hands and liues by which wee haue this day offended thee iniured and oppressed others but that thou mightest as on Iobs children suffer the deuill by his instigation of wicked men to robbe and spoyle vs not onely of our goods and cattell and other our personall estates but also of our liues But ô our good God wee are confident that through thy mercy and loue in Christ no euill shall come vnto vs for thou hast promised that thou wilt bee a refuge and fortresse to keepe safe all those that trust in thee not onely from the arrow of the day but from the terror of the night which thou at thy will and pleasure sendest for the punishmeÌ„t and correction of our sinnes as thou â—iddest Shemâ—i with his rayling â—ongue to aâ—â—â—ict Dauid O Lord for the wâ—rthinesse of thy Sonne our Sauiour in whom onely wee lay down our bodies to rest turne backe this night and at all other times of our sleepe all the euill and wicked purposes of those that intend vs any hurt in our bodies or goods and send thy holy Angels to protect vs with their hands as they did thee our Sauiour against the prince of darkenesse when he had ended on thee his three temptations in the wildernesse And as they fought against the Assirans hoaste that proudely boasted themselues against thy seruant Hezekiah So ô Lord let thine Angels fight against all our enemies and the enemies of thy church not of flesh but of Spirit which resolue our hurt whether walking in the day or sleeping in the night And though our sinnes in which wee so much abound haue deserued that thou shouldest send those ministring Spirits as on Egypts first borne in the night to take away this our dying life or life full of death yet for thy mercies sake let them be our gardians not ouely this night but all the dayes and nights of this life for euer to further our soules and bodies in thy obedience and in and after death to conduct them to Abrahams bosome to rest in ioy and blisse with thee for euermore yea let thine Angels of light that continually behold thy face in heauen bee about our bodies night and day and with louing and kind assistance keeping euill from vs and vs from euill not onely of sinne but of temptation with which that worldly Gouernour and Prince of the Ayre neuer ceaâ—eth millions of wayes to withdraw vs from thee if he cannot through couetousnesse as Iudas â—or through the world as Deâ—as and Achan yet through pleasure as into our first mother Eue Dauid Solomon Sampson hee will a thousand to one craftely enter and seate himselfe in our hearts O Lord if by thy holy Spirit we happen to be so strong as by none of these baites to bee caught then hee laboureth by temporall crosses and afflictions of body and minde as on Iob to draw vs to distrust and dispaire in thy mercie and loue in all which assaults let thy grace and our faith keepe vs that we may not bee ouercome but as valiant souldiers in Christ and through the Armory of God in which by our holy calling we are girt we may leade captiuitie captiue and bee more then Conquerours through him that loueth vs. So that neither the feares of the day nor the terrours of the night of death and hell should separate vs from the assured guard of thee and thy Angels the conductors and furtherers of our saluation This thy great helpe and especiall assistance wee are continually enforced to craue not for our owne sakes but for thy Sonne his sake and that as hee himselfe hath taught vs in his most holy word saving Our Father which art in heauen c. To the Lord of Hoastes and God of glory our Creatour to thee ô Christ Iesus our Mediator thee most holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne bee ascribed all praise and glory this night and for euermore Amen Amen Another for the Euening O Eternall God and most mercifull Father wee acknowledge and confesse against our selues that our hearts and hands are full of all filthinesse and sinnes whatsoeuer and we are altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee or to come neere thy presence Neuertheles being so much bouÌ„d vnto thee as this day past and all other times of our liues doe witnesse we most humbly offer vnto thy holinesse by the hands of Iesus Christ our Mediatour our humble duties of praise thanksgiuing for our Creation Election Redemption Vocation and Sanctification with all other good graces appertaining to this life or that which is to come And namely ô Lord our tongues and lippes shall glorifie thee sitting aboue the Cherubims for preseruing vs this day past from so many miseries and casualties whereunto wee might iustly haue fallen if thou wouldest haue entered into iudgement with vs but Lord thou art mercifull and passest by our manifold offences to winne vs by thy long sufferance we beseech thee make vs thankefull for thy mercies and carefull to doethy will O Lord pardon and forgiue vâ— all our sinnes and grant vs euery day more and more the sight oâ— them true vnfained sorrow anâ— repentance for the same Giue vs faith and grace to beleeue all the sweete promises that thou hast made to vs in Christ Iesus both for the remission of our sins and the hope of a better life strengtheÌ„ vs from aboue with thy mighty hand to walke in euery good way and to bring forth the fruits of a true liuely faith in our liues and conuersation all the daies of our pilgrimage here Arme vs ô Lord with thy grace and holy Spirit against all the corruptions of the world the temptations of the deuill the allurements of the flesh and settle our mindes to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publicke and priuate Continue thy goodnes towards vs in prouiding for vs such things as are necessary for the maintenance of this present life blesse the same vnder our hands that the little which wee haue by thy goodnesse may be encreased and the encrease may serue as well to furnish our necessary vses as to minister vnto the necessitie of others according to our abilities Keepe vs Lord this night from all euils which may happen either to our bodies or soules Extend thy goodnesse towards all those that depend vpon vs or wee on them Giue vs quiet sleepe and rest and when we shall awake let all our thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law Blesse vs ô Lord all the nights and dayes of our liues and at the end thereof send vs a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall grant vs these good things most mercifull Father and all other needefull graces for Iesus Christ his sake in whose name wee further call vpon thee as our Lord and Sauiour hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which are in heauen
my carelesse and negligent receiuing by the suddaine hand of sicknesse be struck vnto death but as the faithfull Iewes in their constant and conscionable celebration of their feast of Passeouer by them kept a perpetuall remembrance of their Egyptian deliuerrnce from Pharaohs bondage were exceedingly edified confirmed in the promises of thy loue that thou wouldest be their God and they should be thy people which they sawe fulfilled in their Fathers and still continued vnto themselues through the hope of the Messiah by whom they expected their greatest safety and deliuerance Graunt vnto mee O heauenly Father that as the Minister of thy Word and Sacraments setteth a part the Bread and Wine so I may remember the eternall loue by which in the beginning thou diddest set a part thy Sonne through faith in him to be my saluation promising that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And as I see the Wine powred out and the Bread broken so I may remember thy patient enduring the breaking of thy body and shedding of thy blood whereby thou hast payed the price and satisfied the punishment that was due vnto me and as the Bread Wine doe presently comfort and refresh my body so most sweet Sauiour let me feele my soule so comforted and edified this day and so often as I shall thinke of thee and thy mercies hereby promised and assured yea graunt that being made one with thee by spirituall vnion I may liue in thee and thou in me in the encrease of a godly life to the honour of thee my Sauiour To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be giuen by me and all thine both present and eternall praise Amen Amen Another godly Meditation before the receiuing of the holy Communion O Almighty God and mercifull Father I am a secret sinner and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions wilfully and foolishly ignorantly and obstinately haue I sinned against thee vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lye open but now I come vnto thee as the sick man vnto the Physitian as an vncleane man vnto the Well of mercy and grace offered in the pretious blood-shedding of Iesus Christ and represented to my soule in this blessed Sacrament Haue mercy vpon mee O Lord haue mercy vpon mee and forgiue mee all the euills that I am guilty of Giue mee grace that I may discerne the Lords body and so receiue it in this Sacrament with such chastity of body humblenesse of minde thankfulnesse of soule hearty contrition dread and reuerence as is meete for such a mysterie O Lord Iesus it is truly said of thee that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them and I verily beleeue that thou art the same still full of goodnesse and mercy wherefore I beseech thee leaue me not to my selfe reiect me not from thy Table come into my heart and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the spirit Enter into my soule seale and sanctifie me both within and without Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my blessed Sauiour Open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe mee to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance Send mee the hunger and thirst after this righteousnesse satisfie me with this heauenly foode make mee verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion Oh deare Lord Iesus since thou hast suffered so many things for my sake and hast commanded mee not to dispaire nor distrust thy goodnesse graunt me grace to eate of this bread and to drinke of this Cup worthily that I may continually remaine in thy grace and fauour O Lord God the Father giue mee the full consolation of this mysterie and commemoration that my faith may be encreased my hope confirmed my charity enflamed my weake conscience comforted all dangers repelled and my soule assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ let no profanenesse enter into my heart so long as I am about this holy action but giue mee grace to receiue with purity of heart and cleanenesse of soule with loue dread and stedfast faith haue mercy vpon me good Lord that by vnworthy receiuing I be not guilty of his pretious body and blood who came downe from heauen liued with men and swamme through a red sea of blood in his agony and passion to bee my Redeemer Haue mercy vpon the whole Church and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place and this companie that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice and all other actions of their life O Lord be not angry with mee a barren and dry tree a creature with a face of brasse and heart of flint I haue not so many teares as are sufficient to wash thy feete with Mary Magdalen but thou hast shed as much of thine owne blood as surficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee and all the world then be not angry with mee O Lord but let thy grace supply my wants let thy mercy pardon my sinnes let thy holy spirit prepare my soule thy merits enrich my pouerty and thy most pretious blood wash away all the spots of my life that I may worthily receiue this heauenly Sacrament so that I may bee strengthened thereby throughly filled with the heauenly foode of thy body and blood for the mortification of the old man the confirmation of my faith and the finall saluation of my soule O Lord heare my prayers graunt my requests I beseech thee Amen Godly Meditations vpon the loue and mercy of God in bestowing together with his Sonne these holy Mysteries vpon vs the commemoration whereof may moue vs to an awefull reuerence in the participation of the same O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing all creatures doe confesse thee to bee their Gouernour and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine owne hands to reuerence and magnifie thy godly Maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and similitude but chiefely because thou â—ast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death and damnation into which Sathan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the â—ondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free But thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeleued Sonne whom of very loue thou didst giue to bee made man perfect in all things freely exempted and excepted from sinne that in his body he might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy Iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the Author of death and so bring againe life vnto the world from which the whole off-spring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that
they guard me with securitie Lord heare my voyce in morning bright when I my prayers doe direct And waite till thou the God of light doe heare and helpe me with effect O Father full of power and might mercy and loue How dare I cast Mine eyes vnto thy heauenly light if thou remember my sinnes past How can I thinke or hope for good on me below to come from highe Hauing so much thy lawes withstood and sinn'd against thy Maiestie Thou in thy power and knowledge deepe Lord sees the wicked wayes of mine Whether in sinne I wake or sleepe It is not hidden from thine eyne My vaine corrupt and euill deedes my imperfections more and more My daily sinnes by which it breedes thine anger worse then was before Thy iudgements I might iustly feare If thou shouldest note what 's done amisse Thou might'st in torture be seuere yet giu'st th ou rest and peace and blisse And hast raised me vp by thy hand for onely thou preseruest mee And me defendst by sea and land awake or sleepe I seruing thee Whether I walke worke eate or drinke or what ere else doe what I will Thou blessest all that I can thinke without thy blessings all were ill For I a creature weake and faint subiect to dangers that are rise And closely worke my soule to taint in this corrupt and euill life I lye alas in night and blindnes and haue no watch me to defend Yet am preserued by thy kindnes from them that ill to me intend Whose owlish eyes doe shunne the light who lay their traps and snares in darke But thou defend'st me with thy might and with bright eyes their worke dost marke Thou deare kinde Father full of loue regard'st thy weake and little ones Thy many mercies doe thee mooue to hearken to their sighes and mones O gracious God I giue thee thankes for all thy mercies manifold Saue me from all the plots and prankes of sinne and of that Serpent old Forgiue me mine offences Lord let true repentance make me right An humbled heart and life reform'd I know are pleasing in thy sight I am inclin'd to vanitie to fall into one sinne or other No day nor houre from sinne scape I since first conceiu'd in wombe of mother With cruell foes I am beset corruptions in me daily fight They labour sore thy grace to let and make me loathsome in thy fight Wresting my will and setled minde from true sinceritie to sinne From good desires to be inclin'de to deepe despaire and die therein To make me trust in blandishment of wicked world my soule deceiuing And in my soules sad languishment of comforts all my soule bereauing I flye vnto the sauctuary of thy deare care and prouidence Assured I shall not miscarry when I depend on thy defence Keepe me therefore ô King of Kings as precious apple of thiâ—e eye This day me shrowd vnder thy wings from sinne and Sathaus tirannie Teach me the truth me knowledge giue and wisedome with all humblenesse Obedience Zeale and Faith relieue my soule with hope in all distresse Change me from sinne to sanctitie from the nights darkenes vnto light Let my cold zeale most ardent bee to serue the Lord both day and night Teach me iustly to execute my outward calling giue successe And happy issue to my suitâ— aud all my lawfull labours blesse Giue meanes with trueth and â—quitie to me and mine with godly care In heart and minde true pietie and all things else that needfull are And let thy holy Spirit so nourish and gouerne me that more and more I may encrease beare fruite and flourish in godlinesse and goodnes store Vntill thou shalt cut off this life that is corrupt with deadly sinne And by Christs merits end the strife of mortall warres my soule liues in And draw me then with cordes of loue to thee and to thy kingdome The new Ierusalem aboue where thou alone bear'st ruledome And grant that I may reigne with thee with Christ and thine elect Sweete Father for thy mercies sake doe neuer me reiect Amen A Morning Prayer to be said with a whole Family MOst Mighty God the Creator and Father of euery liuing thing both in heauen and in earth the wonderfull preseruer and constant vpholder of all things visible and invisible not onely in the dayes of our forefathers but in these our times Wee thy poore sinfull seruants doe this morning prostrate and deiect our selues in soule and body sorrowfully confessing vnto thee against our selues that wee are so loden with daily transgressions that we know not but with infinite shame how to lift vp our heads and eyes towards thee or once to open our mouths to speake vnto thee for when wee remember how in the morning of this world in the first beginning of mankind thou didst make him after thine own Image a glorious creature and planted him in the Garden of Eden where hee wanted nothing but was filled with ioy and happy contentment But he despised thy holy Commandement aduenturing to doe that which thou hadst forbidden whereby thou wast so displeased with him that immediately didst banish him and our grandmother Eâ—ah with all vs their miserable pâ—steritie then in their loynes and vnto this day issuing and proceeding foorth into perpetuall blindnesse and ignorance of thee and should so for euer haue remained from generation to generation if wee did not beleeue in thy holy word and Gospell in which is contained the happy and ioyfull tydings of thy euerlasting loue renewed vnto vs as that in his seede all nations should bee blessed meaning by his seede the promised Messiah which our first parents then beleeued in for themselues and so instructed vs their following posteritie for euer to doe the like Wherefore ô Lord wee beleeuing in thyword our Messiah who in these latter dayes hath taken our flesh and in that nature by which thou wast most mightily offended hath againe reconciled vs vnto thee and thee vnto vs by paying that price of our Redemption euen his most precious death blood by vertue of which we first entreat thee to par donour originall sins and all other offences which in knowledge against the motions of thy holy Spirit and checkes of our owne consciences accusing vs for the least thing that wee haue at any time done amisse or haue daily from the beginning of our manhood vnto this present done against thee euen thisweeke this last day this night and this morning since wee arose yea euen now in this instant while we are speaking vnto thee O Lord for Christ his sake pardon all our offences of dishonesty against our neighbours with whom wee liue and conuerse in this life O keepe vs this day most sweete Sauiour from that odious and common sinne of lying directly or indirectly from swearing chasing rashly vainely or irreuerently in or against thy most holy name And keepe vs from all manner of dishonesty with our bodies with our tongues with our eyes with our hands and with
steppes and pathes of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnesse daily talke with feare end loue and all applause To thee I wholly owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created mee And bought me not with worldly pâ—lfâ— but by thy Sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy Image from aboue and vnto thee themselues betake O let me thus thy fauours find and peace of conscience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kind protected still by thy right hand That fill'd my dayes I leaue this life to take a life eternally Where Angels sing continually all glory be to God on high Amen A Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord God great in power fearefull in iudgeâ—ent and rich in mercy which â—indest and no man looseth and â—ooâ—est no man bindeth I yeeld â—hee most humble and hearty â—hankes for that of thy fatherly goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed â—e this last nights sleepe in peace â—nd rest and againe loosing the â—onds wherewith I was tied hast â—iuen me power to see this morâ—ing light Now ô Lord I beâ—ech thee powre vpon mee this â—y the heauenly dew of thy comâ—rtable blessing that through the â—eration of thy gracious beames â—hat am a poore tree weake and â—rren in my selfe may bud forth â—d beare the fruits of true faith 〈◊〉 my life and conuâ—rsation Continue this goodnesse and mercy towards mee and by thy power raise me from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse discharge me from the workes of darkenâ—sse and cloath me with the armour of light that I may walke honestly as in the day and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Grant me ô Lord true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word which is the glasse of thy will Increase in me all godly deâ— sires together with true contriâ— tion of heart that I may vnfainedâ— ly despise the pleasures of thiâ— world with hearty repentanâ— be conuerted vnto thee send thâ— holy Angel to guide me and keep me in all my wayes and prospâ— the worke of my hands that I nâ— uer faile in my vocation to dâ— some good to all men and escheâ— if it be possible all euill O Lord I beseech thee pâ— serue and keepe my senses â—aâ— and souÌ„d that I be neither corrup ted by prosperity nor deiected by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements or too bould on thy mercies But grant me grace ô mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all that comes from thee with a religious heart and contented minde O blessed Lord Iesus Christ blessed bee thy name for our redemption great was thy loue sore was thy passion print in our mindes we beseech thee the continuall memory thereof that wee may love thee which so louedst vs and euermore praise thee that hast bought vs at so deare a price Reiect not our prayers which we offer to bee presented to thy Faâ—her but mercifully helpe vs and heale all our infirmities encrease our Faith and teach vs obedience forgiue vs our offences and hide vs in thy wounds from thy faâ—hers iust wrath make good thy â—romises vnto vs for the world to come and enable vs with thy grace for the performance of all thy Commandements prosper ô Lord the workes of our hands and bring vs safe to the end of this day for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen Amen An Euening Meditation I Lay me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord onely makest me dwell In safety with great quietnes and doest ill dreames from me expell My body to enormities is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmities my life and health it cannot keepe Good Father all sufficient my louing God I yeeld thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my wayes In that thou hast this day now past me strongly guarded with thy hands With loue refresht me first and last with mercies more then sea-shore sands That hast me brought to this dayes end blacke night and darkenes drawing neare Wherein all creatures rest attend and lay them downe till day appeare I finding my debility poore creature run to the diuine O strength mine imbecility and aide this soule and body mine Thou hast me made of matter grosse and brittle substance out of clay Which still is subiect to the crosse a tennis ball for worldlings play He wanting comfort cannot liue after much sorrow and great griefe Therefore I doe my body giue and soule to thee Lord grant reliefe O Lord I doe thee humbly pray as thou art fountaine of all rest Bee thou my succour helpe and stay let me by thee this night be blest Consider me in my weakenesse and let my carefull eyes behold My miseries and my distresse to cry for mercy make me bold And since 't is time that night now brings the bodies rest and quiet sleepe O shadow me vnder thy wings let thy protection safe me keepe Looke ouer me with watchfull eyes when this corrupted flesh of mine In slumbring sleepe and dulnesse lyes depriu'd of sense with closed eyne Vnable my poore selfe to saue from dangers of the darkesome night Keepe me my bed else is my graue and I shall neuer see the light Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwell and in sure safety to abide Thou watchest ouer Israel watch ouer me be by my side Thou art my Castle and my Fort my sword my buckler and defence My rocke my refuge and comfort saue me from force and violence Alas without thee what am I a beast that rightly nothing knowes A senseles blocke sillie flie that no good doe nor no good showes Thy louing fauour Lord extend ouer the house wherein I rest My bed with Angels Lord defend and soule and body by thee be blest Oh lay me downe in rest and peace in rest and peace ô let me rise In rest and peace ô giue some ease from torments troubles teares und cries Let not the sleights of sinne deceiue nor wicked practise ouertake me Let nothing me of hope bereaue oh doe not thou though all forsake me Lord I am poore oh make me rich with those great riches of thy blessing My soule my soule is blacke as pitch let pardon follow my confessing In hope of this I lay me downe depending on thy prouidence I care not if the world doe frowne for I am safe by thy defence Lord let it be for I am thine my rest make sweete and comfortable To thee I doe my selfe resigne Lord grant all this for thou art able An Euening Prayer for a priuate person O Most holy Father and my most gracious God which giuest vnto all men the cheerefull light of the day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations and likewise sendest the silent nights that then they my rest their wearied limbs and busied mindes and so returne their due thankes for thy goodnesse I sinfull creature adore and praise thee for the totall
summe of all thy mercies whereof I haue beene this day partaker O Lord I am vile looke not vpon mine vnworthinesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy anger iustly conceiued against me and forgiue what hath beene amisse in me this day or at any other time euen for his sake who is thy well beloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Roote vp ô Lord the thornes of mine euill inclination and affections and in their places make the fruits of vertue to spring inflame my heart with the desire of heauenly loue that I may loue obedience to thy Gommandements with zeale as hot as fire louing thee aboue all things and my neighbour as my selfe Giue me grace ô Lord to serue thee in true faith feare and holinesse all the dayes of my life and to ouercome my mortall enemies the desires of the world the pleasures of the flesh and the suggestious of the wicked Spirit remembring my promise made to thee in Baptisme for the performance whereof I depend onely vpon thy holy Spirit O God of glorious light let thine Angels pitch their tents round about this house for our defence now in the time of this darkenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may bee quiet vnto mee without griefe or trouble preserue me and mine both in body and soule from all dangers and offences which may come either by foolish dreames noysome spirits or vncleannesse of corrupt nature waken me againe ô Lord in due time and let me behold the light of the next day to my comfort prepare my heart and minde to thy seruice euery day in all trueth and sinceritie that when I haue runne the race of this life thou mayest please to call mee to be partaker of a better Comfort mee ô Lord in all those things wherein I haue beene any wayes dismayed this day take not thy holy spirit from me but continue the motions thereof in my heart that when as the tempter shalâ— come with his assaults I may bee furnished with the shield oâ— faith to quench his fiery darts Confirme my weakenesse and grant that this nights sleepe may be sweet and healthfull for my body and a profitable memoriall of that sleepe which at my last end in that great night shall make a separation betweene my body and soule Let alwayes thine vnspeakeable mercies preserue mee thy endlesse sweetnesse reioyce mee thy heauenly trueth strengthen mee thy knowledge embolden mee and thy goodnesse keepe me now and for euermore from mine enemies visible and inuisible that I may awake in the morning in perfect sense and good health and for the same bee thankefull vnto thee and carefully betake mee to my vocation and calling for Iesus Christs sake my onely Sauiour Amen Amen Another for the Euening MOst glorious and sacred Trinitie the most mighty God the Father the Sonne and the holy Spirit which art the authour and originall of all things both in heauen and in earth and that hast appointed vnto euery thing his end and way in this life The eyes of all things are towards thee to finish in their courses that obedience they owe vnto thee The Sunne the Moone the Starres in most constant order extend their light heate to the comforting not onely of fowles and beasts but specially to the direction of man how to know thee and walke in thy wayes as being the bookes and characters wherein wee may reade thy power wisedome and incomprehensible glory for their sound and language as a Harold is gone foorth to proclaime vnto the Nations both Pagan Christian that thou art the Lord God Almighty and most worthy to be praised as in the Morning so in the Euening also Therefore knowing the great dependancy that all things caelestiall and terrestriall haue on thee I doe humbly intreate thee to take mee into thy custody this night knowing that if a Sparrow cannot with safetie fall to the ground but by thee that without thee so great refreshing of sleepe cannot be attained vnlesse I begge it of thee many are the visions of the night as idle dreames and fancies that would interrupt my sleepe if thou Lord by thy gracious power and presence of thy good Spirit driue them not away And Sathan would like Abiâ—hai â—nto Saul in his sleepe with fearefull darts of despaire strike 〈◊〉 dead at once as Jacl did Siseâ—… vnto eternall death in soule 〈◊〉 body Therefore vnto thee the keeper of Israel that neither slumberest nor sleepest by night nor by day doe I come beseeching thee that laying my selfe to rest in thee I may in the acustomed time which thou hast appointed wake again but if thou pleasest that this night shall bee my last and that this mortall shall bee swallowed vppe in immortallity O Lord grant though I die in body yet I may awake in soule and liue with thee for euermore and that my body so sleeping yet againe may awake at the resurrection of the iust and with those that shall not sleepe bee caught vp with soule vnited by the same power by which thou ô Sauiour didst at once rise from death to life euen as that life which thou hadst with the father before the world was And as thou art one with him so grant that after my last sleepe I may be one with thee in the presence of the Father and the holy Ghost for euermore But ô Lord if thou please to raise me vp againe to spend more dayes in this vale of teares grant that I may liue honestly in the workes of my vocation which thou hast ordained me to liue in or liue by Grant that I may set thee before mine eyes day and night and behold thee alwayes in my presence that when I am tempted to any eueill in the work of my calling or any other wayes I may not bee tickled with the profit or pleasures therein obiected and so prouoked to sinne against thee Keepe my tongue from lying lest thereby I become the child of Sathan for hee is a lyer and the Father of lyes from the beginning keepe my tongue from swearing and that I may not take thy name in vaine empty my heart of couetousnesse of pride of vaine-glory and let mee not respect worldly vanitie let me not be selfe-conceited but ô Lord giue mee to bee of humble gentle harmelesse and courteous disposition and behauiour both in my words and deeds to my superiours and inferiours O Lord giue me to be of a charitable nature and of a pittifull affection toward all men in generall but especially towards all those that are of the houshold of Faith of broken and contrite hearts which thou Lord hast promised that thou wilt not despise Grant ô heauenly Father that Christ both sleeping and waking in this life and after this life may be to me aduantage O let me not fall into a custome or habite of sinning lest therewith my heart become hardened that I cannot repent but giue mee such a conscience of sinne that I may neuer commit sin either great or
c. A godly Meditation wherein the distressed sheweth his vnfained griefe and sorrow for hauing offended so powerfull a God and so-mercifull and gracious a Father ALas that I offended euer this God of gods this Lord of powers That can in peeces all men shiuer and ouerturne the stateliest towers Ah woe is me that I offended and iustly God stirr'd vp to ire Who by his Law hath sinne condemned vnto the pit of endlesse fire I daily see Gods creatures all iustly for sinne displeas'd with me Mens hearts are hardned and with gall feede me that haue offended thee My God thy blessings all on earth tho duoest with-hold and from me keepe Alas my soule sustaines a dearth of grace vnto thy grace I creepe But what to doe or what to say I know not Lord but I know this My griefes encrease more day by day my mirth is moane bane is my blisse One euill doth another call like waues on waues in raging seas My weary burthen makes me fall I finde no comfort helpe nor ease I hope of helpe but that hope quailes in crosses are my comforts ended I flie to Faith but then Faith failes when I neede most to be defended As if I were the onely man prepos'd by thine intendement Whom heauen ond earth must curse and ban as subiect of all punishment Thy iustice damnes me I appeale to mercy then appeal'd I feare To be reiected thus cold zeale and secret sinnes with griefe I beare Shall I thinke it a fruitlesse taske vnto my God for to repaire That sinners cals and bids them aske and they shall haue all things by prayer Can it be bootelesse downe to fall before his throne of Maiestie And with repentant tongue to call for pardon for mine iniquitie May not vnfaigned cries at last preuaile with him that 's pittifull To pardon mine offences past reuiue my soule which now is dull I le frame my heart to meditate my tongue to vtter what may please Him whom best knoweth my estate and seeke his wrath for to appease To him I le goe in Christ his name in whom I know he is well pleas'd And will confesse my sinne with shame and so mine heart shall sure be eas'd For Christs sake looke on me againe he is God all-sufficient He doth behold and see my paine my inward faithfull hearts intent He knoweth what I goe about all I thinke speake or doe amisse He writes or notes without all doubt in his remembrance booke it is I know he will in worth accept what iustly I intend to be And cannot it performe except he put his helping hand thereto He knoweth that I am but flesh and what is flesh but fraile and ill And what is man a lumpe of trash whom vaine desires doe fully fill And will this God Iehouah high so strong and powerfull set his might Against a worme so weake as I a silly man a shade of night What conquest can there be in God to worke reuenge on me poore soule Who still corrects me with his rod whose Iustice doth my sinnes controle Shall I dispute with thee nay rather poore wretch I should fall prostrate downe And humbly kneele vnto my Father and pray with teares when he doth frowne If he afflict more be it so if further plague me le't be so If he will kill with paines and woe doe what he will let it be so For I am his doe what he will with me and all that mine can bee It is his owne and must be still there 's no disputing Lord with thee There is no Art or Eloquence can quench thy coales of burning ire It is not words can make defence nor friends can saue me from the fire Nor take me from thy powerfull hands so full of might force strength and power Or breake in sunder thy strong bands nor ease one minute of an houre I le yeeld me therefore to his will Lord doe what thy good pleasure is Turne me as may thy minde fulfill I le waite the time of happy blisse I le waite thy pleasure time will come wherein I may the issue see Of my afflictions all and some and what thy purpose is with me The meane time I will with thy word consult and vse my exercise And comfort take through hope ô Lord refresh dull spirits and cleare dimme eyes With dewe of thy sweete promises laying aside all fleshly aide I onely rest on thy mercies in holy word as thou hast saide And in true faith will I remaine and seeke thee being the true way Wherein who walkes at length shall gaine true blisse and happinesse for aye Who this embraceth shall not erre wherein who liues shall neuer dye But weare a crowne past reason farre and liue with God eternally An Euening Meditation O Most deare Lord Iesus to whose euerlasting goodnes wee are daily engaged for all the good things we haue which hast granted the cheerefull light of the day vnto all men both good and bad to follow their affaires and seuerall employments in and mercifully giuest the sweete stilnesse of the night to refresh their wearred bodies and to put away the cares of their mindes and to asswage their sorrowes wee â—…seech thee that those things 〈…〉 haue done amisse this day 〈…〉 our common imbecillit 〈…〉 gence ignorance or â—…g 〈…〉 rash and vnaduised presumptiâ—… 〈…〉 wherein we haue offended 〈…〉 cred eyes they may be paâ—… and forgiuen for thy 〈…〉 goodnesse sake and according 〈…〉 the innumerable multitude 〈…〉 mercies And grant herewithall that this night may be blessed and prosperous vnto vs safe by thy protection ouer vs and free from the dangerous illusions of wicked spirits so as this refreshment by quiet rest and sleepe may make both our bodies and mindes more cheerefull to morow and we the more enabled to doe thee seruice and faithfully to follow those employments thou hast appointed for vs blesse vs ô Lord and water vs with the dew of thy blessings and let the drops of thy Sonnes blood shed for our sinnes and yet crying for mercy distill into my heart by a liuely Faith for the comfort of our soules and the amendment of our sinfull liues wee beseech thee ô Lord take from vs all manner of darkenesse misbeleefe infidelitie carnall lustes and affections and so strengthen vs with thy grace that the Barke of our weake Faith sinke not through the stormes of Sathans temptations nor our hopes be ouer whelmed through the weight of our vnworthinesse nâ—r any of thy good graces in vs extinguished or blemished by the waues of a wicked conuersation Enter thy Iudgements into the tables of our hearts that wee may bee content to spare of our ordinanary sleepe to muse of all thy CoÌ„mandâ—ments and that wee may bee more earnest vpon the meditation of thy sacred word then the Kings of the Nations haue beene to turne ouer their Records in the night season Be mindfull of vs when wel appen to forget our selues and think vpon vs ô Lord sleeping
is a sweet sacrifice Repentant sinners him delight farre more then iust men in their eyes What I haue bene my God hath knowne What I now am the Lord doth see What I shall bee to him is showne from him no secret kept can be How I consum'd so many yeares mispent so many months and dayes Both houres and minutes all appeares to God who markes my life and wayes Time is the meane that all things tries Time worketh what mens wits deuise Time with his swiftnesse euer flyes And Time in time will make men wise Fly from me follies of my youth packe hence my sinnes that burd'ned me Welcome to me is Age and Truth now I by faith in Christ will be Whose sinnes doe make my heart to bleed let them examples take by me Whose wickednesse all mens exceeds come Lord in mercy pardon me Lord now let me depart in peace I â—â—ele thy rod I finde thy loue My paines doe grow my ioyes encrease this mercie comes from thee aboue My sicknesse is a present meane to heale and cure my wounds of sinne Lord purge all my corruptions cleane and let my death my life beginne A Prayer for the forgiuenesse of Sinnes ETernall God and louing Sauiour before thy Baptisme thou didst send Iohn the Baptist to preach remission of sins through repentance and faith in thy name And after thou wert Baptized and entered into thy Ministrie thou that didst exhort all that were weary and laden with their sinnes to come vnto thee saying that thou cammest to call sinners to repentance and that the whole had no need of the Phisitian but the sicke Wherefore o Lord being deadly sicke with the sence of my sinnes and with the Samaritane wounded vnto death I entreate thee in the teares of a sorrowfull heart to wash me not onely my hands feete and head but also my heart from sinne O Lord powre into my wounds the oyle of mercy that it may pacifie and quiet my minde in thee O Lord wash me with the bloud of thy Sonne as with Hysop for I haue with the Prodigall sonne and Lost sheepe erred in the vanitie of my minde But ô Lord as Philip found Nathaniel when hee looked not for him So by true repentance and hearty confession let me be found of thee and in thee now seeking after thee O Lord I thirst after thee and for thee wherefore send thy holy Spirit into mee to mollifie and comfort my hard and vnrepentant heart O Lord it cannot by nature enter into my minde that I am so wretched a sinner but by thy word as vnto Nichodemus thou hast made me to see that except by true repentance I be regenerat and so as it were borne againe I cannot enter into the Kingdome of heauen that is possibly be saued But ô Lord thou hast made me to know sinne and how sinne became sinne by the reuerent vse of thy word for though there be sinne in vs before the knowledge of thy Law yet sinne without thy Law was not imputed but thou hast giuen vs Christians this thy law as a touchstone to know sin and that sinne is the transgression of the Law for if there were no Law there would be no transgression wherefore thy Law which was ordained vnto me vnto life by the search thereof hath slaine mee vnto death and made me immeasurably sinfull for by the Law thou hast made mee to know sinne which by no other meanes I could know or should euer haue found out for how should I haue knowne lust to be sinne if thou hadst not said I should not lust Wherefore O Lord seeing it is so with me that I doe the euill which I would not and leaue vndone the good that I would binde this strong man in mee that though Sinne dwell in mee yet hee may not raigne ouer or rule in mee yea mortifie the wicked deeds of my flesh by thy holy word and mighty operation of thy spirit O grant that by the dying of the Lord Iesus sinne in all his kindes and force may be subdued and dye in me lest that thereby I be made to come short of thy glory which thou hast promised to all repentant sinners Good God grant that I may not yeeld my members seruants vnto sinnes but reserue them seruants vnto thee in true righteousnesse and holinesse all the dayes I haue to liue in this life O Lord as Ammon hated his sister Tamar after hee had abused her with himselfe and himselfe with her so that hee could not abide â—ere nor well might himselfe by reason of himselfe giue mee grace I may hate sinne not onely after but before it is committed with no lesse indignation then they did each other and thou them both O Lord let the old man that is in me be so crucified with Christ in the power of his death that I may henceforth be no more seruant vnto sinne for that thou hast said that a carnall man liuing in sinne cannot please thee O Lord giue me thy spirit that I may hate the things of the flesh which are nothing but san against thee and loue the things of thy spirit as ioy in the holy Ghost peace of conscience long-suffering patience in bearing and forbearing wrongs with faith and the like graces and fruits of thy most holy spirit O Lord seeing I haue to the subduing of sin desired the gift of thy holy spirit let mee be carefull by the vse of all holy meanes to walke in the spirit And seeing thou hast condemned sinne in him that knew no sinne for my sake O Lord condemne it not in me againe and as the first birth is nothing but sinfull Adam Lord graunt that by this my second birth I may be a continuall liuing spirituall man in Christ thus hauing confessed my sinnes with hearty sorrow I beseech thee for my Sauiour his sake to forgiue me my sinne and to strengthen mee all the dayes of my life to come that with the man in the Gospell I may follow thy heauenly counsell and sinne no more neither in action affection nor intention lest this my confession and contrition should be in vaine which O Lord forbid for thy Christ his sake Amen Amen The Repentant complaineth of the grieuousnesse of his sinnes and desireth mercie and pardon and to be deliuered from Sinne and the guilt and punishment thereof HIdden O Lord are my most horrid sinnes vnto the world though open plain to thee He neuer betters that no time begins corruption killeth all good thoughts in me What sinne doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours but doeth encrease like monsters huge in me Committing them both minuts dayes houres as swift as time so fast grow they in me Rent thine own flesh teare thy wretched haire scrape clean corruptions marrow froÌ„ thy bones Put out thine eyes cut off thy tongue stop eares lame all thy senses to kill sinne at once I faine would walk that know not how to creepe I am opprest with such most
Lord if thou â—ast said Shall not my soule be â—uenged on such a one as this remember thy promise elsewhere I will haue mercy on him that could finde no mercy and let it light vpon me if Sathan prefume that GOD hath forsaken him thinke vpon the decree for the seede of the woman and let the power of thy sonnes passion defeat all the deuises of the deuill against me O Lord heare me speedily if thou doe not I shall be helplesse and hopelesse for my conscience accuseth mee my memory giues euidence against me and my reason condemneth me My spirit is weary of this bondage and I haue bid my life farewell My conscience is clogged when I behold the bloudy wounds of my soule the voyce of ioy and mirth 〈◊〉 gone from me I am deepely pluâ—ged in discomfort I haue neitheâ— worth to appease thy wrath no patience to endure thine indignaâ—tion I pray thee therefore senâ— the comfort of thy holy Spirit iâ— to my heart and strengthen my faith that I be not swallowed vp with ouer much heauinesse O Lord let thy maiestie appeare in thy mercy forgiue my sinnes the vnhappy ground of all this woe and I am recouered of all mine infirmities Try not the law with me lest I come to Iudgement sanctifie all those good meanes vnto me wherein I seeke reliefe as prayer reading and hearing of thy holy Word moderate and mittigate my vexation encrease faith establish hope graunt patience and keepe me from dispaire Take away this Cup from mee if it be thy will if not suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength I haue an humbled and contriâ—e heart O Lord looke vpon me I goe mourning all the day long am like to him that is at the point â—o dye O Lord comfort me thou â—hat wilt not breake a bruised â—eed spare me thou that delighâ—est not in the death of a sinner reuiue mee though my heart condemne me yet good Lord acquite mee relieue mee release mee say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Hearken Lord vnto my Prayer and graunt my requests for Iesus Christs sake Amen The distressed prayeth to be sanctified and to enioy the renued graces of regeneration O Lord me throughly sanctifie vntye my tongue open my lips I cannot silence keepe for why my conscience euery houre me whips My miseries growe more and more within my bones I finde no rest Thy grace a-new to me restore and let me speake what likes thee best Let thine eares euer be enclinde to my extreame and dolefull cries Let me thy mercies ready finde to take my teares from weeping eyes Thou euermore do'st heare the cries of all that feare thy holy name And comâ—ortst them with thy mercies that trust in thee and begge the same Their soules thou doest from death defend and cheeres their heart in time of neede To me therefore thy comforts send and giue thy helpe with louing speede Thy seruants cannot hold their tongue though oft they muse and cannot see Why thâ—iâ— afflictions last so long and they for mercy â—rie to thee Till at the length the fire of zeale doth kindle then it out must breake Tongue cannot hold but must reueale their groanes griâ—fes needs must speake To shew their hope which like to fire none can suppresse when they beleeue T will pearce the cloudes to thee aspire yet thou doest seeme no helpe to giue At last thy goodnesse doth appeare and thou embracest him with â—…y Time of delâ—uerance draweth neere and thou Lord freedst him from annoy Good God how commeth this to passe that I so long haue sought to thee And thou still seem'st to hide thy face and keep'st thy graces still from mee How long haue I vnto thee pray'd and thou seem'st not to giue me eare This makes mine heart and thoughts afraid ready to faint with deepe despaire I ready was for to surcease the suite which I so long had sought Made vnto thee for to appease thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought O Lord my God thy promises and louing kindnesse onely feede And comfort me in heauinesse with neuer dying hope in neede I know expected time will come when thou for getting all my sinne Wâ—lt see my sorrowes all and some and free the bondage I am in A Prayer in affliction or aduersity MOst mercifull Redeemer which art alwayes full of compassion thou art alwayes our preseruer whether thou sendest vs aduersity or prosperity for great is thy mercy and compassion in that thou healest the inward man by outward afflictions as it were by bitter medicines and preparest vs to euerlasting ioyes by temporall troubles And forasmuch as thou thy selfe hast traced vs out this true way to felicity by thine owne footesteps graunt that I may patiently and obediently drink this cup which thou reachest vnto me Grieuous indeede are these things vnto my nature but yet thou hast suffered grienouser things for mee and I haue deserued farre grieuouser things then these for I haue deserued hell fire Notwithstanding â—hou knowest the frailtie of mans estate and therefore like the mercifull Samaritane thou powrest wine into our wounds which maketh our vices to smart but yet thou alayest it with the oyle of thy comfort If thou think meet to encrease our griefes encrease thou also the gift of patience and graunt that these afflictions may turne vs to the amendment of our sinfull deedes or if thy fatherly louing kindnesse thinke this thy gentle chastisement to be sufficient let this stormeâ—pâ—sse that although heauinesse endure for a night a moment ioy may come in the morning graunt vnto vs in both respects a reuerent thankfulnesse as well for amending and reforming thy vnprofitable sâ—ruant by gentlenesse as also for that thou hast remooued the cup of affliction or allayed the bitternesse of it by the sweetnesse of thy mercie To thee therefore bee thankes and praise for euer Amen Amen Meditations vpon the passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. VVHat man is this whom I behold all bloudie bowing down his head for weaknesse towards his shoulders his body all tormented with sâ—ourges stripes grieous wounds crowned with a Garland of thornes pricking and piercing to the braine and thus fastned to an ignominious Crosse What heauie or haynous crime hath hee done to deserue this intollerable and vnspeakeable torment What Iudge could bee so cruell to sentence him to it or what remorcelesse or mercilesse Executioners could be found to deale so outragiously with this tender and peerelesse body Notwithstanding the deformity of these bloudie wounds yet is this matchlesse body fairer then the Sonnes of men Surely it is Iesus Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Oh hee is my Lord and Sauiour Iesus that is thus crucified for my sin and for my sake Oh art thou he that excellest all men in beauty 〈◊〉 in whose lippes was neuer fouâ—… guile and from whom proceeded such gracious words as neuer man spake where then is that beauty of thine where is that
thee and be comforted O Lord though they bee compassed about with death on euery side yet there is assured safety in thee wherefore keepe firmâ— their tacklings that they deceiuâ— them not in the raging windes nor mountaine billowes that beaâ— against their sides that their Ship in which they are be not broken O Lord if thou force them to cast out their goods for safety yet will it not auaile vnlesse therewith they cast forth by vnfained repentance their loades of sinnes through which bodies and goods are made to sinke And let them be in safety as the Marriners that were trauailing from Ioppa to Tarsus when they had cast forth rebellious Ionas O Lord of hoasts and God of heauen send thy Angels with them to guide them forth and conduct them safe in their return be with them in their greatest necessities as thou wast with thine Apostle S. Paul in his dangerous voyage to Rome This temporall blessing and all others that are needfull and that thou knowest better to giue then I to aske though a chiefe of sinners and therefore most vnworthy yet I begge aske it if it be thy good pleasure for thy Sonne Iesus sake my only Lord and Sauiour Amen A Prayer for the fruits of the earth and other nourishments of this mortall life O Eternall God which feedest with thy blessing euery liuing thing and satisfiest the desires of thy seruants with thy bountifull goodnesse wee wretched sinners vnworthy of the least of thy blessings and benefits doe most humbly beseech thee to be pleased to blesse all the fruits of the earth that wee and all thy seruants may be partakers of thy comforts therein for the nourishment of this life Giue vs O Lord this day our daily bread prepare our ground and prosper our corne Blesse the seede time with the first and latter raine and meete temperature of ayre Keepe our fruits while they bee in the earth from haile and thunder from excessiue droughts and immoderate raines from mildewes and all noysome wormes Send vs a ioyfull Haruest and giue a blessing to that which wee shall reape that for our vnthankfulnes it waste not away without our reliefe Increase our cattell with all other our prouision which we shall carefully labour for Replenish our basket and blesse our store that wee may haue wherewith as to furnish our selues so to giue some reliefe vnto others Protect our seruants and workefolkes that they may be strong to labour wise to forecast and faithfull in their businesse Keepe our Garners Barnes and Store-houses from fire and boysterous windes Theeues and suddaine inundations Prosper our workes and trauels whether by sea or land and blesse and prosper all them that any way labour for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse Send remedy O Lord for all hardnesse and misery turne our dearth into cheapenesse and our scarcity into plenty Open the hearts of rich men to whom thou hast giuen much that they may haue a charitable respect of the poore at all times Helpe vs O Lord and giue vs such things as we stand in neede of and make vs to desire such things onely as may bee pleasing vnto thee to search them wisely and to finde them easily Oppresse vs not with too much pouerty neither puffe vs vp with too much plenty but giue vs a competent store of things necessary for this life and grace to vse them soberly to thy glory and our comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A thanksgiuing for our Benefactours O Lord which hast said that hee that giueth vnto the poore lendeth vnto the Lord and looke what he layeth out it shall be payd him againe wee beseech thee to be gracious and mercifull to all those for whom wee are bound to pray by nature by desert or any other duty whatsoeuer Of thy especiall fauour remember all our Benefactours and friends aliue euen all those our Parents kinsfolkes and others which haue brought vs vp taught promoted or any way relieued vs. Blesse them with all blessings that haue done good either to our bodies with temporall benefits or our soules with profitable instructions Bless their estates that in their godly dispositions they may haue alwayes wherewith to relieue and comfort others in their discretion giue them the consolation of the holy Ghost to the keeping of faith and a good conscience And as they haue shewed mercy vnto vs and comforted vs so Lord helpe and comfort them in their greatest needes that both they and their families may both haue comfort in their estate and condition heere and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus at the latter day Lord let all their almes-deedes and prayers be alwayes in thy sight as those of Cornelius that as they haue been vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweet whereby we haue receiued plenty and beene filled so they may bee as sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee Vouchsafe vs this grace O Lord that wee be not guilty of any ingratitude towards them but rather ready according to our abilities to recompence them if neede require Let not that which they haue bestowed vpon vs bee cast away but make it fruitfull vs worthy of it Graunt this O thou God which doest good both to the just and vniust for Iesus Christs sake our only Lord Sauiour Amen LACHRIM 5. Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hold more fast the promises of God O Lord thou art my hope and strength thou help'st in trouble doe not hide Thy selfe for euer but at length for men distrest doe thou prouide For I by thee will hold most fast I le trust in thee while I doe liue And till those stormes be ouer-past I le neither faint nor feare nor grieue Tremble thou earth rage sea and land winde tempest stormes and all about I see thee Lord hold out thy hand for my defence I le neuer doubt What though hills quake staggering stumble and fall into the midst of seas Though waters roare rage and tumble thou canst this change and all appease Should I then faint at troubles small which like small darts thou throw'st at me In loue but not to kill at all but make me leaue my vanity Forsake my follies euery deale reclayming errors to the truth T is thou didst hurt and thou canst heale thou hast preseru'd me from mine youth I must confesse I merited the death of death with paines of hell And to be disinherited of heauens high where iust doe dwell But Lord doe mittigate thine anger and turne thy heauie wrath to loue Deliuer me from all this danger let thy compassion mercy moue And with true comforts Christ all fountaine my dry and thirsty soule refresh And powre on me from holy mountaine sweet dewes to glad my soule and flesh Thy darts in me O Lord sticke fast O pull them out cast them away And cure my wounds to helpe make hast binde vp my sores soules sorrowes stay Cleanse the corrupt affections of
thee I beseech thee if it be thy will let thy secret and hidden power in which there is more verâ—ue then in all mineralls plants be extended forth to his comfort reliefe that he again may come into thy house and magnifie thy mercy for his renewed strength O Lord as hee hath abounded with charity and compassion vnto others in their extreamities of sicknesse so likewise as thou hast promised let this thy mercifull seruant in his languishing paines obtaine mercy from thee that art most mercifull and as hee hath heard the lamenting cries of others so Lord doe thou heare his mournefull and lamenting sighes vnto thee for thou art very pittifull and of tender mercy O Lord he humbleth himselfe in thy sight wherefore I beseech thee to raise him vp againe if any man be sicke thou hast willed vs that be well to pray one for another assuring vs that the Prayer of the righteous if it be seruent auaileth much In confidence and full assurance that thou wilt make good thy word O Lord I earnestly beseech thee to restore my sicke and weake friend N vnto his perfect health if it may bee thy good pleasure and this I aske as one not without hope for I beleeue that as Iesus died and rose againe euen so by his power shall this my sicke friend doe at the last day Yet O Lord for the perfecting of that which is wanting in his faith repentance and good works I earnestly beseech thee to adde some more vnto the number of his dayes haue mercy vpon him and restore him againe to strength his former health But most mercifull Father if thou please through this his sicknesse to finish his dayes graunt that he may in quiet minde and stedfast faith commend to thee the care of all his worldly charge because thou hast promised to be a Father vnto the widdowe and the fatherlesse And it is thy wil that wee should cast our care on thee not onely in life but in death especially O Lord when death that cruell tyrant sinne the graue the deuill and all the fries of darknesse shall assault his body and affright his soule with distrust in thee and of his part in the glorious resurrection then strengthen him by the power of thy Sonne my Sauiour that hee may no lesse triumph ouer all the terrours and feares of the graue of hell and death as all the Saints in like case haue done and then I my selfe may doe in the same houre of my departure which I beseech thee to graunt through him that hath loued vs euen Iesus Christ my most absolute and perfect Sauiour Amen Amen LACHRIM 7. Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and wouldly things and desireth heauen and heauenly things MY soule doth long and shall depend on God for euer euerliuing God shall begin and make an end that hath giuen all yet euer giuing I sigh and groane for to appeare before his gracious mercy seate As thirsteth the Hart for water cleare so long I for thy mâ—rcy great I am quite tyred with my groanes I faint vnder mine heauie loade Of miseries breaking all my bones layd on me iustly by my God O God the rocke of my whole strength Lord of mercy behold mine anguish O graunt me helpe and ease at length I faint I fall I figh I languish Why doe I daily weepe and mourne and haue no comfort helpe nor ease Why do'st not heare but from me turne why doe my woes and foes encrease Sith I doe seeke thee vnfainedly defend me Oh defend me in This dangerous time of misery layd iustly on me for my sin Preserue me from men mercilesse hard hearted bloudy minded cruell Blesse me with thine hid blessednesse giue me thy fauour my soules iâ—well The man of earth layes load on loade as on an Anuile stroke on stroke Within without at home abroad mine head to the heele bowes with the yoke I am reproach to neighbours all I am ashamed men should see me They scorne and laugh to see my fall but this mine hope doth comfort me That thou from them wilt set me free And thee triumphant shall behold In shining Throne of Maiestie where 's neither hunger thirst nor cold No want nor sinne nor ignomie nor sicknesse death nor deadly paine But fulnesse mirth ioy victory with thee in glory I shall raigne And if it be thy will O Lord now after all this sturdy storme To my most troubled soule afford thy peace and pitty mee poore worme Free me from death that 's mors Gehennae giue peace ioy rest not transitorie I take it as an earnest pennie of perfect blisse and endlesse glory And I le here praise thee men among that they may see marke and consider T is thou canst onely right our wrong and from all troubles vs deliuer Thou canst and wilt vs saue and keepe though much we suffer in this life Thou art our Shepheard wee thy Sheepe saue me from hate enuie and strife So shall I also giue thee praise my mouth continually thee laude My soule and inward part alwayes thy wonderous workes shall still applaude I will be glad and ioy in thee reioyce yea and againe reioyce Abiect though I yet comfort me I le praise thee with minde heart and voyce Awake therefore in time awake preserue me that I perish not I am if thou do'st me forsake but as a dead man cleane forgot And censured a cast-away among such as see me depriu'd Of present helpe for these men say my soule can neuer be reuiu'd One sorrow doth encrease another all hope on earth turnes to distrust Of ayde from neighbour friend or brother hide not thy face my God most iust Forget not mine extreamities Lord free me from in fernall hells Of torments and of miseries which comes from thee and from none else My soule is beaten to pits brimme my heart doth faint my hands grow weeke My knees doe faile mine eyes growe dimme my tongue is dumbe and cannot speake And each part of my body vext I daily moane my miseries Looke on me Lord I am perplext O ease my griefe and heare my cries Though thou by Iustice made the wound and by correction grieu'd mine heart If thou wilt cure salue soone is found with spirituall comfort ease my smart Doe not withhold such things are good which for thy children are ordain'd Turne thou thy face with Christes blood cleanse all the spots my sinnes hath stain'd Rise vp O Lord rise vp I say with thee doth Loue and Bounty raigne I am throwne downe I thee obay therefore rise vp raise me againe Although my sinnes like swords doe cut me from thy fauour and thy grace Let righteousnesse of Christ be put to hide my sinnes before thy face Unite me vnto thee againe in such sort Lord make me so fast That I with thee may still remaine and ioy in ioyes that aye shall last The young mans Prayer for a vertuous wife O God the euerliuing and only wise the