Turne thou vs vnto thee O Lord and so we shall be turned renew our daies as in old times But thou hast vtterlie banished and reiected vs and thou art exceedinglie angrie and displeased against vs. The praier and thankesgiuing of Sarra Tobits wife which in hir virginitie with fasting and weeping for the space of three daies and three nights she made to be deliuered from the shame and reproch wherewith hir fathers maids vpbraided hir Tobit 3 11. BLessed art thou O Lord my God and thine holie and glorious name is blessed and honourable for euer Let all thy works praise thee for euer O God of our fathers which when thou art wroth shewest mercie and in the time of trouble thou forgiuest the sinnes of them that call vpon thee Unto thee O Lord turne I now my face vnto thee lift I vp mine eies and saie I beseech thee O Lord loose me out of the bonds of this rebuke or else take me vtterlie awaie from out of the earth that I may heare no more anie reproch Thou knowest O Lord minc innocencie that I neuer had desire vnto man and that I haue kept my soule cleane from all vncleanlie lusts Thou knowest O Lord I say that I am pure from all sinne with man and that I haue neuer polluted my name nor the name of my father in the land of my captiuitie I haue not kept companie with those that passe their time in sport neither haue I made my selfe partaker with them that walke in light behauiour I am the onelie daughter of my father neither hath he anie man child to be his heire neither anie neere kinsman or child borne of him to whom I may keepe my selfe for a wife An husband haue I consented to take not for my pleasure but in thy feare and my seuen husbands are now dead one after another and why should I liue to endure so great reproch as to be counted a murtherer of my husbands Now peraduenture either I haue beene vnwoorthie of them or else were they vnmeete for me But if it please not thee that I should die as I desire for thou happilie hast kept me to another husband command then to looke on me to pitie me that I doo no more heare reproch For why thy counsell is not in the power of man but euerie one that serueth thee is sure of this that if his life be in trieng he shall be crowned and if he be in trouble that God no doubt shall deliuer him if his life be in chastening that he shall haue leaue to come vnto thy mercie For thou hast no pleasure in our damnation And why After a storme thou makest the weather faire and still after weeping and heauinesse thou giuest great ioie Thy name O God of Israel be praised for euer Amen And at the same time were hir praiers heard before the maiestie of the great God The praier of Iudith which she made with fasting and teares for the deliuerance of hir people the Bethulians out of the hands of Holophernes and the Assyrians host that besieged their citie Iudith 9 2. O Lord God of my father Simeon which gauest him a sword for a defence against the enimies and to take vengeance of the strangers which vsed violence in their vncleannesse and opened the wombe of the maid Dinah and defiled hir that rauished the virgine and discouered the thigh with shame and polluted the wombe to hir reproch confusion For thou hadst commanded that it should not so be yet they the Sichemites I meane did things for the which thou gauest their princes to the slaughter For they were deceiued and washed their beds with bloud And hast striken the seruants with the gouernors the gouernors vpon their thrones Thou that gauest their wiues for a praie and their daughters to be captiues and all their spoiles for a bootie vnto thy children and seruants the Israelites that thou louedst which were mooued with thy zeale and abhorred the pollution of their bloud and called vpon thee for aid O God O Lord my God heare me also a widowe and helpe mee I beseech thee For thou hast wrought the things afore and these and the things that shall be after and thou considerest the things that are present and the things that are to come For the things which thou dost purpose are present and saie Behold we are heere and looke what thou hast taken in hand and deuised it came euer to passe For all thy waies are readie prepared and thy iudgements are put in thine euerlasting foreknowledge O looke now vpon the armies of the Assyrians like as it was thy pleasure sometime to looke vpon the host of the Aegyptians when they being weaponed persecuted thy seruants and put their trust in their chariots horsemen and in the multitude of their men of war but thou lookedst vpon their host casting a thicke darknes before them And when they came into the deepe the waters ouerwhelmed them euen so Lord behold and let it go with those Assyrians which are multiplied by their power and haue exalted themselues with horses horsemen which glory in the strength of their footmen that trust in shield speare and bowe and do not knowe that thou only art the Lord our God which breakest the battels and destroiest the wars from the beginning The Lord is thy name and it apperteineth vnto thee to be called Lord. O lift vp thine arme now like as euer from the beginning and breake thou their strength by thy power cause their force to fall by thy wrath For they haue purposed yea and make their vaunt and boast to vnhalowe and defile thy sanctuarie to pollute the tabernacle where thy glorious name resteth and to waste spoile and cast downe with sword and weapons the horns of thine altar Behold their pride and bring to passe O Lord that the blasphemie of this enimie Holophernes may be cut downe with his owne sword and send thy wrath vpon their heads Giue into mine hand which am a widowe the strength that I haue conceiued that he may be taken with the snare of his eies in me and that thou maiest smite him with the lips of my loue Smite I saie by the deceit of my lips the seruant with the prince and the prince with the seruant O giue me a stedfast mind that I may despise him and his strength and that I may destroie him This shall bring thy name an euerlasting remembrance if thou abate his strength and ouerthrowe him by the hand of a woman For thy power O Lord standeth not in the multitude of men nor thy might in strong men neither hast thou anie pleasure in the strength of horses neither was there from the beginning anie proud persons that pleased thee But in the praier of the humble and meeke hath thy pleasure beene euermore Thou I saie O Lord art the helpe of the humble and little ones the defender of the weake and the protector of them that are
intituled Miserere mei Deus Haue mercie vpon me O God which in most deuout manner she said to the verie end with these hir last words LORD into thy hands I command my spirit ¶ Morning and Euening praiers with diuers Psalmes Hymnes and Meditations made and set forth by the Ladie ELIZABETH Tyrwhit A Confession to be said before Morning praier I Doo acknowledge and confesse vnto thee O most mercifull and heauenlie father mine often and grieuous offences that I haue committed against thy diuine Maiestie from my youth hitherto in thought word and deed leauing vndone those things which I ought and should haue done and dooing those things which I ought not to haue done prouoking thy wrath and indignation against me And now lamenting this my wickednes I appeale vnto thy mercie saie with the Publicane O Lord GOD be mercifull vnto me a most wretched sinner forgiue all that is past saue and defend me from euill and confirme me in good life to the glorie of thy name So be it A praier to be said at our vprising I Doo thanke thee my most mercifull and heauenlie Father by thy deerelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ that this night thou hast giuen me sleepe and rest preseruing me from hurt and perill I crie thee mercie for mine offences and most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this daie keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts words and works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all things that I go about into thy hands beseeching thee that thine holie spirit may abide with me least my deadlie aduersarie the diuell haue power ouer me Amen Another praier at our vprising OBlessed Iesu this daie I commend me and all my proceedings into thy hands this daie I most humbly praie thee to helpe me which hast made me to thine owne image and in thy bloud hast clensed me which art my hope in heauiuinesse my comfort in care and trust in trouble Although sweete Lord my conscience accuseth me and the lawe condemneth me yet thy pretious death and testament hath deliuered me with thee to reigne in glorie after death hath arrested me the earth consumed me yet good Lord I trust in the resnrrection to dwell with thee eternallie through thy promise made to me and to all that doo beleeue in thee and call vpon thy holie name Thy kingdome come this daie to me from Sathan deliuer me with the bread of Angels feede me from fleshlie lusts purge me from sudden death and deadlie sinne O Lord take me Giue me an hart to beleeue in thee and that all my senses may obey thee and of thy mercie accept my praiers this daie before thee which art one God in Trinitie to whom be all honour and glorie Amen The Hymne or praier to the sonne of God THe beamie sun large light doth giue chase away the night So blesse vs with thy benefits endue vs with thy spirit Swéet dews frō heuen to earth God grant of peace quiet mind That we may serue the liuing God as his statutes doo bind O mightie Lord our helpe at néed driue far awaie the féend That sinne nor hell doo vs molest when as our life shall éend Thou art the euer lasting daie which shinst in euerie place And féedest euerie liuing wight with plentious gifts of grace Into thy heauenlie hands déere God my spirit I doo commend This day from sin and Sathans power thy seruant me defend We laud thée Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs frée We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons thrée An Antheme HIs deerlie beloued sonne God did not spare but for vs all deliuered him How shall he not with him giue vs all things also A praier to God the father to be vsed before Morning praier OUr mercifull father which in teaching vs to praie by thy sonne Christ hast commanded vs to call thee father and to beleeue that we are thy beloued children who stirrest vp none of thine to praie but to the intent that thou wouldest heare them giuing vnto vs also all things more effectuallie and plentiouslie than we can either aske or thinke We do beseech thee for thy sonnes sake to giue vs grace to beleeue and knowe assuredlie that thy sonne our Sauiour Christ is giuen of thee vnto vs to be our Sauiour our righteousnesse our wisdome our holines our redemption and our satisfaction O Lord suffer vs not to trust in anie other saluation but in thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it The Hymne of our redemption by Christ. PRaise we our father louinglie which gentlie vs preserued When we forsooke him wretchedlie death by sinne deserued His mercie was so bountious that though we from him fell Fréelie in Christ he pardoned vs and vs redéemd from hell Glorie be to the Trinitie the Father Sonne and spirit liuing Which art one God persons thrée to whom be praise without ending Amen A forme of priuate Morning Praier Our father which art in heauen c. O Lord open thou my lips that my mouth may speake and shew foorth that which is to thy glorie and praise And shut my mouth from speaking of anie thing whereby I should offend thy diuine maiestie or be hurtfull to my neighbor O God make speede to saue vs. O Lord make haste to helpe vs. Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be giuen to God The first Psalme at Morning Praier O Lord heare my words marke my crieng O my King and my God for vnto thee onelie come I to praie neither doo I looke for succour anie where else than of thee O Lord I beseech thee that thou wilt gratiouslie hearken to my petitions that thy grace may spring in my hart with the morrowe light of thy comfort the night of care and perturbation being ouerpassed suffer me not to perish with the vngodlie folke whome thou cursest I come running to thee not trusting in mine owne righteousnes but to thy great and manifold mercies O Lord with the rule of thy iustice will I be directed For thy name sake make plaine thy waie before me and my waie before thee least the spirit of malice doo turne me thence Let them reioice that repose themselues and trust alwaies in thy mercie let them sing Hymnes and Psalmes which doo glorie and reioice in thee let them triumph which loue thy name Defend me O Lord with thy grace as with a shield in time of perill to the intent that when I am assaulted with them I may yet with constant cheere growe vp vnto my full perfection Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the c. The second Psalme OH Lord GOD and father I beseech thee by Christ our Lord that of thine infinite
mercie thou keepe me so as at no time I followe the counsell of the vngodlie which knowe thee not or of Hypocrites which with their harts seeke thee not O Lord suffer me not to enter into the waie of sinners with a mind to fulfill the desires and lusts of the flesh But whensoeuer through frailtie of my corrupt nature I shall chance to run astraie then O Lord staie me and plucke my foote backe againe Keepe me that I sit not in the seate of pestilent scorners which cloaking their Pharisaicall and diuellish intents condemne in other men thy veritie Gospell Oh Lord bring to passe that I may burne in the desire of thy lawe that vpon the aduancement of thy word my mind may alwaies be occupied that I may euermore choose that which is most pleasant to thee and hate that both in my selfe and others which to thee is displeasant Make I praie thee that I may be a tree planted by the sweet riuers of thy ghostlie waters to the intent I may bring foorth fruit to thy glorie and to the profit of my neighbour as often as thou shalt minister time and occasion therevnto Least my leaues which are my words and works should fade and fall awaie but that all things may prosper whatsoeuer I shall doo in thy name Assist me I beseech thee and grant O most mercifull father that for Iesu Christs sake I may take roote in the ground of life least with the vngodlie like chaffe and dust I be blowne abrode with the most pernicious winds of this world And grant that I may stand in the assemblie of the righteous and that I may enter into iudgment without punishment and escape euerlasting damnation Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the begin c. The third Psalme TO thee O Lord I lift vp my mind in thee I trust O Lord God let me not be confounded least mine enimies make me a iesting stocke and a matter to laugh at O Lord make thy waies knowne vnto me and trade me in thy paths Direct me in thy truth and instruct me for thou art God my Sauiour I looke after thee euerie daie O Lord thou art sweet and rightfull and bringest againe into the waie them which went out Thou leadest strait into thy iudgement them that be mild and tractable and teachest them that be meeke thy word and testimonies Thou healest them that be contrite in hart and asswagest their paines and griefe Thou holdest vp all them which else should fall and all that are fallen thou liftest vp againe Thou giuest sight to the blind and loosest them that be bound Thou art nigh vnto all them that call vpon thee so that they call vpon thee faithfullie Thou fulfillest the desire of them that doo feare thee and hearest their praier and sauest them Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie vpon me for in thee my soule trusteth Uerelie my soule hath a speciall respect to thee For my health my glorie and all my strength cōmeth from thee For thine owne sake oh Lord God laie not my sins to my charge I vnderstand not all mine errours innumerable troubles doo close me round about my sinnes haue taken hold vpon me and I am not able to looke vp Put to thy hand to helpe me and leade me right in all my works Make me to walke perfectlie in thy waies that no kind of sinne ouercome me Set a watch before my mouth and keepe the doore of my lips Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my hart be euer pleasant and acceptable in thy sight Let the word of truth neuer go awaie from my mouth and suffer no malice to dwell in my hart O Lord deliuer my soule from lieng lips and saue me from the deceitfull tongue Put into my mouth thy true and holie word and take from me all idle and vnfruitfull speech Deliuer me from false surmises and accusations of men rule me euen as thou thinkest good after thy will and pleasure Turne awaie mine eies that they behold no vaine things fasten them in thy waie Take from me fornication and all vncleannesse and let not the loue of the flesh beguile me Yea deliuer my soule from pride that it doo not reigne in me and then shall I be cleane from the greatest sinne Staie and keepe my feete from euerie euill waie least my steps swarue from thy paths Mine eies looke euer vnto thee O Lord bicause thou art nigh at hand and all thy waies be the truth Thy mercies be great and manie O Lord blessed is he whosoeuer trusteth in thee For when I said vnto thee My feete be slipped thy mercie O Lord by and by did hold me vp Teach me to doo thy will and leade me by thy path-waie for thou art my God Oh Lord saue my soule and deliuer me from the power of darknesse Let the brightnesse of thy face shine vpon thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord God I haue fled for succor Looke vnto me and haue mercie vpon me for I am desolate and poore Keepe my soule and deliuer me that I be not confounded For I haue trusted in thee O Lord God forsake me not although I haue done no good in thy sight For thy goodnesse grant me that at the least-wise now I may begin to liue well O Lord shew thy seruants thy works and their children thy glorie and the gratious maiestie of the Lord our God be vpon vs. Oh prosper thou the works of our hands oh prosper thou our handie works Glorie be to the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen A contemplation of Christes Passion O What loue and mercie of man vndeserued from God the father through his onlie sonne Iesu Christ by whose flesh and bloud we haue cleane remission of our offences when we call to mind this mysterie of our redemption and our sufficient sacrifice whereby sinne death and hell be put to exile and grace mercie and peace be obteined For this we haue not onlie occasion to lament our selues which were the verie causes why Iesus did lament in care and became poore in bodie sweat water and bloud against his death praied in affliction and suffered for our redemption but also to giue dailie thanks and to reioice to God the father for this his sonne by whom we haue felowship with Angels and are become Citizens of the saints and of the houshold of God partakers of euerlasting life for euer O happie be they which forget not this heauenlie Philosophie this giltlesse passion of Iesu Christ To knowe beleeue this is life euerlasting and the quietnesse of conscience This passion is our riches in pouertie and helpe in aduersitie and onlie life in death By this his painefull affliction were all the Patriarches Prophets Martyrs and euerie beleeuing bodie saued that euer was or shall be without which all flesh is damned and accursed Now sweet
Christ for this thy blessed oblation haue mercie on me now and in the houre of death that in the dreadfull daie of iudgment sinne death and hell may not preuaile against me sinfull creature but haue mercie vpon me according to thy greatest mercie which is this thy death and passion for which be praise to the holie Trinitie for euer and euer Amen The Hymne of the passion of Christ IEsus which is the liuelie well of wisdome And the heauenlie truth of the father eternall Which from heauen to this world did come To deliuer vs thrales from paines infernall Of Iudas was sold and of the Iewes taken And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken We laud thee father for thy grace We praise the sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three In the dawning of the daie they did him fast bind And before Pilate he was then conuented False witnesse against Iesus they did then find When the cruell Seniours in iudgement him presented Beaten was his bodie defiled was his face And yet God and man the verie well of grace We laud thee father c. When thrée houres were past before Pilates throne All the people cried Kill Iesus the Iewes king His crowne was thornes in purple he made mone With a crosse ouer Cedron they did him bring And prepared his deadlie place on Galgatha hill To suffer pains for Adams gilt so was his fathers will We laud thee father c. The sirt houre approched his painefull end When on the trée his bodie they nailed In heauen was his helpe in earth he had no freud He died betwéene two théeues on him the Elders railed Then he thirsted for his elect which subiect were to thrall Unthankefullie they offred him vinegre mingled with gall We laud thee father c. This verie God Gods onlie begotten child Said to his father Why hast thou me forsaken Yet receiue this sacrifice and my spirit vndefild The heauens were darkned asunder the stones were shaken Bloud and water then sprang from this blessed lamb Then graues opened the dead aliue foorth came We laud thee father for thy grace c. The second Meditation or praier of our frailtie and miserie O Miserable wretched woman that I am how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holie hill For they loue to be in holie contemplation and I in the vaine multitude forgetting thee they be meeke and I vnpatient they do not forget thee but my good Lord when do I remember thee but when affliction enforceth me or the lamentable fall of my breethren constraine me to thanke thee Thou most mightie and fearefull God of hosts thy holie name be blessed foreuer Amen What shall I saie my God Thou art most good and I euill thou holie and I miserable thou art light and I am blind thou art the blessed ioie and I am carefull and full of sorowe My Lord thou art the Physician and I the miserable patient I am nothing but vanitie and corrupt as euerie liuing man is What shall I saie O Creator but this that I am thy creature and shall I perish Thy hands haue made me and were wounded for me thy bloud was shed for me and hath washed me thy holie Ghost hath sanctified me and taught me yet Lord my daies are nothing What should I mortall creature thus talke with my selfe Lord God but that need hath no lawe Sorowe hath compelled me to seeke comfort sicknesse enforceth me to folowe the Physician conscience pricketh me to crie to thee my Lord for a heauenlie cordiall of comfort which am in great discomfort borne of a woman full of miserie and shortnesse of time and passe awaie like a shadowe neuer content with one estate but in earth remaine for euer The Hymne to God the Creator O Creator to thée thy creature I call Who made of mould do liue in paine And sicke in soule my flesh is thrall O wo is me my daies be vaine Yet vnto God I call for grace My soule in heauen to haue a place A praier to the blessed Trinitie Let vs praie O Holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three equall and coeternall persons but one God almightie haue mercie vpon me vile abiect abhominable and sinfull wretch meekelie acknowledging before thy diuine Maiestie my long continued life in sinne euen from my childhood hitherto Then good gratious Lord as thou giuest me the grace to acknowledge them so giue me grace not in word onlie but in hart also with sorowfull contrition to repent and vtterlie to forsake them Forgiue me also those sinnes through which by mine owne fault wicked affection and euill custome my reason is with sensualitie so blinded as I cannot discerne them for sinne Illuminate my hart good Lord and giue me grace to acknowledge them Forgiue me my sinnes negligentlie forgotten and bring them to my mind with grace to be throughlie repentant for them O mercifull God grant me thy grace so to despise sinne and all worldlie vanities that I may saie with the blessed Apostle Saint Paule The world is crucified to me and I to the world Christ is to me life and to die is my gaine and aduantage I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ Lord giue me thy grace to amend my life and to haue an eie to mine end without anie grudge or feare of death which to them that die in thee is the gate of eternall life Almightie God teach me to doo thy will take my right hand and leade me in the true waie from mine drawe me after thee bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle when I will not drawe vnto thee Oh gratious God all sinfull feare all sinfull sorowe and pensiuenesse all sinfull hope all sinfull mirth and gladnesse take awaie from me On the other side concerning such feare such heauinesse such comfort consolation and gladnesse as shall be profitable for my soule doo with me according to thy great goodnesse O Lord giue me grace in all my feare and agonie to haue recourse to that great feare and wonderfull agonie that thou my sauiour hadst at the Mount of Oliuet before thy most bitter passion and in the meditation thereof to conceiue ghostlie comfort and consolation profitable for my soule Almightie God take from me all vaine-glorious minds all appetites of mine owne praise all enuie couetise gluttonie sloth and lecherie all wrathfull affection all appetite of reuenging all desire of delight of other mens harmes all pleasure in prouoking anie person to wrath and anger all delight in taunting or mocking anie person in their affliction or trouble And giue vnto me O Lord an humble quiet peaceable patient charitable kind tender and pitifull mind in all my words my works and thoughts to haue a tast of thy holie and blessed spirit Giue me good Lord a full faith a firme hope a feruent charitie a loue to thee good Lord incomparable
to thy mercies in all euents purpose firmelie as I now doo euerie daie to amend my life Deliuer me my gratious God from all mortall sinne for euer and giue me grace to persecute my vices with sorowe during life And for the satisfaction of these and all my former sinnes as also for all thine ineffable benefits bestowed vpon me and all mankind I offer vnto thee the merits of thy bitter passion those most pretious drops of bloud thou sheddest for me and that inflamed charitie wherewith thou wholie resignedst thy selfe to all thy torments for my sake and in the vnion of this thine oblation on the crosse I offer vp my selfe soule bodie and all I haue of thine within or without me to thine honour and euerlasting glorie I retaine nothing to my selfe but giue all to thee whose it is and make that thine by my will which is thine of iustice Giue me thy grace O my God to liue better herafter and to confesse my sinnes in due time vnto thee Giue me true humilitie continuall repentance and grace both to knowe thee and also my selfe Giue me puritie of hart in all my dooings patience chastitie and perfect charitie Giue me a good life and a good death and in the dangerous houre of my departure the assistance of thy blessed Saints and Angels with whom I may through thy mercie in another world praise and glorifie thee euerlastinglie Amen The Hymne or praier to God the Father BLessed be God father of heauen Which hath strengthned his féeble flocke With stedfast faith and boldnesse euen To beare his crosse burden and yocke These are the last daies perillous Fréelie Christs Gospell to professe Come downe Lord shortlie to iudge vs And take vs from the heauinesse An Antheme WHosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued A praier to God the Father to be vsed before Euening praier O Mercifull Lord and louing Father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burden of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weake soule According to thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this mirie puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse that being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honour and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen The Hymne of our redemption by Christ. PRaised be God for his excéeding fauour Wich hath giuen vs his sonne to be our Sauiour We are sinners vnrighteous foolish and fleshlie Christ is our mercie-stoole righteousnesse wisdome verelie We are vncleane holden vnder the danger of deth sins exaction Christ is our holines our life our redemption and satisfaction Glorie be to thée O Lord borne of the vndefiled virgin Glorie be to the Father and to the holie Ghost our soules surgin So be it A forme of Priuate Euening praier Our Father which art in heauen c. COnuert vs our Sauiour and turne awaie thy wrath from vs. O God make speede to saue vs. O Lord make haste to helpe vs. Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the be c. Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be giuen vnto God The first Psalme at Euening praier BOw downe thine eare O Lord to my requests and suffer me to exhibit my supplication vp vnto thee For behold night and daie I trace and hunt after thee by all meanes I can To thee onelie earlie and late doo I still call and crie for mercie according as thou hast giuen mee in commandement For when I call to memorie the time of my life euill dispent I quake to thinke vpon thee yea and my spirit faileth me so sore am I afraid of thy iudgements Yet well pondering the processe of thy grace mercie promised me in Christ I cease to despaire knowing that thou O GOD hast not forgotten thy gifts of grace and that thy power to haue compassion is not waxen faint but that both thou canst and wilt put backe thy wrath most iustlie conceiued against me for my sinne In full trust whereof O Lord I come vnto thee beseeching thee to hide my life with Christ within thee and vnder the shadowes of thy wings to defend me that thy grace couenant may be with me euermore Turne not thy mercie from me O Lord nor bring me downe to destruction as I haue deserued but shew thy grace and fauour vnto me that I may liue and being exalted through thy righteousnesse praise thy name most ioifullie Remember my corrupt nature O Lord how short my life is and that thou madest not man for nothing No man can deliuer himselfe from death no man can saue his owne soule from hell thou onelie O Lord must do it namelie to such as beleeue in thee This life passeth as doth a dreame or grasse in the field which to daie is greene and to morrow drie If thou be displeased then we be lost if thou chafe then we shrinke for feare for through sinnes we be dead vnto thee with whome a thousand yeares be but as one daie yea as the least minute of an houre Certesse Lord if thou haue respect to our sins who shall continue Shew me therefore how manie be the daies of my life that I may dispend them wiselie to the praise of thy name least that I foolishlie trusting vpon long life suddenlie might perish come to death Come Lord now vnto vs and comfort vs. Come O God and hide not thy face from me that I be not like vnto those that be hurled into the pit of perdition And after this night of calamitie ouerpassed let the pleasant morning of comfort luckilie shine vpon me that betimes I may heare and feele thy goodnesse for in thee is all my trust Deliuer me this night from the snare of Sathans gard which hunt in the darke how to plucke me from thee Let me not stand in the feare of the night-euill of vnbeleefe and of thy strait iudgement neither let me be afraid of the fleeing arrowe in the daie time Let me not be in feare of that horrible pestilence creeping in through darkenesse I meane let me not be ignorant how detestable my sins be that I dissemble them not nor qualifie them Let me not dread that middaie diuell which abuseth thy Church vnder a title and pretence of holinesse neither let Sathan though he change himselfe into an Angel of light strike anie feare in me But both on the right side and on the left as well in the night as in the daie that is as well in aduersitie as prosperitie and as well in spirituall businesse as in corporall let thy holie Angels diligentlie wait vpon me that I do not stumble then
rotten apple from a liuing tree What haue I gotten by my fall Darknes care miserie affliction sicknesse paine anguish and finallie dreadfull death And alas what shall I be hereafter A stinking carion woormes meate foode for fire dust and claie doong and forsaken rotten consumed blind poore and naked troden vnder the feete of my posteritie and forgotten of all men not knowing where my bodie is which shall vanish like a shadowe and my life shall wither like a leafe and fade as a flower O holie God the more our bodies doo increase the neerer death doth approch the clocke of our conscience doth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand Death approcheth with his sharpe dart and bloudie chariot Awaie saith he to euerie liuing wight For what is he that shall not see death and come to nothing Oh vncertaine life but most assured death His net is cast ouer all flesh now I doo reioice then I lament now am I whole then sicknesse doth come now haue I friends then am I forsaken now at libertie soone after in bondage now yoong then age drawes neere And thus I neuer remaine in one state made light and proud in prosperitie desperate in aduersitie withered and old with care despised in pouertie flattered when I am in health and finally vncertaine when or where I shall die But yet I most humblie praie thee deere father for Iesu Christs sake which suffered a shamefull death for my sins to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great mercie and take not thy holie Ghost from me and lead me not into temptation but deliuer me for into thy hands I commend my soule O thou God of truth Amen An Hymne of the state of all Adams posteritie I Am the fruit of Adams hands through sin lockt in satans bands Destined to deth the child of ire a flaming brand of infernall fire Borne I was naked bare and spend my time in sorowe care And shall returne vnto the dust and be depriued of carnall lust Yet thou father didst Iesus send to pardon them that did offend We laud him in the work of might that we be blessed in his sight The second meditation of the dreadfull daie of iudgement O What feare and sorowe shall happen to the reprobates when they shall stand helpelesse before the terrible dreadfull throne of God to render accounts of all thoughts words works I saie the acts of the flesh and bloud in the extreame day when he shall come with fire and then all creatures in heauen earth and hell shall tremble at his presence Then shall all guiltie consciences be opened euils endlesse punished where that Iudge will not be corrupted That daie doth come that daie is at hand and where as pure harts shall be accepted and no bribes of vaine gifts shall be preferred but iustice without mercie vnto the vngodlie infernall torments to the wicked endlesse care and affliction to the idolater fornicator extortioner persecutour disobedient murtherer blasphemer theefe false witnesse bearer vsurer heretikes witches and malefactors and to all the vessels of reprobation Where as shall be heard wailing crieng lamenting and gnashing of teeth then they mourne that shall neuer die hell fire neuer bee quenched nor the Iudge intreated but the wicked still molested with dolor agonie dread and in his paine absent from God present with diuels monsters infernall This is the second death when both bodie and soule shall remaine in paine as long as God is which is euerlasting This daie is at hand when the elect and all the Saints Patriarchs Prophets Martyrs and all the blessed shall receiue their rewards not of themselues but onlie of Iesu before whom all the blessed shall kneele and cast off their crownes and giue honour to him that sits on the seate whose holie name is blessed of all tongues and kindreds Amen Amen This is the daie when all teares shall be wiped from the carefull eies of the seruants of God which shall neuer be molested nor of worldlings be afflicted but euerlastinglie glorified with the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God who of his mercie defend vs from damnation and that vnspeakeable paine which wee through sinne haue deserued euer to be punished withall but yet are through Iesus preserued by whome we are elected redeemed iustified and brought from sinne death and hell to whom be laud and praise in the world of worlds of Angels and men Amen The Hymne of the daie of iudgement SWéet Iesus of thy mercie our pitifull praiers heare That we may be on thy right hand when thou shalt appeare For thou shalt come with heauenlie power and sit on the throne None shall iudge the quicke and dead but thou Christ alone O Christ cast vs not awaie in that daie of ire When thou shalt send before thée a hot consuming fire To purge all creatures defild with Adams sinne Then a new heauen and earth O Lord thou wilt beginne Then the elect shall be blessed vpon thy holie hill But the wicked shall be damned that haue withstood thy will Thy shéepe shall be safe and defended in the fold The goats shall wander in hunger storme and cold Thy Saints shall behold thée in thy throne of light The reprobates shall euer haue fearefull things in sight Wailing in wretchednesse with euerlasting paine Yet Lord be mercifull our liues are but vaine Our flesh shall fade death hath digd our graue Yet of thy mercie Lord thy sinfull creature saue And blesse vs in the time of grace before the daie of ire When the corrupt elements shall be purgd with fire We laud thee Father c. A generall praier wherein we commend our selues and the whole state of Christs Church vnto GOD. O God thou Father and God of my life suffer me neither to haue a proud looke nor a proud thought turne awaie all voluptuousnesse from me let not the intisements of the world beguile me let not the concupiscence of the eie deceiue me let not the lusts of the flesh take hold vpon me let not rancor and malice reigne in my hart O Lord God for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesu Christs sake I beseech thee that thou wilt not giue me ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind So be it Unto thee Lord almightie the King of mercie bée now and euer eternall honour glorie Unto thee the same Lord of mercie I doo commit my soule and bodie most humblie beseeching thee for thine abundant mercie sake to take the cure of me and to haue mercie on me I doo commit also vnto thy mercie my faithfull friends and well-willers liuing beseeching thee to forgiue vs all and to haue mercie vpon vs and giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawe and to the glorie of thy name that we may doo that which thou requirest of vs that it will please thee of thy mercie to saue and defend vs from all perils bodilie ghostlie this night
the holie Ghost liueth and reigneth one God world without end Amen SAue vs O good Lord waking and keepe vs sleeping and be so mercifull to vs that with Christ we may wake and quietlie to rest in peace So be it The conclusion after Euening praier O Lord Iesu Christ that art in heauen perfect God and man heare my praiers haue mercie vpon me and praie vnto thy father for me Be thou my mercifull mediator vnto thy father that I might find mercie for my sinnes at all times and thy holie Angels to guide me this night and all the time and daies of my life and at the generall daie of iudgement that I may be partaker of that ioifull voice of thine saieng Come hither ye blessed and possesse euerlasting life Amen The Blessing GOD euen our owne GOD blesse vs and graunt vnto vs and all our faithfull and deere freends his continuall benediction and health Yea let thy mightie hand and outstretched arme O Lord be still my defence thy mercie and louing kindnesse in Iesu Christ thy deere sonne my saluation thy true and holie word my instruction thy grace and holie spirit my comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end So be it ¶ Certaine godlie sentences written by the Ladie E. T. Vse inuocation of Gods holie name Thinke vpon the needie once a daie The life to come forget not Further the iust sute of the poore Prefer Christ his kingdome Offend not in euill doing Set little by the iudgement of man but feare the iudgement of God Be at peace with all men Vse to be acquainted with the godlie Helpe to pacifie displeasure Hastilie iudge not anie bodie Kill anger with patience VVith pitie rebuke Make much of modestie Harbour a harmelesse hart Let no good deed Speake in season He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life In being well occupied thinke not long Lose as little time as ye may Be alwaies one Fauour the friendlesse Be not vnthankefull Trust not the world Deceiue none Rather take hurt than do anie Auenge not Let once be amended Fauour not flatterie Looke cheeflie on your selfe Do not forget your charge Let your mind be occupied well Vse pleasures after a meane Once you were not heere Awaie you must and turne to dust Finis ê™ E. T. The Praiers made by the right Honourable Ladie Frances Aburgauennie and committed at the houre of hir death to the right Worshipfull Ladie MARIE Fane hir onlie daughter as a Iewell of health for the soule and a perfect path to Paradise verie profitable to be used of euerie faithfull Christian man and woman A fruitfull praier to be said in the Morning AL mightie God and most mercifull father the fountaine of all felicitie from whom onelie proceedeth all good gifts most humblie I beseech thee of thine abundant mercie exceeding kindnesse so to direct and gouern me this daie and euer with thy good guiding Spirit that all my thoughts words and deeds may onelie be occupied in thy seruice faith feare and loue and so assist and strengthen me with thy grace O most mercifull and louing father for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake that neither sinne death hell nor Sathan haue the dominion and vpper hand of me Indue my hart with the true vnderstanding of thy true and liuelie word that I may be readie and prone manfullie to fight vnder the standard of my glorious captaine Iesus Christ against the world the flesh and that cruell Serpent the old Leuiathan which hunteth continuallie like a roring Lion seeking the vtter destruction of my soule Make me constant in time of temptation that when or at what time my rebelling and sinfull flesh shall intise me to lust after the pompes and vanities of this wicked world I may by a strong liuelie and vnspeakable faith through the bitter torments that my Sauiour Christ Iesus suffered for me and all that faithfullie beleeue and call vpon him so mortifie and subdue the old Adam that I may be dead and buried from sinne and all iniquitie and the new man Christ Iesus may continuallie dwell and reigne in me by whose meanes I shall be garnished and decked by the means of a fruitfull faith with immortalitie and heauenlie blessednesse Uouchsafe O Lord I beseech thee according to the multitude of thy mercies to looke vpon me and by thy celestiall prouidence so illuminate the eies of my soule that I may continuallie watch for the glorious comming of thine annointed son Iesus Christ Roote out O Lord in and from me the vile and corrupt branches of rapine deceit auarice luxurie concupiscence and all vngodlinesse let the motions of my mind altogether depend vpon thee prepare my tongue to publish thy praise let my lips be locked vp from all scurillitie and vncomlie talke let mine eares loath and abhor to heare thy glorious and blessed name blasphemed and thy truth to be by anie Sectarian ill spoken of slandered keepe and defend me vnder the wings of thy comfortable protection from all errours schismes and detestable heresies Make me without faining firmelie and constantlie to build vpon the truth wherein is perfectlie set forth thy great mercie and diuine iustice Let the zeale of thy promises in all distres be my chiefest ioie and consolation giue me grace from aboue that as I make my boast of thy mercies and louing kindnesse by vertue whereof I am by my Sauiour Christ Iesus quickened from death to life and in his deerest death and pretious bloud-shedding regenerated and borne anew not of water but of the spirit by faith So Lord I may with thine abundant loue shewed to me ward and the whole posteritie of Adam I may be afraid wilfullie or of a set purpose to transgresse thy commandements and so incur therby thy displeasure that the effects of thy iustice in the day of thy comming to iudgement be pronounced against me to the vtter destruction of bodie and soule Make me alwaies willing good Lord to heare thy word by the power wherof my faith is increased and there withall plant in me perfect loue and obedience and so direct my footesteps in this vale of miserie that I may tread the path that leadeth to thee with whom my soule thirsteth to rest euen as vehementlie as the Hart longeth after the water brookes Grant this O mercifull God for the honour and glorie of thy name sake Amen A fruitfull praier to be said at the going to bed of euerie Christian. MOst mercifull Father I most wretched and vnwoorthie sinner prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy heauenlie grace yeelding vnto thee most humble and hartie thanks that hast of thine exceeding loue and fauour preserued me this daie from all perill and danger humblie beseeching thy diuine Maiestie this night to preserue me for the loue of thine onlie sonne and my sweet Sauiour Iesus Christ mediatour and aduocate who continuallie pleadeth and maketh intercession to thee for me and all the rest of thy chosen children presenting his bloudie
wounds and his glorious bodie all to bee scourged in thy diuine presence who thereby doth mitigate thy wrath and indignation iustlie conceiued against me a miserable and wretched creature and all mankind Make me Lord still to confesse mine vnwoorthinesse and weaknesse to be such and so great that of my selfe I am not worthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen much lesse to be called thy sonne or handmaiden such and so great is the burden of my sinne iniquitie so that by the meanes of my corruption filthinesse I acknowledge my selfe to be the child of death and destruction yet build I still on thy promises good Lord and in this great danger I come vnto thee with teares saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen against thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child Of my selfe I haue nothing but by thee I haue althings of my selfe I acknowledge I haue iustlie deserued the heauie sentence of thine ire but by grace of thee O mightie Emanuel I am regenerate and borne againe from death to life from danger to ioie from perill to peace from bondage to libertie and so in fine from hell and damnation to blisse and saluation Such is the effect of thy mercie so abundant is thy loue towards me all those that with contrite harts present themselues vnto thee Increase my faith Lord that it may abound in good and fruitfull works so fortifie me that I neuer swarue from thy veritie giue me thy grace from aboue O mercifull Iesu that I may neuer shrinke from thy sacred testimonies And moreouer I with all humilitie and reuerence of hart and mind beseech thee this night which thou hast ordeined for man to rest in that thou wilt gard and protect me with thy good guiding spirit And albeit my sinfull flesh shall sleepe and slumber yet grant good Lord that my soule may continually keepe watch and ward let not the enunie find me slumbering sleeping as carelesse in the cradle of sinfull securitie least that whilest I am vnarmed that is naked and destitute of thy grace and fauour he enter in and breake vp the house of my sinfull bodie and make such hauocke and spoile that mine infected and leporous soule deformed by meanes of mine iniquitie and wounded with the dangerous darts of transgression be thrown with the bodie of sinne into the lake of destruction wherein is continuall wailing and gnashing of teeth Make me still O good Lord to consider that the bed is a plaine patterne and similitude of the graue which continuallie calleth for me all other thy creatures Make me to vnderstand that when I am laid of my selfe without thy heauenlie prouidence I can not bee able to rise againe Make me to acknowledge that sleepe is the verie figure of death to whose stroke at thine appointed pleasure I must submit my selfe Indue me with loue and charitie to all men let my lampe O Lord be garnished with oile that whensoeuer or at what time soeuer thy messenger death shall drawe me and knocke at the gates of my house I may at his summons in the daie of the resurrection of the dead be readie to attend on thee and thy bride with my burning lampe that is with a stedfast faith when as by thee I shall be cloathed anew For my mortall bodie shall then be couered with immortalitie the corruption of my sinfull and rebelling flesh shall be changed to incorruption and perfect puritie thy righteousnesse shall be mine thy merits shall make me perfect and holie by vertue whereof hell shall loose his victorie death shall loose his sting my faith and hope shall haue end and reward and I with thy Saints continuallie dwell in loue charitie with thee the heauenlie bridegroome Christ Iesus to whom with the father and the holie Ghost bee ascribed all laud glorie power praise and dominion for euer Amen A praier for the remission of sinne and to obteine a vertuous life FOrasmuch as O bountifull Lord it is most meet right and iust that all flesh shuld praise magnifie and worship thee and should without ceasing giue thanks vnto thee who onlie art the Creator and maker of all things as well visible as inuisible who onlie art the treasure of all goodnesse and well of life onlie God and Lord whome the heauens and heauen of heauens the sunne the moone the starres the earth the sea with all that moue therin yea the heauenlie companie of Martyrs the soules of the Prophets and Apostles Angels Archangels togither with the soules of all iust and righteous persons doo laud and glorifie It is most requisite that ech mortall creature liuing in this world should also acknowledge thy magnificence Wherfore most mercifull father I with my hart and mouth doo acknowledge thee to be my King and Lord the giuer of all goodnesse I confesse thee to be omnipotent reuerend merciful long suffering God of all consolation comfort mercie and pitie I knowe that of thine infinite goodnesse onelie thou diddest make man after thy similitude and likenesse placing him in the most delectable place of Paradyse And although he did transgresse thy commandement and thereby deserued eternall death and damnation yet thou like a most louing and pitifull Father diddest not vtterlie reiect him but gentlie correct him and after that thou hadst sent him into the earth commanding him there to increase and multiplie thou didst instruct his posteritie with thy lawe thou didst teach them by thy Prophets and after that sentest downe thine onlie begotten sonne to take vpon him our nature and to suffer death for our sinnes therby to make a recompense for the offence which man had committed against thee and all this thou didst of thine exceeding great mercie and kindnesse without anie desert of mankind not being so much as by anie one praier or yet intreatie therevnto incited Therefore I being boldened with such inestimable benefits so freelie giuen and bestowed doo without any feare at this time appere before thy diuine Maiestie prostrating my slefe before the seate of thy mercie and with all humblenesse of hart and mind doo make this my praier vnto thee Despise me not O Lord God being defiled with sin and iniquitie For behold I present my selfe before thee not presuming vpon mine owne woorthinesse but trusting in thy goodnesse Be mercifull vnto me a sinner light thou the dull sighted eies of my mind open thou the stopped eares of mine hart that I may both see heare perceiue and vnderstand that which thou teachest and alwaies doo that which thou commandest Make me not onelie a hearer of thy heauenlie doctrine but also a perfect folower of the same direct sanctifie and gouerne my life be thou alwaies present and readie both to heare and to helpe me Saue and defend me from all shame and reproch be thou my shield buckler against all temptations clense my mind and thought from all vncleannesse keepe and preserue me from all danger both of bodie
and soule This fraile life is nothing else but a continuall warfare in this world our sinnes most like to cruell enimies assault vs on euerie side againe our daies are but few in number Guide me therefore with thy grace so to spend my small short and transitorie time in this world the verie fountaine welspring and vale of all miserie that I may be made a member of Christ partaker of thine eternall felicitie To the which seeing that through mine owne desert I shall neuer be able to aspire for sinne trulie so aboundeth in me that ech deed and act of mine is not onelie infected but altogither polluted therwith none other remedie haue I to ease my selfe none other salue to heale my sore but onelie to take hold of that promise of thine wheras thou saiest Come vnto me all ye that ye that labour and be ouerladen and I will refresh you This is my hold-fast this is mine anchor and sure staie For verelie sweet Sauiour when I looke vpon mine owne frailnesse and behold how readie I am to offend thee then I quake for feare then I am almost in vtter despaire but as soone as I call to mind thy great loue and kindnesse and how that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should repent and liue and that in what daie soeuer he doth hartilie repent and call vnto thee thou wilt heare him then I am releeued then I am not a little comforted knowing surelie that thou wilt performe that which thou hast promised in faithfull assurance whereof I now saie vnto thee Turne thou me O my God and I shall be turned from all my wickednesse deliuer me Heale my soule which is wounded with sinne for I doo acknowledge mine iniquitie and am hartilie sorie for mine offences correct me O Lord but yet not in thy furie looke not vpon my weaknesse but thinke vpon thine owne worthinesse remember thy louing kindnesse and in the abundance and multitude of thy mercies wipe cleane awaie pardon and forget all my sinnes through which I haue either in word deede or though or anie other kind of way offended thee blot them out of thy remembrance and let the bloud of that immaculate lambe Iesus Christ wash them awaie let mine old offences so decaie and die in me that I neuer commit them any more or by anie meanes renew them in thy sight And in the meane time doo not withdrawe thy grace from me but cause me to doo all that which good is O Father remoue thy wrath awaie from me and restore vnto me thy fauour turne thou thy louing countenance vnto me and plentifullie powre foorth thy mercie vpon me Incline my hart to doo that onelie which is acceptable in thy sight guide thou my footesteps in thy paths and suffer me not at any time to straie from thy waies let me alwaies haue the feare of thee in my hart and the remembrance of thy benefits fresh in my memorie and if at anie time through weakenesse and failtie I doo transgresse thy commandements yet doo not therefore reiect and cast me out of thy sight but be thou that good Samaritane and powre the oile and wine of mercie and forgiuenesse into those wounds which sinne shall make in me Disdaine me not for my reuolting but haue mercie vpon me according to thy great goodnesse and according to the multitude of thy mercies wipe awaie mine iniquitie Hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings and protection lighten mee with thy holie spirit Make me thy seruant so indue me with thy grace that I may vnfeinedlie with hart and voice serue honour and praise thee all the daies of my life Amen Another praier for the obteining of grace and mercie O Most mercifull Lord God whose Maiestie is incomprehensible power infinite whose magnificence is exalted aboue the heauens vouchsafe I beseech thee frō thy high throne to behold the worke of thy hands haue pitie on the vnhappie and desolate condition of thy creature I am a sinner conceiued in sinne and of my selfe I haue no good thing wherefore O Lord I cleaue to the altar of thy mercie Thou art my anchor my hope my refuge and staie Therefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me for no flesh can be iustified in thy sight Thou knowest the frailtie and weakenesse of men We are taught by the fall of Peter that we can doo nothing without thee Graunt vs therefore good Lord thy grace without which in this world we are like by the waues of temptations to be swallowed in the gulph and whirlepoole of sinne to be drowned as the ship without anchor and Pilote in euerie tempest to runne on the rocke and perish Guide vs therefore by thy grace good Lord through the flouds of this carefull world that we may rest for euer in the pleasant port and happie hauen of euerlasting ioie with thine elected through our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie in all worlds Amen A Confession to be said of the penitent person O Most mercifull Lord God I haue offended against the throne of thy Maiestie my sinnes are euer before mine eies I am not worthie to liue or enioie the fruits wherewith thou hast blessed the earth Mine owne conscience is my tormenter bringing testimonie and witnesse against me The Sunne doth hide his light against me and the place is the woorsse wherein I become O Lord what shall I doo Shall I despaire No thou art mercifull and more readie to forgiue than we to aske I will confesse my sinnes to thee I am wearie of my sinfull life I am sorie in my soule for mine offences Wherefore good Lord thou which dooest ease them that are laden and refresh them that trauell thou which hast promised mercie to the penitent looke on me thy seruant with thy cheerefull countenance behold me with those pitifull eies with which thou didst Marie Magdalen and the woman taken in adulterie Thou which hast shed thy bloud ou the altar of the Crosse offering thy most pretious bodie an eternall sacrifice for our sinnes despise not that which thou hast redeemed Thou which cammest into the world to call sinners to repentance and to saue the lost sheepe of Israel haue mercie vpon me and leade me by thy grace to the fold amóng thy sheepe for they go in sweet pasture and are not in danger of Wolues for thou art their shepheard and keepest good accompt of euerie one of them Though I haue gone astraie wandring from thy flocke and borne the marks of the world yet good Lord disclaime not thy right I beseech thee but take me vnto thee that I may be safe vnder the shadowe of thy wings He may sleepe soundlie whome thou dooest keepe Thou art the watchman of Israel All honour and glorie be vnto thee for euer Amen Another godlie Confession and meditation of the penitent I Altogether vnhappie and comfortlesse haue greeuouslie offended my Lord God
What shall I do Whether shall I go I can not hide me from his sight How oft haue I trespassed against him How oft haue I deserued his displeasure And yet how seldome hath he punished me How oft hath he beene good and mercifull vnto me How oft haue I promised and vowed amendment and how little and seldome haue I performed it This is a wofull case Who will haue pitie on me I dare not lift vp mine eies towards heauen because I haue sinned against it and in earth I can looke for no refuge because I haue beene a slander and shame vnto it What then Should I despaire No God is mercifull and a good Sauiour he doth visit them that liue in darknes and is a cheerfull light to them that sit in the shadowe of death He willeth vs to forgiue our brother though he offend seuentie tunes yea infinitelie And God is more mercifull than anie man can be and he must be the onlie refuge and comfort he will not despise his creature the image of himselfe Returne thee therefore O my soule vnto thy Lord God praie to him humblie on thy knees for grace and continue to bewaile thy sinnes past because that he which loueth thee prouoketh thee dailie with his gratious gifts and blessings to loue him and will not leaue thee vntill he haue made perfect his worke begunne and brought his mercie to full effect in thee What naturall cause beginneth his worke and leaueth it in the halfe waie imperfect The vertue of seed sowne doth not cease till the fruit be brought to perfection yet that nature worketh not at once but first prepareth the matter and then disposeth and makes it fit to receiue the shape which is the perfection and end thereof And as by naturall order and right course things do proceede and increase by little and little from the lesse to the more euen so doth God first dispose vs to his mercie and then increasing his goodnesse dailie bestoweth on vs in the end the treasure of his grace and inheritance of euerlasting ioies What bird forsaketh hir yong till they be able to liue of themselues and yet no auaile for their paine commeth to them Uerie loue worketh in naturall causes to bring foorth their affects to perfection If it be so in creatures what will the Creator doo which is loue it selfe and infinite goodnesse he will withdrawe thee from thy sinnes make thee cleane and pure and finallie blesse thee with eternall life which he hath prepared for thee O Lord I come to thee sad and mourning I sit at thy feete humblie waiting for thy mercie Thou art my hope and helper according to thy great mercies haue mercie vpon me Amen A praier to be purged from sinne and vncleannesse TAke awaie from me O Lord the burden of my corruption which by the continuall exercise of my sinne and wickednesse hath wounded my soule wofullie with the dangerous darts of transgression so that I feele my putrifaction abounding and my festered conscience ouerladen with vncleannesse so that I haue no other meane nor remedie but to prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy glorious maiestie beseeching thee intirelie of thy gratious goodnesse to salue my sores with the comfortable oile of thy mercie Thou onlie O Iesu art the sweete Physition of my soule sprinkle vpon me hysope and I shall be made whiter than snowe If thou of thine exceeding bountie and fauour good Lord wilt vouchsafe to wash awaie the spots of my sinne and wickednesse that heapeth thine indignation and furie against me I shall then excell the gold that hath beene purified in the fornace seuen fold Let it therefore good Lord and mercifull father seeme pleasant vnto thy diuine maiestie to touch my corrupted and vncleane hart with the heauenlie finger of thy grace that I may bring foorth the fruits of true repentance which are more acceptable to thy glorious and diuine presence than the offering of calues bullockes sheepe goates or anie other burnt offerings or sacrifice of peace A contrite and sorowfull soule is the thing that thou doest most delight in An humble and a lowlie spirit is the oblation that thou dooest desire A cleane and pure hart O Lord my God I knowe thou dooest loue and fauour Wherefore I beseech thee to purge me from my sinne and inquitie of thy great mercie Let the bitter deploration of mine offences and hartie contrition through thy glorious merits and painefull passion O Iesu be the onlie meane and waie to set me free from the powers of hell death and damnation And sith I am by thy goodnes begotten and borne anew strengthen me good Lord that I neuer slide nor fall from thee but that I may continuallie beare in my remembrance the state wherevnto I am called by thee Through thine aboundant loue and kindnesse wipe awaie good Lord all my sins out of thy remembrance Cleanse me in the bloud of thy spotlesse Lambe Iesus Christ and I shall be made cleane pure and safe Graunt this most mercifull God for the honour and glorie of thy name sake through the bitter death of thy sonne Iesus Christ my onlie mediatour and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all laud glorie power and praise for euer and euer Amen Another praier of the penitent for mercie O Lord I am a sinner my sinnes are heauie vpon me the burden of them is intollerable refresh me with thy grace wash awaie mine offences and I shall be whiter than the snowe Let the cheerefull beames of thy countenance shine vpon me and giue light to the darkenesse of my life We can looke for nothing as deserued but punishment due to our offences Wherefore good Lord not according to thy iustice but in the multitude of thy mercies deale with thy seruant Remember not the sinnes of my forefathers thinke not on the milde meanour of my youth passed haue pitie on thy creature which according to the likenesse of thy selfe thou hast made and shaped of earth How long wilt thou turne thy face awaie from me Forsake me not O my God but renew in me thy holie spirit Plucke awaie from me all that withdraweth me from thee Graffe in my hart thy grace that I may loue thee and feare thee and so finallie reioice in thy goodnesse with the elected and praise thee in thy woonderous works for euer Graunt this most mightie God for our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another praier to be said of the sinfull soule MY sinfull life increasing and my sinnes still abounding good Lord to whome shall I flee or to whome shall I resort for succour From offending thee I can not cease neither daie nor night and my sinnes are heauie vpon me pressing me downe euen to hell such is the weight thereof Moreouer when I prepare my selfe to amendment of life and thinke stedfastlie to serue and please thee euen
prosperitie at the Lords hand and not to be content with aduersitie And alwaie to thinke vpon this Happie are they whome thou doest punish For though thou make a wound thou also giuest a plaister though thou smitest thy hand maketh whole againe Mine iniquitie is great but be thou merciful vnto my wickednes O deliuer me from thine anger and presse me not further than I shall be able to beare But now that I acknowledge that whatsoeuer trouble thou hast sent me or wilt laie vpon me is either for the punishment of mine iniquitie or for the triall of my constancie I may with repentant Dauid find remission of my sins and with patient Iob release of mine aduersitie and obtaine such fauour in thy sight that thou neuer againe so greeuouslie punish me but that I may so passe this life that I may afterward liue with thee to whome be honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another praier in trouble and aduersitie HAue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me most miserable creature which doo that which I ought not feare that which I haue most iustlie deserued If I weigh with my selfe the wickednesse that I haue done the punishment thereby deserued is not halfe so great as the sinne that I haue committed But thou art a mercifull God and thy iudgements are right neither dooest thou at anie time punish vs vniustly Thou almightie God madest vs when as we were not and when as we were lost and damned thou didst miraculouslie restore vs. I knowe and I am sure that our life is not led by sudden and vncertaine motions but is disposed and directed by thee thou hast a fatherlie care of vs all but especiallie of such as doo put their whole trust and confidence in thy mercie Therefore I humblie praie and beseech thee that thou wouldest not deale with me after my deseruings but according to thy great mercie which doth exceede the sinnes of the whole world And as often as thou dooest punish me outwardlie giue me grace inwardlie with patience to beare the same and that thy praise neuer depart out of my mouth Order my dooings euen as shall be most necessarie both for my bodie and soule Thou onlie hast power ouer all things thou knowest all things to thee be all honour for euer Amen Another praier in trouble for the obteining of mercie BEhold out from the bottome of my hart doo I crie vnto thee O Lord beseeching thee that thou wouldest saue me from the bottomlesse pit of hell I knowe that there is mercie with thee doo not therefore marke what I haue done amisse Enter not into iudgment with thy seruant for then can I by no meanes be iustified in thy sight The remembrance of mine offences is greeuous vnto mee and therefore I right humblie craue pardon thereof My hart is troubled my soule is vexed there is no health in my flesh Forsake me not mine onlie staie and comfort despise not my contrite hart open the bosome of thy mercie take cleane awaie mine iniquitie bring my soule out of tribulation turne the extremitie of thy iustice into thy tender mercie And when thou shalt come to iudge the quicke and the dead be not reuenged on me by eternall damnation but to take mee amongst thine elect into the blessed state of saluation Grant this O Father for Christ his sake our mediator and aduocate Amen Another O Lord my God although I haue committed that whereby I am an offender can I make my selfe not to bee thy creature Though through sinne I haue lost my cleannesse and puritie haue I also taken awaie thy goodnesse and mercie Though I haue committed that wherefore thou maiest condemne me hast thou not done that whereby thou maiest saue me True it is O Lord that my conscience doth shew me that I haue deserued damnation but thy mercie exceedeth all offension Spare me O God bicause it is not vnpossible for thy power it is not vnmeete for thy mercie it is not vnaccustomed or yet contrarie to thine infinite goodnesse Wherefore thou which hast created me doo not destroie me Thou O Iesu which hast redeemed me doo not condemne me Thou which hast made mee let not thy worke be cast awaie by my wickednesse Wipe awaie all that is mine and draweth me from thee and knowledge all that is thine in me and may bring mee vnto thee which liuest and reignest one God in persons three to whom be all honour now and euer Amen Another praier wherin the penitent longeth for comfort HOw long O Lord wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me How long wilt thou bee angrie with thy seruant How long shall I abide mourning and solitarie as the bird that hath lost hir yoong O Lord thinke on me in thy mercies and doo not correct me in thy wrath for then shall I become as the dust and smoke in the wind O Lord forsake not thy seruant Israel whom thou hast chosen My hart being comforted in thy mercies shall reioice and I will sing vnto thee and praise thee in thy good works and miracles which thou hast done in our fathers time So be it Being tempted by the ghostlie enimie as all that feare God are to doubt in anie article of the Catholike faith to despaire in Gods mercie to yeeld to melancholie fansies to be vexed with vnkindnes of friends or the malice of enimies to be troubled with sicknesse or anie other waies oppressed with griefe of bodie and mind saie deuoutlie as followeth I Humblie accept most mercifull Iesus this heauie temptation which now I suffer at the hands of thy diuine prouidence and would a greater if thou please to laie it on me for thy sake who hast ordeined this from the beginning for the tender loue thou bearest to the health of my sinfull soule and I most hartilie thanke thee for it I confesse I haue deserued woorse for my sinne and vnkindnesse towards thee and am not woorthie to receiue anie comfort or consolation at thy hands Therfore to the honour of the passion and death which thou willinglie sufferedst on the crosse I offer my selfe to sustaine this or anie other aduersitie with all my hart not seeking otherwise ease or reliefe than in and by thee O Lord and as thy good will and pleasure shall appoint Yet this one thing I craue and beseech thee for the tender loue thou bearest to me and all mankind for in me is no vertue or ought that good is to helpe and assist me with thy holie spirit as my trust is thou wilt who promisest that no man shall be tempted more than he shall be able to beare And giue me all what euer shall be necessarie to sustaine with patience this crosse and temptation which thy diuine wisdome hath appointed for me to the intent that I bearing the same willinglie with thee here in this world may conceiue assured hope to be partaker of thy glorie in the world to come Grant this my request most mercifull
the almightie and victorious conquerour sweete Iesus Christ we are the adopted sonnes of thy Father and made fellowe-heires with thee our perfect Emanuel In whose name with all humilitie and lowlinesse of hart and mind I come vnto thee in this great extremitie of sicknesse and danger of death beseeching thee to be present with me to forget mine offences to thinke vpon thy mercies And although I haue not deserued so much as the least drop of thy fauour by meanes of the great burden of my sinnes which are in the presence of thy diuine Maiestie most ouglie and loathsome to behold yet respect thou not O Father mine iniquitie but haue an eie I beseech thee to the merits of my Sauiour Christ Iesus to whom as my Mediator Sauiour and Redeemer I appeale who hath promised comfort and sweete consolation to all those that in his name flie vnto thee for releefe I confesse that woorthilie thou hast visited me with this sicknesse and disease and yet not according to the multitude of my sinnes but in the fulnesse of miseration and fatherlie pitie Giue me grace therefore in these bitter brunts of death who vehementlie at this present beginneth to combat with fainting and feeble life constantlie to cleaue vnto thee Let not the pleasures of this wicked world be a let or impediment for me to come vnto thee let not my fraile and feeble flesh subiect to sinne which hath through my transgression made me a bondman to death mooue me to despaire in thy great mercie neither yet let the caueling aduersarie the enimie of mankind at my last end triumph ouer me Giue me patience to suffer and gladlie to beare and abide this thy scourge and visitation and so fortifie me in soule and bodie that so long as life shall endure in me I may neuer cease to call vpon thy holie and blessed name Yea and when death is most busiest make thou me most constant yea when he seeketh most stronglie to assaile my feeble bodie giue me thy grace good Lord that I may in spirit hart mind and all the powers of my soule giue praises vnto thee that of thy grace and inestimable kindnesse hast sent thy sonne Christ Iesus to ransome me by his bloudie death and passion from the power of hell Giue me grace therfore now that thou hast appointed thy messenger death to finish the daies of my pilgrimage and to call me by his summons from out of this vale of miserie and wretchednesse to build stedfastlie vpon him and faithfullie to hope for life and saluation in alone through him Let the remembrance of my former wickednesse be no more thought vpon let mine offences be blotted out of thy glorious sight Behold my sorowfull true repentant hart which come vnto thee with teares not building on my merits but vpon thy mercies Though I be sinfull thy sonne my Sauiour is righteous though I be wicked yet he is most holie though I be full of impietie yet he is full of all goodnesse though I haue greeuouslie offended thee yet he hath fullie contented thee though I haue transgressed thy lawe yet he hath fulfilled the same and hath promised in his bloud to wash awaie their sinnes that by faith continue in him constant to the end I therefore in this my great and painfull agonie beholding death to be at the gates of my bodie come vnto thee by the vertue of a fruitfull faith beseeching thee when thou shalt see it meete and conuenient that he shall dissolue the bands of this vading life which endureth but a while for a thousand yeeres are as yesterdaie in thy sight to take my soule into thy glorious and blessed hands and so to confirme me in thy truth that at the last when it shall please thee by the sound of a trumpe to raise my bodie from the graue when and in which time bodie and soule shall vnite and come before thy presence I may by faith in thee passe ouer the mount of my corruption shake off the bands of sinne be set free from death and destruction and being by the vertue of thy righteousnesse made holie I may triumph with happie victorie ouer sinne death and all the powers of hell and enter with thee and the felowship of thy chosen Saints into euerlasting rest Grant this most louing Father for Christ Iesus sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be rendred all laud glorie honour and praise for euer Amen The Lord God be mercifull to me pardon and forgiue me my sinnes looke vpon me with his gratious and blessed countenance preserue me from the second death and euerlasting destruction of bodie and soule The Lord God iustifie me in his death and bloud cloath me with his euerlasting righteousnesse and register my name in the booke of life The Lord God comfort my guiltie conscience with the euerlasting light of his bountifull fauour and lot my place among his Saints in his heauenlie kingdome The Lord God for his mercies sake after this my bodilie death giue me the fruition of his presence in his rich palace of endlesse glorie to whose mercifull protection I commend with all humilitie and reuerence my soule Lord Iesus preserue me Lord Iesus comfort me Lord Iesus refresh me Lord Iesus praie for me For onlie into thy hands that hast redeemed mee O Lord God of truth I commend my soule Amen A deuout meditation to be vsed after praier REmember not O Lord God thine anger against me an offender but be mindfull of thy mercie towards me a true penitent Forget that through pride I haue prouoked thee to ire and fauourablie harken vnto my praier What is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O bountifull Iesu be thou my Sauiour rise vp in thine owne strength to helpe me Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard In thy goodnesse doo I trust in thee is my helpe And forasmuch as thou hast willed that we should without ceasing seeke and sue vnto thee behold I beeing counselled and foretold by thy commandements doo now both aske seeke and knocke But thou which commandest me to aske graunt that I may receiue thou biddest me seeke make me to find thou hast taught me to knocke open vnto me that stand knocking strengthen me that am weake restore me that am lost reuiue me that am dead by sinne make me to serue thee to liue to thee to giue my selfe wholie to thee I knowe my God that because thou madest me I owe my selfe vnto thee and for that thou hast redeemed me I should owe thee more than my selfe But behold I haue no more to giue neither can I giue my selfe vnto thee vnlesse thou make me willing therevnto Take thou me draw me vnto thee that as I am thine by creation so I may be thine by following of thee which liuest and reignest for euer and euer Amen A Praier deciphering in Alphabet forme the name of the right Woorshipfull Ladie MARY FANE M MOst mightie art thou Lord in all thy deedes
thy poore afflicted seruant Oh how long shall I seeke comfort in my soule and be so vexed in my hart Yea how long shall mine enimies triumph ouer me Consider and heare me O Lord my God lighten mine eies that I sleepe not in death least mine enimies saie I haue preuailed against him For if I be cast downe then they that trouble me will reioice at it But my trust is in thy mercie O Lord and my hart is ioifull in thy saluation For after a storme thou makest the weather faire and still after weeping and heauinesse thou giuest great ioie Thy name O most mightie God be praised for euer and euer Amen Another praier O Lord consider my meditation and complaining Oh harken thou vnto my praiers that go not out of fained lips Let my sentence come foorth from thy presence and let thine eies looke vpon the thing that is equall O hold thou vp my goings in thy waies that my footsteps slip not I haue called vpon thee O God for thou shalt heare me incline thine eare to me and hearken vnto my words Shew thy maruellous louing kindnesse thou that art the Sauiour of all them that put their trust in thee Keepe me as the apple of an eie hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings from the vngodlie that trouble me Mine enimies compasse me round about to take away my soule Up Lord let not man haue the vpper hand let the heathen be iudged in thy sight that they may knowe themselues to be but men Yet of thy mercie O Lord forgiue all mine enimies and turne the harts of such as hate me Who can tell how oft he offendeth Oh clense thou me from all my secret offences Keepe thy seruant also from presumptuous sinnes least they get the dominion ouer me so shall I be vndefiled and innocent from the great offence Let my mourning teares and the sorowfull sighing of my hart come before thy presence and be alwaies accepted in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer let it be thy good pleasure to rid and deliuer me out of all my troubles I most humblie beseech thee and shew some token of thy fauor to me poore wretched sinner which am as a banished woman Looke vpon me O Lord I beseech thee as thou didst looke vpon Susanna and Sarai the daughter of Raguel Those holie women trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them they hoped in thee and were not forsaken I knowe Lord thy strength is not weakened neither is thy power abated so that if it be thy good pleasure O Lord thou wilt helpe and make thy power to be knowne In the meane time O mercifull and most gratious Lord God giue me grace thankfullie and patientlie to take all whatsoeuer it shall be thy good will and pleasure to laie vpon me O Lord grant me those things which I hartilie haue praied for euer for Iesus Christs sake my Lord and my redeemer To whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise Amen When God hath deliuered thee out of thy troubles sing those Psalmes the 9 30 33 34 116 145 146. And euer be giuing thanks to God the almightie Lord and King saieng as followeth A thankesgiuing after trouble THe Lord is my strong rocke and my defence my Sauiour my God and my might in whom I will trust the horne also of my saluation and my refuge Yea the Lord is my shepheard therfore can I lacke nothing He hath comforted my soule and brought it out of trouble euen for his mercies sake Though I walke through the vale of the shadowe of death I will feare none euill for thou art with me thy rod and thy staffe comforteth me For in thee O Lord haue I put my trust and I feare not what flesh and bloud can doo vnto me I haue waited long and with weeping teares haue I taried the Lords leasure and now he hath of his great goodnesse deliuered me out of all my trouble Most mightie God of thine accustomed mercie preserue me from all sinne and wickednesse O Lord I feele mine owne infirmitie and weakenesse O most mercifull Lord keepe me in as it were with a bit or bridle that in this my ioifulnesse I doo not forget my dutie to thee and my neighbours For when we haue althings at our owne pleasure and nothing to trouble vs then is our dailie enimie readie to puffe vs vp with pride and vnthankfulnesse yea and with forgetfulnesse of thy lawes Wherefore most mightie Lord looke downe from thy holie heauens euen with thy fatherlie eies of pitie and strengthen my trembling soule with thy holie spirit Guide me that I swarue not frō thy truth taught in holie Scripture but that all my thoughts words and deeds may redound to the glorie honour and woorthie praise of thy most holie name This with teares I most humblie beseech thee to grant euen for Iesus Christs sake in whose name I come to thee and in none other saieng O our Father c. Another thankesgiuing after trouble O Lord I most humblie render lauds thanks and praises vnto thee For thou hast set me vp and not made my foes to triumph ouer me O Lord my God I cried vnto thee and thou hast heard me yea thou broughtest my soule out of trouble and girded me with ioie and gladnes Sing praises vnto the Lord with me Oye Saints of his let vs all giue thanks vnto him for a remembrance of his holinesse For his wrath indureth but the twinkling of an eie and in his pleasure is life euerlasting Heauinesse may endure for a night but ioie commeth in the morning Thou didst turne thy face from me O Lord and lo I was sore troubled then cried I vnto thee O Lord and praied vnto my God right humblie saieng Heare O Lord and haue mercie on me Lord be thou my helpe in all my trouble bow downe thine eare to me and make haste to deliuer me for thou art my strong rocke and deliuerer Into thy hands Lord I commit my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God most high Oh what reward should I giue vnto the Lord for all the maruellous benefits that he hath done vnto mee which I can not woorthilie expresse For in my trouble I called vpon the Lord and he heard me at large and in my temptation with his holie spirit he mightilie preserued me Therefore I knowe that the Lord is on my side and I will not feare what man can doo vnto me For it is better to trust in the Lord than to put anie confidence in Princes for with the Lord there is mercie and with him there is plentious redemption The earth O Lord is full of thy mercie therefore will I talke of thy praise all the daie long and sing Psalmes of thankesgiuing vnto thee It is good for me that I haue beene in trouble else should I not haue learned thy statutes If my delight had not beene in thy lawes I should
in his owne sight was righteous O Lord great is thy power great is thy might which declareth it selfe most chieflie in sparing and hauing compassion on sinners shewing to vs that a contrite and humble hart thou wilt not despise Accept therefore sweete Lord Iesu this my sacrifice of praise proceeding out of a broken and sorowfull hart And if it be vnperfect amend thou the fault mercifull Lord which onlie art of power to doo it that it may be an holie and acceptable sacrifice inflamed with the feruent heate of thy bountious charitie that it may be acceptable vnto thee or at the least that thou despise it not I knowe well that I shall find fauour in thy sight and that heereafter none of thy Saincts either in heauen or in earth shall despise me Accomplish therefore in me euen now O Lord that which I so oft do craue of thee which is that thou wilt haue compassion on me according to thy great mercie and that also thou wilt receiue me for a sacrifice of righteousnesse for a holie oblation for a burnt sacrifice of good liuing and for a Calfe to be offered vpon thine Altar or Crosse by the which I may passe this vale of miserie vnto that ioie which thou preparest for them that loue thee AMEN * ANOTHER ELIZABETH E ENgraue thy lawes in the depth of my heart O Lord that being instructed in thy commandements I may serue thee in feare and reioice in thee with trembling and take hold vpon thy discipline in all things least at anie time thou become angrie and I perish from the right waie Amen L LORD giue me helpe from my trouble for vaine is the helpe of man in thee I haue strength and thou bringest vnto nothing those things which trouble me let my soule be subiect vnto thee For from thee proceedeth my patience For thou art my God and Sauiour my helper and I will not depart from thee In thee is my helth and my glorie thou art the God of my helpe and my helpe is in thee Amen I I Haue broken thy fold and wandered long as a lost sheepe let me returne O Lord bicause I haue not forgotten thy commandements The misdeeds and ignorances of my tender yeers remember not Lord but according to thy mercie haue mind on me For thy goodnesse O Lord keepe my soule and deliuer me let me not be ashamed bicause I haue trusted in thee Turne my heauinesse into ioie cut off my sacke of sorowes and gird me with gladnes that my glorie may signe vnto thee and I shall not be greeued Z ZORobabel King of Iuda in the depth of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercie and receiued by the mouth of Aggeus thy Prophet sweete comfort and knowledge of thy fauour and grace yea after thy determination to destroie the whole kingdome of the heathen thy right hand did preserue him and thine incomparable mercie did choose him for a seale to thy selfe Lord this happie King in thy goodnesse was but an earthlie creature and then could he haue no righteousnesse in himselfe to moue such thy compassion If it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies that surmount the iniquities of the whole world and that thou didst onlie vouchsafe to behold in him the image of thy selfe bow downe thine eies Lord and behold the selfe-same in me Certifie my conscience with remission of my sinnes that my sorowfull soule may be at rest within me Send downe thy holie spirit to remaine with me that I may become with that good King thy chosen seale and seruant and so graunt thy people that I may with them and they with me neuer deserue further than to tast of thy rod of fauorable correction but that all my labours and studies may euer bend to the performance of thy holie will and discharge of my dutie Amen A ARise and illuminate my mind most benigne Sauiour that I sleepe not at anie time in death least mine enimies saie they haue preuailed against me They which trouble me will be glad if I be cast downe but I haue fixed my hope in thy mercie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for no liuing creature shall be iustified in thy sight I will euer looke vpon the Lord for he shal be on my right hand that I be not mooued For this my hart is glad and my tongue reioiceth yea moreouer my flesh shall rest in hope Amen B BE thou vnto me O Lord in the daie time a defendour and in the night season a place of refuge that thou maist saue me for thou art my strength and vnto thee I flie Lord God deliuer me from the hand of sinners and from the Lawe-breaker and the wicked dooer for thou Lord art my patience thou art my hope euen from my youth In thee I am confirmed euen from my mothers wombe thou art my protector in thee shall be my song for euer and euer Amen E EUER my tongue shall be telling of thy rich mercie and woonderous works O Lord for thou hast caused me to passe through fire and water and led me into a fresh place thou hast giuen my soule life and hast not suffered my feete to fall According to the multitude of my sorowes thy comforts haue made my soule merrie My soule is like a Sparowe taken out of the Fowlers snare Thou hast deliuered my life from death and my hands from bloud that I may please thee O Lord in the light of the liuing Amen T THOU art iust O Lord and all thy commandements be true and all thy waies mercie truth and iudgement And now Lord be mindfull of me take not reuengement of my sinnes remember not mine offences neither the offences of my fathers because we haue not obeied thy precepts Giue me an hart of vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaies before mine eies that I may be obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Lord giue vnto me the power of thy holie spirit to rule and gouerne thy people committed to my charge in all godlie feare and knowledge of thy word and that I may be vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thy holie name Amen H HEALE me Lord and I shall be healed saue me and I shall be saued My life cleaueth vnto the earth Quicken me according to thy word according to thy mercie releeue me and I will keepe the testimonies of thy lips Helpe me Lord so shall I be safe and I will from hencefoorth studie thy righteousnesse Thy mercies are manie O Lord according to thy word restore my health AMEN REGINA R REgard my praiers O thou God of my life leaue me not in the thoughts of euill Deliuer me from the wicked man let not the foote of pride come vpon me and to vaine-glorie giue me not Take from me all sinfull lusts let no desire of vncleannesse take hold vpon me giue me not ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind but correct me in thy mercie
for into thy hands I commit me Amen E ENter thy iudgements in the tables of my hart destroie mine affections with thy loue send thy wisdome from the holie heauens and from the seate of thy Maiestie that she may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may iudge the people righteouslie and discerne betweene good and euill G GRatious Lord thou that art the most high God aboue all the earth long-suffering and of much mercie sorowing the sinnes of man and of thy great goodnesse hast promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lord I haue sinned mine iniquitie is multiplied aboue the sands of the sea and there is no hope of life in me because I haue stirred thee to anger in multiplieng offences before thee And now O Lord trusting in thy mercie I bow the knees of my hart beseeching thee of thy goodnesse destroie me not togither with mine iniquitie For the dead whose soules are out of their bodies can neither praise nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstie soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lord I powre my praiers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnwoorthie and reserue not eternall punishment for mee For thine owne sake I aske it and will praise thee all the daies of my life Amen I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the light of thy word leade me Lord in thy waie and I shall enter into thy truth Print thy feare in my hart that I may reioice in thee Let thy word be a lanterne vnto my feet and a lampe of light vnto my paths so shall I not erre from the right waie but walke like a pure and wise virgin with an vpright hart chaste mind and cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee most mightie God of hosts which sittest vpon the Cherubins and hast dominion ouer all the kingdoms of the earth Thou which madest the heauens all things comprehended in them bow downe thine eare and heare open thine eies and behold saue mee from the hand of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto me that all the people may knowe that thou alone art my God Amen A ASsist mee O Lord my God with thy heauenlie grace and renew in mee a right spirit that I may receiue strength ablenesse to doo thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of wilie Satan that they may haue no place in mee but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the desire of sinne errour and of worldlie vanities may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind that the life of my Sauiour Christ may alwaies appeare in me to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost be all honour triumph and glorie for euer and euer Amen The versicle EUen now and euer vouchsafe O LORD for thy deere sonnes sake to heare my humble petitions The answere REceiue my praiers I saie O GOD and in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and grant mee thy grace The Collect. O Emanuel my Lord and my GOD Iesus Christ sonne of the pure virgin Marie thou art not onelie the sweete spouse of my soule but with God the Father a most meeke Mediatour full of mercie and truth Wash awaie my sinnes with the most pretious bloud of thy holie passion make me rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holie spirit to all duties and works in this life towards thee I may enioie afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holie Saints and pure Uirgins in euerlasting honour and triumph Amen The Praier O Roote of Iesse my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast redeemed all mankind from sinne death and hell thou which hast said I am the waie truth and life The waie in doctrine commandements and examples truth in promises life in reward I praie thee by thine ineffable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer me euer to straie from thee bicause thou art the waie nor at anie time to distrust thy promses which art the truth and performest whatsoeuer thou promisest neither let me rest in anie other thing bicause thou art eternall life without the which there is nothing that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in earth By thee we learne the sure and expedient passage vnto true helth that we wander no longer in the Laberinth of this world Thou hast exactlie taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whom we ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunatelie borne by thee we are assured there is no hope of health but through faith in thee that thou art the onlie brightnesse which giuest light to all men trauelling the darke desarts of this world where is nothing but a profound dimnesse wherby we neither see our calamities nor frō whence we ought to seeke remedie of our euill Thou vouchsafedst to descend into the earth disdainedst not to take our nature vpon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake off the dimnesse of our ignorance by thy commandements mightest direct our feete in the waie of truth peace By the examples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the waie to immortalitie and by thy steps hast restored to vs a plaine easie profitable waie out of an vneeuen and rough waie So thou art made vnto vs a waie which knoweth no error in the which least we should be wearie thou hast vouchsafed to vphold vs in thy benignitie with great sure promises For who can be wearie accounting himselfe redie through thy steps to enter thy heauenlie heritage Therefore whilest we be in this iournie thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steed of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are sustained Neither was thy goodnes content with this but knowing the weaknesse of our flesh in the meane while with the comfort of thy spirit dooest so refresh our strength whereby we run cheerefullie And as thou being made vnto vs the waie dooest driue awaie all errour so being truth dooest thou take awaie all distrust Finallie being made life vnto vs dooest reuiue the dead in sinne to liue by thy spirit releeuing all things vntill in the resurrection all mortalitie vtterlie abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christ shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be one true God where now thorough faith we behold onlie in a glasse and riddle And then seeing more felowlie the glorie of the Lord wee shall be transformed into the same image Therefore I beseech thee most mercifull Sauiour that
cleathed that mortalitie might be swallowed vp of life For if they be found cloathed and not naked mortalitie shall be swallowed vp of immortalitie and they shall walke with GOD in white araie Being about to arise and sitting vpright in your bed praie O LORD Iesu Christ which diddest vouchsafe to die for our sinnes and diddest rise againe for our iustification haue mercie vpon me and by that thy glorious resurrection I beseech thee raise me vp out of the bed of vices and sepulchre of all my sinnes wherein I haue long lien to newnesse of life For except I be raised vp by thee I shall lie still for euer in darkenesse shame and miserie O therefore put foorth thine hand and mercifullie raise vp againe not onlie my bodie but my mind and hart also to the true knowledge and loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art And giue me dailie part in the first resurrection to the intent that I may receiue some part in the latter resurrection and be in the number of those thy faithfull ones ouer whom the second death shall haue no power but are receiued into life euerlasting Arise depart for this is not your rest Mich. 2 verse 20. I will arise now out of my bed to open to my beloued that knocketh and I will go about the citie by the streets and by the open places and will seeke him whom my soule loueth Cantic 3 verses 1 5. Meditation COnsider how fowle the fall of Adam and Eue was by reason of their sinne and transgression and so of euerie one of vs by them from the high excellent and honourable estate of Gods grace into shame and miserie Againe thinke vpon the inestimable benefits of Christ Iesus by whose helping hand we dailie arise againe from our naturall and originall declining and fallings and be thankfull vnto him therefore In your arising as you step out of your bed praie I Arise and enter into this daie to doo all things in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost who hath made me redeemed me sanctified me and preserued me He rule me keepe blesse and lead mee into all good works and so direct and confirme me therein that after ths fraile life ended I may obteine a ioifull resurrection with blisse perpetuall Amen I laid me downe and slept and rose againe for the Lord sustained me Psal 3 verse 5. If you be risen with Christ thinke vpon those things that be aboue Col. 3 verse 1. Being risen blesse and praie thus GOd be mercifull vnto me and blesse me this daie and euer and shew me the light of his countenance and be mercifull vnto me that I may knowe his way vpon earth and his sauing health among all nations God euen our owne God giue mee his continuall grace peace mercie and blessing And I beseech thee O Lord Iesu Christ which being reuiued from death to life broughtest againe to mortall men that most desired and greatlie longed for daie which the Lord made Grant that I being now raised vp from the death of sinnes to the life of grace may walke in all Christian obedience and at the last daie of the resurrection of all flesh when thou shalt be made manifest in our life I also may then be openly known and appeere before thee in glorie and ioifullie triumph ouer sinne death and hell saieng O death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie Thanks be vnto GOD which hath raised me from the death of sleepe and giuen me victorie ouer all mine enimies through our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Blessed holie and happie for euer is he that hath part in the first resurrection for on such the second death hath no power Reuel 20 verse 6. The vngodlie shall not be able to stand in iudgment neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous Psal 1 verse 6. In apparelling your selfe praie CLoath mee O Christ with thine owne selfe that I may be so farre from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof that I may cleane put off all my carnall desires and crucifie the kingdome of the flesh in me Be thou vnto mee a garment to keepe me warme and to defend me from the cold of this world If thou be absent deere Lord all things will be vnto me foorthwith cold weake and dead but if thou be with me all things will be warme liuelie fresh and cheerefull Grant therefore that as I compasse this my bodie with this garment so thou wouldst cloath me wholie but especiallie my soule with thine owne selfe So be it Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercie meekenesse loue peace Col. 3 verse 12. Let not him that putteth on his harnesse boast himselfe as he that putteth it off 1 Kings 20 verse 11. Meditation CAll to mind a little how we are incorporate into Christ and how he dooth cloath vs gouerne and nourish vs and vnder his wings protection and prouidence preserueth vs. A consideration of our inward corruption by the outward easement of the bodie OH wretch that I am what am I but a rotten carcase woorms meat a stinking coffin and food for fire Againe what am I O Lord Euen a darke dongeon wretched earth a child of wrath a vessell meet for dishonour begotten in vncleannesse liuing in miserie and dieng in distresse Out vpon me vile wreth What am I Wo is me Lord. O Lord spare me Alas my maker what shall become of me I am a sacke of doong a coffin of rottennesse full of lothsomnesse and stinch blind poore naked subiect to manie exceeding necessities woting neither when I came into the world nor when I shall go out mortall and miserable whose daies passe and glanse swiftlie awaie as a shadowe or bubble of water now flourishing and by and by withering now aliue now dead Oh spare me a little Lord for my daies are nothing and be mercifull vnto a wretch that is not ashamed to acknowledge hir vilenesse before thee The glorie of mortall man is but doong and wormes meate 1. Mach. 2. verse 62. Meditation COnsider the miserable state of the bodie by the excrements that issue out of the eies nose mouth eares hands arme-pits fundament féete and other parts thereof and thinke that no Bocardo no little ease no dungeon no prison no sinke no pit is so irkesome lothsome and euill a prison for the bodie as the bodie is for and of the soule by reason of sinne and filthie affections that haue their dwelling therein Thinke also what madnesse it is thus to pamper our bodies with delicate meats to obeie the lusts therof prouoking to euill and desire continuallie with S. Paule the dissolution thereof and to be out of this stinking prison VVashing your hands praie thus WAsh my soule O God with the water of thy diuine grace from all the filth and pollusion of sinne wherewith it is altogither defiled in thy sight Sprinkle it
shall or will receiue me If thou despise me and turne thy face from me who shall looke vpon me Recognise and knowledge me O Lord to be thine although vnworthie comming to thee although I bee vile and vncleane For if I be vile and vncleane as I confesse my selfe in deede to be thou canst make mee cleane If I be sicke thou canst heale me If I be dead and buried thou canst reuiue me for thy mercie is much more than mine iniquitie Thou canst forgiue me more than I can offend Therefore O Lord doo not consider nor haue respect to the number of my sinnes but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me and haue mercie on me most wretched sinner Saie vnto my soule I am thy health which saiedst I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he liue and be conuerted and turne to thee O Lord bee not angrie with me I beseech thee but for thy great mercie sake forgiue and pardon me all my misdeeds and bring me to the blisse that neuer shall cease Amen Another forme of Confession and praier to be vsed of the Maister and Mistresse with their families in priuate houses euerie morning ALmightie God and most mercifull Father we doo not present our selues heere before thy Maiestie trusting in our owne merits or woorthinesse but in thy manifold mercies which hast promised to heare our praiers and graunt our requests which we shall make to thee in the name of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who hath also commanded vs to assemble our selues together in his name with full assurance that he will not onelie be amongst vs but also be our mediator and aduocate towards thy Maiestie that we may obtaine all things which shall seeme expedient to thy blessed will for our necessities Therefore we beseech thee most mercifull father to turne thy louing countenance towards vs and impute not vnto vs our manifold sinnes and offences whereby wee iustlie deserue thy wrath and sharpe punishment but rather receiue vs to thy mercie for Iesus Christes sake accepting his death and passion as a iust recompense for all our offences in whom onlie thou art pleased and through whome thou canst not be offended with vs. And seeing of thy great mercies we haue quietlie passed this night grant O heauenlie father that we may bestowe this daie wholie in thy seruice so that all our thoughts words and deedes may redound to the glorie of thy name and good example to all men who seeing our good works may glorifie thee our heauenlie father And forasmuch as of thy meere fauour and loue thou hast not onlie created vs to thine owne similitude and likenesse but also hast chosen vs to be heires with thy deere sonne Iesus Christ of that immortall kingdome which thou preparedst for vs before the beginning of the world we beseech thee to increase our faith and knowledge and to lighten our harts with thy holie spirit that we may in the meane time liue in all godlie conuersation and integritie of life knowing that idolaters adulterers couetous men contentious persons drunkards gluttons and such like shall not inherit the kingdome of God And because thou hast commanded vs to praie one for another we doo not onlie make request O Lord for our selues and them that thou hast alreadie called to the true vnderstanding of thy heauenlie will but for all people and nations of the world who as they know by thy wonderfull works that thou art God ouer all so they may be instructed by thy holie spirit to beleeue in thee their onlie Sauiour and Redeemer But forasmuch as they can not beleeue except they heare nor cannot heare but by preaching and none can preach except they be sent therefore O Lord raise vp faithful distributers of thy mysteries who setting apart all worldlie respects may both in their life and doctrine onelie seeke thy glorie Contrariwise confound Sathan Antichrist with all hirelings whome thou hast alreadie cast off into a reprobate sense that they may not by sects schismes heresies and errors disquiet thy little flocke And because O Lord we be fallen into the latter daies and dangerous times wherein ignorance hath gotten the vpper hand and Sathan by his ministers seeke by all meanes to quench the light of thy Gospell we beseech thee to mainteine thy cause against those rauening Woolues and strengthen all thy seruants whom they keepe in prison and bondage Let not thy long-suffering be an occasion either to increase their tyrannie or to discourage thy children neither yet let our sinnes and wickednesse be an hinderance to thy mercies but with speede O Lord consider these great miseries For thy people Israel manie times by their sinnes prouoked thine anger and thou punishedst them by thy iust iudgement yet though their sinnes were neuer so greeuous if they once returned from their iniquitie thou receiuedst them to mercie We therfore most wretched sinners bewaile our manifold siunes and earnestlie repent vs for our former wickednesse and vngodlie behauiour towards thee And whereas we cannot of our selues purchase thy pardon yet we humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie vpon vs and receiue vs againe to thy fauour Graunt vs deere father these our requests and all other things necessarie for vs and thy whole Church our Queene and Realme according to thy promise in Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we beseech thee as he hath taught vs saieng Our Father c. Almightie and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to graunt vs perfect continuance in thy liuelie faith augmenting and increasing the same in vs dailie vntill we growe to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saieng I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Almightie God which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that aske in thy Sonnes name wee beseech thee mercifullie to incline thine eares to vs that haue now made our praiers and supplications vnto thee and graunt that those things which wee haue faithfullie asked according to thy will may effectuallie be obteined to the releefe of our necessitie and to the setting foorth of thy glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauorable countenance towards vs and graunt vs his peace Amen The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it A Morning praier for Sundaie AFter due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit I sue vnto thee most mercifull father beseeching thee of mercie and forgiuenesse of mine offences which in this night or at anie time heeretofore I haue committed against thy godlie will and pleasure by anie manner of vncleannesse of soule or bodie that I haue fallen into
by the illusion of the diuell or else by frailtie of mine owne flesh trespassing against thy godlie Maiestie either in thought consent delectation word or deede And I most hartilie thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen me this night and that to the innumerable benefits hitherto powred vpon my soule and bodie thou hast vouchsafed to preserue me this night past from sudden death and all other euill and mischiefe spirituall and corporall that anie person man or woman hath beene striken withall by thy permission and sufferance knowing of a suretie that the selfe-same or such like had worthilie light on my head also haddest not thou defended and preserued me and giuen me time to amend my life so that I might liue henceforth not as I will but as thou wilt And now seeing thou O almightie God and most mercifull father in the tables of the commandements deliuered to the hands of thy seruant Moses vpon the mount Sina among other precepts diddest giue charge vnto thy chosen children of Israel that in sixe daies they should doo all such works and aaffaires as they had to doo and rest from labour the seuenth daie graunt I beseech thee blessed father that siuce I haue by thy mercie happilie passed ouer this whole weeke vnder thy gratious protection I may not onelie rest this daie from my dailie trauels but that I may abstaine also from the works of sinne and iniquitie and sanctifie this daie wholie vnto thee with praiers and thankes-giuing abounding in all works of loue and charitie as thou hast commanded in thy holie word that I may be found pure without spot or blemish at that daie when thy Sonne Iesus Christ shall come to iudge the world with righteousnesse and equitie And forasmuch as thou hast ordeined this daie among the rest wherein we should meete all together with brotherlie loue and affection to yeeld thee praises for the innnumerable benefits we haue receiued at thy hand to acknowledge thy fatherlie loue and pitie towards vs from time to time and to giue thee thanks in generall for all and vniuersall thy benefits hitherto bestowed vpon vs I beseech thee to grant me thy holie spirit that I may be the more zealouslie inflamed to serue thee in true holinesse and integritie of life and by the operation of that spirit I may kill all carnall lusts vnlawfull pleasures concupiscence and all other spots of vncleannesse whereby I may be made thy child by adoption and grace and my bodie the temple of the holie Ghost being throughlie purged and purified from the dregs of iniquitie and abhomination Giue me grace most mercifull Father to spend this daie to thy pleasure in all good works of the spirit and charitie proceeding from an vndefiled faith in Christ Iesu that I fall not into anie kind of danger but that all my dooings may be ordered by thy gouernance to doo alwaies that is righteous in thy sight through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another Morning praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and mercifull God eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three in persons one in substance God in verie deede and from euerlasting I extoll thy sacred Maiestie I praise thine vnspeakeable mercie thy diuine truth I exceedingly commend for that of thy fatherlie and woonderfull goodnesse thou hast protected me this night vnder the shadowe of thy wings Yea thou also hast made me quietlie to take my rest notwithstanding the dangerous snares of my deadlie enimie the diuell Thou art the God which exaltest vs from the gates of the shadowe of death and from the power of darknesse thou deliuerest vs. Therefore I will acknowledge thee for thy goodnes and for the woonderfull things which thou dooest among the sonnes of men I will magnifie thee in the great congregation and among much people will I praise thee My hart is readie O my God my hart is readie I will praise thee O Lord among the people and sing to thee among the nations For thy mercie is aboue the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds I will not hide thy mercie and truth in the great congregation bicause it is a good thing to praise the Lord and to sing to thee O thou most high to declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me praise his holie name Which forgiueth all thine iniquities and healeth all thine infirmities Which redeemeth thy life from destruction crowneth thee with mercie and compassion Which satisfieth thy longing with good things and protecteth thee from thy youth Which also hath kept all my bones this night not one of them is broken To the King euerlasting immortall inuisible and onlie wise God be honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen VNto thee O Lord doo I lift vp my soule O God earlie will I seeke thee my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh lusteth after thee in a barren and drie land where no water is to see thy strength and glorie O eternall God which hast brought me to the beginning of this daie defend me with thy mightie power that this daie I fall into no sinne nor run into anie kind of danger but let all my cogitations words and works tend to the setting foorth of thy righteousnesse Lighten my mind this morning with the shining and clearnesse of thy wisdome that in my hart that true daie-star may rise and shine as it were a candle in a darke place Giue me the spirit of wisdome and reuelation in the knowledge of thee and lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that I may knowe what my hope is how great the glorie of mine inheritance and what the excellent greatnesse of thy power towards me is Fill me with thy mercie in this morning so shall I be glad and reioice all my life long Mercifull God endue me with thine holie spirit that I may neither thinke speake or doo anie thing this daie but that which may please thee and tend to the aduancement of thy glorie and health of my soule Gouerne thou mine vnderstanding and will and so direct all the cogitations of my hart that I may wholie be thine and sauour of nothing besides thee my God and redeemer Teach mee the waie of thy commandements O Lord and I will keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding to keepe thy lawes and to loue thee my Lord and God with all my hart with all my soule and with all my strength and let all thy testimonies be my delight and counsellers Comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee O Lord haue I lifted vp my soule For thou Lord art good and gentle and of great kindnesse to as manie as call vpon thee Behold O God earlie now this morning I doo offer my selfe a morning sacrifice vnto thee a troubled spirit a broken and an humble hart O Lord thou wilt not despise Make me fit that I may likewise dailie offer vp
vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs an hart to loue and dread thee and diligentlie to liue after thy commandements We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue all thy people increase of grace to heare meekelie thy word and to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of the spirit We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to bring into the waie of truth all such as haue erred and are deceiued We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to strengthen such as doo stand and to comfort and helpe the weake-harted and to raise vp them that fall and finallie to beate downe Sathan vnder our feete We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to succour helpe and comfort all that be in danger necessitie and tribulation We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by land or by water all women labouring of child all sicke persons and yoong children and to shew thy pitie vpon all prisoners and captiues We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes and all that bee desolate and oppressed We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to haue mercie vpon all men We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to forgiue our enimies persecutors and slanderers and to turne their harts We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindlie fruits of the earth so as in due time we may enioie them We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to endue vs with the grace of thy holie spirit to amend our liues according to thy holie word We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God we beseech thee to heare vs. O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Grant vs thy peace O Lambe of God that takest awaie the sinnes of the world Haue mercie vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. The Versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes The Answere Neither reward vs after our iniquities Let vs praie O God mercifull father that despisest not the sighing of a contrite hart nor the desires of such as be sorowfull mercifullie assist our praiers that we make before thee in all our troubles and aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs and gratiouslie heare vs that those euils which the craft and subtiltie of the diuell or man worketh against vs be brought to naught and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may be dispersed that we thy seruants being hurt by no persecutions may euermore giue thanks vnto thee in thy holie Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy name sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble works that thou diddest in their daies and in the old time before them O Lord arise helpe vs and deliuer vs for thine honour Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne c. As it was in the beginning is now and euer c. From our enimies defend vs O Christ Gratiouslie looke vpon our afflictions Pitifullie behold the sorrowes of our harts Mercifullie forgiue the sinnes of thy people Fauourablie with mercie heare our praiers O sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon vs. Both now euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Christ Gratiouslie heare vs ô Lord Christ The Versicle O Lord let thy mercie be shewed vpon vs. The Answere As we doo put our trust in thee Let vs praie WE humblie beseech thee O Father mercifullie to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glorie of thy name sake turne from vs all those euils that we most worthilie haue deserued and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercie and euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of life to thy honour and glorie through our onlie mediator and aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for the Queenes Maiestie O Lord our heauenlie father high and mightie King of kings Lord of lords the onlie ruler of princes which dooest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vpon earth most hartilie we beseech thee with thy fauour to behold our most gratious souereigne ladie Queene Elizabeth and so replenish hir with the grace of thy holie spirit that she may alwaie incline to thy will and walke in thy waie Indue hir plentifullie with heauenlie gifts graunt hir in health and wealth long to liue strengthen hir that she may vanquish and ouercome all hir enimies and finallie after this life she may attaine euerlasting ioie and felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for Bishops and Curates ALmightie and euerlasting God which onlie workest great maruels send downe vpon our Bishops and Curates and all congregations committed to their charge the healthfull spirit of thy grace and that they may trulie please thee powre vpon them the continuall dewe of thy blessing Grant this O Lord for the honour of our Aduocate and Mediatour Iesu Christ Amen A praier of Chrysostome ALmightie God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications vnto thee and dooest promise that when two or three be gathered together in thy name thou wilt grant their requests fulfill now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen 2. Corinth 13 verse 13. THE grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the fellowship of the holie Ghost bee with vs all euermore Amen ¶ Other godlie Collects and praiers to be vsed after the Letanie as occasion serueth and first In time of drought for raine O GOD heauenlie father which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessarie to their bodilie sustenance send vs wee beseech thee in this our necessitie such moderate raine and showers that we may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort and to thy honor through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another ALmightie God mercifull Father who in thy holie word hast promised to
heare the praiers of thy people which they shall make in this place of thy holie temple behold now that thou hast shut vp heauen and there is no raine giuen vnto the earth but a drought doth vtterlie destroie the fruites of the earth for our sinnes and iniquities we come vnto thee and confesse our sinnes wherewith we haue prouoked thee thus to anger against vs and thy creatures for our sakes We I saie whome thou dooest iustlie thus afflict with drought and barrennesse of the earth returne vnto thee with all our harts in fasting weeping and mourning beseeching thee by hartie and earnest praier to haue mercie vpon vs and deale not with vs as we haue righteouslie deserued Heare thou now in heauen and pardon the sinnes of thy seruants and giue raine vnto the land that thou hast giuen the people to inhabit Heare O Lord I saie the crie of man and beast and open the treasures of the heauens and giue vnto vs moderate showres to water the earth that our cattell may bee satisfied and our drought ceasse Oh Lord hast thou vtterlie reiected vs or doth thy soule abhorre thy people for euer that thou hast so long plagued vs with drought and want of water Our iniquities in deede testifie against vs and our rebellions are more than can be numbred For we haue sinned against heauen and against thee and haue beene verie noisome to the earth and all thy creatures therin But O Lord thou hope of Israel thou comfort helpe and sauiour of all that are in trouble haue mercie vpon vs haue mercie vpon vs and doo not abhorre vs nor cast vs off for euer O Lord are there anie among the gods of the Gentiles that can send raine Or can the heauens of themselues giue showres to the earth Is it not onlie thou O Lord our God which hast made heauen and earth and dooest all things by thy mightie power that must doo it O saue the people therefore that call vpon thee O let the daie come wherein thou wilt vouchsafe to heare vs O Lord when I saie thou wilt heare the heauens and the heauens may heare the earth the earth heare the corne and the wine and the oile and they all heare one another and thou heare Israel that thou maist haue mercie vpon vs and cause to come downe for vs the raine euen the first raine and the latter raine in the first and second moneths in due seasons vpon the earth that our barns may be full of wheate and our presses abound with wine and oile our cattell serue to labour by thy blessing that both man beast may cease their mourning and haue cause to reioice in thy mercie Graunt vs this O father for Iesus Christs sake our onlie mediator and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie now and for euer Amen Another praier for the fruits of the earth O Lord God almightie King of heauen and earth which of thine abundant goodnesse doost adorne and replenish the earth with all kind of fruit and graine whereby the life both of man and beast is susteined we beseech thee euen for thy free mercie that thou wouldest vouchsafe to blesse our feelds and ground and to make them prosperouslie to yeeld their corne and increase For without thy blessing and fauour neither can the earth of it selfe bring foorth anie whit nor we by our paines make the same to prosper Wherefore grant to all things springing from the earth a meet temperature of aire that luckilie they may take and increase Keepe our fruit vpon the face of the earth from all infection of the aire from thunder haile from vntimelie showers from too great drinesse and ouermuch heate from woormes hurtfull and beasts deuouring it before their prime and from all other corruption that our land in thine anger be not desolate and denie vs fruit enioieng hir wofull Sabboth Shut not vp the heauens in thine indignation for our sinnes that it be not as iron nor the earth as brasse wherby it can not be tilled ploughed nor sowne and so come to a verie plaine and vtter wildernesse but of thy goodnesse giue vs both the earlie and latter raine that we may haue abundance of all fruit and a ioifull haruest with a plentifull vintage O God send a gratious raine vpon thine inheritance and giue thy blessing that our ground may bring foorth hir fruit Cause thy raine to powre downe in due season that it may be raine of blessing whereby both trees may giue their fruit the ground yeeld foorth hir graine Grant also that the aire be pure from infection our bodies free from sicknesse to our whole Realme peace and quietnesse that safelie without trouble we may enioie thy gifts Driue awaie and repell from vs malediction and the destroier Giue vs not in stead of raine dust and ashes but open thy good treasures and visit the land with thy blessing make it drunken and enrich it abundantlie Thy riuer O Lord is full of water prepare our corne and dispose our earth to prosper water abundantlie the furrowes of the same and cause the raine to descend into the vallies thereof make the same soft with showers and blesse our buds Crowne the yeere with thy goodnesse and let thy clouds drop fatnesse let them drop vpon the pastures of the wildernesse and make the little hils reioice on euerie side Let the plaines be replenished with sheepe and the vallies with corne that the inhabitants of the earth may reioice and be merie O Lord thou causest grasse to growe for cattell and herbs for y e vse of man thou bringest foorth bread out of the earth wine to make glad the hart of man oile to make the countenance cheerfull bread for to strengthen the hart Haue therefore a care O heauenlie Father of the seed and other things springing from the earth keepe them both in cold raine ice and snowe from the beating of winds and iniurie of weather Preserue them in extreame heat drinesse moistnesse and such like that they perish not afore their time Roote out the destroier that there be neither blasting mildew nor grashopper neither caterpiller hurting the fruits of the earth Keepe vs O Lord in the time of dearth that we perish not for hunger nor be confounded in the perilous time For thou art our God and Creator which satisfiest the thirstie soule and fillest the hungrie with goodnesse which hast said I will not faile neither forsake thee whereby being faithfull we may saie The Lord is with vs therefore we will not feare what man can doo vnto vs. Behold we miserable great sinners doo confesse our wickednes with groning griefe of hart crieng vnto thee which art in heauen Heare our praiers in thy dwelling place be mercifull to thy people which haue sinned against thee and forgiue vs all our iniquities wherein we haue transgressed against thee By our sinnes wee haue brought all these
for not worthilie preparing themselues and for misvsing the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and manie died thereof as thine holie Apostle Saint Paule hath taught vs. Since which time O Lord as the Monuments of thy Church and other Chronicles doo declare thou hast from time to time so plagued with pestilence not onelie cities but also whole countries for these and other like causes that we may iustlie looke for the comming of our Sauiour so manie and so horrible pestilences haue beene among vs alreadie All which causes O Lord for the which thou hast so afflicted thy people are through the malice of Satan and our wilfull consenting vnto him growne so ripe in vs that were it not for the exceeding greatnes of thy mercie and compassion we should all presentlie perish and that woorthilie so horrible and outragious are our iniquities For we loath not onelie the plentifull prouision of wholesome victuals and apparell which thou hast giuen vs for our bodies more abundantlie than to manie nations trauelling by all meanes to get wherewith to pamper our flesh with wines spices silks and other vaine costlie and delighting things but the pretious Manna of our soules thy holie word and Sacraments we can not awaie with we are so full that we are glutted therewith We so little esteeme the heauenlie kingdome which our Sauiour hath so deerlie prepared and kindlie promised to vs that we abhor it and are readie to stone those few that commend it and exhort vs for our owne good to trauell thitherward better liking and crediting those false prophets the Epicures and Atheists that with their lies discourage vs therefrom What murmuring and grudging make we against the ministers of thy word which thou of thine especiall goodnesse hast in mercie giuen vs How despise wee our bishops preachers and other ministers of thy holie Sacraments whom thou hast commanded vs to reuerence and honour Did not we through our wicked liues wretchedlie leese the Arke of thy holie word and the true ministration of Sacraments not manie yeeres agone which the popish Philistines tooke from vs And now when thou through thy plagues laid vpon them hast miraculouslie sent it againe see how hold we be with the Beth-samites vnreuerentlie to receiue it For manie make of it a gazing-stocke to serue their eies and tongues rather than a lawe to obeie and followe in their liues Yea the knowledge of thy truth goodnesse and mercie breedeth in manie of vs a carelesse securitie and a contempt of thy holie ordinances For we presume vpon thy mercie and promises not regarding the conditions nor anie of thy commandements which in our baptisme we vowed to obserue Yea we make thy Gospell a cloke of our couetousnesse vnder colour whereof we seeke our owne lucre and hide all our wicked and filthie practises If the Corinthians deserued to be plagued for abusing thy holie Sacraments how much more are wee woorthie of fierce wrath that not onelie abuse it but also abhor contemne it bicause it is ministred as it ought For thou knowest O Lord what a sort there are which bewitched with the diuell and the Popes doctrine doo vtterlie abhor Christs holie communion and sauing for feare of the lawe would neuer come at it In what sort these receiue and how they be prepared is not vnknowne vnto thee How rashlie also and vnaduisedlie and vnprepared the common multitude doo frequent it partlie appeareth in that manie of them neuer forgiue old offences nor reconcile themselues nor in anie thing doo amend their old sinnes and vices Seeing then that we Lord the common sort and multitude doo thus abound in all kind of wickednesse how can it be but that thou of thy iustice must suffer our magistrates to offend also in somewhat to the end thou maist iustlie take vengeance of our sinnes For these manifold heapes of sinnes and wickednesses O Lord thou hast iustlie at this present sent this dangerous pestilence among vs as thou hast often and long time threatened by the mouthes of thy faithfull preachers who continuallie haue called vpon vs to staie thy wrath by earnest repentance amendement of life but we haue alwaies beene deafer and deafer The delight in our sinnes not onlie stopped our eares but also hardened our harts against their hartie and friendlie admonitions And in that we now O Lord doo begin to feele and acknowledge our sinnes it commeth more of thy rigour in plaguing vs than of anie good inclination of our selues Mollifie therefore O Lord our flintie harts with the suppling moisture of thy holie spirit Make vs to reuerence thee as children for loue of thy mercies and not to dread thee like slaues for feare of punishment Seruants Amen Maister or Maistres O deere Father reclaime vs thy lost children O mercifull Sauiour pitie vs thy putrified members O holie Ghost repaire vs thy decaied temples O holie and glorious Trinitie haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Seruants Amen Maister Grant vs O Lord such true repentance as may through the bloud of our Sauiour blot out the staines of our heinous iniquities Forgiue vs our sinnes O Lord forgiue vs our sinnes for thine infinite mercies sake Seruants Amen Maister Forgiue vs our blasphemies idolatries and periuries Forget our vaine and outragious oths As thou hast by thy rigour and plagues forced vs to acknowledge thee to be our iust and righteous Lord so let vs through thy mercie and forgiuenesse feele thee to be our mild louing Father and giue vs grace for euer hereafter to reuerence this thy glorious name Seru. Amen Maister Take from vs O God the care of worldlie vanities Make vs content with necessaries Plucke awaie our harts from delighting in honours treasures and pleasures of this life And ingender in vs a desire to be with thee in thine eternall kingdome Giue vs O Lord such taste and feeling of thine vnspeake able ioies in heauen that we may alwaie long therfore saieng with thine elect Hasten thy kingdome O Lord take vs to thee Seru. Amen Maister Make vs O Lord obedient to thy will reuealed in thy holie word Make vs diligent to walke in thy commandements Forgiue vs our contempt and murmuring against the magistrates and ministers whom thou hast in thy mercie appointed make vs obedient vnto their godlie lawes doctrine Saue and preserue O Lord thine annointed our QVEENE ELIZABETH that she in thy grace and feare may long reigne amongst vs. Giue peace to all Christian nations Mooue vs by thy spirit to loue one another as the members of our bodie that we may all doo thy will in earth as it is in heauen Seru. Amen Maister Dig out of vs O Lord the venemous roots of couetousnesse and concupiscence or else so represse them with thy grace that we may be contented with thy prouision of necessaries and not to labour as we doo with toile strength guile wrong and oppression to pamper our selues with vaine superfluities Feed our soules O
most comfortable nor preaching by monsters most ouglie nor preaching by fire most strange nor preaching by earthquakes most terrible neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible will stirre vp our stonie harts and awake vs from our sinnes We feare oh Lord that the Turks with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing will condemne vs in the last daie which if they had beene so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word and sweete promises of thy Gospell or thy woonders both in heauen and earth which we haue seene no doubt their righteousnes would haue shined at this day to our great shame and confusion Thou hast no lesse warned vs oh Lord of thy fearefull displeasure heauie plagues at hand for our great wickednesse than thou didst the Israelits of the horrible destruction which came vpon them whom thou first in mercie didst call to repentance by the preaching of thy word but when no warning would serue thou didst send them monstrous and fearfull signes and tokens to declare that thy visitation was not farre off But they like vnto vs at this daie did alwaies interpret these things after the imagination of their vaine harts promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads Which things when we doo call to mind for as much as they are written for our learning example warning it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgments For if thou hast thus dealt with thine owne deere and chosen children in token of thy great wrath against sinne what shall we looke for who doo no lesse deserue thy fearfull scourge and of mercie it is that thou dooest thus long forbeare vs but liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes It maketh vs to feare and crie unwardlie in our soules Come Lord Iesu holie and true in all thy dooings and shorten our daies bring this our pilgrimage to an end suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sinne vnto the daie of vengeance least we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate which shall neuer see thy louing countenance It maketh vs to crie to thee O Lord let thy kingdome come and end this our sinfull life wherein we doo nothing but prouoke thee to wrath Correct vs not O Lord in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thine heauie displeasure And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame and confusion though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod and our sinnes with scourges yet in mercie Lord and with fatherlie correction chasten vs and thy louing kindnesse take not awaie from vs. To thee we flie for succour vnder the wings of thy mercie shall be our refuge vntill thou turne thy wrathfull countenance from vs. We knowe that thy mercie is aboue all thy works and euen as great as thy selfe therefore will we saie with holie Iob Though thou kill vs yet we put our trust in thee Thou camest to comfort and plucke out of the dungeon of hell such wretches as we are Thou art the good Samaritane that camest to heale our deadlie wounds Thou art that good Physician that camest to cure our mortall infirmities Thou art the good shepheard that camest to seeke vs wandering lost sheepe and to bring vs to thy fold againe And more than that thou art our brother flesh of our flesh and bone of our bones which hast tasted of our infirmities felt our temptations borne the burden of our sinnes Therefore at thy hands we looke for mercie against the daie of vengeance And though thou punish vs yet our hope is and euer shall be that thy rod shall no further touch vs than shall make to thy glorie our commoditie and the strengthening and increase of our faith Let this thy preaching sundrie waies O Lord be sufficient for our warning and grant that we may speedilie and from the bottome of our harts repent endeuour to doo thy righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy word and frame our liues according to the same that we may here liue in thy feare all the daies of our life and after this our sinfull course is ended may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdome through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our onelie redeemer Amen A Psalme of thankes-giuing for deliuerance from the plague or anie other kind of sicknesse trouble or affliction LOrd thou art become gratious vnto thy land thou hast turned awaie the afflictions of thy seruants Thou hast taken awaie all thy displeasure turned thy selfe from thy wrathfull indignation For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed but our soules had beene put to silence But when we said Our feete haue slipped thy mercie O Lord helped vs vp In the multitude of the sorowes that we had in our harts thy comforts haue refreshed our soules Our soules waited still vpon the Lord our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwaies in him In the Lords word did we reioice in Gods word did we comfort our selues For the Lord said Call vpon me in the time of trouble and I will heare thee and thou shalt praise me So when we were poore needie sicklie and in heauinesse the Lord cared for vs he was our helpe and our sauiour according to his word In our aduersitie and distresse he hath lifted vp our heads and saued vs from vtter destruction He hath deliuered our soules from death he hath fed vs in the time of dearth he hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence Therefore will we offer in his holie temple the oblation of thankes-giuing with great gladnesse wee will sing and speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour We will giue thanks vnto the Lord for he is gratious and his mercie endureth for euer The Lord is full of compassion and mercie long suffering plentious in goodnesse and pitie His mercie is greater than the heauens and his gratious goodnesse reacheth vnto the clouds Like as a father pitieth his owne children euen so is the Lord mercifull vnto them that feare him Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies O God vnto thee will we sing O thou holie one of Israel We will sing a new song vnto thee O God we will praise the Lord with Psalmes of thankes giuing O sing praises sing praises vnto our God O sing praises sing praises vnto our King For God is the King of the earth sing praises with vnderstanding We will magnifie thee O God our King we will praise thy name for euer and euer Euerie daie will we giue thanks vnto thee and praise thy name for euer and euer Our mouth shall speake the praises of the Lord and let all flesh giue thanks to his holie name for euer and euer Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and blessed be the name of his Maiestie world without end Amen Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the c. In the time of anie particular or
generall earthquake praie OH eternall mightie and most louing Father which hast no desire of the death of a sinner but that he conuert and liue and vnto whom nothing is so pleasant as the repentant contrite and sorowfull hart of a penitent person For thou art that kind father that fallest most louinglie vpon the necke of the lost sonne kissest imbracest and feastest him when he returneth from the puddle of pleasures and swill of the swine and disdainest not the repentant praier of thy poore and sinfull seruants whensoeuer with true faith they returne and call vpon thee as we haue most comfortable examples in Dauid Manasses Magdalen Peter and the theefe vpon the gibbet We most hartilie and humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to looke downe from the throne of thy mercie-seate vpon vs most miserable and sinfull slaues of Satan which with fearfull and trembling harts doo quake and shake at the strange and terrible tokens of thy wrath and indignation appearing most euidentlie vnto vs by the shaking moouing of the earth which is thy footestoole whereby if we be not vtterlie destitute of grace we be warned that thy cōming-downe amongst vs to visit our sinnes in most terrible maner can not be farre off seeing thou treadest so hard vpon this thy footestoole the earth which we most shamefullie haue polluted and defiled with our most wicked sinfull and rebellious liues notwithstanding thy continuall crieng and calling vpon vs by thy seruants the prophets and preachers by whome we haue learned thy will but haue not followed it We haue heard much and done little yea nothing at all but like most peruerse and vnthankfull children haue made a mocke of thy word derided thy ministers and accounted thy threatenings trifles and thy warnings of no weight or moment Wherefore we haue iustlie deserued to taste most deeplie of the bitter cup of thine anger and bengeance by wars famine pestilence yea and eternall death if thou shouldest not temper the rigour of thy iustice with the mildnesse of thy mercie But such is thy fatherlie affection towards vs that thou shewest thy selfe slowe to anger long suffering and of much patience and mercie yea thou art a thousand times more readie to forget and forgiue than we to aske and require forgiuenesse Therefore though we be not woorthie of the least mite of thy mercie yet gratious Lord looke not vpon vs and our sinnes but vpon thine owne selfe and thy sonne Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace the treasure of mercie the salue of all sicknesse the iewell of ioie and the onlie hauen of succour and safetie By him we come to thee in him and for him we trust to find that we haue lost and gaine that he hath got He is the scale of Iacob by whom we climbe vp to thee and thou by the Angels of thy mercie cōmest downe to vs. Him we present vnto thee and not we our selues his death and not our dooings his bloudie wounds and not our detestable deseruings whose merits are so great as thy mercie cannot be little and our ransom so rich that our beggerlie and beastlie sinnes are nothing in thy sight for the great pleasure and satisfaction that thou takest of his paines and passion Turne this late earthquake O Lord to the benefite of thine elect as thou didst when thou shookest the prison loosedst the locks fetters and chaines of thy seruants Paule and Silas and broughtst them out of prison and conuertedst their keeper so gratious Lord strike the harts of tyrants with the terrour of this thy woorke that they may knowe that they are but men and that thou art that Samson that for their mocking and spiting of thee and thy word canst shake the pillers of their palaces and throwe them vpon the furious Philistines heads Turne thy wrath oh Lord from thy children that call vpon thy name to the conuersion or confusion of thine enimies that despise and abhorre thy name and deface thy glory Thou hast knocked long at their doores but they will not open to let thee in Burst open therefore the brasen gates of their stonie harts thou that art able of stones to raise vp children to Abraham And finallie so touch our harts with the finger of thy grace that we maie deeply muse vpon our sinfull liues to amend them and call for thy mercie to forgiue and pardon them through Christ our Lord who liueth with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one eternall God to whome be all dominion and glorie with praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Or else praie thus O Almightie God and most mercifull Father which willest not the death of a sinner but rather that hee should returne and liue we thy seruants most humblie confesse that we haue most greeuouslie offended against thy diuine Maiestie and prouoked thy heauie wrath against vs in that we haue not beleeued and folowed thy Gospell preached vnto vs nor beene thankfull for thy manie verie great benefits bestowed vpon vs yea and being warned by the dangers of other haue beene too carelesse to serue thee oh Lord the Father of all mercie and the God of all consolation which in thy wrath remembrest mercie We acknowledge that in the late terrible earthquake which suddenly shooke vs out of our houses and dwelling places thou didst warne vs of thy iustice and that we for our great vnthankfulnesse and disobedience haue deserued most iust iudgement O Lord we thy seruants being vile earth and miserable sinners yet trembling and quaking at the remembrance of that terrible looke of thy wrathfull displeasure neuer to be forgotten most humblie craue pardon for our sinnes and grace to conuert vnto thee in time Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Mollifie our hard harts grant vs a contrite spirit and to turne vnto thee vnfeinedlie in fasting weeping praier Enter not into iudgement with thy seruants spare thy people O Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Haue mercie vpon vs for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake Giue vs grace hencefoorth to amend our liues and to serue thee in holines and righteousnesse So we acknowledging thy iustice and remembring alwaies that fearefull signe of thy furie in the memorable earthquake which thou sentest y e sixt of Aprill in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred fourescore we shall praise thee for thy mercie and glorifie thy holie name for euer through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen At the sight of a blasing starre or other meteors or prodigious signes of Gods iudgment in the heauens praie to preuent the euils foreshewed thereby and saie O Almightie Lord and God whose workemanship is the whole world the heauen and the earth with all the beautie and blessings of the same at the presence of whose power all things doo quake and tremble whose indignation when it threatneth vengeance vnto sinners is vnsufferable and whose promises of mercie are vnmeasurable bicause thou art euen the most high Lord ouer
iniquitie shall be suppressed and thy chosen children be fullie endued with that perfect glorie in the which now our Lord Iesus Christ reigneth to whome with thee O father and the holie Ghost be all honour praise and glorie now and euer Amen In time of inuasion by the Turke and Infidels that make warre in anie part of Christendome praie and that earnestlie as followeth OMnipotent and eternall God father of our Lord Iesus Christ maker preseruer and mainteiner both of heauen and earth together with thy coeternall sonne and the holie Ghost we haue sinned O Lord with our fathers we haue done amisse and dealt wickedlie and therfore we confesse that by thy righteous iudgements we are iustlie punished and haue trulie deserued that barbarous nations and cruell Turks making inuasion into Christendome should spoile vs of our goods ouerthrowe Schooles Churches Common-weales make pitifull hauocke of the promiscuous mixt or confused multitude of sillie weake people as they were sheepe prepared to the shambles and carrie miserable men from the sweet bosoms of their deere freends into far and barbarous nations to a slauerie more greeuous than death O God it is thou which hast repelled vs yea thou makest vs a shame to the nations for our sinnes and goest not foorth to war with our armies Thou makest vs to turne our backs vpon our enimies so that they which hate vs spoile our goods Thou lettest vs to bee eaten like sheepe and hast scattered vs among the heathen Thou sellest thy people for naught and takest no monie for them Therefore he the heathen come into thine inheritance thy holie Temple haue they defiled they haue destroied our townes and houses and brought them into an heape of stones The dead bodies of thy seruants haue they giuen to be meate to the fowles of the aire and the flesh of thy Saincts vnto the beasts of the land Their bloud haue they shed like water on euerie side and there was no man to burie them We are become an open shame to our enimies a verie scorne and derision vnto them that are round about vs. O Lord in these mischieuous warres and in the middest of fatall or mortall punishments which threaten an horrible mutation of worldlie empires we flie vnto thee saieng Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes O Lord deale not with vs according to our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities but haue mercie vpon vs and that soone for we are come to great miserie Looke vpon our aduersitie and miserie and forgiue vs all our sinnes Consider our enimies how manie they be and they beare a tyrannicall hate against vs. Thou which aforetime didst remit the offences of thy people diddest couer all their sinnes and didst turne awaie thine heauie indignation from them turne vs we humblie beseech thee O God our Sauiour and remooue awaie thy displeasure from vs also that in true repentance wee may please thee for thy sonne Christs sake Wilt thou be displeased at vs for euer Or wilt thou stretch thy wrath from one generation to another Oh let the sorowfull sighing of the prisoners come before thee according to the greatnesse of thy power preserue thou those that are appointed to die Powre out thine indignation rather vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thee and vpon the kingdoms that haue not called vpon thy name that all nations may knowe that thou takest vengeance of the bloud of thy seruants that is shed Consider the mortall threatenings of our enimies that they exercise not their crueltie vpon vs and saie triumphantlie Where is now their God Keepe from our necks the greeuous yoke of the Turkish bondage and represse the furiousnesse of all tyrants which labour to spoile and make hauocke of thy Church to abolish true doctrine praiers and pure religion that they may bring in paganisme and build vp idolatrie errours and blasphemous ceremonies Defend our Churches our politike gouernance our Schooles and Uniuersities our cities and dwelling places Suffer not good studies learning religion and lawes being ouerthrowne these our townes to be reduced into stables for sauage Mahomets Turkish tyrants or other bloudie tyrants which hate thee and vs extremelie Arme the right arme of our gratious Queene and hir Nobles as also all other Christian Emperours Kings and Potentates that they may fight for our lawes liues and libertie Teach their hands to warre and their fingers to fight Increase in them an inuincible courage of mind that inflamed through the zeale of thy religion they may valiantlie withstand the Turks which are the mortall enimies of thy deere Sonne and of his Church Guide thou the hands of such as doo fight in the cause of thy religion and grant them happie successe ouer all their enimies For a king is not preserued by his great armie and a giant shall not be saued by the multitude of his host nor warlike strength but the victorie proceedeth from the heauens At thy rebuke O God the chariot and horses fall downe Thou shalt take awaie the courage of princes and art terrible vnto the kings of the earth O be thou our helpe in trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Through thee O mightie Iehoua we shall doo great acts and thou wilt tread our enimies vnder thy feet that they come to naught through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing vnto God for the Christians victorie had against the Turks O Mercifull Father O Lord God of hosts the onelie protector and defender of thine heritage against whome no might no power nor counsell can preuaile who of thy great mercie without our merit or deseruing hast at all times protected defended vs from the cruell hand of our enimies and mightilie deliuered vs euen out of the mouth of the roring Lion we yeeld vnto thee O father for these thy great goodnesses and mercies most humble hartie thanks and especiallie O father we praise thy holie name that at this present thou hast saued and deliuered thy people from the great assaults and dangers of that same professed mightie enimie of Christian Religion the Turke and also hast giuen vnto the people which fought thy battels battelled vnder thy banner and trusted onlie in thy helpe so great and notable a victorie for the which O Lord God we doo laud and magnifie thy holie name for euer through Christ our Captaine Redeemer and Sauiour beseeching thee for thy mercifull goodnesse that thou wouldest sheeld vs vnder thy mightie protection for euer that we hauing the fruition of godlie peace through thy mercie may the rest of these few daies which we haue to liue lead a peaceable and a quiet life in all pietie and honestie through Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen O God whose nature and propertie is euer to haue mercie and to forgiue receiue our humble petitions And though
beeing made thine adopted children we may by the sanctification of thy spirit inherit the euerlasting kingdome through the same Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie for the fruits of Baptisme thus MOst heauenlie and eternall father we thy humble seruants entirelie desire thy fatherlie goodnesse that as thou hast begun in vs a newe birth washed vs with the fountaine of regeneration whereby we are made members of thy bodie and elected into the number and felowship of thy Church and congregation so thou wouldest powre vpon vs the grace of thy spirit to direct our liues according to this beginning in holinesse and purenesse that we may mortifie the lusts of the flesh resist the assaults of Sathan and auoide the alurements of the wicked world remembring alwaies that Baptisme doth represent vnto vs our vocation quenching those sparks of concupiscence that we all drawe from the old Adam and quickning vs in those good fruits of Christ our Sauiour who continuallie preserue vs with his holie spirit for euer and euer Amen Or praie for the continuance of the true institution of the Sacraments thus O Most mightie and most mercifull God by whose power the heauens and earth and all things therein are created who hast placed euerie thing in a most excellent order and hast framed man after thine owne similitude and image raising him from hell to heauen from wo to ioie from damnation to saluation and hast giuen him through thy sonne Iesu Christ a most sure bond of thy promise made in the beginning to mankind for the redemption of the world sending thine onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ to performe the same who made one onelie oblation and sacrifice for the sinnes of the whole world and did ordaine and institute two most holie Sacraments to continue the remembrance of the same make vs euer mindfull we beseech thee of these thine inestimable treasures Continue oh Lord this thy fauour towards vs. Let not tyrants preuaile against thy Church but let thy mightie power be shewed that the sacred rites may cōtinue in thy Church that the enimies may be ouerthrowne as the Turke who would vtterlie destroie those most holie Sacraments which thou hast ordeined for our saluation as the Anabaptists which like heretikes alter thy most holie institution as the Atheists who bred in them great corruption Conuert them we beseech thee O Lord and establish vs in the truth of thy holie spirit by thy mightie power that both now and euer wee may continue in the right institution of thy Sacraments which thy Sonne our Sauiour Christ hath left most perfect vnto vs to the endlesse ioie and consolation of our soules To whome therefore with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise world without end Amen Prouerbes 9. verse 1. WIsedome hath built hir house and hewen out hir seauen pillers she hath killed hir victuals drawne hir wine and prepared hir table she hath sent foorth hir virgins and crieth vpon the high places of the citie saieng Who so is simple let him come hither and to him that is destitute of wisedome she saith Come and eate of my meate and drinke of my wine that I haue drawne Canti 5. I AM come saith Christ vnto his spouse the Church into my garden my sister my spouse I gathered my mirrh with my spice I ate my honie-combe with my honie I dranke my wine with my milke Eate ô freends drinke and make ye merrie ô welbeloued Reuelation 19. HAppie and blessed are they which are called vnto the Lambes supper Christian praiers to be said before at and after ye receiue the holie Communion and first An effectuall meditation of the right Christian beleefe in the holie Sacrament of the Lords supper and of the woorthie and fruitefull receiuing the same to our comfort and saluation to be diligentlie read before you receiue O My soule let vs now carefullie consider first whether we bee come namelie to the celestiall table heauenlie banket greate feast costlie repast and sumptuous supper of the most puissant glorious mightie and magnificent King of kinges and Lord of lordes Iesus Christ thy most mercifull maker righteous redeemer souereigne sauiour and deere spouse and that of necessitie as both forced therevnto by his iust commandement and also allured and inuited by his mercifull promises Secondlie O my soule let vs rightlie knowe and diligentlie marke what things are heere presentlie set before vs on this holie Table and prouided for vs in this blessed banket to taste of namelie that the deintie dishes and the refection and meate which we must in verie deede seeke for onelie in this sacred supper are no vaine ceremonies no bare signe no vntrue figure of a thing absent no earthlie bodie no carnall meate nor anie fleshlie substance but as the sacred Scripture saith and other holie men doo rightlie tearme and call them The Bread and Cup of the Lord a heauenlie refection the sweet deinties of our sauiour the nourishment of our soules an inuisible meate a spirituall foode a ghostlie substance which all are heere now most mercifullie offered and exhibited vnto vs and all other faithfull soules as the soueraigne preseruatiue against death the conseruatorie to euerlasting life the comfortable medicine of the soule the salue of immortalitie the pledge of eternall health the defence of faith the hope of the resurrection the memorie of Christ the annuntiation of his death finallie the communion of the bodie and bloud of the Lord Iesus in a maruellous incorporation which by the holie Ghost the verie bond of our perfection with Christ is through faith wrought in the soules of the faithfull whereby not onlie their soules doo liue to eternall life but also they surelie trust to win to their bodies a resurrection to immortalitie In the which also we may not onlie heare see taste and knowe the mercie of God our Creator sealed the sanctification by Christ our redeemer towards vs confirmed the remission of our sinnes through the holie Ghost our comforter and regenerator fullie satisfied and established but also most sensiblie and effectuallie to our further comfort in deed feele wrought in vs the tranquillitie of conscience the increase of faith the strengthening of hope and the long spreading abroad of brotherlie loue and kindnesse with manie other sundrie maruellous graces and benefits of God most profitable vnto vs. Which things well considered and weighed my soule O with what feruent affection and earnest zeale ought they now to inflame our hart and kindle our mind greedilie to couet and desire the participation of these most holie mysteries yea often to long and hunger after this healthsome bread and continuallie thirst for this diuine heauenlie and blessed food Thirdlie and lastlie O my soule let vs aduisedlie call to mind and well vnderstand the cause wherefore wee are now come vnto this holie table of the Lord which indeed is onlie to this end that we should now be godlie ghests not idle gazers hungrie eaters not steruing
doo through the onelie merits of our Lord and Sauiour Jesus Christ to whom be all honour glorie dominion power and praise for euer and euer Amen The praier ALmightie and most mercifull God my heauenlie Father I thy poore child and most vnwoorthie bidden ghest to this thy prepared sacrifice and celestiall feast after due examination of my former life with an humble and contrite hart with a sorowfull and repentant spirit and with a forgiuing and charitable mind heere prostrate on my knees before thy throne of mercie with most lowelie hart humblie beseech thy Maiestie euen for thy deere and onelie sonne Iesus Christs sake whom thou hast once for all euer alreadie giuen an oblation and offering for our sinnes to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner and to forgiue me all mine innumerable and horrible offences both old and new committed against heauen and earth and against thee And new I praie thee sanctifie me throughlie O God and make me who hartilie desire in feare trembling to please thee in all things that I doo a woorthie communicant a godlie ghest and fit partaker heere this daie of thy heauenlie food in this great and sumptuous Supper of my Lord and my God by giuing vnto me of thine accustomed goodnesse the right knowledge and vnderstanding out thy word of the thing it selfe these holie mysteries I meane and the manifold fruits and benefites thereof and also by causing me through the working of thy mercie and grace to bring now with me a true and constant faith the roote and wel-spring of all newnesse of life as well in praising thee and louing my neighbour as purging mine owne conscience by earnest repentance and continuall contrition from dead works and filthinesse of sinne so that neither the ignorance of the thing O gratious God may cause me to contemne it nor vnfaithfulnesse make it void of fruit nor sinne and iniquitie procure me thy heauie plagues but grant that I may by faith in knowledge and amendment of life in faith be heere now so vnited to thy sonne Christ my head and most deerelie beloued spouse in these his holie and heauenlie mysteries to my comfort both in bodie and soule that afterward I may haue full fruition of him in deede to mine euerlasting ioie and saluation in eternall life through the same Iesus Christ our Lord blessed for euer Amen Another godlie praier O Iesu Christ holy and eternall God I miserable woman and wretched sinner acknowledge and confesse that I am not woorthie the least of all thy mercies and most vnwoorthie to receiue thee vnder the roofe of my soule by participating of thy most blessed bodie and bloud For horrible and infinite are the sinnes wherewith I am defiled Wo is me Lord. For I am a woman of polluted lips and dwell among people that haue vncleane lips And therefore the verie entrailes of my hart are troubled and my bones doo shake because I finde my soule a most vnworthie ghest for so heauenlie a supper And yet againe mine hart is woonderfullie lightned when I call to mind that thou the deere sonne of almightie God camest not into this world to call the righteous but sinners vnto repentance For they that be whole need not the Physician but they that are sick Besides I knowe right well and constantlie doo beleeue that notwithstanding my filthinesse thou canst make mee woorthie which alone canst make that cleane which is conceiued of vncleane seed and righteous men of sinners when thou forgiuest our sinnes of thy woonted grace thine holie spirit being powred vpon vs. Through which thy power and mercie I beseech thee graunt such grace vnto me a sinner that I may woorthilie approch to this heauenlie sacrament least otherwise by mine vnwoorthinesse I be made giltie of thy bodie and bloud and so in stead of life receiue my iudgement and condemnation Giue grace therefore that afore I presume to come vnto the participation thereof I may examine my selfe by calling my sinnes into mind searching out my waies and by vnfeigned and hartie repentance returning vnto thee my Lord least otherwise by concealing my sinnes with Iudas the traitor I eate the bread of the Lord against the Lord and by abusing thy gentlenesse heape vengeance vnto my selfe against the daie of vengeance O make me therefore I saie to confesse my sinnes and that with hartie sobs so thou being a faithfull and iust God wilt abandon all mine offences and cleanse me from my sinnes and wilt not disdaine to accept me into fauour when I doo not refraine to acknowledge my wickednesse Moreouer powre into me a true and liuelie faith that I neuer mistrust thy word annexed to the Sacraments which promiseth vnto mankind the remission of sinnes For to eate or drinke with the mouth onelie is to no purpose but faith must come therevnto and apprehend the word with the promises annexed for they are the grounds and principles of this sacrament so that whosoeuer giueth credit to these words Which was giuen and shead for you in the remission of sinnes the same man hath that which is promised by them namelie eternall life and saluation For where the remission of sinnes is there likewise righteousnes life and saluation is But he which doubteth of these words he without doubt is an vnworthie receiuer and commeth vnprepared For the doubting man neither eateth the flesh spirituallie nor yet drinketh the bloud though carnallie and to our eies he seemeth to consume the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud with his teeth and mouth but his damnation rather not bicause thy supper is poison but for that an euill man taketh a good thing naughtilie Finallie grant also that receiuing this thy Sacrament of the new Testament I may put off according to the former conuersation the old man which is corrupt according to the lusts of error and be renewed in the spirit of my mind putting on the new man which after God is shapen in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth And albeit my nature be such that I can not liue without spots of wickednesse yet so blesse me that I may neuer offend willinglie but altogether depending vpon thy goodnesse whose manner is to pardon the true penitent that sinners may boldlie approch to thine holie supper especiallie seeing we haue libertie to enter into the holie places through thy bloud by the new and liuing waie which thou hast prepared for vs through the vaile that is by thy flesh And seeing we haue an high Priest ouer the house of God make vs to drawe nigh with true harts in assurance of faith sprinkled in our minds from an euill conscience and washed in bodie with pure water Cause vs to hold fast the profession of the hope without wauering For he is faithfull that promised and let vs consider one of another to prouoke vnto loue to good works not forsaking the assemblie of the faithfull as the maner of some is but exhorting one another
and so much the more as we see the daie approching Amen Another most Christian and deuout praier to be said before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Christ our Lord and Sauior which before thy greeuous agonie and heapes of trouble thorough the wrath of thine almightie Father lighting vpon thee commandedst thy Disciples Peter and Iohn to prepare the passouer that together they might eate the same Thou longedst for our saluation and didst eate of the lambe which was a figure of thy selfe and expressedst the image of that banket which thy people the Israelits vnder the conduction of thy seruant Moses about to depart out of Aegypt did celebrate Hauing finished the supper of the old couenant thou begannest a new couenant testifieng of thy presence and benefits in the Church Mooue thou our harts to thankfulnesse that with like desire we may desire to come vnto thy table and seeke the nourishment to eternall life Suffer vs not to loath thine heauenlie banket as prophane and curious men doo which contend with thee contemne the order which thou hast appointed Amend all abuses and prophanings of thine holie table horriblie deformed with filthinesse for the which we are punished in all places with manifold plagues and diseases By thy wisedome thou healest our diseases and infirmities and by the visible signes of Sacraments thou confirmest our faith Thou art effectuall by them in the beleeuers according to thy promise We blesse the bread and wine as thou hast willed and beleeue that with them we receiue thee in true faith and puritie of mind Thou declarest by this thy Supper that trulie thou tookedst our flesh vpon thee for our sakes euen to ingraffe vs to thine owne flesh and bring vs to eternall life This is eternall life which is begunne in this world whereby the soule is renewed vnto eternall happinesse Moreouer this blessed meate doth witnesse and testifie that our bodies which are replenished with the sense of thy liuing flesh shall rise againe to perpetuall glorie Increase and nourish by the profitable taking of thee this light within vs. Worke that thy Sacraments taken and digested thou maist come into vs and we into thee Assist vs thy ghests O sweet housholder that woorthilie we may feed vpon thy meate Trie our soule with earnest and vnfeined conuersion Let vs not plaie the hypocrites nor prophanelie dallie with thee and thy holie Sacraments Cause vs rightlie to discerne thy bodie and bloud from other common meate Let vs neuer eate the bodie of the Lord against the Lord. Grant in true and vnfeined faith we may enter into this thy sacred couenant that we may alwaies abide in thee and thou in vs. Likewise by thine holie spirit which is the bond of loue in this publike and common banket ioine vs to thine other members of thy Church Giue grace that all which feed of this bread may be one bodie knit vnto thee which art the head working all things in all Let the diuell at no time disturbe this pleasant concord betweene thee and vs as is betweene the head and other members of the bodie Let vs gather also by the same the summe of doctrine which is preached in the Church Let it raise vs vp vnto thankfulnesse for thy benefits Increase our desire to continuall praier whereby we craue all things which we stand in need of Continue that custome euen till thou returnest gloriouslie in the clouds to iudgement Maintaine some places for preaching and godlie ceremonies and bring in at no time barbarous ignorance Furthermore the dooing herof is a ministerie of our profession against Sathan and all his instruments Confirme in our minds by thy spirit this sound and pure vnderstanding Let vs not be oppressed with idolatrous darknesse approouing horrible abuses in carrieng about in laieng vp in offring the halowed bread without any vse not so much as one sillable of all these things can be seene in thy first institution Wherefore represse the diuell blasphemouslie dealing with this thine ordinance And first consume this world vtterlie with fire before we be wrapped againe in such horrible darknesse of idolatrie and superstition Mitigate the punishments sicknesse infections warre and miseries which for the prophaning of this Supper the whole world doth endure Let thine Angel spare such as with griefe of hart bewaile these abuses Feed vs and fill vs thy ghests with thy liuelie presence Dwell thou in vs. Worke in vs. Sharpen the remembrance of thy benefits within vs. And finallie at our resurrection from the graue giue vs a place in thy seat where we shall find a new taste in the kingdome of thy Father So be it Another praier to be said before the receiuing of the blessed Communion as you kneele at Gods boord O Lord although I be not woorthie to receiue thee into the house of my soule for mine innumerable offences and sins done against thy great goodnesse yet trusting good Lord in thy great pitie and infinite mercie I come to receiue thy blessed bodie as a sicke creature to thee that art the health of life vncleane to thee that art the well of mercie blind by ignorance to thee that art the light euerlasting needie of thy grace and poore in vertue to thee that art the King of heauen and earth naked of good works to thee that art the author of grace I come as a wretch to thee my Lord and maker all desolate and comfortlesse to thee my helpe and succour For besides thee there is no consolation I come as a sinner to thee that art the mediatour and meane betwixt God and man I come as a caitife to thee my most mercifull Sauiour I come all sinfull to thee the granter of remission and pardon dead by sinne to thee that art the restorer to life euill to thee that art all goodnesse hard-harted to be releeued by the infusion of thy super-abundant grace desiring thee meekelie to heale mine infirmities and sicknesse to wash awaie my sinne and filthinesse to lighten my blindnesse to reduce me to the right waie where I am out thereof to comfort me desolate of goodnesse Haue mercie on my wretchednesse pardon my sinfulnes giue me the light of grace thus burdened in sinne that I may receiue thee the food of all Angels the King of glorie the Lord of all lords with such chastitie of bodie with such purenesse of mind and cleannesse of soule with such contrition of hart and abundance of weeping teares with such spirituall ioie and gladnesse with such dread and reuerence with such faith hope and charitie with such obedience and humilitie with such loue deuotion faithfulnesse and thankfulnesse as it is beseeming for such a Lord to be receiued and to my soule most expedient And be not displeased good Lord that I a sinner with an vncleane hart and polluted mind come hither this daie to receiue thy pretious bodie in sacramentall bread and wine but remember mercifull Lord that thou refusedst not the sinfull Marie Magdalen being
penitent from the kissing of thy blessed feet And in likewise despise me not nor put me awaie as vnwoorthie from the receiuing of thy bodie in the blessed Sacrament for my sinnes and wickednesse but grant thou me cōpunction of hart plentie of weeping tears to wash awaie my sinnes wickednesse so that with a pure hart and cleane conscience I may this daie receiue the Sacrament to my soules helth that I may obtaine and possesse thereby euerlasting life with all holie Saints in heauens glorie and in this present life with the holie spirit to be replenished and neuer to admit other louer besides thee Grant me blessed Iesu so to receiue the Sacrament of bread and wine that I may be woorthie to bee accounted for a member of thy mysticall bodie heere in earth And though as yet I be not worthie to be numbered among the simplest and lowest of thy seruants but rather to be reiect and out-cast for my sinfulnesse yet good Lord of thine infinite power thou maist make me able equall and like to the meanest of thine elect seruants Come thou Father of the fatherlesse come thou comforter of the comfortlesse come and cleanse my soule from all contagiousnesse of sinne For it is not conuenient and according there to be anie vncleannes where thou the spouse of virginall chastitie shouldest come in and dwell Come therefore and sanctifie my soule and make it cleane by thy gratious presence that no heapes of soile or remnants of sinne be to be found in anie least cranie or corner of thy spirituall house or temple my bodie and soule I meane to offend the celestiall eies of thy diuine Maiestie so shall thy holie hall which is my cleansed soule ring and resound with thy perpetuall praises to thy glorie Come I saie O God and apparell my naked soule with the rich ornaments of thy vertue and grace and with the white raines of thy righteousnesse and innocencie that I may delight thee therein to abide And as thou disdainedst not to touch the sore leapers with thy holie hands so good Lord vouchsafe to annoint my simple soule with the ointment of remission and pardon that in this life by stedfast hope firme faith and perfect charitie I may so increase in vertue from daie to daie that I may atteine to the glorious fruition of thy Godhead in the kingdome of heauen where I may see thee face to face and praise thee with all thine elect and chosen Saints worlds without end Amen Another verie deuout praier before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Most sweet and louing Lord Iesu Christ whom now I deuoutlie and hartilie desire to receiue this daie thou knowest mine infirmities and necessities which I suffer in how manie euils and vices I lie wherewith I am often greeued tempted troubled and vnquieted and defiled Unto thee doo I come for remedie vnto thee doo I earnestlie praie for comfort and helpe I speake vnto thee who knowest all things vnto whom euen all my verie secret thoughts are manifest and who onlie canst perfectlie comfort and helpe me Thou knowest what good things I lacke before all things and how poore and beggerlie I am in vertues Behold I stand before thee requiring grace and mercie Feed and cherish thy hungrie begger kindle my coldnesse with the fire of thy loue lighten my blindnesse with the bright cleerenesse of thy presence turne all earthlie things into bitternesse vnto me all heauie greeuous hard painfull and contrarie things into patience to me Lift vp my hart vnto thee in heauen and suffer me not to wander or go astraie from thee vpon the earth Thou onlie from this time foorth for euermore dooest waxe sweet vnto me because thou onelie art my meate and my drinke my loue my ioie my sweetnesse Oh would to God thou wouldest vouchsafe altogether to enflame burne and euen consume me with thy presence and to change me into thy selfe that I may be made one spirit with them by grace of the inward vnitie and softning of thy feruent loue Suffer me not to depart an hungred nor thirstie from them but worke mercifullie with me as thou hast often heeretofore maruellouslie wrought with thy Saincts What maruell is it if I should be altogether set on fire inflamed with thee and should faile in my selfe and be changed Sith thou art a fire euer burning and neuer failing a loue purifieng the hart and lightening the vnderstanding Behold therefore I wretched sinner not presuming of mine owne merits but trusting onlie of thy mercie and goodnesse am bold to come in trembling and feare vnto this thy table of most sweete deinties O most holie Lord Iesu Christ For I haue an hart and bodie defiled marred and polluted with manie faults and offences a mind and a tongue not chastlie nor warilie kept Therefore O holie Deitie O dredfull Maiestie I wretched caitife in great perplexitie of mind taken vnwares betwene many troublsome straights doo now run againe to thee the fountaine of all mercie Unto thee doo I hasten me to be healed and cured vnder thy protection doo I flie And whome I can not endure as a Iudge I earnestlie desire to haue a Sauiour To thee O Lord doo I open and shew my woundes vnto thee doo I vncouer and detect my shamefastnesse I knowe that my sinnes are great for the which I am sore afraid but I hope and repose my trust in thy great mercies which are infinite surpassing number Turne thine eies of thy mercie towards me O Lord Iesu Christ heauenlie King euerlasting God man crucified for man heare me trusting in thee and haue mercie vpon me full of all miserie and sinne Thou which art the flowing fountaine and vndrainable wel-spring of all mercie and pitie I beseech thee from the bottome of my hart that thou wilt forgiue me all my sinnes and in this life so to purge awaie the rust and filth thereof that in the life to come they may not be imputed vnto me O God of vnspeakable pitie whose power is infinite without whome I can not possiblie resist sinne comfort and helpe me so greatlie that I neuer heereafter anie more commit anie mortall or deadlie sinne and from hencefoorth may ouercome all the temptations of the diuell that I may direct my whole life thoughts words and works altogether vnto thee and that thou maist in the end of my life so preserue and keepe me that Sathan vrge me not with his terrours and feares and so bring me into desperation O flowing fountaine of charitie make my mind free from all the creatures which might drawe me from thy loue and fauour that in thy loue I may profit go forward and preuaile that now verelie and in the end of my life I may worthilie receiue thee and so my soule being powred out of the sacke of my bodie doo thou in mercie bring it vnto the euerlasting palace of thy heauenlie father to see and behold the cleere renowmed glasse of the holie Trinitie Remember thy
creature O Lord whome thou hast redeemed with thy pretious bloud Wo is me that euer I haue offended thee but now I purpose by thy grace to amend my life Take from me therefore O mercifull father all my sinnes and iniquities Cast out of my soule all the filthie fowle matter of the venemous contagion and infection of sinne and by thine ancient and accustomed mercies powre thy heauenlie medicine and preseruatiue of thy loue into my wounds which may refresh and restore me to my former puritie and cleannesse that being purified both in bodie and mind I may deserue and be made fit thorough Christs merits woorthilie to tast of these most holie mysteries Come this daie O Lord and minister vnto my sicke and languishing soule some heauenlie cordiall of comfort not because I am iust but a sinner because not the whole but the sicke haue neede of a Physician O verie true Charitie in which is euerlasting felicitie O the onlie hope of my soule haue mercie vpon me and blot out all my misdeeds Thee doth my hart expect and desire fulfill my lust and longing which thou hast put in me euen as thou wouldest I am thine O Christ forsake me not as vnmeete or a stranger Let thy right hand alwaie preuent me and defend me from all euill Come O Lord whome I wretch haue sore offended and forgiue and forget all mine offences for the which thou hast shead thine owne most pretious hart bloud Come sweet Lord and giue me the meate of eternall health Come O vnspotted sacrifice deliuer me from euerlasting death Come thou Physician of the weake and diseased Come thou food of the hungrie Come Lord visit this house dedicated and consecrated in thy name And behold I come to thee whome with all my hart I couet and desire towards whome with all earnest consideration of mind I aspire and studie to attaine whome with all mine entrailes I hartilie loue and embrace whose blessed bodie and bloud in these holie mysteries I earnestlie desire to receiue that thou maist alwaies abide in me and neuer forsake me or depart from me O most sweet father So be it Another ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who most louinglie callest vs to the participation of all good things in Christ Iesu giue vs also grace woorthilie to esteeme the honour thou vouchsafest vs of in bidding vs to the marriage feast of thy Sonne so that we may esteeme of nothing in comparison of it And seeing few are chosen though manie be called giue vs also O Lord a liuelie faith working by loue as a seemelie garment for so great a solemnitie that being entred by thy fauour into thy house we dishonest it not and so honourable a companie as thou hast called vnto it by our wicked conuersation that as vnwoorthie we be not cast out againe but in all our behauiour may doo honour vnto both that we may alwaies remaine with thee and enioie the happinesse thou hast prepared for vs in thy Sonne the full fruition whereof because thou hast deferred to the rising vp againe of the dead strengthen in vs O Lord the blessed hope of this resurrection that according to thy promise thou maist make vs like to thine Angels that are in heauen and the glorious estate of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and praise now and for euer Amen Another O Sonne of God Lord and Sauiour Christ which delightest in those bankets whereby men approch to the companie of thy celestiall wel-fare we beseech thee conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Graunt that with Marie Magdalen casting our selues before thy feete we may earnestlie with teares bewaile our offences and againe lifting vp our hand vnto thee we may laie hold on thee and embrace thee as she did Kisse thou vs with thine holie kisse and by thy spirit powred into vs stirre vp in vs a new life which may annoint thee by true confessing of thy goodnesse and delight thee with the sweet sauour of true inuocation and new obedience Grant also that in this life we may worship thy feet which bring tidings of peace And forasmuch as in this last age of this world the messengers of peace are vitterlie to weepe assist vs that we may be touched with the miseries of thy Church and studie to our power to mitigate them and so be made members of that companie vnto whome thou hast forgiuen much and which againe entirelie doth loue thee and againe being called out of the vale of teares may come to thy heauenlie banket which shall be without teares without grudging without greefe sinne and offences in the house of thy father where be manie ample dwelling places Amen Another praier to be said a little before you receiue the Bread O God which art rich in mercie and in all good things the most plentifull giuer and bountifull bestower of the deinties of celestiall satietie and heauenlie repast giue meate to my soule that is wearie and faint not such as it lusteth after but such as is conuenient for it For lo I a poore wretch come now vnto thee which art rich a sinner vnto thee which art mercifull O let me not returne home contemned and despised with nothing I begin an hungred let me not leaue off fasting I come vnto thee as though I were famished O let me not go awaie vnfed Although before I eate I sigh and sorowe yet good Lord I beseech thee giue mee somewhat to eate For behold with that godlie heroicall matrone of Canaan Matth. 15 verse 21. I come vnto thee and saie Lord helpe me according to thy promise for I feele the burthen of thy displeasure euen my miseries and vncleannesse and suffer not the sight of mine owne vnwoorthinesse to withdrawe me from thee Make me sweetlie and reuerentlie to reason with thee as thy holie spirit enforced that good woman to doo in these and the like words I am vnwoorthie I am giltie and vncleane I am a dog I was an outcast from thy house and courts I haue barked against the glorious maiestie of thee and thine eternall father I am defiled with the filth of idolatrie with fowlenesse of life with the spots of disobedience against thee but haue mercie vpon me O sonne of God which appearedst in the flesh and becamest a worme to wash vs from our sinnes which were vncleane beasts Haue mercie vpon me O Lord haue mercie vpon me For behold I am vnto thee euen as the little whelpe nigh famished for lacke of meate and drinke wearied with seeking about for releefe and almost dead I fall downe before thy glorious table where the sweet ypocrasse and pretious nectar of immortalitie is tasted The Fathers Prophets Confessors and Virgins most excellent lights of thy Church sit alreadie at thine heauenlie table they feede vpon the meate of eternall glorie O suffer me to eate of the crums Thou art the bread of life repell my hunger satisfie my desire
Remember now O my soule that thou art brought from thy vaine conuersation and that thy freedome is purchased neither with gold nor siluer but with the deere price of the most pretious hart bloud of that innocent and immaculate lambe Iesus Christ And euen now at the least O my soule begin and take in hand in the name and feare of God to purge the old leauen of sinne and wickednesse that corrupteth and sowreth the sweetnesse of thy life before the maiestie of God that thou maist be as new and fresh dough void of all sowre leauen of wickednesse so shalt thou shew thy selfe to be sweet bread to God that he may haue his delight in thee so shalt thou declare thy selfe a worthie host for such a ghest and that Christes gifts and graces haue their effect in thee and that thou hast the right beleefe and knowledge of his holie mysteries now receiued of thee finallie so shalt thou in applieng thy faith to the vertue of this holie Sacrament and in thy life and conuersation conforming and fashioning thy selfe to the example and signification meant thereby be most certaine and sure to liue in this life happilie in the world to come to dwell with Christ whome thou hast now receiued in euerlasting glorie which God for his mercies sake and for the deere and pretious merits of his onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christs sake grant vnto vs Amen The Praier SO great and manifold are thy benefits O most good and mercifull God towards mankind as all people in euerie place ought greatlie to laud woorthilie to praise and highlie to extoll magnifie thy blessed name For what thing can be more pleasant to men than that thou dooest easilie heare them at what time they call vpon thee for such things as they stand in need of In what other good things ought we more to reioice of than this for that thou yeeldest thy selfe appeased and fauourable to our iniquities Or why bee we not right happie and blessed whome thou diddest vouchsafe to annexe vnto thy selfe in thy sacred congregation in feeding our hungrie stomachs with spirituall good things and heauenlie deinties and refreshing vs continuallie with the most exquisite and well furnished banket of thy blessed Sacraments making vs to eate aboundantlie of thy heauenlie Manna and food of Angels and to drinke plentiouslie of the full cup of thy holie spirit and diuine grace to our endlesse comfort and consolation in thee Oh Lord thou dealest fauourablie euen with all other creatures also for thine elects sake Thou stablishest the mountaines stillest the raging of the sea appeasest the madnesse of the people and dooest refresh and lighten with great ioie the vttermost parts of the earth through the brightnesse of the heauenlie fires Thou sendest seasonable weather and timelie showers whereby onlie commeth fertilitie of the feelds woonderfullie garnished with all kinde of fruites whereby both men and beasts haue aboundantlie wherewith to feed Grant thou therefore thus much also vnto vs who art the author of so manie good things that we may alwaie be mindfull thereof to render most condigne thanks vnto thee and that an alteration of our old leauen being now made through the vertue of this blessed Sacrament which we haue receiued we may like the eagle from time to time renew our youth in godlines of life and vse to our health and comfort those things which thou so louinglie bestowest vpon vs thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen At the solemnization of Matrimonie praie thus ALmightie God and most mercifull father who hast ordeined marriage to be kept without blame or breach to the end not suffering that anie should put asunder those whome thou hast ioined together Sanctifie those which are called to this estate of life to keepe it according to thy holie institution and ordinance And furthermore as thou requirest that we should loue thee aboue all things esteeming more thy fauour than either the riches or honour of this world or life it selfe so we beseech thee O Lord to teach vs how to vse these transitorie things that we abuse them not in setting our harts vpon them or delighting more in them than is meete but that we may so loue our husbands children house lands and our owne liues or whatsoeuer thou giuest vs for our comfort heere for a time that we may keepe still the highest degree of our loue for thee our spirituall husband so that where the question shall be betweene thee and anie thing else we may make losse of all things to abide perfectlie in our loue towards thee to the end to whome with the father and the holie ghost be all laud and praise for euer and euer Amen Or as at the solemnization of Matrimonie in the fift Lampe At the buriall of anie meditate and praie as followeth O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the giuer of eternall life we hartilie thanke thee because thou art inwardlie touched with mercie towards vs oppressed both with temporall and euerlasting miseries thou hast tasted death and with thy flesh thou hast touched the graue and earth wherby it is sanctified and made light to the godlie so that it can not keepe them in etternall death According to thy commandement there stand the bringers and ministers of death euen sinne and Satan but thou pluckest the faithfull out of the iawes of death bringest them to a new life through the comfort of thy Gospell teachest them to speake and sound foorth thy glorie cōmendest them in this life to the mother the Church and at length death and all euils being subdued thou wilt bring them into thy kingdome Wee humblie beseech thee take mercie vpon thy Church in these miserable daies For she is as a widowe destitute of all worldlie helpe and dependeth onlie vpon thy mercifull aid and protection Speake vnto hir with cheerfull voice and saie Weepe not powre vpon thine the true light of faith and comfort lift vs vp in the mids of death with a confidence of thy presence and hope of eternall life Driue awaie the gard of death teach vs to set foorth thy truth and at the length let vs be placed with the sweet mother of all Saints in the true countrie of that happie citie Ierusalem where we shall for euermore enioie the blessed sight both of thee and thy heauenlie congregation Amen Another deuout praier at burials LORD thou art God for euer short is our life alwaies some of vs die other some come into the world and with thee a thousand yeeres bee but one daie yea as the least minute of an houre This life passeth awaie as dooth a dreame euen as grasse in the field greene to daie and drie to morowe If thou be displeased then we be lost if thou chasten then shrinke we for feare For thorough sinnes we be dead vnto thee Certes Lord if thou haue respect to our sinnes who shall continue Shew vs how manie be the daies of our life that we
by thine owne name and sealed me with thy blood that the remembrance of thee should be euermore with me and that he should neuer depart from my hart who for my sake shunned not the crosse Thou hast annointed me with the oile wherewith thou thy selfe wert annointed that I might be called a Christian after thy name Christ Behold thou hast registred me vpon thine hands to the end that the remembrance of mee might be alwaies present with thee yet notwithstanding so as if the remembrance of thee be alwaies present with me Thus then haue thy loue thy grace and mercie alwaies preuented me For thou hast oftentimes deliuered me from manie and great perils O my deliuerer When I went astraie thou broughtest mee backe againe when I was ignorant thou taughtest mee when I sinned thou diddest chastise me when I haue beene in heauines thou hast cheered me when I haue beene in despaire thou hast recomforted me when I haue beene fallen thou hast lifted me vp when I haue stood thou hast vpholden me when I haue gone thou hast guided me when I haue come thou hast receiued me when I haue slept thou hast watched me and when I haue cried vnto thee thou hast heard me O Lord where shall I haue words to vtter the signes of thy singular loue toward me considering thine innumerable benefits wherin thou hast brought me vp from the beginning Namelie euen from the benefit of the creation when at the first beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine owne image in honouring and aduancing me among the creatures which thou madest and innobling me with the light of thy countenance which thou imprintedst vpon the lampe of my hart thereby disseuering me as well from sensible as from senselesse creatures and abasing mee but little beneath the Angels And yet was all this but a small matter in the sight of thy Godhead For without ceassng thou hast dailie nourished this vnprofitable woorme which stinketh with sinne with all the singular and exceeding great store of thy good gifts and benefits and thou hast as it were suckled and strengthened me thy little tender babe with the teates of thy comfort For to the intent that I should wholie serue thee thou hast appointed all thy creatures to serue me These and manie other good turnes hast thou done vnto me O Lord my God the life of my soule for all which I render vnto thee againe most humble and hartie thanks-giuing beseeching thee O Lord that it may be a pleasure to me wretch that I am to be alwaies talking of them alwaies thinking vpon them and alwaies giuing thee thanks for them O my God shew me I saie how much I am bound to loue thee make it appeare to me how much I ought to please thee Open me the doore of thy light that I may enter in and both knowe acknowledge vnto thee with my whole hart that thy mercie is great toward mee and that thou hast deliuered my hart from the bottome of hell so as I might euer praise thee for all thy good gifts and loue thee with all my hart and with all my soule and with all my mind and with all my strength yea and that with the verie bowels and intrailes of my hart and of all my sinewes O Lord my God the blessed sweetnesse of all that delight in thee whose name is woonderfull and praise woorthie through heauen and earth So be it Another forme of thanks-giuing vnto God for all his benefits and praier for grace to confirme and increase the same O Most highest almightie and eternall God whose glorie replenisheth heauen and earth If thy holie and celestiall powers doo neuer cease in lauding thy most holie Maiestie how should we cease earthlie and lowlie seruants which are redeemed with the pretious bloud of thy onelie sonne And for as much as thy louing kindnesse and fauour in especiallie worketh towards vs we also ought continuallie to giue thanks for thy great goodnesse but haue mercie O mercifull father For the necessitie of this life dooth not suffer vs to thanke thee continuallie Wherefore though not continuallie as I ought I worship thee my maker with trembling feare I giue thee thanks for all thy benefits that when I was nothing thou madest mee gauest me a liuing soule quickened with thy holie spirit formed mee with thine owne image that it might be able to receiue thee which art the high God By thy prouidence thou hast brought me to those things that are expedient for me giuen to me knowledge and true faith in thee and planted a godlie mind in me and instructed me in the mysteries of thy holie word Sacraments But oh Lord how dare I recite thy benefits by number seeing thy louing kindnesse is an vnsearchable bottomlesse sea and an innumerable For I can not so soone giue thanks for thy benefits shewed of old as new haue euen ouerwhelmed me Oh Lord how great a benefit is this that I may to thee giue thanks For what fellowship hath vnrighteousnesse with righteousnesse What partaking darkenesse with light What agreement filthinesse with puritie Follie with wisedome Mortalitie with thee that art immortall Oh my vilenesse Oh thy goodnesse Yea though the spirit were readie yet is the flesh fraile but thou O Lord if thou wilt canst make me strong And so O most mercifull father vouchsafe that I may euer giue thanks and laud to thee For what good gift did I euer desire of thee but thou first willedst it to me Who better knoweth what is good for me than thou And because I need a mediator accept thine innocent Sonne Iesus Christ with his crosse and passion bloud-shed death and resurrection for me I haue not this deserued but thou father of thy mercie and truth hast by the same thy deerelie beloued Sonne promised and giuen vs thy mercie and fauour Open therefore O my mercifull Father for this thy deerelie beloued Sonnes sake euen this daie thy woonted hand of mercie and fulfill my mind and hart with a good will and let thy right hand defend me And if my sinnes which I acknowledge to be great and innumerable therefore I repent and am hartilie sorie doo let thy goodnesse O father wipe them awaie for this is thy glorie to forgiue sinnes and therefore no flesh may reioice before thee for thou Lord onlie art pure and without sinne Haue mercie vpon me thy bondseruant and vppon all people and O father bring them vnto the knowledge of thee that art onlie God and of Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent the onlie sauiour and redeemer mediator and aduocate for vs and after this present life bring vs to eternall blisse and felicitie by the deere merits of thy Sonne Iesus Christ For thine is the power kingdome and glorie for euer Amen Another to the same effect HOnour and praise be giuen to thee O Lord God almightie most deere father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that it hath
Father making intercession for vs sounded continuallie in the eares of God Worke so that we be not found in the number of those into whome sathan hath entred which blaspheame thee despise thy benefits and destroie themselues vtterlie Increase our faith and knowledge of thee that the eternall Father through thy sacrifice being pleased may forgiue all our sinnes and receiue vs into that companie which is glorious in thine eies Under the crosse standeth thy noble but sorowfull mother hir sister and other good women with thy disciple Iohn whome thou louedst O blesse vs and of thy goodnes ioine vs to that companie In thy mother there shineth a notable light and strength of faith she beholdeth in thee hir Sonne those sights than which none could be more greeuous in this world she sawe the rage of thine enimies and thine intollerable torments yet she beleeued notwithstanding the greeuousnes of thy paine the shedding of thy pretious bloud the flight of thy disciples the crueltie of thine enimies and the odiousnes of thy death she beleeued I saie O the force of faith that thou wast God by nature and shouldest rise againe and reigne euerlastinglie ouercome death and the diuell and subdue all thine enimies O Sonne of God kindle within vs we praie thee the like sparks of faith giue vs grace with thine elect neuer to be ashamed to stand vnder thy crosse And as thou euen of an entire good will mercifullie among thy seruants didst speake vnto and comfort thy pensiue and moorning mother so speake vnto vs and thy troubled Church in miserie comfort hir with thy sweet voice and presence Thou commendedst thy mother to thine Apostle Make vs vnfeignedlie to loue the Church thy sweet and true mother and grant that euerie of vs may cherish the same louinglie and mainteine it to the vttermost of our powers Especiallie guide the Preachers that they may loue the mother nourish the vnitie of pure doctrine auoid the seed of heresies and remooue all stumbling-blockes all occasions of hindering of faith and praier in yoong Christians At thy sides hang two theeues punished for their sinnes according to the lawe and their deserts whereof one desperatelie powring out blasphemous speeches the other godlie requiring thy fauour he ended his daies All mankind Lord doo likewise hang in miseries for their sinnes whereof some are so captiued in their minds that at the point of death they scoffe blaspheme and desperatelie to their vtter condemnation finish their daies but giue vs grace we beseech thee that we may imitate the example of the gratious theefe which before his passage out of this life moued by infallible arguments of thine almightinesse and mercie required pardon of his offences and obteined the same according to his request Giue grace that we may imitate his hartie repentance his sorowe for sin his notable faith his zealous confession and other good works of his We beseech thee mercifull Lord be mindfull of vs. O Lord be mindfull of vs. Thou sittest in the kingdom of thy Father we are in the miseries of the world but be thou mindfull of vs. Begin thy kingdome in vs heere in this world and in euerie combate of our conscience especiallie at the point of death pronounce to our hearts this comfortable absolution This daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise Shew vnto vs thy paradise that departing out of this life we may find rest for our soules Open to our soules the gates of Paradise place them in the seates of immortalitie and state of blisse where thy Father togither with the blessed companie of Angels and men sheweth himselfe euen as he is In the meane while thy combate is not yet finished thou criedst in most pittifull maner My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Thy diuinitie was not then separated from thy humanitie which neuer lost that which once it tooke neither surcessedst nor dooest thou surcesse at anie time to be equall and one with thine eternall father but then was the houre of thy humiliation wherein after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner thy diuinitie hid it selfe as it were and would haue this obedience to be showne and thought not best to destroie the Iewes thine enimies and murtherers Yea it hid it selfe that the streames of Gods displeasure against the sinnes of men should so fall vpon thee O Christ that they should wrestle with extreame torments such as for a certeine space thou perceiuedst no comfort notwithstanding thy diuinitie confirmed thine humane nature which was to suffer all the passions For thy diuinitie could not suffer anie passion at all therefore it confirmed the same that there might be a sufficient satisfaction for the sins of men For they which haue endured most greeuous torments could neuer abide these for if God comfort vs we may abide the punishment of men and then it may be said Though bodies greefe did feele Yet had their soules great ioie And vertuous hope did strengthen so That paines did naught annoie But intollerable is it for a creature to suffer the punishment of God and be saued thereby Wherefore O Sonne of God in displeasure bee mindfull of thy mercie be thou our protection that the wrath of thine eternall father doo not destroie vs. Euen a little taste of Gods displesure bursteth in peeces all the bones of men like a lion And therfore by and by after thou vtteredst the like complaint saieng I thirst thy soule languished through the greatnesse of thy paines Thy spirits were resolued through thy woonderfull greefe of hart Thy bowels dried awaie and no moisture abode in them and therefore trulie didst thou both inwardlie thirst and desire some vertue and comfort from thy Father and outwardlie to haue thy bodie refreshed O Iesu Christ which art the fountaine of eternall life giuing the water which quencheth all thirst from whose bellie springeth the well of life suffer vs not to taste such a greeuous thirst as did that merciles rich glutton in hell which neuer was quenched but with the godlie to saie My soule stucke vnto my iawes I had no quietnes in my bones Lord in thy iudgements correct me not in thy furie least I come vnto nothing If thou obseruest iniquities O Lord Lord who shall be able to abide Thus doo thy Saincts crie I saie in their troubles Wherefore kindle not thy wrath altogither against vs. Cease not to comfort our weake nature striuing against thy iudgements with the iuice of thy word and comfortable waterings of thy spirit Unto thee did thine eternall Father manifest his presence and comfort for our sakes when some while after being better quieted thou saiedst It is finished Thou gauest thanks to thine eternall father for helping thee whereby the sacrifice of welfare to the elect for euermore was fulfilled Oh most sacred Priest imprint within vs this celestiall conclusion this notable finishing of thy sacrifice that vndoubtedlie we may thinke that by this sacrifice the remission of sinnes and life eternall is purchased for vs.
praier to Christ crucified wherein we deuoutlie call to mind what great things he hath done for vs and what benefits we reape by the remembrance of his holie wounds EXceeding greatlie haue I sinned against thy Maiestie O Lord and mine owne conscience findeth mee guiltie of manie offences and yet doo I not despaire neither will I in anie thing at all be doubtfull because that whereas sinne hath abounded there hath thy grace O God ouer-abounded He that despaireth of the forgiuenes of his sinnes denieth thee O God to be mercifull Yea great wrong doth he to thee O God which distrusteth in thy mercie For as much as in him lieth he denieth thee to be louing true and mightie which are the things wherein my whole hope consisteth that is to weet in the loue of thy adoption in the truth of thy promise and in the power of thy redeeming Now let my vnwise imagination murmur as much as it listeth and saie Who art thou how great is thy glorie and by what deserts hopest thou to obtaine it and I will answer boldlie I knowe whome I haue credited and that thou of thine exceeding great loue hast adopted me to be thy child that thou art southfast of promise that thou art mightie of perseuerance and that thou maist doo what thee listeth I can not bee feared with the multitude of my sinnes if I bethinke me of the death of thee my Lord because my sinnes are not able to ouercome thee Thy nailes and thy speare crie vnto me that I am throughlie reconciled to thee O Christ if I loue thee Longius hath opened me thy side deere Iesu with his speare and I am gone into it and there doo I rest in safetie He that is afraid let him loue for loue driueth feare out of the dores There is no remedie so mightie and effectuall against the heate of leacherie as is the death of thee my redeemer Thou stretchest out thine armes vpon the crosse and thou holdest out thy hand in a readines to imbrace vs sinners Betweene the armes of thee my sauiour mind I to liue and die there shall I sing safelie there will I glorifie and exalt thee O Lord because thou hast taken me vp and hast not giuen mine enimies their pleasure ouer me Thou O our Sauiour hast bowed downe thy head at thy death to receiue the kisses of thy beloued and so often doo we kisse thee O Lord as we be throughlie touched with the loue of thee who for loue to mankind being God camest to man camest into man and becamest man who for loue being an inuisible God becainest like thy seruants and who for verie loue wast wounded for our sinnes and in those wounds of thine O my Sauiour is the safe and quiet rest of vs weakelings and sinners there doo I dwell at ease and by thy wounds haue I a waie in vnto the bowels of thy mercie Whatsoeuer is wanting of my selfe that doo I borowe out of the bowels of thee my Lord for in them is aboundance of mercie and there want no holes for it to flowe out at By the holes of thy blessed bodie are opened vnto me the secrets of thy hart a great pledge of thy kindlie loue euen the bowels of the mercie of thee our God whereby the daie spring hath visited vs from aloft Thy wounds O sweet Iesu Christ are full of mercie full of pitie full of sweetnesse and full of loue They bored thy hands and thy feet and pierced thy side with a speare By these holes may I taste how sweet and mild thou art in deed and how mercifull thou art to all that call vpon thee in truth to all that seeke thee and cheeflie to all that loue thee Plentious redemption is giuen vnto vs in thy wounds O sweet Sauiour Iesu Christ Great aboundance of sweetnes great plentie of grace and great perfection of vertues is giuen vs in thy pretious wounds O sweet Sauiour Iesu Christ O most bountifull Iesu grant therefore I humblie beseech thee that whensoeuer anie fowle thought assaulteth me I may forthwith runne to thy wounds O Christ When my flesh presseth me downe I may rise vp again by remembring thy wounds O Lord. When the diuell laieth wait for me I may flee to the bowels of thy mercie O Iesu so shall he quicklie depart from me Or if at anie time the heate of lecherie prouoke my members let it be quenched I praie thee by calling to mind thy wounds O Sonne of God Finallie in all mine aduersities let me find no remedie so effectuall as thy wounds O Christ In them I saie let me sleepe without care and rest without feare Thou O Christ hast died for vs and now is there nothing so bitter to the death which is not swallowed vp by thy death O sweet Iesu All my whole hope therfore is and shall be in thy death O Lord my God Thy death is my desart and my refuge my welfare life and resurrection and thy mercifulnesse O Lord is my merit I am not poore of merit so long as thou the Lord of all compassions failest not As long as thou art manifold in mercie so long am I also manifold of deserts The mightier thou art to saue the more am I without care Wherefore O most excellent goodnes withdrawe not thy mercie O most mightie maker despise not thy worke O most prudent redeemer suffer not to perish the price of thy redemption O most gentle ghostlie and heauenlie hoast and ghest purifie saue dresse and keepe thy house and dwelling place the which thou dedicatedst and sanctifiedst to thee in the sacrament of Baptisme O most blessed most charitable and sweet Iesu O most bounteous excellent and glorious Iesu O most innocent mercifull meeke louing and deere Iesu haue mercie vpon me haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all my sinnes When shall I loue thee When shall I be sorie for my sinnes When shall I loath and forsake my sinnes When shall I detest and abhore my sinfull life and turne vnto thee by grace When shall I remember thy benefits thy meekenes thy pouertie and bitter passion thy patience thy obedience thy loue and thy charitie When shall I sanctifie worship magnifie and loue hartilie thee in heauen and thy Saints on earth and celebrate thy feasts accordinglie that is to saie thy incarnation passion resurrection ascension and such other with due reuerence Christian deuotion If thou be the most dredfull maister where is my dread Lord Iesu If thou be the most loued Father where is my loue If thou bee my Lord and my Redeemer where is my seruice If thou be mine hoast and dwell in my soule by thy grace and mercie where is my chastitie puritie and cleannesse meet and according to such an hoast If thou be the life of Saints the fairenesse and beautie of Angels where is my thanking Now therfore good Lord Jesu Christ wound my hart with thy most holie wounds moist my mind with thy most pretious bloud that
Lord God heauenlie King God the Father almightie O Lord the onlie begotten Sonne Iesu Christ O Lord God Lambe of God Sonne of the Father that takest awaie the sinnes of the world haue merrie vpon vs. Thou that takest awaie the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. Thou that takest awaie the sinnes of the world receiue our praiers Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father haue mercie vpon vs. For thou onlie art holie thou onlie art the Lord thou onlie O Christ with the holie Ghost art most high in the glorie of God the Father to whome be all kingdome power honor and glorie world without end Amen 13. On euerie Sundaie holidaie or weekedaie Of Christ his second and last comming to iudgement The Preface THE kingdome of heauen is neere at hand euen at the doores Take heed watch and praie The sonne of man shall come as a theefe in the night suddenlie and vnwares at an houre that ye knowe not Take heed watch and praie Euen Iesus which was taken vp from vs into heauen shall so come againe to gather vs vnto him as he was seene to haue gone into heauen Come Lord Iesu Behold he commeth with clowdes and euerie eie shall see him yea euen they which pierced him through and all kindreds of the earth shall vaile before him Come Lord Iesu Our God shall come and shall not keepe silence there shall go before him a consuming fire and burne vp his enimies on euerie side the hilles shall melt like waxe at the presence of the Lord a mightie tempest shall be stirred vp round about him Come Lord Iesu He commeth he commeth to iudge the earth and with righteousnesse to iudge the world and the people with equitie and truth Come Lord Iesu Therefore yet a verie little while O my soule take heed watch praie and he that shall come will come and will not tarrie Come Lord Iesu Surelie I come shortlie saith Christ and my reward is with me to giue to euerie one according as his works shall be either good or bad For I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Blessed are they that watch and keepe my commandements vnto the end Come Lord Iesu Euen so saith the spirit and the bride Come Lord Iesu come quicklie Amen Amen Halleluiah The praier to haue Christs sudden comming euen in our remembrance and that we may be in a readinesse against his most glorious appearing The Preface Vt supra Iesus The Praier BEholding O heauenlie Father the daie of accompts ouer all flesh to be euen now at hand namelie the last daie the daie of iudgement the great and notable daie of the Lord wherein the whole generation of mankind from the beginning of the world shall rise againe shall appeare both in bodie and soule before the presence of the most iust iudge thine eternall Sonne and our righteous God to receiue their owne doome for weale or wo for life or death for ioie or paine and that eternallie with the saincts in heauen or for euer with the diuels in hell we beseech thee most humblie O gratious God to haue mercie vpon all thine inheritance dispersed in these our euill and dangerous daies in the midst of this wicked most sinfull and vntoward generation vpon the face of the earth amongst whome we are most miserablie entangled contemned cruellie dealt withall and stirred to all abhominations O heauenlie Father we acknowledge before thee in our selues the greatnesse of our owne frailtie our corrupted lust to lewdnesse the fulnesse in our selues of our owne iniquitie and our accustomed inclination at all times to wickednesse O Father of mercies tender vs in our weakenes haue compassion vpon our infirmities pardon our sinfulnesse and grant vnto vs thine holie spirit to worke speedie mortification in vs to keepe lowe the pride of our flesh to humble our soules in thy sight to strengthen vs in righteousnesse to feare alwaies thy iudgements to thinke vpon thy wrathfull indignation and vpon the houre of the vengeance to come when thou for our wickednesse shalt turne awaie thy face from vs. Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord haue mercie vpon vs for Christ Iesus thy Sonne sake and so prepare all our harts soules and bodies to the necessitie of the time that we may haue therein good regard to our selues that our harts be not ouercharged with excesse of eating surfeting and dronkennesse or otherwise vexed with the cares of this wretched world to hinder vs and to drawe vs backe from our carefull attendance or diligent waiting for the Lords sudden comming to iudgement but that we may continuallie attend wait watch and praie for the speedie appeerance of his glorious Maiestie that when he shall at the rising againe of all flesh by the sound of the last trumpet come to iudge both the quicke and the dead we may be then in a readinesse to meet him aboue in the heauens and there to stand before his presence to behold the glorie of his most gratious countenance to see how in mercie he shall separate vs from the wicked as sheepe from the goates to set vs also on his right hand to giue the sentence of blessing vpon vs and to commend vs vnto the kingdome of thee his heauenlie Father which he himselfe hath prepared and so pretiouslie purchased with the price of his own bloud there with him with thee O Father and with the holie Ghost to liue in euerlasting ioie and felicitie Grant this O heauenlie Father euen for the onelie merits sake of that thy deere Sonne and our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen Another meditation of the signes which shall appeare before the end of the world IT is thy saieng O Sonne of God that in the last and doting age of the world both greater and more greeuous miseries and confusions among men should bee than euer were and also for all that that thou which art the defender of thy Church in the midst of such calamities and crueltie of thine enimies wilt preserue some remnant of the faithfull that thy seruice be not vtterlie extinguished before the end of this world Wherefore being oppressed through the intollerable burden of miseries heaped therefore vpon vs bicause the sins of this withering world are most greeuous and lamentable but especiallie for that Sathan thine enimie seeth the daie of iudgement to be verie nigh at hand wherein his abhomination shall openlie be laid before all thy chosen creatures and he be cast hedlong into eternall torments which makes him extreamelie to rage against thy chosen flocke and to seeke by all meanes that possiblie he can to withdrawe vs from thee and to make vs blaspheme thy sacred Maiestie Wee as it standeth vs vpon flie vnto thee with all humblenesse of mind in these our extremities The whole frame of this world groaneth also with thine elect and earnestlie desireth to be renewed Therefore according to thy gratious admonition we call into mind the signes
with all thine Angels and men O Lord blessed are they which dwell in thine house foreuer euer they will praise thee Amen Sée another pag. 622. THE DOLEFVLL DOOVE Or Dauids penitentiall Psalmes verie necessarie to be vsed as most effectuall praiers of all godlie and deuout Christians especiallie when being afflicted and chastised of the Lord for their sinnes either by sicknes or otherwise in bodie or mind they feele Gods heauie hand and feare his dreadfull threats whereby they are mooued not onlie trulie to conuert and turne vnto him by hartie repentance earnest contrition and humble confession of their faults and infirmities but also by earnest and feruent petitions in fasting weeping lamentation mourning most desirouslie to craue at Gods hands as well mercie and forgiuenesse of their sinnes as also mitigation of their present miseries and deliuerance from all euils bodilie and ghostlie There with all inwardlie thirsting and longing in soule not onelie to be restored to Gods grace and fauour againe but also to be gouerned by his holie spirit the better to spend the rest of their life in the true feare and seruice of God as Dauid that holie man and his chosen vessell did to the glorie of God and our euerlasting comfort 1. Domine ne in furore Psal 6. O Lord rebuke me not in thine indignation neither chasten me in thy displeasure Haue mercie vpon me O Lord for I am weake O Lord heale me For my bones are vexed My soule is also sore troubled but Lord how long wilt thou punish me Turne thee O Lord and deliuer my soule Oh saue me for thy mercies sake For in death no man remembreth thee and who will giue thee thanks in the pit I am wearie of my groning euerie night wash I my bed and water my couch with my teares My beautie is gone for verie trouble and worne awaie bicause of all mine enimies Awaie from me all ye that worke vanitie for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping The Lord hath heard my petition the Lord will receiue my praier All mine enimies shall be confounded and sore vexed they shall be turned backe and put to shame suddenlie 2. Beati quorum Psal 32. BLessed is the man whose vnrighteousnesse is forgiuen and whose sinne is couered Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord imputeth no sinne and in whose spirit there is no guile For while I held my tongue my bones consumed awaie through my dailie complaining For thy hand is heauie vpon me daie and night and my moisture is like the drought in summer I will knowledge my sinne vnto thee and mine vnrighteousnesse haue I not hid I said I will confesse my sinnes vnto the Lord and so thou forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne For this shall euerie one that is godlie make his praier vnto thee in a time when thou maiest be found but in the great water-fluds they shall not come nigh him Thou art a place to hide me in thou shalt preserue me from trouble thou shalt compasse me about with sons of deliuerance I will informe thee teach thee in the waie wherein thou shalt go and I will guide thee with mine eie Be ye not like horsse and mule which haue no vnderstanding whose mouthes must be holden with bit and bridle least they fall vpon thee Great plagues remaine for the vngodlie but who so putteth his trust in the Lord mercie embraceth him on euerie side Be glad O ye righteous and reioice in the Lord and be ioifull all yee that are true of hart 3. Domine ne infurore Psal 38. PUt me not to rebuke O Lord in thine anger neither chasten me in thy heauie displeasure For thine arrowes sticke fast in me and thy hand presseth me sore There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure neither is there anie rest in my bones by reason of my sinne For my wickednesses are gone ouer my head and are like a sore burthen too heauie for me to beare My wounds stinke and are corrupt through my foolishnesse I am brought into so great trouble and miserie that I go moorning all the daie long For my loines are filled with a sore disease and there is no whole part in my bodie I am feeble and sore smitten I haue roared for the verie disquietnesse of my hart Lord thou knowest all my desire and my groaning is not hid from thee My hart panteth my strength hath failed me and the sight of mine eies is gone from me My louers and my neighbours did stand looking vpon my trouble and my kinsmen stood a far off They also that sought after my life laid snares for me and they that went about to doo me euill talked of wickednesse and imagined deceipt all the daie long As for me I was like a deafe man and heard not and as one that is dumbe which dooth not open his mouth I became euen as a man that heareth not and in whose mouth are no reproofes For in thee O Lord haue I put my trust thou shalt answere for me O Lord my God I haue required that they euen mine enimies should not triumph ouer me for when my foote slipt they reioiced greatlie ouer me And I trulie am set in the plague and my heauinesse is euer in my sight For I will confesse my wickednesse and be sorie for my sinne But mine enimies liue and are mightie and they that hate me wrongfullie are manie in number They also that reward euill for good are against me because I followe the thing that good is Forsake me not O Lord my God be not thou far from me Haste thee to helpe me O Lord God my saluation 4. Miserere mei Deus Psal 51. HAue mercie vpon me O God after thy great goodnesse according vnto the multitude of thy mercies doo awaie mine offences Wash me throughlie from my wickednesse and cleanse me from my sinne For I knowledge my faults and my sinne is euer before me Against thee onlie haue I sinned and done this euill in thy sight that thou mightest be iustified in thy saiengs and cleare when thou art iudged Behold I was shapen in wickednesse and in sinne hath my mother conceiued me But lo thou requirest truth in the inward parts and shalt make me to vnderstand wisedome secretlie Thou shalt purge me with hysope and I shall bee cleane thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than snowe Thou shalt make me heare of ioie and gladnesse that the bones which thou hast broken may reioice Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me O giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee Deliuer me from bloud-giltinesse O God thou that art the God of my
shall not perish but haue euerlasting life Haue mercie vpon me haue mercie vpon me according to thy great mercie And according to the multitude of thy mercies put awaie mine offences O God most holie wash me from my wickednesse and make me cleane from mine vncleannesse For I acknowledge O Lord my heinous sinnes and accuse my selfe of mine vnrighteous deeds I confesse against my selfe the wickednesse of mine hart which hath beene euer vnfaithfull and rebelling against thy precepts I haue beene an vntrue and froward child to thee and haue prouoked thee with my vanities O holie Father I haue offended thy diuine Maiestie and am not woorthie to be called thy child Bicause I prouoked thee to anger through the multitude of my sinnes and haue not exercised my selfe in thy righteous lawes I haue turned backe from thy waies and done euill before thee I haue done wickedlie and vniustlie behaued my selfe leauing thy commandements and murmuring against thy correction I haue turned my selfe awaie and not kept my promise made vnto thee I haue walked in an euill waie after mine owne thoughts and fantasies choosing the things that thou wouldest not O Lord God almightie I haue not feared thee nor shewed due reuerence vnto thee but I haue beene disobedient and stubborne vnto thee As a common harlot is without shame euen so am I without shame of my sinnes for behold I speake vnto thee and yet I sinne more and more I haue left that which is good and gone backe from thee and I haue not put my trust and hope in thee my maker but haue sought for helpe and safegard otherwise I haue ploughed wickednesse and reaped iniquitie and eaten the fruit of lies bicause I haue trusted in mine owne waie I haue cast thy lawes behind my backe not regarding thy commandements nor leauing mine owne lewd customs I haue not giuen my hart to returne to thy paths for I would not knowe thee but haue fallen through mine iniquitie I neuer vnto this daie turned trulie vnto thee with all my hart but as a woman that breakech hir fidelitie and promise vnto hir husband euen so O LORD God I haue broken my promise vnto thee For I haue liued abhominablie and haue had no remorse nor repentance for my euill deeds but haue run from sinne to sinne following the lewd desires of my hart Thou knowest all things O Lord how I haue prouoked thee to displeasure by my lewd inuentions and none of all my sinnes be hid from thee I hated thy discipline and correction and regarded not thy words and saiengs I haue not done penance for my malice but haue increased in much vanitie Mine hart hath beene void of truth and my hands haue wrought vnrighteousnesse My tongue hath spoken sinfullie and I haue laboured with the imaginations of mine hart to find out lies and deceits and no truth hath beene in my waies I haue accustomed my tongue to speake trifles and vanities fulfilling my fleshlie desires and thoughts my purposes and inuentions haue beene contrarie to thy will whereby I haue offended the eies of thy Maiestie Thou hast seene all these things O Lord and hast holden thy peace and yet they were euill in thy sight and displeased thee In thine anger thou hast cast me awaie and art diuided from me now manie daies Thou hast giuen me vp to the desires of my hart to doo the things which be not seeming Wo I am that I haue gone from thee great is my miserie that I haue led my life in sinne Wo is me that I haue forsaken thee to doo my deuises not after thy mind to accomplish my thoughts which haue not proceeded of thy spirit but haue heaped vp sinne vpon sinne Mine infamie and reproch is dailie before mine eies and for shame I dare not shew my face And now O Lord God why forgettest thou mee Why keepest thou awaie so long thy mercie from me Heare now my cause gratiouslie although thou hast beene displeased with me a great while for thou art mercifull be not angrie alwaies I beseech thee Cast not awaie a contrite and penitent person a wretch and an abiect which humblie calleth vpon thy name Turne againe a little toward me O Lord God and forgiue me my mischieuous deeds Order me not according to my sinnes nor punish me as my wickednesse deserueth Shew not foorth thy power against a poore wretch persecute hir not so sore which is without all strength Turne not thy face awaie from my praiers but according to thy promise take me againe vnto thy fauour For I am thine O righteous Father whom thine onlie deere Sonne hath redeemed with his pretious bloud And now my soule abhorreth mine old conuersation and of thee which art iudge of all men I aske mercie I doo submit my selfe vnto thy mightie hand for after thine anger thou shewest mercie and in the time of tribulation thou dooest forgiue sinnes I acknowledge that I am a sinner beseeching thee Lord God almightie of thy goodnesse to doo with mee according to thy great mercie I am confounded and ashamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee for my sinnes are ascended vp vnto thy sight Against thee O Father against thee haue I sinned and done euill before thee thou seest that mine iniquitie is great Trulie I haue beene an offender against thee euen from my cradle and since I sucked my mothers brests I haue not ceased to doo euill Behold I was begotten in iniquitie and my mother brought me into this world defiled with sinne For the corne of an euill seed is sowne in mine hart and how much wickednesse hath sproong thereof vnto this daie thou knowest O Lord. I can not shake off my sinnes and offences but I carie still with me the infamie of my youth Behold Lord I am sold vnder sinne and in my flesh I find not that which is good For the good that I would that doo I not but the euill that I hate that I doo All the thoughts and imaginations of mine hart haue beene set to doo euill euer since I was yoong O why doo I die in my sinnes Lord God seeing thy will is not that a sinner die but returne from his sin and liue For thou art good and mercifull and according to thy great mercie sauest them that be vnwoorthie For albeit no man is able to beare the punishment which thou doost threaten against sinners yet the mercie which thou hast promised is great and vnsearchable Thou hast shewed mercie a thousand times heretofore to make the same glorious as it is euen yet still The old fathers in their necessities cried vnto thee and thou diddest deliuer them they put their trust in thee and they were not confounded When they were at their wits end and wist not what to doo this was their onelie refuge to lift vp their eies to thee Thou didst saue them for thy name sake to shew in them thy might and strength Manie a time they prouoked thee through their iniquities and
stirred vp thy goodnesse to displeasure Yet when thou sawest their tribulation and their lowlie submission vnto thee Thou diddest remember thy promise and by and by hadst pitie and compassion vpon them according to the multitude of thy mercies Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God omnipotent haue mercie vpon me for I am a miserable a wretched creature Make me whole I beseech thee whom thou hast striken for my sinne and iniquitie My soule is troubled greatlie and how long O Lord wilt thou not looke towards me How long wilt thou reiect my praier thus crieng out vnto thee Wilt thou heare me at no time How long wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me Where be thine old mercies O Lord whom thou hast stablished in thy truth Wilt thou now O Lord God cease to shew mercie Or wilt thou withdrawe thy goodnesse in displeasure Hast thou cast me awaie for euer that thou wilt neuer hereafter be pleased with me Thine hand is not weakened but it may helpe and thine eares be not stopped that they refuse to heare How long shall my mind be troubled with painfull and heauie thoughts How long shall sorowe torment mine hart How long shall mine enimie haue the vpper hand of me Looke towards me Lord GOD and heare my praier Giue light to mine eies for I haue slept too long in death and my sinnes haue preuailed against me Turne againe O Lord turne againe and deliuer my soule and saue me for thy great mercie sake Lo now is the accepted time now be the daies of health and grace In death who shall remember thee In hell who shall laud or praise thee He that liueth he that liueth shall praise thee and shall make thy mercie knowne Lord rebuke me not in thine anger nor punish me in thy great displeasure Cast not thy darts at me nor laie not thy heauie hand vpon me For I haue borne thine anger a long while of the cup of thy high displeasure I haue droonke verie deepe There is no health in my flesh for feare of thy displeasure I haue no peace nor rest when I behold my sinnes Mine iniquities be gone ouer mine head and like an heauie burden they dailie presse me downe The wounds in my soule doo fester and stinke euen through mine owne follie I am a wretch cast awaie from thy fauour and presence and go moorning all the daie long My soule is full of filthinesse and no part of mee is whole and sound Wherfore mine enimies doo persecute me the more the greatnes of my paine maketh me to rore and crie My heart fainteth and trembleth within me and my strength is gone awaie O Lord thou knowest my desire and thou seest my necessitie Forgiue me all my sinnes O Lord God almightie for thine owne sake and put out of thy sight my hainous offences for according to thy goodnesse thou hast promised forgiuenesse of sinnes to them that doo pennance Haue mercie on me Lord for the glorie and honour of thy name and be no longer displeased with me and then thou shalt surelie be knowne to be iust and true in thy words shalt ouercome when thou art iudged For by this thy great grace shall be knowne that thou takest mercie on them which haue not whereof they may glorie in thy sight And all the dwellers on the earth shall learne and knowe thy goodnesse when thou shalt confer and giue thy benefits to vs for thy great name sake and not after our euill waies and wicked deeds Uerelie Lord God except thou shew vnto vs thy manifold mercies the world shall not haue life nor they that dwell therein And if thou helpe vs not with thy goodnesse how may they which haue offended be raised vp from their sinnes Haue mercie on me O good Father haue mercie on me and for thy glorious name be no longer angrie with me Take me a sinner vnto thy mercie for the name of thy holie Sonne Iesu whome thou hast sent to be the obteiner of mercie for our sinnes through faith in his bloud Behold holie Father behold thy child whome thou hast chosen behold thy welbeloued Sonne in whome thy soule delighteth vpon whome thou hast put thy holie spirit and sent him to preach the Gospell to the poore to heale them which for their sinnes be sorowfull and contrite to comfort them that mourne to preach pardon to the prisoners and sight to the blind Behold thy little one which was borne for vs behold thy Sonne which is giuen to vs whome thou hast not spared but giuen to death for vs all to be a sweet offering and sacrifice to thee Uerelie he tooke vpon him in his bodie our infirmities and he bare our paines He was made weake for our sinnes and he was wounded for our offences The correction for our peace was laid vpon him and by y e strokes that he suffered our wounds were healed All we went astraie like sheepe euerie one followeth his owne waie and thou O Lord puttest on him our iniquitie striking him for the offences of thy people He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to be stricken he turned not awaie his face from them that scorned him Through his loue and mercie he hath redeemed them that were lost and by his bloud shead on the crosse he hath pacified all things in heauen and earth He gaue himselfe to death and made his praiers for them which were offenders Looke O mercifull Father and consider who it is that thus did suffer and remember I beseech thee for whome he hath suffered For this is that innocent whome thou gauest to death for vs euen then when we were sinners and shall we not being now iustified by his bloud much rather be saued from wrath through him If we when we were yet enimies were reconciled to thee by the death of thy Sonne shall we not being reconciled much rather be saued by his life Behold that pure and immaculate Lambe which taketh awaie the sinnes of the world by whose pretious bloud we are redeemed from our iniquities Looke vpon that most meeke innocent which like a Lambe was led to his death and being most cruellie intreated once opened not his mouth Behold thine onlie Sonne whome although thou begattest of thine almightie power substance and nature yet thou wouldest he should be partaker of mine infirmitie Which being God in nature thought it no rauine to be equall with God but made himselfe lowe taking vpon him the shape of a seruant and comming in the similitude of sinfull flesh condemned sinne in the flesh submitting himselfe vnto thee O Father euen to the death of the crosse and there put out the hand-writing that was against vs conteined in the lawe written and taking it out of the waie fastned it to his crosse on the which he spoiled potestates and powers and made a shew of them openlie and triumphed ouer them in his owne person Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord God and looke vpon
hath offended thee make me free from the guilt of my transgression for I acknowledge mine iniquitie and am sorie for my sinnes I haue forsaken thy waie and I knowing thy commandements haue done all things contrarie to them I haue broken the couenant that I made with thee and haue despised to keepe thy lawe Uerelie I haue sinned against thee O Lord GOD and the blemish of my sinne abideth still with me euen vnto this daie I haue forsaken thee O God my maker and gone awaie from thee my Sauiour haue rebelled against thee like an oxe that winceth and striueth when hee should be yoked I haue hardened my hart against thee and I haue lifted vp my necke proudlie after my sinne I haue trusted in lies and through deceit would not knowledge thee but I haue followed the lewdnesse of mine hart My pride and arrogancie haue beguiled me and the foolish boldnesse of mine hart hath brought me into desolate waies Mine owne counsels and aduises haue brought me these things such is the malice and rebellion that possesseth the harts of men My soule is put from quietnesse and rest and I can not thinke of anie good thing The yoke of my sinnes is waxed verie heauie it is lifted vp and fastened about my necke Thou hast spoken to me but I would not heare thou hast called me but I would not answere I beleeued not thy words nor would abide thy counsell I regarded not thine holie word and I gaue not my mind to thy saiengs Thou hast striken me but I would not knowe the cause thereof thou hast corrected me but I would not take thy discipline I did not consider in mine hart that thou wouldest not forget my sinne and malice With my mouth and my lips I glorified thee but mine hart was farre from thee I hid my sinne as Adam did to the intent to haue mine iniquitie vnknowne I asked not counsell of thy mouth and I would not followe thy lawe I haue sinned before thine eies and therefore my soule is made vnstable I forsooke thee which art the fountaine of continuall springing waters to the intent to dig to my selfe muddie pits which haue no water In all these things I am not returned to thee nor I haue not praied vnto thee that I might leaue my wicked waies See Lord and behold how vile I am made all the beautie of my soule is perished and gone in so much that now I dare not in anie wise behold and looke vpon thee And there was no cause why I should forsake thee and vainlie followe vaine things Lord haue mercie vpon me and heare my praiers for thou art my God and there is no Sauiour besides thee Turne awaie from me thy heauie displeasure and destroie me not for the sinnes of my youth I humblie beseech thee O Lord forgiue me forgiue me for thine exceeding mercie O Lord God of hosts if thou be determined to saue who can let orresist If thou stretch out thine hand who shall turne thee awaie Thou maist doo to me as the potter doth to his pot for behold I am in thine hand as the claie is in his Amend me O Lord but in mercie not in thine anger least thou vtterlie consume me make me to vnderstand and knowe how hurtfull and deadlie a thing it is to forsake thee my Lord GOD and to cast awaie from me the feare of thee There is no man that can heale mee nor cure my plague no man can deliuer mee but thou O Lord which woundest and makest whole which strikest and healest againe My destruction commeth of my selfe my helpe and saluation standeth onelie in thee For none is like vnto thee thou art mightie and great is the name of thy strength Turne me to thee O Lord and I shall be turned take awaie from mee this sinfull hart that thy lawe may bring foorth fruit in me Remember me Lord for thy goodnesse sake and for the great loue thou bearest towards me O Lord God behold thou hast made both heauen and earth by thy great might and nothing is hard to thee Thou art that puissant and mightie whose name is the Lord of hosts great maruellous in thy counsell As soone as thou hast spoken the word all things be done as soone as thou hast commanded things be and thy word returneth not to thee void and without effect Thou O Lord GOD she west mercie vnto all for thou canst doo all and thou makest as though thou sawest not the sinnes of men bicause they should doo penance and amend their liues For thou louest althings that be and hatest nothing that thou hast made for nothing thou madest or hast ordeined of anie hatred Thou sparest and tenderest all men for all things be thine and thou louest the soules of men Thou doost minister mercie equitie and iustice in the earth and therefore in these vertues thou greatlie delightest Trulie O Lord thou art righteous and gratious notwithstanding I haue offended thee transgressing thy couenant and trespassing against thee O Lord thou hast seene all mine abhominations looke on my cause and consider how vile and wretched I am see and behold my great confusion In the time of reconciliation heare me and in the daie of saluation haue mercie on me Be mercifull vnto me and haue mercie on me which haue none other helpe but thee whose will nothing can resist whensoeuer thou doost purpose to saue Heare me which am a wretch making supplication vnto thee make me to trust in thy name and deliuer me by thy power Haue regard to me from heauen O Lord and looke downe from thine holie habitation from the throne of thy glorie Destroie me not bicause of mine iniquitie but remember the sorowe and paine that I suffer Be not still angrie with me O Lord forget all my sinnes and remember them no longer Let my praier ascend vp vnto thee saie vnto my soule Behold I am come to thee thy helth and thy saluation Amen Another Psalme for the remission of sinnes O GOD eternall iust and holie which keepest couenant and mercie with them that loue thee and keepe thy commandements Looke at me and haue mercie vpon me for I haue trespassed against thee done euil in thy sight Shew foorth vpon me the tender affections of thy mercie that thy seruant may haue an hart to praie vnto thee I humblie make my praier before thy face not trusting in mine owne righteousnesse but in thy great mercies For I am vncleane and filthie and all my righteousnesse is like a foule bloudie clowt Unto thee O Lord be iustice mercie and pitie but vnto me be confusion and shame for mine iniquities Certainlie euen from my beginning I haue vsed my selfe proudlie against thee dooing wickedlie and not ceasing O Lord thou hast redeemed me and yet I haue not ceased to offend thee and mine hart hath not beene straight in thy sight Thou hast taught and instructed me and stablished my power and I haue beene euill affected
my soule Preserue my going out and my comming in that my feet may stand in the courts of Ierusalem I lift vp mine eies vnto thee that dwellest in the heauens Deliuer my soule out of the snare of the foulers least I put foorth mine hands vnto wickednesse Fill my mouth with laughter and my tongue with ioie replenish my longing with good things that thy beloued may find rest and blesse me out of Sion that I may see the welth of Ierusalem hauing escaped the cords of wickednesse Let thine eares attend vnto the voice of my praiers O Lord. Let not mine hart be hautie nor mine eies loftie but giue me grace to thinke humblie vntill I find a place for the Lord an habitation for the mightie God of Iacob There the Lord hath appointed the blessing and life for euer There will I lift vp mine hands to thy sanctuarie and praise thee who iudgest thy people and art pacified towards thy seruants O God of gods and Lord of lords now weeping and worshipping towards thine holie temple trie me and knowe me marke and consider my paths and leade me in thy waie for euer Deliuer me O Lord from the euill man and preserue me from the cruell man Let my praier be directed in thy sight as incense Bring my soule out of prison that I may praise thy name Heare my praier O Lord in thy righteousnesse and enter not into iudgement with thy seruant Heare me speedilie O Lord least my spirit faile me for thou God art my refuge and my deliuerer And forasmuch as thou art great and most woorthie to be praised and thy greatnesse is incomprehensible raise vp the crooked loose the shackeled and giue sight to the blind thou which dooest build vp Ierusalem And when thou hast made the barres of thy gates strong let me be coupled to thy children within As the Angels and all the powers in the kingdome of heauen doo praise thee there let me triumphing gloriouslie in the congregation of the Saints with the sounding Cimbals of my lips praise and magnifie thy name the which is holie and glorious and reigneth now and euerlastinglie Amen Shus-hanna hir Psalter conteining verie deuout praiers for remission of sinnes for the auoiding of all kind of sinne and for the leading of a godlie life O Almightie and euerliuing GOD thou God of al power before whose eies all things be naked and bare O Lord thou great and terrible God I saie that keepest couenant mercie with them that loue thee and doo thy commandements Let thine eares bee open that thou maist heare the praiers of thy seruant which I make before thee at this time and let them ascend vp before thy presence and be accepted in thy sight for Iesus Christs sake Haue mercie vpon me thy poore creature and worke of thine hands For I haue sinned and done wickedlie and haue offended thy Maiestie greeuouslie in that I haue gone backe and departed from all thy precepts and iudgements and haue not followed thy seruants the Prophets that spake vnto me in thy name but haue from daie to daie prouoked thy iust wrath and indignation against me O Lord I acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my manifold sinnes and wickednesse the which I haue vnrighteouslie most greeuouslie committed against thee in thought word and deed from my youth vp vntill this daie for the which I am now taught by thy word and grace to be hartilie sorie and doo vnfeinedlie repent purposing euermore through the assistance of thy grace to walke in a new life Desiring thee for the pretious bloud-shedding of Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne our Lord to haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all those mine offences according to thy great mercie and promise which hast said At what time so euer a sinner dooth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his hart I will put all his wickednesse out of my remembrance O Lord remember not therefore the multitude of my misdeeds I beseech thee but according to thy great mercies thinke vpon me Call to remembrance for Christs sake thy louing kindnesse and thy tender mercie the which hath euer beene of old Hide not thy face from me nor cast not off thy seruant in thy displeasure For thy mercies sake deliuer me from all my sinnes and make me not a scorne vnto the foolish Turne not awaie thy mercie from me but let thy most louing kindnesse and truth alwaie preserue me Helpe me for thy name sake and deliuer me in thy strength Heare my praier O Lord and consider the words of my mouth for my misdeeds preuaile against me O bee thou mercifull vnto my sinnes Let the sorowfull sighing of the prisoner come before thee O Lord and comfort the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee doo I flie for succour Satisfie me with thy mercie and that soone so shall I reioice and be glad in thee all the daies of my life Looke not extreamlie what is done amisse in me for I haue sinned against heauen and before thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child yet Lord of thy great goodnesse powre downe some of the crums that fall from thy childrens table and make me as one of the least of them Reward me not according to my deseruings for then I must needs perish for vnto me perteineth nothing but open shame confusion and damnation but with thee there is mercie forgiuenesse and plentious redemption Therefore I come vnto thee O Lord thou louer of soules not hoping in mine owne righteousnesse but trusting onlie in the multitude of thy great mercies which thou hast made and laid foorth before the eies of all people offering saluation to the whole world and hast promised that whosoeuer he or she be of the whole generation of man that will receiue grace repent and turne vnfeignedlie from his sinnes shall haue free remission and forgiuenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord which is our onelie aduocate and mediator in whome our saluation lieth and of whome thou hast said This is my deere Sonne in whome I am well pleased and well pacified For this thy Sonnes sake by whome I am bold to come vnto thee which appeareth now in thy sight making continuall intercession for vs haue mercie vpon me O thou mightie God cleanse me from all my sinnes and doo awaie all mine iniquities Oh let me feele thy mercies towards me for I doo confesse my sinnes vnto thee O Lord and hide not mine vnrighteousnesse I doo acknowledge mine offences and accuse my selfe before thee of all my misdeeds Helpe me O God my sauiour for the glorie of thy name O deliuer me and forgiue me my sinnes for thy rich mercies sake Remember not the offences of my youth O Lord but thinke vpon thy great mercies and couenant made vnto me in Christ Iesus For thy tender mercie sake laie not my sinnes to my charge but forgiue that is past and giue me grace to amend my life to decline from sinne and incline to
vertue that I may walke with an vpright hart a cleane conscience and single eie before thee this daie or night and euermore Put me not from thy presence oh thou God of all comfort but incline thine eare vnto my calling Strengthen thy seruant with the power of thy right hand and helpe thine handmaiden Comfort my soule with thy sweet promises and let thy mercies couer mine infirmities O most mercifull Father consider mine infirmities I saie which are manie and great beare with mine imperfection for thy Sonne my sauiour Iesus Christes sake which had good experience of our infirmitie that he might be mercifull vnto all them that are afflicted Consider the enimie hath gotten an open waie into my flesh wherein I confesse that there dwelleth nothing but sinne wretchednesse and miserie Yea O Lord I acknowledge that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednesse and am by nature a child of wrath For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing and of my selfe I am not able to thinke a good thought much lesse doo that thou in thy lawe requirest of me to bee done which hast said Cursed is he that continueth not in all things that are written in the lawe to doo them Againe the lawe is spirituall but I am carnall sold vnder sinne Therefore O Lord my God I call vnto thee for grace which hast said Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you to preuent and drawe my will to all goodnesse for none can come vnto thee except he be drawne and except we be borne from aboue we cannot see the kingdome of God Assist me therefore and guide me with thy holie spirit from time to time Drawe me and I shall runne after thee and giue me strength and ablenesse through Christ our Lord to accomplish and fulfill thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of the diuell that they may haue no place in me but that the old man which I beare about in my bodie may be crucified and dailie die in me that the lusts of sinne may vtterlie be destroied that I may euermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind and that the life of Christ may alwaies appeare in me Good Lord for thy great mercies sake deliuer me from all kinds of euill namelie from the spirit of pride boasting vaine-glorie hypocrisie wantonnesse haughtinesse of mind presumption selfe-loue and make mee poore in spirit humble meeke gentle and lowe in mine owne sight that I lift not vp my selfe aboue my brethren and sisters but esteeme my selfe to be as a seruant and hand-maiden to all men and women to doo them good after the example of Christ who came not to be ministred vnto but to minister who also hath said Blessed are the poore in spirit Againe Thou resisteth the proud but giuest grace to the humble Take from me my stonie vnbeleeuing blind doubtfull vnfaithfull and vnthankefull hart and giue me an hart of flesh to loue and incline to thy will my carnall secure and impenitent hart take awaie from me and giue me an hart to feare loue and obeie thee write thy lawe in my hart graue it in my mind that I may beleeue trust and liue in thee for euer Take from me the wicked spirit of suspicion enuie hatred variance strife sedition sects euill gealousie vaine surmises murmuring and grudging backbiting or slandering of anie especiallie such as be in authoritie and ministers of thy holie word O Lord keepe me from all wrath malice and hastinesse all respect of persons in the faith all idolatrie superstition vanities lieng euill words debate contention murther theft false-witnesse-bearing flattering dissimulation hypocrisie blasphemie and vaine swearing by the name of God his works or creatures from all lightnesse idle words and all vnstablenesse of hart Oh Lord deliuer thou my hart from all surfeting dronkennesse gluttonie and leacherie and from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit from all vncleane thoughts and vnlawfull desires euill concupiscence fornication adulterie and lusts of the bodie Take vtterlie from me also couetousnesse and inordinate care of riches all deceipt and guile or dooing of wrong to anie in my calling and office all idlenesse sloth and beastlie securitie and giue me not ouer vnto an vnshamefast and obstinate minde but hold me alwaies vnto thy nourture and correction and bow my hart alwaies vnto thee that I may serue thee all the daies of my life in such holinesse and righteousnes as is acceptable before thee Giue me thy grace oh Lord that I may haue thee alwaies before mine eies that I may also haue a respect vnto thy iudgements that whatsoeuer I saie thinke or doo it may be agreeable to thy holie will and word that I be not minded as the vngodlie and wicked men and women are let me haue no pleasure in such things as please them and grant that whensoeuer I be ouertaken with anie kind of sinne and wickednesse either in thought word or deede or that I feele mine owne infirmitie and weakenesse I may immediatelie with hartie repentance returne to thee againe and not to lie still in the securitie of sinne Make me able and contented with patience to heare all occasions of offence when they be offered or giuen me and not to recompense euill for euill and suffer me not good Lord to giue occasions of euill to anie man and if I doo make me willing to confesse my fault and to amend it Giue me grace that I neuer enuie anie good mans loue or womans because they doo either loue God and his people more than I or else that they be beloued of him or his more than I. Make me to reioice in other mens gifts and not to enuie them because they be better than mine but rather to giue thanks for them with all my hart desiring that they may be increased in them and in me Increase my faith O Lord my sauiour in thee and in thy Christ make it strong to beleeue thy promises Increase my loue O my redeemer to thee and to thy righteous people and make it perfect true and vnfeined to all vertue and godlinesse Increase a sure hope in me of my saluation O my iustifier without doubt or wauering in aduersitie and without pride or presumption in prosperitie so that I may serue thee with reuerence and godlie feare all the daies of my life Increase in me strength to resist sinne and to get the victorie and masterie to stand against all euill temptations and assaults of the flesh the world and the diuell that they may haue no place in me and that according to thy promise I be neuer further prooued nor tempted than thou wilt giue me strength to ouercome Increase in me O Lord all other vertues agreeable to a godlie life for I come vnto thee my God as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of all health and saluation Good Lord giue me grace therefore all the daies of this my
and happie in the works of our vocation take into thy custodie for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Be gratious and fauourable oh Lord to all men and euen to our verie enimies and according to thy good will and purpose forgiue them their sinnes conuert vnto thy truth all those whom thou hast appointed in Iesus Christ to saluation Be mercifull O God to all our brethren and sisters that suffer anie kind of persecution or affliction whether in mind or in bodie especiallie such as suffer for thy name and Gospell giue them patience constancie and stedfast hope till thou send them full and good deliuerance of all their troubles Be gratious to all those whom thou hast coupled and linked to vs in loue and friendship whose harts thou hast mooued to praie for vs to wish vs good to succour and helpe vs in our necessities grant vs all thy blessing and holie spirit to sanctifie vs in the vnitie of faith and dwell in vs for euer Finallie oh Lord haue mercie vpon mine husband children and familie which thou hast giuen vs make me to be content with him as thy gift and increase thy feare in our harts that we may trulie loue thee and one another of vs in thee so that we may be pure both in soule and bodie and may godlie liue togither according to thine holie ordinance Giue him an hart of wisedome and vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaie before mine eies that as Ioseph cast off all surmises of the mis-behauiour of Marie his spouse and obeied the word of thine holie Angel so he may beare with mine imperfections and bee obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Oh Lord giue vs the power of thy spirit to gouerne our selues holilie and to rule and bring vp these our children and familie in all godlie feare nurture information of the Lord and knowledge of thy holie word and that we may be alwaies vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thine holie name Plant in mine hart all vertues that be necessarie and requisite in a Christian woman giue mee grace so to vse them and all other good gifts which I haue receiued at thy mercifull hands as may be most to thy glorie and praise to my consolation and saluation and to the profit of thy Church Behold Lord although I am but dust earth and ashes yet I haue taken vpon me and am bold to come and make these petitions and requests vnto thee not trusting in mine owne woorthinesse or righteousnesse which I doo acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled but onlie in thy great mercie and promise and through the merits of Christs death bloud-shedding to laie mine humble praiers before thee requiring mercie pardon and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy grace to doo thy will all the daies of my life and to obteine all these my petitions O therefore heare me speedilie good Lord forgiue me fauourablie O Lord and tarie not ouerlong but for thine owne sake doo it and for thy deere Sonne Iesus Christs sake in whom all thy promises are Yea and Amen which is our onelie Redeemer Mediator Sauiour and Iustifier to whom with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise now and euer Amen Another good and godlie praier to be said at all times of euerie Christian both man and woman O Almightie and euerlasting GOD Father Sonne and holie Ghost thou that hast made heauen and earth and all things in them conteined haue mercie vpon me poore wretched sinner dailie assaulted with all kind of miserie and wretchednesse I beseech thee O Father for the loue of thy Sonne Iesus Christ consider my weakenesse frailtie and imperfection and haue mercie vpon me Increase thy graces in me my souereigne Sauiour my deere Redeemer and mine onelie Iustifier For I come vnto thee O Lord according to the words of our Sauiour Christ who hath said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are laden and I will ease and refresh you Oh most mercifull Father ease me of and from the great burden of my sinne which I haue vnrighteouslie committed against thee either in thought word or deed and refresh my soule dailie with thy mercies Sprinkle me with the sweet hysop of thy mercie and then shall I be cleane wash me and then shall I be whiter than snowe Powre vpon me ioie and gladnesse and make my bones reioice which thou hast smitten Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Oh giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked that sinners may be conuerted vnto thee Deliuer me from bloud guiltinesse O God thou that art the God of my health that my tongue may praise thy righteousnesse Open my lips O Lord then shall my mouth shew foorth thy praise Consider mine imperfection and helpe it with thy mercies Remember thine old woonted mercies and faithfull promises made vnto our forefathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all other Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and other thy Saints in our Sauiour Christ Iesus who being compassed with infirmitie and weakenesse of the flesh came vnto thee O Lord as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of their health and saluation and thou mercifullie susteinedst them keepedst them deliueredst them in all their temptations and tribulations If their feet at anie time slipt or went out of the waie and committed sinne against thee yet thy mercie was alwaies readie so that thou by thine holie spirit diddest procure them to repentance so that they turned againe vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe thou mercifullie acceptedst at their hands For bicause they were desirous to liue perfectlie in thy sight thou preseruedst them so that they were found faithfull before thee O Lord thou art the same and thy yeeres endure for euer I beseech thee O Father beare mine imperfection and helpe it likewise with thy mercie if at anie time I happen to fall and commit sinne against thee as thou saiedst by thine holie Apostle Paule Let thy grace at all time be sufficient for me in such wise that I may immediatelie turne againe by true repentance vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe accept alwaies at mine hands for Iesus Christs sake so shall I be found perfect before thee For although the spirit bee willing yet is the flesh vntoward and weake Therefore doo I not leaue mine owne righteousnesse before thee For I knowe and confesse in me that is to saie in my flesh is nothing but plaine miserie wretchednesse and sinne Therefore doo I come vnto thee and beseech thee for Christes sake to extend thy mercifull hand towards me
not blind my senses obstinate my maners sauage but let me delight in goodnesse and followe counsell and neuer loose the bridle to my tongue nor cruellie make a praie of the poore nor violentlie oppresse the weake nor vniustlie slander the innocent nor negligentlie regard inferiours committed to my charge Finallie let mee vse neither crueltie towards my seruants nor treacherie towards my friends nor violence vpon my neighbours O my God my mercifull God euen through thy beloued Sonne I beseech thee giue me grace to exercise my selfe in the works of mercie and in godlie cogitations namelie to weepe with them that weepe to instruct such as go astraie to helpe the afflicted to cherish the poore to comfort the sorowfull to releeue the oppressed to nourish the hungrie to refresh them which mourne to forgiue my debters to pardon them which haue hurt me to loue them which hate me to render for euill good to despise none but to honor all to imitate the vertuous to shun the wicked to embrace vertue to flee sinne in aduersitie to be patient in prosperitie to be continent to set a watch before my mouth and a seale of wisedome before my lips to despise earthlie and to couet after heauenlie things Thus my maker I haue asked much and yet haue deserued naught I confesse yet alas I confesse that not onlie I deserue not those blessings which I doo require but also doo deserue manie exquisit torments notwithstanding euen publicans harlots theeues who in a moment pluckt from out the iawes of the enimie are taken into the armes of the shepheard doo embolden me to doo as I doo Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O good Lord I beseech thee and vouchsafe fauourablie to heare me and grant my requests So be it A praier called ô bone Iesu necessarie to be said at all times for mercie and grace O Bountifull Lord Iesu Christ O sweet Sauiour O Christ the sonne of God haue pitie vpon me mercifullie heare me and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed mee from the bondage of sinne death and hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most pretious bodie once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for all for my ransome Therefore cast me not awaie whome thou by thy great wisedome hast made despise me not whome thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroie that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now whilest I liue O Iesu haue mercie vpon me For if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afterward to call for thy mercie Whilest I haue time to repent looke vpon me with thy mercifull eies as thou didst vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewaile my sinfull life and obteine thy fauour to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with me according to thy iustice I haue deserued euerlasting death therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercie trusting to obteine thy fauour not for my merits but for thy merits O Iesu who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to the Father to appease his wrath and to bring all sinners trulie repenting and amending their euill life into his fauour againe Accept me O Lord among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation forgiue my sinnes giue me grace to leade a godlie and innocent life grant me the heauenlie wisedome inspire my hart with faith hope and charitie giue me grace to be humble in prosperitie patient in aduersitie obedient to my rulers faithfull vnto them that trust me dealing trulie with all men to liue chastlie in wedlocke or in this my single life to abhorre adulterie fornication and all vncleannesse to doo good after my power vnto all men to hurt no man that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life and that I afterward may atteine euerlasting life through thy mercie and the merits of thy pretious death and passion Amen A forme of praier conteining a paraphrasis of these words of Dauid in his 119. Psalme Order my steps in thy word and so shall no wickednesse haue dominion ouer me O Eternall God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which with thine onlie begotten Sonne and the holie Ghost art the maker preseruer and helper of all creatures Upon thee doo I call in the name of Christ the Mediator Helpe and gouerne mee with thy holie spirit that with a stedfast purpose I may constantlie cleane vnto thy word that my steps my thoughts intents purposes actions and all the course of my life may be directed made conformable to thy commandements and promises and that I may euer haue thy word before mine eies to followe it as the onlie and most infallible rule of my life and lightsome lampe to my feet Order my steps in thy word that I may feare in my hart thy great wrath and threatnings against sinne and quake and tremble at the dreadfull examples of punishments which therefore from the beginning thou hast published in the world against all the wicked and vngodlie ones that haue and doo contemne thy word and that I may acknowledge those punishments to be forewarnings of thy iudgements to come in the which this most dreadfull sentence shall be pronounced against all the vngodlie Go yee cursed into euerlasting fire Order my steps in thy word that in true feare and awe of thy Maiestie I may tame my mind bridle my lusts keepe vnder mine affections rule mine imaginations restraine my thoughts represse and stop all vicious motions shun all wickednesse and kill the life of sinne in me Order my steps in thy word that in frights and feares in terrors and temptations in all astonishments troubles afflictions distresses and dangers bodilie or ghostlie with fixed eie and firme faith I may behold looke vpon thy grace and mercie which for thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christes sake is shewed and declared vnto vs in thy Gospell and neuer seeke thy will anie where else but in thy word and surelie persuade my selfe that trulie to be thy will which in thy word and promises is reuealed and set foorth Helpe me also O God I beseech thee that in all mine agonies feares I may cheere and raise vp my selfe with the heauenlie comfort of thy word and so with a constant faith in thy mercifull promises that I find there I may repose my trust and quiet my conscience in Christ my mercifull Mediator assuring my selfe vndoubtedlie that for his sake I shall be both heard receiued helped deliuered and saued Order my steps in thy word that in all this short course of my life I may be obedient vnto thee and serue thee faithfullie and diligentlie in my vocation that I may keepe my selfe within the limits of my charge and serue thee trulie in those works which thou requirest of me in my seuerall calling Order my steps in thy word that this
knowledge of thy word in me be firme constant certaine immoueable and vnchangeable that my mind wauer not nor wander to and fro neither be caried hither and thither inconstantlie with euerie blast of opinions Order my steps in thy word that in the race course of this life there be no obstacles lets or vaine strife and contention betweene flesh and bloud to burst the bonds of my vocation but let it be constant healthfull happie and prosperous to the end and helpe me therein that I may perseuere in a right course and win the goale and make me an instrument and vessell of mercie caring and ministring healthfull and good things both to my selfe and to others that I may be comforted in this thy promise which saiedst Thy labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord and all that thou dooest shall prosper But alas sinne dwelling and sticking in this our corrupt nature doth too too much trouble and hinder our steps Our vntamed lusts vncomlie affections and inordinate desires euen like furious mad men doo solicit vs vexe disquiet and torment vs and quite drawe driue and carrie our steps foorth of the true waie which thy word sheweth into the by-paths and strange waies that are most perillous dangerous pernicious and leade to destruction Yea alas such is the miserie of our corrupt nature that sinne a thing most horrible and detestable doth smile vpon vs and is become verie delightfull and pleasant vnto vs and most willinglie and gladlie we obeie and are readie to followe the flickering intisements and vaine allurements of all manner of vices Yea so great and lamentable is the weakenesse and imbecillitie of our nature thus corrupted that quicklie and easilie we suffer our selues continuallie to be more and more remooued driuen backe and distracted from the right waie that leadeth to thee Order my steps therefore in thy word O Lord I beseech thee and so rule direct gouerne helpe me that sinne neither dwell in me nor haue dominion ouer me in action nor to damnation O let not sinne reigne in mee I saie to action as it did in Dauid by forcing me to follow the sugred suggestions of Sathan the delightsome vanities of the world nor the brittle and short pleasures of the flesh nor by compelling and driuing my deeds and actions to obeie cleane contrarie to my conscience Neither let sinne reigne in me to damnation as it did in Saule by not regarding thy word by furie wrath malice and contempt of thy commandements that I be not ouerwhelmed in terrors and woonderfull great furies nor drowned in eternall damnation but helpe me that in temptations I may constantlie stand and valiantlie resist and in all dread and distresse be lifted vp and comforted with the voice of the Gospell as it is written Sinne shall not beare rule ouer you for you are not vnder the lawe but vnder grace So shall it come to passe that though this tyrant sin rob and rage neuer so cruellie yet I through faith imbracing the sweet comfort of the Gospell and beleeuing surelie that it is pardoned and the terrors of the lawe ouercome by the conquest and triumph of our mediator and Lord Iesus Christ it shall not ouercome me but I it in him through the helpe of his holie spirit power and grace which grant vnto me O Lord I beseech thee for thy holie name sake Amen Meditations after praier O Lord God heauenlie Father which to declare thy readines in hearing of sinners most mercifullie hast said that before they crie I will answer and whilest they are yet in thinking what to speake I will heare vouchsafe we beseech thee for the same thy great mercies sake fauourablie to heare our requests and gratiouslie grant all these our poore petitions which we haue asked of thee not trusting in our owne righteousnesse which we acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled but onlie in thy manifold mercies and promises And grant that at what time soeuer thy good spirit doth mooue vs to call vpon thee we may aske such things and in such sort as thou requirest to thy honor and glorie our neighbors profit and our owne soules health through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or thus for a conclusion of the whole praiers O My good God which hast commanded all men to call vpon thee in all their troubles need and necessitie and hast promised so to heare them and deliuer them that they shall praise thee and hast promised to be prest and readie at hand to all such as feare thee and call vpon thee faithfullie and that thou wilt fulfill their desires and helpe them now I haue called vpon thee not in mine owne woorthinesse for to me belongeth nothing but wrath shame and confusion but in the name and woorthinesse of thy sweet Sonne Iesus Christ mine onlie mediator and aduocate For vnto thee belongeth mercie and forgiuenesse Oh deere God I beseech thee for his sake forgiue me all my sinnes increase my faith purge my corruption helpe mine infirmitie confirme mine hope and grant me all those things that I haue praied for and all other things that thou knowest to be most necessarie profitable and expedient for me and thy whole Church although mine infirmitie dare not and my blindnesse can not aske them so as the same may redound to thy glorie and profit of thy Church the reformation of my life and mine assured saluation and consolation in thy Sonne Iesus Christ mine onelie Lord Mediator and Sauiour in whose name I beseech thee Our Father which art c. EVENING praiers and first At the Sunne setting praie O Sunne of righteousnesse euermore arising and neuer going downe O brightnesse of perpetuall charitie euer shining and neuer darkened In this Euening now the Sunne hath run his course and is going downe and the daie being farre spent it draweth towards night I praie thee de part not thou from vs neither let the Sunne of thy grace set or cease to giue light vnto our soules but that in thee we may abide and alwaies haue daie light most cleerelie in our minds to knowe loue and praise thee perpetuallie in the vision of that light where thou the Sunne of all glorie dooest euerlastinglie shine vpon thine elect making them to shine as the Sunne before thee where the Sunne shall not go down by daie nor the Moone lie hid by night For there shall be no night neither light of the Sunne or Moone but thou O Lord our God shalt be our euerlasting light and inlighten vs with vnspeakable glorie for euer Amen Lord let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath but make vs to feare thee as long as the Sunne and Moone endureth Meditation THinke now of the brittle state of the world the glorie whereof like the Sunne or Moone is verie vnconstant variable and now vp now downe but the goodnesse of God onelie is permanent and endureth for euer Thinke also that as it is no gréefe for vs to sée the
God Grant also that both being in bed asleepe and awake we may alwaies remember our death which is a passing to an immortall life and withall our ioifull resurrection to euerlasting glorie Finallie at our last gaspe when our harts pant our strength faileth our sight departeth our hearing is deafe our mouth dumbe when our feet cannot go nor our hands feele when all our senses forsake vs giue vs O blessed Trinitie some sense of eternall life that we may tast in this world the beginning of thine euerlasting ioie and at our departure out of this world behold by faith thy diuine presence and so sleepe quietlie to eternall life Amen Amen Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord into thy hands we commend our soules because thou hast redeemed vs. Lord Iesu receiue our spirits At mid-night if you happen to awake praie HAue mercie vpon me O God after thy great goodnesse according to the multitude of thy mercies doo awaie mine offenses Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane hart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me I will remember thee O God in my bed and thinke vpon thee now that I am waking because thou hast beene mine helper Euen now in the night season while thou holdest mine eies waking I saie will I thinke of thee my creator and make my praiers vnto thee my redeemer and God of my life that my soule may not refuse hir comfort In my bed now by night will I seeke thee whom my soule loueth O let me find thee and my soule embrace thee For with my soule doo I desire thee now in the night season and with my spirit within me will I seeke thee in the morning Yea at mid-night I will arise vp to giue thanks vnto thee O Lord because of thy righteous iudgements and in the night watches I will lift vp my hands towards thy holie place and blesse thee and powre out my hart before thee and saie Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie on me a most miserable sinner From the snares of the diuell O Lord deliuer me from the mid-night euill defend me and in the houre of death helpe me Our father which art in heauen c. Meditation AT mid-night there was a crie made Behold the bridegrome commeth go out to meet him blessed are those virgins whom the Lord when he commeth shall find waking O my soule let vs therfore take héed watch and praie that wée may bée found prepared with our Lamps burning readie to enter with our spouse and Lord Iesus vnto the wedding In the night when you heare the clocke strike praie THE clocke of our conscience dooth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand O mercifull God grant vnto me therefore I beseech thee a happie houre blessed departure out of this life whensoeuer it shall please thee to call me hence and cause my soule to flie out of this bodie Be mercifull vnto me O God be mercifull vnto me a most miserable sinner and deliuer me from the houre of temptation death and damnation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Meditation HE that hath ears to heare let him heare The daie of the Lord will come as a théefe in the night Watch therefore because yée know neither the daie the time nor the houre when the sonne of man will come to iudgement VVhen you giue your selfe to sleepe againe and commend your selfe last to God Praie INto the hands of thy vnspeakable mercie O Lord I commend my wretched soule and bodie my senses speech counsell thoughts works all things belonging vnto me my lieng downe and rising vp my faith and conuersation the whole course and end of my life the daie and houre of my departure out of this world finallie my death buriall rest and resurrection beseeching thee O Lord now suffer mine eies to sleepe mine eie lids to slumber the temples of my head to take some rest that my bed may comfort me and my couch giue me some refreshing Grant that I may so sleepe gouerne and end my life that I may sleepe in peace and rest in thee Sticke thou to me O my God euen to the end that sleepe with rest and rest with quietnesse quietnesse with euerlastingnesse may receiue me For lo I giue my selfe once againe to sleepe and rest in the name of thee O Father Sonne and holie Ghost euermore crieng and saieng Haue mercie on me O glorious Deitie Haue mercie on me O triumphant humanitie Haue mercy on me O blessed Trinitie and receiue my spirit yea rather thy spirit into thy holy hands send me a ioifull resurrection with all thy Saints elect people Amen Amen The Conclusion NOt vnto vs O Alpha not vnto vs O Omega but vnto thy name O Iehoua be giuen all the glorie for thy louing mercie and for thy truths sake For thou hast directed the thoughts of our harts and prospered the works of our hands vpon vs euen thou I saie O Lord hast gouerned all our counsels enterprises from heauen hast gratiouslie wrought all our works for vs. O let our mouthes therfore be filled with thy praise and make vs continuallie thankefull that we may giue woorthie honor and glorie to thée for so great graces and manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs. And now forsomuch as thou hast giuen euerie one of vs that portion of thy graces that hath pleased thée and hast commanded vs to occupie and vse them to thy honor till thou come grant vs whether we haue receiued little or much that we doo not idelie or slothfullie neglect our dutie herein Suffer vs not I saie O swéet Christ with the rest of the world to fall asléep in the pleasant vanities of this life and to forget the waiting for thy comming but rather stirre vs vp by thy holie spirit faithfullie to vse thy gifts giuen vnto vs and in all warie watching fasting and earnest praier continuallie to prosper and go forward in our holie calling prouoking one another by good example to followe thée in true worship and due obedience and grant that all ambition vaine glorie hypocrisie and dissimulation being remooued our chéefe care may be in all our dooings studies and labours euer to séeke the increase of thine honor and the aduancement of thy kingdome and so with a single eie respecting the praise which is of thée looke and wait for the reward and recompense of our labours not of men but of thée that in that daie of thy second comming which shall be sudden and fearefull to the wicked we may with ioie and comfort méet thy sonne in the aire and when thou shalt heare our accounts we may also receiue of thée through our redéemer Iesus not onlie praise and commendation as thy good and faithfull seruants whose liues are hid in thée but also obtaine the finall
gods Alas how haue I violated this holie pure and most high precept and commandment of the loue of God Which precept bindeth me to loue him with my whole hart mind force strength and vnderstanding And I like vnto an euill wicked and disobedient child haue giuen my will power and senses to the contrarie making almost of euerie earthlie and carnall thing a god Furthermore the bloud of Christ was not reputed by me sufficient for to wash me from the filth of my sinnes neither such waies as he had appointed by his word but I sought for such riffraffe as the Bishop of Rome hath planted in his tyrannie and kingdome trusting with great confidence by the vertue and holinesse of them to receiue full remission of my sinnes And so I did as much as was in me obfuscate and darken the great benefit of Christes passion than the which no thought can conceiue anie thing of more value There cannot be done so great an iniurie and displeasure to almightie God our father as to tread vnder foote Christ his onlie begotten and welbeloued sonne All other sinnes in the world gathered together in one be not so heinous and detestable in the sight of God And no wonder For in Christ crucified God doth shewe himselfe most noble and glorious euen an almightie God and most louing father in his onlie deare and chosen blessed sonne And therefore I count my selfe one of the most wicked and miserable sinners in the world bicause I haue beene so much contrarie to Christ my sauiour Saint Paule desired to knowe nothing but Christ crucified after he had beene rapt into the third heauen where he heard such secrets as were not conuenient meete to vtter to men but counted all his works and doings as nothing to win Christ And I most presumptuouslie thinking nothing of Christ crucified went about to set foorth mine owne righteousnesse saieng with the proud Pharisie Good Lord I thanke thee I am not like other men I am none adulterer nor fornicator and so foorth with such like words of vaine glorie extolling my selfe and despising others working as an hired seruant for wages or else for reward and not as a louing child onlie for verie loue without respect of wages or reward as I ought to haue done Neither did I consider how beneficiall a father I had who did shew me his charitie and mercie of his owne meere grace and goodnesse that when I was most his enimie he sent his onlie begotten and welbeloued sonne into this world of wretchednesse and miserie to suffer most cruell and sharpe death for my redemption But my hart was so stonie and hard that this great benefit was neuer trulie and liuelie printed in my hart although with my words it was oft rehearsed thinking my selfe to be sufficientlie instructed in the same and being in deede in blinde ignorance and yet I stoode so well in mine owne iudgement and opinion that I thought it vaine to seeke the increase of my knowledge therein Paule calleth Christ the wisdome of God and euen the same Christ was to me foolishnesse My pride and blindnesse deceiued me and the hardnesse of my hart withstoode the groning of truth within it Such were the fruits of my carnall and humane reasons to haue rotten ignorance in price for ripe seasonable knowledge such also is the malice and wickednesse that possesseth the harts of men such is the wisdome and pleasing of the flesh I professed Christ in my baptisme when I began to liue but I swarued from him after baptisme in continuance of my liuing euen as the heathen which neuer had begun Christ was innocent and void of all sinne and I wallowed in filthie sinne and was free from no sinne Christ was obedient vnto his father euen to the death of the crosse and I disobedient and most stubborne euen to the confusion of truth Christ was meeke and humble in hart and I most proud and vaine-glorious Christ despised the world with all the vanities therof and I make it my God because of the vanities Christ came to serue his brethren and I coueted to rule ouer them Christ despised worldlie honour and I much delighted to attaine the same Christ loued the base and simple things of the world and I esteemed the most faire and pleasant things Christ loued pouertie and I wealth Christ was gentle and mercifull to the poore and I hard-harted and vngentle Christ praied for his enimies and I hated mine Christ reioiced in the conuersion of sinners and I was not greeued to see their reuersion to sinne By this declaration all creatures may perceiue how far I was from Christ and without Christ yea how contrarie to Christ although I bare the name of a Christian Insomuch that if anie man had said I had beene without Christ I would haue stiffelie denied and withstoode the same and yet in deede I neither knew Christ nor wherefore he came As concerning the effect and purpose of his comming I had a certaine vaine and blind knowledge both cold and dead which may be had with all sinne as doth plainelie appeare by this my confession and open declaration The second Chapter A lamentation of a sinner with hartie repentance in faith to obtaine absolution and remission through the merits of Christ. WHat cause now haue I to lament sigh and weepe for my life time so euill spent With how much humilitie and lowlinesse ought I to come and knowledge my sinnes to God giuing him thanks that it hath pleased him of his aboundant goodnesse to giue me time of repentance For I knowe my sinnes in the consideration of them to be so greeuous and in the number so exceeding that I haue deserued verie often eternall damnation And for the deferring of Gods wrath so manifoldlie due I must vncessantlie giue thanks to the mercie of God beseeching also that the same delaie of punishment cause not his plague to be the sorer since mine owne conscience condemneth my former doings But his mercie exceedeth all iniquitie And if I should not thus hope alas what should I seeke for refuge and comfort No mortall man is of power to help me and for the multitude of my sinnes I dare not lift vp mine eies to heauen where the seate of iudgement is I haue so much offended my God What Shall I fall in desperation Naie I will call vpon Christ the light of the world the fountaine of life the reliefe of all carefull consciences the peacemaker betweene God and man and the onlie health and comfort of all true repentant sinners He can by his almightie power saue me and deliuer me out of this miserable state and hath will by his mercie to saue euen the whole sin of the world I haue no hope nor confidence in anie creature neither in heauen nor earth but in Christ my whole onlie Sauiour He came into the world to saue sinners and to heale them that are sicke For he said The whole haue no neede
the goodnesse of God! They go also thinking and saieng further He that hath sinned may be one of Gods elect peraduenture the Lord hath suffered him to fall to the intent he may the better knowe himselfe I knowe he is one of them that Christ hath shed his bloud for and one of my Christian brethren trulie I will admonish and rebuke him and in case I find him desperate I will comfort him and shewe him the great goodnesse and mercie of God in Christ and with godlie consolations I will see if I can lift him vp And thus ye may see how the men regenerated by Christ of euerie thing win and receiue fruit The ninth Chapter Of the fruits of infidelitie and offence of weakelings AND contrariwise the yonglings and vnperfect are offended at small trifles taking euerie thing in euill part grudging and murmuring against their neighbor and so much the more as they shew themselues feruent in their so doing they are iudged of the blind world and of themselues great zeale-bearers to God If this were the greatest euill of these yonglings it were not the most euill But I feare they be so blind and ignorant that they are offended also at good things iudge nothing good but such as they embrace and esteeme to bee good with murmuring against all such as folowe not their waies If there be anie of this sort the Lord giue them the light of his truth that they may increase and growe in godlie strength I suppose if such yonglings and vnperfect had seene Christ and his Disciples eate meate with vnwashen hands or not to haue fasted with the Pharisies they would haue beene offended seeing him a breaker of mens traditions Their affections dispose their eies to see through other men and they see nothing in themselues where charitie although it be most ful of eies to see the faults of others whome it coueteth to amend thinketh none euill but discreetlie and rightlie interpreteth all things by the which more iustlie and trulie euerie thing is taken Now these superstitious weaklings if they had been conuersant with Christ and seene him leade his life sometime with women sometime with Samaritanes with Publicanes sinners and with the Pharisies they would haue murmured at him Also if they had seene Marie powre vpon Christ the pretious ointment they would haue said with Iudas This ointment might haue beene sold and giuen to the poore If they also had seene Christ with whips driue out of the Temple those that bought and sold they would foorthwith haue iudged Christ to haue beene troubled and moued with anger and not by zeale of charitie How would they haue beene offended if they had seene him go to the Iewes feast heale a sicke man vpon the sabboth daie practise with the woman of Samaria yea shew vnto hir of his most diuine doctrine life They would haue taken occasion to haue hated persecuted him as the Scribes and Pharisies did and euen so should Christ the Sauiour of the world haue beene to them an offence and ruine There be an other kind of little ones vnperfecte which are offended after this sort and maner As when they see one that is reputed and esteemed holie to commit sinne forthwith they learne to do that and woorse and waxe cold in dooing of good and confirme themselues in euill and then they excuse their wicked life publishing the same with the slander of their neighbor If anie man reprooue them they saie Such a man did this and woorse So it is euident that such persons would denie Christ if they sawe other men doe the same If they went to Rome and sawe the enormities of the Prelates which is said to reigne there among them I doubt not if they sawe one of them sinne which were reputed and taken for holie their faith should be lost but not the faith of Christ which they neuer possessed but they should loose that humane opinion which they had of the goodnesse of the Prelates For if they had the faith of Christ the holie Ghost should be a witnes vnto them the which should be mightie in them that in case all the world would denie Christ yet they would remaine firme and stable in the true faith The Pharisies also tooke occasion of the euill of others to waxe hautie and proud taking themselues to be men of greater perfection than anie other bicause of their vertue euen as the Pharisie did when he sawe the Publicans submission And so they be offended with euerie little thing iudging euill murmuring against their neighbour and for the same they are of manie reputed and taken for the more holie and good whereas in deed they be the more wicked The most wicked persons are offended euen at themselues For at their little stabilitie in goodnesse and of their delectable and euill life they take occasion to despaire where they ought the more to commit themselues to God asking mercie for their offences and foorthwith to giue thanks that it hath pleased him of his goodnesse to suffer them so long a time But what needeth it anie more to saie The euill men are offended euen at the works of God they see God suffer sinners therefore thinke they sinne displeaseth him not And bicause they see not the good rewarded with riches oftentimes they imagine that God loueth them not It seemeth to them God is parciall bicause he hath elected some and some reprooued And therefore they saie that the elected be sure of saluation taking by that occasion to doo euill inough saieng Whatsoeuer God hath determined shall be performed If also they see the good men oppressed and the euill men exalted they iudge God vniust taking occasion to liue euillie saieng Inasmuch as God fauoureth the naughtie men let vs doo euill inough to the intent he doo vs good If then the wicked be offended euen at God it is no woonder if they be offended at those that followe and walke in his paths and waies The tenth Chapter Of carnall gospellers by whose euill liuing Gods truth is shamefullie slandered IWill now speake with great dolor and heauinesse in my hart of a sort of people which be in the world that be called professors of the Gospell and by their words doo declare and shew they be much affected to the same But I am afraid some of them doo build vpon the sand as Simon Magus did making a weake foundation I meane they make not Christ their chiefest foundation professing his doctrine of a sincere pure and zealous mind but either for bicause they would be called gospellers to procure some credit and good opinion of the true and verie fauourers of Christs doctrine either to find out some carnall libertie either to be contentious disputers finders or rebukers of other mens faults or else finallie to please and flatter the world Such gospellers are an offence and a slander to the word of God and make the wicked to reioice laugh at them saieng Behold I praie
and euer and especiallie all things that shall turne to thy displeasure And with all my hart I thanke thee most mercifull Lord for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed vpon me largelie in this world afore manie creatures which are more woorthie a thousand times than I but my most gratious Lord I wot and knowledge verelie that all good gifts doo come freelie from thee of thine abundant mercie Wherefore with all my hart I thanke thee and all worship praises and thanks be to thee and none other Therefore I saie with the Prophet Dauid Not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy name be giuen all honour glorie Also I commit to thy mercie mine enimies persecutors and slanderers beseeching thee to turne their harts and to giue vs grace one to forgiue another from the verie botome of our harts that from hence-foorth we may liue in loue and charitie to thy glorie and to the increase of thy kingdome I doo commit to thy mercie our Queene Elizabeth and this Realme beseeching thee to incline hir hart to all godlinesse and vertue that she may long reigne ouer vs in peace and tranquillitie to liue in thy feare and call vpon thy holie name and to be readie at all times to set foorth thy blessed lawes and commandements and that thou O omnipotent God with thy mightie hand and stretched out arme wilt confound all Idolatrie and superstition and set vp thy true and holie religion that thy faithfull seruants may triumph and reioice in thee with merie harts and sing vnto thy praise that this the mightie hand of GOD hath brought to passe and to thy name giue the honour and glorie to whome all honour and glorie is due I doo commit vnto thy mercie all those that in this transitorie life be in sorowe sicknesse neede tribulation or anie other aduersitie and speciallie all those that for the profession of thy Gospell and the defence of the saine doo put their liues vnto the edge of the sword O Lord for thy mercies sake forgiue them and vs our offences past comfort them in their greeuous afflictions strengthen them in their weakenesse send them patience in their tribulations abate the pride of their and our enimies asswage the malice of them confound their wicked deuises that we and they being armed with thy mightie defence may be preserued euermore from perils to glorifie thee which art the onlie giuer of all victorie through y e merits of Christ So be it I commit to thy mercie all those that doo faithfullie professe thy holie Gospell beseeching thee to giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawes that by well dooing we may stop the mouthes of the vngodlie aduersaries of the Gospell and thereby win them to the right waie that we may all with one hart and one mouth glorifie thee O Lord God in the daie of visitation to whome all honour and glorie is due And now O my most mercifull Lord and louing father I finallie commit vnto thy mercie my wretched soule and bodie humblie beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great bountifull mercie and according to the multitude of thy tender compassions doo awaie I beseech thee my most greeuous iniquities Unto God the father the sonne and the holie Ghost be now and euer eternall honour and glorie world without end Amen A praier at night going to bed THe God of Angels and men the founder of all creatures visible and inuisible in whose hand is life and death light and darknesse and all the motions of soule and bodie without whome there is no good gift nor perfect quietnesse of conscience but onlie vanitie and vexation of mind and vtter confusion of soule and bodie and finall torments in the horrible pit of darknesse now my Lord God darknesse doth approch this daie hath lost his beautie I as vnworthie of thy benefits most humblie praie thee this night to blesse me and with thy holie Angels assist me thy holie spirit this night lighten me which hast of earth made me and by thy creatures doest nourish me and with thy bloud hast consecrated me with thee to dwell eternallie in glorie when death hath dissolued me which am but vanitie c. And banish Sathan from me that neither mine owne conscience now vexe me nor mine old offences trouble me I most humblie beseech thee this night to pardon me which haue sore offended thee in thought word and deede against thy diuine maiestie which sore repenteth me Saue me good Lord this night sleeping from dreadfull dreames and painefull slumber deliuer me that I may awake in Christ and rest in peace So be it The Hymne or praier for night PRaise ye the Lord his seruants all lift vp to him your hands The night singers in Gods courts in all Christian lands Praise we the Lord our God king which made the earth heuen His blessing be on vs this night which made the planets seuen Into thy hands O Lord our God our soules we do commend This night from sinne Sathans power thy mercie vs defend We laud thee Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three Amen Another Hymne or praier to be said when ye go to bed I Go to bed I hope to sléepe God knoweth when I shall rise My soule O Lord defend and kéep from it turne not thine eies This daie I haue committed sinne a hundred times and more I was conceiued and borne therein forgiue me Lord therefore To thée I will my soule betake sinfull it is to sée For I do knowe thou canst it make as pure as néede to bée Forgiue me mine offences all my soule Lord do not kill To thée I will betake my soule accept my zealous will Thy pardon Lord I trust to haue as Dauid had and mo My soule I trust thou wilt now saue from death damned wo. In thée O God I put my trust to guide and aide me still To kéepe me alwaies true and iust according to thy will Thou God of might great renowme I trust thou wilt me kéepe Lord with thy leaue I will lie downe to take my rest and sléepe So be it M. W. The Antheme WE looke for our sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ which shall change our vile bodie that it may be like to his glorious bodie according to the power whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe Amen Let vs praie Lord haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lord haue mercie vpon vs. * Our Father which art in heauen c. VIsit we beseech thee O Lord this our dwelling and driue from it all the assaults of our enimie let thy holie Angels dwel in it which may keepe vs all this night in thy peace and euer let thy blessing be vpon vs. Grant this O most mercifull father for thy sonnes sake Iesus Christ who with thee and
and to obey thy good will to the end that by this means all our works may be to the praise of thy name and to the edifieng of our neighbours And as it hath pleased thee to cause thy Sunne to shine vpon the earth to lighten vs corporallie vouchsafe also by the cleerenesse of thy spirit to illuminate our vnderstandings and our hearts to direct vs vnto the streight waie of righteousnesse Euen so to what thing soeuer we may applie our selues let our chiefe end purpose be alwaies to walke in thy feare to serue and honour thee looking for all our wealth and prosperitie from out of thy holie blessing to the end we enterprise nothing which shall not be agreeable vnto thee Moreouer let vs so trauell for our bodie and for the life present that we alwaie haue a further regard namelie to the life of heauen which thou hast promised vnto thy children Neuerthelesse let it please thee to be our protector both touching the bodie and touching the soule strengthening vs against all temptations of the diuell and deliuering vs from all the dangers that may come vnto vs. And because there is nothing well begun which doth not continue vouchsafe to receiue vs into thy holie gouernance not onlie for this present daie but for our whole life continuing and increasing dailie thy grace in vs till thou hast brought vs vnto the full coniunction of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who is the true Sun-light of our soules shining daie and night without end perpetuallie And to the intent that we may obteine these graces of thee O vouchsafe to forget all our faults past pardoning vs them through thine infinite mercie as thou hast promised vnto all them that seeke thee with a good heart Heare vs O father of mercie for thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake So be it Out of the 143 Psalme 8 Let vs heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning for in thee is our trust O shew vs the waie that we should walke in for we haue lift vp our hart vnto thee 9 Deliuer vs O Lord from our enimies for we haue cried vnto thee 10 Teach vs to doo thy will for thou art our God A praier to saie before one begin his worke THE Lord God and Father vouchsafe to assist vs through his holie spirit and by him to gouerne and guide vs in such sort as all that we shall doo saie or thinke may be to his glorie in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it Another praier to the same purpose O Our God Father and Sauiour seeing it hath pleased thee to command vs to trauell for the sustentation of our necessitie vouchsafe through thy grace so to blesse our labour that thy blessing may extend vnto vs without the which also we are not able to continue And let such fauour of thine serue vs for a testimonie of thy bountifulnesse and assistance and that we by the same may knowe the fatherlie care which thou hast for vs. Moreouer let it please thee O Lord to assist vs by thy holie spirit to the end that we may be faithfullie exercised in our estate and vocation without anie guile or deceit but that we rather regard to followe thine ordinance than to satisfie our owne desire of gaine And if it please thee to prosper our labor giue vs also a willing mind to succour those that are in necessitie according to the abilitie which thou hast granted vs so yet that we mind not to lift vp our selues aboue those which haue not receiued of thee such liberalitie And when thou wilt handle vs with greater pouertie and necessitie than our flesh shall desire let it please thee O Lord to shew vs this grace euen to knowe that thou through thy bountifulnes wilt continuallie nourish vs least we be tempted with mistrust but that we patientlie abide vntill thou replenish vs not onelie with thy corporall gifts but also with thy spirituall graces that we may still haue more ample matter and occasion to thanke thee sincerelie to staie our selues vpon thine onlie goodnesse Heare vs O Father of all mercie through thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord So be it A praier to saie afore one begin to studie his lesson Out of the 119 Psalme verses 9 18 34. WHerewithall shall a yoong man redresse his waie Euen in taking heede therevnto according to thy word Open thou mine eies that I may see the maruellous works of thy lawe O giue me vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy lawe yea I shall keepe it with my whole hart O Lord which art the fountaine of all wisdome and knowledge seeing it hath pleased thee to giue mee the meanes to be instructed in the age of mine infancie to make mee knowe how to gouerne the whole course of my life holilie and honestlie vouchsafe also to illuminate mine vnderstanding which of it selfe is blind that it may comprehend the learning which shall be taught me O vouchsafe to confirme my memorie for to keepe it well O let it be thy pleasure to dispose my hart to receiue it willinglie and with such a desire as is conuenient that through mine ingratitude the occasion that thou offerest me be not lost For to doo this vouchsafe to powre vpon me thy holie spirit the spirit I saie of all vnderstanding veritie iudgment prudence and learning which may make me able to profit well to the end that the trauell which shall be taken to teach me be not lost And to what studie soeuer I applie my selfe make me to reduce it vnto the true end namelie to knowe thee in our Lord Iesus Christ to haue full affiance of saluation and life in thy grace and to serue thee vprightlie purelie according to thy good pleasure so as all that I shall learne may be as an instrument to aid me vnto the same And seeing thou promisest to giue wisdome vnto babes and to the humble and to confound the proud in the vanitie of their owne minds likewise to shew thy selfe vnto those that are of a right hart and contrarilie to blind the wicked peruerse vouchsafe to bring me vnto true humilitie whereby I may yeeld my selfe apt to learne and obedient first vnto thee secondlie to my superiours whom thou hast ordeined to rule and to teach me Furthermore vouchsafe to dispose my hart to seeke thee without feinednesse renouncing all carnall and euil affections and that in such sort I may prepare my selfe now to serue thee once in that estate vocation to the which it shall please thee to ordeine me when I shall come to age Heare me O Father of mercie through our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Psalme 25. verse 13. THe Lord sheweth his secrets vnto them that feare him and maketh them to knowe his couenant A praier or grace to saie afore meate ALl things wait vpon thee O Lord and thou giuest them meate in due season when thou giuest it them they gather it and
raged blasphemed and conspired against thee O GOD and thy truth like hypocrites against mee and my Crowne like traitours and against their Common-wealth and countrie like spoilers and that for no offence of mine to themward LORD thou knowest but onelie of cruell spite they beare mee bicause in truth I professe thy Christian religion and seeke by establishing the same through good and godlie lawes to serue thee zealouslie sincerelie and purelie according to the rule and veritie of thine eternall word Which thy great benefits when I well consider togither with mine vnwoorthinesse thereof I am euen forced with my father DAVID to giue humble thanks and to blesse thee before all the congregation and saie Blessed be thou O LORD GOD of Israel our Father for euer and euer Thine O LORD is greatnesse and power and glorie and victorie and praise For all that is in heauen and in earth is thine Thine is the kingdome O LORD and thou excellest as head ouer all Both riches and honour come of thee and thou reignest ouer all and in thine hand is power and strength in thine hand I saie O mightie GOD it is to make great and to giue strength vnto all now therefore I thanke thee and praise thy glorious name for euer But who am I O Lord GOD and what is my people that thou hast brought mee to this honour and thus redeemed and deliuered both mee and thy people out of thrall vnto thy selfe and art beecome our GOD Dooth this apperteine to man O LORD Or commeth not this rather of thy free mercie more than of anie our woorthinesse And what can ELIZABETH saie more vnto thee For thou Lord God knowest thy seruant euen for thy words sake according to thine owne hart hast thou made my fountaine become a floud and my light to shine as the sunne and done all these great things to make them knowne vnto thy seruant Now therefore for this thy gratious fauour after so long restraint so great dangers ouerpassed such blusterous storms ouerblowne so many iniuries digested wrongs susteined by thy mightie protection O mercifull God to my no small comfort thy peoples commoditie in exalting erecting and bringing me out of thrall to libertie out of darknesse into light out of danger to peace and quietnesse from dread to dignitie from miserie to maiestie from mourning to ruling breeflie of a prisoner to make me a Prince and to place me in the roiall throne there to sit as Queene now full 24. yeeres in the admirable rest blessed quietnesse and long peace which I now enioie For this thy diuine wisdome O heauenlie father in vnfolding reuealing frustrating the proud platformes peeuish practises of Achitophels all mine enimes For this thy meere mercie O deere Christ in spacing me and my people so long frō the bloudie hands of spoilers oppressors traitors vsurpers For this thy heauenlie prouidence O holie Ghost in preuenting their diuelish purposes and so gratiously protecting preseruing and defending me as wel before I was Queene as since from so extreme miseries and manifold dangers as also frō the hands and violences of al mine enimies visible inuisible domesticall foraine Finallie for these for all other thy great graces singular blessings and mestimable benefits principall vertues spirituall corporall O glorious Trinitie which through the mercie merits of my sweet Sauior Iesus Christ thou hertofore frō my birth hast presentlie dooest or hereafter vnto my death shalt bountifullie bestowe vpon me and my people I most hartilie laud entirelie magnifie and incessantlie extoll thy most high holie and renowmed name and sacred Princelie Maiestie And as I meeklie euen of dutie from the bottome of my hart render vnto thee my GOD and my King all condigne honour woorthie praise and possible thanks togither with the vnfeined resignation of all empire kingdome power rule dominion maiestie and glorie both in heauen and in earth as to thee onlie and most iustlie belongeth so now I most humblie and hartilie beseech thy diuine Maiestie O excellent Father and most mercifull GOD to haue mercie vpon me thine humble handmaid and sinfull seruant And be not prouoked good Lord with my sinnes nor with the sinnes of my parents people to giue vs ouer to the lust of our enimies Make vs not a reproch vnto the foolish nor let our aduersaries in our ouerthrowe triumph against vs saieng Where is now their God But of thy rich mercie and woonted compassion in Christ Iesu forgiue me my sinnes both old and new both secret and open both past present and to come yea from both mine owne and others faults O God I beseech thee deliuer me and cast all mine offences into the bottomlesse depth out of thy remembrance and sight for euer making the crosse and passion the death and resurrection of thy most deere and onlie sonne my sweete Sauiour and onlie Redeemer Iesus Christ the righteous and immaculate Lambe most effectuall in mee to all vertue godlinesse of life and pietie as best becommeth thy daughter thy virgin thine annointed and elect vessell of honour That to all other thy good graces bountifull benefits alredie shewed towards me the which of thine accustomed goodnesse I beseech thee to confirme finish and worke out in mee as thou hast gratiouslie begun and continue towards mee to the end according to thy good pleasure with such further increase thereof from time to time as best shall serue to the setting foorth of thy glorie the benefit of thy Church to all posteritie mine eternall peace in Christ Iesus the Prince of peace Grant I saie O Lord this also may be added namelie that as it hath pleased thee in thy secret wisdome to quicken me that was Tanquam ouis euen as a seelie sheepe or lambe led to be slaine to raise me vp out of the dust and mire of persecution to lift me vp out of the pit and dungeon and to set me the chiefe of the Princes of this land and to make mee meete to inherīt the seate of glorie yea to build me the chiefe and head piller of this thy Church of England France and Ireland wherevpon the whole bodie of thy Saints therein doo staie themselues in thy blessed peace and vnitie As I saie it is thy good will not my deserts to exalt the horne of thine annointed to appoint me a fraile woman thy Lieutenant here on earth and to giue power vnto thy QVEENE to iudge the ends of thy dominions and execute thine office here amongst thy people for a space in the regall seate of iustice and mercie so vouchsafe thou O gratious God and louing Father in like mercie to powre downe continuallie vpon me all those thy speciall good gifts princelie vertues and heauenlie graces fit for this my so high calling that being plentiouslie indued therewith the bright shining beames thereof as from a glittering Star in the firmament or the glorious Sunne in his orient arising to the
assist me most puissant Prince of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may be truelie able to aduance iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseech thee thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience towards mee thy minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holie spirit that I may perseuere in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Grant this oh mightie God of hosts for the merits and passion of thy deere sonne my Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ AMEN The praier of King SALOMON for Wisdome to gouerne well Wisd 9. O GOD of my fathers and Lord of mercie which hast made all things with thy word and ordeined man through thy wisdome that he should haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made and gouerne the world according to equitie and righteousnesse and execute iudgement with an vpright hart Giue me wisdome which is euer sitting aboue thy seate and put me not out from among thy children For I thy seruant and handmaid am a feeble person and of a short time and yet lesse in the vnderstanding of iudgements and the lawes And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdome be not with him he shall be nothing regarded Thou hast chosen me to be a QVEENE vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Thou hast commanded mee to maintaine thy Church which from the beginning thou hast chosen Oh send out of thy holie heauens therefore vnto me that thy wisdome wherewith thou madest the world gouernest thy works and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight right in thy commandements Send hir I saie from the throne of thy Maiestie that shee may be with mee and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandements For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all things and she shall leade me soberlie in all my works and preserue mee by hir power and glorie so shall my works be acceptable and then shall I gouern thy people righteouslie and be well and woorthie to sit in my fathers throne Amen Holie Praiers and godlie Meditations desciphering in Alphabeticall forme the Roiall name of our vertuous Souereigne Queene ELIZABETH properlie to be vsed of hir Maiestie ELIZABETH E ENter not into iudgement with thy seruant O LORD for no flesh is righteous in thy sight PSALME 143 verse 2. O GOD which dwellest in light that no man can attaine O God which art hid and canst not be seene with bodilie eies nor comprehended with anie vnderstanding neither expressed with the tongue of men or Angels O my God what is it to be righteous in thy sight It is that wee should bee without sinne before thee which no man euer was since the fall of Adam For which cause the holie Prophet DAVID saith in this wise Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight O vnhappie that I am loden and burdened with sinne who shall haue pitie or compassion on mee or whither shall I go My sinnes are euer before me mine vnrighteousnesse condemneth me What shall I doo Shall I despaire God forbid For mercifull meeke and louing is my Sauiour My refuge therfore shall be in my God for certaine I am he will not forsake his owne image neither wil he forsake the worke of his owne hands Wherfore most meeke louing and mercifull Father to thee come I all sad and sorowfull But what shall I saie vnto thee I will saie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for no flesh is righteous in thy sight And againe I will with the Prophet powre out before thee the words of sorrowe I will hartilie beseech thee saieng Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me according to thy great mercie not after the mercie of men but after thy great mercie which is incomprehensible which is vnmeasurable and which passeth all sinnes without comparison According therefore vnto that thy great mercie by the which thou hast so loued the world that thou gauest thy sonne for it by the which thou hast taken awaie all our sinnes by the which through his crosse thou hast lightened all men by the which also thou hast restored all things in heauen and in earth wash me I saie O Lord wash me in his bloud restore me in his resurrection and iustifie me by thy grace and fauour and the redemption which is in Christ AMEN L LORD looke thou no more on my sinnes but according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities Psal 51. verse 1. THy mercie O Lord is the abundance of pitie thy compassions are the works and processe of thy mercie by the one thou lookest gentlie on the poore and wretched by the other thou forgiuest the multitude of sinnes O sweet and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ the sorowfull and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet she washed them with hir bitter teares she wiped them with the heares of hir head thou forgauest all hir sinnes and sentest hir awaie in peace this was good Lord one of thy compassions Peter thrise denied thee and forsooke thee with an oth thou mercifullie lookedst on him and he beholding thee bitterlie wept and thou Lord forgauest him which was another of thy compassions The theefe on the Crosse was saued with one word Paule in the furious madnesse of persecution was called and by and by was filled with the holie Ghost these all Lord are thy pitifull compassions Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD with whome is no alteration neither shadowe of change and sith there is but one Mediatour and attonement betweene God and man that is Christ Iesus which endureth for euer why doost thou not powre out thy plentious compassions vpon vs as well as thou didst vpon our forefathers Why standest thou so far O Lord and hidest thy face in the needfull tune of trouble Hast thou forsaken vs Or are all thy mercies spent and none left O Lord my God I hartilie beseech thee most humblie praie thee that thou wilt according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe awaie all mine iniquities that as thou hast drawne and receiued innumerable sinners vnto thee and hast made them righteous in thy sight euen so thou wilt vouchsafe to drawe and take me and also to make mee righteous through thy grace and so to clense and purifie my hart that after all mine iniquities and vncleannesse put out it may be as a cleane table in the which thy finger O GOD may write the lawe of thy loue and charitie AMEN I IN the daie of trouble I will call on thee ô LORD Psa 120 vers 1. Because thou hast said In what houre so euer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes I will no more
saie There is no helpe for him in his God AMEN E EStablish me ô LORD with a free and principall spirit and restore vnto mee the ioie of thy sauing health Psalme 51 verse 12. IT is a great thing O heauenlie father that I desire of thee seeing thou art a great Lord and King aboue all gods He doth thee iniurie which asketh of thee small things and he which asketh of thee bodilie things asketh but vaine trifles He therefore that desireth spirituall things desireth great things but he that desireth thy ioie and sauing health desireth the greatest thing thou hast to giue What is thy sauing health but Iesus Christ thy onlie sonne which is verie God and euerlasting life And forsomuch as thou hast bin so louing and liberall a father as to giue him vnto the death of the crosse and there to offer him for me why should I be ashamed to aske him of thee whome thou hast giuen for me Giue me therefore thy principall spirit that I may reioice in thy sauing health And forsomuch as in thy holie word thou biddest me aske and knocke euen till I see me importunate and what can I aske that should be more wholesome to me than that thou shouldest make me reioice in thy sonne our sauing health I will therfore continuallie crie to thee saieng Make me againe to reioice in thy sauing helth and restore to me againe the thing which my sinnes haue lost Restore to me that which through my fault is perished in me Restore me I beseech thee for his mercies sake that euer sitteth on thy right hand and maketh intercession for me that by his gratious fauour I may at my last end enioie the fruitfull benefite of thy sauing health AMEN T THov euer ô LORD hast loued truth and the vnknowne things of thy wisdome hast thou reuealed vnto mee Psalme 51. verse 6. WHat meaneth it to saie Thou louest truth but that of thy gratious mercie thou makest vs promises and fulfillest them for thy truths sake Thou didst promise vnto Abraham a sonne when he was aged thou fulfilledst thy promise in old and barren Sara because thou louest truth Thou madest promise vnto Dauid thy seruant saieng Of the fruit of thy bodie will I set vpon the regall throne and it came to passe because thou louest truth Thou hast promised vnto sinners which will come vnto thee forgiuenesse and fauour and thou hast neuer defrauded anie man for thou louest truth There are other innumerable promises in the which thou hast euer bene faithfull because thou louest truth Loue therefore O father of mercies this truth in me which with repentant hart turneth to thee Behold therefore thy creature in whome thou maist keepe it and to whome thou maist forgiue manie sinnes Spare good Lord spare thy seruant and command me to be of the number of the babes that the vnknowne things of thy wisdome which thou hast opened vnto me may lead me vnto the fountaine of wisdome which is on high that thou maist be praised in the works of thy mercie which thou dooest exercise towards thy seruant O LORD which neuer forsakest them that trust in thee AMEN H HAddest thou ô LORD desired sacrifice I would haue giuen it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings Psalme 51. verse 16. MY mouth Lord shall shew foorth thy glorious fame For I knowe it to be most acceptable before thee seeing thou hast declared it by the mouth of the Prophet saieng The sacrifice of praise shall glorifie me by which meane saith the Lord I shall be entised to shew him my sauing health Psal 48. Therefore will I offer praise vnto thee for my sinnes euen the praise of infants and sucklings And why shall I offer praise for my sinnes rather than sacrifice Bicause thou delightest not in burnt sacrifice For if thou hadst desired sacrifice I had surelie offered them but thou delightest not in them And againe thou saiedst I require mercie and not sacrifice Ose 6. Therefore my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise bicause thereby I doo shew foorth thy honour and it sheweth me through thy grace the waie to my sauing health O Lord thou madest the bodie for the spirit therfore seekest thou spirituall things and not bodilie things For thou saiest My sonne giue thy hart vnto me Prou. 23. which is the sacrifice that pleaseth thee Let me therefore offer vnto thee O Lord a hart repenting and sorrowing for my sinnes and inflame it with a desired loue of heauenlie things and then wilt thou desire no more of me for with such sacrifices wilt thou O Lord be pleased AMEN REGINA R REbuke me not ô LORD in thine anger neither chasten thou mee in thy heauie displeasure but haue thou mercie on me for I am weake and in miserie Psalme 6 verse 1. MY sinnes O Lord are so manie that the burden of them hath weakened me My bones are so bruised my sinewes are so shrunken my strength so faileth me the rod of thy displeasure hath so chastened me that I feele no helpe in my selfe I appeale therfore O Lord to thy mercie crieng out with the prodigall and vnthriftie sonne saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen and before thee haue mercie therefore haue mercie on me not bicause I haue deserued thy mercie but bicause thou art mercifull Sith therefore thou art mercifull what art thou but euen the verie mercie it selfe And what am I but verie miserie Behold therefore O God which art mercie behold miserie is before thee What shalt thou doo O mercie Trulie thy works Canst thou go backe from thy nature And what is thy nature Uerelie to take awaie miserie Haue mercie therefore on mee O God God which art mercie take awaie my miserie for the depth of miserie requireth the depth of mercie The depth of sinne requireth the depth of grace and fauour Greater is the depth of mercie than the depth of miserie Let therfore good Lord the one depth swallowe vp the other Let the bottomlesse depth of mercie swallowe vp the depth of miserie AMEN E EXcept LORD the praier of thy seruant as thou diddest the praier of Cornelius and cast me not confused from thy presence Acts 10 verse 6. O Sweet Iesus who euer came to thee with a pure and stedfast faith and went awaie confused Or who euer desired thy fauour and went without it Surelie thou passest in thine abundant pitie both the deseruings and also the desires of them that praie vnto thee For thou giuest more than man can desire The woman of Canaan followed thee she cried and made a pitious noise she mooued thy Disciples to compassion worshipped thee and said Lord helpe me but yet wouldest thou not answere Yet shee trusting in thy mercie praied againe saieng Lord helpe me Unto whose importunitie thou diddest answere saieng It is not good to take the childrens bread and cast it vnto dogs O Lord who would not haue beene confounded and haue gotten him awaie at these thy words And yet
than to giue hartie and continuall thanks by all possible meanes vnto God who besides that he is God and therefore hath bound all men vnto himselfe by good right hath bestowed vpon vs so manie peculiar benefits And againe what can be more ioifull and more to be desired than such a testimonie of his fatherlie loue who hath deliuered vs from so manie not onlie dangers but deaths also CAP. IIII. GO to also O all ye Kings Princes Gouernours and Iudges of the earth hold vp your hands humblie vnto God the eternall KING acknowledge his power which sitteth vpon the most high heauens from all eternitie as it were vpon a chariot and maketh a terrible and most mightie sound from the clouds O yee mightie Monarchs and Potentates of the world now worship and praise ye the LORD our GOD together with me doo him all possible reuerence and reioice vnto him with feare and trembling as I doo O ye Kings and all ye of power giue place vnto the Lord giue vnto the Lord I saie the honour of all glorie and power giue vnto the Lord the maiestie and glorie due vnto his name fall downe before his footestoole and worship him in his most holie temple for he is holie and seeke his glorie carefullie as I doo For this chieflie becommeth all Princes to doo whom God of his vnspeakable fauour hath consecrated vnto himselfe and brought them into the most high state of dignitie aboue others but speciallie it becommeth me to reioice and to set foorth thy praises O God after a most exquisite maner in whom thy most excellent Maiestie doth so gloriouslie shine and who haue receiued so manie rare and singular benefits of thee from my conception to this houre Go to then O my deere soule and mine inward bowels giue thanks vnto God with all your power praise the Lord O my soule and declare thy selfe that thou art mindfull of all his benefits For what honour is not the Lord woorthie of which of his vnspeakable mercie and compassion hath forgiuen thee all thy sinnes healed the deadlie wounds thereof cured thy diseases borne thine infirmities redeemed thy life from death preserued thee from miserie renewed thy youth like the Egle that liueth most long and adorned thee so richlie with all his benefits as testimonies of his singular goodnes and fatherlie mercie towards thee Go to therefore with me you mightie spirits being his apparitours and the diligent executioners of his will so soone as ye heare him speake celebrate yee the praises of the Lord. O yee mightie armies of his most obedient souldiours praise the Lord I saie O ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King Praise ye the Lord O all his works in what place soeuer of his dominion and whatsoeuer hath breath let it sound and set foorth his glorie finallie thou my deere soule set thou foorth the praise of God CAP. V. AND I O my God my King euen I thy handmaid and annointed in thankefull remembrance and worthie memoriall of thy woonderfull works and benefits wrought and shewed vnto me continuallie doo againe as it is meete render vnto thee this acceptable sacrifice of praise and thankesgiuing I paie the vowes vnto thee which I haue promised both secretlie among the faithfull and openlie before the whole assemblie of thy people and that in the courts of thy house O Lord and in the midest of the Citie Ierusalem wherein by thy power and benefit I thus flourish I will praise thee with my whole hart and magnifie thy name for euer because I haue experience of thine infinite goodnesse in my selfe and am deliuered from so manifold dangers of death and destruction Neither will I be ashamed to sing foorth thy praises also in songs before the assemblie of the mightie and before the verie Angels that stand about thine arke I will together with all Angels Spirits soules and with all Kings Queenes virgins and creatures both in heauen and earth incessantlie magnifie thee in the palace consecrated to thy Maiestie and will sing of thy mercie and truth because thou hast gotten vnto thee now at the length most great honour for that thou hast so maruellouslie aboue expectation surelie performed vnto me that which thou didst promise in thy word I with the residue of the people of my dominion as a mother with hir daughters and the virgin with virgins being for this cause replenished with incredible ioie and comforted with thy iudgments O Lord will reioice in thee which seeing nothing in me that should so moue thee hast neuerthelesse embraced me with so great fauour and mightilie also defended me and with all the iust I will magnifie the holie remembrance of thee so great a King continuallie which sitting vpon thy most holie throne rulest the whole earth and exaltest thy selfe far aboue all that is aloft anie where For to this end chieflie thou O Lord hast consecrated and set me ouer them that I should diligentlie exercise the rites of thy diuine worship among them Therefore I will delight my selfe in setting foorth thy praises more and more and I will testifie my selfe in my whole life to be desirous of thy honour and glorie to whome all honour and glorie of right belongeth O my God my King I will highlie extoll thee and celebrate thy name for euer and euer I will consecrate all the daies of my life to set foorth thy glorie and will amplifie thy name with songs that neuer shall haue end For thou art great O Lord and no praise is sufficient for thee neither can anie man attaine to thy greatnesse For thy woonderfull works endure not for one generation and age alone but as one age succeedeth another so likewise must some men commit the memoriall of them vnto others vnlesse they will be negligent in dooing their dutie Wherefore trulie be it far from me thy handmaid that anie thing should be of greater authoritie with me than that I should carefullie thinke that the brightnesse of thy Maiestie which shineth vnto vs in the verie dailie vse of things and that thy deeds to me and my people-ward are greater than can be comprehended by the admiration or capacitie of all mortall men and women And doubtlesse Lord though verie manie be most blockish and woonderfull thankelesse yet can there neuer be wanting some which shall euen against their willes confesse at the least thy terrible power euen ouer all princes and people of the world But admit that others be silent and vnthankefull yet I will neuer cease to declare thy greatnesse and the nations most far off shall heare me publishing thy praises and singing vnto thee for deliuering and sauing me by thy power whome thou hast chosen and loued But God forbid that I alone should labour to doo this my dutie For verelie there will be alwaies some assemblie which will by all meanes testifie the remembrance of thy peculiar goodnesse and thy most vndoubted promises Namelie that thou art most mercifull and
Lord with the hyssope of true repentance and sorowfull contrition that being clensed in the most cleere fountaine of thy grace I may be whiter than snowe and also bee able euer hereafter to serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of liuing through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Wash your hands yee sinners and cleanse your harts ye wauering minded Isaias 4 verse 8. I will wash my hands in innocencie ô Lord and so will I go to thine altar Psal 26 verse 6. Or else praie thus HAue mercie vpon mee O God and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Wash my soule with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flow from thy hart and naked side and sanctifie and purifie not onlie my hands and face from filth but my hart soule and conscience also from all contagion of sinne and iniquitie that I may be pure both in bodie and soule and serue thee in holinesse and puritie all the daies of my life So be it Though I wash my selfe with snowe water and purge my hands most cleane yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit and mine owne cloths shall make mee filthie Iob. 9 verse 30. Meditations THinke now of thy vow and promise made to God at thy baptisme to forsake Sathan to renounce the world and to mortifie the flesh and how oft since thou hast broken it and be hartilie sorie therefore Thinke also vpon the vnspeakable loue and mercie of Christ our Sauiour who hath washed vs from our sins in his owne pretious bloud and purged our conscience from dead works to the end we should serue him in holinesse and innocencie of life And consider that it shall little auaile thée to haue washed thy selfe if thou touch filth againe that is if thou confesse thy faults and after commit them againe and so wich the dog returne to the vomit and with the washed sow to the wallowing in the mire againe ¶ When you be made readie first before all things looke that either by your selfe or with your familie with all humblenesse of mind you kneele downe by your bed-side in your parlour or other sweete cleane and conuenient place and there taking both time and leasure to serue the Lord lift vp your hart hands and eies and praie vnto his diuine Maiestie saieng in manner and forme following A premeditation or first forme of praier to be vsed before praier O Mercifull Lord and louing father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burthen of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weak soule according vnto thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God prepare my hart to praier and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this miserable puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse and being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honor and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen Another meditation before praier VNto thee O heauenlie father doo I heere prostrate on my knees lift vp my hart my hands mine eies and praiers beseeching thy Maiestie and saieng Helpe me O my Lord and God in this my good purpose and holie worshipping or seruing of thee and grant vnto me to make a perfect entrance and beginning this present daie that I maie doo all things in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all The Confession and Praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen and earth more than my tongue can expresse my sins are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go And whither should I flee To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I find no place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I runne to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo heere at this present Wherefore haue mercie on me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie on me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed thereby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed be thy name c. Another Confession and praier OH almightie euerlasting God and most gratious deere louing father I beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake thy most deere and onlie sonne to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner whose innumerable offenses both old new be most horrible heinous and great where through I haue iustlie deserued thy greeuous wrath and euerlasting damnation But now good Lord heere I do appeale to thy great mercie onlie which far surmounteth all thy works as thou hast promised the same in thy holie and infallible word where thou hast said yea and sworne as trulie as thou liuest that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and liue Ah deere Lord I confesse that I am a great and greeuous sinner and yet now by thy grace and good working of thy holie spirit something turned vnto thee Oh let me liue and not die the euerlasting death of the soule which I so deepelie haue deserued but make me a vessell of thy great mercie that I may liue and praise thy name among thy chosen children for euer Oh let not my horrible sinnes separate me from the sweet sight of thy Maiestie but let thy great power and mercie be magnified in me as it is in Dauid in Peter in Magdalen and in the notable Theefe which was crucified with Christ thy deere sonne in whose most pretious death and bloud-shedding onlie O Lord I put my whole trust and confidence For he onelie hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world he came not to condemne the world but to saue it that none that trulie beleeue in him should perish but haue life euerlasting He saith he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Oh gratious God giue me true earnest hartie and vnfeigned repentance that I may from the verie bottome of my hart continuallie lament my manifold
may be compared to the ranke Oliues and exceeding fertile Uines and grant that a continuall ofspring of thy deere children may be multiplied in thy blessed Church and become notable in peace in praises and in puritie of life and doctrine to the renowmed honour of thy glorious name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for the preseruation of the Church O Celestiall God and Father of infinite mercie and compassion which not onelie gatherest to thy selfe an holie Church in this world out of mankind through the operation of the holie Ghost and preaching of thy word but also preseruest the same being gathered and adornest it with all kind of temporall things and which more is with eternall blisse we humblie beseech thee gratious Lord that of thy goodnesse thou wouldest vouchsafe euermore to mainteine this thy little flocke embracing preaching and professing thy word through thine especiall grace Continue thy fauour toward the same keepe it in sound doctrine constant in confessing in the lawfull vse of thy holie Sacraments and in purenesse of life that neither the gates of hell the rage of Sathan nor yet the rigorousnesse and tyrannie of this world oppresse the same Protect and keepe this thy boate and little barke tossed among manie perillous tempests and miserable surges in the raging sea of this trouble some world that it perish not being ouerwhelmed Uphold thy Church which is builded vpon a sure rocke and dependeth vpon Christ a sound and vnmoueable foundation O Lord of hostes returne looke downe from heauen and behold visit thy Uine and make it perfect which thy right hand hath planted and thou hast chosen to thy selfe Hedge the same about with thy strong defence that the branches thereof being spread out and pruned may bring foorth aboundance of fruite Raise vp thy power come O God and saue vs. Conuert vs shewe foorth thy countenance and we shall be saued Encrease thy sheepe within thy hardels so shall we be quiet from all inuasion and scatterings neither can anie drawe vs by force out of thy hands Defend vs from such as seeke the vtter ouerthrowe of pure religion and in place thereof labour to bring in the shamefull instauration of blasphemous idolatrie Suffer not thy word that most cleere and vnchangeable light to be corrupted or put out by our meanes but gather to thy selfe through the sound of the Gospell such a Church as may harken vnto thee honour and sanctifie thy name as well in word as in honest conuersation that so thou maist haue a righteous and holie generation celebrating thy goodnesse for euermore O ioine vs vnto that companie which doth worship thee continuallie that we may be citizens of thy kingdome among thy Saincts Grant that we erre not frō the foundation of wholsome doctrine answering to the rules of the sacred Scripture and that we offend not against our conscience but separate vs from the companie of the vngodlie ones and from the damned crue of the reprobate Let vs not so much as take their names into our mouths which powre out heapes of blasphemies to thy great dishonour and defacing of thy truth vnto whom thy sonne is a destruction and stone of offence For they despise his base estate and the foolish preaching of thy Gospell and the deformed shew of the Church placed in the midst of all kind of miseries they loath and abhor preferring vncertaine riches lordlie authoritie and the vaine pleasures of this transitorie world before the profession of the truth so making warre with thy sonne they doo purchase euerlasting destruction vnto themselues Keepe vs euermore that wee may abide in that Church which is trulie Catholike consisting of members of manie nations but linked vnto thee in one and the same confession Sanctifie vs with thine holie spirit that our sinnes being forgiuen vs wee may take another trade of life in acknowledging thee to be the onlie true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Giue vnto thy Church resting places and nests where they may sound thy sacred Gospell purelie without corruption Suppresse the diuell which spredeth blasphemies against thy doctrine that so neither feined gods may be erected nor superstitious inuocations confirmed nor thy glorie defaced Weaken the power of thine enimies which boile in hatred against thy truth and conspire the death of thine elect so neither shall stables of woolues be made nor dennes of theeues established O Lord returne and quicken vs so shall thy people reioice in thee Let all such as trust in thee reioice and triumph for euer Dwell thou in them and let those which loue thy name reioice in thee O Lord remember not our offences Thou which wast somtime mercifull and forgauest the wickednesse of thy people and hidst all their sinnes which withdrawedst all thine anger and turnedst from the fiercenesse of thine indignation be mindfull of thy woonted mercie and receiue vs into thy fauour For we depend vpon thee alone being destitute of all worldlie aid our trust wholie is in thee and all our confidence resteth in thy stretched-out arme O Lord couer vs with thy grace as it were with a shield that so we may be blessed and abiding in the house of thy congregation may acknowledge and call vpon thee according to thy word reuealed and praise thee euermore through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A praier for vnitie in faith and religion O Eternall God and most mercifull Father which hast called vs to the vnitie of the true Catholike faith and gathered vs by thy word into the lap of the Christian congregation that wee may be all of vs one bodie and one spirit euen as wee are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and Father of all which is aboue all and through all and in vs all For euen as thou O Father art in thy sonne and he in thee so should we also be one in thee our God And therefore we crie vnto thee O almightie Father and eternall God teach vs thy waies that we may walke in thy truth O knit our harts vnto thee that we may feare thy name Grant that all the faithfull may be like affected and of one mind as thou art thinking the same thing after the ensample of Christ our Sauiour and that as well in minds as with mouth we may agree among our selues both in true doctrine and in outward behauiour of conuersation For the scope of the Churches felicitie consisteth in the vnitie of true faith and religion Keepe vs in the true vnderstanding and right knowledge of thy sacred Scriptures that without strife and contention we may speake one thing Let there be no dissentions nor schismes among vs. Let nothing be done through contention or of vaine glorie but let vs be one bodie indued with one mind and iudgment according to thy word reuealed vntill we attaine to the vnitie of faith and knowledge of thy sonne into a perfect man according to the measure of the
age of the fulnesse of Christ which is the head by whom the whole bodie being coupled and knit together by euerie ioint for the furniture thereof according to the effectuall power which is in the measure of euerie part receiueth increase of the bodie vnto the edifieng of it selfe in loue O most holie Father keepe vs by thy name that wee may be one in thee and that among vs which are beleeuers there may be one hart and one mind O Christ our onlie Sauiour and Mediatour which before thy passion didst praie that we might be one in thee euen as thou art in thy Father grant that thy Church may be at concord and agree in one true faith and confession Let there continue among vs a godlie counsell let there be one agreement in faith one mind in praier that we may growe vp in thee and that all our harts may be coupled togither by the bond of the spirit vsing thy gifts as they should be to the aduancement of thy glorie and to the common profit both of thy Church and Common-weale and walking woorthie our calling wherevnto we are called with all humilitie and gentlenesse with all lenitie forbearing one another through charitie being carefull to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace Represse the furiousnesse of Satan which soweth dissention among thy flocke to weaken our faith and to hinder our praiers whereby thy glorie is defaced Grant therefore that we prooue not desirous of vaine glorie prouoking one another and enuieng one another that we bite not one another to our destruction For of emulation springeth contention which being once inflamed boile out into mortall diuisions And as manie as maintaine emulations contentions and factions are carnall and walke as men Wherefore take from vs the zeale of the flesh which is foolish and let all enuie wrath pride and arrogancie be far from vs. Likewise let vs auoid foolish and vnlearned questions knowing that they engender strife and contention and serue for nothing but to the subuerting of the hearers ingraffing of errors Where a desire of strife is there certainlie God dwelleth not and they which raise tumults of nothing and disquiet thy flocke those wilt thou O sonne of God destroie Come holie spirit replenish the harts of the faithfull here assembled and else where and inflame in them the fire of thy loue which once didst gather the nations into the vnitie of the faith through the diuersitie of tongues Ioine our harts togither that wee may nourish christian concord among vs and that wee all glued as it were together in louing harts may be of one mind in thee so shall thy pure doctrine zealouslie be mainteined and no false interpretation of the scripture obstinatelie be defended Bring home to thy fold all such as are turned from the vnitie of true religion that thrre may be one pastor and one fold To such as are gone out from vs grant constancie that they may continue with vs teaching the Gospell to the saluation of the hearers And if it happen that anie contrarie to the doctrine which they haue learned raise dissention and offences grant that we may auoid them least the harts of the simple through their sweet persuasions and flatterie be deceiued O God author of peace and concord giue grace that euerie of vs may thinke the same thing acording to our Sauior Christ Amen ⧠The Letanie O God the Father of heauen haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Father of heauen haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer of the world haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the Sonne redeemer c. O God the holie Ghost proceeding from the Father the Sonne haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O God the holie Ghost proceeding from c. O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three persons and one God haue mercie vpon vs miserable sinners O holie blessed and glorious Trinitie c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neither take thou vengeance of our sinnes spare vs good Lord spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most pretious bloud and be not angrie with vs for euer Spare vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from the crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From blindnesse of hart from pride vaine glorie and hypocrisie from enuie hatred and malice and all vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliuer vs. From fornication and all other deadlie sinnes and from all the deceits of the world the flesh the diuell Good Lord deliuer vs. From lightening and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battell and murther and from sudden death Good Lord deliuer vs. From all sedition and priuie conspiracie from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of hart and contempt of thy word and commandement Good Lord deliuer vs. By the mysterie of thy holie incarnation by thy holie natiuitie and circumcision by thy baptisme fasting and temptation Good Lord deliuer vs. By thine agonie and bloudie sweat by thy crosse and passion by thy pretious death and buriall by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the comming of the holie Ghost Good Lord deliuer vs. In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the daie of iudgement Good Lord deliuer vs. We sinners doo beseeth thee to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holie Church vniuersallie in the right waie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to keepe and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and Gouernour We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to rule hir hart in thy faith feare and loue and that she may euermore haue affiance in thee and euer seeke thy honour and glorie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to be hir defender and keeper giuing hir the victorie ouer all hir enimies We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of thy Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of thy word and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it foorth and shew it accordinglie We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the counsell and all the Nobilitie with grace wisdome and vnderstanding We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to mainteine truth We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe all thy people We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thee to giue to all nations
Lord dailie with the true Manna of thy heauenlie word and with the grace of thy holie Sacraments Giue vs grace continuallie to read heare and meditate thy purposes iudgments promises and precepts not to the end we may curiouslie argue therof or arrogantlie presume thervpon but to frame our liues according to thy will that by keeping thy couenants we may be sure of thy promises and so make our election and vocation certaine through our constant faith vertuous and godlie liuing Seru. Amen Maister Confirme vs O Lord to the image of our Sauiour So lighten the lamps of our harts with the fire and burning flames of thy loue that no enuie rancor hatred or malice doo remaine in vs to quench it but that we may gladlie forgiue whatsoeuer wrong is or shall be either maliciouslie or ignorantlie done or said against vs. And here Lord in thy presence for thy Maiestie is euerie where we forgiue whatsoeuer hath beene by anie man or woman practised against vs beseeching thèe of thy goodnesse likewise to forgiue it And further for thy mercies sake and for our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake we beseech thee O deere Father to forgiue vs these horrible and damnable sinnes which we haue committed against thy Maiestie for which thou hast now iustlie brought the pestilence and plague vpon vs. Let the ceasing thereof we beseech thee certifie vs of thy mercie and remission Seru. Amen Maister We knowe O Lord the weakenesse of our selues and how readie we are to fall from thee Suffer not therfore Satan to shew his power and malice vpon vs. For we are not able to withstand his assalts Arme vs O Lord alwaies with thy grace and assist vs with thy holie spirit in all kinds of temptations Seruants Amen Maister Deliuer vs O deere father from all euils both bodilie and ghostlie Deliuer O Lord from trouble of conscience all that are snarled in their sins Deliuer O Lord from feare of persecution and tyrannie our brethren and sisters that are vnder the crosse for profession of thy word Deliuer O mercifull father those that for our sinnes and offences are alreadie tormented with the rage of pestilence Recouer those O Lord that are alreadie striken and saue the rest of my houshold and else-where from this greeuous infection Seruants Amen Maister Finallie O Lord God which for our innumerable sinnes dooest heere fatherlie correct vs to the end we should not feele the rigour of thy seueare iudgement in eternall condemnation we humblie submit our selues vnto thy grace and pitie beseeching thee for our Lord Iesus Christes sake that although we haue iustlie deserued this plague now laid vpon vs yet it may please thee in the multitude of thy mercies to withdrawe thy rod from vs. Grant O Lord true repentance of our sinnes which as it did in that good King Ezekias may deliuer vs from the plague laid vpon vs and cause those that be sicke heere in my house or otherwhere to recouer Or if thou haue determined to take a number of vs out of the miseries of this present euill world giue vs the comfort of thy holie spirit that may make vs glad and willing to come vnto thee Giue vs grace O Lord so to prepare our selues that we may be readie with the wise virgins to enter into life with our sauiour Christ whensoeuer it shall please thee to call vs. Seruants Amen Maister Grant this O deere father for Iesus Christes sake our onlie Mediator Aduocate Lord Redeemer and Sauiour to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie world without end and in whose name we altogether with one hart and voice crie furthermore and praie vnto thee as he in his holie word hath taught vs saieng Maister and seruants altogether Our Father c. Other Psalmes and praiers to be said in the time of anie common plague sicknesse or other crosse and visitation of God by the Maister and Mistresse with their familie O Come let vs humble our selues fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheepe of his hands Come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for he hath smitten vs and he shall heale vs. Let vs repent and turne from our wickednesse and our sinnes shall be forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from his heauie wrath and will pardon vs and we shall not perish For we knowledge our faults and our sinnes be euer before vs. We haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hot and thy heauie displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast made vs heare of the noise of warres and hast troubled vs by the vexation of enimies Thou hast in thine indignation striken vs with greeuous sicknes and by and by we haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement wind Indeede we acknowledge that all punishments are lesse than our deseruings but yet of thy mercie Lord correct vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortened that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnesse abated that thou wilt not heare Thou hast promised that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speake thou wilt haue mercie vpon vs. For none that trust in thee shall be confounded neither anie that call vpon thee shall be despised For thou art the onlie Lord who woundest and dooest heale againe who killest and reuiuest bringest euen to hell and bringest barke againe Our father 's hoped in thee they trusted in thee and thou didst deliuer them They called vpon thee and were helped they put their trust in thee and were not confounded O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation neither chasten vs in thy heauie displeasure Oh remember not the sinnes and offences of our youth but according to thy mercie thinke vpon vs O Lord for thy goodnesse Haue mercie vpon vs O Lord for we are weake O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our soules we remember thee and we crie vnto thee heare Lord and haue mercie For thine owne sake for thy holie name sake incline thine eare and heare O mercifull Lord. For we doo not powre out our praiers before thy face trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and manifold mercies Wash vs throughlie from our wickednesse and cleanse vs from our sinnes Turne thy face from our sinnes and put out all our misdeeds Make vs cleane harts O God and renew a right spirit within vs. Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes for thy name sake So we that be thy people and sheepe of thy pasture shall giue thee thanks for euer and will alwaies bee shewing foorth thy praise from generation to generation Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the
of thee and this congregation present who may be eie-witnesses of the same But because O Lord the externall confession and outward acknowledgement of my sinnes without the inward contrition dolour of the hart and soule auaileth nothing in thy presence which art the searcher of the hart and sifter of the reines I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt so touch my hart and conscience and effectuallie worke in me perfect remorse and detestation of my former offences that without anie hypocrisie and with true compunction of soule and sincere confession of the mouth I vtterlie loathing and condemning mine owne impietie and damning that which the lawe pronounceth vniust and damnable may attaine to some sense and feeling of thy mercie which thou hast aboundantlie shewed vnto all mankind in Christ Iesu our Lord. Conuert me O Lord and I shall be conuerted because thou art my God and being conuerted I will doo penance Heale me O Lord and I shall be healed saue thou me and I shall be saued for thou art my praise To me I confesse shame and confusion of face is due as I iustlie suffer this daie but to thee honor and glorie for my redemption who by thus iudging and punishing me dooest by little and little giue me place to amend and space to repent and hast not suddenlie and at vnwares taken me awaie from the face of the earth and ouerwhelmed me by and by through thy iustice in my wicked deedes dooing as I deserued and thou iustlie mightest For which thy lenitie patience long-suffering and mercie O thou louer of my soule I most humblie thanke thee beseeching thee so to mollifie my hart that I may repent and esteeme greatlie of so great riches and inestimable treasures of thy goodnesse Moreouer O good Lord Iesus Christ grant I beseech thee that among all the feares and terrours of my conscience I may take hold of thee by a liuelie faith which hast redeemed me from the cursse of the lawe and art made for me wisedome and righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and may not in the fight of conscience yeeld my selfe a slaue still to Sathan and despaire of thy mercie but vpholden by the voice of thy Gospell may flee vnto thee my mediator and iustified by faith may haue peace with God that so comming vnto thee by hearing thy word to repentance the Angels in heauen may continuallie haue occasion to reioice and I auoiding the fearefull vengeance which most assuredlie shall fall vpon the inobedient may be restored into the right of thy lawe and receiued againe into the bosome of thy Church as a member of thy mysticall body and from my hart walke in all holie obedience to thee and thy holie word to the praise of thy name the comfort of thy Church and the confusion of Sathan Amen A thankes-giuing and praier vnto God of a reconciled offender or excommunicate person restored into the Church to be vsed after open penance done at a Sermon or otherwise HEauenlie father fountaine of all mercie and consolation I confesse my selfe the chiefest of all sinners and a wretch most vnworthie to bee counted amongst thy children or to be a member of thy Church if thou haue respect to the corruption of my nature and horror of my manifold misdeeds But seeing it hath pleased thy fatherlie goodnesse not onlie freelie to elect and choose me in thy deere sonne our Lord Iesus Christ by his death to redeeme me by his Gospell to call me and by his holie spirit which both are thine to illuminate me but also that thou hast commanded thy holie word and sacred Gospell to be preached not onlie to me but to all the world to the end that the penitent may haue an assurance of the remission of all their sinnes great and small old and new not onlie for a time but euen as oft as they from sorowfull harts and broken spirits in bitter teares shall bewaile the same and call for thy grace and mercie In consideration of this thy fatherlie adoption and ineffable clemencie shewed vpon mee an vnwoorthie wretch I can not but highlie praise and magnifie thy fatherlie mercie A testimonie whereof I not onelie feele now in my selfe but others also see the same euidentlie in this my conuersion and confession of my fore-passed faults in the which my penance dooing I am assured that I haue not so much shamed my selfe before this godlie congregation as I haue thereby confounded and ouercome mine enimie Satan who for a time had me in bondage and by whose venem and deceiuable entisements I heretofore haue beene verie rebellious to the wholesome admonitions of the Church for the which vile sinnes rebellion and contempt I confesse I haue beene woorthilie excommunicate and punished by the censures of the same But now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in me that by the power therof I am now set at freedome by thy mercie am returned againe to the societie of thy Saints and mysticall bodie of thy Church I beseech thee for the obedience of our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept me sorowfull conuert and to allow of this mine vnfeined repentance and confession that my former inobedience and faults be neuer laid to my charge Haue mercie vpon me O God haue mercie vpon me and absolue me thy poore creature not onelie from the sentence of excommunication but also from the sinnes by me committed and from all censures of the Church laid against me for the same or before and that Lord giuen according to this my hartie and vnfeined repentance before thee and all this congregation and as I hartilie forgiue all the world that in anie thing hath offended against me O Lord pronounce thou my sinnes to be cleansed and they shall be cleansed absolue thou me from the chaine of mine iniquities wherewith I am fast tied and bound and I shall be absolued loose thou my sins in earth and they shall be loosed in heauen that being now by thy great goodnesse and mercie acquited and sent awaie vncondemned of thee as that sinfull woman taken in adulterie was from hir accusers and receiued againe to the societie of Iesus Christ into the bosome of his Church to the participation of his blessed Sacraments and finallie to the fruition of all thy benefits I may by the perpetuall assistance of thy holie spirit not onelie more and more be displeased with my sinnes and bridle hencefoorth my corrupt affections till Satan be cleane troden vnder my feet by the power of my redeemer Christ but also be so conducted in all the course of my life hereafter that I neuer fall into the like sinnes impietie and contempt of God and godlinesse anie more but that continuallie I may be subiect to the voice of the Church and to the ministers of the same and proceed dailie in all maner of good works and Christian obedience to the praise of thy holie name and edifieng of thy Church by
to destruction that we may be saued with those few that are appointed therevnto in Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie for euermore Amen A thanks-giuing for the conuersion of an excommunicate person or other publike offender after penance WE thanke the mercie and goodnesse of our God through Iesus Christ our Lord for the conuersion patient penance doing of this our sister whereby she hath not so much endured the reproch and infamie of hir owne sinnes as in deede she hath confounded and ouercome Satan hir deadlie foe who went about to make hir his continuall slaue and by whose subtile sleights and euill suggestions she hath heretofore beene disobedient to thy holie lawes and wholsome admonitions of thy Church And now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in hir that she is returned to our societie let it please thee for the obedience of the same our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept hir that hir former disobedience and sinnes be neuer laid to hir charge but that she may increase in all goodnesse till Satan finallie be troden vnder hir feete and ours by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Spirit be all honor and glorie now and euer Amen Before the publike administration of the holie sacrament of Baptisme the better to call to mind our owne vow and promise made long since vnto God praie priuatelie to your selfe and saie O Most blessed fore-goer and guide of Christian people Iesu Christ who submitting and humbling thy selfe vouchsafedst to be baptised of Iohn in the riuer Iordan and wast not onlie baptised in water but also in blood and in the holie Ghost vouchsafe euen so to incline bow and dispose our outwarde life with our inward mind affects and desires in the fulfilling of all righteousnesse so that we being now mortified dead to the old Adam through thy holie witnesse of baptisme by the working and operation of the holie Ghost may alwaie haue our holy couenant in remembrance before our eies that couenaunt vow and promise I saie which we haue taken vpon vs in our baptisme to the intent that we as faithfull champions striuing against the world the flesh and the diuell may vanquish and ouercome them with all other which might be noifull and hurtfull vnto vs Amen Or giue thanks for our regeneration and sanctification as afterward in the praier vpon Whitsundaie Or praie thus for the spirituall washing awaie of thy sinnes HAue mercie on me O GOD according to thy great tendernesse of hart For in wickednesse borne I was and in sinnes my mother conceiued me so that of nature all that I am I am but sin This my confession of the truth I knowe well is right acceptable vnto thee wheras in the most part of others thou hast either hid the same or made it vnknowne Purge and sprinkle mee with the bloud of Iesus Christ thine vnspotted lambe If thou wash me I shall be as white as snowe wash me thoroughlie therfore from mine errours clense me not onlie of my sinnes passed but also of my whole life to come so shall I receiue these glad tidings into my hart that my sins be forgiuen me With the baptisme of spirit in the fire of thine illumination baptise me which is the might efficacie of baptisme which we receiued in our childhood Grant that the same spirit might alwaie conduct vs let this spirituall washing of baptisme continue with vs vntill the infection and vice which we haue by nature of old Adam be perfectlie taken awaie by the death of the flesh through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie that the benefits of both the holie Sacraments may be applied vnto our soules health O Blessed Trinitie and eternall God of one essence giue grace that in euerie combate and especiallie at the point of death being mindfull of thy couenant made with vs at our Christening of thy most comfortable promise anexed He which beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued we may neuer doubt either of thy mercifull good-will towards vs or of the free remission of our sinnes but by often remembring this signe and couenant may dailie more and more be confirmed in faith and hope of perpetuall happinesse and applie thy benefits which certainlie thou hast promised and faithfullie wilt performe vnto our selues For thy promises made to such as beleeue and trust in thee be not vaine and to no purpose Likewise vphold our soules by the Sacrament of thy Supper that strengthened with the seale of this new testament we may be the more certaine and confirmed touching our reconciliation and euerlasting righteousnesse alwaies beare it fixed in our minds For if the testament of a man which is prooued after the death of the Testator be not small accounted of much more should the last testament and holie Sacrament of our Sauiour Christ remaine pure and in continuall force and remembrance Or praie that we may rightlie and trulie receiue the blessed Sacraments O Most mercifull God and louing father who by thy son Iesus Christ hast abrogated the superfluous ceremonies of the Lawe and hast deliuered vs from the bondage thereof giuing vnto vs sure certaine seals and sacraments of thy grace and our free redemption through the most pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ Grant O Lord we beseech thee that we may euermore vse them according to thy sonne our Sauiours institution who hath left them as pledges of his great loue towards mankind as continuall remembrances of his most pretious death which he suffered vpon the wood of the crosse for our redemption who by the fountaine of water hath regenerated vs and by his most pretious bloud hath purged vs. Make vs therefore to receiue these holie mysteries without corruption to vse them without alteration to continue them without superstition to the honour and glorie of thy most holie name through Iesu Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie now and for euer Amen After publike baptisme praie and giue thanks secretlie to yourselfe as time will serue saieng WE yeeld thee most hartie thanks O heauenlie Father for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate vs with the fountaine of water by faith in the bloud of thy sonne Iesus Christ and to purge vs from that originall sinne which we receiued of the old Eue. But who is able oh Lord to to giue thee sufficient praises Or who can expresse thy louing kindnesse and great mercies towards mankinde who hast not onlie redeemed him from the yoke of the lawe the bondage of hell and destruction of the diuell but also like a mercifull and louing father euen in our first entrance into this world washedst vs from iniquitie and hast giuen vs the Sacrament of Baptisme euen as a memoriall of our election in thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord whereby
enimies to helpe thy weaknesse to possesse thee with peace and gladnesse to make thee thankfull to thy redeemer and carefull to lead a godlie conuersation and to comfort thee with their presence in weale and wo thou hast receiued his bodie I saie to indue thee with euerlasting righteousnesse to assure thee of perpetuall blisse and life eternall For with Christ by true faith art thou my soule quickened againe from death of sin to life of grace and in hope translated from corporall and euerlasting death to the euerlasting life of glorie in heauen where now from hencefoorth thy conuersation indeed should be and thy hart and desire alwaie fixed and set Doubt not therfore O my soule of the truth of this matter how great and high so euer these mysteries and things be For it becommeth thy God to doo no little deeds how impossible so euer they seeme to thee But praie to God hartilie that thou maist haue faith to perceiue these great mysteries that by faith thou maist certeinlie knowe and beleeue nothing to be impossible with God Onelie bring thou faith I saie to Christs holie word and Sacraments and thou shalt well feele and perceiue the benefits of Christ conteined therein to thy comfort Let thy repentance shew thy faith also let thy purpose of amendement and obedience of thy hart to Gods lawe hereafter declare thy true beleefe And now endeuour thy selfe O my soule to saie with S. Paule From hencefoorth my conuersation is in heauen from whence I looke for a Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ which shall change our vile bodies that they may be made and fashioned like to his glorious bodie which he shall doo by the same power whereby he rose againe from death and wherby he shall be able to subdue all things vnto himselfe For else what shall it auaile thee O my soule to bee escaped and deliuered from the filthinesse of the world through the knowledge of thy Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ if thou be intangled againe therewith and be thereby ouercome againe Certeinlie it had beene better neuer to haue knowne the waie of righteousnesse than after it is knowne and receiued to turne back-ward againe from the holie and most righteous commandements of God giuen vnto thee so shall the prouerbe be verified of thee where it is said The dog is returned to his vomit againe and the sow that was washed to hir wallowing in the mire againe Oh what a shame were it for thee O my soule being thus so cleerelie and freelie washed from thy sinnes to returne to the filthinesse thereof againe What a great follie were it thus indued with righteousnesse to loose it againe Yea what wilfull madnesse were it to loose the inheritance that thou art now set in for the vile and transitorie pleasures of sinne Finallie what vnnaturall vnkindnesse should it be where thy Sauiour Christ of his meere mercie is come to thee to dwell within thee as thy ghest to driue him from thee and to banish him violentlie out of thee and in stead of him in whome is all grace and vertue to receiue the vngratious spirit of the diuell the founder of all vnrighteousnesse naughtinesse and mischiefe Oh my soule how canst thou find in thy hart I saie to shew such extreame vnkindnes to Christ Iesus which hath now so gentlie called thee to mercie offered and giuen himselfe vnto thee and is now entred into thee Yea how darest thou be so bold to renounce the presence of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost for where one is there God all whole in Maiestie together with all his power wisedome and goodnesse is and fearest thou not the danger and perill of so traiterous a defiance and departure O my soule aduise thy selfe well what thou dooest consider the dignitie thou art now set in and how thou art therfore cleansed washed sanctified and renewed that thou shouldest from hencefoorth sinne no more but serue God in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of thy life that in the end thou maist reigne with him in euerlasting life If thou refuse so great grace whereto thou art called what other thing dooest thou than heape vp thy damnation more and more and so prouoke God to cast his heauie displeasure vpon thee and by his iust plagues to reuenge this thy mockage of his holie Sacraments in so great abusing of them Be verie warie and well aduised therefore I saie O my soule how from hencefoorth thou dooest behaue thy selfe and let not follie loose that thing which grace hath so pretiouslie offered and purchased Let not wilfulnesse and blindnesse put out so great light as is shewed vnto thee but applie thy selfe to liue in Christ that Christ may still liue in thee whose fauour and assistance if thou haue then hast thou euerlasting life alreadie within thee then can nothing hurt thee whatsoeuer is hitherto done amisse and committed Christ thou seest hath offered thee pardon and cleerelie receiued thee into his fauour againe in full suretie whereof thou hast him now presentlie inhabiting and dwelling within thee Onlie take good hart vnto thee shew thy selfe thankefull in thy life and determine with thy selfe to refuse auoid detest and abhorre all such things in thy conuersation as should offend the eies of his mercie Endeuour thy selfe now I saie O my soule that waie to rise vp againe which waie thou hast fallen into the pit or sinke of sin as if by thy tong thou hast offended now thereby rise againe and glorifie God therewithall accustome it to laud and praise the name of God as thou hast therewith dishonoured it And as thou hast hurt the good name of thy neighbour or otherwise hindered him so now intend to restore it to him againe for without restitution God accepteth not thy confession nor yet thy repentance It is not ynough to forsake euill except thou set thy courage to doo good By what occasion soeuer therfore thou hast offended I saie turne now the occasion vnto the honouring of God and profiting of thy neighbour True it is O my soule that sin is strong and affections vnrulie yea and hard it is to subdue and resist thy nature so corrupt and leauened with the sowre bitternesse of the poison which thou receiuedst by thé inheritance of thine old father Adam but yet neuerthelesse be of good cheere for Christ thy Sauiour hath ouercome the world and all other enimies for thee Sin shall not haue power ouer thee for thou art now vnder grace though thy power be weake yet Christ is risen againe to strengthen thee in the battell his holie spirit shall helpe thine infirmities In full trust therefore of this confidence O my soule take a good hart vnto thee I saie be of a good courage in the Lord and put vpon thee all the holie armour of God that thou maist stand fast against the enimies which would againe assault and subdue thee and bring thee againe into their thraldome slauerie and bondage
by the diuell man thou hast againe of thine infinite goodnesse through thy sonne prepared a sumptuous supper and great feast And for as much as thy people among whom the tower of thy daily iunkets was placed togither with the most part of the world do despise thy holie table and suffer themselues to be caried about vnto the bankets of Satan and vaine pleasures of this world Thou hast vouchsafed to call vs most vnwoorthie wretches being lame blind and beggerlie in this last age of the world that the number of thine elect may be filled yea thou compellest some lieng in the high waies and about hedges by reason of the troubles and decaie of kingdoms through the preaching of thy word to come to the participation of thy banket We humblie beseech thee bring vs to thine heauenlie table appoint vs a place therein euermore Grant that from thy sonne which is the bread and liuelie wine we may drawe nourishment and iuice that the drinesse of our nature may be watered and we at length taste of thy supper in the table of euerlasting life and drinke the new wine of thy sonne enioieng his visible sight in the blessed societie of all thine elect Amen When you begin to eate immediatelie blesse and saie LORD God which art the sanctifier of thy Saints and the euerlasting suffisance that shalt be giuen to the hungrie blesse thou from heauen these thy good creatures and great benefits which thou hast created to releeue the want of thy hungrie children and to be receiued with thanks-giuing with thy celestiall benediction that they may be as a healthfull medicine or remedie to our humane nature And grant that by the inuocation of thy holie name we now soberlie taking and temperatelie and thankfullie tasting hereof may therewithall receiue both helth of bodie and safegard of soule through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or else praie thus for the sober vsing of your meate and drinke GRant O most mercifull God that so long as we wander in this wretched world we may so take our meate and drinke for the infirmitie of our flesh that we neuer be corrupted by fine fare wherein the flesh delighteth neither yet by anie foolish superstition nor that we be drawne awaie at anie time from temperance and sobrietie but let vs alwaies remember so to vse our abundance that when we abound in all things most plentifullie we may giue our selues to moderate abstinence continuallie as also that we may patientlie beare all pouertie and hunger when it commeth and that wee may so vse libertie in our meates and drinks that alwaies the glorie of thy name O Lord may be before our eies and that such frugalitie may appeare in all our life that we may continuallie seeke that satietie and fulnesse whereby we shall be satiate for euer most abundantlie when the glorie of thy countenance shall appeere vnto vs in the heauens through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen When you take salt meditate a little to your selfe and saie EUerie man shall be salted with fire and euerie sacrifice shall be seasoned with salt Salt is good but if the salt be vnsauourie wherewith shall it be seasoned O God giue vs grace to haue salt in our selues and to haue peace one with another let all our communication now be so well sauoured and powdered with salt that is to saie seasoned with godlie wisedome that we knowing how and when to speake all our talke may tend to the glorie of thy name and the edifieng of our owne soules through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen In the meale time LET one of your children or seruants that best can reade this caution following and after that some chapter or portion of the Scripture distinctlie and reuerentlie that all at the boord may giue diligent eare therevnto The cautions or remembrances to be said of the child in the meate time REmember that these meates and drinkes heere set before you are giuen you of God to vse but not to abuse in surfeting and dronkennesse Remember that they are giuen you to profit your bodies and not to hurt your soules Remember that they are not giuen to you alone but vnto others also that need the same by your liberalitie and almes to their releefe In eating and drinking remember that you doo but feed the woormes and pamper the carcasse and ouercharge your soule if yee surfet with taking too much In the midst of your mirth and abundance remember the poore prisoners the sicke and the afflictions of Ioseph and his persecuted members as though yee were in their case Finallie remember the food of your soules Christs bodie broken and his bloud shead Desire the meate I saie that lasteth for euer Labour for it and harken diligentlie to his word which now shall be read vnto you And first let vs praie A praier to be said of the child or seruant in the meale time before the reading of the Chapter out of the Bible O Lord which hast prouided these earthlie creatures for the feeding of our mortall bodies direct vs carefullie to seeke and with delight to tast of thy most holie word that we may by that immortall seed be begotten to be thy children and thereby be nourished and fed vntill we become perfect men in thy Sonne Christ Iesus So be it Or else thus BLessed Lord which hast not onlie created all things for mans sustenance but also hast caused all holie Scripture to be written for our learning grant vs to be so conuersant among these thy gifts purelie and holilie because thou art so that we may in such sort also now both reade thy word heare it marke learne and inwardlie digest this heauenlie food of our soules that being well refreshed and vertuouslie transformed both in bodie and soule we may holilie walke in the strength thereof to glorifie thee through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen After the Chapter read saie thus BLessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Grant therefore we beseech thee O Lord that we may not onlie be readers and hearers of thy word but dooers and followers also of the same that beeing now fed and nourished at thy hands both in soule and bodie we may heere bee apt and readie to doo all good works which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in and in the life to come be receiued to thine eternall kingdome of glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another thanks-giuing after the receiuing of our bodilie sustenance and reading of some part of Gods holie word or spirituall food O Lord our God the onlie giuer of all good gifts who of thy great mercies hast made vs partakers both of the heauenlie gifts of thy holie word to feed our minds and of thine earthlie creatures for the necessarie sustenance of our weake bodies grant we beseech thee that through thy grace these thy gifts may be made perfect vnto vs. Giue strength vnto our meate that it may be our healthfull nourishment not to
vnthankefulnesse doth greatlie displease thee which is the roote of all spirituall euill and a wind that blasteth and burneth vp all good damming vp the fountaine of thy godlie mercie for euer Through it the works that be dead alreadie reuiue not and the works that be aliue doo die out of hand and recouer not againe But I thy creature will giue thanks to thee O Lord least I be vnthankefull to thee my deliuerer for the deliuering of me How often had that dragon swallowed me vp long ago but that thou O Lord hadst plucked me out of his mouth How often haue I sinned he stood readie to snatch me vp but that thou didst defend me O Lord my God When I dealt wickedlie and when I brake thy commandements he stood waiting to carrie me awaie to hell but thou withstoodest him I offended thee and thou didst defend me I feared thee not and yet thou didst keepe me I started awaie from thee and yeelded my selfe to mine enimie and yet thou didst fraie him awaie that he should not take mee These good turnes hast thou done for me O Lord my God I wretch wist it not For so hast thou often times deliuered me out of the diuels chaps plucked me out of the lions mouth and manie and sundrie waies brought me backe againe from hell though I wist it not For I haue gone downe to the verie gates of hell but thou hast held me from going in I drew neere to deaths dore but thou hast not suffered it to take me in Also thou hast oftentimes preserued mée from bodilie death O my sauiour when I haue beene attached with sore sicknesses and when I haue beene in manie dangers by sea and by land thou hast alwaies stood by me deliuering me from fire and from sword and from all perill and mercifullie preseruing me Trulie Lord thou knowest that if death had dispatched me at that time hell had receiued my soule and I had beene damned for euer but thy mercie and thy grace preuented me rescuing me from bodilie death and also from the death of my soule O my Lord God These and manie other good turnes hast thou done for me I saie and I was blind and wist it not vntill thou inlightenedst me Now therefore O light of my soule my Lord God my life whereby I liue the sight of mine eies wherewith I see behold thou hast inlightened me and I perceiue how I liue through thee And I yeeld thee thanks though little woorth and slender and farre from thy benefits howbeit yet such as my frailtie hath to giue For thou onelie art my God and my gratious maker which louest our soules and hatest none of the things that thou hast made Behold I am the chiefe among the sinners whom thou hast saued that I may be an example vnto others of thy most merciful louing kindnes I will acknowledge thy great benefits vnto thee For thou hast plucked me out of the bottome of hell once and twise and thrise and an hundred times and a thousand times Yea I alwaies made toward hell and thou didst alwaies bring me backe againe when thou mightest iustlie haue damned me if thou haddest would but thou wouldest not O Lord my GOD bicause thou louest mens soules and bearest with mens sinnes that they might repent all thy waies be full of mercie Now therefore O Lord my God I see these things and discerne them by thy light and my hart is astonished at thy great mercie towards me in that thou hast deliuered my soule from the bottome of hell and brought me backe againe to life For I was starke dead and thou hast made me thoroughlie aliue againe Therfore am I altogither beholden to thee for my life And whole as I am I yeeld my selfe wholie vnto thee Let my whole spirit my whole hart my whole bodie and my whole life liue vnto thee my sweet life For thou hast deliuered me whole that thou mightest possesse me whole thou hast made me whole new againe that thou mightest haue me whole againe And therefore let me loue thee O Lord my strength let me loue thee O mine vnspeakable ioie and let mee liue hencefoorth not to my selfe but vnto thee All my whole life which was perished in mine owne wretchednesse is reuiued againe in thy mercie For thou art a pitifull and mercifull GOD and manie are thy compassions towards thousands in them that loue thy name And therfore O Lord my God thou my sanctifier hast commanded me in thy lawe that I should loue thee with all my hart with all my might yea euen from the bottome of my hart at all houres and times wherein I enioie the benefits of thy mercie For I should perish for euer but that thou rulest me euer I should euer die but that thou euer quickenest me yea euerie moment thou bindest me vnto thee in as much as euerie moment thou bestowest thy great benefits vpon me Therfore like as there is no houre or instant of time in all my life that I haue not the vse of thy benefits so ought there to be no moment wherein I should not haue thee in remembrance before mine eies and loue thee to the vttermost of my power But this I am not able to doo except thou make me able of whom commeth euerie good gift and excellent gift in whom there is no change nor intercourse of darknes For to loue thee commeth not of our owne will or of our owne running but of thy mercie Lord it is thy gift whose all good things are Thou commandest vs to loue thee giue vs that which thou commandest and command what thou wilt Another meditation of Gods great benefits VNto thee O souereigne light O ghostlie Physician the health of my soule will I now euer giue praise with all my whole hart for all thy benefits wherwith thou feedest me from my youth vnto mine old age and euen till my last gaspe I beseech thee by thy selfe forsake me not For thou madest me when I was not thou redeemedst me when I was forlorne thou inlightenedst me when I was in darknesse thou raisedst me when I was dead yea when I was both forlorne and dead thou camest downe from the bosome of thy Father to me tookest mortalitie vpon thee Thou being my King camest downe to thy seruant To redeeme thy seruant thou gauest thy selfe to the intent that I might liue thou tookest vpon thee to die and ouercamest death Thou diddest set me vp againe by abasing thy selfe lowe I was vndoone I was gone farre awaie in my sinnes I was sold to sinne then camest thou for me to bring me out againe and thou didst loue me so well that thou gauest thine owne blood for my ransome Lord thou hast loued me more than thy selfe For thou diddest find in thine hart to die for me Upon this condition hast thou with so deere a price brought mee backe againe from banishment ransomed me out of bondage rescued me from punishment called mee
pleased thy gratious goodnesse freelie of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks be giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine owne image for redeeming vs with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne when we were vtterlie lost for sanctifieng vs with thy holie spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessitie for sauing vs from all dangers of bodie and soule for comforting vs so fatherlie in all our troubles and afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing vs so large time of repentance These benefits O most mercifull father like as we acknowledge to haue receiued of thine onlie goodnesse euen so we beseech thee for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake to grant vs alwaie thy holie spirit whereby we may continuallie growe in thankefulnesse towards thee be led into all truth and comforted in all aduersitie Strengthen our faith O Lord kindle it more and more in feruentnesse and loue towards thee and our neighbours for thy sake Suffer vs not most deere father to receiue thy word anie more in vaine but grant vs alwaie the assistance of thy grace and holie spirit that in hart word and deede we may sanctifie and doo woorship to thy holie name that we may help to amplifie thy kingdome and that whatsoeuer thou sendest we may bee hartilie well content with thy good will and pleasure Suffer vs not to lacke the thing O father without the which we can not serue thee but blesse thou so all the works of our hands that we may haue sufficient and not to be chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Be merciful O Lord vnto our offences and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ make vs to loue thee and our neighbors so much the more Be thou O father our Captaine and defender in all temptations Hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand that we thereby may be deliuered from all inconuenience and end our liues in the sanctifieng and honouring of thy holie name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ On the seuenteenth daie of Nouember commonlie called The Queenes daie Sundrie formes of Christian praiers and thanks-giuings vnto God for the preseruation of the most vertuous Ladie Elizabeth our most deare and dread souereigne Quéene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. verie necessarie to be vsed as generallie of all faithfull subiects continuallie so especiallie of the Mother and hir Daughter vpon the seuentéenth daie of Nouember and euerie Sabboth and holie daie in honourable remembrance of that ioifull Sabboth rest and peace from carefull mourning which that memorable seuententh daie brought to vs the banished exiles of England and persecuted members of Christ by the most happie entrance of hir most roiall and excellent Maiestie into this hir Emperiall Crowne and kingdome A Psalme Mother COme O all you that feare God come hither I praie you and giue eare a while and reherse with me y e great benefits that he the Lord hath bestowed vpon vs. Daughter For lo when the most mightie men gathered their power against vs and laie in wait for our life they conspired togither to worke our destruction as though the Lord had determined the same and exhorted one another saieng God hath forsaken them therefore persecute them now flieng awaie and take them being destitute of all helpe Moth. These men our aduersaries I saie wheresoeuer we remoued or went by sea or by land laie in wait most diligentlie for vs yea multitudes of the cruell enimies did not ceasse craftilie to enuiron and beset vs round about and ran vpon vs with gaping mouthes like raging and roring lions of malicious minds to bring vs to extremitie and to deuoure vs. Daugh. For thy sake O Lord alone were we killed euerie daie neither were we in anie better condition than sheepe appointed of butchers to the slaughter Moth. Manie of vs wandered in the waste wildernesse and sought strange cities commodious to dwell in halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst ouerwhelmed with the shadowe of death and being cast downe by the burthen of our miseries laie downe flat cleauing to the earth Daugh. The bands of death compassed vs round about and bound vs most wicked men like most raging flouds made vs afraid enuironing vs round about Moth. We were snared and cast fast bound with chaines into most darke dungeons yea we tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water Daugh. Then we called vpon the Lord in these extremities We called vpon the Lord I saie and he heard our voice out of his high palace and receiuing into his eares the crie that we made vnto him he deliuered vs from our miseries and distresse Moth. He gathered vs home which were scattered from the East the West from the North South and brought vs from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenesse of death breaking the fetters and giues of iron in peeces Daugh. The Lord hath deliuered our life from death he staid the teares of our eies and established our feet that they did not fall he hath brought vs out of our distresse Hence haue we our light whereby he causeth vs to shine and hath driuen awaie our darkenesse Moth. Therfore will we praise thee O Lord among the nations and will sing lauds vnto thy Maiestie yea we will declare thy power and will shew foorth thy praise and mercie earlie in the morning because thou hast defended vs and wast our refuge in extreme dangers Daugh. Oh acknowledge and declare ye openlie that the Lord is good for his bountious goodnesse is for euer Let all the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confesse that his louing kindnesse is perpetuall Praise ye the Lord. Moth. Glorie be to the Father and to the c. Daug. As it was in the beginning is now c. ¶ The Versicles Mother O Lord shew thy great mercie vpon vs miserable sinners Daughter And grant thine euerlasting helth and saluation vnto vs. Moth. O Lord saue Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernor Daugh. Which putteth hir onlie confidence in thee O God hir tower Moth. Oh send hir still continuall helpe from thy most holie place Daugh. And euermore from dangers all defend thou hir most roiall Grace Moth. O let not the infernall fo haue anie aduantage of hir Daugh. Nor let the wicked enimie once approch to hurt hir Moth. Indue hir ministers alwaie with righteousnesse and equitie Daugh. And make thou thy chosen seruants full ioifullie to praise thee Moth. O Lord saue thy people from all perils and dow them with thy gifts Daugh. And blesse thou thine inheritance with all thy bountious benefits Moth. In our time O Lord giue vs thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding Daugh. Bicause none other God dooth fight for vs but onelie thou our King Moth. O soften thou our hardened
rapine and murder the people killed strangled starued spoiled and mocked bound and caried awaie to be sold as beasts in the market to seruitude and slauerie there to consume their daies in miserable thrall and sorows the kingdome and inheritance transported to the possession of the destroier who raised vp in thy wrath and armed with the power of thy displeasure ministreth due punishment for the sinne and disobedience of ech reuolting nation that falleth away from thee and will not be reconciled to grace witnesse of all the states empires kingdoms tongues nations peoples and kindreds of the earth from the beginning of the world to this daie but in these latter daies speciallie of the Iewes Aegyptians Armenians Graecians Italians Hungarians Polonians and others whose seruile thrall and calamities ought neuer to be out of our remembrance which should mooue vs continuallie to behold the blessing of thy loue and the heauie sorrowes of thy displeasure Wherefore in the abundance of thy mercies and louing kindnesse and for loue of thy deere Sonne whom through the gift of thy grace we professe in the truth of his Gospell we beseech thee O mercifull Father fauourablie to looke vpon this Realme and people of England Turne not awaie thy face O Lord take not thy grace and holie spirit from vs let vs still enioie the blisse and comfort of thy louing countenance keepe vs in thy waie and couer vs vnder the shadowe of thy wings suffer vs not to be taken from thee make vs to followe and to put our whole trust and confidence in thee then shall we be safe Thy mightie hand O God giueth the victorie and in the power of thy fauour shall the enimie be vanquished and his strength brought to nothing Safe is the citie where thou O Lord art the watch-man but who so standeth out of thy tuition he is a readie praie vnto y e destroier therefore go not farre from vs O God For thine elect sake were the heauens and the earth with all their implements formed made of nothing for their preseruation maintenance was rule gouernment deuised and stablished And for their sakes are empires kingdoms countries and nations preserued saued and blessed and for iniurie and ignominie done to them and to thy truth and holie name are they changed plaged subuerted and destroied Great is thy mercie compassion O Lord long suffering ready to forgiue behold vs O Father and haue mercie vpon vs remember not our iniquities nor the iniquities of our forefathers take not iust vengeance of our sinnes neither reward thou vs after our deserts Spare vs good Lord spare vs and for thy sweet Sonnes sake Christ Iesus our Sauiour haue mercie vpon vs. Yea Lord haue mercie vpon vs and vpon our posteritie holding continuallie thy holie hand ouer vs and blesse vs. Increase our faith make our children childers childrē obedient to thy word and through holie conuersation in thy Sonne our redeemer make vs and them acceptable vnto thy selfe O GOD that being sanctified in faith and loue toward thy heauenlie will and Maiestie we and they may be deliuered from thy wrathfull displeasure for euermore Powre foorth abundance of thy grace and blessing vpon our Queene that in the fulnesse of thy gratious fauour she may haue long life in health and happie daies aided with faithfull vertuous prudent counsellers and ministers to doo all things to the nourishing and maintenance of true religion and vertue Increase the light of thy Gospell the number of faithfull and godlie preachers and ministers of thy word whose industrie and labour by the peace and tranquillitie of thy Church may largelie augment the number of thy Saints to the glorie of thy name and to the ioie and blessing of the land and people For the preseruation and continuance whereof in the bowels of thy fatherlie care and fauor remember vs O louing God Leaue neither vs nor our posteritie headlesse neither put vs ouer to the yoke of a strange nor irreligious Prince but after the blisse-full daies of this thy gratious handmaid our Queene whom O Father let it please thee to reserue in happie and ioifull state to the end giue peace and concord to thy people with a vertuous wise godlie and fortunate Prince whose constant zeale care industrie and endeuour towards the cherishing and aduancement of thy truth and glorie may purchase thy fatherlie loue and furtherance to fill the land and people with all maner of blessings as thy heauenlie wisedome knoweth necessarie where beautified with vertue and godlinesse it shall prosper and triumph in continuall peace and victorie giuing honor and gladsome thanks to thy glorious Maiestie that with thy deere Sonne our Lord and Sauiour and with the holie Ghost reignest in vnitie of power glorie and dominion praised for euer and euer Amen Another verie godlie praier meete to be said of all true subiects in time of anie priuie conspiracie or open rebellion for our gratious Souereigne Queene Elizabeth and for the present state O Almightie God King of kings Lord of lords the onelie God and gouernour of all things thou art he by whom alone kings doo reigne Thou most high bearest the rule ouer the kingdoms of men Thou in Christ thine onelie Sonne being the most gratious Father of thy chosen Church doost for the comfortable nourishing of it dispose the roiall state among men Through this thy grace it is come to passe that we the English nation now a portion of the same thy Church doo enioie the gouernement of Elizabeth our Queene whom thou hast against all practises of thine and hir aduersaris deliuered out of perils and by thy mightie hand brought to reigne ouer vs. Mercifullie guiding hir thou hast made hir to vs a mother to thine afflicted flocke a nurse in that benefit which we haue in libertie in true religion and common peace maruelouslie protecting hir thou hast kept hir to defend vs to vse and hold this benefit quietlie And euen now in thy mightie maruelous mercie thou hast discouered the practises of such craftie cruell enimies as purposed to spoile hir of vs vs of hir and both hir and vs of thy religion and of peace determining to deliuer vs ouer to the tyrannie of that shamelesse man of Rome and the bloudie sword In which purpose of mischiefe if thou haddest permitted them to preuaile we had suffered for our sinnes at thy hand O Lord most iustlie but at their hands most vnnaturallie and vniustlie For we doo offend thy Maiestie manie waies we offend not them anie waies yet such is their wickednesse that they will hate vs onelie bicause we in truth doo professe to serue thee For this cause they conspire against thee O God like hypocrites against our Queene like traitours against our Commonwelth and countrie like spoilers against vs euen as Cain did against Abel But thy great goodnesse hath deuised better for vs than they doo Thou hast spared vs whom they would haue spoiled
praiers for hir life and safetie and shall dailie wish all prosperitie vnto hir And seeing the safetie of all the families of our nation consisteth in the preseruation of hir Maiestie let vs hartilie as we haue good cause praie incessantlie for hir Grace and for the safetie and welfare of the Church and of all those that loue and fauour hir therein Defend O God with thine owne hand this woorthie woman and sacred Queene whose endeuour thou hast vsed to restore peace to thy Church and religion to thy people O saue this woorthie Princesse Elizabeth I saie whome for this purpose thou hast indued with most rare and singular wisedome power constancie and roiall gifts of grace And grant that all men may dutifullie honour and obeie hir as a prince of peace a mother of Israel a nurse of thy Church woorthilie for hir vertues set ouer vs by thee O God to reigne Finallie grant that in this gouernement of our pastor chiefe shepheard there may want neither integritie vprightnesse in taking of counsell neither wisedome in performing all hir enterprises according to thy will Then shall wheate be reaped euerie-where with full handfuls in the verie tops of the mountaines the corne growing as high as the trees of Libanus and there shall be such a multitude of inhabitants in the cities that they may almost seeme like plants springing out of the earth yea then shall hir noble memorie and roiall fame be for euer euen durable as the sunne and our Queene Elizabeth be an example of all pietie and felicitie vnto all kingdoms nations of the world which shall accept hir blessed among women But vnto thee O Lord the Prince of the celestiall companies and the author of all things for so woonderfull rare gifts in hir Maiestie shall all possible praise be especiallie giuen yea the fame of thy glorie be praised and magnified for euer and euer and let it fill both heauen and earth So euen so let it be O God Amen Another dailie praier for the perpetuall happinesse of our sacred and most gratious Souereigne and Queene Elizabeth O Almightie God King of kings and Lord of lords in thine hand is all power both in heauen and in earth thou confirmest kingdoms againe doost alter them according to thine heauenlie pleasure we praise thee we magnifie thee we extoll thine holie name for that it hath pleased thee to appoint ouer vs a good and gratious Queene which dooth gouerne with counsell and rule with wisdome Grant hir we beseech thee continuall peace long life and much happines and deliuer not hir Maiestie into the hands of hir enimies Rule thou hir mind that she may serue thee alwaies in feare and reioice in trembling let hir maintaine and imbrace pure religion defend hir people in the profession of Christs Gospell against all errors and superstition whatsoeuer Giue hir wisedome and vnderstanding to doo such things as are gratefull in thy sight profitable for vs hir subiects and hurtfull to none O God eternall Father heare the petitions of Elizabeth our Queene in all hir troubles the name of Christ our Sauiour glorifie hir and the comfortable aid of the holie Spirit vphold hir now and euermore Be mindfull of hir grace for hir good Lord remember all hir offerings make hir praiers acceptable in thy sight Giue to hir according to hir harts desire fulfill all hir petitions and prosper all hir purposes that we may reioice in thy saluation and triumph in the name of thee our God Blesse hir Lord euermore that wee may knowe that hir protector is in the clouds Harken vnto hir from thy holie heauens Oh send hir helpe from thy sanctuarie and aid hir from aboue by thy mightie right hand which bringeth saluation Let all hir enimies plainlie knowe O GOD that thou wilt saue thine annointed For though some trust in horses and other in chariots yet will we remember the name of our God they shall fall and be ouercome but wee couragiouslie will persist O Lord protect hir Maiestie and heare vs when we call vpon thee that in thy strength she may reioice and mightilie triumph in thy saluation Grant hir the desire of hir hart and denie not the petitions of hir lips For thou hast preuented hir with notable blessings and put a crowne of pure gold vpon hir head She hath asked life of thee and thou wilt giue hir a long life Great is hir glorie in thy saluation honour and fame hast thou put vpon hir Thou hast ordeined hir for exceeding blessednesse and doost comfort hir hart with thy cheerfull countenance And why Bicause she delighteth in Christ and doubteth not of thine euerlasting mercie O God that giuest victorie vnto kings and didst deliuer Dauid from perill of the sword saue and redeeme our deere Queene Elizabeth and deliuer hir from the hands of the children of another deuotion than she is whose mouth vttereth vanitie and their right hand is a right hand of falshood Yea let hir hand O Lord light vpon hir enimies and thy right hand find out all such as hate thee and enuie hir prosperitie Put them into a burning fornace in the time of thy displeasure the Lord in his anger shall consume them and fire shall deuour them Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth and their seed from the sonnes of men bicause they intended euill against thee and imagined mischiefe against the innocent which they could not bring to passe Therefore wilt thou turne them into flight and bend thy bowe against their faces Triumph O Lord in thy vertue and we will sing out thy glorie and commend thy power Saue our Queene O mercifull God in despite of all hir enimies which either secretlie or openlie go about to bring hir life to the graue or hir glorie to the dust Lord shield our Souereigne exalt thine annointed let thine hand assist and thine arme strengthen hir Neuer let hir foes preuaile against hir nor the child of wickednesse bring hir to destruction Banish from hir Court all hir priuie enimies and preserue hir euermore from dissembling friends Mercie and iudgement be Queene Elizabeths song vnto thee O Lord let hir sing thy magnificall mercies Worke in hir roiall hart an endeuour to be fullie instructed in the perfect waie of thy roiall lawes for so much as thou hast made hir Queene ouer this Relme With thy grace open hir hart instruct hir and lead hir vp and downe in the midst of hir people in perfectnesse of hart Let hir neuer set before hir eies anie diuelish thing Cause hir to detest the worke of back-sliding from God let that take no hold in hir Driue far awaie from hir the men of froward harts let hir not once be acquainted with euill persons Who so priuilie slandereth his neighbor let hir destroie him Who so hath also a proud looke and an hautie stomach cause hir to loath him Settle hir eies vpon such in the land as are faithfull that they may dwell
with hir Who so leadeth a godlie life men of good conscience let such be hir seruants Let no deceitfull person haue anie place in hir house him that telleth lies or is a reuenger of bloud cause hir speedilie to cast out of hir sight Finallie grant hir will and power O Lord of hosts dailie to suppresse all the vngodlie in the land that she may root out from the citie of God all wicked dooers Queene Elizabeth hath done that is lawfull right wherefore O Lord leaue hir not to such as doo offer hir wrong For thine owne goodnesse sake take hir thine handmaid vnto thy protection let not the proud oppresse hir with wrong Deale with thine handmaid according to thy louing kindnesse and teach hir thy statutes She is thy seruant grant hir vnderstanding that she may knowe thy testimonies Thy testimonies conteine woonderous things therefore cause hir hart to be zealous in keeping of them The first entrance of thy words will illuminate giuing vnderstanding euen vnto the simple Worke in hir hart so feruent desire of thy word that through affection thereto she may be like one that panteth openeth his mouth for breath Looke thou vpon hir O Lord and be mercifull vnto hir as thou vsest to doo vnto them that loue thy name Direct hir steps in thy word and so let no wickednesse haue dominion ouer hir Redeeme hir from the fraudulent dealings of men and cause hir to keepe thy commandements Make the light of thy countenance shine vpon our Queene Elizabeth thine handmaiden and teach hir thy statutes Heare my praiers O God and giue good eare vnto mine intercessions For behold from the ends of the earth I call vnto thee for our deere Souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth whensoeuer hir hart is in heauines oh set hir vp vpon the rocke that is higher than she For hitherto thou hast beene hir defence and a strong tower for hir against the face of the enimie Let hir dwell I beseech thee in thy tabernacle for euer let hir trust be vnder the couering of thy wings For thou O Lord heardst hir desires and hast giuen hir an heritage ouer those that feare thy name O grant vnto the Queene a long life that hir yeeres may endure manie generations Let hir dwell before the Lord for euer O appoint thy louing mercie and truth that they may preserue hir so cause hir alwaies to sing praise vnto thy name that she may daie by daie performe hir vowes and keepe thy heasts Finallie giue thy iudgment O Lord vnto hir Grace and thy righteousnesse vnto hir Counsell that they may iudge the people with iustice and the poore with equitie Let the mountaines bring peace and the little hils righteousnes vnto the people Let them iudge the afflicted among the people and saue the sonnes of the poore make them to destroie the backe-slider that he persist not to afflict the miserable and such as trust in thy mercie and protection so shall quietnesse and peace abound among vs like the hillocks on the earth Cause hir enimies to feare hir so long as the sunne and moone shineth from one generation to another Water hir with thy grace from heauen as thou didst Gedeons fleece of wool with dew and as thou refreshest with drops of raine the new cut grasse vpon the earth In hir daies let the righteous flourish and great abundance of peace so long as the moone is in the firmament Defend the dominions that thou hast giuen hir within the seas and from the floud vnto the end of the earth Cause hir foes to kneele downe before hir and hir enimies to licke the dust of hir feete Giue hir a long and prosperous reigne indue hir with abundance of riches and wealth heape glorie and honour vpon hir head and let hir be partaker alwaies of the praiers of the iust and be dailie blessed The Lord euen the God of Israel which onelie worketh woonderous things blesse our gratious Queene Elizabeth and blessed be the name of his Maiestie for euer yea let all the earth be filled with his glorious praise Amen And she shall magnifie thee O Lord hir King and she shall praise thy name for euer Euerie daie let hir giue thanks vnto thee O Lord and praise thy name for euer and euer Grant this O most mercifull Father for thy deere sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake Amen Amen Another praier for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie WOnderfull O most excellent and almightie GOD is the depth of thy iudgements Thou King of kings Lord of lords thou which at thy pleasure doost take awaie and transpose roote out and plant confound and establish kingdoms Thou of thy singular goodnesse hast deliuered our gratious Souereigne Queene Elizabeth thy chosen Handmaid when she was almost at deaths dore yea thou hast deliuered hir out of prison and setled hir in hir fathers throne to thee therefore doo we render thanks to thee doo we sing laud and praise thy name doo we honour daie and night Thou hast restored againe the libertie of our countrie and the sinceritie of the doctrine with peace and tranquillitie of thy Church Thine thine O Lord was the benefit the meanes the labour and seruice was hirs a burthen too heauie alas for a womans shoulders yet easie and tollerable by thy helping hand Assist hir therefore O most mercifull father neither respect hir offences or the deserts of hir parents or the manifold sinnes of vs hir people but thinke vpon thy woonted compassion alwaies at hand to thy poore afflicted Preserue hir kingdome mainteine religion defend thy cause our Queene Elizabeth vs thy sheepe and hir people scatter thine enimies which thirst after war let them be ashamed and confounded that woorship idols let vs not be a praie vnto forraigne nations nor to the people that knowe not thee neither call vpon thy name Strengthen and confirme O Lord the good worke which thou hast begun inspire our gratious Queene thy seruant and vs thy poore flocke with thy holie spirit that with vncorrupt life we may ioine puritie of religion as we may not yeeld and bring foorth wild and bastard fruits but mild and sweet grapes and fruits beseeming a liuelie faith and true repentance and meet and conuenient for thy Gospell to the intent we may enioie this immortall treasure and that liuing and dieng in thee we may finallie possesse the inheritance of thy heauenlie kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord. For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer Amen A forme of blessing or praier for our most gratious Queene Elizabeth Christ his deere spouse out of the Scriptures COme downe O Lord come with thousands of thy Saincts and appeare gratiouslie vnto thy Church of Saincts Come visit the people and congregations of Iacob whersoeuer assembled whome thou so tenderlie louest and which are humbled at thy feet to yeeld thee thanks for all thy blessings and benefits receiued Come downe I saie O God of Iacob and blesse Israel yea come
grace of hartie repentance that as wee knowe so likewise we may acknowledge vnto thee all our vnrighteousnesse and hencefoorth labour the more busilie without anie delaie to amend those things wherein we haue hitherto offended thee We knowe O Lord that this is the onelie time of mercie in so much that if we obtaine it not during this our mortall life there remaineth nothing for vs to be looked for but a fearefull and a rigorous sentence of iudgement Grant therefore we beseech thee O mercifull God that sith we are now in a most damnable estate by the reason of our continuall disobedience out of the which we can by no meanes recouer our selues but by thy mercifull gift of repentance that we may euen now obtaine at thy hands not onlie it but all other thy graces annexed therevnto such as are most needfull for vs to the accomplishing of thy will and to the setting foorth of thy honour and glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord and sauiour who sitteth at thy right hand euen now and euer to make intercession for vs. Daughter Amen For the authoritie of discipline to be established in the Church Mother BEcause that crookednesse and disobedience haue taken so deepe roote in all estates that now adaies manie dare boldlie refuse all Ecclesiasticall censure to the great hinderance of the course of the Gospell grant therefore we beseech thee that like as thou hast dealt with other nations euen so may it please thee now at the length to extend thy like mercie vnto this Realme also and all others that are in the same necessitie that the authoritie of Ecclesiasticall censure and discipline which for our sinnes thou hast hitherto kept backe from vs may be placed in the Church to the due punishment of sinfull life and contempt of thy word in such sort that it may extend indifferentlie vnto all estates both high and lowe as well to the terror of the ill and comfort of the good as also to the speedie and perfect reformation of all such things as are yet disordered in this thy Church through the same Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name for these all things else expedient for vs we lift vp our harts vnto thee saieng as he hath taught vs Mother and Daughter altogether Our Father c. Mother Into thy hands O Lord doo we commend our selues wholie both bodie and soule vouchsafe to receiue vs Lord God of mercie Daughter Amen Mother In thee O God haue we trusted let vs neuer be confounded Daughter Amen Mother Deliuer vs we beseech thee from the power of darkenesse of this world the flesh and the diuell Daughter Amen Mother Lord let it be done vnto vs as we doo put our trust in thee Daughter Amen Mother We beleeue O Lord Lord helpe and make perfect our vnbeleefe Daughter Amen The conclusion of all things else expedient for vs. Mother THese O mercifull Father and all other thy graces such as be most agreeable to thy will to the setting foorth of thy honor and glorie and to the assurance of our saluation grant thou vnto vs we beseech thee in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ And that we may vtterlie cast off all sinfull affections and hencefoorth leade our liues in holinesse righteousnesse and innocencie yeelding vnto thee continuall thanks for all thy benefits and mercies we beseech thee send downe into our harts thy holie spirit to prepare instruct and guide vs in all our thoughts words and works to the fulfilling of thy good will and pleasure to whome the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God of eternall and infinite maiestie be all praise thanks and glorie at all times in all places in all things aboue all things and euen so in vs all now and euer Daughter Amen Mother Blessed be the Lord. Daughter Thanks be to God ¶ If when we are desirous to commend the Church vnto the blessings of God which in our dailie praiers we ought to doo necessarie busines will not well impart so much time as the forme of these praiers require then after good consideration both of Gods former benefits towards vs and of the manifold infirmities of the Church we may doo it in these few words Mother O Lord heare my praier Daughter And let my crie come vnto thee Mother TO thee O heauenlie Father be all thanks honour glorie for because it hath pleased thee through the merits of Iesus Christ to deale so mercifullie with vs. For looke how high the heauen is in comparison of the earth so great hath thy mercie beene towards vs at all times and in all things much beyond that that our foolish harts could wish or desire For the which as we doo yeeld vnto thee all possible thanks from the bottome of our harts euen so doo we humblie beseech thee with thy fatherlie goodnesse to supplie all our infirmities wherewith we dailie offend thee Blesse thou therefore and be mercifull vnto thy Church vniuersallie and to all the members thereof and namelie vnto all Princes and ciuil Magistrates that by their gouernment thy name may be alwaies sanctified and thy glorious kingdome faithfullie prepared Unto all Bishops and spirituall pastors that they may diligentlie execute the charge committed vnto them Unto all subiects and inferiors that they may in thee and for thee obeie serue loue honor all superior powers Unto the ignorant and such as are not yet brought to the knowledge of thy truth that their eies may be opened to the vtter abolishing in them whatsoeuer is not of faith Unto the malicious persecutors also that either their harts may be turned or else that thou take them awaie from among vs. Unto the persecuted and afflicted that they may end their conflicts with victorie whether it be by death or deliuerance Unto thy haruest that it perish not for lacke of reapers Unto Uniuersities and Schooles that they may attaine to ripenesse of good and godlie knowledge and vse the same to the furtherance of thy kingdome Unto this our Realme that we may hartilie repent vs of all our sinnes that thou maist also repent thee of the punishment which thou hast prepared for vs and euer continue thy goodnesse towards vs as thou hast begonne Giuing vnto vs among thine other benefits such authoritie of the ecclesiasticall sword to the amendment of all things and reformation of all estates as may be most to the propagation of thy truth and true religion Finallie vnto vs all that are of the houshold of faith that all other things set apart we may onelie seeke thee and thy kingdome and euer sing praises vnto thy holie name These O Lord and all other graces agreeable to thy holie will and expedient for vs grant vnto thy seruants in the name of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with the holie Ghost be all thanks honour and glorie now and euer Daughter Amen Christian praiers and diuine meditations as generallie to be vsed at all times so especiallie
with a crowne of the more glorie for it and to the intent that thou mightest likewise ouercome sathan in thy members as thou hast afore done in thine owne person Giue thou we beseech thee vnto vs thy souldiers O Lion most victorious of the tribe of Iuda strength against the roring Lion which continuallie wandereth to and fro seeking whome he may deuour Thou being that same Serpent the true giuer of health and life that was nailed on high vpon a tree giue vnto thy little seelie ones wilinesse against the deceiptfull awaitings of the most subtil serpent Thou being a Lambe as white as snowe the vanquisher of sathans tyrannie giue vs thy little sheepe the strength and vertue of thy spirit that being in our owne selues weake and feeble and in thee strong and valiant wee may withstand and ouercome all assaults of the diuell so that our ghostlie enimie may not glorie ouer vs but being conquerours through thee we may giue thanks to thy mercie which neuer leauest them destitute that put their trust in thee who liuest and reignest God for euermore world without end Amen 7. On Thursedaie next before Easter commonlie called Maundie Thursedaie Of Christ his last feast or institution of the Sacrament of the Supper and of his great humilitie in washing his disciples feet afterward The Preface I Saith Wisedome haue killed my victuals drawne my wine and prepared my table Come now vnto me all ye poore in spirit that are emptie and an hungred come ye fat and rich also vpon earth that go astraie and faint for thirst Come I saie O freends eate of my meate woorthilie and worship me drinke of my wine purelie and glorifie me Make ye merrie at my table holilie and praise me O welbeloued For it is I that satisfie the mouth with good things and fill the hungrie soule with spirituall deinties Yea my flesh is meate in deed and my bloud is drinke in deed which I haue prouided for my people and he that eateth me euen he shall liue by me Happie and blessed therefore are they that are called to the Lambs supper for they shall eate Manna euen Angels food in the kingdome of heauen Lord bid me vnto this feast and grant that I may sup with thee and thou with me Lord wash not my feet onlie but my hands and head also for I am altogither vncleane and if thou wash me not I shall remaine filthie still O wash me therefore throughlie from my wickednes and cleanse me from my secret faults and purge me from my presumptuous sinnes For I haue sinned I haue offended oh forgiue me and haue mercie on me The Praier O Blessed Sauiour and deere Redeemer Iesu Christ which in the holie mysterie of thy last Supper with thine Apostles didst deliuer thy blessed bodie and bloud vnder the forme of bread wine and ordeinedst that as thy bodie was broken and thy bloud shead for vs so we should thankefullie celebrate and keepe a solemne memorie of thy death till thou come Grant vs we beseech thee euer stedfastlie to beleeue and kindlie to acknowledge thine infinite and almightie power thine incomprehensible loue towards vs and that we may alwaie worthilie receiue the same blessed Sacrament according to thy holie ordinance that thereby we may obtaine increase of all goodnes in vnitie of spirit with thee our head and by thee and thy spirit with all the companie of them that be trulie thine which be thy spirituall and mysticall bodie and our spirituall and Christian brethren and sisters Suffer vs not also we beseech thee to fall into anie slothfull and carelesse negligence whereby we should vnkindlie forget so inestimable a benefit but rather at all occasions with minds woorthilie prepared for so holie an action thankefullie to renew the memorie of thy so infinite loue towards vs and to receiue the grace which thereby is offered vnto vs to the ioining of vs continuallie neerer vnto thee till we be ioined without anie separation vnto thee through thee Finallie as in thine owne blessed person thou hast giuen an example of perfect loue whereby in humblenesse and meekenesse we should serue one another as thou being the Lord and maister of vs all didst vouchsafe after thy last Supper to wash the feet of thy disciples and seruants grant vs that louing and meeke spirit of thine whereby we may be far from disdaine and despising of our brethren and readie in all good things to be dutifull and seruiceable vnto them in thee and for thee that as thou hast left vs in commandement we may loue one another as thou hast loued vs and thereby be knowne to be thy disciples especiallie O Christ that we may be faithfull in our loue toward thee who for our sakes wast content to be vnfaithfullie and vnfriendlie betraied of him that had liued familiarlie with thee that thou mightest thereby assure vs of thine euerlasting loue and mercie To thee therfore with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise honour and glorie now and for euer Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie on me 8. On Good Fridaie Of Christ his passion and shamefull suffering for our sinnes Leuiti 23 27 c. THIS is the daie of reconciliation to make an attonement for you before the Lord your God therefore shall it be an holie conuocation vnto you And you shall humble your selues this daie in fasting and praier and offer sacrifice made by fire vnto the Lord. And whatsoeuer soule it be that thus humbleth not himselfe this daie euen he shall be cut off and destroied from among his people Let this be a lawe and ordinance in your generations and in all your dwellings for euer saith the Lord. The Preface CHrist now once in the end of the world through the eternall spirit offered himselfe a Lamb without spot to God suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust died for all and was killed vpon the altar of the crosse as perteining to the flesh but was quickned in the spirit to put awaie sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ became sinne and a cursse for vs to redeeme vs sinners from the cursse of the lawe and to reconcile vs vnto the blessing and fauour of God his father that we should be made the righteousnes of God in him Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ was obedient vnto the death euen vnto the most vile and shamefull death of the crosse to deliuer vs from death hell and damnation and to translate and bring vs into the kingdome of God his father Wo and alas that euer I sinned Christ being in the forme of God tooke on him the forme of a seruant and made himselfe of no reputation but for the ioie that was set before him endured such blasphemie railing euill speaking against him of shamelesse sinners and when he was reuiled reuiled not againe when he suffered threatened not but committing the vengeance to him that iudgeth righteouslie despised
health and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse Thou shalt open my lips O Lord and my mouth shall shew thy praise For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I giue it thee but thou delightest not in burnt offerings The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit a broken and contrite hart O God shalt thou not despise O be fauourable and gratious to Sion build thou the walles of Hierusalem Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnesse with the burnt offerings and oblations then shall they offer yong bullocks vpon thine altar 5. Domine exaudi Psal 102. HEare my praier O Lord and let my crieng come vnto thee Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble incline thine eares vnto me when I call O heare me and that right soone For my daies are consumed awaie like smoke and my bones are burnt vp as it were a firebrand My hart is smitten downe and withered like grasse so that I forget to eate my bread For the voice of my groaning my bones will scarse cleaue to my flesh I am become like a Pellicane in the wildernesse and like an Owle that is in the desert I haue watched am euen as it were a Sparowe that sitteth alone vpon the house top Mine enimies reuile me all the daie long and they that are mad vpō me are sworne togither against me For I haue eaten ashes as it were bread and mingled my drinke with weeping And that because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast taken me vp and cast me downe My daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered like grasse But thou O Lord shalt endure for euer and thy remembrance throughout all generations Thou shalt arise and haue mercie vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercie vpon hir yea the time is come And why thy seruants thinke vpon hir stones and it pitieth them to see hir in the dust The heathen shall feare thy name O Lord and all the kings of the earth thy Maiestie When the Lord shall build vp Sion and when his glorie shall appeare When he turneth him vnto the praier of the poore destitute and despiseth not their desire This shall be written for those that come after and the people which shall be borne shall praise the Lord. For he hath looked downe from his Sanctuarie out of the heauen did the Lord behold the earth That he might heare the mournings of such as bee in captiuitie and deliuer the children appointed vnto death That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion and his woorship at Hierusalem When the people are gathered togither and the kingdomes also to serue the Lord. He brought downe my strength in my iournie and shortened my daies But I said O my God take me not awaie in the midst of mine age as for thy yeares they endure thoroughout all generations Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the heauens are the worke of thy hands They shall perish but thou shalt endure they shall all waxe old as doth a garment And as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy yeares shall not faile The children of thy seruants shall continue and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight 6. De profundis Psal 130. OUt of the deepe haue I called vnto thee O Lord Lord heare my voice Oh let thine eares consider well the voice of my complaint If thou Lord wilt be extreame to marke what is done amisse oh Lord who may abide it For there is mercie with thee therefore shalt thou be feared I looked for the Lord my soule doth wait for him in his word is my trust My soule flieth vnto thee Lord before the morning watch I saie before the morning watch O Israell trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercie and with him is plentious redemption And he shall redeeme Israell from all his sinnes 7. Domine exaudi Psal 143. HEare my praier O Lord consider my desire hearken vnto me for thy truth and righteousnesse sake And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified For the enimie hath persecuted my soule he hath smitten my life downe to the ground he hath laid me in the darkenesse as the men that haue beene long dead Therefore is my spirit vexed within me and my heart within me is desolate Yet doo I remember the time past I muse vpon all thy works yea I exercise my selfe in the works of thy hands I stretch foorth my hands vnto thee my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirstie land Heare me O Lord and that soone for my spirit wareth faint hide not thy face from me least I be like vnto them that go downe into the pit O let me heare thy louing kindnes betimes in the morning for in thee is my trust shew thou me the waie that I should walke in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Deliuer me O Lord from mine enimies for I flee vnto thee to hide me Teach me to doo the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God let thy louing spirit leade me foorth into the land of righteousnesse Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake and for thy righteousnesse sake bring my soule out of trouble And of thy goodnesse slaie mine enimies and destroie all them that vexe my soule for I am thy seruant Glorie be to the Father to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Heerevnto you may adde as occasion and time will serue these select and notable Psalmes of Dauid as they are at large in the Psalter that is to saie the 5 7 13 17 22 25 31 35 42 43 55 56 57 69 71 77 86 88. Other Psalmes or Praiers compiled out of holie Scriptures verie necessarie to be vsed of the afflicted soule for obteining the remission of sinnes and mitigation of miseries O Lord of lords GOD almightie great and dreadfull which by thy word hast made heauen earth the sea all things conteined in them Nothing is able to resist thy power thy mercie is ouer all thy works All things be vnder thy dominion and rule both man and beast and all liuing creatures Thou art mercifull to whome thou wilt and hast compassion on whome it pleaseth thee Thy counsell shall stand for euer and whatsoeuer thou wilt shall be done Power dominion and glorie is thine which art aboue all things and in all things and in vs all Thou art Father of mercies and God of all grace peace and comfort which wilt not the death of a sinner nor delightest in the damnation of soules O Lord God which art rich in mercie and of thine especiall loue towards vs euen when we were thine enimies didst send into the world thine onelie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ that whosoeuer beleeueth dulie in him
the worke of thine ineffable goodnesse Behold thine owne sweet Sonne how all his bodie was drawne and stretched foorth on the crosse Looke vpon all the parts of his bodie from the crowne of the head vnto the sole of the foote and no paine shall be found like vnto his paine Behold O louing Father the blessed head of thy deere Sonne crowned with sharpe thornes and the bloud running downe vpon his godlie visage Behold his tender bodie how it is scourged his naked brest is stricken and beaten his bloudie side is thrust through his heart panteth his sinewes bee stretched foorth his godlie eies dazell and leese their sight his princelie face is wanne and pale his pleasant tongue is inflamed for paine his inward parts waxe drie and starke his armes both blew wanne be stiffe his bones be plucked one from another his beautifull legs be feeble and weake and the streames of bloud issuing out of his bodie ranne downe apace vpon his feet Looke O my Father vpon the humilitie and gentlenesse of thy deere Sonne and pitie the infirmitie of thy weake handie-worke Behold O glorious Father the bodie of thy deere Sonne all to rent and torne and remember I beseech thee of how small substance I am Looke vpon the paine of him that is both God and man and release the miserie of man whome thou hast made Behold the greeuous suffering of the Redeemer and forgiue the sinne of hir that is redeemed Keepe me from all euill waies and teach me by thy holie spirit to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O thou king of holinesse by him that is most holie by this my Redeemer Christ that thou bring me againe into the right waie that I may be vnited and made one with him in spirit which abhorred not to be vnited with me in flesh Make me to go perfectlie in thy paths and to hate all wicked waies Wash my hart from malice and clense me from my secret sinnes Clense me O holie Father with the bloud of the new testament of thy welbeloued Sonne which hath loued vs and washed vs with his bloud from our sinnes and hath redeemed vs from all iniquitie Purifie my heart by the sanctification of thy spirit and the sprinkling of the bloud of thy Sonne from all filthinesse of sinne and euill conscience O God almightie be mercifull vnto me a sinner for thy glorious name sake and remember my sinnes no longer For thou art God gratious and mercifull and patientlie dooest suffer vs and wouldest that no man should perish but y t all men should returne to penance Make me O Lord God to returne from mine euill waies and wicked thoughts Remember not the sinnes and abhominations of my youth according to thy mercie be mindfull of mee for thy goodnesse sake O Lord. Looke not vpon me with a grienous countenance for there is no man that dare speake for me Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for if thou accuse me I shall neuer be quit For if thou O Lord marke my sinnes and iniquitie who shall not fall before thee This is certaine and sure that then in thy sight no man liuing shall be iustified seeing thou hast found iniquitie euen in thine Angels How much rather in man which is abhomination and filthinesse and dwelleth in the earthlie house of his bodie and drinketh iniquitie as it were water Who is cleane from filthinesse when all be corrupted trulie not one no though he haue liued but one daie on the earth and though his moneths may be easilie numbered Of a truth there is no mortall man which hath not done wickedlie nor there is anie righteous on earth which doth good and sinneth not Yet because mercie is in thy hand O Lord although thou be dreadfull my hope is in thee in whome my soule trusteth My soule looketh for thee because mercie and plentifull redemption is with thee For this I knowe assuredlie that thou wilt not cast me awaie for euer but although thou cast me awaie for my sinnes awhile yet thou wilt haue mercie vpon me againe according to the multitude of thy mercies For thou O Lord art full of pitie and mercie and wilt not turne thy face awaie from vs if we will returne to thee Thou art our God full of sweetnesse veritie and patience and disposest all things by mercie The fountaines of thy goodnesse be euer full and flowe ouer thy grace neuer decaieth All thy waies be mercie and truth to them that seeke out thy couenant and testimonies How gentle and louing the father is to his children so gentle and louing art thou O Lord to them that feare thee and for the aboundance of thy mercie thou dooest pardon our infirmities Thou knowest thine owne handie-worke thou remembrest what we are thou seest we are flesh and of no strength Thou hast not forgotten that this world is full of vnrighteousnesse and wickednesse and that it is wholie set and bent on euill Yea neuerthelesse thou art mercifull and full of grace and like a mercifull Lord forbearest to punish sinners when they repent themselues and returne from their sinnes Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God my sauiour for the glorie of thy name and deliuer me and forgiue me my sinnes for thy name sake O righteous Father looke not straitelie vpon the multitude of my sinnes but looke on the face of Iesus thy holie Sonne which being without sinne bare our sinnes in his bodie on the tree of the crosse Turne awaie thy face from my sinnes and put out all mine iniquities Make a cleane hart in mee O God and renew mee with a right spirit Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thine holie spirit from me Giue me againe the comfort of thy helpe and stablish me with thy mightie spirit Mollifie mine hart O Lord GOD that I may returne to thy paths for I haue wandered ouer long in the waie of errour Turne me to thee and I shall be turned for thou art my maker and I am the claie and worke of thine hands Turne not thy face awaie from me nor go not from thy seruant in thine anger Be mine helper and forsake me not despise me not O Lord which art my God and my health Amen Another Psalme for the remission of sinnes O Most mightie GOD of Angels and of men whose iudgements be vnsearchable whose wisedome is profound and deepe Neare the praiers of thy seruants and cast not awaie the humble suits of thy poore creature and handie worke For as long as I shall liue I will speake vnto thee and I will not hold my peace so long as the breth is in my bodie I doo turne my soule vnto thee and I set mine eies directlie vpon thee Let thine anger be turned awaie from me I beseech thee and grant that I may find grace and fauour in thy sight According to the greatnesse of thy mercie forgiue me all my sinnes Plucke me awaie from mine heinous offences and heale my soule which
towards thee being like a deceitfull bowe My pride and presumption accuse me to my face I am ouerthrowne in mine owne wickednesse I doo seeke thee O Lord I beseech thee that I may find thee thou art separated from me for I haue greedilie followed filthinesse Yet will I accuse mine owne sinfull waies before thee O Lord vntill thou haue mercie vpon me and receiue me againe into thy fauour God forbid that euer I should depart from thee againe and not diligentlie seeke for thy promises I will neuer hold my peace nor keepe silence vntill thou haue established that couenant with me which thou hast made and ordeined in times past That is to saie like as the iustice of a iust man shall not deliuer or saue him what time soeuer he shall offend so the wickednesse of a wicked man shall not hurt him what time soeuer he shall returne from his wickednesse In hope of this O Lord God I will tarie thy pleasure for thou art good to them that trust in thee and to the soule that seeketh thee Thou keepest thy truth for euermore and the words which issue foorth of thy mouth shall not be void and of none effect Destroie me not good Lord for my sinnes nor reserue not eternall punishment for me Open thine eies and behold the greatnesse of my paine and mine affliction for mine iniquitie is great in thy sight and my sinnes haue brought me into this trouble Destroie me not vtterlie nor leaue me in my sinnes for thou art God of mercie and verie gratious Execute not the punishment vpon me which thou haddest purposed doo to me according to thy name although my defaults and sinnes be manie O Lord thou art my God and thy name hath beene put vpon me leaue me not in the deepenesse of my troubles Thou hast chastised and reformed manie and hast strengthned the wearie hands thy words haue set vp him that staggered and thou hast made streight the crooked knees Wherefore I will seeke thee O Lord God which hast wrought great things vnsearchable innumerable Thou hast taken vp the poore out of the dust and hast exalted them which were abiects For thou dooest deliuer the poore in his miserie out of the straite and bottomlesse pit of tribulation and out of the wide mouth of anguish and affliction into rest and quietnesse Thou art gratious and mercifull for that thou shewest mercie to them which be not yet come into the world and thou art verie mercifull to them which diligentlie obserue and keepe thy lawes and thou dooest patientlie suffer sinners giuing them time and place wherby they may be changed from their malice Heare me poore wretch making supplication vnto thee for in thee and thy name I haue put my trust and affiance Take me thy seruant vnto thee and make me good and let me not be disappointed of that that I looke for Come againe O Lord God and saue my soule destroie me not whome thou hast redeemed by thy great might and power Looke not vpon the hardnesse of my hart nor vpon my sinnes but like as thou hast manie times shewed mercie so now be mercifull and forgiue me Heare me O Lord and be pacified regard my praier and doo according to thy great name O Lord I looke to haue helpe and saluation from thee and this is my dailie meditation and exercise For thy mercies be great and thy goodnesse is inestimable Heare me now fauourablie and with-hold thy mercies no longer from me In the waie of thy iudgements I will looke after thee my soule desireth to magnifie thy name and to haue thee in memorie Incline my hart to doo thy commandements and direct my waies euermore in thy sight Let me neuer heereafter go awaie from thy waies nor leaue me not now in the deepenesse of my troubles Turne not thine eies awaie from me but teach me O Lord to doo those things which are pleasant in thy sight Make a perpetuall league and couenant with me that thou wilt put thy feare into my heart that I neuer swarue from thee in all my life Withdrawe not thy goodnesse from me for euer but keepe thy promise and fidelitie Be good vnto me with beneuolence and fauour for thou art mercifull and thy displeasure continueth not for euer Remember me with fauour and kindnesse and visit me with thy saluation I knowe O Lord God that thou art gratious and mercifull patient and of great mercifulnesse Thou art good and mercifull thou keepest couenant and mercie with thy seruants which walke before thee in their whole heart There is none other God but thou which regardest and carest for all For thou hast beene euer verie mercifull to me deliuering my soule from the deepe hell Let thy goodnesse O Lord be euer with me for all my wealth resteth onlie in thee In the time of tribulation I call vpon thee O Lord for thou art nigh vnto them which call vpon thy holie name Succour me O God and looke merilie vpon me shew me the light of thy countenance in thee my soule trusteth and my hart reioiceth Let my praier come vnto thy throne bow downe thine eare vnto my crie Heare me now being penitent O Lord whom thou hast hitherto patientlie suffered to the intent I should repent and amend my life O God I haue opened vnto thee my life saue mee for thy name sake for my trust is in thee What care I for worldlie things this one thing onlie I need and desire that I may find grace and fauour in thy sight Wherefore I beseech thee O Lord take awaie from me this paine and sorrowe or at least-wise mitigate and asswage it either by comfort or by counsell or by what meanes soeuer it shall bee seene good to thee Another Psalme or complaint of a penitent sinner which is sore troubled and ouercome with sinne O Lord God mercifull and patient and of much mercifulnesse and truth Which for thine aboundant charitie and according to thy great mercie hast taken vs out from the power of darkenesse and hast saued vs by the fountaine of regeneration and new birth and the renewing of the holie Ghost whome thou hast shed vpon vs aboundantlie by Iesu Christ our sauiour If I haue found grace and fauour in thy sight suffer me to speake a word vnto thee and be not displeased with me Why dooest thou euer forget me and leauest me in the middest of my troubles and euils Where is become thy zeale thy strength Where is the multitude of thy tender affections and of thy mercies O Lord may not he which is fallen rise vp againe Or may not he which hath gone awaie from thee returne to thee againe Shall my sorrowe euer endure Shall my wound be incurable and neuer healed How commeth it to passe that I turne still awaie from thee My sinne dailie increaseth and of my selfe I can not returne In as much as it is not giuen to man to direct his owne waies neither to make perfect his owne
secrets of the hart Laie not against me O Lord the sins of my youth nor haue in remembrance mine old iniuries done against thee Dailie sorowe ouercommeth me and sadnesse possesseth mine hart I looke after peace but I can not haue it I looke for a time of health but my greefe continueth still When the time of thine anger is past let mercie come yet am I vnhappie more and more Wo and alas that euer I sinned mine hart therefore mourneth and is sad all mirth and ioie be banished from me How am I wasted How miserablie am I confounded bicause I haue forsaken and cast awaie thy lawe Death hath ascended vp by the windowes pearcing the inward parts of mine hart When I dailie one while muse secretlie with my selfe another while with lowd voice crie out and complaine the meane time my life draweth neere to the pit Who shall giue me a place to rest in from all my griefes and troubles And I will forsake all men and get me awaie from them Who shall giue me water to mine head and a fountaine of teares to mine eies that I may bewaile my sinnes both night and daie And I will looke for him which may saue me and deliuer me from the wrath to come I haue no trust neither in life nor death but I feare thy iudgement O Lord and the paines prepared for wicked sinners The feare of my sinne maketh me carefull and the burden of my conscience oppresseth me sore O GOD which tenderlie louest mankind and art a most rightfull iudge spare me now I beseech thee and shew me some fauour while time is Forgiue that which I feare put awaie that which I dread before I depart hence and shall not returne againe My sinnes doo vexe and trouble me sore they be so great that none can be greater Alas my fall alas my miserie alas the griefe of my plague and stroke certainlie my sinne is the cause of all this and so I will take and suffer it A verie deuout and effectuall praier vnto Christ for mercie and grace to be hartilie said and often vsed especiallie when ye fast or prepare your selfe to receiue the Communion O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of the liuing GOD which being vpon the Crosse with thine hands spred abroad for the redemption of all mankind didst drinke the most bitter cup of thy passion I beseech thee that thou wouldest vouchsafe to giue me helpe this daie or night and euer Lo I a poore wretch come vnto thee which art rich a sinner vnto thee that art mercifull let mee not returne home contemned and despised with nothing I begin an hungred let me not leaue off fasting I come vnto thee as though I were famished let me not go awaie vnfed Although before I eate I sigh and sorowe yet after my sorowe giue me somewhat to eate First of all good Iesu I acknowledge before thy Maiestie mine vnrighteousnesse towards thee Behold O Lord I was conceiued in sinne and borne in the same and thou diddest wash them off from me and sanctified me but I afterward defiled my selfe with bigger and more greeuous sinnes For I was borne in sinne of necessitie bicause I could be borne none otherwise but afterward I rolled my selfe willinglie in sinnes Neuerthelesse thou O Lord being mindfull of thy pitie diddest take me out of the house of my carnall father and out of the tents of the vngodlie and hast inspired me and put me in mind to followe thee with the generation of them that seeke thy face of them that walke in the right path of puritie of them that abide and continue among the lillies of virginitie and chastitie and of them that sit downe togither with thee at supper of most scarsitie and least excesse But I an vnkind wretch forgetting so manie great benefits after that I was entered into thy seruice haue committed manie vnlawfull things I did offend woonderfull vngratiouslie dooing manie a foule sinne And where I should of right haue amended mine euil life and left my sinnes I heaped sinnes vpon sinnes And these be the euils wherewith I whom thou didst create after thine owne similitude and likenesse haue dishonoured thee O Lord and haue spotted and defiled my selfe namelie with idolatrie superstition pride vaine-glorie couetousnesse and other manie euils and foule vices wherewith mine vnluckie soule is vexed punished torne and destroied Behold O Lord mine vnrighteousnesse is gone ouer mine head and is like a sore burden ouer heauie for me to beare and except thou whose propertie is euer to haue mercie and to forgiue doo laie vnder mee the right hand of thy Maiestie I shall be constrained miserablie to sinke into the deepe and be drownd Giue heed O Lord God and behold bicause thou art holie looke how mine enimie assaulteth me saieng GOD hath forsaken him I will persecute him and catch him bicause there is no man that will deliuer him but thou Lord how long Turne againe and deliuer my soule oh saue me for thy mercies sake Haue mercie vpon thy daughter whom thou hast brought foorth with no small sorowe and paine and bee not so intentiue vnto mine euilnesse that thou forget thine owne goodnesse What father is there but hee will deliuer his child Yea and what father is there that will not correct his child and chasten it But with the rod of pitie Therefore O Father and Lord although I be a sinner yet can I not choose but bee thy daughter bicause thou hast made me yea and made me againe when I was mard with sinne Repaire and amend me now euermore O Lord but first of all I being mended and chastised as thy child with thy gentle scourge deliuer me to thy Sonne Can a mother forget the child she bare of hir womb And surelie although she sometime be forgetfull yet thou O Father hast promised not to forget vs. Behold I crie and thou dooest not heare me I am vexed with sorowe and thou comfortest me not What shall I saie Or what shall I doo most wretched caitife that I am I being desolate of so great comfort am cast out trō the sight of thine eies Wo be vnto me From how great goodnesse into how great a mischiefe am I fallen Whither purposed I to go And whither am I come Where am I And where am I not Whom did I labour to attaine vnto And what euils haue I obteined I sought for good things and behold I haue found trouble anguish care Behold now I am in a most miserable case euen in the state of death and damnation For Iesus is not with me my Iesus is departed from me and surelie it were better for me to haue nothing at all yea no being at all than to bee without Iesu It is better not to liue than to liue without life And thou O Lord Iesu where be thine old mercies Wilt thou absent thy selfe for euer Wilt thou bee angrie towards me a wretch for euermore O be pacified I beseech thee and haue mercie vpon
me Be pacified I saie and turne not thy face awaie from me which to the intent thou mightest redeeme me didst not turne awaie thy face from them that rebuked thee scorued thee and spitted vpon thee I confesse and acknowledge that I haue sinned and my conscience deserueth damnation and the penance that I am able to doo is not sufficient to make amends for mine iniquitie but sure and certaine I am that thy mercie exceedeth all offences that a man can doo Oh doo not I be seech thee most pitifull Lord write my heinous sinnes against me that thou shouldest enter into iudgement with thy seruant but according to the multitude of thy mercies now haue mercie vpon me and crosse and blot out all mine iniquities before I depart hence and shall be no more seene in this world For else wo be vnto me wretch that I am when the daie of iudgement commeth and the bookes of consciences shall be laid wide open when it shall be said of me Lo looke vpon this woman and hir works how wicked she is and abhominable they are What shall I doo then I saie O Lord my God when the heauens which I haue offended shall reueale and shew foorth mine iniquitie and the earth which I haue polluted shall arise vp and testifie my manifold misdeeds against me Behold I shall be able alas to giue neuer a word to answere but to stand in thy presence trembling quaking vtterlie confounded and holding downe my head for shame as condemned also by the testimonie of mine owne giltie conscience vnto eternall damnation Alas wretch that I am what shall I saie I will crie vnto thee O Lord my God Why am I consumed and fretted with holding my peace But if I should speake my greefe would not cease and if I hold my peace I shall be most bitterlie vexed within Go to therefore O my soule moorne and lament as a widowe for hir husband that she had in hir virginitie Howle wretch and crie out with weeping because thy spouse Christ hath forsaken thee O caitiffe crie alowd in the eares of thy God and saie O God almightie let not thine anger fall vpon me Deale not with me after my sinnes neither reward me after mine iniquities because that if thou laie so much to my charge as is due for my sinnes it is so much that I cannot receiue it surelie Lord my power is not able for to suffer or beare it Wherefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me least I despaire but in despairing I will take hart to me and be somewhat comforted For although I haue committed so much that thou maist condemne me woorthilie yet thou hast not lost that wherewith thou wast woont to saue sinners neither dooest thou reioice at the destruction and losse of them that die Yea to the intent that dead men might liue thou thy selfe didst die and thy death did kill the death of sinne and if they were reuiued againe and did liue by thy death I beseech thee let not me die now that thou liuest Send downe thy hand and power from high and deliuer me out of the hands of mine enimies that they reioice not ouer me and saie Let vs deuoure him Who euer O good Iesu needed to mistrust of thy mercie which when we were thine enimies didst redeeme vs with thy bloud and reconciled vs vnto God Behold therefore I being hid vnder the shadowe of thy mercie doo come vnto the throne of thy glorie requiring and I doo runne crieng and knocking vntill thou take pitie vpon me For if thou didst call vs to pardon and forgiuenesse before we laboured for pardon how soone shall we obtaine forgiuenesse when wee aske it Doo not remember O most bountifull Iesu thy iustice towards a sinner but thinke vpon thy liberalitie and gentlenesse toward thy creature Doo not remember thine anger toward the giltie but remember thy pitie and mercie toward a wretch Forget me in that I proudlie did prouoke and mooue thee vnto wrath and looke vpon a wretch that calleth vpon thee For what is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O good Iesu for thine owne sake arise and helpe me and saie vnto my soule I am thy health and thy safegard Thus I presume much and am verie bold of thy goodnesse O Lord because thou dooest teach vs to aske to seeke and to knocke wherfore I being admonished by thy word doo aske seeke and knocke And thou O Lord that commandest vs to aske make mee able to receiue Thou that giuest counsell to seeke grant that I may finde Thou that teachest vs to knocke open to me when I knocke and confirme me which am vnstable and wauering Restore me that am lost raise me that am dead and vouchsafe to direct and gouerne in thy fauour all my senses my thoughts and dooings that from hencefoorth I may serue thee I may liue toward thee and that I may commit my selfe vnto thee I knowe O my Lord that through this that thou hast made me I owe and am in debt vnto thee euen mine owne selfe and because thou hast redeemed mee and wast made man for my sake for this I owe vnto thee more than my selfe Lo I haue no more neither can I giue that which I haue vnto thee without thee but doo thou take me and drawe me vnto thee that I may be thine in following and louing thee like as I am thine in condition and creation which liuest and reignest one God in blessed Trinitie worlds without end Amen The PSALTER which S. AVGVSTINE composed out of euerie Psalme of Dauid a verse for the vse of his Mother O Lord God almightie and king of eternall glorie who dooest acknowledge him to be a blessed man that abhorreth the waie of sinners and doth meditate in thy lawe daie and night Teach thou me a wretched sinner faithfullie to serue thee with feare and trembling of the heart And seeing with all humilitie of hart I doo call vnto thee with my voice heare me haue mercie vpon mee and so harken vnto my praier that neither thou for thy part rebuke me in thy wrath nor that old enimie to mankinde lieng in wait for his part to deuoure my soule like a Lion and teare it in peeces while there is none to helpe But Lord whose name is excellent in all the world turne thou mine enimie backe that he fall againe and perish at thy presence Let him not intrap my soule with his firie snares and suffer not brimstone and stormie tempests to torment me But for the oppression of the needie and for the sighings of the poore now thou dooest arise behold and heare me O Lord my God because thou art the counsell and trust of the poore Make me to walke vprightlie and to worke righteousnesse that thy fauourable kindnesse may be the portion of mine inheritance Keepe me as the apple of thine eie Hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings because thou art my strength my rocke and my refuge Cleanse me frō my secret
faults and keepe thy seruant from presumptuous sinnes Send me helpe from thy sanctuarie and giue mee mine harts desire Saue me from the Lions mouth and lead me in the paths of righteousnesse that I may ascend into thy mountaine and stand in thine holie place hauing innocent hands and a pure hart Remember not the sinnes of my youth nor my rebellions Gather not my soule with the sinners neither giue me vnto the lust of mine aduersaries But so fauourablie harken thou vnto the voice of my petitions that calling vpon the glorie of thine holie name thou doo heare me and haue mercie vpon me And so trusting in thee let me neuer be confounded but forgiue the punishment of my sinne Let thy mercie O Lord be vpon me as I trust in thee and deliuering me out of all my feare saie vnto my soule I am thy saluation And because I trust vnder the shadowe of thy wings giue me mine harts desire and haste thee to helpe mee O my Lord my saluation Lord let me knowe mine end and the measure of my daies what it is let me knowe how long I haue to liue Incline vnto me and heare my crie bring me out of the lake of miserie out of the mirie claie and set my feet vpon the rocke and order my goings Deliuer me in the time of trouble that I may go into thy glorious house for thou art the God of my strength Let not my steps go out of thy paths that I may loue righteousnesse and hate iniquitie Be thou mine hope and strength for thou art a great King ouer all the earth Thou which art a God for euer deliuer my soule out of the power of hell for it hath receiued thee And when thou shalt appeare to iudge vs haue mercie vpon me according to the multitude of thy mercies and take not thine holie spirit from me O most gratious GOD in that houre hide thy face from my sinnes and put awaie all mine iniquities Create in me a cleane hart O God renew a right spirit within me that I may appeare like a greene oliue tree in the house of my God and there with Iacob reioice and euerlastinglie be glad with Israel Saue me O God by thy name and by thy power iudge mee Hide not thy selfe frō my supplication but be mercifull vnto me Send thou from heauen and saue me from the reproofe of them that would swalowe me vp Breake their teeth O God in their mouths breake the iawes of the yoong lions O Lord. Thou art my defence and my mercifull God Helpe me with thy right hand and vnder the couering of thy wings let me be protected when thou art to render euerie man according to his works While my soule thirsteth for thee hide me from the conspiracie of the wicked Sith all flesh shall come vnto thee put not backe thy mercie from me Neither take from me thine holie spirit but cause thy face to shine vpon me Send me a good passage O our God which sauest vs that the deepe swallowe me not vp nor the pit shut hir mouth vpon me Be thou mine helper and my deliuerer O Lord make no tarieng Sith in thee O Lord I doo trust let me neuer bee confounded when thou shalt iudge the people Lo they which withdrawe themselues from thee shall perish Oh let not me oppressed returne ashamed Bicause thou art a righteous iudge thou makest lowe and thou exaltest and who shall stand in thy sight when thou art angrie Thou art the God that dooest woonders As thou nourishedst thy people with bread in y e wildernesse and didst not turne them from their lust so let thy grace refresh me an hungrie soule make haste and let thy tender mercies preuent me And thou my defender giue me the bread of teares and the bitternesse of a troubled mind in the time of tribulation and grant withall that from the honie of the rocke I may taste the sweetnesse of inward consolation O God who iudgest betweene the innocent and the sinners who alone art the most high ouer all y e earth haue mercie vpon me and giue grace and glorie who hast ordeined a lawe Forgiue the iniquitie of mine hart couer all my sinnes and saue thou thy seruant that trusteth in thee O God who laiest the foundations of thy Church vpon the holie mountaines incline thine eare vnto my crie Let thine hand therefore establish me and turne me not vnto destruction but deliuer me from the snare of the hunter from the pestilence and from the plague that destroieth at noone daie that being planted in thine house I may flourish like a palme-tree growe like a Cedar in Libanon bringing out fruit euen in mine old age bicause holines becommeth thine house O Lord for euer Be thou my refuge O my God the rocke of mine hope for thou Lord art a great God a great King aboue all gods When thou wilt iudge the world with righteousnesse and thy people in truth I shall enioie light with the righteous and ioie with the vpright in hart Let thy right hand and thine holie arme preserue mee Thou which sittest vpon the Cherubims make mee to come before thy presence with ioifulnesse that I may walke in the vprightnesse of mine hart in the midst of mine house Let a froward hart depart from me but cause mine eies to be turned vnto the faithfull that I may sit with them walking in a perfect waie when through thy iudgement thou shalt cut off all the workers of wickednesse from the citie O Lord heare my praier and let my crie come vnto thee Hide not thy face from me in the time of trouble incline thine eares vnto me Pardon all my sinnes and redeeme my soule from destruction Satisfie my longing with good things thou which lookest vpon the earth and it trembleth and broughtest foorth thy people with ioie and thy chosen with gladnesse Make me to keepe iudgment and to worke righteousnesse at all times Bring me out of darknesse and out of the shadowe of death that with a prepared hart I may sing and giue praise Saue me O Lord according to thy mercie that in the glorie of Saints in the assemblie and congregation of the iust my righteousnesse may endure for euer and mine horne be exalted with glorie That while thou raisest the needie out of the dust and liftest vp the poore out of the doong making Iudah thy sanctification and Israel thy dominion I may blesse thee O Lord from hencefoorth and for euer then shall I walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing Breake thou my bonds and confirme thy mercie towards me when I call vpon thee in my trouble O Lord heare me and set me at large Teach me O Lord the waie of thy statutes that I may liue and keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding both to search thy lawe and to obserue it also with mine whole hart I haue gone astraie like a lost sheepe O seeke thy seruant and deliuer
of Sathan and of enimies visible and inuisible Expell farre from me the hautinesse of mind and increase within me the sorowe of hart diminish my pride and establish true humilitie within my breast fetch teares from mine eies mollifie mine hard and stonie hart and saue Lord both me and my soule from all traps of the enimie and continue me in thy pleasure Teach mee to doo thy will for thou art my God Giue me perfect sense and vnderstanding O Lord that I may be able to conceiue the deepnesse of thy mercie Grant me grace to beg that at thy hands which may both be ioifull for thee to grant and behoofull for me to receiue Make me vnfeinedlie to be waile my sinnes and manifold offences Heare O my Lord and my God heare O light of mine eies heare my petition and grant that what I request I may obtaine If thou despisest me I am vtterly vndone if thou hearest me I take hart againe if thou examinest my righteousnesse lo I stinke like a dead carion but if in mercie thou respect me thou raisest him that stinketh out of the graue What thou hatest in me remooue farre from me and ingraffe the spirit of chastitie and of a cleane life in my mind that in asking anie thing at thine hands I may not offend thee in asking the same Take from me whatsoeuer is hurtfull to my soule and giue whatsoeuer is behoofull O Lord giue me a salue to heale my greeuous wounds Indue me good Lord with thy feare with sorowe of hart with humilitie of mind and with a pure conscience Giue me grace Lord to keepe brotherlie concord euermore to remember my transgressions not to meddle with the dealing of other men or women Pardon my soule pardon my sinnes my wickednesse pardon O pardon mine offences visit me that am weake cure me that am sicke heale me that doo languish and raise me which am dead O Lord giue me both an hart to dread thee a mind to loue thee sense to knowe thee eares to heare thee eies to see thee Haue mercie on me O God haue mercie on me looke vpon me from the holie seat of thy Maiestie and illuminate the darknesse of mine hart with the beames of thy brightnesse Giue me wisedome O Lord to discerne betweene good and euill and grant me a watchfull vnderstanding Forgiue all my sinnes I beseech thee and in this time of necessitie and trouble be thou good and gratious to me I onlie beseech thee After thy woonted mercie and most louing kindnesse O Lord I beseech thee vouchsafe to giue me the life which euer shall endure O Lord Iesus Christ giue both to thy ministers vnitie of mind and to magistrates iudging vprightlie peace and tranquillitie Furthermore O Lord my request is for the whole catholike and holie Church for men and women for religious and for secular men for all Christian gouernours and people beleeuing in thy name which labour for thine holie loue that they may haue grace to continue in well-dooing O Lord eternall King giue to virgins chastitie to the vnmaried continencie to the wedded puritie to repenters mercie to widowes and orphans comfort to the poore protection to trauellers a safe returne to mourners consolation to sea-faring men a ioifull hauen to the good zeale to persist to the well inclined a mind to prooue better to the wicked and sinfull as to me a wretch and chiefe of sinners grace with speed to repent O sooeete Lord and most mercifull Iesus Christ Sonne of the liuing God redeemer of the world I acknowledge that among all and aboue all sinners I am most wretched but thou most gratious and high Father who takest mercie vpon all canst not suffer me to be vtterlie destitute of thy mercie O thou Lord King of kings who grantest truce of life stir in mee a mind alwaie and aboue all things to seeke to desire to loue to feare thee and to doo thy will who art euerie-where all whole a Trinitie and but one God Especiallie O Lord holie Father who art blessed and glorious for euermore I beseech thee in most humble sort vouchsafe to gouerne and keepe them from destruction who either doo make mention of me in their praiers or haue commended themselues to mine vnwoorthie supplications or haue done good whether it bee vnto my bodie with temporall benefits or to my soule with profitable instructions or be linked vnto me either in kindred friendship or good-will Furthermore both for all Christians which are aliue I praie thee stand thou at their elbowe to assist them and for such also as are dead and euerlastinglie doo rest from their labours I yeeld thee immortall praise Finallie this one thing more grant me O Lord I doo earnestlie beseech thee who art Alpha and Omega that when the vttermost daie and end of my life shall come thou wilt be a mercifull iudge to me against that malicious accuser the diuell and that thou wilt continuallie protect me against the snares of the old Serpent and finallie conduct me into the societie of Angels and of all Saints in thine holie paradise who art blessed now and euermore Amen Another praier for grace and newnesse of life O Lord my God giue me grace from the verie bottome of mine hart to desire thee in desiring to seeke thee in seeking to find thee in finding to loue thee in louing vtterlie to loath my former wickednesse O Lord my GOD giue I beseech thee to mine hart repentance to my spirit contrition to mine eies a fountaine of teares to mine hands liberalitie vnto the poore O my King quench in me the desires of the flesh and inflame within my breast the fire of thy loue Driue awaie from me the spirit of pride O my redeemer and of thy mercie bestowe vpon me the treasure of thine humilitie O my Sauiour remooue from my mind the rage of wrath and gratiouslie giue me the sheeld of patience Plucke euen from the verie roote of mine hart the rancor of malice O my Creator and make me to enioie the sweetnesse of a quiet mind Giue me O most louing Father a sound faith a right hope and a constant loue O my gouernour driue awaie farre from me all vanitie and suffer me to haue neither an vnconstant nor a wandering hart nor a scurrilous mouth nor a proud looke nor a greedie bellie nor a slandering tongue nor itching eares after curiositie nor a couetous mind after riches nor polling hands to abuse my power nor ambitious motions to get vaine glorie let both cursed hypocrisie and poisoned flatterie and proud contempt of the poore and violent oppression of the weake let both burning couetousnesse and cankered enuie with damnable blaspheming of thy name be alwaies farre from me thy seruant O my maker make a large distance betweene me and rashnesse betweene me and wickednesse betweene me and frowardnesse betweene me and vnquietnesse betweene me and idlenesse betweene me and drowsinesse betweene me and blockishnesse Grant that mine hart prooue
protection and keepe vs and all ours this night that the diuell haue no power ouer vs. Be thou watchfull ouer vs O eternall Sauiour least the subtill tempter apprehend vs. For thou art made for vs an euerlasting protector For behold whether we sleepe or wake whether we liue or die we are thine thou art our Creator and redeemer Stand therefore on our behalfe in the watch with the armie of thy celestiall warriers thine Angels which being filled with perfect goodnesse and perpetuall integritie behold thy face alwaies in the heauens Expell from vs and our houses wicked spirits which bee our mortall enimies that they damage vs in no case and deliuer vs from persecutors which laie snares for our destruction Turne not away thy mercie and truth from vs. O God assist vs that peaceablie we may rest and sleepe in quiet We will laie vs downe in peace and sleepe For thou Lord alone makest vs to dwell in safetie without danger Hide vs in thy tabernacle O Lord that sitting in thy secret place and abiding vnder the shadowe of thy wings we may saie vnto thee Lord thou art our keeper and our refuge O God we will trust in thee and will feare no danger And although we were in extreame darknesse yet will wee not feare Though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death yet will we dread none euill for thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe they doo comfort vs. Let thy mercie O God followe vs all the daies of our life that we may dwell in thy house in longnesse of daies praising thee euermore with the Sonne holie Ghost one true God reigning worlds without end Amen Another more large Euening praier with Confession O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie we acknowledge and confesse that we be not woorthie to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy Maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and grant our requests if we consider our owne deseruings For our consciences doo accuse vs and our sinnes beare witnesse against vs and we knowe that thou art an vpright iudge which dooest not iustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faults of all such as transgresse thy commandements Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to command vs to call on thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then to helpe vs when we feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death desperation we vtterlie renounce all worldlie confidence and flie to thy souereigne bountie as our onlie staie and refuge beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continuallie prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligence and vnkindnesse which haue neither woorthilie esteemed nor in our liues sufficientlie expressed the sweet comfort of thy Gospell reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Sonne who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompense for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lord forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holie spirit that we may rightlie way them and earnestlie repent for the same and so much the rather O Lord because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsaken can not praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorowfull mind the conscience oppressed hungering and thirsting for thy grace shall euer set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but woorms dust yet thou art our Creator and we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our Father and we thy children thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer we the people whom thou hast bought thou art our God and we thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord neither according to our deserts punish vs but mercifullie chastise vs with a fatherlie affection that all the world may knowe that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sins from the bottome of his hart thou wilt put awaie his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finallie we humblie thanke thee O mercifull Father by thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour for all thy benefits bestowed vpon vs from the beginning of the world to this time for our election our creation our redemption our sanctification continuall preseruation and namelie for that of thy mercie and goodnesse thou hast preserued vs this daie and all the time of our life hitherto from all misfortunes hurts and dangers bodilie ghostlie And forsomuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordeined him the daie to trauell and that whither we sleepe or wake liue or die we are alwaies thine grant O deere Father that we may so take our bodilie rest this night that our soules and harts being kindled with the light of thy countenance may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our deliuerance out of this mortall life And in the meane season take thou O God care and charge of vs and all ours that we perish not in the works of darkenesse and that we not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations may fullie set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee Furthermore that our sleepe be not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desires of the flesh but onlie sufficient to content our weake nature that enioieng sweet sleepe and comfortable rest both in bodie and mind we may healthfullie and ioifullie rise againe and be the better disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation and perfect obedience of thy word to the glorie of thy holie name and profit of thy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we furthermore make our humble petitions vnto thee not onlie for our selues but for all others whome thou wouldest we should continuallie praie for saieng as he in his holie word hath taught vs Our Father which art in heauen c. O Lord increase our faith strengthen it in thy manifold sweet promises and grant vs a perfect continuance therein to our liues end whereof we humblie make our confession saieng I beleeue in God c. Let thy mightie hand and out-stretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercie and louing kindnes in Iesu Christ thy deere Sonne our saluation thy true holie word our instruction thy life holie actions our imitation thy grace holie spirit our comfort consolatiō vnto the end in the end and the blessing of God almightie Father Sonne and holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs now euer Amen A forme of generall praier to be vsed in priuate houses and families euerie Euening O Lord prepare our harts to praier for if we praie with our lips onlie our praiers
are abhominable O teach vs therefore by thy holie spirit to praie rightlie according to thy will and giue eare gratiouslie to our calling O Gratious Lord louing Father according to thy commandement we doo heere present our selues before thy Maiestie humblie prostrating our selues before thy throne of mercie acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our harts that we be miserable sinners dailie breaking thy commandements both in thought word and deede wherein we iustlie deserue euerlasting damnation and to be vtterlie throwne from thy presence Yet O Lord we see thy goodnesse againe towards vs who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes hast sent thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ to take vpon him whatsoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe In him therefore good Lord and through him doo we come vnto thee beseeching thee for his sake that we feeling the greeuousnesse of our sins and groaning vnder the burthen of them may feele the release and ease of them in that we be through thy holie spirit assured and stedfastlie beleeue that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant O Lord that we being assured heereof in our conscience may through thy holie spirit be renewed in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinne and to studie to liue acording to thy blessed will during this whole life We doo not onlie praie for our selues O Lord but also for all the whole Church especiallie such as be persecuted for thy word grant vnto them that whither it be by death or life they may glorifie thy name to their liues end Be mercifull to this Church of England and Ireland we beseech thee good Lord and preserue euerie part and member of the same especiallie thy seruant Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Gouernour Grant hir all such gifts as be needfull for so high a calling to the aduancement of thy glorie and the benefit of this Common-wealth to the establishing of a perfect gouernement of thy Church according to the prescriptrule of thy blessed word to the rooting out of all superstition idolatrie and relikes of Antichrist to the gouerning of hir subiects in all peace and tranquillitie Defend hir O Lord from all conspiracies treasons and rebellions and so worke in the harts of all hir subiects that knowing hir authoritie doth come from thy heauenlie Maiestie they may with obedient harts humblie obeie hir in thee and for thee Preserue the whole Counsell the Magistrates of the Realme that being lightened by thy holy spirit they may defend the truth suppresse wickednesse and mainteine equitie Behold all the pastors and preachers of thy word blesse their labours increase the number of them place ouer euerie Church a painefull watchman remoue all idle lubbers and confound the power of Antichrist and turne the harts of the people that they may be obedient to the truth Blesse the two Uniuersities Cambridge and Oxford and all the students of the same with all the Schooles of learning Behold all those that be afflicted with anie kinde of crosse that they may profit by thy correction in newnesse of life Lastlie for our selues heere gathered togither we render most hartie thanks to thy Maiestie O Lord which hast hitherto from our infancie preserued vs by thy mercie from all perils and dangers both of soule and bodie wherevnto fraile man is subiect that thou hast sent vnto vs all things necessarie for this present life as health food apparell and such like which manie of thy deere children doo want being notwithstanding as pretiouslie bought with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be and yet lie in miserie and calamitie oppressed with pouertie nakednesse imprisonment and banishment in which case also deere Father thou mightest haue brought vs saue onlie that thou dealest heerein more fauourablie with vs than with them For the which thy louing kindnesse we giue thee hartie thanks desiring thee that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorablie in mercie preserued vs by thy protection and euen presentlie this daie hast brought vs past all the dangers thereof so we beseech thee good Lord in like fauour behold vs this night that we taking our naturall rest and quietnesse may through thy protection be so defended that our bodies resting our soules may be occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towards thy children still looking for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ for our full redemption Grant that our sleepe be not immoderate according to the lusts of the flesh but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature that being thus refreshed both the bodie the mind may be more able to doo their seuerall office and function in that vocation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant that wee laieng our bodies downe to rest may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death that as we doo laie downe our bodies in bed so we may be thereby admonished that hereafter they shall be laid down in graue to be consumed to dust earth and ashes from whence they were taken that we hauing this before our eies may be stirred vp in minde warilie to walke in this our pilgrimage not knowing when the time shall be of our departure but alwaies be found readie with our lamps of pure faith clearelie burning that we may be accepted to meet the bride groome when our mortall earthlie and corruptible bodies shall be made like to the glorious bodie of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioie consolation togither with all the elect children of GOD continuallie lauding with all the heauenlie multitude the glorious Maiestie of thee our Lord God and heauenlie Father in our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ In whose name for these thy mercies and whatsoeuer else thou knowest to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church we praie vnto thee as he himselfe hath taught vs saieng Our Father which art in heauen c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs his peace The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God the Father and the most comfortable felowship of the holie Ghost be with vs preserue and keepe vs this night and euermore Amen VVhen you vncloth yourselfe and make you vnreadie to bedward praie THis our life and weake knit bodie by reason of sinne by little and little shall be dissolued and so shall be restored to the earth from whence it was taken then will be an end of this vanitie which by our foolishnes we haue wrought to our selues O most meeke Father so doo thou vntie and loose me for thou hast knit me togither that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued and so may remember both of whom I was made and also whither I go least I be had vnprepared vnto thy tribunali and iudgement
seate And as I willinglie now put off my garments which in the morning I shall put on again so let me not vnwillinglie put off this my bodie whensoeuer by death it shall please thee O God to call me especiallie for that I knowe that after the night of this world is expired I shall receiue it on againe in much better light to immortalitie So be it Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences and be content with Ioseph to put off your prison apparell that you may put on new I haue put off my cloaths how shall I put them on O Lord I will confesse my wickednesse and that of my selfe I haue nothing Cant. 5 3. VVhen you wash your feete praie thus to your selfe O Most meeke and louing Iesu the perfect paterne of all humilitie who being Lord of heauen and earth didst not disdaine to wash thy Disciples feet and wipe them cleane with the towell wherewith thou wast girt and that for our example to teach vs to loue and serue one another in thee haue mercie on me a miserable sinner which from top to toe both within and without am altogither polluted and defiled with sinne in thy sight And with Peter I humblie beseech thee vouchsafe now to wash me in the sweet bath of thy pretious bloud from all the filth and pollusions of my sinnes that I may be whiter than snowe Wash thou I saie not my feet onelie O Lord but my hands and head yea my verie hart soule and conscience also For if thou wash me not I shall haue no part with thee but if thou wash me I shall be cleane euerie whit in all parts yea cleaner than the glasse O wash mee therfore cleane from mine vncleannesse and doo awaie all my sinnes negligences and ignorances yea so purge and scowre all mine affections by thy grace and mercie that with both my feete that is to saie with perfect loue to thee and true charitie to my neighbor I may walke in the paths of thy peace by the direction of thy spirit and at the last come pure and cleane vnto thee my purifier to the confusion and shame of mine enimies which in the daie of my death shall most busilie watch to trip and ouerthrowe me so shall I blesse and praise thee with thine elect and holie Saints in euerlasting happinesse Amen I haue washed my feete how shall I file them againe Cant. 5 3. Another O Most mercifull Iesu which gentlie sufferedst that sinfull woman Marie Magdalen to approch vnto thy presence and to wash thy blessed feet with hir teares to wipe them with hir heare and to kisse and annoint them with costlie oile and diddest greatlie commend this hir fact to all posteritie haue mercie on me a more sinfull woman in thy sight and grant me grace likewise continuallie to wash thy feete with the teares of true contrition to wipe them with the heare of mine obedience to kisse them with the kisses of feruent loue of thee and thy Saints and to annoint them with the sweet oile of deuout praiers confessions and thanks-giuing that I may obtaine by thy mercie forgiuenesse of all my manifold sinnes and feele my selfe much bound vnto thee for my saluation Finallie let me thine handmaid be a seruant I praie thee to wash the feet of the seruants of my Lord make me I saie of the number of those holie matrons that willinglie wash the feet of thy Saints that minister vnto them that are in aduersitie that are continuallie giuen to euery good worke and be well reported of for their vertues through Iesu Christ our Lord Amen Wash you make you cleane take awaie the euill of your works from before mine eies cease to doo euill and learne to doo well Esai 1 16. VVhen you enter into your bed praie I Enter into my bed and laie mee downe to rest in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost The Lord Iesu Christ which was crucified dead and buried for me blesse preserue and keepe me both bodie and soule and raise me with him at the last daie by the power of his glorious resurrection to life euerlasting Amen And grant O God I beseech thee that as I am not afraid now to enter into my bed and to dispose my selfe to sleepe so I may not be afraid or loth to die but rather cheerfullie prepare my selfe thervnto and euermore desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ my Sauiour Amen Being new laid in your bed saie this Psalme O Lord thou hast searched me out knowne me thou knowest my downe lieng and mine vprising thou vnderstandest all my thoughts long before Thou art about my path and about my bed and spiest out all my waies For lo there is not a word in my tongue but thou O Lord knowest it altogither Thou hast fashioned me behind and before and laid thine hand vpon me Such knowledge is too woonderfull and excellent for me I can not attaine vnto it Whither then shall I go from thy spirit Or whither shall I go from thy presence If I clime vp into heauen thou art there if I godowne to hell thou art there also if I take the wings of the morning and remaine in the vttermost parts of the sea euen there also shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me If I saie Peraduenture the darkenes shall couer me then shall my night be turned to daie yea the darknesse is no darkenesse with thee but the night is as cleere as the daie the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike For my reines are thine thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe I will giue thanks vnto thee for I am fearefullie and woonderfullie made Maruellous are thy works and that my soule knoweth right well My bones are not hid from thee though I be made secretlie and fashioned beneath in the earth Thine eies did see my substance yet being vnperfect and in thy booke are all my members written which daie by daie were fashioned when as yet there was none of them How deere are thy counselles vnto me O God O how great is the summe of them If I tell them they are more in number than the sand when I wake vp I am present with thee Trie me O God and seeke the ground of my hart prooue me and examine my thoughts looke well if there be anie waie of wickednesse in me and leade me in the waie euerlasting Let me neuer imagine mischiefe vpon my bed as doo the vngodlie that set themselues in no good waie and can not sleepe before they haue done some harme but make me to abhorre the thing that is euill and to commune with mine owne hart and in my chamber to be still that with the Saincts I may be ioifull with glorie and reioice on my bed with them that praise thee daie and night Finallie grant that I may behold thy presence in righteousnesse and when I awake vp after thy likenesse bring
to passe that I may be satisfied with it and glorifie thee eternallie Amen The Praier THE daie now ended men giue themselues to rest in the night and so this life finished we shall rest in death Nothing is more like this life than euerie daie nothing more like death than sleepe nothing more like to our graue than our bed O Lord our keeper and defender grant that I now laieng me downe to rest being vnable to keepe my selfe may be preserued from the crafts and assaults of the wicked enimie and grant furthermore that when I haue tunne the race of this life thou wouldest of thy mercie call me vnto thee that I may liue and watch with thee for euermore And now O gratious God giue me to take my rest in thee bring to passe that thy goodnesse may be euen in sleepe before mine eies that sleeping I be not absent from thee but may haue my dreames to drawe me vnto thee and so both in soule and bodie may be kept pure and holie for euer Amen I will laie me downe in peace and take my rest for it is thou Lord onlie that makest me dwell in safetie Psal 4. 9. Another praier to be vsed of the husband and wife so soone as they are laid in their bed O Lord our GOD our protector and defender which diddest gratiouslie preserue and keepe thy seruant holie Tobie when he laie with his wife Sara by the gard of thine holie Angel so that Sathan was bound and had no power ouer them keepe vs also O King of kings and Lord of lords this night and euermore that that subtill Serpent by no meanes haue power to vexe or greeue vs but that we may slepe this night in the remembrance of thee into whose tuition and keeping we commit vs both bodie and soule which hast bought redeemed vs with the pretious bloud of that immaculate Lambe thy deere sonne and our deere beloued Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie Amen Meditation REmember now that you be néerer your end by one daies iournie than you were in the morning Also that this troublesome daie is past and night come and ther withall rest quietnesse and pleasant sléepe which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches all alike for the time euen so after the tumults troubles temptations and tempests of this life if we beléeue in Christ we haue prepared for vs an hauen and rest most pleasant ioifull and perpetuall VVhen you put out the candle saie THE light of the vngodlie shall be put out and the light of his candle shall not shine the light shall be darke in his dwelling and his candle shall be put out with him yea full often shall the candle of the wicked be put out and their destruction shall suddenlie come vpon them so that all shall be horror and full of darknes with them O Lord let not our candle be put out nor the light that is in vs be turned into darknesse but lighten thou our candle and make thou our darknesse to be light yea lighten thou our darknesse we beseech thee O Lord that we sleepe not in death and by thy great mercie defend vs from all perils and dangers of this darke and dredfull night and lighten illuminate thou euerie darke corner of our habitation with thy light that our candle go not out by night for the loue of thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it A little while after saie O God although we were in extreame darkenesse yet will we not feare and though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death yet will we dread none euill For thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe doo comfort vs. Now therefore that we lie in darknesse be thou our protector bring vs to thy light and saue vs from vtter darkenesse where is weeping and gnashing of teeth that we may behold thee in that cleere light of the perpetuall morning where shall be no darknes no night nor need of anie candle or materiall light but thou Lord wilt inlighten vs with vnspekable glorie So be it VVhen you feele sleepe to be comming and dispose your selfe to rest praie O Lord Iesu Christ my watchman and keeper take me to thy care grant that my bodie sleeping my mind may watch in thee be made merie by some sight of that celestiall and heauenlie life wherein thou art the King and Prince togither with the Father the holie Ghost where thine Angels and holie spirits be most happie citizens Oh purifie my soule keepe cleane my bodie that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer Amen Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit For thou hast redeemed me ô Lord thou God of truth Psal 31 6. Another praier to be said last of the husband and wife before they giue themselues to sleepe O Lord assist vs that peaceablie we may now rest and sleepe in quiet Let our eies sleepe but let our harts wake vnto thee O lighten thou our eies that we sleepe not in death that Sathan hurt vs not and our enimie saie I haue preuailed against thee but watch ouer vs O eternall sauiour least the subtill tempter ouertake vs and we sleepe a perpetuall sleepe and wake no more For thou art made our euerlasting helper and protector Giue vs this night a good sleepe that quietlie without cares and anguish of mind we may take our rest Let not troublesome dreams and vaine fantasies and apparitions of the night nor the diuell disquiet vs. Defend vs this night from vncleane and troublesome spirits let not their rushings ragings and misrule disquiet vs. Keepe vs good Lord from sights of Sathan from snares and illusions of the diuell But admonish our soules of miseries to come euen as thou didst arme the Patriarches and Prophets by dreames and visions in the night when sleepe came vpon them from dangers nigh at hand through thine heauenlie oracles so gouerne and preserue vs in sleepe that our soules come not into danger danger neither fall vpon the swoord and pit of perils Let vs not sleepe in sinne and contempt of saluation as doo the children of night and darkenesse but make vs of the number of those which sleepe in Iesus and whome thou O Lord in the resurrection of the iust comming of thy Son shalt not suffer to be preuented with sleepe but wilt bring with thine elect to meete him in the clouds that whether we wake or sleepe we may liue togither with him and obteine euerlasting saluation through the merits of his death passion In thy name O sweet Iesu will we giue sleepe to our eies and slumber to our eie lids O Sauiour of the world saue vs Lord watching and keepe vs sleeping that in peace we may both rest and wake and let our sleepe be sweet and healthfull to our bodies that waking in the morning we may rise in good health and delight in thee our
doo so shalt thou practise with ease hauing a guide and amend with profit hauing a zeale It is easier to see these than to learne begin at the easiest to come to the harder see thou hir confession that thou maiest learne hir repentance practise hir perseuerance that thou maiest haue like amendment despise thy selfe in eschewing vice that thou maiest please God in asking grace let not shame hinder the confession which hindered not the offense Be thou sure if we knowledge our sinnes God is faithfull to forgiue vs and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnes Obeie the Prophets saieng Declare thy waies to the Lord. Thus far thou maist learne to knowe thy selfe next this be thou as diligent to releeue thy selfe in Gods mercie as thou hast beene to reueale thy selfe in thine owne repentance For God hath concluded all things vnder sinne bicause he would haue mercie vpon all who hath also borne our sinnes in his bodie vpon the tree that we should be deliuered from sinne and should liue vnto righteousnes by whose stripes we be healed Here is our anchor here is our shepheard here we be made whole here is our life our redemption our saluation and our blisse let vs therefore now feed by this gratious Queenes example be not ashamed to become in confession Publicanes since this noble Ladie will be no Pharisie And to all Ladies of estate I wish as earnest mind to followe our Queene in vertue as in honour that they might once appeare to prefer God before the world and be honourable in religion which now be honourable in vanities so shall they as in some vertuous Ladies of right high estate it is with great comfort seene taste of this freedome of remission of the euerlasting blisse which exceedeth all thoughts and vnderstandings and is prepared for the holie in spirit For the which let vs with our intercession in holines and purenes of life offer our selues to the heauenlie father an vndefiled host to whom be eternall praise and glorie throughout the earth without end Amen The Lamentation or Complaint of a sinner made by the most vertuous and right gratious Ladie Queene CATHERINE bewailing the ignorance of hir blind life led in superstition verie profitable to the amendment of our liues The first Chapter Of an humble confession of sinnes to the glorie of God WHEN I consider in the bethinking of mine euil and wretched former life mine obstinate stonie and vntractable heart to haue so much exceeded in euilnesse that it hath not onelie neglected yea contemned despised Gods holie precepts and commandements but also imbraced receiued and esteemed vaine foolish and feined trifles I am partlie by the hate I owe to sinne who hath reigned in me and partlie by the loue I owe to all Christians whom I am content to edifie euen with the example of mine owne shame forced and constrained with my hart and words to confesse and declare to the world how ingrate negligent vnkind and stubborne I haue beene to God my Creator and how beneficiall mercifull and gentle he hath been alwaies to me his creature being such a miserable and wretched sinner Trulie I haue taken no little small thing vpon me first to set foorth my whole stubbornesse and contempt in words the which is incomprehensible in thought as it is in the 12. Psalme Who vnderstandeth his faults Next this to declare the excellent beneficence mercie and goodnesse of God which is infinite and vnmeasurable Neither can all the words of Angels and men make relation thereof as apperteineth to his most high goodnesse Who is he that is not forced to confesse the same if he consider what he hath receiued of God doth dailie receiue Yea if men would not acknowledge and confesse the same the stones would crie it out Trulie I am constrained and forced to speake and write thereof to mine owne confusion and shame but to the glorie and praise of God For he as a louing father of most abundant and high goodnesse hath heaped vpon me innumerable benefits and I contrarie haue heaped manifold sinnes despising that which was good holie pleasant and acceptable in his sight and choosing that which was delicious pleasant and acceptable in my sight And no maruell it was that I so did For I would not learne to knowe the Lord and his waies but loued darknesse better than light yea darknesse seemed to me light I embraced ignorance as perfect knowledge and knowledge seemed to me superfluous and vaine I regarded little Gods word but gaue my selfe to vanities and shadowes of the world I forsooke him in whom is all truth and followed the vaine foolish imaginations of my hart I would haue couered my sinnes with the pretence of holinesse I called superstition godlie meaning and true holinesse errour The Lord did speake manie pleasant and sweet words vnto me and I would not heare he called me diuerslie but through frowardnesse I would not answere Mine euils and miseries be so manie and so great that they can accuse me euen to my face Oh how miserablie and wretchedlie am I confounded when for the multitude and greatnesse of my sinnes I am compelled to accuse my selfe Was it not a maruellous vnkindnesse when God did speake to me and also call me that I would not answere him What man so called would not haue heard Or what man hearing would not haue answered If an earthlie Prince had spoken either called I suppose there be none but would willinglie haue done both Now therefore what a wretch and caitife am I that when the Prince of princes the King of kings did speake manie pleasant and gentle words vnto me and also called me so manie and sundrie times that they can not be numbred and yet notwithstanding these great signes and tokens of loue I would not come vnto him but hid my selfe out of his sight seeking manie crooked and biwaies wherin I walked so long that I had cleane lost his sight And no maruell or woonder For I had a blind guide called Ignorance who dimmed so mine eies that I could neuer perfectlie get anie sight of the faire goodlie streight and right waies of his doctrine but continuallie trauelled vncomfortablie in foule wicked crooked and peruerse waies Yea and bicause they were so much haunted of manie I could not thinke but that I walked in the perfect and right waie hauing more regard to the number of the walkers than to the order of the walking beleeuing also most assuredly with companie to haue walked to heauen wheras I am most sure they would haue brought me down to hell I forsooke the spirituall honouring of the true liuing God and worshipped visible idols and images made of mens hands beleeuing by them to haue gotten heauen yea to saie the truth I made a great idole of my selfe For I loued my selfe better than God And certainlie looke how manie things are loued or preferred in our harts before God so manie are taken and esteemed for idols and false
onelie Sauiour and redeemer For then I began and not before to perceiue and see mine owne ignorance and blindnesse the cause thereof was that I would not learne to knowe Christ my Sauiour and redeemer But when God of his meere goodnesse had thus opened mine eies and made me see and behold Christ the wisedome of God the light of the world with a supernaturall sight of faith all pleasures vanities honor riches wealth and aids of the world began to waxe bitter vnto me Then I knew it was no illusion of the diuell nor false ne humane doctrine I had receiued When such successe came thereof that I had in detestation and horrour that which I erst so much loued and esteemed being of God forbidden that we should loue the world or the vaine pleasures and shadowes in the same then began I to perceiue that Christ was my onlie Sauior and redeemer and the same doctrine to be all diuine holie heauenlie and infused by grace into the harts of the faithfull which neuer can be attained by hnmane doctrine wit nor reason although they should trauell and labour for the same to the end of the world Then began I to dwell in God by charitie knowing by the louing charitie of God in the remission of my sinnes that God is charitie as S. Iohn saith So that of my faith whereby I came to knowe God and whereby it pleased God euen bicause I trusted in him to iustifie me sprang this excellent charitie in my hart I thinke no lesse but manie will woonder and maruell at this my saieng that I neuer knewe Christ for my Sauiour and redeemer vntill this time For many haue this opinion saieng Who knoweth not there is a Christ Who being a Christian doth not confesse him his Sauiour And thus beleeuing their dead humane historicall faith and knowledge which they haue learned in their scholasticall bookes to be the true infused faith and knowledge of Christ which may be had as I said before with all sinne they vse to saie by their owne experience of themselues that their faith doth not iustifie them And true it is except they haue this faith the which I haue declared here before they shall neuer be iustified And yet it is not false that by faith onlie I am sure to be iustified Euen this is the cause that so manie impugne this office and dutie of true faith bicause so manie lacke the true faith And euen as the faithfull are forced to allow this true faith so the vnfaithfull can in no wise probablie intreate thereof the one feeling in himselfe that he saith the other hauing not in him for to saie I haue certeinlie no curious learning to defend this matter withall but a simple zeale and earnest loue to the truth inspired of God who promiseth to powre his spirit vpon all flesh which I haue by the grace of God whom I most humblie honour felt in my selfe to be true The fourth Chapter Of the great loue of God towards mankind and of the inward beholding of Christ crucified LEt vs therfore now I praie you by faith behold and consider the great charitie goodnesse of God in sending his sonne to suffer death for our redemption when we were his mortall enimies and after what sort and maner he sent him First it is to be considered yea to be vndoubtedlie and with a perfect faith beleeued that God sent him to vs freelie For he did giue him and sold him not A more noble and rich gift he could not haue giuen He sent not a seruant or a friend but his onlie sonne so deerelie beloued not in delights riches and honours but in crosses pouerties and slanders not as a Lord but as a seruant yea and in most vile and painefull passions to wash vs not with water but with his owne pretious bloud not from mire but from the puddle and filth of our iniquities He hath giuen him not to make vs poore but to enrich vs with his diuine vertues merits and graces yea and in him he hath giuen vs all good things and finallie himselfe and with such great charitie as can not be expressed Was it not a most high and abundant charitie of God to send Christ to shed his bloud to loose honour life and all for his enimies Euen in the time when he had done him most iniurie he first shewed his charitie to vs with such flames of loue that greater could not be shewed God in Christ hath opened vnto vs although we be weake and blind of our selues that we may behold in this miserable estate the great wisedome goodnesse and truth with all the other godlie perfections which be in Christ Therefore inwardlie to behold Christ crucified vpon the crosse is the best and godliest meditation that can be We may see also in Christ crucified the beautie of the soule better than in all the bookes of the world For who that with a liuelie faith seeth and feeleth in spirit that Christ the sonne of God is dead for the satisfieng and purifieng of the soule shall see that his soule is appointed for the verie tabernacle and mansion of the inestimable and incomprehensible maiestie and honour of God We see also in Christ crucified how vaine and foolish the world is and how that Christ being most wise despised the same We see also how blind it is because the same knoweth not Christ but persecuteth him We see also how vnkind the world is by the killing of Christ in the time he did shew it most fauour How hard and obstinate was it that would not be mollified with so manie teares such sweate and so much bloudshead of the sonne of God suffering with so great and high charitie Therefore he is now verie blind that seeth not how vaine foolish false ingrate cruell hard wicked and euill the world is We may also in Christ crucified weigh our sinnes as in a diuine ballance how greeuous and how weightie they be seeing they haue crucified Christ For they would neuer haue beene counterpaised but with the great and pretious weight of the bloud of the sonne of God And therefore God of his high goodnesse determined that his blessed sonne should rather suffer bloudshead thau our sinnes should haue condemned vs. We shall neuer knowe our owne miserie and wretchednesse but with the light of Christ crucified Then we shall see our owne crueltie when we feele his mercie our owne vnrighteousnesse and iniquitie when we see his righteousnes and holinesse Therefore to learne to knowe trulie our owne sinnes is to studie in the booke of the Crucifixe by continuall conuersation in faith and to haue perfect and plentifull charitie is to learne first by faith the charitie that is in God towards vs. We may see also in Christ vpon the Crosse how great the paines of hell and how blessed the ioies of heauen be and what a sharpe and painefull thing it shall be to them that of that sweet happie and glorious ioie Christ
good and bad bitter and sweete ioie and sorrowe and for all things that shall befall vnto me hartilie to thanke thee Keepe me Lord from sinne and I shall then neither dread death nor hell O what thanks ought I to giue vnto thee which hast suffered the greeuous death of the crosse to deliuer me from my sinnes and to obtaine euerlasting life for me Thou gauest vs most perfect example of patience fulfilling and obeieng the will of thy father euen vnto the death Make me wretched sinner obedientlie to vse my selfe after thy will in althings and patientlie to beare the burden of this corruptible life For though this life be tedious and as an heauie burden to my soule yet neuerthelesse thorough thy grace and by example of thee it is now made much more easie and comfortable than it was before thine incarnation and passion Thy holie life is our waie to thee and by following of thee we walke to thee that art our head and Sauiour and yet except thou hadst gone before and shewed vs the waie to euerlasting life who would endeuor himselfe to followe thee Seeing we be yet so slowe and dull hauing the light of thy blessed example and holie doctrine to leade and direct vs. O Lord Iesu make that possible by grace that is to me impossible by nature Thou knowest well that I may litle suffer and that I am anon cast downe and ouerthrowne with a little aduersitie wherfore I beseech thee O Lord to strengthen me with thy spirit that I may willinglie suffer for thy sake all maner of trouble and affliction The second Chapter A confession of our infirmities with a desire to rest in God aboue all things LOrd I will knowledge vnto thee all mine vnrighteousnesse and I will confesse to thee all the vnstablenesse of my hart Oftentimes a verie little thing troubleth me sore and maketh mee dull and slowe to serue thee And sometime I purpose to stand stronglie but when a little trouble commeth it is to mee great anguish and greefe and of a right little thing riseth a greeuous temptation to mee Yea when I thinke my selfe to bee sure and strong and that as it seemeth I haue the vpper hand suddenlie I feele my selfe readie to fall with a little blast of temptation Behold therefore good Lord my weakenesse and consider my frailenesse best knowne to thee Haue mercie on me and deliuer me from all iniquitie and sinne that I bee not intangled therewith Oft times it greeueth mee sore and in a maner confoundeth mee that I am so vnstable so weake and so fraile in resisting sinfull motions Which although they drawe me not alwaie to consent yet neuerthelesse their assaults bee verie greeuous vnto mee And it is tedious to mee to liue in such battell albeit I perceiue that such battell is not vnprofitable vnto mee for thereby I knowe the better my selfe and mine owne infirmities and that I must seeke helpe onlie at thy hands O Lord God of Israel the louer of all faithfull soules vouchsafe to behold the labour and sorowe of mee thy poore creature Assist mee in all things with thy grace and so strengthen me with heauenlie strength that neither my cruell enimie the feend neither my wretched flesh which is not yet subiect to the spirit haue victorie or dominion ouer mee O what a life may this bee called where no trouble nor miserie lacketh Where euerie place is full of snares of mortall enimies For one trouble or temptation ouerpassed another commeth by and by and the first conflict yet during a new battell suddenlie ariseth Wherefore Lord Iesu I praie thee giue me thy grace to rest in thee aboue all things and to quiet mee in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glorie and honour aboue all dignitie and power aboue all cunning and policie aboue all health and beautie aboue all riches and treasure aboue all ioie and pleasure aboue all fame and praise aboue all mirth and consolation that mans hart may take or feele besides thee For thou Lord God art best most wise most high most mightie most sufficient and most full of all goodnesse most sweet and most comfortable most faire most louing most noble most glorious in whom all goodnes most perfectlie is And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing to mee For my hart may not rest ne fullie bee pacified but onlie in thee O Lord Iesu most louing spouse who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue that I may flie vp from these worldlie miseries and rest in thee O when shall I ascend to thee and feele how sweet thou art When shall I wholie gather my selfe in thee so perfectlie that I shall not for thy loue feele my selfe but thee onlie aboue my selfe aboue all worldlie things that thou maist vouchsafe to visit mee in such wise as thou dooest visit thy most faithfull louers Now I often mourne and complaine of the miseries of this life and with sorowe and great heauinesse suffer them For manie things happen dailie to mee which oftentimes trouble mee make mee heauie and darken mine vnderstanding They hinder mee greatlie and put my mind from thee and so encumber me manie waies that I can not freelie and cleerelie desire thee ne haue thy sweet consolations which with thy blessed Saints be alwaie present I beseech thee Lord Iesu that the sighings and inward desires of my hart may moue and incline thee to heare mee The third Chapter A recounting of Gods benefits with praier to obtaine a free and cleane mind with hartie wisdome and deliuerance OIesu King of euerlasting glorie the ioie and comfort of all Christian people that are wandering as Pilgrims in the wildernes of this world my hart crieth to thee by still desires and my silence speaketh vnto thee and saith How long tarieth my Lord God to come to mee Come O Lord and visit mee for without thee I haue no true ioie without thee my soule is heauie and sad I am in prison and bounden with fetters of sorowe till thou O Lord with thy gratious presence vouchsafe to visit me and to bring me againe to libertie and ioie of spirit and to shew thy fauourable countenance vnto me Open my hart Lord that I may behold thy lawes and teach me to walke in thy commandements Make me to knowe and folowe thy will and to haue alwaies in my remembrance thy manifold benefits that I may yeeld due thanks to thee for the same But I knowledge and confesse for truth that I am not able to giue thee condigne thanks for the least benefit that thou hast giuen me O Lord all gifts and vertues that anie man hath in bodie or soule naturall or supernaturall be thy gifts and come of thee and not of our selues and they declare the great riches of thy mercie and goodnesse vnto vs. And though some haue mo gifts than other yet they all proceed from thee and without thee the least cannot be had O Lord I accompt it for a
humblie yeeld our selues vnder the mightie hand of God our Creator LOrd and holie Father be thou blessed now and euer For as thou wilt so it is done and that thou dooest is alwaie best Let me thine humble and vnwoorthie seruant ioie onelie in thee and not in my selfe ne in anie thing else besides thee For thou Lord art my gladnes my hope my crowne and all mine honour What hath thy seruant but that she hath of thee and that without hir desert All things be thine thou hast created and made them I am poore and haue beene in trouble and paine euer from my youth and my soule hath beene in great heauinesse through manifold passions that come of the world and of the flesh Wherefore Lord I desire that I may haue of thee the ioie of inward peace I aske of thee to come to that rest which is ordeined for thy chosen children that be fed and nourished with the light of heauenlie comforts For without thy helpe I can not come to thee Lord giue me peace giue me inward ioie and then my soule shall be full of heauenlie melodie and be deuout and feruent in thy lauds and praises But if thou withdrawe thy selfe from me as thou hast sometime done then may not thy seruant runne the waie of thy commandements as I did before For it is not with me as it was when the Lampe of thy ghostlie presence did shine vpon my head and I was defended vnder the shadowe of thy wings from all perils and dangers O mercifull Lord Iesu euer to be praised the time is come that thou wilt prooue thy seruant and rightfull it is that I shall now suffer somewhat for thee Now is the houre come that thou hast knowne from the beginning that thy seruant for a time should outwardlie be set at naught and inwardlie to leane vnto thee And that she should be despised in the sight of the world and be broken with affliction that she may after arise with thee in a new light and be clarified and made glorious in the kingdome of heauen O holie father thou hast ordeined it so to be and it is done as thou hast commanded This is thy grace O Lord to thy freend to suffer hir to be troubled in this world for thy loue how often so euer it be and of what person so euer it be and in what maner soeuer thou wilt suffer it to fall vnto hir For without thy will or sufferance what thing is done vpon the earth It is good to me O Lord that thou hast meekened me that I may therby learne to knowe thy righteous iudgements to put from me all maner of presumption and statelinesse of hart It is verie profitable for me that confusion hath couered my face that I may learne thereby rather to seeke to thee for helpe and succour than to man I haue thereby learned to dread thy secret and terrible iudgements which scourgest the righteous with the sinner but not without equitie and iustice Lord I yeeld thanks to thee that thou hast not spared my sinnes but hast punished me with scourges of loue and hast sent me affliction and anguish within and without No creature vnder heauen may comfort me but thou Lord God the heauenlie leach of mans soule which strikest and healest which bringest a man nigh vnto death and after restorest him to life againe that he may thereby learne to knowe his owne weakenesse and imbecillitie the more fullie to trust in the Lord. Thy discipline is laid vpon me and thy rod of correction hath taught me and vnder that rod I wholie submit me Strike my backe and my bones as it shall please thee and make me to bow my crooked will to thy will Make me a meeke and an humble disciple as thou hast sometime done with me that I may walke after thy will To thee I commit my selfe to be corrected For better it is to be corrected by thee heere than in time to come Thou knowest all things and nothing is hid from thee that is in mans conscience Thou knowest all things to come before they fall it is not needfull that anie man teach thee or warne thee of anie thing that is done vpon the earth Thou knowest what is profitable for me and how much tribulations helpe to purge awaie the rust of sinne in me Doo with me after thy pleasure I am a sinfull wretch to none so well knowne as to thee Grant me Lord that to knowe that is necessarie to be knowne that to loue that is to be loued that to desire that pleaseth thee that to regard that is pretious in thy sight and that to refuse that is vile before thee Suffer me not to iudge thy mysteries after mine outward senses ne to giue sentence after the hearing of the ignorant but by true iudgement to discerne things spirituall and aboue all things alwaie to search and followe thy will and pleasure O Lord Iesu thou art all my riches and all that I haue I haue it of thee But what am I Lord that dare speake to thee I am thy poore creature and a worme most abiect Behold Lord I haue naught and of my selfe I am naught worth Thou art onlie God righteous and holie thou orderest all things thou giuest all things and thou fulfillest all things with goodnesse I am a sinner barren and void of godlie vertues Remember thy mercies and fill my hart with plentie of thy grace For thou wilt not that thy works in me should be made in vaine How may I beare the miserie of this life except thy grace and mercie do comfort me Turne not thy face from me deferre not the visiting of me ne withdrawe not thy comforts least happilie my soule be made as drie earth without the water of grace Teach me Lord to fulfill thy will to liue meekelie and worthilie before thee For thou art all my wisdome and cunning thou art he that knowest me as I am that knewest me before the world was made before I was borne or brought into this life To thee O Lord be honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen ¶ A certaine effectuall praier made by the Ladie Jane Dudley in the time of hir trouble a little before hir death O Lord thou GOD and father of my life heare mee poore and desolate Woman which flieth vnto thee onelie in all my troubles and miseries Thou O Lord art the onlie defender and deliuerer of those that put their trust in thee And therefore I being defiled with sinne incumbred with affliction vnquieted with troubles wrapped in cares ouerwhelmed with miseries vexed with temptations and greeuouslie tormented with the long imprisonment of this vile masse of claie my sinfull bodie and bloud do come vnto thee O mercifull Sauiour crauing thy mercie and helpe without the which so little hope of deliuerance is left that I may vtterlie despaire of anie libertie Albeit it is expedient that seeing our life standeth vpon trieng we
aboue the loue of my selfe that I may loue nothing to thy displeasure but euerie thing in a due order to thee Giue me good Lord a longing to be with thee not for the auoiding of the calamities of this wretched world nor so much for the auoiding of the paines of hell neither so much for the obteining of the kingdome of heauen in respect of mine owne commoditie as euen for verie loue of thee And beare me good Lord thy loue fauour which thing my loue to thee-ward were it neuer so gret could not but of thy great goodnes deserue And pardon me good Lord that am so bold to aske thee so high petitions being so vile and sinfull a wretch and so vnworthie to attaine the lowest but good Lord such they be as I am bound to desire and wish and should be much neerer the effectuall desire of them if my manifold sinnes were not the let from which O glorious Trinitie vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to wash me with that blessed bloud that thou my sweet sauiour Iesus Christ diddest shed out of thy bodie in the diuers torments of thy most bitter passion that by that same greeuous passion glorious resurrection and ascension I may come to that vnspeakable ioie the which thou hast prepared for thy chosen and elect through the same Iesu Christ our sauiour to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost three persons and one God be all honour and glorie world without end So be it After praier saie this conclusion or Collect. O God that art the strength of such as trust in thee mercifullie assist vs that call vpon thy name and for asmuch as mans infirmitie can do nothing without thee grant I most humblie beseech thee the help of thy spirit that fulfilling thy commandements both in will and deed I may please thee through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it The blessing OH Lord blesse me and defend me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and be mercifull vnto me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and giue me thy peace that in thy peace O Lord I may depart to amend my life and doo vnto the poore as much as I can giue me grace to be at vnitie in quietnesse and in charitie with all thy chosen and elect people and that thy feare oh Lord may euer rest in my hart So be it Praise vnto God the Father and peace vnto the liuing As they that depart in thy faith in thée doo rest haue their being The end of Morning praier EVENING PRAIER ¶ A Confession to be said before Euening praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen earth more than my tongue can expresse My sinnes alas are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go Or whither should I flie To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I am not woorthie to find a place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I run to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie Father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo here at this present Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie vpon me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed therby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christs sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed c. A praier to be said in the Euening MOst mercifull and heauenly father I thanke thee by thy sonne Iesus Christ that this day thou hast giuen me all things needfull both for my soule and bodie preseruing me from all hurt and perill I aske thee mercie for mine offences and I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this night keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts my words works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all that I go about into thy hands I beseech thee that thy holie spirit may be with me least my deadlie aduersarie haue anie power ouer me Amen Another Euening praier O Souereigne dreadfull and most louing Lord my God who neuer ceasest to shew thy mercie towards sinners yea when they offend and trespasse against thee such is thine infinite clemencie and loue As then thou forbearest not to heape thy benefits vpon them I most sinfull and wretched wretch yeeld thee humble thanks for thine inestimable goodnesse shewed towards me in creating me to thine owne likenesse and making me capable of thine euerlasting glorie for the creation of so manie other creatures for my behoofe and sustenance for that inestimable worke of my redemption whereby thou deliuerest me from the slauerie of Sathan and purchasest mee free entrance into thy celestiall region for hauing singled me amongst so many millians that knowe thee not and lie drowned in ignorance superstition and miserable errours to be thy seruant and a true faithfull Christian for both thy blessed Sacraments especiallie for that Sacrament aboue all Sacraments wherein thou thy selfe art spirituallie conteined Finallie for hauing preserued me so manie times from hell wherein I had beene long since plunged hadst not thou of thine vnspeakeable goodnesse susteined and deliuered me from my foes For these and all other thy benefits namelie for those thou hast this daie most bountifullie bestowed vpon me O my souereigne Lord I yeeld thee such sincere dutifull thanks as my poore hart can possiblie affoord thee beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me in supplie of my wants to accept the mediation and thankesgiuings of Iesus Christ thy onelie sonne and mine onelie Sauiour and intercessour And now mine onlie redeemer and Sauiour I humblie craue the light of thy grace to knowe wherein I haue this daie anie waies offended thee by nature and that by sound discussion and through examination of my conscience I may see mine owne sinnes with sorrowe and detestation and thine ineffable mercie with a zealous firme purpose of amendment of life Thou seest O Lord my lewdnesse and wotest my miserie much better than I my selfe doo Sorie I am with all my hart that I should still offend so louing a Lord and wish to God my sorowes were greatlie multiplied I purposed earst to doo better by thy grace which wanted not yet haue I transgressed in my former trespasses neither yet may I despaire O Lord but will continuallie trust
soone after doth my corrupt and infected nature offend and displease thy diuine Maiestie so that I am prone and readie to run headlong into all kind of wickednesse and sin such is my strength such is my force or rather weakenesse in perfourming those things which thou requirest at my hands So that good Lord I am readie vtterlie to despaire and forsake thee vnlesse thou of thy great mercie and pitie send thine aide from aboue and powre into me thy most healthfull grace that I may make hast to flee vnto thee with most bitter teares a sorrowfull hart and bowing knees lamenting my sinfull life and greeuous offences committed against thee trusting most assuredlie and faithfullie in the merits of my Sauiour Iesus Christ that by his most bitter death bloud-shedding which is of far greater force vertue and effect in preseruing me than all my sinnes and offences are in condemning and casting me awaie for whose sake I most assuredlie beleeue all my sinnes and offences are cleerelie forgiuen and shall neuer be laid to my charge but that I shall enter with thee in the last daie into thine euerlasting kingdome there to be with thee for euermore to whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen A praier to God the father ALmightie God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ whome no desert merit or worthinesse of ours but thine owne great clemencie mercie and pitie caused to send downe thine onlie begotten sonne into this world to beare the burden of our sinnes with the which we most miserable sinners were ouerladen and that he should suffer most cruell torments yea and also most bitter and shamefull death and sanctifie the reprochfull name of the crosse with the renting of his blessed bodie and shedding his most pretious bloud thereon thereby to make attonement betweene thee and vs thereby to paie the raunsome for our soules thereby to consummate and finish the perfection of our redemption and saluation Which thing it was thy good will that he should doo not onelie to asswage thy wrath indignation but also to bring vs againe into thy grace and fauour and that we being deliuered out of the bondage of sinne and hell might serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of our life and by the free gift and benefite of his death and passion be made partakers of his resurrection and of thine endlesse and vnspeakable glorie Wherefore my God my maker my Lord my King seeing thou hast so aboundantlie bestowed thy heauenlie gifts vpon me and all mankind and hast so plentifullie powred out thy grace and fauour on vs that for our sakes thou wouldest not spare thine owne sonne how shall we escape thine indignation which for this care and kindnesse of thine are most carelesse and vnkind And among all other which waie shall I poore creature turne me How shall I who haue beene most vnthankefull for thy benefits and most vnmindfull of them be so bold as to lift vp my hart or hands vnto the heauens and to call vpon thee Thou of thy singular goodnesse didst so prouide that the wickednesse of old Adam should be purged and washed awaie with the bloud of Iesus Christ but I haue wilfullie fallen into sinne againe Thou madest me the child of light but I haue made my selfe an inheritour of darkenesse Thou madest me thine by creation I haue made my selfe the child of perdition What shall I now therefore do Shall I doubt of anie further mercie and forgiuenesse No no sweete Lord so great is thy mercie which surmounteth all thy workes so large are thy promises so sure is the performance of them to all such as take hold thereof so deere in thy sight are the merits of thy sonne Iesus so acceptable vnto thee is the hartie repentance of a sinner that with the remembrance thereof I am prouoked to crie vnto thee saieng Father I haue sinned against heauen and against thee I am no more worthie to be called thy child Neuerthelesse behold thou me not as I am a greeuous offender but as thy creature Haue now no respect to mine offences but behold my repentance thinke not vpon my wickednesse but vpon the wounds of my Sauiour Iesus Looke not vpon my false hart which hath wauered from thy lawes but behold the bleeding hart of thy sonne Iesus Christ which was pierced to release me and set me free My sinnes I cast vpon thy backe beseeching thee that his merits may beare them and thy mercie pardon them Heare me O Lord my God heare me for I knowe the more earnestlie that I seeke for and desire thine aide the readier thou art to stretch foorth thine hand to helpe me Heare me therefore O Lord bow downe and incline thine eare vnto my praier inspire me so with thy holie spirit that I may loue thee aboue all things and that I neuer faile to put my hope and trust of saluation in him whome thou wouldest to be my redeemer and sauiour Make me by the forsaking of all wickednesse so to rise from falling into sinne that I may obtaine the true seruing of thee with innocencie and purenesse of life Graunt this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie Amen A praier vnto God the sonne O Most sweet sauiour O most mercifull redeemer O bountifull Iesu the sonne of God who although thou art high yet thou art most humble although thou art omnipotent thou art also most meeke and as thou art most mightie so art thou most mercifull To thee O Christ the guide of all felicitie the father of heauen hath giuen all power both in heauen and in earth Thou art the true pastor of our soules thou art our Messias Thou castest off none that sue vnto thee but as thou hast taken awaie the hand-writing that was against vs and hast fastened it to thy crosse so art thou readie to impart the merits of thy passion vnto all such as with true repentance of their sins call vpon thee faithfullie Wherefore my sweet Iesus I most faithfullie and vnfeinedlie acknowledge the benefits that thou hast bestowed vpon me and stedfastlie beleeue that thou being an immaculate lambe in whose mouth was neuer found guile didst suffer most cruell torments at the hands of sinners for the loue of vs most wretched sinners For the which cause I most hartilie beseech thee and most humblie praie thee to accept me into the number of them whom thou wilt make coinheritours of thy bitter paines And although I of my selfe be most vnworthie thereof yet thy merits can make me woorthie to them do I flie crauing that I may be so armed and defended by them that I may subdue the world the flesh and the diuell euen as thou hast gloriouslie conquered sinne death and hell Thou seest O my sauiour how I am dailie and hourlie beset with these three enimies and so hardlie beseeged of them that without thy helpe I can by
forgiue vs our iniquities Whosoeuer calleth on thy name shall be saued Thou hast no pleasure in the death of a sinner but rather desirest that they should liue and be conuerted Thou hast so loued the world that thou not onlie didst become man and tooke our nature vpon thee but wert content also to suffer most cruell death on the Crosse to purge our nature from mortall sinne and corruption and adorne it with immortalitie and eternall glorie not onelie in thine owne person but in vs also to satisfie the iustice of the Father for our sinnes Oh blessed shepheard thou doubtedst not to spend thy most pretious blood to saue thy beloued sheepe from rauine and spoile Good Lord so increase thy grace in me that thy holie word may take roote and flourish in me that the good seed may not be choked with thornes So order my liuing that when by course of nature I shall be dissolued from the prison of my bodie I may come to thee that when thou more bright than the sun shalt come in the midst of the legions of Angels in thy shining glorie and Maiestie to iudge the quicke the dead I may be in the number of the blessed ones whom thou shalt call to possesse the kingdome prepared for them by thy Father saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the world Thou which didst die and rise againe wilt raise and bring to life all those that are dead beleeuing in thy faith So be it A praier to liue well GOod Lord so rule the eies of my hart that they being kept simple and pure my bodie may be a cleere and shining temple of thy holie spirit So kindle in vs the loue of thy glorious sonne that we following his steps may doo that which is good and decline from the euill so that our light shining before men we may glorifie thee by our good works with thy blessed sonne our Sauiour and the holie Ghost to whose infinite Maiestie in trinitie and vnitie be all honour and glorie for euer Amen A praier for humilitie O Lord I am a sinner and sorie for mine offences I can not make satisfaction for my defaults If I haue anie good thing it commeth of thee The most acceptable sacrifice to thee is a contrite and humble hart O God let mee not be oppressed with the waues of sinne let mee not sinke into the whirlepoole and gulph of despaire Thou which liftest vp the fallen and raisest the humble and meeke clothing them with purple and settest them vp with princes in the seates of honour thou which despisest the imaginations of the proud and resistest their enterprises blesse me in all my dooings send mee happie successe in all mine affaires that I may reioice in thy goodnesse with thine elected for euer and euer Accept my humble suite good Lord I beseech thee for the glorie of thy name sake Amen A praier for the obteining of Gods grace O Almightie and mercifull God shine we beseech thee through the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and the comfortable working of thy sacred spirit the heauenlie comforter vpon our minds and harts with the glorious beames of thy heauenlie grace Giue vs such plentie of wisedome and vnderstanding from aboue that through the knowledge of thee the man of sinne that is our fraile and feeble flesh with the wicked lusts and desire of concupiscence may lie dead and buried in vs. Giue vs good Lord the feeling of thy grace that by the vertue and diuine operation of thy word the eies of our soules may be illumined and made so light that the Prince of darkenesse with all his vnrighteous ministers may be expulsed and banished from our memories So establish vs in thy truth that our harts minds and thoughts may continuallie be occupied in thy testimonies that thereby thou good Lord effectuallie shining in our harts by the vertue of thy good spirit we may learne to knowe and vnderstand what is the fulnesse of our calling and how rich thou art in the glorie of thy celestiall and heauenlie heritage of thy Saincts and that excellent greatnesse of thy power and louing kindnesse towards vs which beleeue without faining thy holie Gospell according to the might and force of thy strength which thou shewedst in Christ Iesus when thou didst raise him from the dead and didst set him on thy right hand far aboue all empire power authoritie and dominion and euerie name that is named not onlie in this world but in the world to come By whose pretious death and deerest bloud-shedding we are assured that sinne death and hell are vanquished ouercome and vtterlie destroied And if we beleeue without wauering we shall in him be able to resist all the power of hell and in Christ as conquerors to triumph with victorie ouer sinne death and Sathan and at the last to haue and enioie the fruition of his rich and glorious kingdome which he by most painefull agonie bloudie stripes greeuous and bloudie wounds and lastlie by his most painefull death purchased for his chosen and elect To whome for our sanctification iustification redemption and our saluation be rendred with his celestiall Father and the holie Ghost all laud glorie power honour and dominion for euer and euer Amen A praier against presumptuous pride and vaine-glorie WE heare O heauenlie Father and are dailie taught and instructed out of thine eternall word how greatlie the greeuous sinne of presumption pride and vaine-glorie displeaseth thy diuine maiestie We are learned that for the practise of this pestilent and heinous euill thou hast not spared the verie Angels but hast throwne them in thy displeasure for their pride vaine-glorie and presumption from beatitude to miserie from ioie without end to perdurable paine from brightnesse of thy glorious presence to vtter extreame and palpable darkenesse from the glorious fruition and participation of thine euerlasting kingdome to the bottomlesse pit of hell death damnation and endlesse flames of fire Besides this we are taught that by the transgression of Adam whose haughtie presuming through the entisement of the subtile and perillous allurement of the Serpent thought to be as thy selfe but in fine thy iustice condemned him and all his posteritie This pestiferous sinne of pride drowned him in the flouds of all dangerous euils as gluttonie luxurie and such other perils that had not thy mercie taken effect to keepe and hold plea for his and our safegard and thy sonne Christ embased the glorie and power of his diuine essence and taken vpon him our flesh and fraile nature sinne onlie except who freelie offered his innocent bodie to the death of the crosse we had perished euerlastinglie and beene vtterlie confounded Print therefore good Lord and write these examples in my memorie that I fall not from thy fauour by the exercise of this detestable sinne Make me still to consider that the proud and disdainefull are alwaies abhorred in thy sight And sith
to displeasure The burden of my sinnes are intollerable for the which I must acknowledge and earnestlie from the bottome of my hart confesse that iustlie thou hast corrected and visited me yet not in the fulnesse of thy furie but according to thy fatherlie loue and kindnesse And albeit thy rod lie heauie vpon my shoulders yet in this time of thy correction I am comforted greatlie knowing assuredlie that thou correctest and simitest where thou louest thou woundest and healest againe thou throwest downe to hell and liftest vp againe to heauen such and so great is thine omnipotencie that thou rulest aboue the firmament in earth flouds and the lowermost parts of hell In heauen the Angels Archangels the soules of thy Saints the blessed companie of Martyrs giue thee praise glorie and veneration The sun the moone and glistering stars ech one of them in their course and qualitie shew themselues obedient vnto thy will In earth the beasts of the field and the seelie feathered foules of the aire in their order seeme to set foorth thy glorie and praise In the deepe waters the fishes of the sea are readie to obserue thy will and in their maner they as thy creatures giue thee due honour and reuerence But among these man whom thou by thy diuine will and pleasure hast indued with reason and in his creation concerning the inward man hadst fashioned him to thy similitude and likenesse is now most prone and willing to be by the ministers of darknesse seduced and carried awaie from vertue to vice from godlinesse to all impietie from obedience to wilfull breach and contempt of thy precepts so that diligence is banished by negligence And such is the power of our flesh that our eies which should haue their chiefest contemplation and delight in perusing and reading thy glorious and sacred Gospel wherein we may behold thee crucified and slaine O sweetest Sauiour Christ Iesus perfect God and perfect man by whose innocent death bloudie passion attonement is made betwixt thy Father and vs are so dazeled with the dimme and darke mists of Sathan that they are occupied in the beholding of mundane and transitorie pleasures all which in effect vanish and weare awaie euen as the flower that either is parched by the force of Phoebus radiant beames or by Winters stormes and horie frosts consumed Our eares which thou hast giuen to vs to heare and vnderstand the sacred and diuine mysteries conteined in thy holie lawe are made deafe of purpose so that they glorie more in fables and lothsome leasings than they conceiue delight in the zealous predication of thine Euangelicall and heauenlie doctrine Our harts are hardened like the Adamant so that for the greatest part they can not brooke thy testimonies they continuallie lust and desire to be satisfied with worldlie wealth honour and dignitie And who beholdeth not in these daies what cruell conflict and bloudie fight there is betwixt good conscience and filthie auarice the roote of all mischiefe and euill Naie who seeth not in this age plaine dealing murthered by deceit and faithlesse fraud Who now beholdeth not true meaning strangled by forged flatterie and loathsome leasings The bowels of compassion and pitie are shut vp by violent oppression and tyrannie Our feete are willing to tread the paths of pride fornication and vncleannesse Our hands are readie to offer wrong and iniurie to the innocent yea and in fine whatsoeuer thou hast giuen vnto vs to spread and set foorth thy glorie and honour is by sinne so corrupted that we make the members of our bodies which by grace and of pure loue are ingraffed in the bodie of Christ the rich and great shepheard of our soules the verie members of Sathan So that of set purpose our transgression abounding we flie from Christ the rocke and strong piller of our saluation and run head-long to death and vtter destruction of bodie and soule Yet like a louing God and mercifull Father thou callest vs home againe by thy word wherin not onlie thy mercies but also thy terrible threats are thundered foorth against vs for our impenitencie But when neither thy manifold mercies freelie of thine abundant goodnesse offered vnto vs in Iesus Christ can mooue nor stir vs to handfast contrition neither yet thy terrible comminations and thretnings can reclame nor call vs backe from the dangerous puddle of our sins then thou sendest forth thy plagues and punishments as pestilence famine bloudie sword intending thereby to driue vs to amendment of life and to acknowledge thine omnipotencie But when thou beholdest our true repentant harts our sobs and sighing teares powred foorth before the throne of thy diuine Maiestie thou withdrawest from vs the terror of thine indignation and vengeance the rod of thy correction is laid aside thy displeasure iustlie conceiued against vs for the continuall exercise of sinne is vtterlie forgotten and by the intercession of thy sonne Iesus Christ that sitteth on thy right hand in glorie permanent and euerlasting like a louing Father and most mercifull God the siluered scepter of peace is offered vnto vs with all other thy gratious benefits that thine anger is conuerted to clemencie thy displeasure is turned to louing kindnesse and in fine thine indignation is so calmed by thine abundant grace and mercie that like a louing and gentle Father thine armes are stretched foorth ioifullie to embrace and receiue vs to thy fauour againe All this I knowe to be most certaine and true For when or at what tune soeuer we shall appeare before the gates of mercie and by the meanes and power of a constant and liuelie faith knocke therat thou art redie to open vnto vs not for anie of our deserts but for the merits of Iesus Christ the fulnesse of thy diuine miseration compassion and pitie And whensoeuer we shall call vpon thee with lowlinesse and meekenesse of our harts and minds bewailing wofullie our heinous offences committed against thee thine eares are most attentiue to heare willinglie doest grant vs our petitions Wherefore O most gratious and louing father we come vnto thee with sorowfull and contrite harts beseeching thee for the loue of thine annointed sonne Iesus Christ our Messias Sauiour and Redeemer to behold and looke vpon vs with the eies of compassion and pitie And albeit we haue worthilie deserued this thy plague and punishment yet respect thou not our deseruings least in thy furie and indignation we be confounded perish Haue an eie rather to thy sonne Iesus Christ behold his bloudie wounds which yet are fresh and greene and neuer stint bleeding Thinke vpon the bitter and painefull torments that he suffered for vs vpon the crosse in whose name we beseech thee fauourablie to looke vpon our infirmities mercifullie to heare our praiers and petitions offered vnto thee and gratiouslie for the glorie of thy name sake to take and withdrawe from vs this thy heauie rod of correction which our sinfull liues and contempt of thy precepts haue heaped heauilie on our
beloued Saints and redie to crowne them with euerlasting glorie In thee are legions of Angels singing of sweet Hymnes and songs that set foorth the praise and honor of thy name in thee are the felowship of heauenlie citizens in thee resteth the sweete solemnitie of all such as returne from this miserable pilgrimage vnto thy glorie the companie of the Prophets Apostles and victorious armie of Martyrs holie men and women which haue vanquished the pleasures of the world haue their abiding with thee There are yoong children and maidens which haue passed ouer their daies in holinesse of life publishing thy praise in all puritie and pietie Euerie one reioiceth in his degree though not equall in glorie yet like in ioies and gladnesse For there reigneth perfect charitie God is all in all whose Maiestie without end they see continuallie and still in beholding him their loue increaseth Of this eternall blessednesse the holie Apostle Peter had as it were a shadowe or a tast vpon the mount Thabor at the transfiguration of Christ from whence he desired he might not depart Paule also had a proofe of it when he was rapt or taken vp into the third heauen where he heard words and sawe things so maruellous and secret as far passeth all mans vnderstanding and such as were not to be told or reuealed vnto men Moses his face became so bright through the conuersation that he had with the diuine glorie vpon mount Sinai that the Israelites could not abide it What then shall become of vs when perpetuallie with thee which art the Lord of all glorie we shall be conuersant after the maner of thy children and familiar friends Who is he then that will not seeke and desire by all meanes possible to be a dweller there both for the desire of peace ioie and eternitie and for the perfect sight of God Contrariwise who is able to expresse the torments appointed for the vngodlie and vnrepentant liuers in that deadlie place called Hell which Sathan himselfe abhorreth What other thing can be there but continuall paines eternall tribulation and infinite calamitie repleat with all euils There dwell wicked and ouglie Angels whose horrible lookes bring sudden feare greeuous paines and fearefull death with continual clouds of euer-during darknes There is nothing but howling wailing lamentation and mourning without all end fearfull scriches confused cries are there in all places suddenlie raised There the woorme of conscience neuer dieth in that damnable dungeon there is fire vnquenchable and perpetuall gnashing of teeth The miserable soule findeth there no rest but is afflicted with all kind of torments and such as can neuer be expressed all which endure for euer Alas little auaileth it those that are subiected as firebrans of hell to crie vnto the Lord for he will not heare them Then shall they knowe that all things which they had in this life are vaine and such things as they thought to be pleasant to be found more bitter than gall or poison Then where is the pleasure of the flesh so termed falslie For there is none other pleasure but to feare the Lord. Then shall they confesse and saie that the iudgement of God is true and righteous saieng Did we not heare of this and yet would not be conuerted from our wicked deeds But then shall nothing preuaile No sorowe can find comfort no complaints anie remorse no torments ease nor painfull passions an end such and so exceeding are the vexations of the second death wherewith all the bodies and soules of the vnrighteous shall for euer be enuironed Sith therefore O heauenlie Father and most gratious God it seemeth good to thine eternall wisdome by the knowledge of thine euerlasting truth to giue me knowledge of thine inestimable mercie offered freelie vnto me in Iesus Christ my mercifull Sauiour in whose bloudie death and painfull passion I am assured of eternall life and blessednesse Giue me grace to print in my remembrance thy manifold mercies that feeding my soule by faith in thee I may attaine vnto those endlesse ioies that thou hast prepared for thine adopted sonnes and chosen children in the kingdome of euerlasting righteousnesse and so escape those euerlasting torments which thou hast prepared for the diuell and his Angels From the which place of wofull vexation and endlesse miserie deliuer me O heauenlie Father for the loue of Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all laud and praise for euer Amen A praier to be said of the sicke at the houre of death MOst mightie art thou O Lord in all thy deeds and most holie in all thy waies Blessed be the name of my father my God and glorious Creator who by his diuine power and celestiall prouidence of nothing made all things fish flesh foules fruites trees hearbes and all other things whatsoeuer are conteined both in heauen earth seas and the nethermost parts thereof Man concerning the outward parts thou by thy celestiall prouidence and fatherlie bountie framedst and createdst of claie but concerning the inward substance of thy creature man thou didst fashion and make him euen according to thine owne similitude and likenesse Moreouer such and so great was thy loue and good will towards him that all the creatures or works of thy creation serued to this vse In earth thou madest him lord and king ouer the fruits thereof the beasts of the field the foules of the aire and the fishes of the little flouds and great waters In the firmament thou hast placed the glistering Sunne with his orient beames to giue him light by daie and therewith thou hast giuen him the Moone and the starres to gouerne him by night For the which cause aboue all other the works of thy creation man should and ought of right to giue thee that glorie that to thee belongeth But alas such and so great is the corruption of our fraile and sinfull flesh that for all these thy graces wee are carried awaie from thee and enter into contempt of thy precepts For which cause thou oftentimes doost correct and punish vs to the intent we might thereby feeling thy rod of correction be driuen to imbrace hartie and true repentance But when thy threats and the stripes of thy displeasure laid vpon vs can not take place amongst vs thou oftentimes giuest vs vp to folowe our lusts and affections but at last when thou dooest behold our enormities thou in a moment by the power of thy diuine iustice restrainest the rope of our disordered libertie and cuttest in sunder the bridle of our voluptuousnes either by sudden death sword fire famine sicknesse or other the diuine sentences of thy conceiued ire to the intent that other thy creatures might by the terrour of thy iustice auoid sinne and learne to amend their liues least they fall into the like calamitie or danger True and most true it is good Lord that by the exercise of sinne we are the children of death and destruction but by grace of
and holie in all thy works Haue mercie vpon me and giue me vnderstanding therefore from aboue to consider the substance whereof thou hast framed me and by the knowledge thereof make me to consider mine owne weakenesse and infirmitie to be such that vnlesse thou set to thy hand speedilie to helpe me that am oppressed with sinne I shall perish in my wickednesse A AS my sins are innumerable and redder than scarlet so giue me grace to acknowledge thy greate mercies which are surmounting the sands of the seas and that thou by thy grace at thy good pleasure canst wash awaie my deformitie and make me to excell the snowe of Libanus I beseech thee O mercifull father let it be far from my thought wilfullie or of a set purpose to fall into the danger of sinne or to commit anie heinous sinne or greeuous wickednes against thine eternall maiestie For by the exercise of such and so great euill I by meanes of my presumption prouoke thee to displeasure Giue me grace therefore to stand in awe of thy iustice least that thy mercie be with-held and kept from me and thou giue me ouer as thou didst proud Pharao to the lust and affections of mine owne hart and so I be drowned in the dangerous gulph of destruction R REadie art thou Lord at all times to heare and giue eare vnto the petitions of thy people but more readier are we to run astraie from thy will and to transgresse thy sacred lawes and diuine statutes than we are to leaue the lusts of carnalitie the pleasures of this vaine and wicked world so greatlie are we affected to licentious libertie and all other kind of notorious euill But yet O mercifull father of thine abundant loue fauour and exceeding kindnesse giue me grace to renounce sinne to hate this transitorie and vading world to mortifie my fraile and feeble flesh which rebelleth against the spirit and by faith in Christ in this my dangerous pilgrimage so giue me strength that mine enimies may be ouerthrowne and I being deliuered from the snares of hell may by thee which art the author of mans felicitie haue the fruition of thy kingdome and celestiall mansion of endlesse and sempiternall glorie Y YDlenesse is the nurse and roote of all infectious euils Giue me thine aid therefore O Lord to loath and detest this deadlie and dangerous sinne least therby I run headlong into thy heauie displeasure Make me alwaies and euer to be occupied good Lord in thy holie lawe that with all the powers of my soule hart mind and vnderstanding I may giue thee continuall praise honor and glorie Yeeld plentiouslie vnto me also good Lord thy grace from aboue that I may continuallie make my boast of thine euerlasting name by hartie contrition and bitter deploration of my sinnes and wickednesse obtaine thy fauourable pardon and by thee being sanctified and made cleane from all mine vncleannesse and vngodlinesse I may enter with thee at the last daie into the celestiall and glorious kingdome purchased in the bloudie death of my Sauiour Iesus Christ Yea illuminate mine eies I saie O good Lord that I sleepe not in darkenes but giue me grace good Lord continuallie to keepe watch and ward least that the enimie find me slumbering in the cradle of carelesnesse the gates of my bodie be broken vp and in the daie of thy comming to iudgement the sentence of thy displeasure be pronounced against me to the vtter confusion of my bodie and soule F FAith is to be embraced of all those that hope for felicitie and blessednesse in Iesus Christ Giue me therefore such wisdome from aboue that I may be dailie desirous to learne thy sacred precepts and walke in the path-waie of thy glorious statutes that by the exercise of thy will sinfull vice and iniquitie may be vanquished and vertue may haue the dominion and souereigntie in me A ABstinence coupled with constant and faithfull praier is a thing that much pleaseth thy maiestie and withdraweth from vs the force of thy heauie indignation Giue me grace then with praier to exercise such fasting as may hold downe the man of sinne that he swell not in pride excesse gluttonie or superfluous eating or drinking Make me alwaies to vse thy gifts so moderatelie that thy name may be glorified and I fasting from sinne with hartie praier faithfullie may beate at the gates of thy grace and so obtaine the full effects of thy fatherlie loue and fauourable kindnesse Finallie abate I beseech thee the pride of the vngodlie that trouble me Confound in thy iustice the imaginations of the foolish which sticke not to saie in their harts There is no God Breake the iawe bones of those in sunder that consult and take counsell togither how they may harme the innocent and weake From the bloud-thirstie and deceiptfull man deliuer me O Lord my God Looke fauourablie vpon me glad thou my hart with the cheerefull lookes of thy gratious and louing countenance Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard Be thou euer with me then shall I not need to feare the power of my subtile and cruell enimies but at thine appointed will and heauenlie pleasure I shall be made safe and with the felowship of thy chosen Saints enioie the fruition of thine euerlasting kingdome N NOthing O Lord I brought into this world and nothing shall I carie hence with mee Giue mee grace and power therefore to consider that all worldlie things are vaine and shall vanish awaie like smoke Make me to vnderstand that I am a stranger heere and far from my countrie the new Citie of Ierusalem which thou hast in the fulnesse of thy great mercie ordeined for those that continue faithfull in thee to the end And sith that all earthlie things are subiected to consuming as meere vanities endue me with such vnderstanding that I may laie my treasure plentifullie in heauen with Iesus Christ to whome in the water of baptisme by grace in spirit I am coupled and knit Withdrawe me therefore from the delight of worldlie pleasures and giue me streugth to offer my selfe vp wholie into his blessed and heauenlie hands that my hart my mind the powers of my soule and all that I haue may depend on him with whome my treasure resteth that being vnder the comfortable gard of his defence I may be deliuered from all danger of bodie and soule Naked was I borne and naked to the graue shall I returne againe the Lord giueth and the Lord taketh awaie euen as it pleaseth his maiestie all things are brought to passe whose glorious name be praised for euer No man can escape the sting of death all flesh must bow vnto the graue Giue me a feruent faith therefore O Lord to continue faithfull in Iesus Christ that whensoeuer it shall please thee to send thy messenger death to arrest me I may be readie at his summons ioifullie to beare his stroke and by the power of a liuelie faith so to withstand sinne and Sathan that death
setting foorth of thy most glorious inuisible and eternall Maiestie in this my fraile earthlie and visible maiestie may cleerelie shine and appeare in me to the benefit of thy Church farre and neere And that I remembring whose minister I am may first aboue all things in a perfect zeale of thy house and loue of thy people euer seeke thy honour and glorie and studie continuallie to preserue thy people committed to my charge in wealth peace and godlinesse Deere Father so blesse mee so loue mee so in the spirit of counsell prudence knowledge and fortitude sanctifie strengthen and direct me that in a perfect faith feare and loue as in thy sight I may walke vprightlie without offence giuing in the obedience of thy holie word and fulfilling of thy blessed commandements all the daies of my life and may be a true follower of that King which is the Souereigne ouer the holie hill of Zion whose seate and kingdome endureth for euer Giue mee grace both thankfullie to acknowledge thy manifold great benefits bestowed vpon mee and also faithfullie and diligentlie to discharge my dutie towards thee and thy people in executing thy iudgements indifferentlie without parcialitie to the aduancement of thy kingdome the establishment of my throne and the vniuersall comfort and commoditie of all thy people Make me good Lord of an entire affection and perfect hart towards thee and of an humble and gentle spirit towards all vnder my gouernement after the example of Christ our eternall King who to fulfill thy will O GOD did vouchsafe to take flesh of the virgin Marie and became man for man that man might become a God vnto men and who also did verie much abase and humble himselfe as a seruant euen vnto the death of the Crosse to redeeme both Prince and people out of thrall and bondage of sinne Sathan death and hell Let my naturall affection and disposition I saie O Lord continue to my foes terrible to my subiects amiable to mine offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull to all men indifferent and parciall to none that being guided by thee to gouerne thy people iustlie in all godlie peace and quietnesse I may be able with a good conscience to witnesse of mine integritie before thee and all the world as thy faithfull seruants Moses Samuel and Nehemias somtimes did of theirs and boldlie and trulie with them saie Behold here I am beare record of me before the Lord before his annointed Whose oxe or whose asse haue I forceablie taken awaie Or whom haue I done anie wrong to Or whom haue I iniured or hurt Or of whose hand haue I receiued anie bribes to blind mine eies therewith and I will restore it you that my people seeing and well perceiuing my motherlie affection faithfull gouernement carefull diligence and diligent watchfulnesse ouer them by all meanes to doo them all the good I possiblie may or can in thee may woorthilie witnesse rightlie answere and iustlie confesse and saie of me to thy glorie and my perpetuall praise as the Israelites heretofore said of Samuel That I haue not grieued them nor troubled my land by oppression or iniurie that I haue not hurt them nor taken ought of anie mans hand nor by anie meanes either by my selfe or others willinglie abused my power or dealt vniustlie with my people Oh kindle more and more in my hart I beseech thee most holie Father a pure zele aboue all things to promote thy glorie and a vigilant care not onelie to serue thee my selfe sincerelie but also to haue thee diligentlie serued of my familie people And to this end vouchsafe I praie thee both to adorne me with all thy heauenlie gifts and also to blesse my whole familie court and houshold with thy graces and vertues that all these both high and lowe one and other which are placed therein vnder me may for their vertuous life true faith and right religion towards thee their God and for their loiall harts and conscionable obedience towards me their Prince and Mistres and for their entire affection and charitie one towards another as brethren and lastlie for their hartie loue and naturall good-will they beare to their Commonwelth and countrie be an example and patterne of true godlinesse and puritie both in religion and life for all the whole Realme and countrie yea the whole world besides to followe as their head fountaine and light Moreouer O blessed God as hitherto by thy mightie protection thou hast preserued me and in thy great mercie maugre the heads of all mine enimies miraculouslie hast deliuered me and established me in this my kingdome thus long in admirable peace and blessed quietnesse all glorie and praise be rendered vnto thy glorious name therfore so I beseech thy gratious goodnesse O Lord in like mercie to blesse preserue maintaine keepe and defend me and my Realme still from all both forreine and domesticall conspiracies treasons deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils imminent and to come both bodilie and ghostlie publike and priuate that I may still gouerne blessedlie ouer a blessed people and my Realme and people by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of thy Gospell and happie enioieng of perfect peace and quietnesse both outward and inward Thou O Lord of hosts hast ordeined me the Gouernour ouer thy people and made my people to be thy people and thou Lord art become our God yea and our great and mightie God besides whom wee haue none other God I knowe also my God that thou triest the hart and hast pleasure in righteousnesse behold therefore I offer vow and dedicate my selfe willinglie and entirelie in the vprightnesse of my hart to serue and worship thee onelie for euer with ioie and therfore am I thine handmaid bold to praie this praier vnto thee beseeching thee for euer to keepe me and to helpe me in this my good purpose of holie seruing and worshipping of thee For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all to speake of O direct thou continuallie the thoughts of my mind and prepare my hart euermore vnto thee Giue vnto me thine handmaid a perfect hart to keepe thy commandements thy testimonies and thy statutes and cause me to vse my power lawfullie to the reforming both of thy house and estates according to the prescript rule of thy written word reuealed will that so it may please thee O Lord God to confirme for euer thy mercifull promises made vnto me in my father DAVID and to blesse the throne or house of thy seruant with thy blessing that it may continue and be established before thee for euer And that this may the better come to passe to the glorie of thy name the benefit of thy Church and wealth of my Realme as I hartilie wish and desire remoue far from thy Church far from me O excellent father all those which fall from thee by infidelitie and are through obstinate wilfulnesse traiterous rebels to thy sacred
before manie others Thou hast annointed me with the oile of gladnesse before my fellowes and set a most pretious diademe vpon my head Thou makest me to sit in the highest place of dignitie and estate far aboue other men that are my subiects Yea thou O God which art Lord of the whole earth hast brought into subiection the people that lie neere vnto me ouer whome I haue authoritie and hast honoured me in deede with that heauenlie name whereby thine authoritie ouer all men is declared Thou hast crowned me I saie with great glorie and honour causing my renowme and fame to spread far and neere yea thou hast made me nothing inferiour to other Potentates of the world but ordeined mee Lord ouer the works of thine hands in souereigne wise so that thou causest all to serue me dutifullie Thou my King my God hast powred foorth vpon me I confesse all thy bountie and graces that none is able to be compared vnto mee Thou hast caused both Kings and Queenes to come from far and to bring presents and rich gifts vnto me and thou hast made me honourable euen to strange people of whome euen the most mightie and rich honouring me haue and doo desire greatlie my friendship and fauour Thou hast preuented me with thy blessings and without anie asking giuen me the people for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for my possession Surelie a most pleasant place and a most beautifull portion of inheritance is fallen vnto me from thee O Lord which art my portion my reward and alone to me all-sufficient Thou art he that hast giuen me this most large and excellent heritage and planted me in a most fat and wealthie place by whose power I may worthilie glorie of my dignitie and honour and that by thy singular benefit and for none other cause but onlie that it hath pleased thee to receiue me into thy speciall fauour For surelie there is no cause why I should ascribe the atteining of this kingdome to mine owne worthinesse although I called oft vpon thy name or that I should imagine that I haue resisted so manie and so mightie people by mine owne power and strength neither by the trusting in mine owne bowe or sword haue I obteined so manie victories and driuen awaie mine enimies but thou thy selfe O Lord hast done it by the strength of thine owne arme and that onlie because it so pleased thee I saie of thine owne meere mercie and goodnesse to preserue and deliuer both me and my people CAP. II. NEither hath thy mercie ceassed heere O God for it hath not failed euer since my comming to the Crowne to gouerne me afterward by thy wisdome and grace and miraculouslie to preserue and defend me by thy princelie power from all mine enimies visible and inuisible domesticall and foraigne Hitherto hast thou bene vnto me a most safe refuge a most sure tower against all the powers of Satan Oh how great and maruellous things do I see that thou O God hast brought to passe for me thine vnworthy seruant by thy mightie power For when there wanted not such who rebelled against me and resisted thy power and ordinance yet I doo see my selfe sufficientlie armed by thee continuallie with sharpe arrowes wherewith to wound the verie harts of mine enimies and so to cast them downe Moreouer how long and how often haue the sonnes of men laboured greatlie to distaine mine honour reioicing and persisting in vanitie and superstition And what secret and wicked counsell they haue taken to bring vngodlie things to effect against me thou O Lord well knowest and I haue prooued For I am she against whom the superstitious enimies haue intended all these euils I am she against whom they haue inuented and dailie doo inuent that wickednesse which they shall neuer be able to bring to passe For thou Lord hast had mercie vpon me and made frustrate the deuises and desires of all my craftie and cruell enimies and established me in my throne that according to the office and authoritie thou hast giuen me I might iustlie punish their infidelitie Thou hast scattered the people that delight in war and caused the runnagates to turne their backs vnto me by directing their owne swords to light vpon their owne necks and their owne darts against their faces For in thy wrath Lord thou hast cast the vngodlie into the flaming fire and vtterlie destroied and consumed them and their posteritie by the heate of thy furie that proudlie rose vp against thee and thine Annointed Yea thou hast caused me to be reuenged on the heathen to breake mine enimies asunder with an iron rod and to crush them in peeces like potshards on the earth Mine hand I saie hath taken mine enimies O God through thy power and thou wilt bring to passe that my right hand shall apprehend them that hate me without cause For vndoubtedlie now I knowe that thou doost not hate me but loue me tenderlie euen by this that thou hast not suffered mine enimies to triumph ouer me as they verelie hoped but hast made me stand fast and sure through thy defence whereby I knowe thou wilt alwaies care for me O God my God what shall I saie Uerelie I doo greatlie reioice that thou hast with so great fauour embraced me euer preuenting my praiers and giuing helpe vnto hir that called vpon thee with a mind free from all euill imaginations For else thou wouldest not haue heard me nor restored my life when it was as good as lost as thou hast done But I calling hartilie vpon thy name chieflie in mine aduersities thou hast deliuered me out of all my troubles frights and feares and defended me and wast my refuge in extreme dangers and by thy mercie hast brought to passe that not onelie I dailie behold my traitrous enimies to haue their condigne punishments but also this people whom thou hast appointed to be gouerned by me to consider this thy iudgement extended vpon those guiltie rebels superstitious aduersaries and prophane men that so wilfullie resist thine ordinance and authoritie in me and to be sufficientlie taught by their example and destruction to remember the feare dread and reuerence due vnto thee their God and their Prince CAP. III. MOreouer O Lord I do greatly reioice when I bethinke me what a tower of strength a safe hauen vnassaultable habitation thou hast euer beene not onlie vnto me but also vnto my predecessours forefathers Kings and Princes of this land succeeding one another in order And how thou hast beene the honour and also the strength both of them and me and hast from time to time with a certaine speciall power defended this little Island which thou hast chosen to be thy peculiar heritage giuen it first vnto them and now vnto me in possession Yea what alterations or changes of things or times soeuer haue fallen yet hast thou O most mightie Gouernour whose kingdome for euer hath beene is and alwaie shall be most sure stable
I beholding the excellent iudgements of thy iustice in crowning thy gifts in the righteous seuen times a daie doo I celebrate thy praises neither doo the watchmen doubtlesse so carefullie keepe their watch as I am diligent in meditating thy Heast and commandements CAP. II. ANd bicause O Lord though man be increased with neuer so high dignitie riches and honours yet if he want thy wisedome hee shall be counted to differ little or nothing in this life from the brute beasts which wholie perish For he doth not long remaine in this worldlie pompe and glorie but all his power shall vanish and flowe awaie like water spilt on the ground and brought to naught I will therefore number my daies while I haue time so that I may betimes applie my hart vnto thy wisedome endeuour my selfe to learne thy statutes by thine instruction and to be taught the true knowledge ioined with such a iudgement whereby I may discerne all things aright as it were by tasting a sauourie thing bicause I desire to depend on thy commandements and to fulfill thy Heast Uerelie Lord I will meditate thy commandements continuallie and will applie my whole mind to obserue thy waies I will delight my mind I saie in thy statutes neither will I at anie time forget thy words For neither hast thou O Lord my heauenlie father commanded mee anie thing vnaduisedlie in thy Heast neither are they things that I shuld onlie vnderstand or lightlie consider of but thou hast wiselie spoken and commanded them vnto me that they should be obserued and kept of me with all diligence And would to God that my maners and state might so be ordered by thy gouernement that I might sincerelie seeke to please thee and holilie walke after the rule of the doctrine prescribed by thee that I might most constantlie perseuere in keeping most carefullie thy statutes For then verelie I should leade an vpright and blamelesse life at harts ease with a quiet mind and all things should go well with me yea by that meanes shall I onelie worship thee rightlie and purelie without following this or that maner of worship not prescribed by thy lawe nor alowed by thy word Therefore am I fullie purposed to keepe thy statutes firmelie to the end and to hold the waie prescribed by thy word For I haue chosen this as the true waie and I doo prefer this before all other things O Lord I endeuour my selfe I saie with a pure hart to cleaue fast vnto those things which are approoued by thy testimonies of the which my good purpose grant I beseech thee that I doo neuer repent But direct me that am well entred into the waie of these thy precepts and inflame me wholie more more with great desire both of true knowledge ioined with iudgement wherby I may discerne all things aright and also keepe thy lawes as well in prosperitie as aduersitie vnto the end of my life that I may finish the whole course of my reigne by the direction of thy precepts which are mine onelie counsellers thy mercie and thy truth being my two keepers and assistants wherevpon I also onlie trust Neither am I O Lord of their number who haue no regard whither they walke in the right or wrong waie before thee but I haue searched carefullie by good aduise what waie I should keepe and I haue fastened my steps in those paths which thou hast testified doo please thee Neither haue I staied when I did knowe the matter so to be but straightwaies bent my selfe to obserue thy commandements and beene most willing and readie to accomplish thy will in all things that might aduance thy glorie Oh how do I loue thy doctrine Surelie thou knowst Lord that I am woont to consume whole daies and nights in meditating of thy lawes And I doo find by experience that I haue not done this in vaine For I haue proued to be much wiser by thy precepts than all mine aduersaries which labour with all their power to destroie me of how great dignitie or authoritie soeuer they be For I haue obteined by thy gift a wisdome that will neuer forsake me Yea thou hast made me better learned than my teachers and maisters euen because I haue giuen my selfe wholie not to mans inuentions but to meditate those things onlie which thou hast giuen vnto vs for sound learning Finallie I am more skilfull than anie of the ancient because I was bent not onelie to knowe thy commandements but also to keepe them in deede For I held backe my feete that I should not go the waie that leadeth vnto euill but that I should alwaies rather hold the waie which thou hast taught vs by thy mouth Thy precepts O Lord haue bene and shall be like a burning Lampe in my hand and as a light shining before me to shew me the waie that I shall go yea they haue taught me the true wisdome And therefore I now abhor the other guids rules of the order of this life as wicked and false For I see all the most absolute and perfect works come to an end yea both the decrees lawes which mans wisdome doth set downe to be subiect vnto change and at length euen to come to naught Onlie thy precepts most true and most stable are prolonged without measure and without anie end Wherefore I am wholie consumed being inflamed with the loue of thee because I see thy words despised of mine aduersaries Surelie I feele thy words more pleasant and sweet to my mouth than if I had tasted honie yea thy precepts are more pretious vnto me than anie gold or iewels be they of neuer so high price and estimation I doo and will still affirme that all thy commandements are the most certaine and perfect rule of thy iustice and truth to direct me to equitie and godlinesse and therefore I vtterlie abhor as a thing appointed to deceiue vs whatsoeuer leadeth vs from them neither will I at anie time forsake thee nor turne from thy lawes but rest vpon thee my teacher and ghostlie instructer O Lord thou knowest that I hate and abhorre all deceits I saie and that I embrace thy doctrine yea and that I neuer conceiued more greefe of anie thing than when I did perceiue those men that are thine and mine enimies to despise thy word so stubbornelie and impudentlie Mine eies verelie doo swimme with teares when I behold the generall contempt of thy doctrine and too bold prophanation of all thy holie Heasts and lawes the which thing I neither would nor could dissemble For euen so oft as I perceiued thy glorie to be diminished I burnt with sorowe I accompted my selfe to be wounded with the reproches cast out against thee Uerelie there is nothing more pure than thy words Wherefore I euen I thy seruant doo embrace them with an incredible loue and desire yea I haue bound my whole heart for euer euen to my last gaspe to obserue thy statutes CAP. III. IAm determined O Lord to
praier to bee vsed of all christians 2 l. pag. 139. Before one begin his worke 2. l. pag. 226. Another to the same purpose ibid. Before one begin to studie his lesson 2. l. 227. Before or after the sermon 2. l. pag. 162 231. At burials 2. l. pag. 168. Before the receiuing of the holie communion 2. l. pag. 163. After the receiuing of the Lords supper 2. l. 166. ¶ Graces A praier before meate 2. l. pag. 229. A praier after meate ibidem ¶ Confessions Lamentations and complaints A confession before morning praier 2. l. 103. Another before euening praier 2. l. pag. 117. A confession of a penitent person for his sinne 2. l. pag. 148 149 153. An humble confession of sinnes to the glorie of God 2. l. pag. 37. A lamentation complaint of a sinner bewailing the ignorance of hir blind life led in superstition with hartie repentance in faith to obteine remissiō through Christ 2. l. pag. 42. A christian bewailing of miserable ignorance and blindnesse of men 2. l. pag. 60. ¶ Contemplations Of Christs passion 2. l. pag. 111. Of the carefull passions of the sinfull soule bodie 2. l. pag. 128. ¶ Meditations Of the spirituall loue betweene CHRIST the bridegroome and the faithfull soules of his church the brid 1. l. pa. 8. Of the inward loue of the christian soule towards Christ 2. l. pag. 1. Of the soules slauerie by sinne and redemption by Christ ibid. Of the soules affinitie with Christ 2. l. pag. 5. Of the soules infidelitie and apostasie from God 2. l. pag. 10. Of the intire affection and loue of God towards the sinfull soule of man 2. l. pag. 15. Of the vnion of life and death in the faithful soule by Christ 2 l. pa. 21. Of the longing of the soule by death to feed with Christ 2. l. pag. 24. Of the trust the soule hath in the merits of hir redeemer against the dread of hel and feare of damnation 2. l pag. 27. Of the incomprehensible loue of Christ to the sinfull soule of man and of the benefits that come of a true faith 2. l. pag. 31. ¶ Of true faith and what it worketh in the soule of a sinner 2. l. pag. 45. Of the great loue of God towards mankind and of the inward beholding of Christ crucified 2. l. pag. 49. Of the glorious victories of Christ ouer all enimies 2. l. pag. 51. Of the schoole of the crosse wherevnto wee ought to submit our selues and of the booke of the Crucifix wherein we ought often to looke 2 l. pag. 58 Of the miserable ignorance and blindnes of men much to be bewailed 2. l. pag. 60. Of the fruits and rules of true Christianitie to be followed 2. l. pag. 64. Of the fruites of infidelitie and of the office of weakelings to be eschued 2 l. pag. 66. Of carnall gospellers by whose ill liuing Gods truth is shamefullie slandered 2 l. pag. 69. Of the vertues and properties of Gods children following their vocation 2. l. pag. 73. Of amendement of life in all estates 2. l. pag. 77. ¶ Of our frailtie and miserie 2. l. pag. 113. Of the dreadfull day of iudgement 2. l. pag. 129. Of the vnspeakeable ioyes of heauen and the vntollerable paines of hell 2. l. pag. 198. ¶ Praiers ¶ The Lords praier 2. l. pag. 221. The Creed or articles of christian faith 2. l. pag. 222. The ten commandements 2. l. pag. 222. ¶ The praiers also Of Hagar 1. l. pag. 1. Of Naomic 1. l. pag. 6. Of Hannah 1. l. pag. 6. Of Abigael 1. l. pag. 8. Of Sarra Tobit 1. l. pa. 39. Of Iudeth 1. l. pag. 41. 43. Of Q. Hester 1. l. pag. 46. Of Susannah 1. l pag. 48. Of the Church 1. l. pa 48. Of the woman of Canaan 1. l. pag. 49. Of the fiue foolish Virgins 1. l. pag. 49. Of the Queenes Maiestic 2. l pag. 1. 35. 36. Of Q Katherin 2. l. pag. 37. 80. c. Of L. Iane Dudly 2. l. pag. 98. Of Ladie Tirwit 2. l. pag. 103. c. Of the L. Aburgaueny 2. l. pag. 139. Of Agnes the Martyr 2. l. pag. 214. Of Eulalia the martyr ibid. Of An Askew the martyr idid Of Mistres Bradford 2. l. pag. 215. Of a certeine godlie Gentlewoman ibid. Of mistres Dorcas Martin 2. l. pag. 221. ¶ Proper praiers to be vsed onelie of the Queens most excellent Maiestie 3. l. pag. 253 c. 261. 273. 275. 276. 277. 279. 280. 297. The Kings heast 3. l. pag. 307. The Queenes vowe 3. l. pag. 321. ¶ Praiers to God the Father 2. l. pag. 121. 154. To God the Sonne 2. l. pag. 156. To God the holie Ghost 2. l. pag. 157. To the blessed Trinitie 2 l. pag. 114. ¶ Alphabeticall praiers desifering the name of the Queens Maiestic 3. l. pag. 280. 297. 303. The name of the L. Aburgaueny 2. l. pag. 207. 213. ¶ For the whole estate of Christes church 2. l. pag. 131. For faith 2. l. pag. 162. For the true worship of God 2. l pag. 158. For remission of sins and to obtaine a vertuous life 2. l. pag. 144. For the obtaining of grace and mercie 2. l. pag. 147. 150. 152. For to be purged from fin and vncleanenesse 2. l. pag. 151. For the obtaining of mercie and mittigating of miseries 189. 190. c. For wisedome to gouerne well 3. l. pag. 279. For humilitie 2. l. p. 170 For the obtaining of Gods grace and all good gifts of the spirit 2. l. pag. 170. For to liue vprightlie and to dwell in the euerlasting tabernacles 2. l. pag. 159. 168. 169. For patience and meeknesse to beare all afflictions 2. l. pag. 184. For the preachers to speake the word of God boldly 2. l. pag. 231. ¶ Against presumptuous pride and vaine glorie 2. l. pag. 172. Against couetousnesse and too much care of the world 2. l. pag. 173. Against lieng and eull imaginations 2. l. pag. 173. Against the feare of worldlie casualties 2. l. pag. 192. Against the fellowship of the vngodlie 2. l. p. 161 Against all vices generallie 2. l pag. 174. ¶ In time of sicknesse For a sick child 1. l. p. 49 Of tho sick at the houre of death 2 l. pag. 202. To die in faith c 2. l. pag. 168. ¶ In time of plague In the time of any common plague c 2. l. p. 180 ¶ In time of battell In the 2. lamp pag. 178. ¶ In time of anie trouble In banishment 1. l. pa. 1. Against barrennesse 1. l. pag. 6. Against enemies of the Church c 1. l pag. 8. A lamentation of miseries and plagues for our sinnes 1. l. pag. 25. c. 28. 33. 34. 38. To be deliuered from reproch 1. l. pag. 39. For deliuerance from enemies 1. l. pag. 41. For strength to ouercome all enemies 1. la. pag. 43. For deliuerance out of the hands of traitours c 1. l pag. 46. 2. l. pag. 36. Of one wrongfullie condemned to death 1. l. pag. 48. Of
repentance and cease not to praie for the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes Labour perseuerantlie in thy dutie then shalt thou find mercie and righteousnesse and be made woorthie to enter in as a faithfull virgin and beautifull ghest with that ioifull bridegroome to the feast of eternall mirth and delicacie there to dwell in ioies for euer Amen Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall shew light vnto thee Ephes 5 verse 14. Being well wakened before you arise praie thus WIth eies hart and hands lifted vp O blessed God and glorious Trinitie I most entirelie thanke thee for all thy bountifull benefits bestowed vpon me and all mankind especiallie for that it hath pleased thee now in mercie to awake my bodie to inlighten mine eies to quicken my senses and to reuiue and renew me whole againe as it were from the death of sleepe and that by the same spirit that raised Iesus from the dead I thanke thee that thou hast not couered me with a spirit of slumber nor shut vp mine eies in obscure darknes to cause me to sleepe a perpetuall sleepe neuer to awake againe nor to rise from the euils wherein I laie as by my sinnes I haue iustlie deserued O good Father grant also I beseech thee that as thou hast awaked my body from sleepe and made mine eies to preuent the morning light so vouchsafe in like mercie thoroughlie to awaken quicken lighten and deliuer my soule from all drowsinesse sleepe of sinne securitie and darknesse of this world that from hence-foorth it neuer become emptie faint dead or irksome with longing after the vanities of this brittle life but liuelie quicke and readie to serue and glorifie thee together with my bodie with all good works of true christianitie Oh deere God that is but sleepe to thee which is death to vs I hartilie beseech thee therefore after death to restore to life that which now is awaked out of sleepe and in the meane while to make my bodie such a minister of godlinesse to my soule in this present life that at the last when in the bessed resurrection it shall be awaked vp after thy likenesse out of the long sleepe of death and called to appeare before thee and all the holie Angels it may ioifullie arise and be partaker with the same of euerlasting happinesse in the life to come and ioifullie behold thy face among the righteous that so I maie be fullie satisfied both in bodie and soule with thy glorious presence and ioies eternall through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust for the deaw is as the deaw of herbes and the earth shall cast out the dead Esaie 26 verse 19. Awake I saie to liue righteouslie and sinne not 1 Cor. 15 verse 34. Meditation HEre call to mind the great mirth and blessednesse of the euerlasting resurrection and remember to muse vpon that most cléere-light bright morning and new clearnesse of our bodie after the long darknesse they haue béene in all then shall be full of ioie Hearing the clocke strike praie thus with your selfe GRant vnto me O Lord God I beseech thee both an happie healthfull houre of liuing and a ioifull and blessed houre of dieng And whatsoeuer I doo or whatsoeuer I am let the houre of thy sudden comming so runne in my mind and keepe me watching that I may euer thinke I heare this voice sounding in mine eares Arise yee dead and come to iudgement In all time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the daie of iudgement good Lord deliuer vs Amen Let your loines be girt and your lamps burning and be ye alwaies watchfull and readie prepared For at an houre when ye thinke not will the Sonne of man come to iudge both the quicke and the dead Luke 12 verse 40. Meditation CAll oft to thy mind the houre of thy death and be carefull so to liue euerie houre in Gods fauour as though euerie houre were indéede to thée the last houre to die in his faith Remember also that as there is no houre or instant of time in all our life wherein we haue not the vse of Gods great benefits so ought there to be no moment wherein we are not bound to haue him in perpetuall remembrance before our eies to serue loue and praise his name and that to the vttermost of our power with all our hart soule and strength So soone as ye see the daie breake and light appeare in the skie praie O Day-star most bright O light most glorious and true from whence this light of the daie dooth spring O light which lightest euerie man that commeth into this world without whome all is most horrible darkenesse How is light giuen to them that are in miserie and life to a wretch that hath a heauie hart I looked for light and behold I haue found it I wished for daie and lo the starres of the twy-light doo appeere and I see I thanke thee the dawning of the daie Darkenesse dooth no longer possesse the night nor the shadowe of death staine the daie For the blacke mantell is gone and the thicke clouds are dispearsed so that the light dooth begin to shine and spread it selfe abroad to our comfort O that the night of perturbations being ouerpassed the morning light of comfort and grace might likewise spring in our hart O that darkenesse might so be expelled that light might be kindled and the daie of gladnesse and ioie luckilie shine vpon vs that beeing translated from darkenes to light from perishing into safegard from death to life from hell to heauen we might continuallie praise thee who onlie hast immortalitie and dwellest in the light that none can attaine vnto Amen Or saie thus BLessed be the Lord God of Israel which hath redeemed his people and deliuered vs out of the hands of all our enimies and giuen vs free remission of all our sinnes through the tender mercie of our God whereby also the daie spring from an high doth now visit vs to giue light to them that laie in darkenesse and in the shadowe of death and to guide our feete into the waie of peace that we might serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the daies of our life Amen Ye shall doo well if ye take heed vnto the word as vnto a light that shineth in a darke place vntill the daie dawne and the daie-star appeare in your harts 2. Peter 1 verse 19. Meditation MUse a little how much the light and eie of the mind and soule is better than of the bodie And remember that we ought therefore much more to care for the soule that it may sée well than for the bodie Thinke also that beasts haue bodilie eies as well as men but men onlie haue eies of the mind and that such as are godlie wise At the Sun-rising praie O Lord Iesus Christ which art the true Sunne of the
sinnes and wickednesse my great ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards thee for all thy mercifull benefits so aboundantlie powred vpon me through Iesus Christ which wouldest vouchsafe he being thine owne deere darling in whome was and is all thy whole pleasure and delight to giue him for me to the verie death of the Crosse yea and that when I was thine vtter enimie of mercie inestimable and loue incomprehensible Who euer sawe such a thing God became man and was crucified for me that by his death I might liue Alas that euer I should become so wicked a wretch and vnkind a creature to displease so louing kind and mercifull a God and father Oh forgiue me forgiue me for thy great mercie sake for thy truth and promise sake and I will neuer trespasse againe against thy diuine Maiestie anie more but will gladlie serue thee in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life by the grace and assistance of thy good and holie spirit the which I beseech thee to giue me also that he may gouerne me and guide my hart in thy true faith feare and loue that in all my deeds words and thoughts I may glorifie thy holie name which liuest and reignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome be all honour glorie praise thanks power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes proper for the Sabaoth daie OH my most mercifull father the father of mercies and God of all consolation and comfort my God my father I most wretched sinner confesse and acknowledge my selfe vnfeinedlie with hart mind mouth now before thee to haue most greenoushe offended thy high Maiestie and goodnesse I recognise and acknowledge my selfe to be full of sinne full of vnfaithfulnesse and a seruant vnprofitable For all thy holie commandements haue I transgressed and broken First I haue not set all my whole beleefe confidence trust and hope in thee I haue not loued and honoured thee with all my hart with all my soule mind and powers of my soule Secondlie I haue diuided thine honour and worship from thee and giuen it to thy creatures and dead things imagined of mine owne fond fantasie I meane in the adoring and worshipping of images Thirdlie I haue abused thy most holie name by false and deceitfull swearing to the hinderance of my neighbour and idlelie and vainlie haue I vsed thy holie name I haue not said nor done neither thought all things to thy glorie Fourthlie in the Saboth daie I haue not giuen my selfe to hearing reading learning the holie Scriptures neither haue I giuen meate to the hungrie drinke to the thirstie lodged the harbourlesse clothed the naked visited the sicke comforted nor releeued the poore and men in prison For I haue not expended of how great weight these words of thy sonne my Sauiour Christ are neither beleeued him saieng In as much as ye haue done these things vnto one of the least of these my brethren ye haue done it vnto me Matth. 25. But I haue bestowed and spent my gold and siluer after my lewd lust and concupiscence in excesse of meat and drinke in gorgeous apparell of my bodie of my children seruants and house c. where I should not haue bestowed it or else not so largelie delicatelie nicelie and excessiuelie haue bestowed it as I haue not regarding in the meane time to suffer the deere beloued brethren of Iesu Christ to go naked and to perish for cold and hunger I haue I saie not ceased from mine owne sinfull will and lusts praieng at all times thy will and not mine to be fulfilled Furthermore I haue not honoured my father and mother I haue not so much set by them esteemed them and had them in such reuerence as thou commandest me nor obeied them neither comforted releened or helped them I haue slaine I haue broken wedlocke I haue stolne I haue sold by false weights and measures and borne false witnesse finallie I haue coueted my neighbours house I haue desired his wife his seruant his cattell his other goods vnlawfullie Thus most greeuouslie haue I sinned infinit waies O Lord omitting and leauing thy commandements Oh Father to fulfill the desire of my flesh the world and the diuell Wherefore I crie thee mercie my God most mercifull father and most humblie I desire and beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest to thy deer sonne mine onelie whole and entire Sauiour Iesu Christ to haue mercie on me and to forgiue me most miserable sinner euen in his bloud and for his pretious death sake For when I went about to seeke thee to trust vnto thee or to doo anie thing to thy glorie yet would not this lust and concupiscence that contagious originall poison and fleshlie dregges drawne of our father Adam suffer me perfectlie to doo that I would haue done Through this naturall concupiscence I striue and fight dailie against the holie Ghost in me which vnlawfull lust and desire I knowledge to be a greeuous sinne against thy highnes if thou shouldest iudge me straitlie after thy Lawe without the which concupiscence I cannot be Wherefore I being a wretched yea a most abhominable wretched sinner in my selfe cleerelie destitute of all righteousnesse of all godlinesse of all holinesse and all deseruings am come now by faith before thee vnto Christ his mercie seate and righteousnesse vnto his goodnesse deseruings and satisfactions desiring thee O most mercifull father for his deaths sake that his righteousnesse his wisedome his holinesse his goodnesse his merits and satisfactions may be mine and serue for my forgiuenesse and saluation For like as thou gauest me him to die for my sinnes euen so beleeue I that thou hast giuen me with him all his to be mine and to serue me for my saluation Wherefore glorie honor worship empire and rule be to thee oh father with the sonne and the holie ghost for euer world without end So be it Another Confession of sinnes for Sundaies to be vsed in the forenoone or afternoone O Most mercifull Lord God my tender and deere father vouchsafe I hartilie beseech thee to looke downe with thy fatherlie eies of pitie vpon me most vile and wretched sinner which lie heere prostrate in heart before the feete of thy bottomlesse mercie For I haue sinned against the throne of thy glorie and before thee O most deere Father insomuch that I am not worthie to be called thy daughter Yet neuerthelesse forasmuch as thou art the God and Father of all mercie and comfort and againe desirest not the death of a sinner but like a true Samaritan takest thought for my sillie wounded soule make me I praie thee by infunding of thy pretious oile of comfort into my wounds ioifullie to run with the lost sonne into the lap of thine euerlasting pitie For lo thou art my hope and trust in whom I onlie repose my selfe hauing in thee full confidence and faith And so I saie with a verie faithfull
hart trusting in thy mercie I beleeue in thee O God the Father in thee O God the Sonne and in thee O God the holie Ghost three persons and one true and verie God besides whom I acknowledge none other God in heauen aboue nor in earth beneath Yea and I poore sinner doo accuse my selfe vnto thee deere Father that I haue sore and greeuouslie offended thine almightie goodnesse and diuine Maiestie in committing of mine exceeding greeuous and manifold sinnes and wickednesse For I haue not kept the least of thy most blessed commandements like as thy righteousnesse may require and demand the same of me I haue I saie not honoured thee like my God nor dreaded thee like my Lord loued thee like my Father trusted in thee like my Sauiour and Creator Thy holie and dreadfull name vnto which all honour and glorie belongeth haue I vsed in vaine I haue not sanctified the Saboth and holie daies with works which be acceptable vnto thee nor instructed my neighbour in vertue accordinglie I haue not honoured my father and mother nor beene obedient vnto them through whom as by an instrument thou hast wrought my comming into this world The high powers and rulers which take their authoritie of thee I haue not beene willinglie obedient vnto I haue not kept my hart pure and cleane from man-slaughter yea had not thy mercie and grace defended me the better I should haue committed the verie deed also I likewise am not pure from theft nor from adulterie nor from false-witnesse-bearing but haue in my hart and mind wished and desired my neighbours goods and things I haue folowed the great Prince of the world Satan which hath beene a lier from the beginning in concupiscence of the flesh in pride of liuing in lieng in deceitfulnesse in lecherie in hatred and enuie in backbiting in despaire and also in mis-beleefe My fiue wits also haue I fowlie mis-vsed and spent in hearing seeing smelling tasting and also feeling which thou hast giuen me to vse to thy honour and glorie and also the edification and profit of my neighbour But in what maner soeuer I haue offended and sinned against thine eternall Maiestie for no man knoweth throughlie his sinnes as the Prophet witnesseth whether it hath beene by daie or else by night yea euen from my childhood vnto this daie were it in works words deeds or thoughts secretlie or openlie O my mercifull God I am sorie for it euen from the bottome of my hart yea my soule mourneth for sorrowe most mercifull Father that I am not a thousand times sorier than I am Howbeit in token of great repentance though all harts be knowne well inough to thee I doo knocke and strike my breast and saie in bitternesse of hart and soule Lord God Father haue mercie Lord God Sonne haue mercie Lord God holie Ghost haue mercie Spare me of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie good Lord now and all the daies of my life hereafter and let me haue part of thine abundant grace so as I maie change my sinfull life and put out of me the old man with all his concupiscences and also that I maie die vnto the world and that the world may be a crosse vnto me and so go foorth in a new life Strengthen me O Lord in a true humble hart in perfect loue hope and trust in thee Giue my soule grace to desire thee onlie in thee onlie to reioice and repose my selfe and that I may vtterlie renounce and forsake the vaine affiance of this world so that thou maist find me readie with the good seruant and wise virgins in the midnight of death which shall suddenlie steale vpon me like a theefe ere I be aware Be thou vnto me at that time of need O Lord a tower of strength a place of refuge and a defensible God namelie against the face of the feend who like a roring Lion shall be then most readie to deuoure me and against desperation which then shall be busie to greeue me Let then thy comfort cleane fast vnto me thy mercie keepe me and thy grace guide me Fetch then againe Lord God Father that which thy puissant might hath shapen Fetch then againe Lord God Sonne that which thou hast so wiselie gouerned and bought with thy pretious bloud Take then againe Lord God holie Ghost that which thou hast kept and preserued so louinglie in this region of sinne vale of miserie Three persons and one true and also verie God to whom be all laud and praise for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes and praier for mercie and grace commonlie called Conditor coeli OH maker of heauen and earth King of kings and Lord of lords which of nothing didst make me to thine image and likenesse and diddest redeeme me with thy pretious bloud whom I a sinner am not woorthie to name to thinke on neither to call vpon I most humblie desire thee and meekelie praie thee that gentlie thou behold me thy wicked seruant and haue mercie vpon me which hadst mercy of the woman of Canaan Marie Magdalen which didst forgiue the Publican and the theefe hanging on the Crosse Unto thee I confesse my sinnes most holie Father which if I would I cannot hide from thee Haue mercie on me O Christ for I am a wretch and haue sore offended thee in idolatrie in superstition in blasphemie in prophaning of thy Saboths in disobedience to my gouernours in pride in couetousnesse in gluttonie in lecherie in vaine glorie in hatred in enuie in murder in adulterie in theft in lieng in backbiting and false-witnesse-bearing in sporting in dalliance in dissolute wanton laughing in idle words in vncleane thoughts in hearing in tasting in touching in thinking in sleeping in working and finallie in all waies in which I a fraile woman and most wretched sinner might sinne My default my most greeuous default Therefore I most humblie praie and beseech thy gentlenesse which for my helpe didst descend from heauen which didst hold vp Dauid that he should not fall into sinne haue mercie vpon me O Christ which didst forgiue Peter thine Apostle that did forsweare and forsake thee Thou art my Creator and helper my maker and redeemer my gouernour my Father my Lord and God my King and my spouse Thou art my hope my trust my strength my defense my redemption my sanctification my life my helth and resurrection Thou art my stedfastnesse my refuge succour my light and onlie hope I therfore most hartilie and humblie desire thee to helpe me defend me and make me strong comfort me make me stedfast make me merie giue mee light and visit me reuiue me againe which am dead for I am thy making and thy worke Oh Lord despise me not I am thy seruant thy bond-woman although euill although most vnworthie and a detestable sinner But whatsoeuer I am whether I be good or bad I am alwaies thine Therfore to whom shall I flee except I flee vnto thee If thou cast me off who
corne with hailestones nor with hailestones smite thou our cattell and deliuer our flocks from the thunderbolt Cast not the feercenesse of thy wrath anger and displeasure vpon vs. Giue vs not hailestones for raine neither flames of fire in our land but of thy mercie conuert the thunder into gentle raine whereby it may bring out fruit aboundantlie Send not among vs either vntimelie or vntemperate showres which be either noisome to the fruits and bring the mildew or destroie the corne Restraine in like sort the winds and violent tempests that they bring none hurt neither to vs or our goods euen for Christes sake our Lord and Sauiour Amen In time of dearth or famine O GOD heauenlie father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitfull beasts increase and fishes doo multiplie behold we beseech thee the afflictions of thy people and graunt that the scarsitie and dearth which we doo now most iustlie suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnesse be mercifullie turned into cheapenesse and plentie for the loue of Iesu Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost bee praise for euer Amen Another praier in time of anie plague or sicknesse warre penurie orscarsenesse c. O Eternall and euerliuing God most mercifull father which of thy great long suffering and patience hast hitherto suffered and borne with vs most miserable offenders who haue so long straied out of thy waie and broken all thy lawes and commandements and haue neither by thy manifold benefits bestowed vpon vs vnworthie and vnthankefull sinners nor by the voice of thy seruants and preachers by continuall threatnings out of thy holie word hitherto bin moued as the children of loue to returne vnto thee our most gratious father either for feare of thy iudgements as humble and lowlie seruants to turne from our wickednesse And therefore most righteous iudge thy patience being as it were ouercome at the last with our obstinate repentance thou hast most iustlie executed those thy terrible threats now partlie vpon vs by plaguing vs so with most dreadfull and deadlie sicknesse with troubles of warres with penurie and scarsenesse of foode and victuall whereby great multitudes of vs are dailie afflicted and consumed We beseech thee O most mercifull father that in thy wrath thou wilt remember thine old great mercies to correct vs in thy iudgements and not in thy iust anger least we be all consumed and brought to naught Looke not so much vpon our deseruings O most righteous Iudge to take iust vengeance on our sinnes but rather remember thine infinit mercies O most mercifull father promised to vs by thy deerelie beloued sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ for whose sake and in whose name we doo earnestlie and humblie craue mercie and forgiuenesse of our sinnes and deliuerance from this horrible sicknesse wars dearth c. being thy iust punishment and plague for the same And as thy holie word doth testifie that thy people of all ages being iustlie plagued for their sinnes and yet in their distresse vnfeinedlie turning vnto thee and suing for thy mercie obteined the same so likewise we most worthilie now afflicted with greeuous and dreadfull plagues for our iniquities praie thee O most mercifull father to grant vs thy heauenlie grace that we may likewise both trulie and vnfeinedlie repent and obtaine thy mercie and deliuerance from the same which we beseech thee O father of all mercies God of all consolation grant vs for the same Iesus Christs sake our onlie sauiour mediator and aduocate Amen In time of anie common plague or sicknesse ALmightie God which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid diddest slea with the plague of pestilence threescore and tenne thousand and yet remembring thy mercie didst saue the rest haue pitie vpon vs miserable sinners that now are visited with great sicknesse and mortalitie that like as thou didst then command thine Angel to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdrawe from vs this plague and greeuous sicknesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A forme of meditation and praier verie meete to be vsed dailie of all honsholders in their houses especiallie in the dangerous and contagious time of the plague The Maister Mistres kneeling with their familie in some conuenient place of their house well perfumed before with frankincense or some other wholesome thing as iuniper rosemarie rosewater and vineger c. shall with feruent harts saie or cause to be said that that followeth The seruants and familie to euerie petition shall saie Amen Maister or Mistresse WE reade in thy holie word O Lord what blessings thou hast of thy mercie promised to them that liue obedientlie according to thy blessed will and commandements Wee reade also the cursses that thy instice hath pronounced against such as despise thy word or negligentlie passe not to liue thereafter And among the rest of thy heauie cursses thou threatenest by name the plague and the pestilence with other noisome and most painfull diseases to such as forsaking thee worship strange gods and followe their owne vaine fantasies in stead of thy sacred ordinances We find also how extreamelie thine owne people the Iewes haue oftentimes fealt the performance of these thy bitter threatenings and that for sundrie and diuers offences bicause they loathed Manna and were not contented with thy miraculous prouision but would haue Qualies and other daintie victuals to content their luxurious appetites thou slewest so manie with a sudden and mightie plague that the place of their buriall was named thereof and called The graues of lust Also for murmuring against the ministers of thy word Moses and Aaron thou destroiedst with a sudden plague xiiij thousand and more besides those traitors whom the earth swallowed for their rebellion And had not Aaron intreated for them and gone betweene the quicke and the dead thou wouldest haue consumed them all as thou wast minded to haue done before when they despised the plentifull land which thou hadst promised them had not Moses staied thy wrath when thou saiedst I will strike them with the pestilence and vtterlie destroie them Furthermore when they had lost thine Ark through their owne sinnes and the sinnes of their priests the keepers therof after that the Philistines were forced through thy plaguing hand religiously to send it home againe thou strookest with the plague fiftie thousand of the Beth-samites thy people for rashlie presuming to looke into the same not hauing thy warrant so to doo In the time of King Dauid thou destroiedst three score and ten thousand of thy people in three daies with thy wasting plague of pestilence mooued thereto by the transgression of Dauid the King whom for the sinnes of the people thou sufferedst to be tempted and subdued with a vaine curiositie to number the people Also shortlie after the death of that immaculate Lambe our Sauiour thou sufferedst the plague to reigne among the members of his bodie the Church of the Corinthians
vp them that fall and finallie to beate downe Satan vnder our feete we beseech thee to heare vs good Lord Amen A verie necessarie praier against hypocrites false teachers and deriders of the Gospell WHosoeuer they be O almighty God that make a true account of sincere goodlinesse and pure religion are exceeding sorowfull if they see the sacred Church scattered wholesome doctrine derided the praises of thy diuine name had in contempt and such things as appertaine to a deuout woorshipping of thee turned vnto heathenish gewgawes and voluptuous pleasures To the intent therfore these things may in no wise happen as now vnto vs which we see not to be far off we powre foorth dailie before thee with great submission these our dolfull complaints That thou wouldest first of thine exceeding great goodnesse and louing mercie blot out all our heinous sinnes and offences being in a maner infinite and exceeding greeuous committed not onelie through weakenesse and ignorance but also done oftentimes both maliciouslie and of set purpose Be fauourable I saie O God vnto our greeuous sinnes and turne awaie from vs in such sort the most fierce wiles and subtil laiengs await of Antichrist as thy sacred Church be not depriued of all blessed ioie and spirituall gladnesse O Lord I beseech thee shew some experiment and proofe of thy selfe declare thy name and thy power amongst those thy spitefull enimies Bring downe Antichrists kingdome with all his vngodlie sects and schismaticall factions Certes ouerlong it hath oppressed vs yea and at this verie daie it still letteth hindereth and holdeth vnder foote verie manie which else speedilie would haue run to the kingdome of libertie and beleeued the Gospell Pull it therfore downe O Lord with all his stumbling blocks euill examples peruerse doctrine and neuer suffer it to recouer againe Lord thou both seest and right well perceiuest how the cruell malicious and vngodlie Antichristians would inuade the Church being so puft vp with pride inflamed with furie scorning as well diuine lawes as humane with like statelinesse and equall contempt dooing nothing with courtesie and faithfulnesse but practising mischiefe and naughtinesse and endeuouring so much as in them lieth that thy blessed word may no where flourish that true religion might be vtterlie extinguished that the perfect inuocating and calling vpon thy glorious name might be quite rooted out and to bring all things to naught by forged tales mens traditions politike deuises diuelish deceipts and verie much outrage But as for thy beloued Israel sith she hath by thy great mercie enioied so long peace and blessed tranquillitie let hir be ioined more and more vnto thee hir welbeloued so as she may continuallie laie sure hold vpon thy worthie praises Suffer not the mouths of hir good and wholesome instructors to be closed vp and put to silence Permit not thy due honour to be had in obliuion nor yet let the hymnes and songs wherwith thou art highlie praised and celebrated be vsurped of such as will haue the same in derision and scorne Finallie we humblie beseech thee O excellent father that what wrath or indignation so euer is due vnto vs by reason of the heinous sinnes we haue wickedlie committed thou wouldest yet for the glorie of thy famous name turne it frō thy sanctified Church thy deere spouse and powre out the same rather vpon them who with an enimielike rage and most malicious affection imagine nothing else but quite to marre and vtterlie laie waste thy blessed heritage and in deede be no lesse aduersaries to thy blessed name than of our peace and quietnesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier for vnbeleeuers that all men may embrace the Gospell VNto thee doo we crie O Lord father and maker of all men which art rich vnto all that call vpon thee and which commandest the light to shine out of darkenes For thou wilt that all men should be saued and come to the knowledge of the truth And therfore of thy great loue thou diddest call vs to the participation of the lot of the Saints in light which are by nature the children of wrath and of death aliens and strangers from the testaments of promise hauing none hope and without God in the world but now are fellowe Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ beeing the head corner stone which susteineth the whole building by his word of power Heare vs thy seruants making supplication for such as yet haue not hard the sound of thy Gospell neither knowe thy name but sitting in darkenesse and in the shadowe of death haue their minds darkened and are alienated from the life of God by the ignorance that is in them and are caried awaie vnto dumbe idols and fained gods euen as they are led and run to worship that which is no God Giue grace that thy word may be knowne among them and preached in euerie land and the sound there of go out into the ends of the world that thou also maist be found of them which sought thee not and famous among such as neuer asked after thee Send foorth thy word that they may be healed and walke no more in the vanities of their mind O God father of our Lord Iesu Christ King of glorie giue them the spirit of wisedome and reuelation through the confessing of thee inlighten their minds that they may knowe what the hope is wherevnto thou hast called vs and how pretious the glorie is of thine inheritance in the Saints and how excellent the greatnesse of his power is toward vs which beleeue according to the working of his mightie power which thou hast wrought in him when he was raised by thee from the dead and placed at thy right hand in heauenlie places aboue all principalities powers Open the harts of vnbeleeuers that hearing thy word they may acknowledge thee the onlie true God and Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent and may worship thee the father in the sonne and the sonne in thee the father with the holie ghost euen as thou hast reuealed thy selfe Take the vaile from the harts of the Iewes least being blinded in the reading of the old Testament they stumble at the stone and rocke of offence by incredulitie and hardnesse of their harts that thy Sonne Christ crucified and preached be not vnto them a stumbling blocke and thy Gospell the sauour of death vnto death but that being conuerted by true faith to the knowledge of thee the father in the sonne their face being vncouered they may behold thy glorie knowing by the writings of the Prophets the Messias which thou hast appointed to be the Sauiour of the world Likewise gather thou the Gentiles to whome the Gospell the word of the Crosse is meere foolishnesse into thy congregation that they may embrace thy ministerie casting off all fleshlie wisedome and leade all their cogitations captiue to the obedience of the Gospell Moreouer our praier and
lookers on to feede our selues and not to hire others to feed for vs that so we may liue by our owne meate and not perish for hunger while other deuoure all We are come togither I saie O my soule with this congregation assembled presentlie to celebrate a sacrifice not priuatelie in one kind for the dead nor to make a mysterie a sacrifice nor of a communion to make a priuate eating nor of two parts to haue but one nor yet to applie it for the dead and so we to loose the fruit that are aliue No no my soule God forbid that we should come to celebrate this holie mysterie after anie such sort or to anie such vse or purpose For that were to declare our selues vnwoorthie of the Lord yea to be accursed of him for committing such spirituall blasphemie and robberie But knowe that we are come hither now publikely and openly at this the Lords boord to minister doo that which he himselfe a little before his death vouchsafed in his owne person most wiselie kindlie and louinglie to inuent prouide institute ordeine doo establish and command as a most necessarie waie and meane for it the better to take some place in vs and not to be frustrate of it end and purpose Yea to doo that which his holie Apostles also afterward togither with the godlie fathers in the primitiue Church both vsed practised authorised and confirmed according as it was deliuered and giuen by the first author thereof onelie that is to saie euen openlie and publikelie to celebrate in the Lords most happie commemoration and remembrance at this his holie table the heauenlie memorie of that most maruellous worke and deere bought benefit of our redemption and saluation wrought by Christ Iesus to our endlesse consolation profit commoditie and eternall saluation in his with all reuerence named most pretious death painfull crosse bloudie passion And wite thou well O my soule that like as Moses Aaron and Phinees long since did somtimes eate Manna in the wildernesse then spirituallie vnderstanding those visible things euen so now we in like maner spirituallie vnderstanding these holie mysteries for it is the spirit that quickeneth and giueth life the flesh profiteth vs nothing as saith our Sauiour must here also spirituallie hunger spirituallie taste spirituallie eate the flesh of Christ and spirituallie drinke his bloud indeed in these holie mysteries by faith onlie and assured constant beleefe that the blessed bodie of Christ was crucified and his pretious bloud shed vpon the Crosse for our saluation And so receiue this the Lords supper euen for a token badge or cognizance of this faith and saluation in Christs merits declaring therby euermore his death and passion with thanks-giuing vntill he come Neither must we now so much as once dreame of anie grosse or carnall eating or fleshlie feeding or thinke that we are come at this present to feed our senses and bellie to corruption for that were baselie to abiect and bind our selues to the elements and creatures and so to declare our selues drowned in deed in the dirtie lake of blindnesse and ignorance but onlie and in truth to nourish and feed our inward man to immortalitie and life euerlasting namelie that as our outward man is nourished by letting in this bodilie meat into the stomach that is helthsome and sound to be digested so our inward man may be spirituallie fed and satisfied by receiuing the meate thereof into our soule and hart sound and whole in faith And therfore we shall not need now at this present time in dooing these things to whet our teeth O my soule but as S. Cyprian saith with sincere faith to breake and diuide this holie bread For surelie without faith which indeed is the onelie instrument most necessarie in the right vse of all these holie mysteries it is impossible to please God heerein neither can the vnbeleeuers and faithlesse folke feed vpon the Lords pretious bodie nor enioie the eating and drinking of this so high and diuine nourishment of spirituall food Yea to haue anie other eating than spirituallie by faith onelie is plaine idolatrie It behoueth vs therfore O my soule diligentlie to ponder weigh and consider of these things that now at the last we may not onelie vnfeinedlie and thoroughlie trie prooue and examine our selues our owne consciences and liues but also humblie acknowledging our faults vnto God hartilie repenting our former sinfull life asking mercie of GOD the Father for Christs sake and gladlie forgiuing all our offenders effectuallie and carefullie there withall plucke vp euen the verie roots of heathenish infidelitie and all distrust in Gods mercifull promises to the end we may thereby in verie deed shew our selues liuelie plants of the fruitfull oliue liuing branches of the true vine and woorthie members of Christs mysticall bodie euen such as haue our life our abiding our vnion and as it were our incorporation with him Finallie O my soule we must not now like chattering Iaies so much regard or consider these earthlie elements and terrene creatures which we see with our corporall eie and still remaine so but especiallie and in deed haue respect to the heauenlie graces and benefits which our faith beholdeth in and by them Neither must we by anie meanes cleaue to these inferiour or base things which lie here beneath and are visiblie discerned but leauing them altogether wee must rather resemble and plaie the parts of the Egles who flie mount vp thither where the dead bodie lieth that is giuing credit to the words of Christ who saith The words that I speake are spirit and life And againe remembering that God willeth such as will be true worshippers of him to worship him in spirit and truth we must now so behold the bread and wine with our naturall eies that we may neuerthelesse especiallie lift vp the eies of our mind to heauen and looke vp by faith vpon the holie bodie and bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ God and man as he is there sitting at the right hand of God his Father in equall glorie power and maiestie alwaies seeking it there where the sunne of righteousnesse euermore shineth continuallie holding fast and still cleauing by faith onlie to the rocke whence we may sucke in deed the sweetnes of euerlasting saluatin So shall we O my soule now repenting hartilie our former fowle life being in perfect loue and charitie with all men maruelling with reuerence and feare at these sacred things now touching these holie and fearfull mysteries with our mind receiuing them with the hand of our hart and taking them fullie with our inward man by faith onelie be sure at this holie table euen now presentlie to receiue not onlie the outward Sacrament but the spirituall thing also not the figure but the truth not the shadowe but the bodie and that not to death but to life not to our destruction but to our saluation which God euen our owne God for his mercies sake grant vs now effectuallie to
breed in vs anie carnall desire of our vaine life but to enable our bodies with all good works during the time of this present pilgrimage that so thy good creatures may be our good releefe so long as thou wilt and so much as thou knowest to be expedient for vs thy seruants to finish our daies which thou hast numbred in the edifieng of thy Saincts and glorifieng of thy holie name And because O Lord we knowe nothing of our selues but our ignorant harts are full of darkenesse therefore we beseech thee that this thy word which is thine eternall wisdome that now we haue read and wherein we haue had our conference may be in our minds a burning lampe and shining light of thine onlie truth in our harts and in our soules a fruitefull seed of a new birth so that thine owne image may be happilie againe restaured in vs that we may bee made before thee a holie and righteous people by the inward working of thy gratious spirit dailie strengthening our harts in earnest loue of thy truth and carefull obedience of thy commandements through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator who in the sacrifice of his owne bodie hath purchased vnto vs all thy fauour and hath giuen vs boldnesse to call vpon thee vnto whome O father with thee and the holie Ghost bee all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another praier after meate on the Lords daie SAnctified be thy name O eternall father who by thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord dooest euermore protect and prouide for thy Church both spirituall and corporall blessings bestowing most liberallie vpon vs all good things asked according to thy will Lift vp thine eies O Christ and behold thy miserable people which depend altogither vpon thy prouision and acknowledge our selues to be fed and defended miraculouslie by thee Assist vs that we also may withdrawe our eies from the consultations of flesh and bloud and looke vpon thee our Lord by whose blessing we eate and store our selues And albeit all worldlie helps do faile yet bee thou a firie wall still about vs and feed and defend thy Saincts in the feelds of comfort vntill thou begin that ioifull Passouer and euerlasting Sabboth and bring vs out of the wildernesse out of the sea and penurie into the court of ioie wealth satietie and euerlasting welfare In the meane while make vs thankfull for the benefits which we enioie Let vs gather vp the remnants or fragments cast from thy sumptuous and rich banket vnto vs. Preserue our baskets and blesse our store euen the arts and schooles of learning that by them thy doctrine may be spread abroade in the world Make vs not onlie to honour thee for these thy corporall benefits but much more for giuing thy selfe vnto vs which art the bread of life Be thou our King defending vs in this life against the power of Sathan and feed vs with thy heauenlie bread which may nourish vs to eternall life and happinesse Amen Another praier after meate that daie you haue receiued the holie Communion SEeing that of thy free grace and mercie O almightie God thou hast made vs partakers this daie of all thy riches both in spirituall and corporall things in Christ Iesu who of our selues are vnwoorthie to haue gathered the crumbs vnder thy table make vs more and more mindfull of so great mercies and continuallie thankefull to thee for so manifold benefits and to walke woorthie the honour and dignitie thou hast done vnto vs that we may receiue the full accomplishment of thy loue towards vs in the life to come through the same our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen Another thanks-giuing vnto God for our food to be read and meditated vpon after meate WE thanke thee O King of glorie Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast from our youth to this present houre maruellouslie nourished vs giuing vs meate drinke cloathing with all other things perteining to the sustentation of this present life Naked and bare came we out of our mothers wombs wee brought nothing into the world but whatsoeuer we haue thou gauest the same yea it was afore we were borne and in our mothers wombe didst thou ordeine things necessarie for this life and sufferedst vs to enioie all things aboundantlie Alwaie thou hast a care of vs as a father vseth his children neither art thou ignorant that we stand in need continuallie of thy blessings and dailie are destitute of new releefe all which thou giuest after thy woonted and vnspeakable goodnesse We acknowledge that whatsoeuer we haue or possesse it is thy gift and confesse thee to be the fountaine of all good things and perceiue thy fatherlie goodnesse to be spread not onlie ouer all mankind but also ouer the liuing creatures Thou giuest meate to all flesh thou giuest fodder to the cattell and feedest the yoong rauens that call vpon thee For corporall goods are not distributed among men by chance or without thy prouidence neither be they atteined by the onlie industrie and power of man Thou giuest and we gather thou openest thy hand and all liuing creatures are filled with thy blessing For without thee all our endeuours be in vaine and if thou blesse not our labours we doo but eate the wind and receiue no profit Great is thy mercie O Lord which disdainest not to prouide for sinfull flesh O Lord our God great are thy woonderous works which thou hast done for vs the which we can not so much as in thought comprehend muchlesse in words expresse When we would report and vtter them we found them more than we could recite but notwithstanding thine infinite benefits can not be comprehended of mortall man yet will we not surcease to set foorth thy praise nor hide thy goodnesse from the sonnes of men but will declare it and speake of thy truth from one generation to another Blessed art thou O our God for euer and euer all that is either aboue in the heauens or in the earth beneath is thine All things come from thee and from thine hands we receiue whatsoeuer we possesse and all these things of thy meere mercie without our merits or woorthinesse Therefore we will magnifie the Lord which doth mightie things in all corners of the earth which dooth nourish vs from our mothers wombs and giueth vs all good things Grant vs likewise quietnesse of mind and peace in our time that thy grace may abound toward vs continue and defend vs while we liue O almightie and mercifull father by thy breath we take life the which through thy blessing doth abide in vs. In thee we liue moue and haue our being For man liueth not by bread onlie or by his owne wisedome and forecast neither art thou bound with a fatall chaine of second causes but by thy decree and will we enioie life and all things created at thy becke doo continue while thou thinkest good
and to the end for thine owne glorie sake And wee beseech thee O Lord to heale not onlie our heads and limmes but also our harts and soules that we may both in the lawfull keeping of thy Sabboth and all other thy commandements be obedient vnto thee the Lord of the Sabboth And as thou hast taught vs the right keeping of the Sabboth to stand chieflie in dooing of good one vnto another giue vs grace continuallie to keepe this Sabboth inuiolable and vnprophaned that we may onlie doo those things which are holie and acceptable vnto thee and may ceasse from all our lewd works and waies And especiallie O Lord grant that we may auoid carefullie the first step of the ladder that leadeth to that horrible sinne of blasphemie which is not to be forgiuen neither in this world nor in the world to come Amen Ghostlie Meditations with the which it is meete for vs Christians to occupie our selues once in the daie or at the least for those whose leasure will not serue once in the weeke and that euerie Sundaie and holie daie which the Author found in an old and ancient written copie for the excellent matter therin conteind hath thought it good now to publish it to the glorie of God and profit of his Church FIrst let vs call to our memorie the bountifull goodnesse of almightie GOD extended towards vs in the creation of the firmament the earth the sea and all that therein is conteined which he hath made for our onelie comfort and the seruice of vs. And let vs here with also consider the greatnesse and omnipotencie of his power which was able with his word onlie of nothing to make althings those so wonderfull works that they are not able to be comprehended within the compasse of mans reason Call we also to mind the vnsearchablenesse of his diuine wisedome through which in so goodlie order continuallie he both can doth conserue all those things and lastlie let vs not forget his incomparable loue towards vs who of his onlie meere goodnesse without anie part of ablenesse of our deserts hath prouided all these things for our vse and not onlie that but hath moreouer made vs of capacitie and vnderstanding to discusse and knowe how to vse the same for the seruing of our necessities as the diuersitie of times and occasion requireth Let vs not therefore shew our selues vnto him vnthankfull Nextlie let vs call to mind from how sundrie perils as well ghostle as bodilie he hath and dooth from time to time preserue vs namelie from perils on the land perils by water perils of fire perils through sicknes from imprisonment from open shame from slanders from extreme beggerie from famine from pestilence and other horrible diseases from sudden and shamefull death and sundrie other mischiefes which we may vnderstand to haue happened and dailie doo perceiue to happen vnto others which should in like sort haue happened vnto vs if through his mercifull goodnesse we had not beene therefrom preserued and herewith let vs also call vnto mind our health our wealth and all other Gods good gifts which he hath lent vnto vs and render vnto him most humble thanks therefore Also let vs thinke how he hath made vs of no vile sort nor condition but euen vnto his owne likenesse indued with the most pretious gifts of reason vnderstanding memorie and will which noble gifts he hath giuen vs to the intent we should with these honour him accordinglie which if we doo not but doo abuse the same to worldlie vaine and fantasticall delights we may then assure our selues not onelie to make a straight account thereof but also to be most greeuouslie punished therefore Moreouer let vs call to mind how mercifull and like a most louing Maister and Sauior Christ the Sonne of God and second person in Trinitie Lord and king ouer all rule and power descended downe from the bosome of his Father and from his heauenlie throne into this miserable world and here tooke vpon him our fraile flesh suffering in the same by the space of three and thirtie yeeres hunger thirst cold watch pouertie euil report hatred disdaine slanders rebukes checks taunts scornes buffets binding beating whipping wrongfull accusation false condemnation yea and at the last most vile spitefull cruell and shamefull death and that innocentlie and giltlesse thereby to deliuer vs from our gilt and the eternall death which all we by the transgression of our first parent Adam had most iustlie deserued And herewith let vs also thinke what reproch shame it is to vs to repine or grudge to suffer the like for his sake sith he being both our Lord and Maister of the singular loue he did beare vnto vs hath suffered all those for our sakes should not we then being but seruants or rather vile slaues in respect of him disdaine or repine at that which he not onelie our Maister but King ouer all kings hath not disdained to suffer Also let vs consider how that by the merits of his most bitter passion and his grace giuen vnto vs in the Sacrament of baptisme he hath forgiuen vs cleerelie clensed vs and vtterlie discharged vs of all our former sinnes Herevpon let vs call to mind how oft since that time we haue offended him by falling againe into deadlie sinne therewith let vs call to remembrance the particularitie of our offences the greeuousnesse of the same how long we haue continued in them without repentance taken for them and then let vs weigh the abundance of his great mercie first how gratiouslie he hath abidden the time of our repentance how readie he hath beene to forgiue vs vpon due repentance taken and perfect confession without dissimulation made thereof vnto him Remember we also how lewdlie how wickedlie and how sinfullie we haue bestowed the short time which God hath here in this world lent vnto vs to fight and warre continuallie against our most mortall aduersaries the world the flesh and the diuell which trauell without ceassing to worke our euerlasting destruction and to bring vs to euerlasting death and to beereue vs from the life eternall ioies endlesse Thinke we also if God of his great mercie had not gratiouslie spared vs life vntill we had repented that wickednes in what wretched condition and most extreme torments of hell paines had we beene in now and so should haue continued for euer world without end But how deere then should those short pleasures and vaine delights of the flesh haue beene vnto vs Let vs also call to mind the houre of death the vncerteintie of the time thereof and that we knowe not when where or in what maner it shall be but like as we are most certeine we can not escape it so are wee as sure if we happen then to depart this life in deadlie sinne that we shall then not onelie die the bodilie death but also the spirituall death which is eternall death both of bodie and soule Let vs therefore
endeuour our selues so to liue as though euerie houre should be vnto vs the last houre and by that meanes we shall not be vnreadie how suddenlie soeuer death shall steale vpon vs nor yet shall we feare his cōming Furthermore let vs thinke what shall become of our wretched bodies and vile carcases which we haue sought by all meanes to pamper whose ease wee haue so much procured which we haue so delicatelie nourished which we haue so finelie araied whose vaine pleasures we haue so much followed doubtlesse it shall then become an abhominable stinking carion from which those which be now our most deerest friends shall be forced to turne awaie their heads stopping of their noses for the verie noisomnesse of the corrupt sauour and euill stinch thereof Let vs also consider what shall then auaile vs for our possessions and riches which we haue sought for so busilie and so greedilie to heape togither We must then leaue behind vs and of them shall carie awaie nothing with vs sauing a heauie burden of conscience of such part of them which we doo vnlawfullie possesse wrongfullie withhold or else haue euill gotten Let vs then weigh what shall become of our soule when it shall leaue the bodie to rot in the earth and it selfe shall be called into iudgement before the high Iudge where it shall be forced to make a streight account of all works words and thoughts Where it shall be able to conceale nothing but the verie secrets of all our dooings shall then be made open and that which here we be ashamed to confesse shall then be manifest and the booke shall be opened in which all our deeds and thoughts shall be rehearsed before the whole companie of heauen and then shall be said to euerie one of vs Behold this man and his works then shall our conscience accuse vs all our euill deeds as witnesses shall come in against vs. The diuell shall be there readie to drawe vs with him into eternall perdition and with the terriblenesse of his countenance shall put vs in horrible feare Then shall we tremble and quake and desire to haue respite for the amendement of our former wicked life and to repent vs of our sinfull liuing but then in no wise it may bee granted vs for asmuch as then mercie must giue place to iustice Let vs now therefore while God doth lend vs time repent in time which if we doo vnfeinedlie then may we assure our selues to receiue mercie and forgiuenesse of God for asmuch as he willeth not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and liue Then let vs also weigh with our selues what a noble thing our soule is how greeuous hir wounds were for the curing of the which our Sauiour Christ was of necessitie wounded Yea if those had not beene vnto death and that death eternall the sonne of God should neuer haue suffered Shall we then lightlie esteeme of the losse of the soule vnto whom we may perceiue so much compassion to be shewed of so great a Maiestie Then sith he hath shed his teares for vs let vs likewise nightlie wash our beds with cōpunction of hart and continuall teares for verie heauinesse that wee haue so greeuouslie offended so louing a Maister And sith he hath shed his pretious bloud for vs shed we ours also in a sort that is to saie with dailie affliction and mortifieng of our bodies And let vs not haue regard what the flesh desireth but what is most conuenient for our soules health For then shall our soules be glorious when they shall returne to our Lord God by true repentance and penitence Let vs then call to remembrance the louers of this world that were here among vs not long agone what is now become of them and that nothing remaineth of them but dust and woormes They haue beene men as we are they solicited and vsed all kind of mirth they banketed they were gorgiouslie apparelled they were verie pleasant and led their daies in all worldlie delights but suddenlie and as it were in the midst of their iolitie death arested them caried them downe into hell Here the flesh of them is appointed to feede the woormes and there their soules be euermore tormented in the vnquenchable flame of hell fire where now they find no profit of all those fleshlie pleasures worldlie reioicings and euill concupiscence And for so short and vaine pleasures what continuall torment and miserie doo they now endure where they neuer see light neuer receiue ease of their paine nor comfort of their heauinesse where the fire continuallie burneth them and yet neuer consumeth them nor by his long burning leeseth anie part of his heate Where the woorms doo gnawe their conscience where the diuels which are their tormentors waxe neuer wearie in tormenting of them or take anie pitie on them nor will be intreated to mitigate anie part of their torment Where nothing shall be heard but weeping lamentation groning and wofull criengs Where they shall sauour and smell nothing but horrible stinch and corrupt aire Where they shall see nothing but the monstrous shape of the horible tormentors the diuels Wherefore let vs now aduise our selues whether in folowing of the vaine worldlie pleasures we will giue our soules in like sort to be eternallie tormented or else in refusing them for the little times of paines we shall here suffer to reioice with Christ and to be blessed Saints in heauen for euer For whilest we are here in this world God dooth set before vs both fire and water that is to saie saluation and damnation that vnto which we will we may stretch our hands Let vs lastlie consider what comfort it is and shall be to all saued soules to see God and the brightnesse of his face to liue with God to possesse God which is high and perfect goodnesse and where the perfect goodnesse is there is the highest and most perfect felicitie there is the chiefe and perfect charitie eternall suretie and sure eternitie true gladnesse full knowledge all beautie all blisse In this sort shall the man be blessed with God in whose conscience shall be found no sinne he shall see God after his owne desire he shall possesse to pleasure and enioie to gladnesse he shall flourish in eternitie he shall shine in veritie he shall ioie in righteousnesse and as he shall haue eternitie of continuance so he shall haue facilitie of knowledge and felicitie of rest He shall be delighted in God whose countenance is amiable whose face is beautifull whose speech is pleasant He is delectable to behold sweet to possesse pleasant to enioie In him vnderstanding is made cleere affection is purified that we may loue and knowe him as he is so that then wee shall not need to seeke anie thing besides him For the whole is found in him so much as is to be desired or may possiblie reioice or delight vs. Let vs to conclude finallie thinke what madnesse doth then possesse vs so
the whole spacious dominions of both Iles and the adiacent lands gouerned triumphantlie so as it is hard to find the man that more orderlie hath managed the charge of anie one houshold than the daughter of thy house with hir virginall hands hath weelded the weightie scepter of sundrie and mightie populous nations In hir time haue been seene the golden yeeres of the reigne of hir father Dauid and the peacefull kingdom of Salomon to haue been aduanced the earth not to haue denied hir fruitfulnesse the sea hir increase the clouds their drops the heauens their fairenesse the sunne his warmth the yeere hir goodnesse but the vallies stand thicke with corne the wildernesse crowned with gladnesse the furrowes watered the mountaines laugh sing the folds full of sheepe our sonnes and our daughters growe vp like to the polished corners of the Temple our yoong men see visions and our old men prophesie Ierusalem hir light shining vnto hir the glorie of the Lord risen vnto hir the Queene bringing hir honor vnto the Citie of Dauid and the nations walking in the light thereof Great is the honour that thou O Iehouah hast heaped vpon vs and honourable in foraigne regions is the worke that thou hast wrought by thy chosen yea and so much the more hath the brightnesse of this beautie beene powred abroade that whilest Egypt round about hath been darkened euen the whole world in a manner besides vs whome thou hast gathered into pastures of this Gosen and the thicke mists of errour haue blinded the eies of the earth the cloudie piller hath not departed from vs by the daie nor the firie flame by night Whilest other lands round about haue warred to the destruction of one another our Moses hath guided vs in peace Whilest other nations like Egypt round about hath been plagued by the destroier from the first borne sitting vpon the princes throne vnto the vassall and slaue grinding at the handmill our Moses hath not diminished of hir flocke Whilest the firme lands haue beene ouerwhelmed by the rage of the seas and waters our Iland hauing dwelt in peace hath sent hir ship into Ophir for gold and prepared hir nauie against the danger of the enimie Whilest Athalia hath murthered hir owne bloud our Ioas hath learned the lawe of the Lord of Iehoiada Whilest Achas consecrateth his owne sonne in the fire and Samaria eateth hir owne children on the walles our Eliza directeth the children of the Prophets in their offices Whilest Iezabel setteth vp Baal and embrueth Achab with the bloud of the Prophets and of Naboth our Elias gathereth the people of God to mount Carmel to behold the wonder of the fire of God lighting from heauen vpon the sacrifices and replenishing the harts with ioie and tongues with gifts of languages This is then so woorthie an instrument of thy goodnesse and expresse image of thy Maiestie the ample matter of this daies celebritie And now what doth thy people desire at thy hands but that first O Lord thou giue vs thankefull harts and make vs all the daies of our liues mindfull of this thy fatherlie and gratious bountifulnesse Then as presentlie the Queenes highnesse hath gloriouslie atchiued the trauell of full three and twentie yeares and now the annuall celebritie of our voluntarie sacrifice of praise and thanks-giuing therefore returneth so it may by thy benefit full often returne and not once or twice but yeare by yeare and yeare heaped vpon yeare we and our of-spring may behold this felicitie vntill we and she satisfied in aboundance the time drawe along which thou hast appointed for the veiling of hir crowne at the feet of thy sonne Iesus and the course of this earthlie pilgrimage ouerrun we and she at our determined seasons be taken to reigne in the euerlasting kingdome of thy glorie Againe where much is the mischiefe of man great and enormous the rage of Sathan subtill the practises of Antichrist euill our deserts lamentable the state of things whilest open colouring hideth priuie conspiring poisoned lips giue sugred words the breath of Cockatrices the embracings of Scorpions the roring of Bulles the ringing of Libels the raging of Rabsake the sword of Herod the destruction of Abbadon hath beene seene in our streets hath beene heard on our walles hath multiplied before the gates of our Cities that thou destroie vs not in the midst of the works of thy mercie to leaue vs headlesse and hopelesse and make vs a scorne and prouerbe to the enimie but rather to behold the number of the faithfull subiects in the dread of their soules and iust gealousie of their common interest bowing the knees of their harts for the long safetie of Queene Elizabeths sacred princelie person rather than in thy iust furie for auenging of our sinnes to suffer the diuell with the wicked to preuaile in the vniust zealousnesse of their preposterous vowes graceleslie swearing the death of thy Saincts and thine annointed Lastlie that what remaineth of the happie building of thy Church by the hands of thy deere daughter thou plentifullie powre of thy principall spirit vpon hir and rauish hir hart with the flame of the loue of thee and thy house with Moses to leade and with Ioshua to bring into the land of promise with Debora to fight the battell and with Iahel to knocke Sisera of Rome in the temples of his vsurped headship to his vtter destruction with Dauid to bring home the Arke and with Salomon to finish and consecrate to eternitie thy Temple amongst the people on the earth for the time to giue largelie hir fostermilke to Hierusalem in heauen at the time in the purenesse of hir virginitie to be presented to the lambe and sing the song of hir wedding daie with thy Angels thy Saincts to the praise of thy glorious Maiestie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost in one eternall Deitie for euer and euer Amen Another godlie and learned praier for our most gratious souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth O Almightie eternall God creator gouernor preseruer of all things Lord of all lords and King of all kings who madest man like vnto thine owne image that he should honour serue and obeie thee onlie and that all other thy creatures should serue to his vse and commoditie ouer whome thou madest him lord and ruler the forbidden fruit onlie except but he most miserable man by his owne disobedience in eating thereof lost not onlie that kinglie prerogatiue but brought himselfe and all his posteritie into the state of eternall damnation Yet thou O Lord in thine vnspeakable mercie didst then promise and in time broughtest to passe that thine onlie Sonne became man like vnto vs sin except and was borne of a pure virgin by thy diuine prouidence and power who to restore this now most miserable man with all vs whose children by nature we are vnto the state of eternall saluation did suffer most shamefull most vile and bitter yea most cruell and painefull death on the
thy wisedome hath vnfolded their wickednesse thy prouidence hath preuented their purpose All honour praise with thanks-giuing in the congregation and by euerie member thereof be giuen to thee O GOD of grace O Lord of pitie O Father of mercie for euer and euer And now we beseech thee O mercifull Father be not prouoked with our sinnes to giue vs ouer to the lust of our enimies doo not make vs a reproch to these heathen Let not the Iewes the Turke the Papist in our ouerthrowe triumph against thee saieng Where is now their God But of thy rich mercie in Christ forgiue our sinnes by thy renewing spirit amend vs and worke out this good worke which thou hast begun among vs. Confound bring to naught the attempts of these and the like enimies as thou didst at Babel infold them in the follie of their owne counsels as thou diddest Achitophel by thine Angel sinite their force as thou didst to Senacherib in their desperate attempts let them be drowned as was Pharao in their treasons ouertake them as thou didst Absolon If anie of them are to be conuerted turne them as thou diddest Manasses otherwise let them feele their due punishment as did Dathan with his conspirators that of these also may be left an example of thy iustice to the posteritie We doo likewise most humblie beseech thee to continue thy goodnesse towards vs euer of thine old woonted mercie deliuer our Queene Elizabeth from euill direct hir in the true knowledge of thee to acknowledge thy benefits towards hir and hir dutie towards thee Kindle more and more in hir hart zeale to serue thee hir selfe and to haue thee serued of vs entirelie Guide hir still to gouerne vs iustlie in godlie peace Giue vnto vs also which are subiects thankefull harts to thee faithfull to hir in thee charitable towards all men that all which liue vnder hir gouernment counsellers ministers and euerie other in their place and calling may be throughlie sanctified in holinesse to liue before thee Thus prolonging hir reigne ouer vs doo thou in hir plant thy religion among and in vs so that it may with power reforme and rule vs and remaine to our posteritie after vs that the praise of thy name may continue in the harts mouths of the English nation that England may saie for euer The Lord be praised A thanks-giuing vnto God for his benefits bestowed vpon this Realme of England in suppressing the late Rebellion with praier for the preseruation and prosperous estate of our gratious Queene Elizabeth ALmightie and euerlasting God the maker of heauen and earth and Lord of all creatures by whose mightie hand the humble and lowlie are aduanced and the proud and stubborne are thrust vnder foote We thy seruants giue thee most hartie thanks for thy great and bountifull goodnesse which thou hast of late without our deseruing bestowed vpon vs both in deliuering vs from the cruell tyrannie and bondage and persecution wherewith we were of late oppressed and also in restoring vs againe to our former peace and quietnesse and to the free exercise of our faith by the direction of thy sacred Gospell still maugre the heads of all our enimies mainteined by thee amongst vs to our comfort For which thy singular benefits and gratious liberalitie O excellent father because we are in no wise able to render vnto thee woorthie thanks therfore we make our humble sute and request vnto thee O Lord that it may please thee for thy holie name sake to accept our good willes in this behalfe and to giue vs grace all the daies of our life to remember this maruellous worke of thine that partlie by the Christian deuout and feruent praiers of thy humble handmaiden our most gratious Queene and other of thy people and partlie by the sure confidence and trust that hir Grace euermore did put in thee thou hast without the force or strength of men put down not onlie hir enimies but also thine and all those that did both fight against thee and thy truth and trauelled by all meanes to disanull and quite ouerthrowe the state of the Church and religion now established which woonderfull and myraculous act as thou hast most gratiouslie begun so we beseech thee for thy tender mercies sake to go forward with it and so to establish it as thy glorie may be aduanced thereby and all the craftie deuises and malicious assaults of the diuell and his ministers cleane ouerthrowne and subdued And now O Christ thou King of kings Prince of peace Ruler of Israel haue mercie vpon our most deere souereigne Ladie Elizabeth and grant that as thou hitherto hast most singularlie blessed hir and adorned hir Maiestie with manie thy speciall good graces blessings and benefits for thy glorie and to our comfort so with all thankefuluesse therefore vnto thy Maiestie we continuallie hartilie and faithfullie praie thee that the ioie of thy heauenlie countenance may still most gratiouslie shine vpon hir to humble hir soule before thee to be hir guide and director to sheeld preserue and defend hir from the will and power of all hir enimies and that both thine and hir aduersaries may from time to time be made thine and hir footstoole and be euer kept vnder hir feet as mire in the streets or as thinne scoom filthie fome light chaffe withered haie or burnt stubble before the wind We beseech thee also O Lord thou scepter of Israel that hir scepter may yet growe greene burgen fructifie and flourish in the fruits of true happinesse with glorie victorie princelie honor dutifulnesse healthfull sweetnesse tendernesse beautie and comlinesse in hir most roiall state and calling euen as the Palme-tree safelie and well set in a soile of all happinesse and that hir throne regall may steddilie stand for euer without winding shaking swaruing tottering or nodding euen as the seate of Salomon and that the daies of hir Graces regiment may be vnto vs for thy glorie as the daies of heauen and after this life ended make hir partaker of the brightnesse of thine and thy fathers euerlasting glory among thine annointed and elect in the celestiall kingdome of euerlasting renowme Grant this O Christ thou most mercifull King and Gouernor that sittest vpon the seate of Dauid and hast obteined an euerlasting kingdome for all the chosen Israelites euen for thy mercies sake Amen Another praier for the Queene and the estate of this Realme GRatious Lord and most mercifull Father we acknowledge thee Lord of lords and the King of kings creating at the beginning and ruling all things euermore in heauen and earth according to thy woonderfull wisedome power and our selues to be thy poore seruants the worke of thy hands and the sheepe of thy pasture subiected to thy high Maiestie and depending vpon thy fatherlie prouidence for all things Neuerthelesse seeing thou in thy wisedome annointest Kings and Queenes appointing them to rule ouer the people to sit as lieutenants in thy seate to minister iustice and most
and blesse thy chosen and deere beloued seruant Elizabeth our Queene whome thou hast set vp a mightie Prince and mother ouer thy people and Citie Zion and made the chiefe gouernour among the nations O let Elizabeth liue and not die neither let hir honour be anie thing diminished for our sinnes and offences Heare O Lord the voice of hir humble and dailie praiers and let hir continue a Prince of peace roiall Ruler ouer thy people Hir hands shall be good ynough for hir if thou helpe hir still as thou hast done against hir enimies Right and light be with thine holie handmaid whome thou didst prooue with great temptations and triall as thou didst Ioseph before thou didst annoint hir Queene and whome hitherto thou hast preserued a pure and vndefiled virgin to promote thy glorie as thou didst Dauid She that in all hir manifold afflictions hath more esteemed the seruing of thee hir God than sauing of hir selfe and loued not hir life so deere as she loued thy lawe yea that preferred thine obedience before sacrifice and all things in the world beside O let hir our gratious Queene Elizabeth I saie who hath thus don hir dutie be plentifullie rewarded therefore of thee hir God from heauen with the perpetuall crowne of glorie and palme of victorie She euen she hath taught Iacob thy iudgements and Israel thy lawe she hath put incense before thy face and the burnt offering vpon thine altar She euen she O God hath with Hezechias restored thy sincere religion and woorshippeth thee aright with euerie one that is godlie in thee Blesse therefore O Lord hir substance and first fruits and accept the works of hir hands Smite through the loines of them that rise vp against hir and of them that hate hir that they rise not againe O let the beloued of the Lord dwell euer in safetie by thee yea doo thou Lord vouchsafe stil to be hir vale and defence all hir life long and dwell with hir heere in the Church as hir beloued spouse head and gouernour Laie thy left hand vnder hir head and let thy right hand embrace hir that she may find continuall comfort in thy presence O fountaine of the gardens O well of liuing waters Arise O North and come O South and blowe on thy spouse which is as a goodlie and pleasant garden inclosed and as a fountaine sealed vp for thy selfe and water it with the springs of Lebanon that it may growe great and that the sweet spices and smell therof may flowe out into thy nostrels and thou eate of the pleasant fruit in hir Kisse hir with the kisses of peace and righteousnes and let hir two breasts satisfie thee be like two yoong roes that are twins feeding vpon the lillies Set hir as a seale on thine hart and as a signet vpon thine arme and let the lampe of hir loue be a verie vehement flame vnquenchable Let hir be a sure wall or foundation wherevpon thou maist build a golden palace and let hir breasts be as towers vnassaultable that she may be meet for thee hir spouse to dwell in and be in thine eies as she that findeth perpetuall peace and quietnesse O God in whose sight hir fathers did walke thou O God which hast fed hir all hir life long vnto this daie and deliuered hir hither to from so manie not euils but deaths blesse hir still euen with the blessing of Abraham Isaac Iacob and all the Patriarchs with all the blessings of thy mercies promised vnto hir father Dauid In hir let Israel also be blessed in hir let thy graces so plentifullie and manifestlie appeare that the people may thence take a patterne of blessing thee and teach their posteritie to blesse and praise thee for thy goodnesse and mercie both towards hir and them For she is to vs thy might thy strength the noblenesse of dignitie and the excellencie of power She as a lionesse is laid downe and couched safelie after the spoile Who shall stir hir vp Hir enimies doo all feare hir And doo thou still charge the daughters of Ierusalem that they stir not vp thy loue nor awake hir by troubling hir quietnes peace vntill she please Hir fellowe virgins praise hir hir hand shall be in the necke of hir enimies hir fathers people doo bow downe vnto hir saieng Good lucke haue thou with thine honour Ride on because of the word of truth which thou embracest with meekenesse O let not the brethren of euill the reuengers of bloud nor the instruments of violence and crueltie bee in hir court and habitation O let not crueltie or falsehood come into hir soule Into their secrets let not hir soule come neither let hir glorie be ioined nor stained with the assemblie or damned crue of the wicked Curse them that curse hir blesse them that blesse hir diuide them in Iacob and scatter them in Israel which shameleslie in their rage dare cruellie attempt anie treacheries or treasons against hir innocent and roiall person yea let them be condignelie punished whosoeuer go about to trouble the state or ouerthrowe hir kingdome Let not the scepter depart out of hir hand nor hir kingdome be diminished but let this thy most wise lawe-giuer our meeke Moses continue amongst vs with honour to iudge thy people and gather them vnto thee long in rest and peace euen vntill Silo our Sauiour Iesus the giuer of all prosperitie come to crowne hir in his euerlasting kingdome with his saluation Let hir see that rest and peace is good and that it is thou that hast made hir to ouercome all hir enimies at the last Blesse hir Lord with great increase of all maner of good profitable and pleasant things Hir bread let it be fat that she may giue pleasant gifts woorthie such a Queene Let hir be as an Hind sent vnto vs from thee for a pretious present giuing goodlie words to hir people Let Elizabeth be the daughter of increase and like a flourishing and fruitfull palme tree by the waters side whose small branches or virgins may run and spread themselues fruitfullie also and shew verie greene vpon the wals of thy house The archers hir enimies haue greeuouslie prouoked hir and shot against hir with venemous darts they haue hated hir to hir hinderance and griefe great and manie haue beene hir afflictions and persecutions But hir bowe abode fast and strong and the hands of hir armes were strengthened by the hands of the mightie God of Iacob Hir deliuerance was euen by the stone of Israel by whom she is appointed a mother in Israel euen by the God of hir father who hath helped hir and by the almightie who hath blessed hir with heauenlie blessings from aboue with blessings of the deepe that lieth beneath and with blessings of the brests and of the wombe The time now is come that the blessings of GOD shewed vnto hir father shall take effect and be stronger in hir than the blessings of hir elders Unto the vttermost ends
that we may willinglie and gladlie loue honor serue and obeie all superior powers in thee and for thee that we may ioifullie receiue thy Gospell plentiouslie bring foorth the fruits thereof and in all things chieflie applie our selues to the maintenance of thy true worship and setting foorth of thine honor and glorie Daughter Amen For the ignorant Mother VNto the ignorant also that their eies may be opened that it would please thee to shew thy countenance vnto them that they may knowe thee and thy Church which they condemne as errours because their eies are closed vp in darknes that as their zeale is now in simplicitie without knowledge so they may haue in stead of it a godlie zeale grounded on perfect knowledge so that thy Gospell may fructifie in them also to the glorie of thy holie name Daugh. Amen For the malicious persecutors Mother EUen vnto the malicious persecutors also that they may either at the length receiue thy grace so often and so mercifullie profered vnto them and so acknowledge their malice and returne vnto thee to thy great honor and glorie when thou shalt be praised euen by the mouth of thine enimies or else if they haue vtterlie giuen ouer themselues vnto continuall hatred of thee and thy word and vtterly reiected all kind of discipline that then thou take them awaie from among vs to thy great honor and glorie also when as thy little flocke being deliuered from their tyrannie and oppression shall ioifullie sing vnto thee of thy continuall goodnesse and woonderfull deliuerance Daughter Amen For those that are afflicted for Christs sake Mother VNto vs all that are troubled persecuted and cruellie handeled for thy name sake that although it please thee to make a sharpe triall of our faith that our enimies may be either ashamed or confounded thereat yet that thou leaue vs not so much destitute of thy grace that we be not able to stand to the vttermost proofe thereof Consider O Lord the greatnesse of our infirmities And although our sins haue deserued thy wrath yet let the equitie of the cause which is thine for the which we are troubled purchase vnto vs thy fauour and mercie Giue vs therefore grace to continue to the end willinglie and ioifullie to beare whatsoeuer crosse it shall please thee to laie vpon vs and alwaies to be readie to defend and set foorth thine honour and glorie in whatsoeuer triall it be And if we must needs drinke of the cup of triall yet giue leaue vnto thy chosen to drinke the flowre of it and reserue the bottome and dregs thereof for the proud and obstinate enimies of thy Gospell according to thy mercies promised in Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen For all estates in generall Mother AND finallie be thou mercifull vnto vs all that are of the houshold of faith of what estate or calling soeuer we be that we all remembring to what end thou hast created vs and how dangerous a thing it is to walke so farre vnworthie of our vocation as we now cōmonlie doo may hartilie repent vs of our licentious dissolute and wicked life and euer crie vnto thee for pardon of the same And grant O heauenlie father that the denieng or vnfruitfull receiuing of thy word be not laid to our charge to our vtter confusion but that now at the length we may not onlie receiue it but speedilie learne to bring foorth the fruits of the same that applieng our liues to the exact rule thereof and walking before thee in holinesse and righteousnesse with continuall thanks and praise for all thy mercies shewed vnto vs euer seeking thine honor and glorie in all our dooings may at the end of this our short and wearie peregrination be taken vp vnto thee to euerlasting rest and quietnesse prepared for all beleeuers through the merits of Iesus Christ our Lord. Daughter Amen For increase of true preachers complaining of the lacke herein Mother AND now O heauenlie Father according as wee are taught by thy sonne we humblie beseech thee mercifullie to bow downe thine eies and to behold how great and plentifull thy haruest is and euen now readie to be cut downe O thrust thou foorth good and faithfull laborers into it to reape and gather it into thy barns For though thy haruest be great yet are the labourers verie few Behold O Lord the miserable estate of these daies how thy seelie sheepe wander vp and down without a shepheard Euerie one almost goeth by about his own priuaite imaginations accounting it no part of his dutie or charge to be mooued therat or to take pitie on their great miserie The better sort see it lament it But Lord how few are those that busilie seeke the redresse thereof their owne priuate cōmodities set apart Surelie thy sheepe euen thy sheepe O heauenlie shepheard are in perilous case they are gone astray euerie one after their owne waies euen to their owne destruction they are on the barren mountaines almost vtterlie famished for lacke of food of themselues are not able to returne to the fold And in all these things euen they to whom thou hast giuen the charge of them can for the most part either sleepe sweetlie or if they awake then can they be content other waies to occupie themselues But O Lord wilt thou also alwaies sleepe and neuer arise vp to be reuenged on these so manifest iniuries Wilt thou neuer displace these carelesse hirelings and raise vp in their places such as shall be vigilant pastors ouer their charge although our sinnes deserue no redresse Neither yet giue vs anie hope to find mercie in this matter Yet for thy name sake and for thine honour and glorie O Father we cease not dailie to present our selues before thee as euen now at this present humblie beseeching thee in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ to raise vp among vs like as thou hast begun manie good shepheards such as will not let for anie paines or discomfiture to seeke out thy wandering sheepe and to defend vs from the bloud-thirstie iawes of the rauening woolues Good guides such as will both shew vs the waie and they themselues lead it vnto vs yea and carie home the poore and faint vpon their backs Good and faithfull distributers of thy word and mysteries such as will giue vs food in due season breaking vnto vs the liuing bread and giuing vs to drinke of the water of life That whereas now manie of vs are almost perished with famine therefore are becom lothsome and ill liking in thy sight we may therby through thy helpe be recouered from all lothsomnesse and ill liking and be restored againe to our former plight and beautie that we may be strong and growe in all grace and godlinesse And altogither in the safetie of thy fold with one hart and voice declare thy mercie and goodnesse and woonderous works and sanctifie thy holie name for euer Grant thou this O heauenlie Father and Lord of the haruest not for our
in the order of their redemption for the infinite benefits of their saluation and for taking our fraile nature and miserable flesh subiect vnto all calamities and destruction vpon him and carieng the same and vs therewith vnto eternall life We therefore liuing in this vaile of wretchednesse lift vp our heads vnto thee O notable Silo which art the fruit of the Uirgin and separate our selues from the detestable damned crue of vnpure spirits and of men powring out blasphemous outcries against thy truth and glorie From our harts we praie thee regenerate and make vs thy children by adoption and grace and dailie renew vs by thy holie spirit to glorifie thee For of our selues we are nothing but flesh and corruption as they that are borne of flesh and can not become thy children except we be begotten and borne againe by a new birth of the holie Ghost Therfore we beseech thee renew vs I say dailie by thy mightie power from aboue that being borne of the spirit our harts and our hands our deeds and deuises and whatsoeuer is in vs may be spirituall as thou art Ioine vs to the societie of thine holie Angels which sing glorie to thee on high and make vs members of that congregation which is knit vnto thee by an indissoluble bond of euerlasting peace with gratefull minds to record and celebrate thy benefits We thanke thee for sauing mankind from eternall damnation and for making the attonement betweene thy father and vs through thine incarnation For so it was expedient according to the order of iustice that the punishment of a guiltlesse man should quit mankind guiltie and that a sufficient satisfaction might be made it was required that he which would be the mediatour should be God God I saie to abide the intollerable burthen of Gods displeasure to vanquish death and to restore vnto man life and saluation to enter into the most holie place and be an eternall Priest God to vnderstand the secret counsell of the father to be priuie vnto the cogitations of harts to heare the grones of all men to be the King of his flocke defending the same against the power of sathan and his members Finallie God to place his Church raised from death in the eternall kingdome of his most glorious father Now forasmuch as the nature of man was not able to bring these things to passe we thanke thee O our sauiour being the word the expresse image and interpretor of the father for vouchsafing to take the office of a mediatour betweene God and vs. Begin in vs we most humblie beseech thee this so great a benefit We are weake we are fowle and filthie but as thou wast brought into this miserable world borne a weake infant and that in a pinching time of the yeare swadled with wretched bands endued with the rags of a miserable nature and laid in a manger among the brutish kind being notwithstanding the verie wisedome of thine eternall father So let thy wisdome appeare in vs miserable men womē in this wofull darkenesse of ours among the blacke clouds of this doting age amongst these troubles and destructions of Common-weales Kindle in vs the sparks of that wisedome which shall be perfect in the life to come and ioine vs to the felowship of thy Saincts Grant that from the hart and ioifullie we may ascribe all glorie fame and honor vnto thee the true God which art wise righteous almightie pure liberall and mercifull according to the rule described in thy commandements which didst send thy Sonne to bring vs to that glorie whereof we were depriued and to restore vs againe to our first integritie which was lost through sinne O Sonne of God confirme thou and seale these things in our harts by thy holie spirit powred vpō vs which may worke within vs vnfeigned righteousnesse that by the same thy spirit shining in the nature which thou tookest vpon thee we may be committed to thee vpholden quickened brought by thee vnto eternall life that that league made betweene God and vs may eternallie be confirmed and we loued in the beloued and the eternall Father may loue vs with that loue wherewith he loueth thee the substantiall image of himselfe Suppresse the diuell that he breake not this woonderfull and profitable peace and suffer vs not hanging on thy necke running to thine armes seeking thy fauour to be plucked out of thy hands Keepe vs we beseech in thy lap as a louing shepheard cherisheth and beareth about his tender lambs And forasmuch as the first tidings of thy natiuitie were brought by the Angel of the Lord vnto shepheards grant that shepheards of the soules that is the ministers and teachers may faithfullie testifie thy benefits vnto mankind and publish abroad what they see knowe spreading foorth thy fame and glorifieng God for the peace which he hath eternallie concluded with vs and finallie may bring thy sheepe to thy stall that is to the congregation of the faithfull Open before vs thy swadling clouts which is thy word that in this life it may crie within vs and we thereby may feele the sense of thy most sweet promises which thine eternall Father hath vttered of thee Blessed are all they which put their trust in him Furthermore our petition is that thou wilt blesse vs and our countrie with all Common-weales Increase among vs dailie y e number of the faithfull prosper the course of the Gospell and suffer not the light thereof by the malice of Sathan to be extinguished Likewise vphold those kingdoms which minister releefe vnto thy Church Repell from the borders of thy seruants the rabblement of Turks Infidels which threaten the decaie of thy Church and destruction of kingdoms Blesse the labours of our hands keepe vs from the contagious diseases and last of all make vs and ours the vessels of mercie and profitable instruments to thy Church and Common-weale Amen Glorie be to God on high Or thus ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who according to the prophesies spoken long before hast giuen vs thine own Sonne to be conceiued of the holie Ghost and borne of the blessed virgin that in thy nature and ours he might be our holie and true Emanuel and Sauior and Sanctifier of those that trust in him Touch our harts with thy holie spirit that considering this so great loue of thine to abase thy Sonne to take vpon him the forme of a seruant to make vs sonnes and heires to thee that our soules may magnifie thee O Lord our Sauiour and blesse thee the Lord GOD of Israel for thus visiting and redeeming thy people and grant vs also the fruit of this thy mercie that by his holinesse our vncleannesse may be done awaie and our corrupt nature sanctified by his holie birth and natiuitie that we putting our trust in him may by him be deliuered both from all our sins and all our enimies and attaine to the fruit of this his infinite loue and goodnesse euen to serue him in holinesse
be ransomed with his owne goods and that one man woman might loue another the more hartilie God I saie appeared in the shape of a man to the end that both bodie and soule might be made blessed by renewing the eie of the mind in his Godhead and the eie of the bodie in his manhood so that whether man went in or out he might find food in him laid vp in store by him in his humane nature Most iniurious therefore is that man or woman to Gods diuinitie that so by hating of their brethren and sisters their owne flesh contemne Christ and offend his humanitie The Thanks-giuing ILift vp my hart vnto thee O God for it is verie meet right and my bounden dutie that I should at all times in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie father almightie and euerlasting God because thou didst giue Iesus Christ thine onlie Sonne to be borne as this daie for me and all mankind who by the operation of the holie Ghost was made verie man of the substance of the blessed Uirgin Marie his mother and that without all spot of sinne to make vs cleane from all sinne Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the holie companie of Saincts and Uirgins in heauen I laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie Holie Holie Lord God of hostes heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high Amen 3. On Newyeares daie Of Christ his circumcision in the flesh The Preface CIrcumcise the foreskin of your hart and be no more stiffenecked Deuter. 18. Be ye circumcised in the Lord I saie and cut awaie the foreskin of your hart and euill affections all ye inhabitants of Iuda and Ierusalem Iere. 4. For the circumcision of the hart which consisteth in the spirit and not in the letter is the true circumcision whose praise is not of men but of God Rom. 4. Yea we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and reioice in Christ Iesus and haue no confidence in the flesh Philip. 3. For circumcision verelie auaileth if thou keepe the lawe but if thou be a breaker of the ordinances of the lawe thy circumcision is made vncircumcision c. Rom. 2. Oh that my waies were made so direct that I might keepe thy statutes so shall I not be confounded Order my steps in thy word and so shall no wickednesse haue dominion ouer me I will keepe thy ceremonies O forsake me not vtterlie Halleluiah The Praier O Lord Iesus Christ Sonne of the liuing God we thanke thee forasmuch as after thy decree concerning the redemption of mankind from the beginning thou hast beene present with thy Church outwardlie by speaking vnto hir by thy ministers and inwardlie by kindling thy light and righteousnesse in the harts of the faithfull Thou hast ratified thy promises by outward signes and ceremonies whereby euerie man may applie the benefits vnto himselfe So did thy burnt offerings and sacrifices testifie of thee which afterwards should be slaine The flames of fire which from heauen did set on fire the offerings did witnesse of thy presence that as manie as should behold thy benefits with a true faith thou wouldest quicken with the sacrifice of thine holie spirit which inflameth true knowledge and good motions within the godlie That life was giuen to them of thy meere mercie the first parents did knowe full well when it was said that a woman shall bring foorth And because the mediator was called that seed of the woman and withall promised to be the subduer of Sathan they knew that he should be both God and man The same promise was repeated vnto Abraham the father of the faithfull And forasmuch as restraint was made vnto a certaine nation thou didst adde a new rite of circumcision whereby not onelie the posteritie of Abraham was discerned from other nations but also it was a testimonie admonishing of the seed to come which was Christ who should take our weake flesh vpon him and beare our nature and bring both Iewes and Gentils vnto eternall felicitie Wherefore we yeeld thee humble thanks forasmuch as hitherto thou hast continued this sound of thy person and office notwithstanding the great raging of thine enimies for appearing at the length in the flesh for giuing thy selfe vnto vs for a Newyeares gift of inestimable price for being made vnder the lawe a cursse to saue vs wretches from the cursse of the lawe and to restore vs vnto innocencie lost through sinne For which cause thy blessed will was as vpon this daie to be circumcised in the flesh and now first of all to shead thy pretious bloud for vs that are of vncircumcised harts and lips and all to shew that thou camest in deede of the verie seed of Abraham and wast subiect to the lawe cursse and condemnation for vs and that our corrupt nature by thy holinesse might be sanctified and haue through thee an obedience to answere the same withall We beseech thee therefore grant vs the true circumcision of the spirit that our harts all our members being mortified from all worldlie and carnall lusts we may in all things obeie thy blessed will and heere staie our selues and put our trust in thee that thus hast humbled thy selfe so lowe for vs that we may be exalted by thee And from our harts we praie thee ioine vs to that holie companie that did wait for thy redemption before it came and doo reioice in it now it is come and performed and with the sacred host of Angels to giue all glorie renowme vnto thee for bringing thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding vpon the earth and declaring so great kindnesse and good will towards vs as to giue thy selfe and thereby euerlasting ioie and blisse for a Newyeares gift of worthie memoriall and inestimable value to be our owne for euer and euer Speake hencefoorth to our harts with thy louelie voice Lighten the lampe of our minds with thy heauenlie knowledge Confirme vs with thy blessed Sacraments which are the certaine tokens of thine vndoubted regeneration and quickning of vs. Oh take awaie the cursse the wrath of God damnation the works of the flesh and the diuell Grant me I beseech thee that thy grace may dailie mortifie my concupiscence of pleasures in things of this world that is of wealth riches glorie libertie fauour of men meates drinks apparell ease yea and life it selfe that the horror and impatiencie of more greeuous things may be weakened and I accustome my selfe to denie my will in more easie and pleasant things of this life and for euer become obedient and readie in all Christian patience to doo thy good will in all things hartilie and willinglie to serue thee and doo whatsoeuer may please thee Make me I saie through the effectuall power of thy grace and holie spirit working in me most miserable wretch to hate abhor flie and subdue all adulterie whoredome vncleannesse vnnaturall lusts
the former subtiltie of sathan represse thine enimie which corrupteth thy word and vseth the same for the confirmation of damnable opinions Quench all the flames of ambition pride and curiositie Leade vs not into temptation neither suffer vs to tempt thee to contend with thee through pride in setting our owne wisedome and subtiltie against thee which was the ouerthrowe of our first parents Suffer vs not to forsake thy word neither permit that fowle and lieng spirit to falsifie the same in vs but make vs constantlie to rest vpon thy promise as to a sacred and sure anchor setting it against all the motions of curiositie and pride Last of all remoue from vs that horrible torment of idolatrie The world at this daie is wrapped in idle seruice yea vnwittinglie the whole world is full of idols to the great dishonor of thy name Fained gods are erected superstitious inuocations are confirmed idolaters swimme in wealth and rule the rost thy glorie is defaced thy maiestie blasphemed the diuell rageth and reigneth he giueth kingdomes and disposeth the goods of this world if his words be true as he lieth shamefullie For thou it is and thou alone which alterest Empires and confirmest them at thy pleasure If order be obserued thou causest it but all misorder is raised by the diuell for the which he shall be punished of thee with paines eternall Wherefore haue mercie on vs O God haue mercie on vs deliuer vs from the thicke mud of idolatrie make vs to lift vp our eies vnto thee the sonne of glorie that abhorring all feined seruice and ceremonies contrarie to thy word wee may acknowledge serue and sanctifie thee the true God Father Sonne and holie Ghost which by and for thy Sonne dooest deliuer vs from the power of Sathan and make vs heires of thine euerlasting kingdome which alone knowest the harts and grones of all creatures which onlie wilt be called vpon in the name of thy Sonne and heare vs onelie for his sake Wherefore vnto thee O our God and Iehoua doo we speake thee onelie through thine assistance will we serue and neuer giue thy glorie to another Take vp that impudent theefe Satan which would steale awaie thine honour banish him far from thy Church But gard both our bodies soules with the gard of thine holie Angels which may pitch their tents about vs and encounter with Sathan which besetteth vs on all sides Deliuer vs out of his hands from all miseries of this life and last of all passing out of this world carie our soules vnto the societie of thy Saints in life eternall Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned haue mercie vpon me Of the Diuel and his manifold temptations THere wanted a tempter and thou wert the cause that he was wanting there wanted time and place and thou wert the cause that they wanted the tempter was present and there wanted neither place nor time but thou holdest me backe that I should not consent The tempter came full of darknesse as he is and thou didst harden me that I might despise him The tempter came armed and stronglie but to the intent he should not ouercome me thou didst restraine him and strengthen me The tempter came transformed into an Angel of light and to the intent he should not deceiue me thou diddest rebuke him and to the intent I should knowe him thou diddest inlighten me For he is that great red dragon and that old serpent called the diuell and Sathan which hath seuen heads and ten horns whom thou hast created to take his pleasure in this huge and broad sea wherein there creepe liuing wights innumerable and beasts great and small that is to saie diuers sorts of fiends which practise nothing else daie nor night but to go about seeking whom they may deuoure except thou rescue him For it is that old dragon which was bred in the paradise of pleasure which draweth downe the third part of the starres of heauen with his taile and casts them to the ground which with his venem poisoneth the waters of the earth that as manie men as drinke of them may die which triumpheth vpon gold as if it were mire and is of opinion that Iordan shall runne into his mouth and which is made of such a mould as he feareth no man And who shall saue vs from his chaps Who shall plucke vs out of his mouth sauing thou O Lord who hast broken the heads of the great dragon Helpe vs Lord spread out thy wings ouer vs O Lord that we may flie vnder them from the face of this dragon that pursueth vs and fence thou vs from his hornes with thy sheeld For his continuall endeuour and onelie desire is to deuoure the soules which thou hast created And therefore we crie vnto thee our God deliuer vs from our dailie aduersarie who whether we sleepe or wake whether we eate or drinke or whether wee be dooing anie thing else presseth vpon vs by all kind of meanes assaulting vs daie and night with traines and policies and shooting his venemous arrowes at vs sometime openlie and somtime priuilie to slea our soules and yet are we most lewdlie ouerseene O Lord in that whereas we see the dragon continuallie in a readines to deuoure vs with open mouth we neuerthelesse doo sleepe and riot in our owne slothfulnesse as though we were out of his danger who desireth nothing else but to destroie vs. Our enimie to the intent to kill vs watcheth continuallie and neuer sleepeth and yet will not we wake from sleepe to saue our selues Behold he hath pitched infinite snares before our feet and filled all our waies with sundrie traps to catch our soules And who can escape them He hath laid snares for vs in our riches he hath laid snares in our pouerty he hath laid snares in our meate in our drinke in our pleasures in our sleepe and in our waking he hath set snares for vs in our words and in our works and in all our life but Lord deliuer vs from the net of the fowlers and from hard words that we may giue praise to thee saieng Blessed be the Lord who hath not giuen vs vp to be torne with their teeth Our soule is deliuered as a sparowe out of the net of the fowler the net is broken and we be escaped Against the temptation of Sathan praie thus O Lord Iesu Christ the onlie staie and fence of our mortall state our onlie hope our onlie saluation our glorie and our triumph who in the flesh which thou hadst for our only cause taken vpon thee didst suffer thy selfe to be tempted of Sathan and who onlie and alone of all men diddest vtterlie ouercome and vanquish sinne death the world the diuell and all the kingdome of hell whatsoeuer thou hast so ouercommed for our behalfe it is that thou hast ouercommed it neither hath it been thy will to haue anie of thy seruants keepe battell and fight with anie of the foresaid euils but of purpose to reward vs
Afterward being deliuered from all feares thou criedst with a great voice Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Grant that in our departure out of this world we may vtter the same words Make vs to feele the presence of thy father comforting vs being pleased through thee and may know that with our bodies our soules doo not perish let vs not iest as Epicures doo saieng O fugitiue flattering pale curst naked soule whither goest thou Thou hast prepared for vs O Sonne of God a large and a pleasant place In thy Fathers house are manie resting places We feare no torments Thou hast deliuered vs from the paines of hell There is no purgatorie Thy Father embraceth our soules in his mercifull armes laieth them in Abrahams bosome replenisheth them with quietnesse with light and ioie vnspeakable till our bodies also raised againe appeare with them in his euerlasting kingdome In this faith giue vs grace to leaue this world and to rest with thee for euer and euer Amen Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie vpon me God forbid that I should reioice but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified to me and I vnto the world Or thus A fruitfull meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to be read often O Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of the euerliuing and almightie God by whome all things were made be ruled and gouerned thou the liuelie image of the substance of the Father the eternall wisedome of God the brightnesse of his glorie God of God light of light coequall coeternall and consubstantiall with the Father thou which of the loue thou haddest to mankind when hee was fallen from the fellowship of God into the societie of sathan and all euill didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediatour betweene God and man taking to thy God-head our nature as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man also the heire of all and most mercifull Messias which by the power of thy God-head and merits of thy man-hood hast made purgation of our sins euen by thine owne selfe whilest thou wast heere on earth being now set on the right hand of thy Father for vs euen concerning our nature in maiestie in glorie power infinite I pray and humblie beseech thy mercie to grant me at this present to reherse some of thy passions and sufferings for me the last night that thou wast heere before thy death that thy good spirit might thereby be effectuall to worke in me faith as well for the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affections comfort in my crosses and patience in all afflictions Amen IN the middest of thy last Supper with thy deere Apostles these things could not but be before thee namelie that they all would leaue thee the most earnest would forsweare thee one of the twelue should most traiterouslie betraie thee which were no small crosses vnto thee Iudas was admonished of thee to beware but when he tooke no heed but went out to finish his worke contemning thine admonition and counsell he could not but vexe thy most louing hart After supper there was contention amongst thy disciples who should be greatest after thee yet dreaming carnallie of thee and thy kingdome and hauing this affection of pride and ambition busie amongst them notwithstanding thy diligence in reproouing and teaching them After thine admonition to them of the crosse that would come thereby to make them more vigilant so grosse were they that they thought they could with their two swords put awaie all perils which was no little greefe vnto thee After thy comming to Gethsamane heauinesse oppressed thee and therefore thou wouldest thy disciples to praie Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellowes that thy hart was heauie to death Thou didst will them to praie being carefull for them also least they should fall into temptation After this thou wentest a stones cast from them and didst praie thy selfe falling flat and groueling vpon the earth but alas thou feltest no comfort and therefore thou camest to thy disciples which of all other were most sweet and deere vnto thee but lo to thy further discomfort they passe neither of thy perils nor of their owne and therefore sleepe apace After thou hadst awaked them thou goest againe to praie but thou foundest no comfort at all and therefore didst returne againe for some comfort at thy deerest freends hands but yet againe alas they are fast asleepe wherevpon thou art inforced to go againe to thy heauenlie Father for some sparkle of comfort in these thy wonderfull crosses and agonies Now heere thou wast so discouraged and so comfortlesse that euen streames of bloud came running from thine eies and eares and other parts of thy bodie But who is able to expresse the infinitenes of thy crosses euen at thy being in the garden All which thou sufferedst for my sake as well to satisfie thy Fathers wrath for my sinnes as also to sanctifie all my sufferings the more gladlie to be susteined of me After thy bloudie praier thou camest and yet againe foundest thy disciples asleepe and before thou canst well awake them lo Iudas commeth with a great band of weaponed men to apprehend thee as a theefe and so doth leading thee awaie bound to the high Bishops house Annas so from him to Caiphas Heere now to augment this thy miserie behold thy disciples flie from thee false witnesses be brought against thee Thou art accused condemned of blasphemie Peter euen in thy sight forsweareth thee Thou art vniustlie striken for answering lawfullie Thou art blindfeeld striken and buffeted all the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas house of their cruell seruants In the morning betimes thou art condemned againe of the Priests of blasphemie and therefore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate by whome thou art openlie arraigned as other theeues and malefactors were And when he sawe that thou wast accused of malice and that his wife had sent a messenger vnto him saieng Haue thou nothing to doo with that iust man for I haue suffered manie things this daie in a dreame by reason of him yet he did not dismisse thee but did send thee to Herod where thou wast derided shamefullie in comming and going to him and from him all the waie wonderfullie especiallie after Herod had apparelled thee as a foole Afore Pilate againe therefore thou wast brought and accused falslie no man did take thy part or speake a good word for thee Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged and to be handled most pitifullie to see if anie pitie might appeare with the Prelates but no man at all pitied thee Barrabas that notable theefe and murtherer was preferred before thee all the people head and taile was against thee and cried out Crucifige hang thee vp Uniustlie to death wast thou iudged Thou wast crowned with sharpe thornes that pierced thy braines Thou wast made a mocking stocke Thou wast
his infancie was troubled with creeping and scrallings and was wrapt in cloathes after the manner of other children was vexed in his youth with labours made leane with waking and fastings wearied with iournieng afterward whipped and all to torne and rent with diuers kinds of punishments reckoned among the dead and when it was endued with the glorie of resurrection he carried it into the ioies of heauen and placed it vpon the right hand of thy Maiestie This I saie he is my manhood waie and meanes of pacifieng and appeasing thee the waie and meanes of hauing mercie vpon mee Mercifullie looke vpon mee heare the wretch whom he did redeeme and the bond-seruant whom he deliuered Behold him a Creator and doo not despise a creature Receiue the shepheard welcommed with a gentle and louing countenance and mercifullie looke vpon the sheepe which he hath brought home vpon his owne shoulders This is that most faithfull shepheard which by manie and diuers labours and trauels ouer steepe hils and through head-long and deepe vallies did search for his owne sheepe that was straied awaie which also when he had found it faint and almost dead through long wandring gat himselfe vnder it with great reioicing and making it fast vnto him with a maruellous bond of charitie lifted it vp out of the deapth of confusion and brought it home to the ninetie and nine Behold O King my king and God almightie behold a good shepheard which rendereth to thee that which thou committedst to his charge He tooke vpon him through thine ordinance to saue man whom he hath deliuered vnto thee cleane and pure from all spots through the washing in his bloud Lo thy most dearelie beloued Sonne hath reconciled vnto thee thy handie worke which was gone astraie far out of the waie Lo a gentle shepheard bringeth home againe to thy flocke hir that the violent pirate and robber had driuen awaie He hath brought vnto thy sight the seruant whome hir owne conscience had made to run awaie that she which by hir selfe had deserued punishment by thy Sonne being hir solicitor hath deserued forgiuenes vnto whome also for hir offences euerlasting fire was due neuerthelesse being a subiect vnder such a prince and captaine she doth hope to be brought home to hir owne countrie I was able O holie father by my selfe to offend thee but I was not able of my selfe to pacifie and appease thee Thy welbeloued Sonne O my God was made my helper by taking vpon him mine humanitie to the intent he might cure mine infirmitie that wherof the first occasion of thy wrath did spring of the same he might offer vp to thee a sacrifice of praise and that he might render and make me also well-pleasing to thy goodnes by that thing in the which he sitting now at thy right hand did alwaies shew and declare himselfe to be equall with my substance and as it were fellowe with the same Lo my hope behold in whome is all my trust If thou despise me as it were meete for mine iniquities yet looke vpon me at leastwise mercifulle for the charitie of thy welbeloued Sonne Giue heed to thy Sonne whereby thou maiest haue mercie vpon thy bond-seruant Looke vpon the sacrament of flesh and pardon the offences of flesh How often soeuer thou doest remember the wounds of thy blessed Son so oft I beséech thee let mine iniquitie be hid And bicause flesh hath stirred thee to wrath let flesh I beseech thee mooue thee to mercie that like as flesh hath seduced and led me to sinne so flesh may get and obteine for me remission For certainly it is much that mine iniquitie hath deserued but much more it is that the goodnes of my Redeemer may euen of right require Mine vnrighteousnes is great but his righteousnes is bigger For looke how much God is superiour vnto man euen so much is my malice euill inferiour vnto his goodnes both in qualitie and quantitie For what haue I sinned being a man that the Sonne of God being made man hath not redeemed What pride could be in me so exceeding high but such humilitie as was in him should bring it downe What power of death was there in me so great but the punishment which the Sonne of God suffered vpon the crosse might deface it and vtterlie destroie it Trulie my God if the sinnes of sinfull men or women should be weied in a iust and equall balance with the loue and fauour that was in our redeemer towards vs the East is not so far distant from the West nor the innermost part of the earth so much separated from the vppermost part of the heauen as they should be vnlike so much lesse should mine iniquitie be than is his goodnesse Now O most noble Creator of light now pardon mine offences for the vnmeasurable trauels paines that thy beloued Sonne did susteine Now I beseech thee let his goodnesse be set against my wickednes his modestie and temperance against mine vngratious frowardnes and his meekenes against my fierce crueltie Let his humilitie recompense my pride his patience mine impatience his gentlenesse mine vnkind churlishnes his obedience my disobedience his quietnesse mine vnquietnes his pleasant towardnes my bitter frowardnes his sweet facilitie and gentlenes mine angrie and fretting fumes to conclude let his charitie make amends for my heinous and detestable crueltie Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie on me God forbid that I should reioice in anie thing but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified vnto me and I vnto the world So be it 9. On Easter daie Of Christ his resurrection and the Passouer of Christians The Preface CHrist is risen againe from the dead and now dieth no more Halleluiah Death from hencefoorth hath no more power of him Halleluiah Christ is risen againe the first fruits of them that sleepe Halleluiah By Christ all men that were dead in sinne are restored to life Halleluiah In thy resurrection O Christ both heauen earth doo reioice and saie Halleluiah Thanks be vnto God which giueth vs victorie thorough our Lord Iesus Christ Halleluiah Who hauing spoiled all principalities and powers hath made a shew of them openlie triumphing ouer them in his owne person Halleluiah Awake O my Christ awake vp my glorie and sing Halleluiah For Christ our passouer is offered vp and as this daie reuiued rose again for our iustification Halleluiah Let vs reioice therfore I saie O my soule and keepe it holidaie to the Lord. Halleluiah Not with old leauen of maliciousnes and wickednes but with the vnleauened bread of purenesse and truth Halleluiah That when we awake vp after his likenes we may be satisfied with his presence in righteousnes and glorie Halleluiah And be blessed and holie with those that haue part in the first resurrection and on whom the second death hath no power but sing Halleluiah O death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victorie Halleluiah This
excellent a gift and at no time be intangled in the snares of Sathan neither yet forgo so noble a ghest for our wickednes Make vs to walke circumspectlie not as fooles following our vaine concupiscence to shun all occasions of falling euermore to craue at thine hands that this pretious gift may from time to time continue with vs and increase And as vpon this daie thou hast taught the harts of thy people by the sending to them the light of thine holie spirit so grant vs by the same spirit to haue a right iudgment in all things and euermore to reioice in his holie comfort Let the same spirit bring into our memorie that which thou hast said make it firmelie to retaine the foundation of sound doctrine vttered from the bosome of the Father and at no time to seeke new reuelations as doo the Enthusian heretikes both without and beside the warrant of thy word Let vs neuer inuent fained gods and false worshippings but followe onelie and sincerelie that which thou hast said and taught The world followeth vaine pleasure seeketh prosperitie and hunteth after wealth and worship especiallie the last age of this world doth so it altogither doteth and is become secure but fill thou our harts with true peace wherewith we may staie our selues in the combate of conscience fighting before the iudgment of God And in our agonies when a separation shall be made both of soule and bodie then giue vs grace to be mindfull of this thy saieng Let not your harts be greeued I go and come againe vnto you Let not thy comfortable presence depart from our soule thou wilt certainlie come againe euen to raise vs from the dead to place vs in thy kingdome Wherfore we reioice at thy departure vnto thy Father For the Father is greater than thou Thou hast prepared a place and blessed mansion in the house of thy Father exalted to the right hand of the Father and hast respect of the person sent euen till the consummation of the world Cease not to applie the merits of thy sacrifice vnto vs make continuall intercession for vs. Thou abidest our King and Priest vntill thou deliuerest the kingdome to thy Father And therefore as a Mediator thou doost verelie obtaine those good things which thou hast promised to all beleeuers Thou valiantlie didst conquer Sathan to make vs parteners of thy victorie Thou willinglie gauest thy life that it might satisfie for manie Thou wast obedient to thine eternall Father in the race of thine humiliation that by thy death we might liue Wherefore seale within vs this faith and righteousnesse grant that continuallie we may retaine thy saiengs in our minds that we may enioie thy peace and keepe a place for thy diuinitie in our harts while we liue in this world through our first fruits and so hereafter in the life to come we shall attaine the tenths and be made like vnto thee beholding God face to face So be it Another meditation and thanks-giuing for the good effects that the holie Ghost worketh in vs by his comming AL possible praise and thanks I yeeld vnto thee O God heauenlie Father and vnto thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ my Sauiour for sending downe thy spirit of truth our comforter sanctifier and regenerator the holie Ghost into this world The which thing verelie I beleeue thou didst for this onelie end and purpose that bicause the grape of thy sonne our Sauiour Christs flesh was caried to the wine-presse of the Crosse and there being pressed yeelded foorth the sweet wine of his Godhead it pleased thee therefore of thy great mercie to send the same thy holie Ghost to make readie the vessels of mens harts that the new wine might be put into new vessels first to season their harts from marring of the wine that should be put into them and afterward to hoope them well for leaking when the wine was powred into them that is to saie to clense them from delighting in sinne and to bind them from delighting in vanitie For that which is good could not come in till that which is euill was first rid out Oh woonderfull worke Oh vnspeakable benefit of thy surpassing goodnesse and mercie most woorthie of all praise that man on earth or Angels in heauen may giue or render The holie name of thy sacred Maiestie be therefore blessed magnified and extolled for euer and euer Amen And now O gratious God and good Father I most humblie and intirelie beseech thee that for as much as delighting in wickednesse which is to loue sinne doth defile vs and make our vessels fowle yea leadeth to death and that the delighting in vanitie which is to be in loue with transitorie things of this world sheddeth out and maketh the vessell of our bodies full of crannies and rifts yea intiseth and deceiueth vs to our destruction it may please thee therefore of thine ancient and accustomed mercie and goodnesse to giue me grace to cast out the thing that is euill in me that I may be fit to take in and receiue the thing that is good in thee and so to powre out all sowernesse of sinne and wickednesse that I may be filled with the sweetnesse of all vertue and godlinesse Yea doo thou thy selfe O gratious Father euen with the same thy blessed finger and mightie power wherewith in times past by thy sonne Christ Jesus thou didst rebuke and throwe the diuels and vncleane spirits foorth of those that were possessed vouchsafe also I beseech thee of the same thy singular loue and pitie to cast out of me the fowle spirit of the diuell which worketh delight in wickednesse and is the occasion of faults yea so and in such sort to abandon him that he nor anie of his may euer returne into my vessell anie more to dwell therein I beseech thee furthermore to expell foorth of my vessell the spirit of this world which worketh delight in vanitie and is a fault of it selfe that I be neuer intised nor deceiued anie more therewith hereafter Finallie I humblie praie thee to throwe out of me all other euill and vncleane spirits whatsoeuer which are noisome enimies to my soule and saluation and grant that thy spirit O God euen the holie Ghost I meane with all the fruits gifts vertues and graces thereof may vouchsafe to come and enter into the tabernacle of mine hart and mind to worke in me good delights good loue whereby the loue of the world and the loue of sinne may bee vtterlie driuen awaie from me for euer and my mind be continuallie inlightened my conscience still clensed mine hart euer gladded and thou thy selfe my GOD my Sanctifier and Sauiour be more and more shewed and made manifest vnto me Amen A Thanks-giuing vnto God for our regeneration and sanctification not vnproper to be vsed also at publike Baptisme O God the holie Ghost which proceedest from the Father the Sonne and with them art woorshipped and glorified in the vnitie of the true and eternall Deitie and
pure conscience I beleeue therefore with all my hart O king of heauen and Lord of the earth and with my mouth doo I confesse thee the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost to be three persons and one in substance the true and verie God almightie of one simple incorporall and inuisible nature incomprehensible and of such a nature as is not in a place as other natures be and that thou hast nothing superiour or aboue thy selfe or lower or anie thing bigger than thy selfe but in all manner of meanes perfect without all spot of deformitie And that thou art great without quantitie good without qualitie euerlasting without time life without death strong without infirmitie or weakenesse true without lieng present in euerie place without anie situation or being placed in anie place to be all euerie where without place fulfilling all things without stretching foorth thy hand going euerie where without anie contradiction or gaine-saieng passing ouer all things without mouing abiding in all things without anie kind of proportion making all things hauing need of nothing gouerning all things without labour giuing all things their beginning hauing no beginning thy selfe making all things mutable and variable thy selfe being without all kind of mutabilitie and variablenesse I confesse thee to be in greatnesse without measure in power almightie in goodnes the cheefe and best in wisedome inestimable in counselles intents and purposes terrible and fearefull in iudgements most vpright and iust in cogitations and thoughts most secret in words true in works holie in mercies aboundant and plentifull toward offenders most patient towards the penitent and those that be hartilie sorie for their sinnes most gentle louing alwaies the same euerlasting and continuallie continuing immortall and incommutable impossible to be changed or altered Whome neither the amplitude or largenes of places doth make bigger nor the shortnesse or littlenesse of places make lesser nor anie places or corners can conteine or presse togither Neither doth thy will or intent varie or alter nor familiaritie or acquaintance corrupt thee nor sorrowfull things trouble or amaze thee nor glad things make thee pleasant or frolike as a man would saie For from thee can forgetfulnes take nothing nor mindfulnes or remembrance giue anie thing Neither are things passed vnto vs passed also vnto thee nor things which to vs are to come to come towards thee For neither beginning doth giue anie beginning to thee nor time anie increase nor yet chance giueth thee anie end but before all worlds and in all worlds and by worlds into euerlasting thou dooest liue and thou hast continuall praise and perpetuall glorie most high power and singular honor euerlasting kingdome and rule and empire without end through the infinite and vnwearie and immortall world of worlds Another meditation of the right beleefe in the vnitie of persons and pluralitie in God THese and much mo things haue I learned of the holie mother the Church whereof through thy grace I am made a member Of hir haue learned how thou the alone and true God both hast no bodie and also art vnsubiect to passions how nothing of thy substance or nature is anie waie violable or changeable or compounded or created and therefore certaine it is how thou canst neither be perceiued by anie bodilie eies nor could euer be seene in the proper nature of anie mortall man For hence it may euidentlie be gathered that where Angels doo now behold thee there we also after this life shall see thee naie the verie Angels neither are able to see thee as thou art in thy selfe naïe to conclude the almightie Trinitie is knowne to none but onlie to thy selfe O blessed Trinitie And thou an vnitie of the God-head through the pluralitie of persons manifold art in number infinite and therefore measurablie vnmeasurable and waightily vnwaiable For we knowledge no beginning of the souereigne goodnesse the which thou art of whome through whome in whom are all things but through participation thereof we saie all good things are For thy diuine essence hath alwaies been and yet is without matter although it lacke no forme to wit informed the forme of formes the most welformed forme the which while thou imprintest as a seale to euerie particular thing thou makest them doubtlesse to differ from thy selfe without any either of your augmenting or diminishing but whatsoeuer is in the world it is thy creature O simple Trinitie and triple vnitie God whose almightinesse both possesseth and ruleth and replenisheth all things which thou hast created Neither in saieng how thou fillest all things meane we that they conteine thee but rather that thou conteinest them neither by parts fillest thou all things nor yet may it be thought that euerie thing according to the greatnesse of the portion it hath receiueth thee that is the greatest thing more and the smallest thing lesse thou rather being in all things or more trulie all things in thee whose omnipotencie includeth all things Neither can any man find a waie to escape thy power For whosoeuer hath not thy fauour can by no meanes auoid thy displesure as it is written Neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South but God is the iudge And againe Whither shall I go frō thy spirit Or whither shall I go from thy presence The immensitie of thy diuine greatnesse is this that we knowe thee to be within all things not as included and without all things yet not as excluded And therefore thou art within that thou maist containe all and therfore without that all things may be comprehended within the immensitie of thine vncircumscribed greatnesse So then by that thou art within thou art knowne to be a Creator by that thou art without we perceiue how thou art the gouernour of all things And least all things which are created might be without thee thou art within and without that all things may be included of thee not by locall greatnesse but by thy mightie presence who art euerie-where present and all things present before thee although some vnderstand these things yet some doo not The vnitie then of thine inseparable nature can not haue separable persons bicause as thou art a Trinitie in vnitie and an vnitie in Trinitie so can you not haue a separation of persons Sometimes indeed those persons are particularlie named but so thou wouldest O God the Trinitie declare thy selfe inseparable in persons that there is no name in anie one person but may be referred vnto another according to the rule of relation as the Father vnto the Sonne the Sonne vnto the Father so hath the holie Ghost true relation both vnto the Father the Sonne Also those names which signifie either your substance O GOD or person or power or essence or else what which properlie is called God doo equalliie agree to all the persons as great God almightie eternall and generallie all things which naturalle are spoken of God So that there is no name of nature which so maie
proceedings For in thy hand is the life of euerie liuing thing and the spirit also of euerie man Thou shewest thy mercie to whome thou wilt and thou art gratious to them whome thou fauourest Thou dooest kill and thou dooest quicken thou leadest downe to hell gate and bringest vp againe Thine eies behold the waies of euerie man and thou searchest the harts of men There is no place so secret or darke wherein sinners may hide themselues from thee Nor anie man may so lurke and hide himselfe in caues but thou shalt see him which dooest fulfill both heauen and earth in euerie part Why hast thou cast me awaie from thy presence and takest me for thine enimie Why hast thou laid vpon my head the heauie weight of my sinnes seeing no man is able to beare thy displeasure What meaneth it that thou shewest thy power against a wretch Why destroiest thou me for the sinnes of my youth If I haue sinned what shall I doo to thee And if my sinnes be increased what shall I doo If I doo iustlie what shall I giue to thee Or what shalt thou receiue at my hand My wickednesse shall hurt my selfe and my righteousnesse shall profit me The life of man is a temptation vpon the earth and if I haue sinned as all men haue what may I doo Shall anie man be found cleane and without sinne before thee Or shall anie man be without default in his deeds How may a mortall man be pure from sinne in thy sight Or how may he which is borne of a woman be righteous Remember O Lord I beseech thee that thou hast made me of the earth and that thou shalt bring me againe into the dust of death My daies passe and vanish awaie like smoke they waste dailie there is no tarieng My life flieth awaie as the winde and considereth not that which is good I was but latelie borne into this world and shortlie I shall be taken awaie hence by death I neuer continue still in one state The daies of my life be few and short thou hast appointed an end which I shall not passe Naked and bare I came out of my mothers wombe and naked and bare I shall returne againe trulie all men liuing are vanitie Haue pitie O Lord on them that are in miserie and despise not the works of thy hands Though we sinne yet are we vnder thee for wee knowe thy power and strength and if we sinne not then are we sure that thou regardest vs. Cease thine indignation O Lord and turne it from me and cast all my sinnes behinde thy backe Take awaie thy plagues from me for thy punishment hath made me both feeble and faint For when thou chastisest a man for his sinnes thou causest him by and by to consume and pine awaie Whatsoeuer is delectable in him perisheth like vnto the cloth that is eaten with mothes Would God I had one to defend me a while vntill thine anger were turned awaie or that thou wouldest set me a time in the which thou wouldest remember me I am cleane cast awaie from thy presence shall I neuer heereafter see thy face againe Behold I haue opened the griefes of my soule the daies of my sorrowes haue taken me The flouds of tribulation compasse me round about and the streames of thy furie run ouer me And I crie vnto thee O Lord God but thou hearest me not I aske mercie but thou reiectest my praiers Why thrustest thou downe a poore wretch from thy presence Or why forsakest thou me so long time Why takest thou not away mine iniquitie And why puttest thou not awaie the wickednesse of mine hart Arise and tarie no longer O Lord arise and reiect me not for euer Haue me in remembrance I beseech thee for I thoroughlie tremble and shake for feare Yet I will not hold my tongue but crie still vnto thee with a moorning and an heauie hart Turne awaie the stroke of thy vengeance from me bring my mind out of troubles into rest I am here no long continuer but a pilgrime and a stranger as all other mortall men be And what is man that thou shouldst be angrie with him Or what is mankind that thou shouldest be so heauie Lord vnto vs What Wilt thou bring sorowe vpon sorowe I pant for paine and find no rest My sorowe greeueth me when I should eate and sudden sighs ouerwhelme mine hart I am as if my bones were all to broken when I heare mine enimies raile vpon me and saie to me daie by daie Where is thy God Why turnest thou thy face awaie from these things O Lord Why hast thou no regard of my trouble I earnestlie make my praiers dailie in thy sight and the heauinesse of mine hart I doo shew vnto thee My spirit is carefull and troubled within me and desperation hath entered into mine hart Is it thy pleasure O Lord God to cast awaie thine owne handie worke Deliuer my soule from corruption and my life from euerlasting darknesse What auaileth it me that euer I was borne if thou cast me straight into damnation seeing that the dead shall not praise thee nor anie of them that go downe to hell I haue sinned what shall I doo to thee Why hast thou put me to be contrarie to thee I am wearie of mine owne selfe Why searchest thou out my sinnes so narrowlie when there is no man that can take out of thine hand If I would saie that I were righteous and without sinne then thou mightest woorthilie condemne me to the fire prepared for the diuell and his angels But I confesse that I am a sinner and doo humble mine hart in thy sight Surelie if anie man would stand with thee in iudgment he shall not be able to answere one word to a thousand things wherewith thou mightest charge him This maketh me to feare all my deeds knowing that thou sparest not him that offendeth If I looke vpon thy power O how mightie and strong art thou If I shall call for iudgement who shall defend my matter or speake for me To thee O Lord I call and crie to thee my God I make mine humble suite Turne awaie thine anger from me that I may knowe that thou art more mercifull vnto me than my sinnes deserue What is my strength that I may endure Or what is the end of my trouble that my soule may patientlie abide it My strength is not a stonie strength and my flesh is not made of brasse There is no helpe in my selfe and my strength flieth awaie from me Although thou hide these things in thine hart yet I knowe that thou wilt remember me at length For thou art true and iust O Lord God thou dooest not condemne vniustlie which rewardest man according to his deserts All this is come vpon me bicause I haue forgotten thee and not vsed my selfe trulie in thy testament Mine hart hath turned backward and I haue followed the desires of my flesh And thou hast surelie knowne this thing which knowest the
pilgrimage to walke with a good conscience and pure mind both before thee and towards all men in my dooing that I be not a reader of thy holie word and a talker onlie but that it may appeare also in my life and conuersation Regenerate my hart with the spirit of grace dailie more and more giue me an inward taste and feeling of thy fauour and mercie towards me in Christ Iesu our Lord that I may knowe thee to be my God and Father and my selfe to be thy child for euermore Assist thy seruant against this world with the vaine pompe pleasures and beautie thereof that it may be vnto me as vile dust filth and slime that I may vse it as though I vsed it not and that it may serue me and I not it that I may take my part thereof vnto my necessitie with thanks-giuing that I doo not vse thy creatures voluptuouslie but that I may liue soberlie and godlie in this present life to thy glorie Preserue and defend thy seruant from all false opinions that I be not deceiued and caried awaie in the errour of the wicked but that I may growe in grace and knowledge of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord giue me wisedome knowledge and vnderstanding to perceiue those false lieng and flattering spirits which doo deceiue the harts of innocents and begile vnstable soules Giue me also O Lord a right a reuerent and a pure iudgement and vnderstanding of thy holie word and to auoide all rash iudgements and peruerse interpretations that I may neuer swarue from the true sense and meaning therof and grant that my cheefest felicitie may be in the same thy holie word in hearing reading and talking of it and in watching praier fasting mortifieng mine owne will and members O Lord plant in me true obedience to thy lawe and let not the cares of this world choke thy word in me Make me to lift vp my hart oftentimes to thee and if I chance to fall or slip make me to thinke on thee and to be sorie with a stedfast purpose of amendment Oh Lord I offer vp my selfe whollie with all my crooked and corrupt nature so much as it is in will and works vnto thy mercie to be corrected and reformed at thine owne will and pleasure O let not the hand of the vngodlie cast me downe but saue my soule O my Lord God whither it bee through prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gaine sickenesse or health life or death Aid strengthen succour and defend thy seruant in all aduersities tribulations and temptations and suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength Increase my ioie and comfort in thee and thy holie spirit that I may reioice in all trouble and affliction and imbrace the same to my consolation and comfort and thinke my selfe happie when I am counted woorthie to suffer anie trouble for thy name sake Take from mine hart the thoughts of earthlie comforts onlie set before mine eies the ioie of the crosse of Christ that I may take comfort therein and despise the shame for the great reward that is laid vp in heauen for all those that with patience suffer in aduersitie and continue in well-dooing vnto the end Oh Lord take from me I saie a carefull hart in all worldlie things let them be vile vnto me for thy sake and grant that neither pouertie oppresse me and driue me to despaire or falshood neither wealth and prosperitie lift me vp to forget thee or my selfe but that in prosperitie I may be thankfull and in aduersitie patient and humble Lord let me be merie without lightnesse sad without mistrust sober without dulnesse fearing thee without desperation trusting in thee without presumption let me not be merie with the ioie that is without thee and let me desire nothing besides thee Good Lord giue me ioifulnesse of hart and peace of conscience continuall gladnesse and consolation in thy word and promises that I may euermore be thankfull vnto thee and praise thy name for euer Let thy kingdome come vnto me which is righteousnesse peace and ioie in the holie Ghost long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faithfulnesse meekenesse temperance strength and patience with all such like vertues as are prescribed vnto me in thy holie word Grant me O God a tender louing and mercifull hart towards my brethren long amitie and perfect patience to beare all things well that thy prouidence shall see meet to laie vpon me Of thy fatherlie mercie O God leaue me not to my selfe but stand thou alwaies by me For I am too weake of mine owne power to doo anie thing that is good but my righteousnesse and strength lieth onelie in thee Therefore O Lord I come vnto thee requiring mercie in thy sight and the assistance of thy grace that I may bee strengthened with power in the inward man and be armed at all assaies with thine holie complet armour which is the breast-plate of righteousnesse the sheeld of faith the hope of saluation for an helmet and the swoord of the spirit which is thy holie word that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and bee found woorthie through Christ to receiue a crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee in purenesse of mind Now therefore O Lord I giue ouer my selfe into thine holie hands desiring thee for Christs sake that I thus armed may remaine vnder the protection and strong defence of thy power and that thine holie Angels may pitch their tents round about me and compasse me alwaies And I beseech thee O Lord giue vnto thy seruant the strength of thine holie spirit to subdue this bodie of sinne with the whole lusts thereof that it may bee made obedient both in will mind and members to doo thine holie will that when thou shalt appeare to reward euerie one according to their deeds I may reioice and not be ashamed of thee at thy comming Moreouer O Lord I beseech thee thinke vpon all thy people which are straied here and there from the farthest part of the earth which be entered into couenant with thee and are minded to walke after thy will Grant O Lord that we may growe togither in loue through the knowledge of thy word to keepe the vnitie of the spirit through the bond of peace to the vtter confounding of errour and all false opinions and to keepe vs cleane from all hypocrisie and superstition and to make vs strong in all trouble and affliction O heauenlie Father grant vnto me and all other I saie wheresoeuer they be dispersed throughout the vniuersall world which professe thy holie word so to liue that we may die to sinne and lead a godlie conuersation walking innocentlie before thee Rule and confirme our harts with thy spirit O Lord lighten our minds and guide vs alwaies with the lightsome lampe of thine holie Gospell Gouerne and preserue thy Church and defend those Realmes and Cities that giue succour and harbour to thy people make vs all diligent
and to doo awaie mine offences For I knowe O Lord that all grace and goodnesse commeth of thee and therefore art thou praised loued and feared in the congregation among the Saincts For thou art onlie he that giuest victorie O Lord of hosts and that as thou saiest by thy Prophet neither through an host of men nor through strength but through thy spirit Therefore I beseech thee giue me not onlie strength and knowledge of thee but also a readie earnest purpose and will to subdue mine imperfections and grace at all times to liue as thou in thy holie word hast prescribed vnto me Moreouer I beseech thee make me perfect in thy sight that I may render continuall thanks by Iesus Christ to thee And where I haue not hitherto indeuored my selfe according to that power which thou hast giuen me to liue after thy will I praie thee forgiue me for Iesus sake And now I protest before thee through the helpe of the spirit to order my life from hence foorth according to thy word and to walke perfectlie before thee neuerthelesse I beseech thee for Christes sake at all times to beare the imperfections that shall or may at anie time be found in me and deliuer me by thy power and mercie Increase my faith O my sauiour increase my faith O my iustifier increase my faith O my redeemer increase faith hope and charitie and all other vertues in me consonant and agreeable to a godlie life For I come vnto thee the well and euerlasting fountaine of all health and saluation O my heauenlie Father let me and all other men and women liue in thy sight which seeke thy word to the intent to forsake sinne and all vngodlie liuing and to walke in a godlie conuersation innocentlie before thee And I thanke thee O Lord with all my hart and mind that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercie and goodnesse to create and forme me of the mould of the earth and giuen me all my members requisite and needfull to the bodie and that it hath pleased thee to preserue all that which thou hast created in me sith the time of the creation vntill now and that it hath pleased thee to defend me this daie or night and all the daies and time of my life hitherto from all hurt and perils and deliuered me from the hour of temptation and tribulation as well when I was asleepe and forgetfull as when I remembred and called vpon thee And that it hath pleased thee to minister to my necessitie meate drinke and cloathing inward reioicing quietnesse of mind health of bodie and such like and that it hath pleased thee to giue me this man and my brother in profession T. B. to be my husband vaile remedie consolation and comfort in my necessities Grant me grace in him O Lord trulie to honor loue serue and obeie thee for I knowe whatsoeuer I doo to him be it good or euill it shall be rewarded of thee Lighten vs dailie with thy grace that we may gouerne our selues the houshold and children which thou hast giuen vs in the true faith feare and knowledge of thee so that it may be an acceptable sacrifice vnto thee by Iesus Christ our Lord. And seeing it hath pleased thee O Father to lighten the inward eies of my mind with thy grace and to call me from the great blindnesse of ignorance and sinne wherein all men are borne to the knowledge of thee let it now more as S. Paule saith please thee to preserue me and all other whome thou hast called which are dailie oppressed by sinne which desire to turne and to come vnto thee of what tongue or nation soeuer they be through the whole world And seeing it hath pleased thee to call me by grace to the knowledge of thy word giuen me a will to seeke it to loue and beleeue it let it be thy will to direct my waies that I erre not Oh staie my feet with thy holie hand and preserue me with thine arme for I am else farre too weake without thee I can doo nothing Oh let me liue in thy sight O Lord and put me not from thee but giue me a new hart and a new spirit yea a pure mind and a cleane conscience make thou in me then shall I be perfect before thee Then shall I call vpon thee in time of my trouble and offer acceptable sacrifice vnto thee by Iesus Christ euen the fruit of these lips which confesse thy name and patientlie receiue the cup of health at thy hand and call vpon thy name in time of aduersitie Oh heare my praier I beseech thee let my power and pleasure alwaie be in the tree of life and in the fruit thereof which standeth in the midst of the Paradise of God O accept this voluntarie sacrifice at my hand as the sweet smell of incense and let the lifting vp of my hart with my hands be an euening sacrifice pleasant and acceptable vnto thee through Iesus Christ our Lord to whome be euerlasting praise honor and glorie now and euer Amen Another Christian praier for grace and remission to be dailie vsed O Most mightie God mercifull and louing Father I wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy deerelie beloued sonne Iesus Christ my onlie sauiour and redeemer and most humblie beseech thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight and remembrance through the merits of his bloudie death and passion Powre vpon me O Lord thy holie spirit of wisedome and grace Gouerne and leade me by thy holie word that it may be a lampe vnto my feet a light vnto my steps Shew thy mercie vpon me so lighten the naturall blindnesse and darknesse of my hart through thy grace that I may dailie be renewed by the same spirit grace by the which O Lord purge the grosenesse of my hearing vnderstanding that I may profitablie reade heare vnderstand thy word heauenlie will beleeue and practise the same in my life conuersation euermore hold fast y t blessed hope of euerlasting life Mortifie and kill all vice in me that my life may expresse my faith in thee Mercifullie heare the humble suite of thy seruant and grant me thy peace all my daies Gratiouslie pardon mine infirmities and defend me in all dangers of bodie goods and name but most chieflie my soule against all assaults temptations accusations subtill baites and sleights of that old enimie of mankind Sathan that roring Lion euer seeking whome he may deuoure And heere O Lord I prostrate with most humble mind craue of thy diuine Maiestie to be mercifull vnto the vniuersall Church of thy Sonne Christ And especiallie according to my bounden dutie I beseech thee for his sake to blesse saue defend the principall member thereof thy seruant our most deere and souereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth increase in hir roiall heart true faith godlie zeale and loue of the same and grant her
Sunne to set bicause we expect his arising againe in the morning no more ought we as men without hope to be sorie for the death of the bodie knowing that in the morning light of the resurrection it shall eftsoones arise receiue the soule againe to ioie or paine eternall VVhen the candles or lamps be light praie THanks be giuen to thee O Lord which after daie when night commeth hast giuen vs for the remedie of darknesse this artificiall light of the candle or lampe whereby we see and discerne those things in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs to vse But especiallie we render immortall praise vnto thine holie Maiestie for the light of thy doctrine which thy Sonne against the horrour of sinne and ignorance hath brought vnto vs for a remedie against death eternall Grant we beseech thee O Lord of light and Maister of all truth that the most thicke and obscure clouds of our minds may be so driuen awaie and expelled by the lampe of thy grace and candle of knowledge and right vnderstanding that in bodie corporallie and in soule spirituallie wee may euer see by both these lights to glorifie thee both in our liues and in our deaths Thy word ô Lord is a lampe to our feete and a light vnto our paths O light thou our candle and make our darknesse to be light that with our lamps euer burning we may still watch for thy comming Amen Meditation THinke now that as without this materiall light of the candle all would be horrour and vncouth darknesse euen so without the spirituall light of Gods diuine word and wisedome all our light is darknesse our knowledge errour and our life death and vtter confusion Thinke also that as the candle is not put vnder a bushell but set on a candlesticke to giue light to all in the house so likewise ought we to let the light of our faith shine bright before men that other séeing our good works may therefore glorifie God Euening praiers for Sundaie to be said kneeling by the bedside before you make you vnreadie ¶ Here you may saie one of the confessions for the Sabboth daie as before pag. 384 387. WE render vnto thee euerlasting praises most mercifull Father for that of thy gratious fauour and loue towards vs thou hast vouchsafed to preserue vs this daie and the rest of our life hitherto vnder the shadowe of thy most mercifull protection beseeching thee also to take vs into thy tuition this present night and euer that we be not tempted with anie suggestion of Sathan but being thoroughlie armed with the holie Ghost we may haue power and force to resist his assaults by a sure faith and confidence in the bloud of thy blessed Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus Giue vs grace to repent vs of our sinnes vnfeinedlie to craue remission of them vncessantlie to imbrace thy holie word and commandements sincerelie and to expresse them in our liuing effectuallie whereby we may walke vprightlie in our conuersation with sure and certaine hope of the resurrection to eternall life by the merits of Christ Iesus that with the wise virgins we may be found waking and watching for his comming when he shall come to iudge the world with equitie and to reward euerie man according to the works of his bodie Grant vs grace most mercifull Father to behaue our selues so vprightlie in this life that then we may be made partakers of thy kingdome with thine elect there to liue in eternall ioie and felicitie world without end Amen Another Euening praier on the Lords daie O Almightie and eternall God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ which togither with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost didst create man after thine owne likenesse and breath into him the breth of life the which through thy goodnes continueth at thy pleasure Thou hast made of one bloud all mankind and assigned times and length of our life in this world thou giuest life to the people on the earth and breth to the walkers therein which if thou take awaie they shall depart and be turned into dust We blesse thee heauenlie Father and with all our harts giue thee thanks not onelie for sauing vs this daie from dangers but also from our cradles for defending both our soules and bodies from death Wherefore magnifie the Lord O our soules and our spirits reioice in God our Sauiour For he hath looked vpon the basenesse and afflictions of his seruants He that is mightie hath done for vs great things and holie is his name Wherefore we will praise the Lord for euermore bicause his mercie endureth from generation to generation on such as feare him We will shew foorth his power in the euening and when we go to bed we will remember his mercie Arise now our soules in the night praise your God In the beginning of the watches powre out your harts like water before the face of the Lord. For the Saints will be ioifull with glorie sing lowd vpon their beds Wherefore we also will praise thee continuallie and will confesse thy name for euermore For thou art the God which delighteth our harts and maketh our soules merie Therefore in the night we will thinke vpon thy benefits and our spirits shall consider of thy woonderous works For thou hast commanded that thy mercie be celebrated in the daie time and thy truth in the night season O our Lord and God of mercie gentlenesse patience pitie and truth which she west mercie vnto thousands and blottest out all our offences we lift vp our soules vnto thee and from our harts we praie thee put not before thine eies the horrible confusion vncleannesse and wickednesse of our minds being replenished with loathsome darknesse and ignorance full of doubtings and errors Our harts and will are turned from thee our God and all the powers and strength both of our soules and bodies are defiled and filthilie weakened but Lord of thy great merice blot out our offences looke vpon the troubles and dolours of our harts and forgiue all our sinnes For lo our soules are wounded and can not be holpen but onelie through mercie There is no health in our flesh bicause of thine anger neither is there rest in our bones bicause of our sins For our iniquities haue gone ouer our heads and as an heauie burden haue pressed vs down Our wounds are putrified and corrupt bicause of our foolishnesse Asswage thine anger and turne from thine indignation Pardon our faults remit all punishment and restore in vs the light of thy goodnesse which was lost O Lord heare O Lord forgiue harken O our God for thine owne sake For thy name is called vpon by vs. O God of heauen and earth in this euening tide doo we call vnto thee that remitting our sinnes which this daie especiallie we haue committed against thee in breaking thy Saboth and prophaning this our holie daie with our vnholie deeds speech and cogitations thou wouldest receiue vs into thy
end of our faith and all holie exercises of the same euen the saluation of our soules to thine euerlasting praise high glorie and perpetuall renowme now and for euer Amen I saie To God onlie be giuen all the Glorie FINIS A Table of all the principall praiers and meditations conteined orderlie in this fourth Lampe of Virginitie and first ¶ Morning praier before you arise So soone as ye first awake praie Page 363. Being well wakened before you arise praie and meditate page 364. Hearing the clock strike pray and meditate 365. So soone as ye see the daie breake and light to appeere praie meditate 366 367. At the Sun-rising praie and meditate 368 369. Putting off your neerest garment meditate 369. Beholding your nakednes meditate 370. Putting on your neerest garment meditate 371. Being about to rise out of your bed praie meditate 372. In your arising praie 373. ¶ After you are vp and before you be made readie Being risen blesse pray 374. In apparelling your selfe praie and meditate 375. In easing your bodie meditate and consider the corruption thereof 375. Washing your hands praie meditate 376 377 ¶ After you be readie before you go about anie thing A premeditation before praier 378 379. Confessions of sins praiers for mercie and grace 379. 380 387 389. A Confession of sinnes proper for Sundaies 382 384. Morning praiers and meditations c. 392 394 397. ¶ Of going to church Sentences of holie scripture exhorting all to the diligent frequenting of the Church Gods diuine seruice therin vsed 401. An exhortation to be vsed of maisters and dames to their families euerie sunday morning 402. Praiers and psalmes to be learned by heart and vsed by the way as ye go to church 403 405 406 407. When you enter into the church c. 408 409 410. As you passe by the people into your pewe salute the congregation c. 410. ¶ Priuate praiers to be vsed both before and after common praier A salutation or first forme of praier to be vsed at your first kneeling downe in the church 417. Sentences of holie scripture exhorting to the reuerent behauiour in Gods house the church 411. Meditations wherin is shewed how we ought to be verie attentiue to the publike praiers and psalmes in the church 411 415. A praier that God would vouchsafe to heare the praiers of the congregation afflicted c. 418. A psalme of preparation to publike praier in the morning 419. A psalme of preparation to puplike praier in the euening 420 421 423. A psalme of exhortation to the worship of GOD morning or euening 424. A psalme exhorting all creatures to praise God 425. A psalme of Gods presence in the church 427. A psalme of the beauty of gods house c. 427. A psalme for the prosperitie of the church and that all people may praise and blesse the Lord 429. A praier for a pure and cleane soule c. 431. A praier to serue God sincerelie in the church 433. Meditations exhorting shewing how the soule should rightlie worship and praise the Lord c. 434. Another verie forcible praier or meditation to mooue the mind c. 439. A complaint that we be not mooued or pricked in our contemplations and praiers like as the Angels be which tremble at the sight of God page 440. A verie deuout praier for grace to praise God c. 442. A godlie meditatiō of the ioies of the celestial paradise 448. Another diuine meditation of the happinesse of the soules that are departed c. 450. Other meditatiōs of desires or longings of the soule after the ioies of heauenlie Sion page 451 452. A godlie and christian praier for the church and congregation c. 455. A praier for the church vniuersall 456. Another godlie praier for the preseruation of the vniuersall church 458. A praier for vnitie in faith and religion 461. ¶ The Letanie Collects and praiers to be vsed after the letanie as occasion serueth for sundrie purposes page 469 470. For the Queenes maiesty 470. For bishops and curats 470. For raine in time of drought page 471. For the fruits of the earth 473. For faire weather 475 476. In time of thunder lightning tempest and vnseasonable weather 477. In the time of dearth famine page 480. In the time of anie common plague sickenesse warre penurie or scarsnes 480 481. A godlie and fruitfull forme of praier to be vsed of householders and their families in time of the plague 482. A psalme commonlie vsed in publike praier in time of the plague 490. A praier in time of immortalitie 498. A psalme of thanks-giuing for deliuerance from the plague or anie other kind of sicknesses 498. A praier at the appeering of monsters or in anie earthquakes c. 498. In the time of anie generall earthquake 500 503. At the sight of anie blasing star or other meteors or prodigious signes of Gods iudgements in the heauens praie to preuent the euils foreshewen thereby 504. In time of warre 505. In time of rebellion or ciuill warre 505. A thankesgiuing for the suppressing of rebellion 508. A thanksgiuing after our deliuerance from the tirranie of strange enimies with praier for continuance of peace betweene realmes 511. In time of inuasion by the Turke infidels c 513. A thanksgiuing vnto God for the christians victorie had against the Turks 516. ¶ Other praiers and meditations to be vsed in the church Before the first or second lesson 517. After the first or second lesson read 588. Before the sermon or homilie sentences of scripture exorting to y e attentiue hearing of Gods word 519. A praier for the heedfull hearing of Gods word 521. A praier both for the preacher and auditours c. 522 526. Another praier to be vsed of anie hearers c. 527. A praier that God would both feed and defend his church to be vsed at a sermon before y e communion 530 532 A praier to be said before the sermons at y e court 533 534 A praier against hardnesse of hart and contempt of the word of God 535. A praier against hipocrits false teachers and deriders of the Gospell 537. A praier for vnbeleeuers and that all men may embrace the Gospell 539. ¶ After the Sermon Sentences of scripture exhorting to the diligent keeping and following of the word of God heard 542. A thanksgiuing and praise to be vsed after the sermō 543 547 548 549. A thanksgiuing for the knowledge of Gods word 544. A praier for the accomplishment of Gods wil reauealed in his lawe 549. A praier for strength speedilie to accomplish Gods diuine lawe 550. ¶ At excommunication and publike pennance dooing in the congregation A praier of anie excomunicate person or notorious sinner dooing open pennance in the church c. 552. A thanksgiuing of a reconciled offender c. 555. A praier of the beholders in the behalfe and for the conuersion of anie notorious offender c. 558 561. A thanks giuing for
of the physician Behold Lord how I come to thee a sinner sicke and grieuouslie wounded I aske not bread but the crums that fall from the childrens table Cast me not out of thy sight although I haue deserued to be cast into hell fire If I should looke vpon my sinne and not vpon thy mercie I should despaire For in my selfe I find nothing to saue me but a dunghill of wickednesse to condemne me If I should hope by mine owne strength and power to come out of this maze of iniquitie and wickednesse wherein I haue walked so long I should be deceiued For I am so ignorant blind weake and feeble that I can not bring my selfe out of this intangled and wayward maze but the more I seeke means waies to winde my selfe out the more I am wrapped and tangled therein So that I perceiue my striuing therein to be hinderance my trauell to be labour spent in going backe It is the hand of the Lord that can and will bring me out of the endlesse maze of death For without I be preuented by the grace of the Lord I can not aske forgiuenesse nor be repentant or sorie for them There is no man can auow that Christ is the onlie Sauiour of the world but by the holie Ghost yea as S. Paule saith no man can saie The Lord Iesus but by the holie Ghost The spirit helpeth our infirmitie and maketh continuall intercession for vs with such sorowfull gronings as can not be expressed Therefore I will first require and praie the Lord to giue me his holie spirit to teach me to auow that Christ is the Sauiour of the world and to vtter these words The Lord Iesus and finallie to helpe mine infirmities and to intercede or intreate for me For I am most certaine and sure that no creature in heauen nor earth is of power or can by anie meane helpe me but God who is omnipotent almightie beneficiall and mercifull welwilling and louing to all those that call and put their whole confidence and trust in him And therefore I will seeke none other meanes nor aduocate but Christes holie spirit who is onlie the aduocate and mediatour betweene GOD and man to helpe and releeue mee The third Chapter VVhat true faith worketh in the soule of a sinner BUt now what maketh me so bold and hardie to presume to come to the Lord with such audacitie and boldnesse being so great a sinner Trulie nothing but his owne word For he saith Come to me all ye that labour and are burdened and I shall refresh you What gentle mercifull and comfortable words are these to all sinners Were he not a frantike madde beastlie and foolish man that would runne for aide helpe or refuge to anie other creature What a most gratious comfortable and gentle saieng was this with such pleasant and sweete words to allure his verie enimies to come vnto him Is there anie worldlie Prince or Magistrate that would shew such clemencie and mercie to their disobedient rebellious subiects hauing offended them I suppose they would not with such words allure them except it were to call them whome they cannot take and punish them being taken But euen as Christ is Prince of princes and Lord of lords so his charitie and mercie exceedeth and surmounteth all others Christ saith If carnall fathers do giue good gifts to their children when they aske them how much more shall your heauenlie father being in substance all holie and most highlie good giue good gifts to all them that aske him It is no small nor little gift that I now require neither thinke I my selfe worthie to receiue such a noble gift being so ingrate vnkind and wicked a child But when I behold the benignitie liberalitie mercie and goodnesse of the Lord I am encouraged boldened and stirred to aske such a noble gift The Lord is so bountifull and liberall that he will not haue vs satisfied and contented with one gift neither to aske simple and small gifts and therefore he promiseth and bindeth himselfe by his word to giue good and beneficiall gifts to all them that aske him with true faith without which nothing can be done acceptable or pleasing to God For faith is the foundation ground of all other gifts vertues and graces and therefore I will praie and saie Lord increase my faith For this is the life euerlasting Lord that I must beleeue thee to be the true God and whom thou didst send Iesus Christ By this faith I am assured and by this assurance I feele the remission of my sins This is it that maketh me bold this is it that comforteth me this is it that quencheth all despaire I knowe O my Lord thine eies looke vpon my faith S. Paule saith We be iustified by faith in Christ and not by the deeds of the lawe For if righteousnes come by the lawe then Christ died in vaine S. Paule meaneth not here a dead humane and historicall faith gotten by humane industrie but a supernall and liuelie faith which worketh by charitie as he himselfe plainlie expresseth This dignitie of faith is no derogation to good works For out of this faith spring all good works yet we may not impute to the woorthinesse of faith or works our iustification before God but ascribe and giue the woorthinesse of it wholie to the merits of Christs passion and refer and attribute the knowledge and perceiuing thereof onlie to faith whose verie true and onlie propertie it is to take apprehend and hold fast the promises of Gods mercie the which maketh vs righteous and to cause me continuallie to hope for the same mercie and in loue to worke all maner of waies allowed in the Scripture that I may be thankfull for the same Thus I feele my selfe to come as it were in a new garment before God and now by his mercie to be taken iust and righteous which of late without his mercie was sinfull and wicked and by faith to obteine his mercie the which the vnfaithfull can not enioie And although S. Iohn extolleth charitie in his Epistle saieng that God is charitie and he that dwelleth in charitie dwelleth in God Truelie charitie maketh men liue like Angels and of the most furious vnbrideled and carnall men maketh meeke lambes Yea with how feruent a spirit ought I to call crie and praie to the Lord to make his great charitie to burne and flame my hart being stonie and euill affected that it neuer would conceiue nor regard the great inestimable charitie and loue of God in sending his onlie begotten and deere beloued sonne into this vale of miserie to suffer the most cruell and sharpe death of the crosse for my redemption Yea I neuer had this vnspeakeable and most high charitie and abundant loue of God printed and fixed in my hart duelie till it pleased God of his meere grace mercie and pittie to open mine eies making me to see and behold with the eie of liuelie faith Christ crucified to be mine
the Church afflicted 1. l. pag. 48. For the tormented in conscience 1. l. pag. 49. Against the power of the vngodlie 2. l. p. 35. 36. In danger of death by tyrannie 2. l. pag. 36. In any ghostlie temptation of sathan 2. l p. 191 Against inward heauinesse 2. l. pag. 192. To be deliuered from dangers 2. l. pag. 193. To obtaine vpright iudgement against our aduersarie 2. l. pag. 194. For patience to suffer all afflictions 2. l. pa. 184. An effectuall praier in time of trouble 2. l. p. 98. A sweet praier of anie pressed downe with troubles 2. l. pag. 94. Other christian praiers made out of the psalmes of Dauid 2. l. pa. 215. 216. In martyrdome at the stake 2. lam pag. 214. For constancie in faith to the death 2. l. pag. 215. To performe the will of God in all places 2. l. pag. 80. A desire to rest in God aboue all things 2. l. p 83 To obtaine a cleane minde with speedie deliuerance 2. l. pag. 85. To despise all wordlie things c 2. l. pag. 88. To long for the life euerlasting 2. l. pag. 91. ¶ After trouble For thankesgiuing for deliuerance from enemies 1. l. pag. 1. 44. A thankesgiuing for the victorie gotten 1. l p 3. 8. A thanksgiuing for fruitfulnesse of the wombe 1. l. pag. 648. A thankesgiuing for Gods miraculous deliuerance 1. l. pag. 36. Psalmes of reioising after trouble 2. l. pa 194. 218. 219. 337. ¶ In time of prosperitie In the 2 lamp pag. 176. ¶ Thankesgiuings For benefits receiued at Gods hands 2. l. p. 175. For the goodnes of God towards vs ibid. ¶ Songs Of Moses 1. l. pag. 1. Of Debora and Barach 1. l. pag. 3. Of Hannah 1. l. pag. 6. Of the women of Israell 1. lamp pag. 8. Of Salomon or Syon 1. lam pag. 8. c. Of Iudith 1. l. pag. 44. Of the blessed virgine Marie 1 l. pag. 48. ¶ Psalmes In time of captiuitie and affliction 1. l. pag. 48. At morning praier 2. l. pag. 106. 107. 108. At euening praier 2. l. pag. 122. 125. 126. 127. Of congratulation for victorie and the kingdome obtained 3. l. pag. 253. 158. ¶ Himnes For the morning 2. l. pag. 104. 114. For the euening 2. l. pag. 135. Of the state of Adams posteritie 2 l. pag. 129. Of our redemption 2. l. pag. 106. 121. Of the passion of Christ 2. l pag. 112. Of the daie of iudgement 2 l. pag. 131. To God the father 2. l. pag. 120. To God the creator 2. l. pag. 114. To God the sonne 2 l. pag. 104. Against vices 2. l. pag. 174 213. 221. ¶ Sentenses Of scripture written by our gratious Soueraigne Ladie Q. Elizabeth in foure languages 2. l. pag. 135. Of scripture written by Q Katherin 2. l. pa. 80. Of the Ladie Elizabeth Tirwhit 2. lam pag. 137. ¶ Verses written In Latin by the I Iane Dudley 2. l. pag. 202. In english as I suppose by the L. Aburgauenie 2. l. pag. 215. In english by M. Dorcas Martin 2. l pag. 221. In Latin by Leonell Sharpe of Cambridge in the beginning of the booke In Latin by maister D. Marbek to the christian reader ibid. ¶ Anthemes At morning praier 2. l. pag. 105. At euening praier 2. l. pag. 121. ¶ Exhortations Written by the L. Iane Dudley to read the testament 2. l. pag. 100. Against the manifold assaults of Sathan 2. l. pag. 195. To newnes of life 2. l. pag. 247. To watch for the comming of Christ 2 l. p 249. To Magistrates in the praise of our Soueraign humblie and faithfullie to discharge their office in Gods feare and seruise written by the author T. B. 3. lam pag. 306. Catechisme Of the true beliefe 2 l. pag. 132. Of the ten commandements ibid. pag. 222. Of christian religion ibid pag. 234. Of inuocation ibid. pag. 235. Of obedience ibid. pag. 237. Of confession ibid. pag. 240. Of the sacraments ibid. pag. 240. 245. Euening praiers A forme thereof priuatlie 2. l. pag. 122. Other 2. l. pag. 118. 135. 136. Going to bed 2. l. pag. 134. 136. 241. Before yee lie downe to sleepe 2. l. pag. 230. After praier Saie as 2. l. pag. 116. 136. 206. Blessings A good forme thereof 2. lam pag. 117. 137. Episiles Dedicatorie to the Q. most excellent Maiestie c 1. lam before pag 1. To the Christian reader c 1. l. before pag. 1. Of the right honourable now L. Treasurer of England 2. l before p. 37. FINIS Faults escaped Page Line Faults Correction   In the first Lampe 1 3 made by c. made or songe by c. 2 12 as led as lead 24 10 foure lamentations fiue lamentations   In the second Lampe Title 4 made by made as is supposed by 49 33 he had don wee had don 52 7 then Christ then Christes 85 17 hartie wisedom heauenlie wisedom 88 26 thereof with them thereof that I be not ouercome with them 113 21 thanke thee thinke on thee 129 13 health wealth 217 Last euer for euen for   In the third Lampe 291 9 Except Lord the c. Encline Lord vnto the c. 291 10 as thou didst the praier as thou didst vnto the praier 312 21 bountifull beautifull 333 32 zea thou Yea thou 334 29 And their prince And me their prince 337 18 that my deliuerance this my deliuerance THE Fourth LAMPE of VIRGINITIE Conteining the most pure sacrifice of Euangelicall deuotion or an exercise of holie praiers and Christian Meditations for sundrie purposes digested as it were in a Diall of degrees to direct all godlie men and women daie and night readilie and plainlie to the holie mount of heauenlie contemplation and true sanctification of the Lords daie our Sabboth and so consequentlie of all other principall feasts daies houres times and seasons of the yeere priuatlie both at home and also in the Church at conuenient times permitted ¶ Compiled out of seuerall works of the best approoued Authors in our age to the glorie of God and profit of his Church By Tho. Bentley Gent. Ephesi 6 18. Praie alwaies with all maner praier and supplication in the spirit and watch therevnto with all perseuerance Philip. 4 6. Be nothing carefull but in all things et your requests be shewed vnto God in praiers and supplication with giuing of thanks Imprinted at London by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater noster rowe ¶ The sacrifice of Euangelicall deuotion conteining Christian Praiers and Meditations to be vsed as speciallie vpon the LORDS daie so generallie at all other times and seasons to the comfort of the soule and glorie of God and first So soone as ye awake in the morning meditate thus and saie AWake out of thy heauie sleepe and slumber O my soule shake off the deathfull slouth of this earthlie trunke Up I saie O sinfull soule and watch for the Lord who is at hand prepared to iudgement Arise get thee before the Lord of grace and mercie in lowlinesse and
that were dead in sinne thou changest sinners and they are while they liue here no deadlie or damnable sinners Take awaie therefore from me whatsoeuer is in me that pleaseth not thee For thine eies doo see much vnperfectnesse in me Laie the hand I beseech thee of thy pitie on me whatsoeuer offendeth the eies of thy pietie remoue it from me In thy sight is both my health my disease the one I beseech thee to preserue the other to cure Doo thou heale me O Lord and I shall be healed do thou make me safe I shall be saued Thou I meane which dooest make whole them that be diseased and dooest preserue them that be cured which onlie with a becke dooest restore and repaire things that be decaied and fallen into ruine For if thou wilt vouchsafe to sowe anie good seed in the feeld of my hart of necessitie thou must plucke vp first with the hand of thy pittie the thornes of vices which be in it O most gratious most gentle most louing desired amiable and louelie of all others powre in my hart I beseech thee so great plentie of delectation in thee that I may desire no earthlie or carnall thing nor yet thinke vpon them but that I may loue thee alone that I may haue thee onlie in my hart in my mouth Write with thy finger in my brest the delectable remembrance of thy sweet name and so that it may not be blotted out with anie forgetfulnesse Write thy will in the tables of mine hart and also thy iustifications that I may alwaies and in euerie place haue thee O Lord before mine eies and in my sight Inflame my mind with that fire which thou diddest send into the earth and willedst it to be kindled that I might offer vnto thee dailie with teares a sacrifice of a troubled spirit and a repentant hart O sweet Christ O good Iesu euen according vnto my desire and euen as I hartilie require thee with my whole mind giue me thy holie and chast loue which may replenish and keepe me and also fullie possesse me Giue me an euident signe and token of thy loue euen a flowing well of teares which will continuallie runne that those teares may somewhat testifie thy loue in me that they may shew foorth and declare how much my soule loueth thee whiles for the great delectation it hath in the sweetnes of thy loue it may not refraine from shedding teares O good Lord I call to my remembrance sometimes that vertuous woman Hanna which came to the Tabernacle to praie that God would send hir a sonne of whom the scripture maketh mention that hir countenance after hir teares and praiers was not againe changed or altered But when I thinke vpon so great vertue constancie and stedfastnesse of that woman I doo blush and am vexed with sorrowe and confounded with shame bicause I a wretch doo perceiue my selfe to be fallen ouermuch from thee For if that good woman did weepe after such a sort and continued so in weeping which did search for nothing else but a sonne how ought my sinfull soule to mourne and to persist and abide in weeping that seeketh and looueth God and hath a desire to come vnto him How ought such a soule to mourne and weepe which seeketh God daie and night which will loue nothing but Christ My teares now trulie should be made meate vnto me daie and night Looke vpon me therefore O Lord and take pittie on me bicause the dolours and sorrowes of my hart are manie in number Giue me thy heauenlie consolation and doo not despise nor cast awaie a sinfull soule for the which thou didst die Giue me inward teares I beseech thee from the bottome of my hart which may wash awaie the spots of my sinnes Replenish my soule alwaies with heauenlie delectation and myrth that I may obteine some little portion or part in thy kingdome although not amongst the perfect men whose steps I cannot followe yet at the least among the religious women and inferiour sort And heere now the maruellous deuotion of another woman called Marie Magdalen commeth into my mind which with vertuous loue and godlie affection did seeke thee lieng in the sepulchre which when thy Disciples went awaie and departed from thee did remaine with thee hir selfe which sate there sad and sorowfull weeping long and verie much and when she did arise she searched with a diligent eie and with manie teares the corners of the sepulchre which was left emptie if she might espie thee out in anie place whom she with a feruent desire sought Yea and moreouer she went againe and againe to the sepulchre but that was not inough vnto hir neither did it satisfie hir desire For the grace of a good worke is to perseuere and continue in the same And bicause she did loue more than other and that in louing she wept and in weeping she searched and in searching she continued therfore was it thy pleasure that she should first find thee see thee and talke with thee before all other And not onelie this but also shee was a tidings-bearer of thy glorious resurrection vnto thy Disciples when thou didst command and bid hir saieng Go and tell my brethren that they go vnto Galilie there they shall see me c. Seeing therfore that that deuout woman did weepe after such a sort and continued in weeping which did seeke thee that wast aliue among the dead and touched thee with the hand of hir faith how ought a soule to mourne and to continue in mourning which beleeueth in thee with hir mouth doth acknowledge thee to be hir redeemer that sittest now in heauen and reignest euerie where How much therefore ought such a soule to mourne and weepe which loueth thee with all hir hart and with hir whole desire dooth couet to see thee Oh onlie refuge the onlie hope of wretches vnto whom no man or woman needeth at anie time to praie without hope of mercie grant vnto me this grace for thy sake and for thy holie name sake that as oft as I thinke vpon thee as oft as I speake of thee write of thee read of thee confer of thee as oft as euer I remember thee stand before thee offer vp praises praiers and sacrifice vnto thee so oft I may weepe abundantlie with teares in thy sight so that my teares may be to me in stead of bread daie and night Thou trulie O King of glorie and maister of all vertues hast taught vs with thy word and with thine example to mourne and weepe whereas thou saiest Blessed be they that mourne for they shall be comforted Thou didst weepe for thy frend Lazarus that was dead and didst let teares fall downe plentiouslie for the Citie which should perish I beseech thee O good Iesu by those most pretious teares and by all thy mercies and pities wherewith thou didst vouchsafe maruellouslie to helpe and succour vs that were lost giue me the grace to weepe and to be
earnestlie repentant for my sinnes which grace my soule desireth and coueteth verie much and except it come of thy gift I cannot haue it but by the holie Ghost which dooth mollifie the hard harts of sinners and prouoketh them to weeping Giue me the grace of teares like as thou gauest to our forefathers and mothers whose examples wee ought to followe that I may bewaile my selfe in all my life like as they did bewaile themselues daie and night Giue me the deaw of thy grace from aboue and also a deaw of teares beeneth that my teares may be vnto me in stead of bread daie and night and that I may be made in thy sight O Lord my God by the fire of thy prouocation a fat acceptable sacrifice Make me to be mortified and killed vpon the altar of mine hart and that I may be receiued of thee as a fat and a sweet smelling sacrifice Giue vnto me O good Lord a plentifull flowing and cleere well of teares in the which I may wash continuallie this fowle and spotted sacrifice For although I haue offered vp my selfe wholie vnto thee by the helpe of thy grace yet neuerthelesse in manie things I offend thee dailie bicause of my great fragilitie and weakenesse Giue me therefore the grace of teares and continuall repentance O blessed God and most especiallie through the great sweetnesse of thy loue and the remembrance of thy mercies prepare this table for thy seruant in thy sight and giue me power that as oft as I list I may be satisfied of it Grant vnto me for thy goodnesse and pittie that this thy cup replenished and filled full may satisfie my thrist that my spirit may couet thee and that my mind may burne in thy loue forgetting all vanitie and miserie Heare O my God heare O light of mine eies thou that art the stirrer vp and quickener of my dull eares heare what I desire and aske and giue me grace to aske that which thou hearest O pittifull Lord which art woont to be easilie intreated be not hard to be intreated of me bicause of my sinnes but for thy goodnesse receiue the praiers of thy seruant and grant me the effect of my petition and desire Amen A godlie and diuine Meditation of the ioies of the celestiall para dise to be vsed at conuenient times in the church that is either before or after publike seruice for to that all men present ought to be attentiue O My soule let vs returne to the heauenlie citie wherin we be registred made free citizens For like as we be fellowe-citizens of the Saints and houshold-meanie of God and like as we be the heires of God and coheires with Christ so let vs a little consider the happie roialtie of our citie so far foorth as it is possible for vs to consider it Let vs saie with the Prophet O how glorious things are spoken of thee thou citie of God! For thou art the dwelling place of all them that reioice the ioie of the whole earth is founded vpon thee There is not in thee anie age nor miserie of age there is not in thee anie maimed person anie lame man anie crooke backe nor anie mishapen bodie For all be growne vp to perfect men after the full measure of the age of Christ What blesseder thing can there be than such a life where there is no feare of pouertie nor weakenesse of diseases No man is harmed there no man is displeased there no man enuieth there There is no burning of couetousnesse no desire of meate no ambitious suing for honour and authoritie There is no dread of diuell no snares of feends no feare of hell fire There is no death neither of bodie nor of soule but pleasant life assured of immortalitie Then shall there be no miseries then shall there be no debates but all things shall be at agreemeut bicause all the Saints shall agree in one Peace and mirth hold all things togither all things are there calme and quiet There the seuen lamps of Gods spirits are still burning before the throne of God and there is continuall light not such as is now heere but so much the brighter as it is much happier For as we read that citie shall need no sunne nor moone nor light artificiall because the Lord almightie shall shine in it and the Lambe as a lampe shall be the light of it where the Saints and wise Uirgins shall shine as the stars for euer without end and such as haue taught manie in the waie of righteousnesse shall be as the brightnesse of the skie Where there shall be no night no darkenesse no meeting of clouds no painfulnesse of heate or cold but there shall be such a temperatnesse as neuer eie hath seene eare heard nor hart of anie man conceiued There shall be no companie sauing onlie of them that are accounted woorthie to enioie the same whose names are written in the booke of life But yet it is far aboue all these things to be in fellowship with the companies of Angels Archangels and all the heauenlie Powers to behold the Patriarchs and Prophets to see the Euangelists and Apostles to woonder at the hosts of Martyrs and Confessors to view the companies of Uirgins and to see all the Saints yea and also to see our owne parents and kindred Glorious are these things O my soule but much more glorious is it to behold the present countetenance of God O happie plesantnesse O plesant happinesse to see the Saints to be with the Saints and to be a Saint Yea a passing excellent glorie shall it be when we shall see God in himselfe and when we shall both see and haue him in our selues for euer and euer of whom we shall neuer haue seene ynough O my soule let vs thinke vpon this I saie with a diligent mind let vs long after this with our whole hart let vs sigh hartilie desire earnestlie and wish continuallie that we may soone come vnto them vnto that citie aboue whereof so glorious things are spoken and wherein is the habitation of all that reioice Amen Another diuine Meditation of the happinesse of the soules that are with God especiallie to be vsed when you haue sung a Psalme after a funerall Sermon HAppie is the soule which being let loose from the earthlie prison flieth vp freelie into heauen and there beholdeth thee hir most sweete Lord face to face and is no more disquieted with anie feare of death but reioiceth in the euerlastingnesse of incorruptible glorie For it is safe and out of perill and hencefoorth feareth neither enimie nor death It possesseth thee hir mercifull Lord whom she hath long sought and euer loued And accompanieng hir selfe with the quiers of Psalme-singers she singeth continuallie the sugred songs of euerlasting mirth to the glorie of thee O King Christ O gratious Iesu For she is as it were made drunken with the bountifulnesse of thy house and thou makest hir to drinke of the streame of thy pleasures Happie
we be tied and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pitifulnesse of thy great mercie loose vs for the honour of Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen The end of the Letanie Praiers to be vsed before and after the first and second lessons the Gospell and Pistle and before and after the Sermon or Homilie Before the first or second lesson praie BLessed Lord which hast caused all holie Scriptures both in the old and new Testaments to be written and red for our learning grant vs that we may now in such sort heare them reade them marke learne and inwardlie digest them that by patience and comfort of thy holie word we may embrace and euer hold fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life which thou hast giuen vs in our Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen After the first or second lesson praie GRatious God and most mercifull father which hast vouchsafed vs the rich and pretious iewell of thy holie word assist vs with thy spirit that it may be written in our harts to our euerlasting comfort to reforme vs to renew vs according to thine owne image to build vs vp and edifie vs into the perfect building of thy Christ sanctifieng and increasing in vs all heauenlie vertues Grant this O heauenlie father for Iesu Christs sake Amen Or thus THanks be vnto thee O our celestiall father through Christ our Redeemer that thou hast so cleerelie by thy Patriarchs Prophets and Apostls reuealed vnto vs these so secret mysteries of our saluation in Christ for whose sake also we beseech thee to giue vs the verie feare and faith in thee that we constantlie beleeuing thy truth and following that thou commandest vs in thy word may by no meanes hinder thy glorie or the course of thy word by our lewd conuersation but in all obedience helpe to amplifie and increase thy kingdome to the perpetuall praise of thy name through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Before the reading of the Epistle or Gospell praie ALmightie God and most mercifull Father who by thy holie spirit in thy seruants the Apostles and the Euangelists hast left vnto vs the storie of the doctrine and deedes of our Sauiour Christ that thereby as he is in deede so we might beleeue him to be thy Sonne and the Sauiour of the world put our trust in thee through him that so beleeuing we might attaine to euerlasting life grant vs we beseech thee the same most holie spirit to open our harts and lighten our minds that by the reading and hearing of the same our faith in thee through him may continuallie be strengthened till we attaine to the end thereof euen the saluation of our soules through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour Amen After the reading of the Epistle or Gospell WE giue thee thanks most mercifull Father for that it hath pleased thee in great mercie towards vs to cause the holie writings and traditions of the Apostles and Euangelists to come to this our time place and eares that thou hast vouchsafed also to open reueale thy holie will vnto them to approue thy sonne so manifestlie to the world and to confirme vnto vs by them the truth of thy Gospell that in the mouth of so manie faithfull witnesses we might haue more full assurance in thy mercifull promises Helpe vs O good Father we beseech thee that by thy grace we may doo in deede that which we now by them doo vnderstand And least heerein we be through thy iustice more greeuouslie condemned and punished if that we neglect to doo thy will which through thy grace thou hast reuealed graunt vs the fruit of this thy care towards vs in the strength of faith that hauing read and heard so notable things in this his holie storie and acts and writings of the holie Apostles recorded and left vnto vs by so true and most faithfull witnesses appointed and ordeined therevnto by thee we may now by the effectuall working of thy holie spirit receiue and acknowledge him for thine onlie sonne and our onlie sauiour to the saluation of our soules and the glorious praise of thy name and so being lead from one witnesse to another we may according to thy holie word go from faith to faith till we atteine to the euerlasting life which thou hast prepared for vs in thy sonne to whome with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honor glorie and praise both now and for euer Amen Before the Sermon or Homilie read some of these sentences of Scripture exhorting to the attentiue hearing of the word Deuteronomie 18. THE Lord said to Moses I will raise them vp a Prophet from among their breethren like vnto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speake vnto them all that I shall command him vnto him shall yee harken And whosoeuer will not harken vnto my words which he shall speake in my name I will require it of him Psalme 119. GReat is the peace they haue which loue thy lawe and they are not offended at it Prouerbs 8. BLessed is that man or woman that heareth me watching dailie at my gates and giuing attendance at the posts of my doores For he that findeth me findeth life and shall obteine fauour of the Lord but he that sinneth against me hurteth his owne soule and all that hate me loue death Prouerbs 28. HE that turneth awaie his eare from hearing the lawe euen his praiers shall be abhominable VVisdome 3. WHo so despiseth wisdome discipline is miserable and their hope is vaine and their labours are foolish and their works vnprofitable and their wiues are vndiscreet their children wicked and their of-spring is accursed Ecclesiasticus 5. BE humble to heare the word of God that thou maist vnderstand it and make a true answere with wisdome Be swift to heare good things and followe the word of peace and righteousnesse Luke 11. THE Queene of the South shall rise in iudgement with the men and women of this generation and shall condemne them For she came from the vttermost parts of the earth to heare the wisdome of Salomon and behold saith Christ of himselfe a greater than Salomon is heere speaking vnto you Iohn 8. HE that is of God heareth Gods word Yee therefore heare them not because ye are not of God Reuelation 2. LET him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith to the Churches or congregation c. A praier for the heedfull hearing of Gods word FOR as much O most mercifull God as faith without the which it is impossible to please thee in anie thing we doo commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God in so much as he or she that turneth awaie his eare frō hearing the lawe euen his praier shall be abhominable and turned into sinne yea bicause also it is a farre more blessed thing to heare and keepe thy word than to haue had the honour to haue borne or nursed thine owne sonne grant vs grace therefore I