our sins and transgressions committing our selues to his Fatherly protection the ensuing night that awaking in the morning wee may finde a wel-pleasing rellish of holy thoughts timely and maturely digested For the better composing our selues at the time of prayer we ought before duely and earnestly to consider his Greatnesse and Immensitie to whom wee pray the necessitie and height of what we pray for and our own vnworthinesse to obtaine a grant accomplishment of our petitions that being truely humbled and cast down in our selues it may please the Lord of heauen and earth to haue the more pitie compassion on vs. And if men that appeare to speake before an earthly King seriously prepare and examine themselues calling euery word to a iust weight and measure strictly taking care of the lest gesture How ought we in the presence of so great aboue all comparisons infinitely excelling a Lord be sollicitous and heedfull that nothing passe from vs vnworthy or il-beseeming his Diuinitie purenesse Thus praying and behauing our selues we shall no question finde to our neuer-dying comfort the euer-liuingnes of his promises in the accomplishment of our iust petitions being made witnesses of the dissolution of heauen and earth the vanishing away of all things transitorie at the command of his Word one iot or tittle whereof shall not be taken away or diminished but remaine pure and perfect in the iustification of his Elect clothing them with eternitie and immortality to which state of happines our blessed Sauiour send vs all for his holy Names sake A Table containing the seuerall Prayers A Prayer for Munday Morning 1 A prayer for Munday Noone 2 A Prayer for Munday Night 3 A Prayer for Tuesday Morning 4 A Prayer for Tuesday Noon 5 A Prayer for Tuesday Night 6 A Prayer for Wednesday Morning 7 A Prayer for Wednesday Noone 8 A Prayer for Wednesday Night 9 A Prayer for Thursday Morning 10 A Prayer for Thursday Noone 11 A Prayer for Thursday Night 12 A Prayer for Friday Morning 13 A Prayer for Friday Noone 14 A Prayer for Friday Night 15 A Prayer for Saturday Morning 16 A Prayer for Saturday Noone 17 A Prayer for Saturday Night 18 A Prayer for Sunday Morning 19 A Prayer for Sunday Noone 20 A Prayer for Sunday Night 21 A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour for Humility 22 Another for assistance in dangers and troubles 23 A Prayer against Pride 24 A Prayer against the concupiscence of the Flesh 25 A Prayer against Sloth 26 A Prayer against Couetousnesse 27 An acknowledgement of sins with promise of amendment 28 A Prayer in afflictions and troubles 29 A prayer for Remission of sinnes 30 A prayer for Chastitie 31 A prayer to be sayd in a iourney 32 A prayer against Lightening and Thunder 33 A prayer or Meditation concerning the benefites after creation 34 A prayer against vaine Attire 35 A prayer for a Maid against temptations 36 Another to the same effect 37 A prayer for a Maid not to bee puffed vp with her owne perfections 38 A prayer for a Maid to bee directed in her choyse 39 A prayer for a Maid to bee obedient to her Parents 40 A prayer before a Iourney 41 Another for the same 42 A prayer in afflictions 43 A prayer for a Marchant 44 A prayer before Studie 45 A prayer for the Fatherlesse 46 A prayer in afflictions and troubles 47 A Thankes-giuing 48 A prayer in time of Pestilence 49 A prayer in time of War 50 A prayer for a Husbandman to receiue the fruits of the earth 51 A prayer for a Widdow 52 A prayer for a Wife 53 A prayer for Maryners 54 A prayer for Children 55 A prayer for Seruants 56 A prayer for one that is sick 57 A prayer for womens deliuerance 58 A prayer going to bed 59 A prayer against idle talke 60 A Thankes-giuing 61 A prayer for direction in all the course of our life 62 A prayer for great men seated in places of Honour 63 A Thankesgiuing for the recouery of our high and mightie Soueraigne King Iames. April 1619. 64 Another Thankes-giuing 65 A prayer against our enemies 66 Another prayer for deliuerance from our enemies 67 A Thankesgiuing for the ouerthrow of our enemies 68 A Prayer for present necessities 69 Another prayer intreating remission of sins constancie in good purposes 70 A prayer in sicknesse 71 A prayer to bee said before any work we go about 72 A prayer for remission of sinnes 73 A prayer for perseuerance 74 A prayer in affliction 75 A prayer in extremitie of sickenesse 76 A prayer in the Spring time 77 A prayer in Summer 78 A payer to bee sayd in Autumn 79 A prayer to be sayd in Winter 80 A prayer in aduersity and affliction 81 A prayer to our blessed Sauiour 82 A prayer in time of Lent 83 A prayer against temptation 84 A prayer for preparation against the Day of Iudgement 85 Certaine Eiaculations of the Spirit A short Meditation vpon these words of Pilate Behold the Man A Meditation vpon the Resurrection THE EVER-BVRNING Lamps of Deuotion and Pietie MVNDAY MORNING 1. Morning Prayer O ETERNALL and euer-liuing God what humble and heartie thankes ought I render thy diuine Maiestie who hast called me from the image of Death and safely brought me to the beholding of this day giuing me yet farther time to call vpon thy holy Name and to aske forgiuenesse for my sinnes and wickednesses Receiue O Lord an humble and contrite heart and despise not the voice of a miserable and deiected sinner who can offer thee nothing for these and all other thy innumerable benefits but what must graciously proceed from thy owne clemencie and mercie possessing no good but from thee and by thee exercising nothing agreeable to thy will but through thee euen at this instant mercifully led by thy power and gentlenesse to make my humble supplications vnto thee Season me O Lord with thy Spirit endue me with thy gracious and holy gifts that I may bestow this day to thy honour and glorie and my owne comfort and eternall saluation Defend me from the snares and subtleties of Satan who howrely watcheth to enter and ouerthrow me and vnlesse withstood by thy diuine hand how can so poore a Worme resist so mightie an Enemie Saue me O Lord from his Minister the World who with the glorie thereof seeketh to beguile and deceiue me and let not the flesh haue any power ouer me which suggested by him layeth continuall siege to me bringing my sinnes like fearefull Canons before me my owne weakenesse desiring to let him in and all my senses conspiring against me Hasten O Lord to my aide come speedily and redeeme me let not the worke of thy hands how meane soeuer be a prey to thy aduersarie who laboureth to win me from thee and hateth me for thee that being protected by thy out-stretched Arme I may goe forward in goodnesse and vertue Giue me O Lord a heart full of Charitie
Patience Obedience Humblenesse without Malice Vaine-glory enuying none and fixe all my thoughts actions and endeuours to recouer thee in thy Kingdome to whom be all honour power and glorie world without end Amen 2. A Prayer before Dinner ALmightie and euerlasting God which hast created all things for the good and benefit of Mankind giuing him power and dominion ouer all thy creatures graunt O Lord that I may so moderately vse these blessings thou hast in thy mercie prouided for me as may stand with thy good liking and pleasure Let me eate to helpe not pamper Nature lest of a seruant she become an enemie and make me vnfit for thy seruice and glorie which is the onely end of our creation and being Let Temperance not my Appetite ouersway me euer remembring and with dutifull thankes acknowledging thy loue and fauour who hast vouchsafed to refresh and comfort me when many thousands of my poore brethren whose fearefull sinnes call not for vengeance like mine suffer vnder the Tyrannie of Hunger Giue me grace O Lord to pitie them and meanes to relieue them that we may together glorifie thee in thy Workes and prayse thy Iudgements which are vnsearchable shewing mercie on whom thou pleasest chastising thy children that being made obedient in their punishments they may come to thee and be made partakers of that neuer-ending glorie which thou hast prepared for those that truly serue thee euen for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour who with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God liueth and raigneth world without end Amen 3. Euening Prayer MOst mercifull and louing God Father of all Consolation who in thy infinite wisedome and prouidence hast ordained the night for rest by which our bodily sences wearied with the dayes labour might be renewed and refreshed wee prayse and glorifie thy holy Name in that thou hast vouchsafed of thy accustomed bountie and goodnesse to protect vs from all the bodily dangers of this day which our Enemie the Deuill practiseth for our destruction How many O pitifull and sweet Sauiour hath his snares betrayed and vndone leading them by temptation and strong perswasion with their owne hands to be their owne Murtherers How many hast thou suffered to fall by fire some by the crueltie of their Brother Fathers by their Children Wiues by their Husbands suddenly and vnexpectedly in apparent danger without thy mercie and benediction of eternall woe and damnation How shall a heart loaden and ouercome with these thy benefits expresse thy power and glorie with his owne shame and opprobriousnesse I acknowledge and confesse most blessed and pitifull Lord that my sinnes dayly encreasing nay howrely growing vpon me haue deserued Hell fire and euerlasting damnation I haue knowne thy Commandements and not followed them I haue hearkened to thy will and not obeyed it pursuing with swift feet the vnlawfull desires and lusts of my flesh Giue me grace O mercifull Lord and Father that I may with all the power of my soule striue and endeuour to amend and reforme this sinfull and abominable course Be pleased to call me vnto thee by what meanes soeuer thou shalt thinke my vnbridled and stubborne disposition will be tamed and subdued I refuse no punishment without exception of greatnesse or choice of qualitie Pouertie sent by thee shall be my chiefest Riches Shame and Contempt being thy affliction shall be the propagation of my glorie the neglect of Friends shall not trouble me for in all things O Lord let thy will be done who wisheth not the death of a sinner but that he may repent and liue with thee in the companie of Angels and Saints who are filled with thy goodnesse and continually sing thy prayses to whom onely belongeth iust prayse and honour world without end Amen TVESDAY 4. Morning Prayer O Almightie and most mercifull Father which hast opened the eyes of thy seruant to behold thy glorious and wonderous workes sending thy blessed and comfortable Light to banish and put to flight the thick and black darknesse which couered the face of the Earth lighten O Lord my vnderstanding that I may see thee in thy reuealed will and not curiously wander farther Giue me grace to know what is good and rectifie my will to follow it that in my life and conuersation I may glorifie thee and profit others I confesse O Lord and humbly acknowledge my sinnes and offences and my transgressions are euer before me Pardon O mercifull Father and be pleased to put away from thy remembrance all my iniquities Let the bloud of thy deare Sonne and my onely Sauiour be auaileable against thy Iustice and burie my misdeedes in his Sepulchre that they may neuer rise vp against me Blesse O mightie and only powerfull God all the labours of this day and graunt thou wilt helpe vs to performe what is thy pleasure wee doe that euerie speech and action hauing his beginning from thee may tend to our owne comfort and saluation Let not O Lord which art the comfort and succour of all distressed and afflicted the greedie and vnlawfull desire of gaine and encrease rayse our hearts to affect falsehood and dissimulation Set a watch O Lord before our lippes that wee may speake truly to euery man in the vprightnesse and sinceritie of a good conscience wee may be at peace with our selues Set ouer vs thou great and onely Protector thy holy Angell to guard and defend vs that the Deuill who lyeth in wait to betray vs may be put to flight and confounded either take away O Lord or giue vs strength to ouercome his subtleties and temptations that endeuouring to spend this day according to thy holy Word wee may rest in peace till thou againe shalt call vs to performe our dutie euen for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour 5. A Prayer at Noone I Will not cease to crie vnto thee O Lord because thou art mercifull and regardest the complaints of thy seruant who as in a Wildernesse encompassed with rauenous beasts were it not for thy assisting grace looketh instantly to be deuoured My flesh rebelleth against me and my vnbridled and lawlesse sences would giue me vp as a prey vnto the enemie Be neere O Lord vnto me and assist me in the Conflict lest I shamefully fall and be confounded Inspire me O Lord with vertuous and holy motions vnresistable and neuer-yeelding graces that I may fight manfully vnder thy glorious Standard following thee my Captaine and Leader thorow all the dangerous and fearefull oppositions which Satan bringeth against me Giue me O Lord an vnwearied courage that I may neyther faint vnder the heat of my desires nor be dulled and benummed with the cold and â—â—â—â—tie carelesnesse of my lazie and luke-warme deuotion but with able and lustie vigor ouercomming the World the Flesh and the Deuill I may in spirit reioyce with thee and sing thy prayses and glorie who art the onely blessed and gracious Redeemer from all temptations and troubles 6. Euening
thou hast yet continued thy fauourable and commanding hand ouer me in placing me before thee reseruing me and redeeming me from the continuall assaults of Satan who awaiteth to make a prey on me mercifully O Lord forgiue the euill which I haue committed and the good which I haue had meanes to lay hold of and ouerslipped be pleased not to remember against me who am nothing but pollution and vncleanenesse vncapable without thee of goodnesse and vnworthie by my owne negligence and carelesnesse to be called vnto it Forgiue O Lord my customarie and irreligious taking thy Name in vaine my wandering and idle speeches pride of my selfe or towards others detraction for my owne glorie Enuie or whatsoeuer in thought word or deed this day committed displeaseth thy diuine Maiestie that my soule vnloaded and vnburdened of the deadly and condemning weights of sinne may comfortably take the refreshing of this Night thou in thy mercie hast ordained for me euen for Iesus Christ his sake thy onely and well-beloued Sonne and our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen THVRSDAY 10. Morning Prayer AS out of my graue O Lord by thy mightie hand and out-stretched arme hast thou this day called me raysing me from the depth of sleepe wherein many haue beene vnexpectedly and suddenly for euer buried and called me to the beholding of thy glorious and all-comforting Light and in that the admirable worke of thy hand and more especially and graciously taking away the darke and thicke clouds of sinne and wickednesse hast illumined my inward spirit with thy mercifull beames to thinke and meditate vpon thy holy Name and neuer-ending kindnesses opening with the day my eyes as thou didst to Hagar that I might be comforted in beholding desperate of helpe and succour the bottomelesse Well-spring of thy fauour and prouidence wherewith thou cherishest and maintainest all things created taking care by thy eternall wisedome of the poorest things in Nature And since O Lord one haire cannot fall from the head without thy fore-seeing knowledge mercifully and louingly sustaine and vphold me this day and euer that I slide not and fall from thee the head and author of my being and well-being without whom I was nothing and should be happie to returne to nothing Plant in me O Lord the timely fruit of Consideration and water it with thy heauenly dew that seriously and carefully setting before my eyes the end of my Creation the dreadfull account I must render in not applying my selfe to it with the glorious certaine promised Rewards belonging to Goodnesse and Vertue I may now and euer in all my thoughts words and deedes so carrie and behaue my selfe that I may be thought in the precious bloud of thy onely Sonne worthie to be made capable of that eternall Sacrifice hee hath long since offered for all sinners Amen AT NOONE. 11. A Prayer or Meditation for Patience WHither wilt thou goe O my Soule to find a Patterne of all Vertues Where wilt thou ensample this perfect and diuine Patience of which thou standest in need of Get vpon thy wings and flye to Bethleem sacred by the birth of our Sauiour thence trace him through the whole course of his blessed and innocent life where thou shalt behold it so rarely pourtrayed and set forth so sweetly and modestly described that thou canst not if thou hast any feeling of Goodnesse but be enamoured with her beautie Did euer this blessed and meeke Lambe for all his despightfull and base vsage grace a frowne with his Countenance Did euer an angry word dwell vpon his well-formed lippes Did hee so much as rebuke those which contemned him resist those which buffetted him nay gainesay those which spat in his reuerend Countenance Art thou oppressed with Pouertie Consider that the Lord of Heauen and Earth had not wherein to hide his head Art thou wronged with slanderous and disgracefull Speeches Was not this temperate and all-vertuous Man tearmed a Glutton and a Wine-bibber Doth Shame and Ignominie compasse thee in on euerie side See see my Soule the King of Kings and Lord of all Lords who raysed the dead to life lying vpon the Crosse and he who by his Mightinesse and Power exalted sinners to be glorious Saints hanging betweene two Theeues condemned as a foule Offendor Marke his mild and louely Countenance his sober and demure Speeches the modest glance of his Eyes and the composure of his whole Bodie cast in so Noble a Mould of vnconquered Patience that they sooner wanted occasions to tyrannize then he vertue meekely to suffer them Here fixe thy selfe kneele at the Root of the Crosse and with all those blessed Women and Saints which accompanied him reuerently say vnto him O thou eternall and most bountifull Sauior who vouchsafedst to descend from the Throne of thy glorie and putting on our fraile and weake humanitie didst for the redemption of Mankind vvander so many yeeres hungrie and naked contemned and despised suffering intolerable Paines and Torments without being moued or troubled graunt I beseech thee by thy precious Death and Buriall that I may willingly embrace those crosses thou pleasest to lay vpon me that I may run to meet them as thou didst the betraying Kisse of Iudas Giue me O Lord power and strength most meekely and patiently to vndergoe and abide all Persecutions Tribulations Wants Shames Sicknesses Hurts Maimes vvithout inwardly repining or grudging outwardly murmuring or speaking against them let me freely goe not violently be drawne to entertaine them Did not thy glorious Martyr and Souldier Saint Stephen whilest they stoned him prayse thee and pray for them Could he begin this Worke without thy grace or finish it without thy Power No no my most mercifull and gracious Lord it is thy Spirit which quickeneth for the flesh profiteth in nothing but repineth against it Be liberall therefore vnto me O Lord of thy soueraigne and precious Balme which healeth and cureth all sorts of Diseases anoint my rancorous and angrie flesh big-swolne with Malice that the sting being drawne out it may appeare white and faire let me drinke O Lord a large draught of this Cordiall to confirme strengthen me against all the poysons and infirmities of Nature For certainely Lord who is perfectly patient obeyeth thy will and who is obedient humbleth himselfe to all disaduantagious losses or what dishonour else the World can inflict Which Humilitie bringeth vs to that height and glorie which onely they shall enioy that haue patiently endured and expected this their reward to the end 12. Euening Prayer TVrne not thy face away from me O Lord incline thine eare and bow downe vnto me Heare me for thy mercies sake and according to the multitude of thy bounties blot out all my iniquities for what flesh is righteous or who dare stand vp against thee Doe not the Hills flye before thee and Mountaines melt at thy indignation Doth not the Sunne lose his light and the starres when thou commandest them hide their glorie Be mercifull O Lord and gracious to thy
VNsearchable O Lord are iudgements and wonderful the workes of thy hand thou hast made fashioned a Lump of flesh in my wombe thou hast giuen it life to grow to feed and be nourished thou hast adorned and beautified it with limbes and senses thou hast in thy mercy inspired a liuing soule into it whereby it may hereafter be capable of thy loue and euerlasting felicitie Now the period O Lord draweth neere and the time appointed for the deliuery giuing vp this burden be neer O merciful Father vnto thy seruant strengthen me in this my sore labour and trauell comfort me O Lord in my agony that I faint not vnder the throwes and dreadfull pangs of the approaching neere-ensuing birth let no vaine feares affright me or the thoughts of what I must suffer be terrible vnto me Let me be comforted O Lord in thy promise and the blessing that must proceed from my Ioynes hearten me patiently to endure my torments hasten O Lord my deliuery and giue the fruite of my womb an easie passage that with the sight of a well-formed childe I may be made a ioyfull mother grant it O Lord right shape and keepe the life which thou hast giuen vnto it that it may be borne anew of water and the holy Spirit to be made partaker and heire of thy euerlasting Kingdome But if O Lord thou in thy eternall Wisedome hast otherwise prouided for me appointing me in the neuer-againe dying birth to be restored vnto thee mercifully assist me in this my last passage that confident in thy promises made to all I may ioyfully giue my selfe as a well-pleasing sacrifice awaiting thy diuine Pleasure and commending and committing my selfe into thy hands patiently expect the blessed houre to be deliuered from the sinfull prison of this transitory world into that euerlasting Habitation where dwelleth infinite ioy world without end Amen 59. A Prayer to bee said when you goe into your bed BLesse me O Lord preserue and keepe mee from all the dangers of this night Saue and deliuer me from the ancient enemie who through immoderate sloth negligence hopeth to betray me Visite O Lord my soule though farre too meane to entertaine so royall a Guest yet sending thine owne prouision before thee holy vertues chaste and simple thoughts thy lodging may be the better prepared for thee Settle and gouerne O Lord my phantasie that it range and forme not wilde and vnlawfull apparations stay my memorie that it search not after vaine and idle pleasures fill my vnderstanding with thy goodnesse and mercy that being wholly and inwardly busied with thee I may escape the snares and nets of Satan and wake to my owne comfort and thy glorie sweete IESVS Amen 60. A Prayer against idle Talke SEt a watch O Lord before my lips that I defile not my mouth with dishonest and vnseemely speeches betraying the hearers to sinne and vncleannesse Keepe me from their companie whose delight is in wicked talke lest I perish with them Let my tongue deliuer forth thy prayses and be the Trumpet of thy neuer-ending mercies grant me a single and vnpolluted heart that I may reuerently adore thy Mysteries and bee the honorer of thy Glorie and Maiesty Keepe my eyes from wandring after the concupiscence of my desires that I bee not ouertaken and made prisoner to sinne and death Place my thoughts vpon thy bitter Passion whose mournefull acts may put away all idle delights and pleasures and fasten mee vpon thy Crosse to weepe and lament my passed offences for that sweete Name of IESVS in whose merites all flesh must be saued 61. A Thankes-giuing O God most high most mightie Creator of heauen and earth which out of Nothing hast made and formed this beautifull All createdst the glorious Firmament fretted with Starres the euer-shining Sunne to giue light by day and firest the Moone to banish the nights darkenesse giuing life to the Fowles of the Aire the Beasts feeding on the Earth and the Fishes whose dwelling is in the waters below for the vse and seruice of man making him according to thy owne Image ennobling him with Vnderstāding Will and Memorie to conceiue and apprehend the glorious workes of thy hand Redeemed him with an vnparalell'd example preserued and kept him with an vnimitable care and prouidence How shall hee render thee condigne and worthie prayses for these thy vnspeakeable and vndeserued benefites How shall hee tender to thy diuine Maiestie thankes equall and befitting such infinite and innumerable graces How many O LORD haue dyed in the womb How many neuer attained the blessed regeneration of Baptisme How many reconciled and entred into the state of grace haue through their owne corruption frailtie and the suggestion of the diuell lost it and falne away from the faith of thy neuer-erring Word How often O Lord haue I transgressed and sinned spurned at thy secret Callings and refused to entertaine them and yet O Lord hast thou patiently expected my conuersion giuen me further time to repent me of my carelesnesse and back-sliding sending thy holy grace to enable me to call vpon thee for mercy and forgiuenes Prayse God O my soule for his louing kindnes endureth frō generation vnto generation he hath not dealt so with euery man nor so aboundantly showred his fauor to all his people I wil magnifie him from the rising of the Sun vnto the going downe of the same who hath raised me from death and not suffered mee to goe downe into the Pit who hath forgotten my wickednesse and remembred himselfe of his goodnes glorie be vnto thee on high and praise vpon earth who hath giuen charge to his Angels to keepe vs in all our wayes 62. A Prayer for direction in all our affaires GIue me grace O mercifully and truely louing Lord that I may with all singlenesse of heart ardency and earnestnesse of spirit wisely and carefully search after those things which may be pleasing vnto thee Order and so dispose of me that I may faithfully and truely performe those things which thou requirest of me and giue me knowledge O Lord to doe it as it ought and is most expedient for my owne soule Grant O Lord God that I neither grow presumptuous seated in Prosperity nor be cast downe despairing with the frownes of Aduersitie Let thy fauour be my onely delight and my discontent thy displeasure Let me endeuour to please none nor be afraid to displease any but thy selfe Let all transitorie things be base in my sight and what belongeth to thee be onely acceptable and thou O God aboue all Let the paines O Lord which are for thee be aboue any pleasure and pleasure without thee seeme tedious and vnwelcome Grant me often to desire the accomplishment of good things and in my relapse to spring vp againe with full purpose of amendment Make me O Lord God obedient without grudging poore without quailing chaste without pollution patient without murmuring humble without dissembling merry without dissolutenes sad
thee for that eternal and all-comforting name of thy sweet Son Iesus to giue mee a feeling of my owne desperate and dangerous estate to take away the dead and impostume vices which haue ouer-growne goodnes and vertue so that I may perceiue what is wicked or sinfull made the same with me by a long custome Grant me O bountifull and louing Lord constancie and perseuerance in the good determinations wherewith thou shalt inspire lest I fal into a relapse perish vnsuccourably euen for thy owne mercies sake which from the beginning of the world was intended to saue sinners Amen 71. A Prayer in Sicknes NOw I am weakest O Lord in estate be thou strongest and inlighten and comfort my Soule in this darknes and torments of my Body Satan hath incompassed me on euery side and as assured of victory hath laid aside all his faire and eye-pleasing disguises pulling off his beautifull visor and in his owne horrible and dreadfull deformitie telleth me plainely I am his There is no sinne my most mercifull and euerlasting Redeemer which hee is not in the vgliest and desperatest manner ready to lay before me more carefull now to call them to my memory then he was before to banish them for euer He telleth me it is thine own Doctrine that the wages of sinne is Death and that euerlasting world without end But shall hee O iust and righteous Iudge be my accuser and witnes against mee Shall he betray me to a sinne and be rewarded for reuealing it I protest before the Throne of thy diuine Maiestie that he alone ioyned with the world and the flesh hath wrought vpon my frailtie and subtilly seduced mee to all kinde of sinne and enormitie that he alone hath perswaded mee to offend thee my Lord and Maker laying thy heauy displeasure and terrour of thy iudgements before me seeking either to draw me to despaire or an vnwillingnes to enter into the due consideration of my hainous mis-deeds I doe therefore wholly abiure and detest him abandoning for euer his friendship and seruice and relying on thy powerfull and auailable Passion in the preciousnesse and value of it offer vp my selfe vnto thee beseeching thee for thy owne merits and goodnes to accept a forlorne and despayring sinner who without thy mercy is readie to bee swallowed vp by the eternall gulfe of hell fire Moderate O Lord my sicknesse and paines that I may the freelier haue recourse vnto thee strengthen and confirme my fainting and decaying voyce that I may the earnestlier cry vnto thee And aboue all O my most sweete and amiable Lord comfort and aide my drooping and fearefull heart that I may continually meditate on thee that if it bee thy will and pleasure I may escape the vengeance prepared for those that dye out of thy fauour and if thou shalt please to call mee forth of this mortall life I may liue with thee put on immortality euen for thy holy Names sake to which be all honour glory world without end Amen 72. A Prayer to be said before any worke wee goe about IN vaine O Lord rise wee earely and sit vp late eating the bread of carefulnesse turmoyling and tormenting our selues with great labour and wearisomnesse vnlesse thou O Lord giue a blessing In vaine toyleth the Husbandman plowing and sowing vnlesse thou water it and giue the increase In vaine endangereth himselfe the Marchant furrowing and turning vp the waters vnlesse thou prosper and guide his Ship Since thou fillest euery thing with blessing be pleased at this time onely Lord and Sauiour to looke mercifully and fauourably on the industries and labours of thy seruant and multiply them as thou didst the old womans Iar who gaue of it to the Prophet grant that wee may prosper and haue giuing of our abundance to those poore brethren that want it rather then to bee driuen to aske it Yet in all O Lord thy will bee done to the extremest pouertie nay death it selfe Giue me O Lord a true feeling of my selfe that I may rather respect goodnesse then gaine and aime rather to liue honestly then richly affecting a mediocritie not aboundance lest I be puffed vp with the vaine and gawdy shew of vncertaine wealth Grant O blessed Lord and Sauiour that I may in all my courses and enterprises haue before my eyes the end whereunto they should be directed which is onely in this warfare and pilgrimage to prouide me necessaries for my voyage to that holy Land wherein al thy children and seruants haue before the beginning of the world a portion and inheritance laid out and reserued that I may with that prouidence and care so furnish and store my selfe that I be neither forced with Esau for want and indiscretion to sell my birth-right for fading and transitory reliefe nor with the proud and mighty exalted with the infinitenesse of their treasure despise and grow carelesse of it but in all things making my selfe obedient to thy will be found worthy to take possession of it Grant this O sweete Iesus Amen 73. A Prayer for Remission of sinnes I Humbly confesse O Almightie and euer-liuing Lord that I am vnworthy the bread thou in thy mercie bestowedst on me vnworthy to infect the ayre with my breath who spend it to thy dishonour and my owne defamation most vnworthy the least of thy blessings which I haue plentifully receiued of thee and that I tremble to come into thy presence my sinnes striking horrour and terrour to my heart lest I be swallowed vp for my offences and wickednesses daily committed and yet vnrepented But O most mercifull and all-louing Father take thy Eye I beseech thee from them lest thou in thy iustice bring me to destruction and fixe it on the bitter Passion of thy deare Sonne behold him O Lord scourged buffeted reuiled spet vpon and despitefully crucifyed for the hainousnesse of these my transgressions and in the preciousnesse of this satisfaction be pleased O Lord to giue eare to the humble and sorrowing lamentation of a despised and contemned sinner who is heartily and truely sorry for these his misdeeds and trespasses desiring thee of thy infinite bounty to inspire him with thy grace that hee may for euer hate and detest the guilt and monstrousnesse of them Strike mee O Lord with a true feare not onely of thy mightinesse and iudgements but of thy mercies and louing kindnesse that I may bee vtterly ashamed and confounded to offend so fauourable and indulgent a Father who hath not dis-inherited nor cast off so notorious and disobedient a sonne but in his mercy reserued a portion for mee which O blessed and all-louing Lord make me worthy of that I may euer praise and glorifie thy clemencie world without end 74. A Prayer for Perseuerance SInce O Lord not hee that attempteth the course but he that continueth to the end not those Virgins who came late but they that watched continually haue the promised and expected reward giue me aboundantly of thy blessing that I
him back lest I fall and be confounded Suffer him not to draw me to the incounter for how can mortality hold out all the glories of the earth are armed on his part to bewitch ambitious spirits all the vanities in the world serue vnder his colours to allure the lighter phantasies Am I a match for so infinite and puissant an Army Leade me not into temptation O Lord but deliuer me from all euill I humbly confesse and heartily beleeue one word of thine is able to discomfort all his Hoast scatter them and make them in their hastie flight ruin one another he flyeth from thy presence and trembleth amazedly asking What haue we to doe with thee thou euer-liuing Son of God com'st thou before thy time to torment vs But O Father of all mercies how can I deserue thy aide or ouertaken with shame request thy gracious assistance hauing from my cradle beene a follower of his if not contemning yet neglecting thy often and lowde Callings Can I hope that haue refused to walke with Almightie God in securitie and safety that hee will daigne to find out me in danger and ieopardy and reskue me from the common enemie Thy mercie O Lord is infinite and hath beene infinitely exprest to ingratefull humanitie thy louing kindnesses innumerable vnable to be deliuered or set down There is no end I well know of thy euerlasting goodnesse bee pleased therefore O mercifull Father if so great a sinner may hope for fauour by the depth of all these either to take from me the violence and rage of all forcible temptation or else to giue me grace and strength to resist and withstand them lest I be taken prisoner by them and cast to the bottomelesse dungeon whence nothing resoundeth but the continuall acclamations and curses of damned and desperate persons euen for that holy and vertuous name of Iesus knowne mighty in the saluation of thy people Amen 85. A Prayer for preparation against the day of Iudgement IF the righteous O eternall and iust Iudge shall scarse be saued what shall become of sinners And if the iust shall tremble to behold the dreadfull signes which shall fore-run the day of Iudgement in what terrour and amazement shall the wicked be How earnestly shall they cry out for the Hils to couer them or to be hidden in the bottome of the Sea that they may not see the angry countenance of the wrathfull Iudge But alas the Sea shall yeeld vp all her inhabitants the graues their Tenants and the Hils be laid plaine and consumed to nothing all shall be laid open and euerie secret reuealed the closest crannie of the heart shall be searcht into and the priuatst deed be proclaimed the intent of the best actions examined and the foulest and most mischieuous in the hearing of all that haue beene borne since the beginning of the world knowne and brought to tryall What a terrour what a horrour what a confusion shall the Murtherer Blasphemer and lasciuious person be in at that day All this we haue heard nay and beleeue and yet the most cunning and subtill Serpent hauing nothing to say against the truth of thy Word with his perswasions induceth vs to flatter our selues that there is more eternitie in three-score yeeres the longest span of our short life then in that Eternity of eternities which shall follow it But thou O mercifull and gracious Lord which camest into the world to saue sinners from the vengeance prepared at this day desiring that wee may repent and be accepted Giue vnto vs a liuely feeling of the danger of it call it I beseech thee to our consideration as a thing certaine so present no soule being assured of her abode one minute Giue vs grace so to prouide our selues that wee may make our account here since after death no man returneth to recall or alter whatsoeuer is left amisse Let vs enter into iudgement of our selues that we be not iudged and carefully weigh euery word that wee be not found to haue respected none Giue vs grace to begin heere while there is helpe lest we would helpe our selues when there is no beginning for from hell there is no returning and after death no repenting repinings are there the fruits of an ill-led life and curses of our follies all the consolations of our punishment from which let thy mightie and all-redeeming Passion defend vs which whosoeuer faithfully layeth hold on shall at that Day with great ioy and alacrity behold thee shewing thy selfe a seuere Iudge against those who would not beleeue nor entertaine that Peace-offering Certaine Eiaculations of the Spirit O My most gentle and sweet Sauiour grant me I beseech thee pure thoughts vndefiled actions and a respect to thy glory in all my proceedings Let me alwaies O blessed Iesu remember that thou art in presence that I may with feare and reuerence take account of my speeches settle my behauiour and all my actions as it beseemeth a Lord of such height and Maiestie Bee thou O eternall and most meeke Lambe the obiect of mine eyes the Musicke of mine eares the food of my vnderstanding and the content and solace of all my senses that putting wholly on my Sauiour Iesus I may bee armed against all temptations and assaults of the deuill Iesu Lord of my life Patron of my substance Reconciler of my friends Inspirer of my soule Preseruer of my renowne and Master of my liberty I commend them all to thy holy protection dispose of them to thy honour and glory What part of me O Lord can challenge or shew euidence for mine My Soule is Heauens my Body Earths both thy blessing Take me O Lord as thy due nourish me as thy charge and loue me as thy childe O God the giuer of all victorie stand on my side in all temptations powre of thine owne Bloud into my emptied veines raise me as thou didst thy seruant Lazarus to a new and better life when I am dead to righteousnesse turne not away from me if I flye and let me not bee confounded for euer whose trust hath beene alwaies in thee Giue me O Lord a noble sufferance in afflictions lowlinesse of Spirit in the height of honours an vnmoued resolution in all conflicts and conquest ouer all my spirituall aduersaries Giue mee mercifull Father a vertuous shamefastnesse that I may blush and shunne the companie of wickednesse an vnaffected carriage slow and deliberate speeches vncorrupted thoughts and holy endeuours Let thy Word O Lord be the light of mine eyes the repast of my soule the repose of my senses the apparell of my body and my defence in all extremities Lay thy holy hands O Lord ouer mine eyes that I behold not vanity stand at the gates of my eares and turne aside all euill and vncleane speeches Set a watch before my lips lest I wander in vnlawfull discourses touch with thy holy hand all my senses to stay them from ryot and intemperance Let my will O Lord resigne it selfe to thy pleasure
way to ouercome but to torment as assured to ouercome They come O Lord not to fight but ouer-runne not to giue battaile but destruction vnto thy seruants Preuent O Lord their malice and vndoe their subtill and well-laboured Stratagems Make them acknowledge thee the bestower and man with all his Engines but thy Minister to bee ordered as it pleaseth thee Let them see O Lord their Chariots ouer-turned vvith their owne guiders their Horses made a slaughter by the ill direction of their owne masters and the Souldiers in the day of Battell crushed with the weight of their owne Armour that they may not be able to lift vp their hands against those who put their whole trust and hope of victory in thee Grant this O Lord for the precious bloud of thy onely Sonne in whose name we are assured to obtaine all our iust petitions Amen 68. A Thanksgiuing for the ouerthrow of our Enemies S. SIng vnto the Lord a new Song for hee hath done maruellous things with his owne right hand and with his holy arme hath he gotten himselfe the victorie This is the day wherein the Lord redeemed vs and hath taken vs from the hands of our enemies let vs proclaime it to all generations and let the farthest Nations heare of his louing kindnesses When our Souldiers were amazed our Lord comforted them and in the multitude of their enemies was a stay and Bulwarke vnto them He guided their shot and gaue might and power vnto their armes to beat and disperse the growing Host which threatened in their fury to ouerwhelme them he discomfited them and tooke their heart from them returning them with greater feare then they marcht on with assurednes When our Captaines confounded with the danger of the fight and confused with the tumult of their Souldiers forgat their skill in leading he conducted brought them on againe ordered them giuing life and spirit to the fainting and fearefull troupes that they fell vpon their enemies as enraged Lyons scattered them and pursued them to a shamefull retyring and dis-honourable yeelding This is thy worke O Lord and it is wonderfull in our eyes and shall expresse thy goodnes in the confusion of those mis-beleeuing people that doe not acknowledge thee But giue vnto vs O Lord that haue receiued this blessing at thy hands to vs that haue mightily seene thy euerlastingnesse and power in our owne vnexpected safety and vnthought of ruine to our enemies humble and obedient hearts fired and inflamed with this thy high and vndeserued bounty that wee may neuer forget the Day of our Deliuerance but leaue it holy to all ages magnifying and extolling thee the giuer of all conquest Let no securitie take from our eyes the dreadfull and ouer-passed danger no lasting or confirmed peace the memory of this fierce and cruell battaile fought by thee and obtained by thee but hauing it fresh and eminent before vs continually praise and laud thee who hast preserued vs euen for thy owne honour and glory which bee euerlasting world without end So be it Amen 69. A Prayer for present necessities O Gracious and euer-louing Lord which out of thy bounty infinite fauour hast promised to heare the Petitions of those that aske in thy Sonnes name to whom our necessities are knowne and our wants manifest Grant we beseech thee most mercifull Father that we may by thy eternall prouidence be relieued and succoured miserably languishing and groning vnder the waight of our low and desperate extremities put it into the hearts of some of thy seruants to call vs to them and giue vs employment that we may by the sweat of our browes labour to maintaine and keepe our selues and children and aboue all let vs patiently endure and vndergoe what calamities shal euer fall vpon vs wel knowing they are imposed for our sinnes and farre short of their desert and due still expecting thy mercifull hand to redeem and deliuer vs from them Thou O Lord which takest care of the Flowers of the field and enrobest the Lilly aboue the ornaments of Kings wilt not I know leaue thy Children and Seruants for euer nor giue them ouer to bee an ignominie and shame to their despisers but that they shall at last reioyce and sing vnto thee Our Lord hath heard our prayers and mercifully considered the Petitions and earnest requests of his seruants he hath fulfilled his promise and graciously succoured and sustained them praised be the name of the Lord now and for euer Amen 70. Another Prayer entreating Remission of sinnes and constancie in good purposes GIue mee leaue O Lord to speake vnto thee and in thy presence to vnloade the griefe and troubles of mind which burden and disquiet mee taking away my sleepes and laying violent hands on the comfort and content I should enioy in thee Why am I O most mercifull Father forsaken and giuen vp to the wilde desires and concupiscences of my flesh Why am I left a prey to Satan and laid open to his subtill and secret temptations Why hath the multitude of sinnes as a Sea growne vpon mee and the number and dayly practice of my offences taken away almost hope of my safety and recouerie Am I O Lord markt for a vessell of dis-honour and shall thy Omnipotencie be seene in my destruction Though these things are worthy the hainousnesse of my transgressions yet are they not beseeming thy exceeding and infinite loue and mercy and though it may well accord with my rebellious and traiterous disposition daring to breake and violate thy lawes and commandements yet can they no way sute and agree with thy vnbounded and vnlimited Charitie which left'st Heauen and mingledst Humanitie with thy Deitie to saue and recall sinners and offenders In the bowels therefore of thy mercie I beseech thee by thy vnspeakable and vnexpressible bounty which gaue thee vp to death euen to the Death of the Crosse and all those fore-running spitefull and torturous agonies and abuses not to take away thy grace from me nor leaue me to my selfe who am nothing but pollution and vncleannesse vncertaine what way to take yet certaine to runne into loosenesse and deformitie without thee being O Lord taken as it were with a deadnesse or at least a forgetfulnesse of thee rather carelessely neglecting then violently drawne away from thy holy inspirations growing insensible and as it were stupid in all things which belong to thy honour and my owne saluation which of all others and is the most terrible fearefull back-sliding and Apostasie For were I carried away with other delights or onely bewitched with sensualitie I might well hope when time and sacietie had sufficiently displaied their vanity at last to retire grow weary of them but from this stupidnes cold numnes of my carelesse conscience Without thee O Lord who can reuiue me from this heauy death-like sleepinesse but thy almightie voice what can awake me To thee therefore I humbly submit my selfe and penitently prostrate my selfe before thee desiring