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
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
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
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
liuing one in thee we may vndeuided enioy thy eternall company world without end Amen 54. A Prayer for Mariners I Haue seene and beheld thy wonderfull workes and am amazed I haue considered O Lord and meditated on thy vnheard-of mercies and am astonished Thou hast giuen vs a passage in the midst of the foming waters the raging Seas haue incompassed vs on euerie side and thou hast saued vs The Rockes haue hidden themselues awaiting our destruction and the Shelfes haue prouided a graue for vs terrible and dreadfull Tempests haue snatched away our Mast from vs the deuouring Maine hath eaten vp our Anchor Darkenesse hath ouer-shadowed the heauens and taken the guide of the Starres from vs and the confusion and imminent danger so amazed our Pilot that he hath forgotten the vse of his Loadstone and yet O mercifull and all pittying Father hast thou safely conducted and brought vs to our desired Hauen Thy mightie and out-stretched Arme hath supplyed the defect of our Mast thy Mercie stands vs in stead of our Anchor thy euer-shining goodnesse made way for vs through the midst of all darknesse and thy eternall Prouidence our neuer-fayling Load-stone mercifully directed vs in the vnknowne waies of the wilde Ocean Praise the Lord all yee waters and let all the fishes of the Sea praise the LORD and all yee that haue seene his wonders in the deepe bee confounded and astonished For my part O Lord write them I beseech thee in the Table of my heart that I may continually remember them with feare and trembling euer acknowledging with praise and thankesgiuing that thou hast taken mee from the mouth of the graue and snatcht me out of the iawes of death for which I will alwaies sing There is none like vnto our God who hath saued his people in the midst of destruction hallowed be his name for euermore Amen 55. A Prayer for Children O Lord God from whom the most aged receiue their comfort and the wisest their instruction guide I humbly entreate thee my parents in the way of saluation bee a staffe O Lord vnto their weakenesse and a guide vnto their steps renew their minds in the decay of their bodies and giue them inward eyes to behold what their dim and fading sight can neuer attaine to that they may walke in truth and righteousnesse all the dayes of their life And graunt I earnestly beseech thee louing and gentle Father that I may bee obedient to their holy and iust commandements louing and carefull in performing to my power their precepts and instructions requiting their former care of me with my dutie and humblenesse Blesse me O Lord in my tender and vnexperienced yeeres from all euill and lewd company which may accustome me to idle and vnthriftie courses invre my mind to labour for the attaining learning and knowledge and graciously O Lord bestow vpon mee as the ground-worke of all other vertues the gift of humilitie being fittest for my yeeres and most conuenient for grace to build vpon euen for Iesus Christ his sake who hath commanded all little ones to come to him Amen 56. A Prayer for Seruants O Lord God which hast bought vs all with thy precious Bloud ransoming at as deare a price the Begger that feâ—deth on Almes as Kings that clothed in gold and purple fare deliciously Giue me grace O Lord to be contented with the estate thou hast placed me in and let mee not repine at the lownesse of my place but keeping heere my station and carefully watching for the time of my freedome I may at last obtaine eternall libertie Prosper O Lord of thy accustomed bountie and goodnesse my Master and Mistresse blesse them with thy feare and endue them with thy holy Spirit that they may truely obey and honour thee Humble me O Lord before them and giue me grace faithfully to execute what they shall lawfully command Let mee neuer entertaine a thought to wrong them but deale truely and vprightly in whatsoeuer they shall commit to my charge knowing that thou art a seuere and All-seeing Iudge who wilt one day call mee to account for all my offences let me be studious and diligent to dispatch what they shall appoint mee to do not mis-imploying my time to their losse and preiudice Saue me O Lord from the companie of those who delight in wickednesse and vnder whose tongues lyeth guile and deceit Preuent me O Lord by thy neuer-erring wisedome and assist me with thy grace that I may truely serue thee and them whom thou hast appointed ouer mee that I may at length be preferred to thee in thy eternall Kingdome who liuest and raignest world without end Amen 57. A Prayer for one that is sicke WIth what face O Lord shall I approach before thee How shall I dare to lift vp my voyce vnto thee What can I say for my selfe or what shall I offer Shall I entreate health of thee who in the fulnesse of it haue dedicated it to thy enemie Shall I proffer to serue thee that am vnable to helpe my selfe Shall I request thy loue and fauour who haue euer beene thy professed enemie and now come onely to beg it when I am vnder thy wrath readie to receiue damnation for my hainous and horrid transgressions I confesse eternall and euer-liuing God that I am not worthy that a thought of thy goodnesse should enter into so polluted a mansion I acknowledge my selfe to haue deserued more punishment then hell can lay vpon me who haue daily hourely nay knowingly so grieuously offended thy Diuine Maiestie now onely offering my selfe to thee when sin can make no vse of mee Yet O mercifull Father consider I beseech thee what my substance is how mightie my enemies and how fraile my owne condition Forsake me not I beseech thee though I come ouer-late vnto thee thy mercy I know O Lord is able to forgiue more then I am able to commit By that bottomelesse welspring I beseech thee haue pittie on me and comfort me lest I despaire and dye For my sinnes are terrible vnto me and appeare before me clad in their deformitie the deuill whom I haue thus long serued now puts me in minde and representeth the horrour of hell vnto mee O sweet Iesus hasten vnto me and since thou didst vouchsafe to put on Humanity for our Redemption forsake me not now a miserable and afflicted creature lying at the feet of thy mercy who determineth neuer to rise till thou say vnto him Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee Lend me O Lord if it bee thy holy pleasure a little more respit to call vpon thy Name Lengthen my daies that I may repent mee and winne thy fauour by seeking after thee But if otherwise thou determine make me O Lord readie for thee and let my humble confession hearty and true contrition with the acknowledgement of thy infinite and boundlesse Deitie as it did the Thiefe vpon the Crosse saue me from prepared ruine and destruction sweet Iesus Amen 58. A Prayer for Womens Deliuerance
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