our sins and transgressions committing our selues to his Fatherly protection the ensuing night that awaking in the morning wee may finde a wel-pleasing rellish of holy thoughts timely and maturely digested For the better composing our selues at the time of prayer we ought before duely and earnestly to consider his Greatnesse and Immensitie to whom wee pray the necessitie and height of what we pray for and our own vnworthinesse to obtaine a grant accomplishment of our petitions that being truely humbled and cast down in our selues it may please the Lord of heauen and earth to haue the more pitie compassion on vs. And if men that appeare to speake before an earthly King seriously prepare and examine themselues calling euery word to a iust weight and measure strictly taking care of the lest gesture How ought we in the presence of so great aboue all comparisons infinitely excelling a Lord be sollicitous and heedfull that nothing passe from vs vnworthy or il-beseeming his Diuinitie purenesse Thus praying and behauing our selues we shall no question finde to our neuer-dying comfort the euer-liuingnes of his promises in the accomplishment of our iust petitions being made witnesses of the dissolution of heauen and earth the vanishing away of all things transitorie at the command of his Word one iot or tittle whereof shall not be taken away or diminished but remaine pure and perfect in the iustification of his Elect clothing them with eternitie and immortality to which state of happines our blessed Sauiour send vs all for his holy Names sake A Table containing the seuerall Prayers A Prayer for Munday Morning 1 A prayer for Munday Noone 2 A Prayer for Munday Night 3 A Prayer for Tuesday Morning 4 A Prayer for Tuesday Noon 5 A Prayer for Tuesday Night 6 A Prayer for Wednesday Morning 7 A Prayer for Wednesday Noone 8 A Prayer for Wednesday Night 9 A Prayer for Thursday Morning 10 A Prayer for Thursday Noone 11 A Prayer for Thursday Night 12 A Prayer for Friday Morning 13 A Prayer for Friday Noone 14 A Prayer for Friday Night 15 A Prayer for Saturday Morning 16 A Prayer for Saturday Noone 17 A Prayer for Saturday Night 18 A Prayer for Sunday Morning 19 A Prayer for Sunday Noone 20 A Prayer for Sunday Night 21 A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour for Humility 22 Another for assistance in dangers and troubles 23 A Prayer against Pride 24 A Prayer against the concupiscence of the Flesh 25 A Prayer against Sloth 26 A Prayer against Couetousnesse 27 An acknowledgement of sins with promise of amendment 28 A Prayer in afflictions and troubles 29 A prayer for Remission of sinnes 30 A prayer for Chastitie 31 A prayer to be sayd in a iourney 32 A prayer against Lightening and Thunder 33 A prayer or Meditation concerning the benefites after creation 34 A prayer against vaine Attire 35 A prayer for a Maid against temptations 36 Another to the same effect 37 A prayer for a Maid not to bee puffed vp with her owne perfections 38 A prayer for a Maid to bee directed in her choyse 39 A prayer for a Maid to bee obedient to her Parents 40 A prayer before a Iourney 41 Another for the same 42 A prayer in afflictions 43 A prayer for a Marchant 44 A prayer before Studie 45 A prayer for the Fatherlesse 46 A prayer in afflictions and troubles 47 A Thankes-giuing 48 A prayer in time of Pestilence 49 A prayer in time of War 50 A prayer for a Husbandman to receiue the fruits of the earth 51 A prayer for a Widdow 52 A prayer for a Wife 53 A prayer for Maryners 54 A prayer for Children 55 A prayer for Seruants 56 A prayer for one that is sick 57 A prayer for womens deliuerance 58 A prayer going to bed 59 A prayer against idle talke 60 A Thankes-giuing 61 A prayer for direction in all the course of our life 62 A prayer for great men seated in places of Honour 63 A Thankesgiuing for the recouery of our high and mightie Soueraigne King Iames. April 1619. 64 Another Thankes-giuing 65 A prayer against our enemies 66 Another prayer for deliuerance from our enemies 67 A Thankesgiuing for the ouerthrow of our enemies 68 A Prayer for present necessities 69 Another prayer intreating remission of sins constancie in good purposes 70 A prayer in sicknesse 71 A prayer to bee said before any work we go about 72 A prayer for remission of sinnes 73 A prayer for perseuerance 74 A prayer in affliction 75 A prayer in extremitie of sickenesse 76 A prayer in the Spring time 77 A prayer in Summer 78 A payer to bee sayd in Autumn 79 A prayer to be sayd in Winter 80 A prayer in aduersity and affliction 81 A prayer to our blessed Sauiour 82 A prayer in time of Lent 83 A prayer against temptation 84 A prayer for preparation against the Day of Iudgement 85 Certaine Eiaculations of the Spirit A short Meditation vpon these words of Pilate Behold the Man A Meditation vpon the Resurrection THE EVER-BVRNING Lamps of Deuotion and Pietie MVNDAY MORNING 1. Morning Prayer O ETERNALL and euer-liuing God what humble and heartie thankes ought I render thy diuine Maiestie who hast called me from the image of Death and safely brought me to the beholding of this day giuing me yet farther time to call vpon thy holy Name and to aske forgiuenesse for my sinnes and wickednesses Receiue O Lord an humble and contrite heart and despise not the voice of a miserable and deiected sinner who can offer thee nothing for these and all other thy innumerable benefits but what must graciously proceed from thy owne clemencie and mercie possessing no good but from thee and by thee exercising nothing agreeable to thy will but through thee euen at this instant mercifully led by thy power and gentlenesse to make my humble supplications vnto thee Season me O Lord with thy Spirit endue me with thy gracious and holy gifts that I may bestow this day to thy honour and glorie and my owne comfort and eternall saluation Defend me from the snares and subtleties of Satan who howrely watcheth to enter and ouerthrow me and vnlesse withstood by thy diuine hand how can so poore a Worme resist so mightie an Enemie Saue me O Lord from his Minister the World who with the glorie thereof seeketh to beguile and deceiue me and let not the flesh haue any power ouer me which suggested by him layeth continuall siege to me bringing my sinnes like fearefull Canons before me my owne weakenesse desiring to let him in and all my senses conspiring against me Hasten O Lord to my aide come speedily and redeeme me let not the worke of thy hands how meane soeuer be a prey to thy aduersarie who laboureth to win me from thee and hateth me for thee that being protected by thy out-stretched Arme I may goe forward in goodnesse and vertue Giue me O Lord a heart full of Charitie
Patience Obedience Humblenesse without Malice Vaine-glory enuying none and fixe all my thoughts actions and endeuours to recouer thee in thy Kingdome to whom be all honour power and glorie world without end Amen 2. A Prayer before Dinner ALmightie and euerlasting God which hast created all things for the good and benefit of Mankind giuing him power and dominion ouer all thy creatures graunt O Lord that I may so moderately vse these blessings thou hast in thy mercie prouided for me as may stand with thy good liking and pleasure Let me eate to helpe not pamper Nature lest of a seruant she become an enemie and make me vnfit for thy seruice and glorie which is the onely end of our creation and being Let Temperance not my Appetite ouersway me euer remembring and with dutifull thankes acknowledging thy loue and fauour who hast vouchsafed to refresh and comfort me when many thousands of my poore brethren whose fearefull sinnes call not for vengeance like mine suffer vnder the Tyrannie of Hunger Giue me grace O Lord to pitie them and meanes to relieue them that we may together glorifie thee in thy Workes and prayse thy Iudgements which are vnsearchable shewing mercie on whom thou pleasest chastising thy children that being made obedient in their punishments they may come to thee and be made partakers of that neuer-ending glorie which thou hast prepared for those that truly serue thee euen for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Lord and Sauiour who with thee and the holy Ghost three persons and one God liueth and raigneth world without end Amen 3. Euening Prayer MOst mercifull and louing God Father of all Consolation who in thy infinite wisedome and prouidence hast ordained the night for rest by which our bodily sences wearied with the dayes labour might be renewed and refreshed wee prayse and glorifie thy holy Name in that thou hast vouchsafed of thy accustomed bountie and goodnesse to protect vs from all the bodily dangers of this day which our Enemie the Deuill practiseth for our destruction How many O pitifull and sweet Sauiour hath his snares betrayed and vndone leading them by temptation and strong perswasion with their owne hands to be their owne Murtherers How many hast thou suffered to fall by fire some by the crueltie of their Brother Fathers by their Children Wiues by their Husbands suddenly and vnexpectedly in apparent danger without thy mercie and benediction of eternall woe and damnation How shall a heart loaden and ouercome with these thy benefits expresse thy power and glorie with his owne shame and opprobriousnesse I acknowledge and confesse most blessed and pitifull Lord that my sinnes dayly encreasing nay howrely growing vpon me haue deserued Hell fire and euerlasting damnation I haue knowne thy Commandements and not followed them I haue hearkened to thy will and not obeyed it pursuing with swift feet the vnlawfull desires and lusts of my flesh Giue me grace O mercifull Lord and Father that I may with all the power of my soule striue and endeuour to amend and reforme this sinfull and abominable course Be pleased to call me vnto thee by what meanes soeuer thou shalt thinke my vnbridled and stubborne disposition will be tamed and subdued I refuse no punishment without exception of greatnesse or choice of qualitie Pouertie sent by thee shall be my chiefest Riches Shame and Contempt being thy affliction shall be the propagation of my glorie the neglect of Friends shall not trouble me for in all things O Lord let thy will be done who wisheth not the death of a sinner but that he may repent and liue with thee in the companie of Angels and Saints who are filled with thy goodnesse and continually sing thy prayses to whom onely belongeth iust prayse and honour world without end Amen TVESDAY 4. Morning Prayer O Almightie and most mercifull Father which hast opened the eyes of thy seruant to behold thy glorious and wonderous workes sending thy blessed and comfortable Light to banish and put to flight the thick and black darknesse which couered the face of the Earth lighten O Lord my vnderstanding that I may see thee in thy reuealed will and not curiously wander farther Giue me grace to know what is good and rectifie my will to follow it that in my life and conuersation I may glorifie thee and profit others I confesse O Lord and humbly acknowledge my sinnes and offences and my transgressions are euer before me Pardon O mercifull Father and be pleased to put away from thy remembrance all my iniquities Let the bloud of thy deare Sonne and my onely Sauiour be auaileable against thy Iustice and burie my misdeedes in his Sepulchre that they may neuer rise vp against me Blesse O mightie and only powerfull God all the labours of this day and graunt thou wilt helpe vs to performe what is thy pleasure wee doe that euerie speech and action hauing his beginning from thee may tend to our owne comfort and saluation Let not O Lord which art the comfort and succour of all distressed and afflicted the greedie and vnlawfull desire of gaine and encrease rayse our hearts to affect falsehood and dissimulation Set a watch O Lord before our lippes that wee may speake truly to euery man in the vprightnesse and sinceritie of a good conscience wee may be at peace with our selues Set ouer vs thou great and onely Protector thy holy Angell to guard and defend vs that the Deuill who lyeth in wait to betray vs may be put to flight and confounded either take away O Lord or giue vs strength to ouercome his subtleties and temptations that endeuouring to spend this day according to thy holy Word wee may rest in peace till thou againe shalt call vs to performe our dutie euen for Iesus Christs sake our onely Lord and Sauiour 5. A Prayer at Noone I Will not cease to crie vnto thee O Lord because thou art mercifull and regardest the complaints of thy seruant who as in a Wildernesse encompassed with rauenous beasts were it not for thy assisting grace looketh instantly to be deuoured My flesh rebelleth against me and my vnbridled and lawlesse sences would giue me vp as a prey vnto the enemie Be neere O Lord vnto me and assist me in the Conflict lest I shamefully fall and be confounded Inspire me O Lord with vertuous and holy motions vnresistable and neuer-yeelding graces that I may fight manfully vnder thy glorious Standard following thee my Captaine and Leader thorow all the dangerous and fearefull oppositions which Satan bringeth against me Giue me O Lord an vnwearied courage that I may neyther faint vnder the heat of my desires nor be dulled and benummed with the cold and â—â—â—â—tie carelesnesse of my lazie and luke-warme deuotion but with able and lustie vigor ouercomming the World the Flesh and the Deuill I may in spirit reioyce with thee and sing thy prayses and glorie who art the onely blessed and gracious Redeemer from all temptations and troubles 6. Euening
minde before the Throne of his diuine iustice I acknowledge confesse and yeeld my selfe lawfully attached and conuicted of high Treason against his diuine Maiestie and guilty of the death and Passion of Iesus Christ by reason of the hainous sinnes which I haue committed for which he dyed and suffered the torment of the Crosse so that consequently I am worthy to be cast away and damned for euer But turning my selfe towards the Throne of the infinite mercy of the selfe-same eternall God hauing detested from the bottome of my heart and with all my force the iniquities of my life fore-passed I most humbly require and craue pardon grace and mercy with entire absolution from my cryme through vertue of the Passion and death of the same Sauiour and Redeemer of my soule vpon whom relying as vpon the onely foundation of my hope I confirme againe aduowe and renew the sacred profession of loyall seruice and fidelitie made in my name and behalfe vnto my GOD at my baptizing renouncing the Diuell the Flesh and the World abhorring the execrable suggestions vanities and concupiscence for all the time of this present life and for all eternitie and conuerting my selfe vnto my most gracious and mercifull God I desire deliberate purpose and fully resolue irreuocably to honor him serue him loue him now and for euer giuing him for this end and dedicating and consecrating my spirits with all his faculties my soule with all her functions my heart with all his affections and my body with all his sences protesting neuer more to abuse any one part of my beeing or nature against his diuine will and soueraigne Maiestie To whom I offer vp and sacrifice my selfe in spirit to be to him a loyall obedient and faithfull creature for euermore Amen 29. A Prayer to be said in Afflictions and Troubles O Eternall and euer-liuing God the Father of all Consolation and Mercies the giuer of all things good and vertuous who art vnto vs as a Nurse vnto a childe a Shepheard vnto a wandring Lambe a Guide of our wayes a Guardian of our persons a Counsellour in doubts a Comforter in troubles a Patron in our needes and an assured Friend in all afflictions graciously assist vs in all our tribulations and aduersities being an assured tryall of thy seruants For whom thou louest thou chastisest Suffer me to bee tempted O Lord not ouercome rebuked not forsaken bruised with thy rod not broken for my soule is heauy within me and my enemies haue preuailed against me yea my Spirit repineth and my flesh grudgeth that thy hand is so heauy on mee I goe like one that hath lost his way shooting my eyes into the earth as desiring to be buried in my misfortunes All my friends haue left me and my company is my owne thoughts which are displeasing vnto me My eyes are great with teares my tongue laboureth with my mis-fortunes so that I seeme to others a piece of earth wrapped in woe and calamity Comfort me O Lord and I shall be comforted shoote thy holy Spirit into me and I shall bee disburdened lighten the beames of thy mercy vpon me and I shall shine in prosperity for it is my sinnes O Lord which haue confounded mee it is the multitude of my wickednesses which haue drowned the multitude of thy ioyes it is my guilt which banisheth thy goodnesse Turne backe O Lord and mercifully looke vpon me as thou didst vpon thy holy Apostle and faithfull seruant S. Peter that I may not onely weep but bitterly lament my misdeeds and offences who haue denyed my onely Lord and Master all the dayes of my life swearing as one that knew him not and blaspheming as certainely neither beleeuing nor fearing the punishments which haue ouer-growne me But if alas through suggestion of mine enemy or through humane frailty I chance any time to transgresse in any thing whatsoeuer giue me grace O Lord by the aide of the Holy Ghost to arise againe so soone as I shall perceiue my fall and so to returne anew to the Diuine Mercy without any stay or delay whatsoeuer Let it please thee O my eternall God Almighty and all good Father Son and Holy Ghost to confirme and strengthen mee in this resolution of my amendment and to accept this Cordiall and inward Sacrifice in the odor of sweetnesse O my God thou art my God God of my heart God of my soule God of my spirit and for such doe I reuerently thankfully and louingly acknowledge honour and adore thee now and for euer 30. Another Prayer for remission of sinnes O Benigne Iesu the onely refuge of desolate and afflicted soules the comfort and succour of those that are laden and oppressed mercifully heare and pitifully receiue the prayers and supplications of one conceiued and borne in sinne who acknowledgeth and confesseth before the Throne of thy Diuine Maiesty that hee is too base and altogether vnworthy to speake nay looke and much lesse to be heard and regarded in this his extremity who in time of health hath contemned and neglected his Physicion in time of iollity and prosperity hath neither thriftily prouided nor wisely preuented the daies of horror and desolation who being cruelly accused by his owne conscience of many high and detestable treason against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords his thoughts and senses bearing witnes against him hath neither treasure to ransome him nor friend to pleade for him wealth preuaileth not with him who is infinite in Riches Titles and Honours are momentany shadowes in his presence who aduanceth and degradeth whom hee pleases Kindred and friends dare not bee seene before so pure and iust a Iudge in so foule and vniust a cause What wilt thou then doe O my soule in these straights and extremities Whither wilt thou flye for succour Heauen is his dwelling place the earth his foot-stoole the Mountaines hee will remoue and his iustice diues into the bottome of the Sea Fall then before him and all prostrate lift vp thy voyce implore his mercy desire his pardon sue vnto him kneele before him lay hold of him and let him not depart O my soule till hee hath at least granted thee a Reprieue for thy horrible and lewd transgressions which obtained whilst his wrath is a little slackened thy teares may mollifie and get betweene thee and his definitiue sentence Consider duely what friends thou canst make and due consideration will make contrition a speciall fauorite of our Sauiours pleade heartily for thee who in thy behalfe promising a detestation of thy former offences with an assured purpose and resolution of amendment ioyned with a continuance and progresse in good workes and holy exercises may for our Sauiour delights to heare him purchase thee an absolute pardon Grant me therefore most sweet and amiable Lord to imploy the remnant of my life in studying to be acquainted with these thy holy friends and fauorites Giue O Sauiour a fountaine of teares vnto my eyes that I may continually lament and bewayle
VNsearchable O Lord are iudgements and wonderful the workes of thy hand thou hast made fashioned a Lump of flesh in my wombe thou hast giuen it life to grow to feed and be nourished thou hast adorned and beautified it with limbes and senses thou hast in thy mercy inspired a liuing soule into it whereby it may hereafter be capable of thy loue and euerlasting felicitie Now the period O Lord draweth neere and the time appointed for the deliuery giuing vp this burden be neer O merciful Father vnto thy seruant strengthen me in this my sore labour and trauell comfort me O Lord in my agony that I faint not vnder the throwes and dreadfull pangs of the approaching neere-ensuing birth let no vaine feares affright me or the thoughts of what I must suffer be terrible vnto me Let me be comforted O Lord in thy promise and the blessing that must proceed from my Ioynes hearten me patiently to endure my torments hasten O Lord my deliuery and giue the fruite of my womb an easie passage that with the sight of a well-formed childe I may be made a ioyfull mother grant it O Lord right shape and keepe the life which thou hast giuen vnto it that it may be borne anew of water and the holy Spirit to be made partaker and heire of thy euerlasting Kingdome But if O Lord thou in thy eternall Wisedome hast otherwise prouided for me appointing me in the neuer-againe dying birth to be restored vnto thee mercifully assist me in this my last passage that confident in thy promises made to all I may ioyfully giue my selfe as a well-pleasing sacrifice awaiting thy diuine Pleasure and commending and committing my selfe into thy hands patiently expect the blessed houre to be deliuered from the sinfull prison of this transitory world into that euerlasting Habitation where dwelleth infinite ioy world without end Amen 59. A Prayer to bee said when you goe into your bed BLesse me O Lord preserue and keepe mee from all the dangers of this night Saue and deliuer me from the ancient enemie who through immoderate sloth negligence hopeth to betray me Visite O Lord my soule though farre too meane to entertaine so royall a Guest yet sending thine owne prouision before thee holy vertues chaste and simple thoughts thy lodging may be the better prepared for thee Settle and gouerne O Lord my phantasie that it range and forme not wilde and vnlawfull apparations stay my memorie that it search not after vaine and idle pleasures fill my vnderstanding with thy goodnesse and mercy that being wholly and inwardly busied with thee I may escape the snares and nets of Satan and wake to my owne comfort and thy glorie sweete IESVS Amen 60. A Prayer against idle Talke SEt a watch O Lord before my lips that I defile not my mouth with dishonest and vnseemely speeches betraying the hearers to sinne and vncleannesse Keepe me from their companie whose delight is in wicked talke lest I perish with them Let my tongue deliuer forth thy prayses and be the Trumpet of thy neuer-ending mercies grant me a single and vnpolluted heart that I may reuerently adore thy Mysteries and bee the honorer of thy Glorie and Maiesty Keepe my eyes from wandring after the concupiscence of my desires that I bee not ouertaken and made prisoner to sinne and death Place my thoughts vpon thy bitter Passion whose mournefull acts may put away all idle delights and pleasures and fasten mee vpon thy Crosse to weepe and lament my passed offences for that sweete Name of IESVS in whose merites all flesh must be saued 61. A Thankes-giuing O God most high most mightie Creator of heauen and earth which out of Nothing hast made and formed this beautifull All createdst the glorious Firmament fretted with Starres the euer-shining Sunne to giue light by day and firest the Moone to banish the nights darkenesse giuing life to the Fowles of the Aire the Beasts feeding on the Earth and the Fishes whose dwelling is in the waters below for the vse and seruice of man making him according to thy owne Image ennobling him with Vnderstāding Will and Memorie to conceiue and apprehend the glorious workes of thy hand Redeemed him with an vnparalell'd example preserued and kept him with an vnimitable care and prouidence How shall hee render thee condigne and worthie prayses for these thy vnspeakeable and vndeserued benefites How shall hee tender to thy diuine Maiestie thankes equall and befitting such infinite and innumerable graces How many O LORD haue dyed in the womb How many neuer attained the blessed regeneration of Baptisme How many reconciled and entred into the state of grace haue through their owne corruption frailtie and the suggestion of the diuell lost it and falne away from the faith of thy neuer-erring Word How often O Lord haue I transgressed and sinned spurned at thy secret Callings and refused to entertaine them and yet O Lord hast thou patiently expected my conuersion giuen me further time to repent me of my carelesnesse and back-sliding sending thy holy grace to enable me to call vpon thee for mercy and forgiuenes Prayse God O my soule for his louing kindnes endureth frō generation vnto generation he hath not dealt so with euery man nor so aboundantly showred his fauor to all his people I wil magnifie him from the rising of the Sun vnto the going downe of the same who hath raised me from death and not suffered mee to goe downe into the Pit who hath forgotten my wickednesse and remembred himselfe of his goodnes glorie be vnto thee on high and praise vpon earth who hath giuen charge to his Angels to keepe vs in all our wayes 62. A Prayer for direction in all our affaires GIue me grace O mercifully and truely louing Lord that I may with all singlenesse of heart ardency and earnestnesse of spirit wisely and carefully search after those things which may be pleasing vnto thee Order and so dispose of me that I may faithfully and truely performe those things which thou requirest of me and giue me knowledge O Lord to doe it as it ought and is most expedient for my owne soule Grant O Lord God that I neither grow presumptuous seated in Prosperity nor be cast downe despairing with the frownes of Aduersitie Let thy fauour be my onely delight and my discontent thy displeasure Let me endeuour to please none nor be afraid to displease any but thy selfe Let all transitorie things be base in my sight and what belongeth to thee be onely acceptable and thou O God aboue all Let the paines O Lord which are for thee be aboue any pleasure and pleasure without thee seeme tedious and vnwelcome Grant me often to desire the accomplishment of good things and in my relapse to spring vp againe with full purpose of amendment Make me O Lord God obedient without grudging poore without quailing chaste without pollution patient without murmuring humble without dissembling merry without dissolutenes sad
thee for that eternal and all-comforting name of thy sweet Son Iesus to giue mee a feeling of my owne desperate and dangerous estate to take away the dead and impostume vices which haue ouer-growne goodnes and vertue so that I may perceiue what is wicked or sinfull made the same with me by a long custome Grant me O bountifull and louing Lord constancie and perseuerance in the good determinations wherewith thou shalt inspire lest I fal into a relapse perish vnsuccourably euen for thy owne mercies sake which from the beginning of the world was intended to saue sinners Amen 71. A Prayer in Sicknes NOw I am weakest O Lord in estate be thou strongest and inlighten and comfort my Soule in this darknes and torments of my Body Satan hath incompassed me on euery side and as assured of victory hath laid aside all his faire and eye-pleasing disguises pulling off his beautifull visor and in his owne horrible and dreadfull deformitie telleth me plainely I am his There is no sinne my most mercifull and euerlasting Redeemer which hee is not in the vgliest and desperatest manner ready to lay before me more carefull now to call them to my memory then he was before to banish them for euer He telleth me it is thine own Doctrine that the wages of sinne is Death and that euerlasting world without end But shall hee O iust and righteous Iudge be my accuser and witnes against mee Shall he betray me to a sinne and be rewarded for reuealing it I protest before the Throne of thy diuine Maiestie that he alone ioyned with the world and the flesh hath wrought vpon my frailtie and subtilly seduced mee to all kinde of sinne and enormitie that he alone hath perswaded mee to offend thee my Lord and Maker laying thy heauy displeasure and terrour of thy iudgements before me seeking either to draw me to despaire or an vnwillingnes to enter into the due consideration of my hainous mis-deeds I doe therefore wholly abiure and detest him abandoning for euer his friendship and seruice and relying on thy powerfull and auailable Passion in the preciousnesse and value of it offer vp my selfe vnto thee beseeching thee for thy owne merits and goodnes to accept a forlorne and despayring sinner who without thy mercy is readie to bee swallowed vp by the eternall gulfe of hell fire Moderate O Lord my sicknesse and paines that I may the freelier haue recourse vnto thee strengthen and confirme my fainting and decaying voyce that I may the earnestlier cry vnto thee And aboue all O my most sweete and amiable Lord comfort and aide my drooping and fearefull heart that I may continually meditate on thee that if it bee thy will and pleasure I may escape the vengeance prepared for those that dye out of thy fauour and if thou shalt please to call mee forth of this mortall life I may liue with thee put on immortality euen for thy holy Names sake to which be all honour glory world without end Amen 72. A Prayer to be said before any worke wee goe about IN vaine O Lord rise wee earely and sit vp late eating the bread of carefulnesse turmoyling and tormenting our selues with great labour and wearisomnesse vnlesse thou O Lord giue a blessing In vaine toyleth the Husbandman plowing and sowing vnlesse thou water it and giue the increase In vaine endangereth himselfe the Marchant furrowing and turning vp the waters vnlesse thou prosper and guide his Ship Since thou fillest euery thing with blessing be pleased at this time onely Lord and Sauiour to looke mercifully and fauourably on the industries and labours of thy seruant and multiply them as thou didst the old womans Iar who gaue of it to the Prophet grant that wee may prosper and haue giuing of our abundance to those poore brethren that want it rather then to bee driuen to aske it Yet in all O Lord thy will bee done to the extremest pouertie nay death it selfe Giue me O Lord a true feeling of my selfe that I may rather respect goodnesse then gaine and aime rather to liue honestly then richly affecting a mediocritie not aboundance lest I be puffed vp with the vaine and gawdy shew of vncertaine wealth Grant O blessed Lord and Sauiour that I may in all my courses and enterprises haue before my eyes the end whereunto they should be directed which is onely in this warfare and pilgrimage to prouide me necessaries for my voyage to that holy Land wherein al thy children and seruants haue before the beginning of the world a portion and inheritance laid out and reserued that I may with that prouidence and care so furnish and store my selfe that I be neither forced with Esau for want and indiscretion to sell my birth-right for fading and transitory reliefe nor with the proud and mighty exalted with the infinitenesse of their treasure despise and grow carelesse of it but in all things making my selfe obedient to thy will be found worthy to take possession of it Grant this O sweete Iesus Amen 73. A Prayer for Remission of sinnes I Humbly confesse O Almightie and euer-liuing Lord that I am vnworthy the bread thou in thy mercie bestowedst on me vnworthy to infect the ayre with my breath who spend it to thy dishonour and my owne defamation most vnworthy the least of thy blessings which I haue plentifully receiued of thee and that I tremble to come into thy presence my sinnes striking horrour and terrour to my heart lest I be swallowed vp for my offences and wickednesses daily committed and yet vnrepented But O most mercifull and all-louing Father take thy Eye I beseech thee from them lest thou in thy iustice bring me to destruction and fixe it on the bitter Passion of thy deare Sonne behold him O Lord scourged buffeted reuiled spet vpon and despitefully crucifyed for the hainousnesse of these my transgressions and in the preciousnesse of this satisfaction be pleased O Lord to giue eare to the humble and sorrowing lamentation of a despised and contemned sinner who is heartily and truely sorry for these his misdeeds and trespasses desiring thee of thy infinite bounty to inspire him with thy grace that hee may for euer hate and detest the guilt and monstrousnesse of them Strike mee O Lord with a true feare not onely of thy mightinesse and iudgements but of thy mercies and louing kindnesse that I may bee vtterly ashamed and confounded to offend so fauourable and indulgent a Father who hath not dis-inherited nor cast off so notorious and disobedient a sonne but in his mercy reserued a portion for mee which O blessed and all-louing Lord make me worthy of that I may euer praise and glorifie thy clemencie world without end 74. A Prayer for Perseuerance SInce O Lord not hee that attempteth the course but he that continueth to the end not those Virgins who came late but they that watched continually haue the promised and expected reward giue me aboundantly of thy blessing that I
one another the obedience to thee teach vs obedience in our selues that wholly submitting our selues to thy will we may labour together in this transitorie life to come to thee the life euerlasting with whom dwelleth vnspeakable loue and neuer-ending charitie world without end Amen 40. A Prayer for a Maid to be obedient to her Parents O My most mercifull Lord and Redeemer subdue and bridle my head-strong and vntamed affections who delighting in their owne wayes repine at the direction of my Superiours Let mee euer remember thy holy commandement Honour thy Father and Mother that thy dayes may be long in the land of the liuing Giue me grace to vnderstand it truely lest forgetting thy precept I be banished into that wilde and barbarous Country where to liue is terribler then death and dying the onely comfort of the liuing Let their reprehensions bee the cause of my amendment not repining their iust and lawfull precepts an vndeniable practice of all my actions Let me reuerence their age lending them my youth to help them pray for their imperfections and in them remember humane weaknesse that in my obedience I may receiue the vertue of their blessing which thou alwayes grantest to them that endeuour to fulfill the least of thy commandements 41. A Prayer before a Iourney O Almightie and euerliuing God which by the hand of thy seruāt Moses broughtst the people of Israel out of Egypt and the crueltie of Pharaoh and madest them walke ouer the Red-Sea keeping back with a mighty winde the raging waters who returning in their Furie ouer-whelmed all that great Host and after went'st before them and conducted them thorow the vast and wilde Desert feeding them in their extreme Famine with Manna showred from Heauen Be pleased O mercifull Father at this instant to accompany mee in all my iourneyes and trauailes and with thy louing and mightie protection defend me from all dangers of those that lye in awaite to murther and spoile thy Liege people Bee vnto mee O Lord a guide in my going out a safeguard and defence vpon the way a shaddow in heat a shelter in raine cold a waggon in wearinesse an helper in time of extremitie a stay in slipperie passages a Hauen in shipwracke that vnder thy safe and sure conduct we may march quietly and peaceably to our iourneyes end and vnder the couer of thy wings ioyfully and prosperously returne to our homes againe for his onely sake who was a continuall Pilgrime heere vpon earth to make all our prayers acceptable vnto thee Amen 42. Another short Prayer for the same O Almighty God which hast made this our life as it were a short Pilgrimage to visit holy places and doe penance by thee appointed for mans first transgression giuing vs as in an Inne a space to refresh our wearied bodies not to dwell and settle our selues Grant mercifully thy assistance in these my iourneys and remouings and with thy holy Spirit blesse and comfort me on the way that I be not left alone to the crueltie of those that would assaile mee but hauing thy Angell for my guide and defender I may not feare the oppression of the Wicked but happily arriue at the desired Hauen where I vvill magnifie and praise thy holy name for thy mightie ayde and protection 43. A Prayer in Afflictious WHy art thou sorrowfull my soule and why doest thou trouble mee Why doest thou hang sleepe vpon mine eye-lids and fasten heauinesse on my foot-steps Doth not God regard the prayers of the afflicted or doth he not from his high holy place looke downe to the earth that he might heare the gronings of the fettered and those that are persecuted and afflicted Can thy eye see into heauen or is thy vnderstanding of counsell with God to perceiue how neere his holy hand is to deliuer thee Euery instant is time enough for his Omnipotency and impossible occasions easie to the infinitenes of his Deitie Put thy trust in him my soule and thou shalt not be confounded Say with the Prophet Dauid Though a thousand fall on my right hand and ten thousand on my left yet I will not bee afraid because God hath beene my helper Bee comforted by the mercifull examples which he hath shewed to his people Did not Almighty God with a strong hand punishments enforce the Prophet Ionas to preach destruction to the Niniuites limiting them a short time that within three dayes their Citie should bee destroyed and yet vpon their submission humbling themselues before him with prayers fasting did he not most mercifully remit their punishment and take them into his grace and fauour Fall therefore prostrate before him and with perfect resignation of thy owne will yeeld thy selfe into his hands to do what it please him with thee entreate him of his loue and fauour who neuer absenteth himselfe to those that seeke him relye vpon his mercy who so much loued his people that he sent his onely begotten Sonne to dye for the Redemption of mankinde Aske him forgiuenesse of thy sinnes and offences by reason of whose guilt thou sufferest these light and temporary punishments which haue in iustice deserued euerlasting damnation and disburdened of which the yoke will be easie and the waight light yea thy miseries wil be pleasing like wounds honourably gotten in a glorious conquest and then maist thou ioyfully sing vnto the Lord Mine enemies that troubled me themselues are weakened and falne One thing yet I haue asked of our Lord this will I seeke for that I may dwell in the house of our Lord al the daies of my life 44. A Prayer to be said by a Merchant for the safe returne of his goods IN the time of my trouble who shall I flye vnto what power can fetch me from the bottome of the Sea or whose arme reacheth to the end of the world O most merciful and gracious Lord the Sea is thine and thou madest it and thy hands prepared the dry land with thy Word thou calmest the raging waters and with a beck layest the furie of the winde Grant of thy accustomed clemencie and goodnes such seasonable and temperate weather that they may safely arriue at the appointed Port. Bee vnto them O Lord their Pylote lest the hidden Rocks or vnknowne Sands deuoure them Be their defence and safegard lest their enemies make prey on them that relying on thy fauour aboue the vertue of their Load-stone they may ioyfully and merrily touch the desired Land acknowledging thy goodnesse and might to whom alone that mercilesse element obeyeth at thy command yeelding vp all her treasure Grant this O my sweet Lord and Sauiour euen for thy tender mercy which refuseth no Petitions that are offered with a pure and vnfained zeale Amen 45. A Prayer before Study O Vnspeakable Creatour which in the Treasure of thy Wisedome hast ordained learning as a secondary meanes to raise our declined soules wrapt by the fall of Adam in sinne and ignorance to a perfected and surer
apprehension of thy diuine goodnes Enlighten O Lord our vnderstanding and with the rayes of thy brightnesse banish away all mists and darknes by which wee are dulled and disabled Thou O Lord which raisest thy glorie out of the tongues of Infants powre into our lips eloquence and vtterance that we may reueale thy will and sing praises of thy goodnes Quicken O Lord our vnderstanding strengthen our memorie and rectifie our will that wee may truely know faithfully keepe and obediently performe thy precepts and commandements Giue vs O Lord grace in our entrance perseuerance in our progresse and humilitie at our going forth that we may alwaies acknowledge thee the giuer and bestower of what height so euer we attaine to euen for Iesus Christ his sake 46. A Prayer for the fatherlesse O Almightie God which art a Father to the Orphans mercifully assist vs poore comfortles children left as a prey to them who are left to dispose of vs. Behold O Lord how they contend for what we haue enuying one another for a share wherin they can challenge no part But thou O Lord shalt pleade our cause Thou shalt bee our Aduocate and Helper Thou shalt take the prey out of their mouthes and lay that shame vpon them which they haue laid vp for others For vnto thee O Lord we commend our soules our bodies our substance desiring to be disposed by thee and to receiue from thee what thou shalt thinke in thy wisedome will be necessary for the attaining thy loue and fauour without which in vaine wee doe heape vp for after-times in vaine doe we build and rise early bee sollicitous and take care sith who buildeth without thee pulleth downe who soweth without thee scattereth and who gathereth without thee heapeth woe vpon himselfe 47. A Prayer in Afflictions and troubles COmfort thy selfe O my soule in these Afflictions and troubles praise and glorifie thy holy Name that hee hath not giuen thee vp to thy owne affections and desires letting thee wildely runne as a beast to all sensualitie but gently chastising thee as one of his children hath recalled thee into thy selfe to know thy owne weaknesse and frailtie making thee one of the honourable Order of the Crosse whose badge all his Saints Seruants weare vpon their brest for it is better for thee that thy members here languish and suffer then thy whole body to bee cast into euerlasting fire yeeld thy selfe vp to all torments for his sake being heartily sorrie that thou art not able to vndergo more in his seruice who in his owne example hath out-gone all tyrannie for thee Triumph when thou art persecuted and glorie in the bonds of our Sauiour Blessed are they that mourne for they shall reioyce Blessed are they that are humbled with miseries and misfortunes for they shall be exalted and aduanced Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousnesse sake for to them belongeth the Kingdome of Heauen where thou shalt eternally reioyce and triumph with the glorious Saints and Martyrs who haue beene sharers with thee in this vale of teares and miserie 48. A Prayer of thanksgiuing SIng vnto the Lord a new song because hee hath done maruellous things with his owne right hand and his holy arme hath hee gotten himselfe the victory Who is like vnto our God or who dare compare with his mightinesse He hath remembred himselfe of his promise to his seruant that he would not leaue him for euer He hath not suffered my enemies vtterly to preuaile against mee nor left me in the hands of those that hate mee Hee hath onely shewed me the Rod and taken it away againe early in the morning will I recount thy praises and meditate all the day long vpon thy mercies which hast giuen me to taste of thy blessings and filled me with good things I was naked and thou hast cloathed me I was hungry and thou hast refreshed me I was thirsty thou hast grasped the Cloud and powred downe thy heauenly deaw I was weary and thou hast eased me I was loaden thou hast strengthened me I was oppressed and thou hast rescued me O what tongue is able to story thy louing kindnesses or what vnderstanding conceiueth thy wondrous works I will shew mercy saith our Lord vnto thousands of them that loue me keep my cōmandements But how aboundantly ought I to speake of thy gracious fauour who haue rebelled against thy motions spurned at thy precepts statutes and haue yet been embraced recalled home againe cloathed richly and set at thy owne Table I haue riotously consumed thou hast louingly restored I haue in lauish cups dis-honest and lasciuious company proudly vain-gloriously throwne away my saluation thou hast by stripes buffetings most tormenting and cruell death redeemed it againe I haue transgressed O Lord and thou art punished I being a low and contemned vassaile haue offended and mis-done and thou the Son of the mighty King art beaten It is not so O Lord with the sonnes of men who afflict their subiects for their mis-demeanours and make them smart for the Princes offences Who is like vnto our God whose mercie endureth from generation to generation Praise our Lord ye children Praise ye the name of our Lord. The name of our Lord be blessed from henceforth now and for euer 49. A Prayer in time of Pestilence FAmine Plague and Warre are thy scourges O Lord and thou throwest them vpon the people for their offences We haue repined mercifull Father in the aboundance of health and employed our strēgth in dishonoring thy holy Name Our members sanctified for thy vse and seruice haue beene the preyes of Harlots and officers of Satan The very breath thou gauest vs to praise and tell thy wonders hath mis-spoken and blasphemed against thee iustly therefore doth thy consuming Pestilence snatch away our health turne our strength into nothing rot all our members killing vs by the infection of the ayre taken into our bodies who haue continually breathed out of our bodies all blasphemie corruption Yet stay O mercifull Father and hold thy reuenging hand heare the cryes of thy seruants groning vnder the tyrannie of this murdering disease and be pitifull to vs. Remember O Lord that we are conceiued and borne in sinne poore and vnprofitable creatures vnable without thee to deserue the least drop of thy fauour Mercifully assist vs with thy grace and enrich vs with thy holy and spirituall vertues that our prayers may come vp before thee and bee acceptable that hauing taken away this heauy persecution and plague wee may for euer praise thy clemencie and enioying thy louing mercy feare againe to displease thee who hast had so great compassion on vs euen for thy Sonnes sake who gaue himselfe vp to all torments to keepe vs vnpunished 50. A Prayer in time of Warre O Lord God of Hosts that fightest the battels for thy seruants girding thy selfe with power strength to ouercome and put to flight the enemies of those that put
may not onely endeuour well purpose good things and perhaps beginne a reformation and vertuous amendment but continue O Lord and perseuer all my life long that by the practice of a holy and religious life I may bee weaned and with-drawne from the transitory and seducing pleasures which gawdinesse and custome haue made strong in mee and awaite the subuersion and rooting out of all things good and vertuous settle firme in me O Lord an vnwearied determination of a daily progresse and going forward in thy seruice since to stand still is to expect the enemie and bridle and take from me the feeds and bloomings of vice that I deceiued with their seducing yeeld not to them but perfectly and zealously labouring to follow the steps of so good and great a Maiestie may at last receiue the hire which thou hast reserued for those that diligently employ themselues in thy Vineyard 75. A Prayer in Affliction MOST gracious Redeemer which art alwaies mercifull alwaies a preseruer whether thou send vs ioy or sadnesse for great is thy mercy which by outward afflictions as by a sharpe medicine heatest the inward man and by temporary troubles preparest vs for euerlasting ioy euen as thy selfe hast opened the way for vs to true felicitie by thy owne steps Grant that I may drinke this cup patiently and obediently as giuen of thee But these troubles O blessed and meek Sauiour fall heauy on me my proud and enuious disposition grudging and repining at them Giue me O Lord in cure the happie and heart comforting spectacle of thy precious Passion that beholding thee ouer-flowed with bloud and sweate cruelty hauing vsed seuerall torments to let it forth I may account my selfe happie in so sweet a societie and my rancour and swollen desires ambitiously puffed vp with malicious and aspiring thoughts may at this sight fall low and bee asswaged the venemous and poysoning sting of the subtill serpent bee drawne and cast from me by beholding thee the example of all patience and gentlenes Endue me O Lord with an absolute contempt of all these vaine and gawdie shadowes whose pompe and outward glorie are rated at so high an estimation Let me look inwardly onely and all my care be to be richly and sumptuously attired within Let mee aime at no peace but that of a good conscience fearing onely thy rebuke and displeasure but for thy sake highly esteeme all the contempt the world can throw vpon me the scoffes disdaine and base regard they can afflict me with the reuilings slanders imputations which enuie and ill tongues can lay vpon me since promotion and high respect are no badges of thy seruants commendation and gracefull language no titles of thy followers nor security and worldly felicitie any testimonies of thy loue and fauour to which onely O glorious example of all vertue let me ambitiously aspire thorow the burning Furnaces the Lyons Den the Axe Stones or what new crueltie soeuer Tyrants witty onely in mischieuous inuentions can for the professing thee inflict vpon mee since to lose all the world and win thee is a purchase vnualuable vnspeakeable which grant for thine owne Names sake I may happily attaine Amen 76. A Prayer in extremity of sicknesse O Iesu Christ the onely hope of them that liue and eternall life of them that die I wretched sinner submit my selfe wholly to thy Diuine Will whether it pleaseth thee my soule shall longer remaine in the prison of this my bodie to serue thee or depart out of this world I am sure what is cōmitted to thy mercy can neuer perish I wil lay down this my fraile and miserable body with a willing minde namely in hope of resurrection which renders it to me againe much more happie Strengthen O truely-mercifull and all-louing Sauiour my soule with thy grace against all temptations against all the assaults of Satan Inuiron me with the shield of thy mercy by which in times past thou restoredst thy Martyrs vnconquered against grieuous torments and cruell deaths I see nothing in my selfe which can bee a help vnto me all my hope is in thy inestimable goodnesse I haue no merits or good workes to alledge to thee but alas I behold on euerie side many wicked and sinfull offences many malicious and enuious transgressions many lewde and lasciuious acts which are here readie to accuse and condemne and as much as their exclamations can further desirous to throw me to euerlasting hell and perdition What Aduocate so mercifull as thy selfe Who so powerfull And who more willing and readie Who can better deliuer what must at this time preuaile for me being a story of thy owne loue and mercy Who can shew the skars of those honourable wounds which were gotten in the redemption of mankinde but thy Almightie selfe Who the print of those lashes which all ouer skarrified thy innocent flesh for the painting and artificiall discolouring ours Who with fortie dayes Fasting expiated our riotous and superfluous Feasts but thy most mercifull selfe Wash away O Lord with thy precious Bloud the contagious spots of my hainous offences and let thy neuer-failing Iustice answere in iudgement for my presumptuous iniustice thy great and mightie merites be an acceptable propitiatorie for the multitude of my misdeeds and grant O louing and all-gracious Lord that thy grace may increase aboue my sicknesse let not my faith faile my hope faint my charity waxe cold nor humane infirmity ioyned with the feare of death cast mee into the bottomelesse gulfe of despaire but that when the eyes of my body are shut and closed vp the euer-waking eye of my minde may looke vp and bee comforted in thee and that when the vse of my tongue shall be taken from me my soule may then incessantly and continually cry vnto thee O Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit to whom bee honour and glorie world without end 77. A Prayer in the Spring time O Almightie and euer-liuing God the powerfull Creator of heauen and earth ordaining them with their seuerall Lights and Ornaments for the necessarie vse of mankinde appointing them in their distinguisht seasons to yeeld food and sustenance for the maintenance of thy People Wee giue thee humble and heartie thankes for this moderate and timely Spring refreshing the decayed earth with the kindly heate of the Sun and temperate falls of raine and water renewing in vs a comfortable expectation of our Resurrection in beholding how thy mercifull and All-able hand hath freshly apparelled the naked and barren fields beautifying them with seuerall sorts of flowers loading the Trees disroabed and withering with new buds and blossomes the earth her selfe shooting forth her seeds long time buried in her womb with the hope of a happie and plentifull increase to the great ioy and consolation of thy seruants Grant I beseech thee that wee being renewed and borne againe by holy Baptisme and hauing cast and throwne off the old man may become new creatures neuer more to returne to our old sinnes but