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A17154 Christian praiers and holie meditations as wel for priuate as publique exercise: gathered out of the most godly learned in our time, by Henrie Bull. Whereunto are added the praiers, commonly called Lidleys praiers.; Christian praiers and holy meditations Bull, Henry, d. 1575?; Ledley, John.; Bradford, John, 1510?-1555. Godlie instruction, conteining the summe of all the divinitie necessary for a Christian conscience. aut 1596 (1596) STC 4032; ESTC S120490 133,439 444

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that Father to whome we are made Children of adoption through thee Oh our head raigning on high in glorie forget not vs thy poore members heere on earth whereunto abasing thy selfe thou camest downe and sufferedst for vs most cruell death Out of this thy throne of Maiesty glore thou puttest vs in assured hope and confidence that wee also shall attayne to that blessed place whither thou art gone before to take possession for vs. Oh our strōg tower of defence and succour what can hurt vs nowe trusting in thee Most vnhappie are they which are ignorant of thee Most happy are they which alwaies behold thee Blessed are they which haue knowne thee heere in the dayes of their mortalitie But more blessed are they which see thee in the heauens and shall see thee reigning with thy father in ioyes incomparable Oh Lorde the onelie ioye and comfort of our souls shew vs thy louing countenance embrace vs with the armes of thy mercie receiue vs O good Ioseph thy younger brethrē with the kisse of comfort powre into our hearts thy holy spirite pluck vs vp from the earth earthly things open our eies and lift them vp vnto thee open thy mouth call vs vnto thee open our eares that wee may heare thee so that whatsoeuer we do speake or thinke it may bee directed vnto thee alone our redeemer mediator and aduocate If ye be risen againe with Christ seeke the thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your affection on thinges that are aboue and not on thinges which are on earth Col. 3. Another THou Lord diddest put away Marie Magdalen from the kissing of thy feete because thy flesh was not yet exalted and she knew not yet the dignitie of thy clarified bodie and beautified with the glorie of immortalitie but was addicted only to thy bodily presence She yet sought the liuing among the dead neither was it knowne to her that thou was equall with thy father Wherfore thou wouldest not suffer her so much as to kisse thy feet because it was a thing vnworthy for thy maiesty Oh thou mighty Lion of the tribe of Iuda thou conquerour of hel and death euerliuing and immortall thou art nowe risen from death for vs thou art now ascended to thy father and our father and sittest at his right hand in glorie suffer vs to come neere vnto thee that wee may kisse thee yea Lorde thou louer of our soules come thou rather vnto vs and kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth that wee may bee glad and reioyce in thee drawe vs that wee may runne after the sauour of thy sweete oyntments that wee may behold thee in righteousnesse and when thy glorie shall appeare wee may bee satisfied for in thy presence there is fulnesse of ioy and in thy right hande there are pleasures for euermore A prayer for true repentance MOst gratious God and mercifull father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ because I haue sinned done wickedlie through thy goodnesse haue receiued a desire of repentaunce whereunto this thy long● suffering doth drawe my hard heart● I beseech thee for thy great mercies sake in Christ to worke the same repentaunce in mee and by the spirite power and grace so to humble mortifie and feare my conscience for my sinnes to saluation that in thy good time thou maiest comfort and quickē me again through Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued sonne So be it I. B. A prayer for the strength and increase of faith O Merciful God and deare father of our Lorde Sauiour Iesus Christ in whome as thou art well pleased so hast thou commaunded vs to heare him for as much as hee often biddeth vs to aske of thee and also promiseth that thou wilt heare vs and graunt vs that which in his name we shall aske of thee loe gracious father wee are bold to beg of thy mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ one sparkle of true faith and certaine perswasion of thy goodnesse loue towardes vs in Christ where through I being assured of y e pardon of all my sins by the mercies of Christ thy sonne may be thankful to thee loue thee a serue thee in holinesse and righteousnes al the daies of my life I. B. A prayer for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercie in Christ OH Lorde God and deare Father what shall I say that feele all thinges to bee in manner with mee as in the wicked blind is my mind crooked is my will and peruerse concupiscence is in mee as aspring or stinking puddle O howe fainte is faith in mee How little is my loue to thee or to thy people How greate is selfe loue Howe harde is my heart By the reason whereof I am mooued to doubt of thy goodnesse towardes mee whether thou art my mercifull father and whether I bee thy childe or 〈◊〉 In deede worthily might I doubt of that the hauing of these were the cause and not the 〈◊〉 rather of thy children The 〈◊〉 why thou art my father is thy mercie goodnesse grace and trueth in Christ Iesus which cannot but remaine for euer In respect whereof thou haste borne me this good will to bring me into thy Church by baptisme and to accept me into the number of thy children that I might bee holy faithfull obedient and innocent and to cal me diuers times vp the ministerie of thy worde into thy kingdome besides thy innumerable other benefites alwayes hitherto powred vpon mee All which thou hast done of this thy good will which thou of thine owne mercie barest to mee in Christe and for Christe before the world was made The which thing as thou requirest straitely that I should beleeue without doubting so wouldest thou that in all my needes I should come vnto thee as vnto a Father and make my mo●e without mistrust of being heard in thy good time as most shall make to my comfort Loe therefore to thee deare Father I come through thy sonne our Lorde mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for mee and pray thee of thy great goodnesse and mercy in Christ to bee mercifull vnto mee that I may feele in deede thy sweete mercie as thy childe The time Oh deare Father I appoint not but I praie thee that I may with hope f●ll expect and looke for thy helpe I hope that as thou for a little while hast left mee so thou wilt come and visit mee and that in thy great mercie wherof I haue neede by reason of my great miserie Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whom thou louest but surelie O Redeemer in eternal mercies thou wilt shew thy compassions For when tho ●eauest vs O Lord thou doest not leaue vs verie long neyther doest thou leaue vs to our own losse but to our lucre aduantage men that thy holy spirite with bigger portion of thy power and
to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners and to be mercifull vnto them that truly repent we confesse thou doest most iustly punish vs for vnto haue u●●ously finned against thee and wee acknowledge that in punishing vs thou doest declare thy selfe to be our most merciful father aswell because thou doest not punish vs in any thing as we haue deserued as also because by punishing vs thou doestcal vs and as it were drawe vs to increase in repentance it fayth in prayer in contem●ing of the world and in heartie d●●●ing for euerlasting life thy bless●● presence 〈…〉 therefore gracious 〈…〉 Lorde thankefully to acknowledge thy great mercy which hast thus fauourablie dealt with vs in punishing vs not to our confusion but to our amendement And seeing thou hast sworne that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but that hee turne and liue haue mercie vpon vs and turne vs vnto thee for thy dearelie be oued Sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou wouldest should be made a slayne sacrifice for our sins thereby declaring thy great and vnspeakable anger against sinne and thyne infinite mercy towardes vs sinnefull wretches And for asmuch as the dulnesse blindnes corruption of our hearts is such that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithful and heartie prayer according to our great necessitie without thy singular grace and assistaunce graunt vnto vs gracious Lord thy holy and sanctifying spirite to worke in vs this good work with grace to weigh and cons●●r the neede and greatnesse of that we doe desire and with an assured faith trust that thou wilt graunt vs our requestes because thou are good and pracious ●uē to young Raunes calling vpon thee much more then to before whō thou hast made al things yea and hast not spared also thyne than deare Sonne because thou hast commaunded vs to call vppon thee because thy throne wherto we come is a throne of grace and mercie because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee beeing the way by whome we come being the doore by whom we enter and being our head on whom we hang and hope y t our poore petitions shall not be in vayne through him and for his names sake Wee beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercie wherein thau art plētifull to al them that call vpon thee is forgiue vs our sinnes namely our vnthankefulnesse vnbeleef self loue neglect of thy worde security hypocrisie cōtempt of thy long suffering omission of prayers doubting of thy power presence mercy and good 〈◊〉 towardes vs vnsensible of thy grace ●●●patience ●c to this thy benefit ofim correcting vs adde thy gracious gift of repentance sayth the spirit of prayer e the contempt of this worlde and heartie desiring● for euerlasting life In due vs with thy holy spirit according to thy couenant and mercy a●●el to assure vs of pardon and that thou 〈◊〉 accept vs in thy fauour as thy 〈◊〉 children in Christ for his sake as to write thy same in our hearts 〈◊〉 to worke in vs that wee may nowe begin and go forwarde in beleeuing ●uing fearing obeying praying hoping a seruing thee as thou doest require most fatherly most iustire of vs accepting vs as perfect in thy light through Iesus Christ our lord ●men A Praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods worde O Gracious God which seekest almeanes possible how to bring ●y children into the feeling and ●re sence of thy mercie and therfore then prosperity wil not serue then ●ndest thou aduersity graciously cor●ting them heere whom thou wilt 〈◊〉 elsewhere to liue with thee for●er we poore wretches giue hūble ●aises thanks to thee y t thou hast ●●ched vs worthy of thy correctiō at 〈◊〉 presēt hereby to worke y t which 〈◊〉 in prosperity liberty did neglect For the which neglecting and many other our greeuous sinnes whereof we now accuse our selues before thee Most mercifull Lorde thou oughtest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soule body But such is thy goodnes towards vs in Christ that thou seekest to forget all our offences and as though we were far otherwise than we bee indeed thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now layd vppon vs for thy trueth and Gospels sake and so be thy witnesses with thy Prophets Apostles Martyrs and Confessors yea with thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ to whome thou doest now heere beginne to fashiō vs like that in his glorie we may be like to him also O good God what are we on wh● thou shouldest shew this great mercie Oh louing Lord forgiue vs our vnthankefulnesse and sinnes Oh faithfull Father giue vs thine holie spirite nowe to crie in our heartes Abba deare father to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs to confirme strengthen and stablish vs in the same that wee may liue die in it as vessels of thy mercy to the glorie and to the commoditie of thy Church Indue vs with the spirite of thy wisedom that with good conscience we may alwaies so aunswere the enimies in thy cause as may turn to their conuersion or confusion and our vnspeakable consolatiō in Christ Iesus for whose sake wee bes●●che thee hence foorth to keepe vs to giue vs patience and to will no otherwise for deliuerance or mitigation of our misery than may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs. Graunt this deare father not onely to vs in this place but also to all others elsewhere afflicted for thy names sake through the death and merites of Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen I. B. A praier to God the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost O Almighty and euerliuing God the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs and with a loude voyce hast saide of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde Heare him O maker and pr●seruer of all thinges with thy coeternall sonne our Lorde Iesus christ which raigneth with thee and was manifested in Ierusalem with thy holie spirit which was powred vpon the Apostles O wise God mercifull Iudge and mightie Lorde which hast saide As truelie as I liue I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and amēd which also haste saide Call vppon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee haue mercie vpon vs for Iesus Christes sake whome thou wouldest of thy meruailous incomprehensible counsai●e shoulde be made for vs a staine sacrifice mediatour reconciler and peacemaker to the ende that thou mightest sh●we ●hine exceeding great wrath against 〈◊〉 and thine in estimable mercy towards mankind Sanctifie illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit that wee may trulie ●eleeue in thee call vpon thee bee thankeful vnto thee and obedient 〈◊〉 thy holy will Defende gouerne ●nd cherish thy church as thou hast
the Lorde is and are becom new creatures by the heauenlie regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell should like holie and innocent babes lay aside all such workes of the flesh which do depriue a man of the kingdome of God And Saint Paule commaundeth vs that laying aside those cursed vvorkes of darknesse vve should in the steed thereof put on euen as the elect of God holie and beloued tender mercie kindness humblenesse of minde meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if anie haue a quarrell to another as Christ forgaue vs end aboue all these things saith he put on loue vvhich is the bond of perfection let the peace oh God rule in your hearts vvhen ye shall stand and praie saith S● Marke forgiue if ye haue anie thing against anie man that your Father also vvhich is in heauen maie forgiue you your trespasses● for if yee vvill not forgiue your father vvhich is in heauen vvill not pardon you your trespasses Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne miserie and wretehednes as may worke in vs an earnest sorrowe and vexation of minde for the same Example whereof wee may see in the deare seruantes of God when they say that out of the deep deepenesse and out of the middes of the iawes of death they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull voice He that desireth mercy must haue a feeling of his owne miserie And therefore saith Dauid Heale my soule O Lord for I haue sinned against thee There is nothing in my flesh saith hee because of thy displeasure neither in there any rest in my bones because of my sin This anguish and sorrowe stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtain cōfort help and succour at Gods hande and therfore such as f●ele themselues oppressed with great calamities hauing by the help of man no hope of deliuerance doe crie vnto God with afflicted hearts as Dauid did in his distresse My soule thirsteth for God euen for the liuing God and as the hart being vvounded brai●th for the riuers of vvater so panteth my soule after thee O God This is that godlie sorrow which S. Paule saith worketh in Gods children repentaunce to saluation The Lorde is nigh to them saith Dauid that are of a contrite heart and vvill saue all such as are afflicted in spirite To him vvill I looke euen vnto him saith the Lord that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my vvordes Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithful to fly vnto God by prayer And albeit they be not at al times in like distresse or continuallie groning vnder the burthen of present euils yet must they needes bee euer in dread of new daungers and carefully ●ffraid of further troubles to follow As trouble and feare therfore are the verie spurs to ●ir them vp to heartie and feruent prayer ●o by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God as though he did therby call them vnto him This godly sorrow for sinne and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour commeth not of our selues but of the speciall goodnesse of God for we are of our selues dul and without al lust to pray ●ea so great is our imperfection that wee know not howe to pray as wee ought and therefore the spirite helpeth our infirmities inst●ucteth vs what is right and guideth our affections Hee maketh intercession for the Saintes saith 〈◊〉 Paule according to the vvill of God and that vvith Vighes and gr●anings vvhich cannot be expressed that is hee stirreth vp our he arts giueth vs a desire and boldnesse to pray causeth vs to mourn when we are by any meanes hindred from it and feele not our selues moued therunto with such feruent zeale and affection as we should be Now although wee knowe that it is the only work of the holie Ghost thus to mo●e and incline our heartes to prayer notwithstanding we may not be negligent slouthfull to dispose and stirre vp our selues therevnto but rather contrariwise so often as we feele our selues colde and not disposed to praier as we ought to be wee must make our supplication vnto the Lorde that it woulde please him to inflame vs with his holie spirit wherby we may be framed to pray with such feruencie of mind as we ought to doe When we are cast downe by the sence feeling of our owne infirmity sinne aud miserie Yet must we pray notwithstanding in sure and stedfast hope to obtaine our requests These be things in deed contrarie in shewe to ioyne with the feeling of the iust vengeance of God sure affiance of fauour which things doe yet verie wel agree in that it is the goodnesse of God onlie that raiseth vs vp being oppressed with our owne euils from the which of our selues we cannot rise For as repentance and faith are knit as companions together albeit the one driueth vs downe with feare and the other lifteh vs vp again with comfort so in praying they must needs go together And this agreement Dauid expresseth in few wordes I vvill saith he in the multitude of thy mercies enter into thy house and in the temple of thy holinesse I vvill vv●rship thee vvith feare Therefore when wee are once touched with true repentance and feling of our own miserie we must withall haue such a perswasion of Gods fauor and mercie towards vs in all our praiers that they shall be accepted of God so far foorth as it shall be necessary for ●s This is the assurance saith S. Iohn that vve haue in God that if vve aske anie thing according to his vvill he heareth vs. If we haue not a sure ●rust and confidence in the mercie and promises of God it is vnpossible to make our praier to him aright and whosoeuer doubteth whether God heareth his prayer that man obteineth nothing to such praiers God hath made no promise But contrariwise he saith vvhatsoeuer ye shall a●ke in praier if ye beleeue ye shall receiue it And againe VVhatsoeuer yee desire beleeue that yee shall obtaine it and it shal be done vnto you Ask saith Saint Iames in faith and vvauer not for hee that vvauereth is like to the vvaues of the sea vvhich are tossed of the vvind and caried avvaie And why should wee wauer or doubt seeing the holie scriptures testifie of God that he is faithful iust and true in all his wordes and promises saying The Lord is faithfull in all his vvordes hee vvill euer bee mindfull of his couenant the trueth of the Lorde endureth for euer And although our faith be not so strong and therfore our prayer so hearty and zealous as it ought to be yea though our faith be faint and cold yet let vs hold fast this principle that our praiers are not frustrate or in vaine For our comfort herein we haue an example in the father which brought his sonne first to the Apostles and
therefore should not onlie be thankfull for the same but also stirred vp therby to seeke loue and worship him Secondlie that we shuld be wel perswaded of his good prouidence toward vs when wee vnderstand that he doth not onely promise that he will neuer faile vs but also hath his hand alwaies streched out to help them that call vpon him Thirdlie that our faith of reconciliation and forgiuenesse of sins should bee exercised through the asking of those corporal things And herein we must speciallie and aboue al things seek the glorie of God therfore we must praie for these corporall thinges in such sort that we may offer therwith our obedience vnto God Here of we haue examples of Christ when he said Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me neuerthelesse not as I vvil but as thou vvilt with this obedience to the will of God spake Dauid when he desired to be brought again into his kingdom saying If I shal find fauor in the sight of the lord hee vvill bring me againe but if hee shall saie vnto me thou doest not please me I am ready let him doe as it seemeth good And Iob saith Though he kil me yet vvill I put my trust in him Therefore for as much as we doe knowe that it is the lot of Gods children to bee alwa●e vnder the crosse and therfore concerning those corporall benefites we know not how or what to aske as wee ought wee must herein offer our obedience vnto God abiding his good will pleasure so long as it shall see me good vnto him to exercise vs in the want thereof who suffereth vs sometime to be afflicted for our chastisment and for the probation of our countenance and also that we may receiue with greater gladnesse if to his diuine wisdome it seeme expedient for vs that which with ardent desire we long looked for S. Paule saith VVhen vve are iudged vve are chastened of the Lorde because vve should not bee condemned vvith the vvorld But when we pray for spiritual things we must aske them absolutely and without condition for hereunto doe pertaine the chiefe promises of the gospell of the which God would haue vs most assured Verilie verilie I saie vnto you saith Christ hee that beleeueth in me hath euerlasting life As sure as I liue saith the Lord I vvill not the death of a sinner but that he returne and liue To the promise of God wee must ioyne examples wherby we learne that God hath hard holpen those that call vpon him For all deliuerances whether they bee of other wherof the scripture are ful or of our selues whereof wee haue experience are examples of Gods promises Hereby did Dauid comfort himfelfe in the anguish and heauinesse of his heart saying I vvill remember the vvorks of the Lord and call to mind thy vvoonders of olde time Thou hast mightilie deliuered thy people euen the sonnes of Jacob and Ioseph Againe I vvill be glad and reioice in thy mercie for thou hast seene my trouble thou hast knovvn my soule in aduersitie And thus being warned both by promises and examples let vs learne to cast our care vpon the Lord to call vpon him and to looke for help at his hande So shal our faith by little little be more firme and certaine and our heart shal rest in hope and exspectation of Gods help But for asmuch as of our selues we are vnwoorthie to appeare in Gods sight whose terrible Maiestie comming once into our minde it is impossible but that we should flie from him as a fearfull Iudge therefore he hath giuen vnto vs a Mediatour euen our Lord Iesus that he being a meane between God and vs might chaunge the throne of dreadfull glorie into the throne of grace that we by his merites hauing accesse vnto God might haue assured trust to find grace in his sight If anie man sinne saith S. Iohn vve haue an Aduocate vvith the father Jesus Christ the iust and he is the Reconciliation for our sinnes To him saith Saint Peter beare al the Prophets vvitnesse that through his name at that beleeue in him shall receiue forginenesse of their sinnes By vvhome saith Saint Paule vve haue boldnesse and enteraunce in all confidence through faith in him And againe VVee haue not an high priest vvhich cannot haue compassion on our infirmities but vvas in all points tempted like as vve are sinne excepted let us goe ' boldlie therefore unto the throne of his grace that vve may receiue mercie and find grace to helpe in time of neede And as wee are commanded to call vpon God and haue a promise also to be heard euen so we are commanded to make our praiers vnto him in the name faith confidence of this our mediator and wee haue no promise to be heard without him in whom are all the promises of God yea and Amen confirmed and fulfilled And no man commeth to the father but by the sonne For he is our mouth whereby we speake to the father hee is our eie whereby wee see the father and he is our right hande whereby we offer ourselues to the father VVhatsoeuer therefore we aske in his name wee haue a promise to obtaine it Verili● verili● saith Christ I saie vntoyou vvhatsoeuer ye● shall aske the father in my name hee shall giue it you in my name that is for my sake your highe Bishop praying for you Hetherto yee haue not asked anie thing in my name aske and yee shal receiue In that day ye shall aske in my name and vvhat soeuerye aske I vvil doe that the father maie be glorified in the sonne Of praier there be two parts petition and thankesguing By petition we poure foorth out desires before God requiring first those thinges that may set forth his glorie and then such benefites as are profitable and necessarie for vs. By giuing of thankes wee praise and magnifie his benefites bestowed vppon vs acknowledging that whatsoeuer good things we enioy we haue receiued thē of his free goodnes and liberalitie Therfore Dauid ioyned those two partes together in one verse when he saith Call vpon me in the day of necessitie I vvill deliuer theeand thou shalt glorifie me The scripture commaundeth vs to vse both and that continuallie For our necessitie is so great our life is so full of troubles and calamities and so many daungers hang ouer our heades euerie moment that wee haue all cause ynough yea euen the most holie with sighes and groanings continually to flie vnto God and call vpon him in most humble wise But this we may better perceiue in things pertaining to the soule For when shal so many great sins whereof we know our selues guiltie suffer vs to be without care not to craue pardon of God for the same when will Sathan giue vs rest and quietnesse when will he cease to range about seeking whom he may destroy when shall
confidence in our selues feruent lusting after carnall thinges of this worlde and this tree of our corrupt nature bringeth forth continually in vs none other fruites but rotten and vnsauorie workes of the flesh in thoughts words and doings vnto condemnation Wherefore we humbly beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse euen for thy sonne Iesus christes sake whome thou hast set foorth for a purchaser of mercie to vs through faith in his bloud make our heartes cleane take away our stony hearte and giue vnto vs a true and liuely faith working in vs vnfained repentance and amendement of our sinfull life Haue mercie vpon vs and forgiue vs our sinnes for thy sonnes sake certifie our consciences of the remission of the same by thy holy spirite by whose operation so mortifie in vs our olde man the whole body of sin that we continually dying vnto sinne maie walke in a newnesse of life to the glory of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen Another confession of sinnes O Eternall God most merciful father wee confesse and acknowledge here before thy deuine maiestie that we are miserable sinners conceiued and borne in sinne and iniquitie so that in vs there is no goodnesse for the flesh euermore rebelleth against the spirite whereby we continually transgresse thy holy precepts and commaundements and to purchase to ourselues through thy iust iudgment death and damnation Notwithstanding O heauenly father for asmuch as we are displeased with our selues for the sinnes we haue committed against thee doe vnfainedly repent vs of the same we most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake to shewe thy mercie vpon vs to forgiue vs all our sinnes to increase thy holy spirit in vs that wee acknowledging from the bottome of our hearts our own unrighteousnesse may from hence foorth not onely mortifie our sinfull lustes and affections but also bring foorth such fruits as may be agreeable to thy most blessed wil through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour whome thou hast alreadie giuen an oblation and an offering for our sinnes and for whose sake we are certainly perswaded that thou wilt denie vs nothing that we shall aske in his name accor●ding to thy will For thy spirit doth assure our consciences that thou art our mercifull Father and so louest vs thy children though him that nothing is able to remoue thy heauenly grace and fauour from vs. To thee therefore with the sonne the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end So be it A prayer to be said in the Morning O Eternall GOD and heauenly Father seeing that by thy great mercie we haue quietly passed this night graunt we beseech thee that we may bestowe this day wholy in thy seruice so that all our thoughts wordes and deedes may redounde to the glorie of thy name and good example of our brethren And as it hath pleased thee to make the Sun to shine vpon the earth to giue vs bodily light euen so vouchsafe to illuminate our vnderstanding with the brightnesse of thy spirit to direct vs in the way ofrighteousnes so that what thing so euer wee shall applie our selues vnto our speciall care and purpose may be to walke in thy feare and to serue and honor thee looking for all our wealth and prosperitie to come from thy onely blessing that we may take nothing in hand which shal not be agreeable to thy most blessed will Furthermore that we may in such sort trauail for our bodies and for this present life that wee may haue alwaies a further regard that is to the heauenly life which thou hast promised to thy children and in the in meane seasone that it way please thee to preserue and defende vs both i● body and soule to strengthen vs against all the temptations of the diuell and to deliuer vs from all perils and daungers that may happen vnto vs if we be not defended by thy godly power And for as much as to begin wel and not to continue is nothing wee beseech thee to receiue vs not onelie this day into thy holy protection but also for the time of our whole life continuing and increasing in vs daily thy good grace gifts thereof vntill thou shalt bring vs to that happy state where wee shall fully for euer bee ioyned vnto thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour which is y ● true light of our soules shining day and night perpetually And to the ende that we may obtaine such grace at thy hand vouchsafe most mercifull Father to forgiue and forget all our sinnes which wee haue heeretofore committed against thee for thine infinite mercies sake to pardon the same as thou hast promised to those that aske of thee with vnfained heart for whom as for our selues we make our humble petitions vnto thee in the name of thy sonne our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ in such sorte as he hath taught vs saying Our Father c. Another praier to be saide in the Morning O Almightie and most gratious God we heartely thank thee for the sweete sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen vs this night past and forasmuch as thou hast commanded by thy holy worde that no man should bee idle but all occupied in godly and vertuous exercises euery man according to his calling wee most humblie beseeche thee that thine eies may attende vpon vs daily defend vs cherish comfort gouerne vs and al our counsels studies and labors in such wise that wee may spend and bestow this daie according to thy most holy will seting thee alwaies before our eyes liuing in thy feare working that may be found acceptable before thy diuine maiestie through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it Another prayer for the Morning VVE humbly and heartily giue thanks vnto thee O heauenly Father through thy deerely beloued son Iesus Christ that to thy innumerable benefits hither to powred vpon our soules and vppon our bodies thou hast kept vs this night past from manie euils both spirituall and corporall and 〈◊〉 of thy mercie doest offer giue vs time to repent and amende our liues so that we might liue henceforth not as we will but as thou wilt and as our bodies do draw continually neerer neerer their ende the graue I meane so our soules might approch to their end that is heauen not hel for in one state we stand not still but either we are neerer y ● neerer happie state of life or else the vnhappie condition of death eternall Wherefore wee beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs good Father and as of thy goodnesse thou giuest vs time to repent and liue godlie so of y e same thy goodnesse in Christe wee humbly beseech thee to giue vs thy gracious gift of true holy perfect perpetuall repentance that we may more and more lamente our former sinnefull life trusting vnfainedly in thy rich mercie through the merites of Iesus Christ for the pardon of all ●ur sinnes
vertue may lighten and cheere vs that the want of feeling of our sorrow maye to recompensed plentifully with the liue y ● sen●e of hauing thee to our eternal ioy therefore thou swarest that in thine euerlasting mercy thou wilt haue compassion on vs. Of which thing to the ende we might bee most assured thine oth is to bee marked for th●n say●st● As I haue sworne that I will neuer bring anie more the waters to drowne the world So haue I sworne that I wil neuer more bee angrie with thee nor 〈◊〉 thee The mou●t● 〈◊〉 shall 〈◊〉 the hilles shall fall down● but my louing kindnesse shall not mooue and the bond of my peace shall not faile thee Thus saiest thou the Lord our mercifull redeemer Deare Father therfore I praie thee remember euen for thine owne trueth and mercie sake this promise and euerlasting couenaunt which in thy good time I may thee to write in my hart that I may know thee to bee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent that I may loue thee with all my heart for euer that I may loue thy people for thy sake that I may bee holie in thy sight through Christ that I may alwaies not onely striue against sin but also ouercome the same dayly more and more as thy children do aboue al things des●ring the sanctification of thy name the comming of thy kingdome the doing of thy will heere on earth as it is in heauen c. throguh Iesus Christ our redeemer mediator and aduocate Amen I. B. A praier against our spirituall enemies the diuell the world and the flesh O Lorde God the diuell goeth about like a roring Lyon seeking whome hee may deuoure the flesh lusteth against the spirite the worlde perswadeth vnto vanities y ● we may forget thee our Lord God so for euer ve damned Thus are we miserably on euery 〈◊〉 befet and ●e●●eged of cruell a vnrestful enemies and like euerie momente to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyrannie Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despayring of our owne strength which indeede is none most heartily praie thee to indue vs with strength from aboue that wee may bee able through thy helpe with strong faith to resist Sathan with feruent praier to mortifie the lustes of the fleshe with continual meditation of thy holie lawe to auoide the foolish vanities and transitorie pleasures of this wicked worlde y ● through thy grace wee beeing set at libertie from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee heere in true holinesse and righteousnes and after be partakers of the euerlasting ioyes prepared for thy children which as they are great and vnspeakeable so are there fewe that doe inioy them For straite is the way and narrowe is the gate that leadeth therunto and few there be that find it Notwithstanding O God thou hast a litle flock to whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome whose names are written in the booke of life Make vs therefore of that nūber for Iesus christes sake place vs amongest those thy sheepe which shal stand on thy right hande to receiue that blessed inheritaunce and dwel with thee for euermore A prayer for present helpe in tentation DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all thinges then for mee to thinke anie one goodthing Loe doe thou but speake a worde and thy deadlie sicke seruaunte my sonle shall be made whole Helpe O Lorde for the great mercy sake for thy trueth sake and for thy deare sonne Iesus Christs sake set thy sterngth suffice against my weakenesse and the holy-spirit against my sinfull flesh and olde man Thou art faithfull O Father who hast promised that I shall not bee tempted further than thou wilt make me able to beare Giue nowe therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruaunt that I may with a strong faith in thy in fallible trueth promised mercie vanquish and subdu whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will Preserue and keepe holie my soule and bodie and let them not bee defiled and made a dangeon of diuels wicked spirits through delectation in sinne Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with y e precious bloud of thy deare son and of thy great mercy that are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit Shall nowe alas the Diuell the worlde or the flesh plucke from thee that thing which presently cryeth to thee with assured tr●st in thy promised helpe Nay father but graunt that I may by thy mightie power turne al their crafts decrits and raging assaultes vnto the increase of my faith and that by experience of thy fatherlie assistance in this my present temptation I may with assured hope and trust in thy readie helpe and comfort ouercame my saide enimies heereafter in like assaults prayse thy holy name for the victory through Iesus Christ our Lord. My sonne if thou wilt come into these rule of the Lorde stande fast in righteousnes feare and prepare thy soule to tentation Eccles 2. Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations First remember that sinne is so hainous a thing that God by his iustice might worthilie damne thee for the same and is therefore to bee abhorred as a sweete poyson a flattering death destruction of the soule which woulde cut thee off from God thy Sauiour and make thee a bondslaue to Sathan thy deadlie enemie Auoide therefore euen at the first the occasions thereof betimes quash out the braines of the childrē of Babylon against the hard stones whiles yet they bee young and weake least when they be growne elder stronger they dash thee to peeces And for remedie against the same flee vnto God who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy troubles and promiseth to deliuer thee and wil not suffer thee to be further tempted than hee will make away out whereby thou shalt escape and doubt not but he that causeth thee to hate the sinne which thy nature is to loue will deliuer thee also from the daunger thereof and make thee to triumphouer Sathan to his confusion to Gods glorie and thy great comfort which are causes that our tender louing father sendeth tentations vnto vs he that is not tempted what is he Nowe after thou hast obtained the victory remember two thinges first to giue most heartie thankes to God for his grace and assistance whereby thou hast ouercome and bee not vnthankefull in anie wise and then that hee who continually goeth about like a roring Lion seeking whome he maie deuoure wil not be long or farre away from thee but will attempt againe the same or as euill waies to ouercome thee Watch therefore and praye A prayer for the auoiding of Gods heauie wrath and vengeance for our sins OH Lord God strong and mighty great and feareful which dwellest in the heauens and workest great wonders we thy miserable children heere vpon
●●omised saying This is my couenant ●●at I haue made with them my spirite ●hich is in thee and my worde which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy feede for euer Preserue those kingdomes common weales which giue harborough to thy people and maintaine the ministerie of thy holy worde and Gospell that the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world O Iesu Christ Sonne of the euerliuing God crucified for vs and raised also from the dead and now● raigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maist giue giftes vnto 〈◊〉 which hast saide Come vnto mee all yee that labour are heauie loaden and I will refresh you Hau● mercie vpon vs praie for vs vnto thy eternall father sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirit help● and succour vs in all our necessitie● as thou hast promised saying I will● not leaue you comfortlesse O holy and blessed spirite together with the father and the son one true and euerlasting God full of maiestie and power which with thy heauenly inspiration quickenest the mindes of those that afore were dead in sinne makest ioyfull the heartes of the faithfull penitent bringest into the way of truth all such as haue erred and gone astray comfortest the soules of such as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and plenteously inrichest those with diuers giftes which aske them in Iesus Christes name purifie our heartes wee beseech thee and inflame them with the fire of thy loue replenish them with thy heauenly benefites and spirituall blessinges that they may bee made meete temples for thee leade ●s into all truth which art the onely fountaine of truth and mortifie in vs whatsoeuer proceedeth not of thee Or else pray thus O Holie spirite powred vnto the Apostles which hast promised vnto vs by the Sonne of God our Redeemer to kindle in vs a true knowledge and inuocation of God as it is written I will poure vpon you the spirit of grace and of compassion make to arise in our hearts a true feare of God and faith and knowledge of thy mercie which the eternall father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised vnto vs for his sonnes sake Be our comforter in all our counsels and daungers Illuminate our vnderstanding and fill our herrtes with newe affections and spirituall motions and renewe vs both in soule and bodie that wee may die to sinne and liue to righteousnes and so in true obedience may praise the father of our Lord Iesus Christ and his sonne our redeemer and thee also our comforter euerlastingly A thanksgiuing to God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost VVE render thanks vnto the O Almightie and eternall God with thy deare sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ and with thy holy spirite for that of thine exceeding great goodnes thou hast made thy selfe knowen vnto vs by most assured and euident testimonies and for that thou hast gathered and chosen vnto thy selfe a perpetuall Church and wouldest that thy Sonne our Lorde Iesus Christe shoulde suffer death to restore vs from death to life for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Ghospel the Holye Ghost for that thou forgiuest vs our sinnes deliuerest vs from the power of the deuell and from eternall death and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life finally for that thou hast visited vs with manye great benefites giuing vs life foode doctrin peace in such places as we haue liued in hast diminished the pains which we haue iustly deserued Wee giue thankes vnto thee O Lorde Iesus Christ sonne of the liuing God crucified for vs and risen againe because thou hast coupled vnto thee our humaine nature and of thy inestimable loue didest giue thy selfe to death for vs turning vppon thee the greate wrath of GOD the Father conceiued against vs to reconcile vs vnto him and to purchase vs eternall redemption because thou hast brought vs to this grace wherein we stande and reioyce in hope of the glorie of GOD because thou dost preserue cherishe and defend thy church against the Diuell and all thine enemies because thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell and maintainest the ministerie of thy worde because thou doest forgiue vs our sinnes and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life because thou art our mediatour and makest continuall intercession for vs and finally because thou dost succour and preserue vs in all our necessities dangers and afflictions Wee giue thankes also vnto thee Oh holy spirite the giuer of life which wast powred vppon the Apostles because thou kindlest thy light in our heartes because thou rulest instructest admonishest and helpest vs because thou gouernest and guidest the labours and workes of our vocation and sanctifiest vs to eternall life A prayer to God for his helpe and Protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth MOst righteous Iudge God of all mercie and comfort which by thy secret iudgment and wisedome doest suffer the wicked to triumph and increase for a time for trial of the faith of thy welbeloued little flocke and the mortifiing of their lusts but at length to the vtter confusion of thy enemies and ioyfull deliuerance of thy people looke downe wee beseech thee on thy dispersed sheepe oute of thy holy habitation in heauen and strengthen our weakenesse againste their furious rages abate their pride ass wage their malice confound their deuises wherewith they lift vp them selues against Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lorde and Sauiour to deface his glorie and to set vp Antichrist Wee be not able of our selus to thinke a good thought much lesse to stande against their assaultes except thine vndeserued grace and mightie arme defende and deliuer vs. Performe thy promises made to Iacob stoppe the mouthes of the cursed Edomites Cal them to repentance whom thou hast appointed to saluation bring home them that runne astray lighten the blinde and teach the ignorant forgiue all those that wilfully and obstinately rebell not against thy holie will Let thy fearefull threatninges pearce our st●nie heartes and make vs tremble at thy iudgements Make the examples of them whom thou hast ouerthr●wne in their owne deuises as Cain Cham Nymrod Esau Pharaoh Saul Achitophel Iudas such other to be a warning for vs that we set not vp our selues against thy holy will Grant free passage to thy holy worde that it may worke effectually in vs the worke of life and blessed hope of our saluation to the eternall praise of thy maiestie through our mediatour Christ Iesus to whome with thee and the holy ghost three persons and one God bee praise and thankesgiuing in all congregatio●s world without end So be it A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist O Mercifull Father who neuer doest forsake such as put their trust in thee stretch forth thy mightie arme to the defence of our brethren by the rage of enimies persecuted and
dies of mercy and look vpon this thy sicke seruant● who most earnestly destreth pardō forgiuenesse Renue in him most louing Father whatso euer hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the Diuell or by his owne carnal will and frailtie Preserue continue this sicke member in the vnitie of the Church Consider his contrition accept his teares asswage his paine a shall bee seene to thee most expedient for him And for as much as he putte●h his full trust onely in thy mercie impute not vnto him his former sinnes but take him vntoty fauour through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ A praier to be said at the houre of death O Lorde Iesus Christ which arl the onely health of all men liuing and the euerlasting life of them that die in thee I wretched sinner doe submit my selfe wholy vnto thy most blessed will and being sure that the thing cannot perish which is committed vnto thy mercie willinglie now I leaue this fraile and sinneful flesh in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to meE againe at the lost day in the resurrection of the iust I beseech thee most mercifull Lord iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soule against all tentations and defende mee with the buckler of thy mercie against all the assaultes of the diuell I see and acknowledge that there is in my selfe no hope of saluation but all my confidence hope and trust is in thy rich mercie and goodnesse I haue no merites or good workes which I may alledge before thee of sinnes and euill workes alas I see a great heape but yet through thy mercie I trust to be in the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt accept and take mee for righteous and iust and to bee an inheritour of Euerlasting life Thou mercifull Lorde wast borne for my sake thou diddest suffer both hunger and thirst for my sake thou diddest teach pray and fast for my sake all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake thou sufferedst most greeuous painEs and torments for my sake Finally thou gauest thy most precious bodie and bloud to be shed on the crosse for my sake Now most merciful Sauiour let all those thinges profite mee that thou freely hast done for mee which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee Let thy blond clense and wash away the spottes and fowlnesse of my sinnes Let thy righteousnes hide and couer my righteousnesse Let the merites of thy passion and bloodshedding be the satisfaction for my sinnes Giue mee Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy blood wauer not in me but may euer be firme and constant that the hope of thy mercy and life euerlasting neuer decay in mee that loue waxe not colde in mee Finally that the weakenesse of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feate of death Graunt mee mercifull Sauiour that when death hath thut vp the eies of my body yet the eies of my soule may stil behold and looke vpon thee when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my hearte may crie say Lorde into thy handes I commend my soule Lord Iesu receiue my spirite A praier for a woman with childe THou art wonderfull O Lorde in all thy workes and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is ther any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue doon And albeit this thy almightie power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy workes yet in conceiuing forming and bringing forth of man it shineth most euidently At the beginning O Father when thou madest man and woman thou commaundest them to increase multiplie and replenish the earth If through the subtile inticementes of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commaundement by eating the forbidden fruite the woman whome thou haddest appointed to be the instrument vessell to conceiue nourish and bring foorth man through thy woonderful workmanship had with out any labour paine or trauaile brought forth her fruite But that which thy goodnes made easie sin and disobedience hath made harde painfull daungerous and without thy speciall helpe and succour imposible to bee brought to passe so that nowe all women bring forth their childrē in great sorrows paines and troubles Notwithstanding that which through their own imperfection and feeblenes they are not able of themselues to passe thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a ioyfull ende Wee therefore being fully perswaded of thy fauour and goodnesse of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of thy holy word how great and intollerable the paines of women are that trauell of child if through thy tender mercy they be not mittigated and eased most humbly praye thee for Iesus Christes sake thy son our Lorde to helpe and assist this thy seruant nowe in trauell and labour that by thy almightie power shee may safely bring foorth that which by thy goodnesse shee hath conceaued and that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable vnto her which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O Lorde the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women for the sinne and diso bedience of our Graundmother Eue is whome al we haue sinned Be present with her in her trouble according to thy mercifull promise Giue her strength and make perfect that which thou hast so gratiousLie begun Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth than in the wonderfull forming fashioning of that shee beareth Make her a glad and ioyfull mother that shee through thy goodnes being safely deliuered and restored to health again may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer A Psalme to be saide in the time of any common plague sicknesse or other crosse and visitation of God O Come let vs humble our selues and fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and sheepe of his handes O come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lorde for he hath smitten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shall be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lorde will turne from vs his heauy wrath and will pardon vs and wee shal not perish For we acknowledge our faultes and our sinnes are euer before vs. Wee haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lorde thy wrath is waxed hote thy heauy displeasure is fore kindled against vs. Thou hast in thine indignation stricken vs with greeuous sicknesse and by and by wee haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde In deede wee acknowledge that our punishmentes are lesse than our deseruings but yet of thy mercy lord correct vs to amendment and plague vs not to our
Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy good spirit leade me vnto the land of righteousnesse A prayer for deliuerance from sinne to be restored to Gods grace fauour againe OH Almightie and euerlasting Lorde GOG which hast male heauen and earth and all thinges therein contained O incomprehensible vnitie Oh alwaies to bee worshipped most blessed trinitie I humblie beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanitie of our Lorde Iesus Christ that thou wouldest incline and howe downe the great depth of thy Deitie to the bottomlesse pit of my vilitie Driue me from al kind of vice wickednes sin Create in mee a cleane heart and renue in me a right spirit for thy holy names sake Oh Lorde Iesu I beseeche thy goodnesse for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome into the wombe of the holie virgin and for the assumption of mans nature wherin it pleaseth thee to saue mee and to deliuer mee from eternall death that thou wouldest drawe mece out of my selfe into thee my Lord God and graunt that this my loue may recouer againe to me thy grace to increase make perfect in me y t which is wanting to raise vp in me y t which is faln to restore to me that which I haue lost and to quicken in mee that which is dead shoulde liue so that I may become comformable vnto thee in al my life conuersatiō thou dwelling in me I in thee my heart being coupled with thy grace setled in thy faith for euer Oh my God loose and set at libertie my spirit from al inferior things Gouerne my soule and so work that both in soule and body I may be holie liue to thy glorie world without end Amen I. B. A prayer necessarie to be said at all times O Bountifull lorde Iesu O sweet Sauiour O Christ the sonne of God haue pittie vppon mee mercifully heare mee and despise not my prayers Thou hast created mee of nothing thou hast redEemed mee from the bondage of sinne death hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for al for a ransome Therefore cast me not away whome thou by thy greate wisedome haste made Despise mee not whome thou hast redeemed with such a precious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroye that which thy goodnesse hath bu●lded Now whiles I liue O Iesu ha●e mercie on mee for if I die out of thy fauour it wil be too late afterwarde to call for thy mercy Whiles I haue time to repent looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eies as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewayle my sinful life obtayne thy fauour to liue and by therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with me according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death Therefore I appeale to thy highe throne of mercy trusting to obtayne thy fauour not for my merites but for thy desertes O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy father to appease his wrath to bring all finners truly repenting amending their euil life vnto his fauour againe Accept mee O Lorde among the number of them whom thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation Forgiue me my sinnes giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome inspire my hearte with faith hope and charitie giue mee grace to be humble in prosperity patient in aduersity obedient to my rulers in al my doinges faithfull dealing truly with al men to liue chastly in wed locke to abhore adultery fornication and al vncleannesse to do good after my power vnto al men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this presentlife that I afterward may attain euerlasting life through thy mercie and the merites of thy death and passion Amen A prayer for grace and remission of sinnes O Lorde God mercifull Father I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued sonne Christ Iesus my Sauior beseeching thee for his sake to be merciful vnto me to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight euen through the merites of his bloudie death Powre vpon mee O lorde thy holy spirite of grace and wisedome to gouerne lead my body and soule in thy holy work commandements Shew thy mercy vpon mee so lighten the natural blindnes and darkenes of my heart through thy grace that I may daily be renewed by thy holie spirite Open my heard heart grosse eares to heare and reade thy worde and heauenly voyce and to beleeue and followe it in my conuersation and euer to hold fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill all vice in mee that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifully heare the humble supplications of thy seruaunt and graunte mee thy peace al my daies Graciously pardon my infirmities and defend mee in al daungers hath outwardlie in my bodie goods and name and inwardlye in my soule against al euil temptations and subtile baites of sathan that roaring Lyon seeking whome hee maye deuoure Graunt O Lorde that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling may trulie and godlilie serue thee Graft in my hearte the loue of thy name increase in mee true religion replenish mee with all goodnesse and of thy greate mercie keepe me in the same vnto the ende Giue vnto mee the spirite of praier true humilitie perfect patience and continuall ioy in the holy Ghost I commend vnto thy pratection O Father my house all that thou hast giuen me my whole family my wife children and mee that I may wel and holily gouerne nourish and bring them vp in thy feare seruice And forasmuch as in this worlde I must alwayes be at war not with one sort of enimies but with an infinite number not only with flesh bloud but with the diuel which is the prince of darknes grant mee thy grace that being armed with thy defence I may stand in this battaile with an inuincible constancy against all corruption which I am incompassed with on all sides vntil such time as I hauing ended the combat which during this life I must sustaine in y e end I may attaine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for mee through Christ our Lorde and Sauiour Amen A praier taken out of the first Psalme ALmightie and moste gracious GOD take away from vs all euil counsel and then our sins sufer vs not to runne into an vngodlye and wicked life and finally keepe out mindes farre from the contempt of godlinesse and scorning of vertue 〈◊〉 in the steade of these euils grant 〈◊〉 we may continually bee occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not carried about like the wicked as like dust and fruitlesse chaffe with
els but to sinne So that the best parte in man before regeneration in Gods fight is not onely an enemie but enimitie it selfe One man therefore which i● regenerate may well bee called alwayes iust and alwayes sinfull iust in respect of Gods seede and his regeneration sinfull in respect of Sathans seede and his first birth Betwixt these two men therefore there is continuall conflict and war most deadlie The flesh and the olde man by reason of his birth that is perfect doe often for a time preuaile against the new man being but a childe in comparison and that in such sort as not onely other but euen the children of God themselues thinke that they be nothing els but old and that the spirit and seed of God is lost and gone away where yet notwitstanding the truth is otherwise the spirite and the seed of God at the length appearing againe and dispelling awaye the cloudes which couer the Sunne of Gods seede from shining as the cloudes in the aire doe the corporall Sunne so that sometimes a man cannot tel by any sense that the● is any sunne the cloudes and windes so hidet● it from our fight Euen so our cecitie or blindnesse and corrupt affections doe often shadow the sight of Gods seede in Gods children as though they were plaine reprobates Whereof it commeth that they praying according to their sense but not according to the trueth desire of God to giue them againe his spirite as though they had lost it and hee had taken it away VVhich thing God neuer doth indeed although hee make vs to think so for a time for alwaies he holdeth his hand vnder his children in their falles that they lie not still as other do which are not regenerate And this is the difference betwixt Gods children which are regenerate aud elect before all times in Christ and the wicked cast awayes that the elect lie not still continuallie in their sin as doe the wicked but at the length doe returne again by reason of Gods seede which is in them hid as a sparke of fire in the ashes as we may see in Peter Dauid Paule Marie Magdalen and others For these I meant Gods children God hath made all things in Christ Iesu to whome hee hath giuen this dignity that they should be his inheritance and spouses This our inheritour Christ Iesus God with God light of light coeternall consubstantiall with the father and with the holie Ghost to the end that he might become our husband because the Husband and the Wife must be one body and flesh hath taken our nature vpon him communicating with it and by it in his owne person to vs all his children his diuine maiestie as Peter saith and so is become flesh of our flesh bone of our bones substantiallie as wee are become flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones spiritually al that euer we haue perteining to him yea euen our sinnes as all that euer he hath perteining vnto vs euen his whole glorie So that if Sathan should summon vs to answere in our debts and sinnes in that the wife is no suable person but the husband wee may well bid him enter his action against our husband Christ and he will make him a sufficient answer For this ende I meane that wee might be coupled and maried thus to Christ and so be certaine of saluation and at peace with God in our consciences God hath giuen his holy word which hath two parts as now the children of God doe consist of two men the one part of Gods word being proper to the old man the other part of Gods word beeing proper to the newe man The parte properlie pertaining to the old man is the lawe the part properly perteining to the new man is the Gospell The law is a doctrine which commaundeth and forbiddeth requiring doing and auoyding Vnder it therfore are conteined al precepts threatnings promises vpon conditions of our doing and auoyding c. The Gospell is a doctrine which alwayes offereth and giueth requireng on our behalf not as of worthinesse or as a cause but as a certificate vnto vs and therefore vnder it are contained all the free and sweet promises of God as I am the Lord thy God c. In those that be of yeares of discretion it requireth faith not as a cause but as an instrument whereby we ourselues may be certaine of our good husband Christ and of his glorie and therefore when the conscience feeleth it selfe disquieted for feare of Gods iudgement against sin she may in no wise looke vpon the doctrine pertaining to the olde man but to the doctrine onely that pertaineth to the newe man in it not looking for that which it requireth that is faith because wee neuer beleeue as wee should but onely on it which it offereth which it giueth that is on Gods grace and eternall mercie and peace in Christ Iesu So shall she be in quiet when she looketh for it altogether out of her selfe in gods mercy in christ Iesu in whose lap if she lay her head with S. Iohn then is shee happie and shall finde quietnesse in deede When she feeleth her selfe quiet then in Gods name let her looke on the lawe and vpon such things as it requireth thereby to bridle and keepe downe the olde Adam to stay the Goliah frō whom she must needs keepe the sweet promises being the bed wherein her spouse she 〈…〉 lie together For as the wife 〈◊〉 keepe her bed onelie for her husband although in other things she is contented to haue fellowship with others as to speak sit eate drinke go c. so our consciences which are christs wiues must needs keep the bed that is goes sweet promises all only for our selues and our husband there to meete together to imbrace and laugh together and to be ioyful together If sinne the lawe the deuill or any thing els woulde creepe into the bed and lye there then complaine to thy husbande Christ and foorthwith thou shalt see him play Phinees part Thus my dearly beloued I haue giuen you in few wordes a summe of all the Deuinity which a Christian conscience cannot want FINIS The Table AN introduction to praier 17 A meditatiō cōcerning praier 49 A meditation vpon the Lords praier 68 Priuate praier for the morning euening and other th●e● of the day 132 VVhen you avvake out of your sleepe cod VVhen you behold the daie light 134 VVhen you arise 135 VVhen you apparell your selfe 136 VVhen you are made readie to beginne the day vvithall 138 Cogitation meete to begin the day vvithal 139 VVhen you goe foorth of the doore 143 VVhen you are going anie iourneie 145 VVhen you are about to receiue your meat 148 In the meale time 150 After your meat 152 VVhen you come home againe 155 At the Sunne going dovvne 156 VVhen the candles b● light 158 VVhen you make your selfe vnreadie 160 VVhen you goe into
do appertaine vnto this commaundement Thou shalt not ●ake the name of the Lord thy God in vaine and so praier is a worke and chiefe seruice belonging to this commandement Wee may not therefore thinke that there are no sins but Idolatrie murther theft whoredome and such like but that it is vndoubtedlie a great sin also not to render this seruice to GOD that is not to praie not to aske not to looke for helpe from God in our necessities not to render thanks for the benefits we haue receiued Therefore if our vnworthines at any time do crie out against vs stop or feare vs in such ●orte that our consciences are astonied and flie from God if we doubt whether God hath respect to our paiers groannings and teares we must set before our eies how that we are commanded though we be neuer so vnworthy and our sinnes neuer so manie and great to pray for reconciliation Gods fauour and forgiuenes of our sinnes For els whereas God commaundeth vs to abstain from theft murther whordome c. we maie in like sort excuse our selues and say that we are vnworthie to obeie Gods commandements great is our iniquitie manifest is our contempt and despising of God when wee neglect and delaie to call for his help Such as flie vnto God therefore to call vpon him in their necessities obeie his will and find therein no small consolation knowing that therby they doe vnto him most acceptable seruice for as much as he pronounceth that nothing is to him more acceptable then obedience to his wil and commandement As wee are commanded of God boldlie and without all respect of our owne vnworthinesse to come vnto him as a mercifull father and one that knoweth our necessity pittieth our miserie so hath he promised verie gratiously to heare vs and graunt our requestes And hereof riseth yet a farre more comfortable and greater consolation wherin con●isteth our whole co●●idence and trust of obtaining succour and mercie at Gods hand VVherefore he allureth vs with manie sweete promises to call vppon him Aske saith he and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you yee shall crie vnto me and I vvill heare you ye shall seeke me and ye shall find me Call vpon me in the daie of trouble and I vvill deliuer thee The Lord is nigh to all them that call vpon him that cal vpon him in truth hee doth the vvil of them that feare him and hee vvill heare their prayers Hee shall call vpon me and I vvill heare him I vvill bee vvith him in his trouble I vvil deliuer him and glorifie him At the voice of thy crie hee vvill certainlie haue mercie on thee vvhen he heareth thee he vvill ansvvere thee He that is lorde ouer all is rich and bountifull tovvardes them that call vpon him Hee vvill fulfill the desire of them that feare him he vvil heare their crie and vvill saue them And God to declare his readinesse in hearing of sinners saith Before they cry I vvill ansvvere and vvhiles they are yet thinking vvhat to speak I vvil heare Among many sweete promises of GOD though these might be sufficient to prouoke vs to feruent and hearty prayer yet there be certaine other notable and most comfortable promises which we shuld speciallie hauein remembrance as these If yee vvhich are euill can giue good giftes to your children havv much more shall your heauenlie father giue the holie Ghost to them that desire him Consider the olde generation and marke them vvell vvas there euer anie confounded that put their trust in the Lord or vvho hath continued in his feare and vvas forsaken or vvhom did he euer despise that called vpon him And of all other that is the most notable which by the Prophet Ioel is added immediatlie after the prophesie of that horrible destruction that was at hande saying VVhosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shal be saued Heere let vs consider the order of promises which pertaine either outwardlie to the bodie or inwardly to the soule Which parte the soule I mean because it is much more precious than the other wee must firste craue such things as properlie belong to the saluation thereof But first of all confessing our sinnes vnto God with most humble and penitent hearts let vs set before vs the promises of remission of the same For this sentence is true God heareth no sinners that is such as delight and continue in sin Wherfore in all other praiers yea when we bee about to aske any other thinges whatsoeuer they be let vs first thinke of the remission of sinnes hauing alway in our sight some comfortable promises thereof as this If vve confesse and acknovvledge our sinnes hee is faithfull and righteous to forgiue our offences and to cleanse vs frō all iniquities And hereunto let vs craue the light of the holie Ghost to kindle and confirme in vs the true knowledge of God Let vs pray for the continuance of Gods holie word and Gospel among vs for the enlarging of his kingdome and the aduancing of his glorie Let vs beg the gift of faith repentance feare patience prayer hope loue ioy peace of conscience with such other fruites of the spirit and for euerlasting lyfe And here also we must remember that we do not onely call our selues continuallie to account for our new sinnes crauing at gods hand mercie and forgiuenes of the same but also for those sinnes which might seeme to haue been long agoe forgotten as Dauid hauing confessed an hainous offence by that occasion returneth euen to his mothers wombe wherein he had gathered the infetion heaping together the sins of the whole life Euen so in another place when hee asketh another thing hee saith Remember not the sinnes of my youth remember me according to thy mercie for thy goodnesse sake O lord Againe Looke vpon mine affliction and trauell and forgiue all my sinnes VVhen we haue thus prayed for thinges pertaining to the soule and to the kingdom of God we must praie also for corporall benefits as well common as priuate as peace and tranquillitie of those Countries which giue harbrough to the true professors of the gospel and godlie congregations being in this life as Daniell in the mids of the Lyons Pray for the peace of Ierusalem saith Dauid Also for defence from miserie deliuerance frō trouble for happy successe in the workes of our vocation for health liuing protection of life goods name c. And although the Lorde knoweth before we aske what we haue need of and is ready to giue liberally yea doth giue oftentimes vndesired and furthermore hath promised that seeking first the kingdome of god the righteousnes thereof all other things should be giuen vs yet he commaundeth vs to aske corporall benefits and that for three causes First that wee shoulde knowe that hee is the author and giuer thereof and
father euen in corporall thinges that I may see thy mercye thy presence power wisedome and righteousnesse in euery creature and corporall benefite and that in such sort that I may be throughly affected truely to reuerence feare loue and obey thee to hang vpon thee to bee thankfull to thee in all my neede to come vnto thee not onelye when I haue ordinarie meanes by the which thou commonly woorkest but also when I haue none yea when all meanes helps are cleane against me Heere remember the state of your children and family also your parents neighbors kinsfolks also your friends countrie magistrates c. as you shall haue time thereto and by Gods good spirite shall be prouoked Forgiue vs our debts as we forgiue them that are debtors vnto vs. BY Our debts wee vnderstand not onely the things wee haue done but the omission and leaueing vndone of the good thinges we ought to doe By Our we vnderstand not onely the particular sinnes of one but also generally the sinnes of all and euery one of the church By Forgiuenesse wee vnderstand free pardon remission of sinnes by the merites and desertes of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe a raunsome for vs. By Our Forgiuing of other mens offences to vs ward weé vnderstand thy good will not onely that it pleaseth thee that we shoulde liue in lou● and amitie but also that thou wouldest haue vs to be certaine of thy pa●●doning vs of our sinnes For as certain as we are that we pardon the● that offend vs so certaine should w● be that thou doest pardon vs whereof the forgiuing our trespasses is as it were a sacrament vnto vs. So that by this petition I am taught to see that thy children although by imputation they bee pure from sinne yet they acknowledge sin to be and remayne in them and therfore doe they pray for the remission and forgiuenesse of the same Againe I am taught heereby to see how thy children do consider and take to heart not onely the euils they doe but also the good they leaue vndoone and therefore they pray thee heartily for pardon Moreouer I am heere taught is for that thy children are careful for other men and for their trespasses and therfore pray that they might be pardoned in saying Our sinnes and not my sinnes Besides this I am taught heere to see how thy children not onlie forgiue all those that offende them but also pray for the pardoning of the offences of their enimies and such as offend them So farre are they from maliciousnesse pride reuengement c. Last of al I am taught to see how mercifull thou art which will haue vs to aske pardon wherof thou woldest that we should in no point doubt but be most assured that for Christs sake thou hearest vs and that not only for our selues but also for many others for thou doest not commaunde vs to aske for any thing which thou wilt not giue vs. By reason whereof I haue greate cause to lament and reioyce To lament because of my miserable estate which am so farre from these affections that are in thy children which am so ignorant and carelesse of sinne not onely in leauing good vndone but also in doing euil and that daily in thought word and deede c. I speak not of my carelesnes for other folkes sinnes as of my parents children family magistrates c. neither of the sinnes of them to whom I haue giuen occasion of sinne To reioyce I haue greate cause because of thy mercie in opening to mee these things in commaunding me to pray for pardon in promising mee pardon and commanding others to pray for mee And surely I ought to be perswaded of thy mercie though my sinnes be innumerable for I see not only in this but in euery petition how that euery one of the Church praieth for mee yea Christ thy sonne who sitteth on th right hand praieth for me c. Oh dearey father be merciful vnto me and forgiue me all my sinnes and of thy goodnesse giue mee thy holie spirite to open mine eies that I may see sinne the better to knowe it the more truelie to hate it and most earnestlie to striue against it and that effectually both in my selfe and others Againe graunte mee the same thy holy spirite to reueale vnto mee the remedy of sinne By Christ onlie and to worke in mee faith to imbrace the ●ame by Christe and thy mercies in him that I may henceforth be indued with thy holy spirite to beginne to obey thy good will more and more and to increase in the same for euer Heere call to minde the special sins you haue committed heeretofore Remember if you haue occasioned anie to sinne to praie for them by name Remember that Gods lawe shoulde bee so deare vnto vs that the breaking thereof in others shoulde be an occasion to make vs to lament with teares c. Leade vs not into temptation BEcause of our continuall great infirmities because of the greate diligence and subtilties of our enemies and because thou art wont to punish sinne with sinne which of all punishmentes is the greatest and most to bee feared in this petition thou wouldest haue thy children to haue the same in remembrance and for a remedie heereof thou hast appoynted praier so that the only cause why anie are ouercome and led into temptation to see that they forget what they desire in the petition going before this which should neuer be out of their memorie to prouoke them to bee more thankefull to thee and more vigilant and heedy heereafter for falling into the like perils For which to be auoyded thou dost most gratiously set forth a remedy in commaunding vs to pray ofter pardon for our sinnes past and for thy grace to guide vs so that wee be not lid into temptation but might be deliuered from euil And because thou wouldest haue all thy children to hang wholy vpon thee to feare thee only and ouly to loue thee noht dost not teach thē to pray Suffer vs not to be led but lead vs not into temptation that I say they might only feare thee and certainly know that Sathan hath no power ouerso much as a pigge but whatsoeuer thou giuest vnto him and of thy secrete but most iust iudgment doest appointe him to vse not as hee will for then wee were all lost but as thou wilt which canst will nothing but that which is most iust as to giue them to the guiding of sathan which will not be guided by thy grace as then diddest Saul c. Occasions to euil are in two sorts One by prosperitie and successe an other by aduersitie and the crosse c. The euils coming of successe commonly are vnthankfulnes pride securitie and forgetting of our selues forgetting of others forgetfulnesse of God of our mortalitie c. The euls comming of aduersitie commonly are impatiencie murmuring grudging dispairing contemning of God flattering of men stealing
of the gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of race and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merites confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though wee be weake in our beleefe shal our vnbeleefe make thy promise of no effect No thou wilt alway bee founde true but all men are lyars And yet Lord thou doest most graciously behold accept bee it neuer so little a sparke of faith We say therfore cry vnto thee with one y e wept said I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleefe Yea that little be it neuer so little is thy meere gift also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase the same more more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glorie of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thankesgiuing to God for his great benefites HOnour and prayse bee giuen to thee Lorde God almightie most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindenesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath pleased thy gracious goodnesse freelie and of thine owne accorde to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the worlde and euen like continuall thankes bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifying vs with thy holie spirite in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our neede and necessity for sauing vs from all daunger both of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in al our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large a time of repentance These benefites O most mercifull Father like as we do acknowledge that wee haue receiued of thy onelie goodnesse euen so wee beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christ his sake to graunt vs alwaies thy holy spirite whereby we may continually growe in thankefulnesse towardes thee be lead in all trueth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O lorde kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towardes shee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere Father to receiue thy word any more in vaine but graunt vs alwaies the assistance of thy grace and holy spirite that in heart word and deede we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may heartily wel be content with thy good wil and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O Father without the which wee cannot serue thee but blesse thou so all the workes of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to bee chargeable but rather helpefull vnto other Bee mercifull O Lorde vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our captayne defender in all temptations holde thou vs by thy mercifull hande that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer for true mortification O God my creator preseruer and euerlasting defender where first in my creation I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse the deuil alas hath since by Adams fall made mee vgly monstrous and euill fauored like to him self For what are nowe Lorde mine earthly members but as thine Apostle writeth adulterie whoredome vncleanesse vnnaturall lustes euill concupiscence couetousnes which is the worshipping of Idols such other for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeleefe Neuerthelesse Lord of thy great mercy and goodnesse against this so greate a mischiefe a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath or dayned for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy deare only natural sonne into this world the vale of miseries to loose the workes of the deuill and to take away my sinnes Therefore Sathan hath nowe nothing to brag of for through Christ al that beleeue in thee and so become thy children do ouercome the world the flesh the deuil And this is the victorie which ouercometh them al euen our faith That faith I meane which is perswaded that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ shall not perish but haue euerlasting life That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the father doest testifie of thy sonne so making thee no lyar and this is y ● testimonie that thou hast giuen vs eternall life That faith which beleeueth that thou Father who raisedst vp Christ from death shalt also quicken our mortall bodies through thy holie spirit dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true which thy Sonne Christe affirmed with a double oth saying Verily velily I say vnto you hee that beleeueth in mee the works that I doe the same shall hee doe and greater workes than these shall he doe because I goe to my Father And finally that faith which beleeueth that nowe Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse he shal drawe all thinges vnto him This faith I say is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies the deuil the world and our flesh Thou therfore deare father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy deare sonne Iesus name for thy great mercie and infall●ble truethes sake do now in mee y e thing that he came for loose in me the workes of the diuel take away my sinnes I beseech thee make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises so that I assuredlie beleeuing in thee may haue as thou hast promist euerlasting life making thee deare God no ●i●r may beleeue feele know in my heart and conscience that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto mee yea all readie of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me being now traslated from death to life Of a thankfulnesse wherof Lord cause me now dailie to mortifie my earthlie members yea deare father ●●th thy spirit which raysed vp christ from death dwelleth within me doe thou who raisedst Christ frō death quicken my mortal bodie throgh thy spirit so dwelling within me I beseech thee yea Lord Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy father make mee worke this wōderful great work that thou speakest of I meane make me being of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne and a monster most vgly as the vices whereon the members of my earthlie body are aboue declared to be compact doe proone make me I say yet through thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturrall lusts euill concupiscence vnordinate desires wantonnesse tendernesse delicatenesse idlenesse drunkennesse gluttonie slouthfulnesse distrust despaire ignorance
earth do most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs to pardon our offences and to forgiue vs all our sinnes O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruantes for if thou doe there shall no flesh bee saued in thy sight Wee confesse and acknowledge O Lorde that it is our sinnes which hath moued thee to wrath and to shewe such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towardes vs in these our daies first with fire from heauen betokening thy hote burning iud gnation and wrathful displeasure for sinne which aboundeth at this day then with such horrible and monstrous shatmpes against nature as wer neuer seen heere in our daies nor in any time before vs which doe betoken to vs none other thing but thy plagues to come vpon vs for our degenerate monstrous life and conuersation and now besides all this by great mortalitie plague and pe●ilence thou hast terribly threatned vs fatherly warned vs and merci●ully called vs to repentance The axe is set to the roote of the tree and if wee bee not as rotten members without all sense and feeling wee may perceiue our carefull destruction and desolation to bee at hande vnlesse wee speedilie repente and ●arne vnto thee because wee haue ●●ene so long taught out of thy most holy and sacred worde and yet no fruites of repentance or Christian life will appeare Woe and alas to these our daies that neither preaching by word most comfortable nor preaching by fire most terrible nor preaching by monsters most straunge and ouglie neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stirre by our stonie heartes and awake from our sinnes Wee feare O Lorde that the Turkes with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing will condemne vs in the lust day which if they had bin so lōg instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word sweet promises of thy Gospell or seene the wonders which we haue seene no doubt their righteousnes would haue shined at this day to our greate shame and confusion thou hast no lesse 〈◊〉 vs O Lorde of thy fearefull displeasure heauy plagues at hand for our great wickednes than thou diddest the Israelites of that horrible destruction which came vpon them whome thou first in mercie diddest cal to repentāce by the preaehinge of thy worde but when no warning would serue thou diddest sende them monstrous and fearefull ●●gnes and tokens to declare that thy vis●●ation was not far off But they like vnto vs at this day did alwaies interpret these things after the imagination of their own vaine hearts promising to themselues peace whē 〈◊〉 struction was ouer their heades Which things when we do cal to minde for asmuch as they are written for our learning Example and warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgements For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deare and those● children in take of thy great wrath against sinne what shall wee looke for who doe no lesse deserue thy fearfull scourge for of mercie it is that thou doest thus long forbeare vs and liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vppon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare crye inwardly in our soules Come Lorde Iesu holy and true in all thy doings shorten our dais bring this our pilgrimage to an eude suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sin vntil the day of vengeance least wee be caught vp amongest the number of the wicked reprobate which shall neuer fee thy louing countenance It maketh vs to cry to thee O Lorde Let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein we doe nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lorde in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame confusion though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercie Lord with fatherlie correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not away from vs. To thee wee flie for succour vnder the wings of thy mercie shall be our refuge vntil thou turne thy wrathfull countenaunce from vs. Wee knowe that thy mercie is aboue all thy workes and euen as greate as thy selfe Therefore will wee saie with holie Iob Though thou kill vs yet will wee put our whole trust in thee Thou camest to comfort plucke out of the dungeon of Hell such wretches as wee are Thou art the good Samarican that camest to heale our deadlie woundes thou art that good Phisition that camest to cure our mortall infirmities thou art the good Shepheard that camest to seeke vs wandring lost sheepe to bring vs to thy sold againe and more than that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations borne the burden of our sinnes therefore at thy hands we looke for mercie against the day of vengeance And though thou punish vs yet our hope is euer shal be that thy rodde shall no further touch vs than shall make to thy glorie our cōmoditie and the strengthening increase of our faith Let this thy Preaching sundrie wayes O Lord be sufficient for our warning and graunt that wee maye speedily and from the bottome of our heartes repent endeuour to doe thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in worde and frame our liues according to the same that wee maie here liue in thy feare al the dayes of our life after this our sinful course is ended may dwel with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death merites of Iesus Christ our onely redemer So be it Another prayer for the auoyding of Gods deserued wrath hanging ouer vs for our sinnes VVHen wee looke backe and beholde our sinnefull life past what a dungeon of errours vice and wickednes openeth himself vnto vs So that there is no mā but he must needs be ashamed of himself whē he calleth to mind what he hath bin trembleth when he conf●aereth the wickednes ●S sinful course of his life to come for who shall vndertake that the rest of our a●fe shall bee anie better than is past Howe can wee then sufficientlie magnifie prayse thy great mercy which hast deferred thy punishment so long Beholding therfore this our dangerous miserable state wee come vnto thee O thou great and mightie Iudge in trembling feare humbly beseeching thee not to heape vpon vs thy deserued vengeance but let thy tender kindnesse loue thou dearest to Iesus Christ thy Sonne our gracious Lord redeemer couer our iniquities for whose sake though wee deserue al extremity thou doest pardon vs. If thou Lord shalt straitly marke our iniquities O Lorde who shall bee able to abide it psal 103. A prayer to be saide of all such as suffer any kinde of crosse ALmighty God king of al kings and gouernour of all thinges whose power no treasure is able
your bed 161 VVhen you feele sleepe to be comming 163 A generall confession of sins vvith other praiers for the morning euening to be vsed in families and publike assemblies 165 Another confession of sins 167 A praier to be said in the morning 169 An other 172 An other 143 An euening praier 176 Another 181 Another 183 A praier for 〈◊〉 of sinnes 185 A praier for the true knovvledge of the mysterie of our redemption in Christ 197 A forme of thankesgiuing for our redemption and a praier for the strength and increase of faith 200 A thankesgiuing to God for his great benefites 202 A praier for true mortification 205 A meditation of the exercise of true mortification 212 A meditation of the cōming of Christ to iudgement of the revvard both of the faithfull and vnfaithful 215 A meditation of the life euerlasting the place vvhere it is the incōparable ioyes ther of 222 Another meditation of the blessed 〈◊〉 felicitie of the life to come 231 A meditation of the presence of God 238 A meditation of the prouidence of God 240 A meditation of Gods povver beautie goodnes c. 245 A meditation concerning the sober vsage of the bodie that it may bee subiect obedient to the soule 249 Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the bodie pleasures in the life 252 A meditation of death and the commodities it bringeth 256 A meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ 259 A praier to Christ crucified 267 A praier to Christ ascended and raigning in glorie 268 A praier for true repentance 272 A praier for the strēgth increase of faith 273 A praier for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercie in Christ 274 A praier against our spiritual enimies the diuel the vvorlde and the flesh 279 A praier for the presēt help in temptation 281 Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations 284 A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauie vvrath and vengeance for our sinne 286 Another 263 A praier to be saide of such as suffer anie kinde of crosse 295 A praier for the afflicted for the profession of Gods vvord 299 A praier to God the father the sonne and the holie Ghost 302 A thankesgiuing to God the father the sonne and the holie Ghost 307 A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinat enimie of the truth 310 A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyrannie of Antichrist 312 A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods vvord 314 A praier to be saide after the preaching of Gods vvord 316 A praier to be said before the receiuing of the communion 323 A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the communion 326 A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in consciēce for his offence 327 A praier for the sicke 33 A praier to be said at the houre of death 339. A praier for a vvomā vvith child 343 A Psalme to be said in the time of anie common plague sicknes or other crosse and visitation of God 346 A Psalme of thankesgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or anie other kinde of sicknes or affliction 350 Praiers to be said before meate after 354 An other praier to be said before meate 355 An other 356 A thankesgiuing after meales 357 An other thankesgiuing after meales 359 Another 360 An other 361 Praiers commonly called Lidleys Praiers with certaine godlie additions A Confessiō of sin 362 A confession of sins and a praier for the remission thereof 374 A praier for the true knovvledge and vnderstanding of the vvord of God 380 A praier for the leading of a godlie life 383 A praier for the deliuerance from sin to be restored to Gods grace fauour againe 387 A praier necessarie to be said at all times 489 A praier for grace remission of sin 392 Praiers taken out of the first Psalme 39 Praiers taken out of the second psalme 400 A praier vvhich M. Iohn Bradford said a litle before his death in Smithfield 404 The Letanie 409 For the Queenes maiestie 410 For Bishops ministers of the Church 421 For raine 421 For fair vvether 422 In the time of dearth and famine 423 In the time of vvar 423 In the time of any cōmō plague or sicknes 424 For strength and comfort of the holy Ghost 425 For sure hope true tast of euerlasting lyfe 426 For the true knovvledge of god h● vvord and a lyfe agreeable to the same ibi For the strength increase of faith 427 For a godly life 428 For the true perseuerance and assured hope of eternall lyfe 429 A praier for the obteining of our petitions 429 A godly instruction conteining the sum of al the Diuinity necessasrie for a Christian conscience 4●1 FINIS Printed by R. Robinson for Simon Waterson 1596 Rom. 10. ●sal 25 Psal 86. 1 Pet. 2. Galat. 5. Mark 11 Psal 5. 1. Iohn 5 Matt. 21 Mark 11 Iame. 1 Psal 51. Mark 9 Psal 88. Psal 39. Psal 80. Lamen 3 Math. 5 Esai 42. Psal 23 Math. 7 Psal 50. Ephes 6. 1. Tim 5. Col. 4. Philip. 4 Mat. 7 Iere. 25. Psal 50. Psal 145. Psal 91 Esay 65. Rom. 8 Psal 145. Esai 6● Luke 12. ●ccle 2. 1. Iohn 1 Psal 51. Psal 25 Psal 88. Iosua ●1 ●● Reg. 15 Iob. 3. 1. Cor. 15 Iohn 6. Eze. 33. Psal 77 Psal 31. 1. Ioh. 〈◊〉 Actes 10 Ephes 5. Heb. 4. 2. Cor. 1. Luke 11 Iohn 16. Iohn 14. Psal 50. Luke 11 18 ●ccl 35. Psal 123. Mat. 9. Luke 11. Exod. 1. Gen. 3. Gen. 12. 22. 23. 24. 25. Exod. 13. 14. 15. Exod. 19. 20. Heb. 1 1. Co. 15 Rom. 5. Math. 1. Luke 1 Ge. 3. 12 26. 28 Psal 89. 2 Reg. 1 Luke 1. Psal 110 Rom. 8. Mat. 24 2 Cor. 15 1. Thes 4 2. Cor. 5. Exod. 32 33. Joel 〈◊〉 Psal 15. Gen. 6. a Our hart is by nature so c●rrupt vnserchablie euil that out of it springeth all wicked concupiscence so that the inclination therto is pro●e to euil euer from 〈◊〉 birth vp our minde vnderstāding is so darkned that of our selfe we cānot perceiue those things that be of god as is all the wisdome which we receiue frō Ad●m naturally or otherwise attaine by labour or studie be fore regeneration Causes ●o c●fort our faith that God is our father Phil. 3. 1. Ioha 3 Rom. 5. Rom. 8. Rom. 5. VVhat Baptisme is and what it requireth VVhat is the effect or fruite that commeth of this certaine persuasion that God is our father Psal 106. Col. 3. Phillip 3 Rom. 1. Psal 84. 138. Howe Gods name is halowed The chiefe desire of Gods children● The greatest grief of Gods people Our ignorance Our greate neede Gods loue Gods kingdom in respect of his power Psal 104 Gods kingdom in respect of his grace Gods kingdom in respect of his glorie Howe Gods kingdom is here considered and enlarged Our peruersitie Gods goodnes Gods omnipotent will vnknowen vnreuealed Gods