for the auoyding of Gods deserued wrath hanging ouer vs for our sinnes VVHen wee looke backe and beholde our sinnefull life past what a dungeon of errours vice and wickednes openeth himself vnto vs So that there is no maÌ„ but he must needs be ashamed of himself wheÌ„ he calleth to mind what he hath bin trembleth when he confâ—aereth the wickednes â—S sinful course of his life to come for who shall vndertake that the rest of our aâ—fe shall bee anie better than is past Howe can wee then sufficientlie magnifie prayse thy great mercy which hast deferred thy punishment so long Beholding therfore this our dangerous miserable state wee come vnto thee O thou great and mightie Iudge in trembling feare humbly beseeching thee not to heape vpon vs thy deserued vengeance but let thy tender kindnesse loue thou dearest to Iesus Christ thy Sonne our gracious Lord redeemer couer our iniquities for whose sake though wee deserue al extremity thou doest pardon vs. If thou Lord shalt straitly marke our iniquities O Lorde who shall bee able to abide it psal 103. A prayer to be saide of all such as suffer any kinde of crosse ALmighty God king of al kings and gouernour of all thinges whose power no treasure is able
euery blast of affectioÌ„ and doctrine but rather that wee as trees planted by the water brooks indued with the life of the spirit and faith may also bring forth y e fruits of good workes and that whatsoeuer weâ— take in hand may prosper tende to the praise and glory of thy name and furtherance of our saluatioÌ„ at the last when the wicked shal fall away in thy iudgment we may stand stedfast and be made perfect through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmighty God we are sufficiently taught that grieuous calamiâ—ies and miserable plagues do thereâ—ore daily vex and trouble the church â—ecause we haue not ceased to follow â—he counsel of the vngodly which being once knowne wee ought to haue schewed The way also of y e wicked â—e haue not shunned yea wee haue not ceased to walke their race by conâ—inuall transgressing of thy commanâ—ements wee haue also of long time â—â—ntemned al godly correction disâ—â—pline whatsoeuer hath bin taught â—s out of thy word hath bin too litle â—egarded yea without al shame negâ—ected and scorned Wherfore it is no meruaile if we 〈◊〉 the steede of that happinesse and met peace which we alas haue too â—ing abused bee nowe compelled to suffer all heauie grieuous and most bitter plagues But now O God in humblencs of hart we fly vnto thee confessing our grieuous offences wee most humblie and heartily beseech thee y t those euils which we so foolishly wretchedly haue committed thou wilt mercifully for giuâ— vs and frame our mindes wholiâ— to the obedience of thâ— lawe insuch wise that our hearts might be occupied both day and night in nothing else but in the meditation of thy holy Scriptures for so shall we giuing credite to thy wordes bringâ— foorth seasonable and pleasant fruit and shall not be spoyled of the graceâ— of the holy Ghost yea our doing shal neuer be without happy successeâ— Now we are tossed hither thither not vnlike to leaues and chaffe witâ— the mind of aduersity and affliction yet graunt O most merciful father that our life perish not with the wicked but that y e cause of the iust may bee defended by thy singular prouidence and protectioÌ„ so that in iudgment and in the company of the iust we may be able to stand and not bee confounded through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme ALmightie GOD for asmuch as we haue nowe learned that a great part of our felicitie so long as we liue heere consisteth in this that we refrayne from vngodly counsaile and wicked manners and also auoid the companie of those that despise â—eride all good thinges and that in the steade of these euils we giue our selues to the heauenly studie of thy â—olie lawe to be occupied and exercised therein both daye and nighte whereby we doe perceiue that wee haue very much erred straied from this way of our saluation yea wee haue in these things most wickedlie offended therefore we beseech thee euen for thy mercies sake that thou wilt pardoÌ„ our offences that hence forth by continuall study exercise of thy worde thou wilt vouchsafe to make vs fruitfull plants y â— wee may not only bring forth wholsom fruits in thy Church whiles we liue heere but also may be able in y â— other world to stand in iudgment before thee who best knowest the way of the iust thorough Iesus christ our Lord Amen A prayer taken out of the second Psalme VVE perceiue most mercifull and mightie God that not onely Antichrist but also the power strength of the whole worlde conspireth against thee and against thy Christ which thinke the Gospel and the building vp again of the Church to vs an intollerable bondage 〈◊〉 yoke Wherefore they labour by 〈◊〉 possible meanes to breake asunder the societies and congregations of the faithfull and cast away all disciplinâ— But for asmuch as thou â—iuttest to heauen and art not ignorant what the diuell or wicked flesh goeth about laugh thou to scorne their value counsels and bring their purposes to might Let them feele thine 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 kindled against them and make them astonished at the 〈◊〉 of thâ—â—t inâ—â—gnation so that they may not be able to destroy the Church ouer whom thou hast appointed Iesus Christ our onely sauiour to be a gouernour thee in 〈◊〉 raigne vp his 〈◊〉 and spirite with 〈◊〉 might and power Wherefore 〈◊〉 vnto vs although vnworthy and shrinking children such faithe constancie that we may find him and also confesse him to be our only king and that we may nothing doubt but that wee be his nation people and heritage being most assured of this that he is of such strength 〈◊〉 and wee that with his word more 〈…〉 yron be is eble to destroy whom he will and breake them in peeces like earthen â—ots Therefore O GOD turne the Kings and Princes of the world vnto to thee that they may be wise and vnderstand whereby they may vnfainedly acknowledge imâ—race and kisse his sonne least when his wrath shall once bee kindled they perish and be destroyed for euer And wher it shall bee thy good pleasure make them blessed 〈…〉 themselues to thy gouernancâ— and protection by Christ Iesus our Lord Amen Out of the same Psalme MOst mightie and merciful Lord God though the diuel rage the powers of the world daily rise vp the flesh with all her bondâ—aâ—ce conspire against the kingdome of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith to be perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such whom thou canst in thine anger fierce displeasure when thou wilt â—odainelie destroy bring to nought In this faith seeing wee are sometimes so weake that being ouercome with sundrie kinds of terrours and dreade we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnesse sake to be mercifull vnto vs and grant that we may constantly beleeue thy Sonne our king aâ—d our redeemer to hauethe highest power and dominion with thee in all things For seeing thou hast begotteÌ„ him thou hast also deliuered to him all nations to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance Graunt therefore vnto vs that yet at the length we may be wise understand in such sort as wee may serue thee with all due feare and worshipp that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces as earthen vessels with the rod of thine indignation through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A praier which M. Iohn Bradford saide a little before his death in Smithfield MErcifull God and Father to whome our sauiour Christ approched in his feare need by reason of death and found comfort gratious God and most bounteous Christ on whom Stephen called in his extreeme neede and receiued strength most benigne holy spirite which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the