enabled to exercise whatsoeuer is good and vertuous Amen SATVRDAY 16. Morning Prayer BE mercifull vnto me O Lord and let thy holy hand be ouer me Let my first Meditation be of thy goodnesse and my Morning thoughts imployed about thy fatherly care and protection which hath from my infancie ouershadowed me preseruing me from the vile and shamefull fires of Lust and Riotousnesse recalling me still to a feeling and dislike of my passed sinnes and offences Rectifie O Lord my sinfull will and strengthen my frailetie that with the burning wings of filiall pietie and humble deuotion for so many and those vnspeakable gifts and graces I may flye by prayers and thanks-giuing to the Throne of thy Diuinitie where fixing all my aymes and intents I may change my pronenesse and inclination to ill and wickednesse with vertuous and feruent desires of louing and honouring thee for thy selfe who art onely and all goodnesse without the respect of my dependance or being from thee that reuerencing thy greatnesse and rauished with thy goodnesse I may with a loue full of awe and feare eschew those wayes which may displease thee euer carefuller of thy anger then my owne hurt or disaduantage to which height of Charitie graunt me O Lord to attaine for the merits of thy onely Sonne who alone is able to deserue so infinite a blessing for so infinite and vile a sinner Amen AT NOONE. 17. A Prayer against Drunkennesse GIue to me the water of Life O Lord and I shall neuer thirst but say the word and I shall be satisfied Send downe thy heauenly dew to asswage and coole my disordered and vnlimitted desires whose burning heat and raging fire runnes me into sinne and excesse In vaine haue I laboured without thee to stay my intemperance in vaine opposed my selfe against my wild and lawlesse sences Strengthen O Lord my weakenesse and confirme me against the temptations of the Deuill who finding a breach in me hath entred and made prey banishing all things good and vertuous which thou hast placed to keepe me and hath peopled me with strong and sinfull thoughts mortall and well-armed Offences who dare iustifie their Rapine and Extortion Drunkennesse Whoredome readily committing more sinnes then I haue names to cloath them in Hasten O Lord and helpe me for I am wearie of their tyrannie cast them out of me and plant thy grace that they returne not and multiplie Whole Dayes haue I pleased my selfe in displeasing thee and broken many Nights to breake thy Commaundements sore longing for their companie whose feet run to Iniquitie abusing thy Creature prouided by thy care and prouidence for the refreshing and sustentation of our naturall bodies to our ruine and without thy great mercie vtter damnation Did not thy seruant Lot O Lord a iust and righteous man in his drinke abuse his owne Daughter What sinne hath Hell in store so horrid that it dare not act and glorie of the deed O most mercifully louing Lord and Father who desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that he should liue and repent I request thee by the bowels of thy Mercie thy bitter precious Passion thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension thou wilt take away from me this Monster and Hell-borne wickednesse which hath subtilly perswaded me to offend thee my Lord and Maker and stealingly surprized me and giuen me vp to all manner of sinnes and transgressions taking away all reason blinding the sences that being wholly in his power he might carrie me headlong to all perdition Preserue me O Lord by thy might and power from all occasions which may bring me to him for I am fearefull of him and dare not without thy gracious assistance and mercie endure his slye and powerfull perswasions No age is warranted from him hee adulterateth both sexes he vnsanctifieth the most religious and creepeth into the priuatest and most retired places bewitching all sorts with his cunning and alluring charmes Stand O my Redeemer at the gates of my eares and shut out all his faire-seeming treaties which would conclude a peace betweene my frailetie and the Deuill Cleare O Lord my eyes and take away the myst from them that I may plainely see and perceiue his ouglinesse and deformitie wallowing in beastlinesse and sensualitie mercifully touch my heart with thy illumining Spirit that I may hate and detest him shun his friends and companions and flye from the place of his abode and entertainement within whose Circle no soule is safe no thought pure no sence perfect Amen 18. Euening Prayer LAy thy blessed hands vpon me O Lord as thou didst on thy seruant Lot delaying his owne safetie and conduct me out of this sinfull and euerie-way polluted Sodome that I may quickly flye from it lest vnquenchable fire and brimstone ouertake me whilest I protract and refuse thy heauenly inspirations Let no day passe me without some progresse in goodnesse and vertue and euerie houre O mercifull Father graunt I may determine a full amendment and detestation of my former lewdnesse and misse-spent behauiour Let me account my selfe an vnprofitable Scholler when I haue not learnt and aspired to some higher measure of vnderstanding thee an vnthriftie and riotous worldling when I haue not gathered and laid vp somewhat to maintaine and defend me in the day of trouble Touch O Lord my heart with thy heauenly Spirit that I may esteeme this life in his full value onely a Pilgrimage and Thorow-fare to another Land where I must truly liue for euer and accordingly despising all the lets and hinderances be neither tempted with the gawdie pleasures nor terrified with the rough passages of my Iourney but in thy holy feare making way through them I may at last arriue to thee the promised Land where euer-continuing and flourishing content and happinesse abideth Amen SVNDAY 19. Morning Prayer O My most mercifull Lord and Redeemer how shall a guiltie and sinfull soule appeare in the presence of an innocent and vnspotted Deitie or what hope of Pitie or Pardon when he shall be my Iudge who may onely accuse me bearing about him wide and gastly wounds which my sinnes haue giuen him by which his most glorious Passion and admirable Resurrection he as this day finished that great and neuer to be forgotten benefit of the Redemption of Mankind which I as much as in me lyeth by my horrid and abominable lust and desire haue sought to frustrate and annihilate Who shall take me from his Iustice or rescue me from his Omnipotencie I haue sinned O Lord I haue sinned and am no more worthie to be called thine I haue risen with the Sunne to meditate on vanities and all the day long haue I followed my owne wayes at the going downe of the same I haue forgotten thy Blessings and sate in darkenesse without remembring thee the Light and Guide of those that goe astray I haue forgotten thy Lawes and thy Statutes haue beene farre from me my thoughts haue beene busied in vncleanenesse and my lippes acquainted with
leasings and vaine stories O be mercifull vnto me and enter not into Iudgement with thy seruant for how shall Dust and Ashes stand vp before thee or the worke of thy hands contend with his Creator Haue pitie on me O Lord according to thy great goodnesse and in the multitude of thy mercies blot out all my Iniquities Saue me and be neere vnto me in the day of trouble that I may magnifie thy Name and giue all honour power and glorie to thee who art the Father and Fountaine of all comfort and consolation Amen AT NOONE. 20. A Prayer concerning the benefit of Creation I Am amazed O Lord to consider of thy wonderfull mercie my soule is lost in the depth of thy neuer-ceasing goodnesse and like the wisest of Philosophers the more I learne the lesse I may truly professe to know so bottomelesse and vnsearchable is thy loue and fauour When I was Nothing O Lord why thoughtst thou of me and calledst me to be Something which hauing any subsistence of Beast or Plant is better then not to be at all but thou hast created me according to thine owne Image giuing me a reasonable soule like the Angels endued with noble faculties and powers enabling me to reach the height of thy mysticall Diuinitie and diuine Mysterie and made me capable of euerlasting and infinite glorie O Lord before thee and in comparison of thy Maiestie I am iust Nothing and how wast thou then mindfull of me to create me Alas my soule thou wast hidden in the Abysse of Nothing and in this Abysse of Nothing shouldst thou haue remained vntill this present if God had not drawne thee forth from thence and what couldst thou haue done within this Nothing O my great and good Creator how infinitely am I indebted vnto thee for that thou hast taken me out of this Nothing to make me by thy mercie that something which I am What shall I euer be able to doe worthily to blesse and magnifie thy Name and to render thankes to thine exceeding Bountie But alas my Creator in stead of vniting my selfe vnto thee by pure loue and loyall seruice I haue alwayes beene rebellious by vnruly affections separating and withdrawing my selfe from thee to ioyne and vnite my selfe vnto sinne and iniquitie doing no more to thy Goodnesse then if thou hadst not beene my Creator What wickednesse hath there beene O Lord that I haue not had a thought readie to put in a mind apt to contriue and a hand willing to execute it Wherein haue I testified my obedience in following thy Lawes and Precepts Wherein my truth and loyaltie in resisting thy vowed and knowne enemies But O my soule know that our Lord is thy God it is he that hath made thee and not thou thy selfe O God I am the worke of thy hand I will then no more henceforth take pleasure in my selfe since in my selfe and of my selfe I am truly Nothing Blesse thy God O my soule and let all thy bowels prayse his holy Name for his Bountie hath drawne me forth of the Abysse of Nothing and his Mercie hath created me O my God I offer vnto thee with all my heart the essence and being which thou of thy Bountie hast bestowed vpon me and most willingly doe I dedicate and consecrate it to thee O my God strengthen me in these affections and resolutions and giue me perseuerance to the end 21. Euening Prayer I Humbly confesse and acknowledge O mercifull Lord and Sauiour that I haue not imployed and bestowed the blessed Time of this hallowed Day so deuoutly and religiously as I ought and am commanded to doe I beseech thee of thy infinite mercie to forgiue and pardon so weake and frayle a Creature that cannot entertaine the least good thought one moment vvithout thee and vouchsafe of thy accustomed goodnesse and clemencie continually to visit nay my most blessed Sauiour to inhabite and dwell with mee that so I may doe the things which please thee Giue vnto me O Lord a kindly relenting and remorse for the sinnes I haue this day committed against thy diuine Maiestie and against my Neighbour by thought word and deed and by omission of those things thou hast left me in charge to haue done Moderate O Lord my sleepe and banish from me all vaine and wandering fancies vncleane and idle illusions that I may awake in thee and to thee offer my Morning thoughts who art onely worthie of all that onely hast created redeemed sanctified and preserued me for which be thou euer praysed and honoured world without end Amen 22. A Prayer to our blessed Sauiour and Redeemer PRostrate thy selfe O my soule before the Lord of all Maiestie and Glorie sitting at the right hand of his Father crowned with Mightinesse and Power richly adorned with a garland of all Vertues brightly shining in the companie of his glorious Angels holy Saints and bloudie Martyrs honouring and seruing him without ceasing or intermission singing Hymnes of his Goodnesse and Mercie and hauing thus beheld him in this great Pompe and Triumph cast thine eye vpon this blessed Sauiour poorely lying in the Manger hauing scarce any thing to couer his tender and delicate Bodie or saue it from the iniurie of the Ayre Consider well and seriously how he which giueth heat and motion to the Sunne is here contented as vnable to helpe himselfe to take warmth and comfort from the breath of the Beasts whom he there disdained not to be his Chamber-fellowes O wonderfull example of all humilitie How darest thou from henceforth contemned Dust and Ashes swell in thy Vaine-glorie and decked with a few gay Ragges forget thy Creator who is cloathed with Eternitie Humble O Lord my high and proud thoughts abase and bring downe my loftie and rebellious imaginations make me abiect in my owne eyes that walking with my poore Brethren who wander naked and hungrie lying vpon the bare cold Earth I may with them prayse and glorifie thy holy Name who wert the first founder and beginner of this poore and contemned Order Why shall we from henceforth so highly esteeme Honour and Riches when thou the Lord of both didst so contemne it voluntarie for our instruction submitting thy selfe to so great and miserable Pouertie Happie are wee if wee be distressed and patiently suffer it happie if wee be contemned and neglected for thy sake Teach me O Lord the way to despise all worldly preferment and promotions that hauing my thoughts only fixed vpon thee I may passe forth these transitorie short miseries to dwell in eternall rest and felicitie in thy Kingdome which is promised to all those which serue thee to whom be ascribed all honor power and glorie world without end Amen 23. Another Prayer for assistance in dangers and troubles COmplaynest thou discontented and vngratefull Creature that thy enemies lye in wait to take thy life from thee and thinkest thy selfe not well dealt with to be so persecuted and afflicted when thou mayest behold the Creator of Heauen and Earth
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
their trust in thee Be present O Lord with the Armies which are gone foorth to oppose those who labour our ouerthrow Leade O Lord their Captaine and conduct him through the midst of their enemies Giue him wisedome and discretion warily to foresee all disaduantages inuincible courage to oppose all dangers and truth and loyalty that he sell not the faith bloud of the people Be at their counsels O Lord and determine for them Blesse their stratagems that vnpreuented they may take effect and so order all the state of this Warre that they may returne with conquest and victory Giue vnto the souldiers O Lord ablenes of minde body to be willing strong to vndergoe al labours and assaults concord and vnanimity that obediently labouring for the weale of their Country they may be made fit instruments of the others ouerthrow Blesse the Season of the yeere vnto them moderate the extremitie of heate cold that they bee neither disabled by the one nor distempered by the other Let the Sunne and the Winde O Lord fight for them the aduantages and inconueniency of place be on their side that by thee through thee being made cōquerors of their enemies they may triumph in thy goodnes and boast of thy louing kindnesses which endure from generation to generation Amen 51. A Prayer to be said by a Husbandman for the fruits of the earth O All prouident and carefull Creator which hast giuen charge and influence to the heauenly Powers to apparell and adorne the earth with varified and many coloured beauties for the ornament and glory of this great All and hast likewise blessed her wombe with a fit disposition to receiue the Husbandmans seede comforting and cherishing it with her natiue vertue and the generatiue power of the Sunne till it re-deliuer it againe with great increase and profit for the refreshing and sustentation of all mankinde Powre downe wee beseech thee with thy heauenly and timely showres maturitie and fruitfulnesse into her barren and sterrill wombe Giue her O Lord a timely Conception and let the moderate fals of heate and water deliuer her of plenty and aboundance that all nations may reioyce and be glad Send farre from vs that monster Famine the abortiue issue of her vntimely labour Shut vp the Lightning O Lord and hold backe the Thunder graspe the Clouds that shee perish not with excesse of drought and stay the waters in their fall lest shee miscarry by drinking too much Keep from her vnwholesome ayres destroying Mil-dewes and the deuouring Caterpillers which carried on the wings of the vvinde eate vp the fruits of our labour Giue vs O Lord a timely Haruest that wee may with ioy and comfort carrie into our Barnes what we haue with much labour and expence carefully sowed Blesse O Lord our store like the Widdowes for that giuing out of our necessary prouision to our poore Brethren we may finde thy blessing left behinde that neither casuall fire malice of our neighbours nor the excesse of immoderate showres destroy our Garners and Store-houses but holding our wealth as thy gift to bee recalled at thy pleasure wee may receiue thy bounteous largesse here and full haruest hereafter to those promised that haue beene carefull Stewards in thy Vineyard euen for Iesus c. 52. A Prayer for the Widdowes HOw often O Lord hast thou inuited me by thy holy Word to come vnto thee How often hast thou called Come vnto me all yee that are laden and oppressed and I will ease you Behold me here O Lord a poore and desolate Widdow depriued of my Husband vnder thee giuen to bee my onely stay and comfort shut vp in my house vnuisited vncomforted vncounselled left in a sea of troubles and in a wildernesse of businesse vnskilfull how to begin and vnexperienced which way to wade thorow them my children hungrie after my goods and my kindred gaping after their Legacies my state vncertaine and litigious called by contentious and euill minded persons into question of Titles and Tryals meaning by oppression and might to teare from mee what belongeth not to them In all these my troubles and afflictions heauinesse of minde sad and continuall griefes I neither expect nor desire comfort but from thy holy Tabernacle Looke downe from thy high and holy place O Lord vpon thy carefull and comfortlesse seruant and instruct her which way to take in so many and confused miseries Touch the heart O Lord of some honest and religious man one who hath thy feare before his eyes that hee may helpe and direct me in my vncertaine and doubtfull businesses and if it be my right O Lord that they would violently pluck from mee bee neere vnto me for thy mercie sake and raise vp those that are skilfull in the Law to deale faithfully with me fasten the Iudge O Lord vnto me and open his eyes that hee may see my right and deale according vnto equitie Blesse my children and teach them obedience to thee and dutie towards me that I may be comforted in them and giue mee grace O Lord to dedicate the remainder of my dayes to thy vse and seruice strength to resist and ouercome all contrarie motions and oppositions that hauing faithfully obeyed thee in taking my husband since thou hast pleased to take him from me I may liue onely to thee so that death nor hell be able to diuorce me from so bountifull so blessed and all-pittying a Lord and Father Amen 53. A Prayer for a Wife O Lord God most mightie which hast instituted and ordained Marriage for the holy vniting and ioyning together of one soule in two bodies which should gouerne and direct all their actions to one end mutually supplying each others eare ioyntly labouring through the cumbers and aduersities of this transitorie world together bearing all troubles and discomforts together partaking of all ioyes and solaces Grant I beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest thy holy Church a type of which thou pleasest to make vs that we may together faithfully serue obey thy commandements loue thee aboue our selues and feare thee aboue all things Blesse O Lord I beseech thee my husband in all his businesse and vndertakings and giue him grace to call vpon thee for aide and counsell in all his enterprises accept his labours O Lord and prosper the workes of his hands that endeuoring painefully and honestly to earne our refreshings we may relye vpon thee for the good successe Grant vs O Lord a competent estate to maintaine our selues without ingagements to others and to bring vp our children in thy feare sanctifie vs with thy holy Spirit that a vertuous and heauenly loue may dwell betwixt vs in all sorrowes and mis-fortunes whatsoeuer it shall please thee to lay vpon vs still comforting one another Forgiue O Lord and remit all our sinnes and giue vs both grace to attend thy Diuine Will and Pleasure for the perfecting and establishing of whatsoeuer wee shall desire that being made one by thee and
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
Fethers become my head when I inwardly behold thee crowned with Thornes And shall my wrists be guarded with precious Bracelets where thine were bound with cords My fingers glistring with Diamonds and thine iewell'd with thine owne Bloud starting out with the vnmercifull vsage of thy persecuters O my most sweet and gentle Sauiour let my sorrowfull and wofull thoughts for my deadly and horrible offences bee to my head a torment like thy mercilesse Thornes my vaine and idle behauiour more despised then that many-coloured coate and the awe and reuerence of thy iustice terrible to offenders chaine my hands harder and with more crueltie then the whipcord that I may in some measure haue a feeling and vnderstanding of those vnheard of and new-inuented Tyrannies laid vpon thee for my transgressions Let the memorie of thy wounds pierce my heart with true compunction so to haue iniured a Lord of such greatnesse and Maiestie for my sake willingly aboue the meeknesse of a Lambe vndergoing those base and vnworthy disgraces the fore-runners of thy cruell death Giue me O Lord since we must bee perfect imitators of thee obedience to yeeld and submit my selfe to thy diuine Will and Pleasure in all sufferings and torments a noble patience to beare them manfully and charitie inflamed like thine to blesse my persecuters praying for their amendment and conuersion that suffering with thee obediently patiently and louingly I may enioy with thee that happie reward fore-promised to all those that take vp their Crosse and follow thee euen for thy precious and vnvaluable bloud which shed vpon the Crosse is an vndenyable Sacrifice for all sinnes and offences 36. A Prayer for a Mayd against Temptation GIue vnto God the first fruits saith the Prophet And our Sauiour commandeth vs to offer him those things that are his Thou hast planted me here O Lord and opened the gates of heauen to water mee Thou hast made me flourish spreading like a faire Vine and my lussious and swelling fruite haue tempted vnholy hands to steale away what belongeth to thee Strengthen mee O Lord against their violence and let their subtile perswasions come to nothing the Pit which they haue digged for others proue their own Sepulchre and let their nets bee ouerthrowne and broken that glorifying thee I may ioyfully say The Lord hath beene my deliuerer I need not feare what men can do to me he hath helped and saued his hand-maiden out of the hands of his enemies Blessed bee the name of the Lord now and for euermore Amen 37. Another Prayer for a Maide to the same effect O Almightie GOD Creator of heauen and earth who glorifyest the Firmament with Starres the Sun with a great light the God of all beautie all proportion all order holding in thy hand the motion and being of all things created I humbly offer vp vnto thy Diuine Maiestie whatsoeuer is good and vertuous in me whatsoeuer beautifull or proportionable entreating thee of thy infinite mercie to take into thy custodie an innocent vnexperienced Maiden to direct and gouerne me by thy neuer-erring wisedome lest my youth betrayed by frailtie and indiscretion should traiterously yeeld mee vp to the lewd suggestions and temptations of the diuell who apparelled in flesh and bloud waiteth hourely for my destruction leauing no meanes vntryed to captiuate my weake soule Suffer him not O Lord to haue the vpper-hand giue me not into his power vnlesse thou place a guard of Angels with mee holy vnresistable thoughts within me that in thy name putting on my Sauiour Christ for my Armour aduancing the glorious Crosse for my Banner I may put my enemies to flight and triumph in the Conquest which thou hast gotten for me to my owne and all their eternall comfort which put their trust in thee Amen 38. A Meditation or Prayer for a Mayden not to be proud of her owne perfections DID not thy hand O Lord giue those many excellent and indistinguisht colours to the Raine-bow Didst not thou O Lord giue glorie to the Sun and apparell the earth in all her beauties And doth not the Raine-bow at the with-drawing of the Sun discolour it selfe the Sunne at the interposing of the Moone hide his glorie and the earth in the absence of the Sun lose all her gay and flourishing Ornaments O momentanie and fading painting washt away with a little sickenesse and blowne off by the rough breath of a violent wind Shall I for thee abandon my Creator and to keepe thy friendship fall out with Almightie God Will the wormes forbeare thy excellency and perfections and strucke with reuerence fall off and retire into their Cabins Is sicknesse afraid of it or dare not death venter vpon it No no my soule they will breake thorow thy Coffin and as a daintie dish eagerly deuoure it the Leprosie will make a prey on it and too well we know that death feareth no colours If thē thou beest bewitched to this outward glosse and shining seeke the waies to make it permanent apply thy selfe to vertue whose raritie and lustre strikes a far off and all men will call thee beautifull Let modestie sit on thy cheekes and thy blushes will out-last the Roses Truth vpon thy lips and they will exceed the Rubies Mildnesse in thy eyes and they will out-shine the Diamond Innocencie on thy brest and thy whitnesse will surpasse the Lillies thou shalt bee beloued of men at peace with thy selfe and acceptable to Almightie GOD. Away then all artificiall and sophisticate drugs idle and besotting waters neuer more will I meddle with you O my sweete Sauiour and Redeemer let nothing seeme beautifull but thy mercie nothing louely but thy bountie enamored on which let me woo intreate sigh zealously protest and vse all meanes and industrie to obtaine them For all other exterior formall beauties the babies of flesh and bloud let me onely acknowledge them as thy glorious workemanship loue them as badges of thy fauour admire and praise thee for them from whose euerlasting store-house they proceed thy selfe being all beautie all excellencie all perfection more to be desired thē much gold or precious stones in whose companie all things are fill'd with perfection and glorie world without end Amen 39. A Prayer for a Maid to be directed in her Choyse SInce thou O Lord in thy euerlasting wisedome hast ordained Marriage honourable amongst men as the meanes for succession and propagation Giue mee O Lord an vnderstanding heart that I bee not euilly seduced to my ouerthrow Grant that I may ayme at no other end but the fulfilling thy commandement not my owne lusts wilfull desires let me choose by the aduice of my friends and the eyes of my Parents lest blinded with affection I fall into those inconueniences which I may too late feele without meanes of remedying Grant O Lord a pure and vnspotted loue may be the cause of our ioyning and a peaceable and vndiuided amitie the effect Let the feare of displeasing thee make vs please