to thy worde By this shal men know that ye are my disciples if ye loue one another Which loue ought to be the rule of al our actions For al things are to be examined by the rule of charitie which being banished al other gifts are corrupt and profite nothing We besech thee by thine hote burning and abundant loue enflame our cold harts with the affection of vnfained good wil that we may loue thee the Father and the holie Spirit in one eternal and inseperable essence aboue al things with our whole hart with al our soule and with al our strength and keepe that commandement which againe peculiarlie thou didst commend vnto vs saieng A new commandement giue I vnto you that yee loue one another as I haue loued you that euen so ye loue one another Thou likewise O Sonne of God when thy death was nigh didst beg that the loue where with the eternal Father loueth thee may be in thy seruants Expresse in vs the similitude of thy good wil and turne vs into such a shape that our soules by the light and motion of the holie Spirit may be coupled with thine eternal Father and that the image of like integritie knowledge righteousnes and affections may shine in vs as doth in thee which art the brightnes of the eternal Father in the most pleasant and perpetual harmonie Raise vp in vs a desire of brotherlie and entire good wil that euery one may haue a care to helpe his brother euen as members of one bodie haue a mutual compassion ech of other so we may loue among our selues vnfainedlie and abounde in mutual friendship one towards another that our harts may be confirmed and vnblameable in holines before God. Giue grace that our loue may be perfect wanting no part due vnto the same not fained false or hypocritical not waiward tedious disdainful nor hunting after profit Grant therefore that we may abhor that which is euil and be affectioned to loue one another with brotherlie loue Make vs patient bountiful not enuious no boasters not puffed vp not proud no seekers of our owne not easie to be moued vnto anger no thinkers of euil no reioicers in wickednes but reioicers in the truth to suffer al things beleeue al things hope al things and so to loue one another mutuallie not in word and tong onlie but in deede and truth not abusing christian libertie as an occasion vnto the flesh but by loue to serue one another Inflame our brests that after thine example we may vnfeinedlie loue euen our verie enimies and blesse them that cursse vs doe good vnto them which hate and hurt vs leauing reuengement alwaies to thee O lambe of God which takest away the sinnes of the worlde take from vs al bitternes anger and wrath and crieng and euil speaking with al maliciousnes For he which loueth not his brother knoweth not God but abideth in death and doth vainlie boast against the truth Grant therefore to vs which are translated from death to life that retaining the studie of concord we may loue one another and put away bitter emulation forgiuing al men euen from the hart euen as thou hast forgiuen vs. Let not the sunne go downe vpon our wrath giuing place to the Diuel but let vs be quiet putting on tender mercie kindnes humblenes of minde meekenes and aboue al charitie which is the bond of perfection the ende of the commandement the fulfilling of the law so that by loue our faith may be fruitful and we at no time seuered from thee For thou art loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in thee and thou in him so that no creature can separate such a man from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu which liuest and raignest with the Father and the holie Spirit a true and one God in the loue of the perpetual vnitie worldes without ende Amen 4. A praier for the frute of the earth O Lord God almightie King of heauen and earth which of thine aboundant goodnes dost adorne and replenish the earth with al kinde of frute and graine whereby the life both of man beast is sustained We beseech thee euen of thy free mercie that thou wouldest vouchsafe to blesse our fields and ground and to make them prosperouslie to yeelde their corne and encrease For without thy blessing and fauor neither can the earth of it selfe bring foorth any whit nor we by our paines make the same to prosper Wherefore grant to al thinges springing from the earth a meete temperature of aire that luckilie they may take and encrease Keepe our frute vpon the face of the earth from al infection of the aire from thunder haile from vntimelie showers from too great drines and ouermuch heate from wormes hurtful beasts deuouring it before their prime and from al other corruption that our lande in thine anger be not desolate and denie vs frute enioieng hir woful Sabbaoth Shut not vp the heauens in thine indignation for our sinnes that it be not as iron nor our earth as brasse whereby it cannot be tilled ploughed nor sowed and so come to a verie plaine and vtter wildernes but of thy goodnes giue vs both the earelie and latter raine that we may haue abundance of al frute and a ioieful haruest with a plentiful vintage O God send a gracious raine vpon thine inheritance and giue thy blessing that our grounde may bring forth hir frute Cause thy raine to poure downe in due season that it may be raine of blessing whereby both trees may giue their frute and the grounde yeeld forth hir graine Grant also that the aier be pure from infection our bodies free from sickenes to our whole realme peace and quietnes that safelie without troble we may enioie thy gifts Driue away and repel from vs malediction and the destroier Giue vs not in steede of raine dust and ashes but open thy good treasure and visit the land with thy blessing make it drunken and enrich it abundantlie Thy riuer O Lorde is ful of water prepare our corne dispose our earth to prosper water abundantlie the furrowes of the same and cause the raine to descend into the valleies thereof make the same soft with showers and blesse our buddes Crowne the yeare with thy goodnes and let thy clowdes drop fatnes Let them drop vpon the pastures of the wildernes and make the litle hils reioice on euerie side Let the plaines be replenished with sheepe and the valleies with corne that the inhabiters of the earth may reioice and be merie O Lorde thou causest grasse to grow for cattel and herbes for the vse of mā thou bringest forth bread out of the earth and wine to make glad the hart of man
but that which may please thee and tend to the aduancement of thy glorie and health of our soules Gouerne thou our vnderstanding and wil and so direct al the cogitations of our hart that we may wholie be thine and sauor of nothing besides thee our God and Redeemer Teach vs the waie of thy Commandements O Lord and we wil keepe it vnto the ende Giue vs vnderstanding to keepe thy lawes and to loue thee our Lord God with al our hart with al our soule and with al our strength and let al thy restimonies be our delight and Counselers Comfort the soules of thy seruants for vnto thee O Lord haue we lifted vp our soules For thou Lorde art good and gentle and of great kindnes to as many as cal vpon thee Behold God earelie now this Morning we doe offer our selues a Morning sacrifice vnto thee a trobled spirit a broken and an humble hart O Lorde thou wilt not despise Make vs fit that we may likewise We see the workmanship of thine hands the Moone and Stars which thou hast ordained and we wil signifie thy glorie vnto al nations and among al people wil we declare thy wonderful things For thou art mightie O Lord and worthie to be praised great is thy virtue and thy power wonderful We thanke thee holie Father God of heauen because thou hast created by thy worde of power the vniuersal worlde with al the creatures and whatsoeuer is liueth or mooueth in the same By thy wisedome thou doest gouerne and by sending of thy Spirit as yet doest vpholde and cherish the same For al woods fruteful trees stones graine flowers herbes and al the grasse of the fielde hast thou ordained for the vse of man. We magnifie thee O God most wise for creating the sea springs of water by the power of thy worde and for giuing them virtue to bring forth fishes of al kinde to be eaten of man. We blesse thee O eternal God for making the superior and lower regions of the aier with al birdes and fethered foules of sondrie kindes for the foode of man. We glorifie thee for giuing the whole frame of this earth with al the creatures in the same vnto mankind and setting man ouer the works of thine hands hast subiected al things vnder his feete Al sheepe and oxen yea and al the beastes of the field The foules of the aire and the fish of the sea which walke through the paths of the sea Especially we praise thee our Lord and maker for making vs thy creatures reasonable men according to thine owne similitude for giuing vs reason and al the senses and for preseruing vs hitherto Thou didst nourish vs that wonderfully being within our mothers wombe and out thereof hast thou brought vs sound in al parts without imperfection and yet continuest thy fauor and dost keepe vs against al dangers and deliuerest vs from al euil and al these things dost thou of thy fatherlie and diuine goodnes without any merit or desert of ours for al which we are bound to thanke thee to praise thee to serue honor and obey thee We extol thy sacred Name O God most high for separating from the rest a Sabbaoth daie that so men cessing from their handie labor the better might serue and celebrate thine honor Who is he that can recite al the power of the Lorde or declare al his workes who can number out al his praises No man can vtter al his benefits Notwithstanding although we be miserable men and wretched sinners and therefore most vnmeete to extol thee according to thy deserts yet wil we not be stil we wil praise thee euermore to the vttermost of our power We wil declare thy iustice and mercie and while we liue wil we remember thy goodnes and at no time forget thy benefits O our soules praise the Lord we wil praise the Lord during our life we wil sing to the Lorde while we haue breath We wil be mindful of our maker euen from our youth and seeke him euermore yea euen vnto our old age and graie head O God forsake vs not vntil we haue declared thy power vnto al nations that are to come Praise the Lord al ye nations praise him al ye people For his louing kindnes is great toward vs and his truth endureth for euer Praise ye the Lord in his sanctuarie praise him in the firmament of his power Praise him in his mightie actes praise him according to his excellent greatnes Let euerie thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lorde 3. A praier for the remission of sinnes RIghteous and merciful God which art cleere from spot and sin al thy waies are mercie and truth We miserable folkes and wretched sinners acknowledge the horrible corruption of our nature and with humble and sorrowful harts bewaile our filthines whereby we haue polluted that image imprinted within vs at our first creation We openlie confesse that manie and great are our sinnes our offences wonderful our transgressions are infinite euen as the sand of the Sea which cannot be numbred For al the cogitations of mans hart are prone to euil euermore O Lord who knoweth his sinnes or who can recite al the transgressions of man Behold we confesse our offences and our sinne is alwaies before vs. Against thee onelie we haue sinned and done euil in thine eies that thou maiest be iust when thou speakest and pure when thou iudgest Behold we were borne in iniquitie and in sin did our mothers conceaue vs and those our sinnes haue we multiplied in our dailie transgressions and therefore haue deserued thy iust displeasure with paines eternal Notwithstanding we appeale vnto thy mercie O Lord beseeching thee not to enter into iudgement with thy seruants for no flesh is righteous in thy sight For if thou streitlie obseruest iniquities O Lorde who shal stand If thou wilt contend with mâ—n he shal not be able to answere thee one for a thousand For what is man that he shoul be cleane and he that is borne of a woman that he should be iust Behold thou foundest no stedfastnes in thy Saints yea the heauens are not cleare in thy sight How much more is man abominable and filthie which drinketh iniquitie like water Behold Lord we are al become vncleane and al our righteousnes is like a filthie cloute Wherfore we humbly beseech thee haue mercy vpon vs O God according to thy great mercy and according to the multitude of thy compassions doe away our iniquities Wash vs throughly from our iniquities and clense vs from our sinne For thy Name sake O Lord be merciful vnto our iniquitie for it is great Remember not the sinnes of our youth nor our rebellions but according to thy kindnes remember thou vs
likenes and breath into him the breath of life the which through thy goodnes continues at thy pleasure Thou hast made of one blood al mankind and assigned times and length of our life in this worlde Thou giuest life to the people on the earth and breath to the walkers therein which if thou take away they shal depart and be turned into dust We blesse thee heauenlie Father and with al our harts giue thee thanks not onelie for sauing vs this daie from dangers but also from our cradels for defending both our soules and bodies from death Wherefore magnifie the Lord O our soules and our spirits reioice in God our Sauior For he hath looked vpon the basenes and affliction of his seruants He that is mightie hath done for vs great things and holie is his Name Wherfore we wil praise the Lorde for euermore because his mercie endureth from generation to generation on such as feare him We wil shew forth his power in the euening and when we go to bed we wil remember his mercie Arise now our soules in the night praise your God In the beginning of the watches poure out your harts like water before the face of the Lord. The Saints wil be ioieful with glorie and sing loude vpon their beds We wil praise thee continuallie and wil confesse thy name for euermore for thou art the God which delighteth our harts and maketh merie our soules Therefore in the night we wil thinke vpon thy benefites and our spirits shal consider of them For thou hast commanded that thy mercie be celebrated in the day time and thy truth in the night O our Lord and God of mercie gentlenes patience pittie truth which shewest mercie vnto thousands and blottest out al our offences we lift vp our soules vnto thee and from our harts we pray put not before thine eies the horrible confusion vncleannes and wickednes of our mindes being replenished with lothsome darknes and ignorance ful of doubtings and errors our harts and wil are turned from thee our God and al the powers and strength both of our soules and bodies are defiled and filthilie weakened But Lord of thy great mercy blot out our offences looke vpon the trobles and dolor of our harts and forgiue al our sinnes For lo our soules are wounded and can not be holpen but onely through mercie There is no health in our flesh because of thine anger neither is there rest in our bones because of our sinnes For our iniquities haue gone ouer our heads and as an heauie burden haue pressed vs downe Our wounds are putrified and corrupt because of our foolishnes Asswage thine anger and turne from thine indignation pardon our faults remit al punishment and restore in vs the light of thy goodnes 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 doe we cal vnto thee that remitting our sinnes thou wouldest receiue vs into thy protection and keepe vs this night that the diuel haue no power ouer vs. Be thou watchful ouer vs O eternal Sauior least the subtil 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 celestial warriers thine Angels which being filled with perfect goodnes and perpetual integritie behold thy face alwaies in the heauens Expel from vs and our houses wicked spirits which be our mortal 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 peaceably we may rest and sleepe in quiet We wil lay vs downe in peace slepe for thou Lord alone makest vs to dwel 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 Lorde thou art our keeper and our refuge O God we wil trust in thee and wil feare no danger And although we were in extreeme darknes yet wil we not feare Though we should walke in the mids of the shadow of death yet wil we dread none euil For thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe they doe comfort vs. Let thy mercie O God follow vs al the daies of our life that we may dwel in thine House in longnes of daies praising thee euermore with the Sonne and holie Ghost one true God raigning worlds without ende Amen 1. On Mondaie Morning praier BLESSED be the Lorde God which alone doth woonderous things and blessed be the name of his Maiestie for euermore which hath set the Sunne to lighten the daie and ordained the Moone with the course of stars to go before the night O most hie God the day is thine and the night is thine thou hast framed the light and the Sunne By thine vnspeakeable wisedome thou hast distinguished the daie and the night and so hast thou decreed that while the world shal last this course of times and daies shal neuer haue an ende so that man in the night may rest and againe when daie comes go about his busines and labor vntil the euening O Lord thy truth endureth for euer thou laiedst the foundation of the earth and it endureth by thine appointment the daie doth last for al are thy seruants For these and al other thy benefites we praise thee greatlie giue thee thanks for thy exceeding glorie euen as it becometh vs euerie daie to preuent the Sunne rising to blesse thine holie Name and to worship thee at the appearing of the daie star We extol thine infinite goodnes in like sort for keeping vs this night past both from the power and tyrannie of Satan from the snares subtiltie of al our enimies and finallie from dangers both of soule and bodie For of thy singular goodnes and fatherlie care thou hast made vs quietlie to sleepe and rest this night againe thou hast suffered vs to awake and opened our eies giuing them power to see and behold the morning light which now appeareth Therfore we wil sing of thy power praise thy mercie in the morning for thou art our defence and refuge in the daie of our troble O our helper we wil praise thee with al our harts and glorifie thy Name for euer For great is thy mercie toward vs thou hast deliuered our soules from the lowest graue Hadest not thou bin our defence innumerable euils had ouerwhelmed vs so that we should not haue risen to praise thy Name Had not thy word bin our comfort we had without doubt perished in our
from aboue but earthlie sensual and diuelish For where emulation and strife is there is sedition and al manner of euil works Grant therefore that al of vs being humble may be exalted to eternal life Amen 5. A praier for wedded folkes O Most holie God and mercisul father which of thy singular prouidence and woonderful wisedome diddest ordaine matrimonie in Paradyse and that in the time of innocencie for the multiplieng and conseruation of mankinde thereby to gather vnto thy selfe continuallie out of godlie families an holie catholike church which may rightly acknowledge serue and celebrate thine holie name for euermore and deliuer the true vnderstanding of thee vnto posterities by one generation to another This thine institution did thy Sonne God coequal with thee and coeternal confirme and adorne in Cana of Galile by turning water into good wine A notable honoring of mariage doubtles for Christ not onlie to be present himselfe at the nuptial feast but also to set out the same with the first myracle that he wrought after his natiuitie Likewise thy holie Spirit doth witnes by the worde deliuered vnto vs and saith that mariage is honorable among al. And the same thy Spirit reioiceth in three things which are commended both before God and man in the concorde of brethren in the loue of neighbors and in a man and wife that agree wel together For such as be at variance can neither cal vpon thee as they should nor please thee as they ought O eternal God it is sufficientlie apparent with what a rage and insatiable hatred Satan the most deadlie enimie to al thy works doth labour and set himselfe to the breaking of and ouerthrow of this thy sacred ordinance Wherefore we beseech thee impart thy fauor vnto al maried folks that they may acknowledge thee to be the autor and institutor of this knitting together in wedlock and knowe and beleeue stedfastlie that they are in a good estate wherein they may please thee through christ thy Sonne For hauing this comfort they wil more willinglie and cheerefully discharge the duties of their calling in true confidence and calling vpon thy Name But such as doubt of their kinde of life hauing their conscience wounded trobled minds can neither cal vpon thee truelie nor cheerefullie go about and finish their affaires Grant therefore vnto al and euerie married bodie that in true faith and confession they may retaine the indissoluble chaine of wedded state and the strong bonds of godly fellowship that they may loue one another and in the sweate of their browes eate their bread and bring vp their children in al godlines through instruction and information of the Lorde and neuer feare the crosse which accompanieth this kinde of life Worke so that Satan by no meanes weaken and ouerthrowe this thine ordinance nor that married folkes wearied with the trobles of wedded life raise mortal hatred among themselues and so detest and abhor this thine holie institution seeke vnlawful diuorcements For by this engine of incredulitie and snare of mistrust being comprehended they wil easilie rush headlong into enormous offences by casting of the yoke of the Lorde and be carried through dissention into horrible cōfusions of concupiscence to adulterie whoredome wicked forsakings so long til polluted with filthie spots and defiled with most horrible staines they bring themselues hedlong into euerlasting torments Grant therefore O most merciful God that al at debate may come to amitie and be reconciled in thy Name and being mindful of the knot of mariage and mutual bond betweene them may dwel and liue peaceablie together in true faith and feare of thy Name That husbands abusing their auctoritie doe not exercise tyrannie ouer their wiues but rather loue them and dwel with them according to knowledge giuing honor vnto them as vnto the weaker vessels euen as to them which are also heires of grace and life Likewise that matrones contemne not their husbands denieng subiection but rather studie by chaste obedience and holie conuersation and lowlines to ouercome them Let neither hate other extremelie and so violate the state of mariage and bring themselues out of thy fauor through their discorde and contention wherby their praiers be interrupted For where neither part doe their dutie there must needes ensue first pouertie subtiltie lieng and al impietie afterward a wounded conscience and last of al vtter despaire O most chaste God which didst therefore institute the order of matrimonie that by the same both the weake nature of mankinde might liue purelie in lawful wedlock and an holie Church be gathered vnto thy selfe giue thy blessing to al which are married that they may haue godlie children their wiues proue like the fruiteful vine and their children appere like the oliue branches round about their table and may see their childers children the peace safetie of the Church the which Christ thy Sonne repairer of mankind by taking our flesh vpon him hath copled to himselfe which liueth and raigneth with thee in the vnitie of the holie Spirit a God for euermore Amen 6. A praier for yong folkes OMost merciful God and eternal Father which out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength of thy praise and wilt also that yong men and maidens old men and children should praise thee the eternal God in true confessing inuocating and celebrating of thy diuine maiestie through al generations for euermore Thou hast enioined vnto children that they shewe due honor subiection and reuerence to their parents and obeie them willinglie in al good and lawful things We beseech thee on the behalfe of al infants children and yonger sort as wel maidens as of the male-kind implant in them a true fear o◠thy Name that from their youth they may confesse thee to be the onelie true God and Iesus whom thou hast sent to be Christ and encrease daily in this wholesōe knowledge profiting as in yeeres so in fauor both before thee and men Let them not cast of the yoake of obedience and subiection neither yet abuse the gentlenes of their parents and elders vnto libertie of sinning nor by their hardnes and austeritie conceaue an hatred against them and refuse their correction but make them pacientlie to take the warnings and discipline of their parents in good part to the glorie of thy Name and saluation of their owne soules O Christ louer of mankind which cōmandest children to be brought vnto thee and receiuing them into thine armes in token of a singular and deere good wil laieng thine hands vpon them didst blesse them We beseech thee which for our sakes wast borne an infant and didst shed thy most innocent blood vpon the altar of the crosse aswel for infants as for elder folkes blesse thou al infants and children impart thy grace vpon them that they may feare thee and haue their parents in great reuerence according to thy wil which
the testimonie of a good conscience knowing that we are punished vndeseruedlie not as murtherers or theeues or euil doers or busiebodies in other mens matters And suffering as Christians let vs not be ashamed but glorifie God on that behalfe Giue vs grace to account it for exceeding ioie when we fal into diuers tentations and afflictions and to glorie therein For affliction bringeth forth patience patience experience experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed And let their example which before vs did suffer the like in their bodies be a comfort vnto vs For so did the vngodlie persecute the Prophets which were before vs. And especiallie thy steps which are left to be followed are aboue al to be allowed of For thou diddest saie The seruant is not greater than his maister if they haue persecuted me they wil persecute you also Finallie giue grace that respecting the vnspeakable reward which of thine onelie mercie thou diddest promise to al which perseuer vnto the ende by thine assistance we may ouercome al the greeuousnes of affliction For blessed dost thou pronounce them which suffer persecution for righteousnes sake for theirs is the kingdome of heauen that when they are prooued they may receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to such as loue thee Wherefore indue al in affliction with thy fortitude from aboue that with a bolde and stoute courage they may reioice that they are counted worthie to suffer shame and al kindes of affliction for thy Name Make them constant in the true confession that through the consideration of cruel punishment they depart not from the faith and forsake the profession of true religion Likewise shew forth thine omnipotencie with thy mightie hand deliuer them from the power of Tyrans from the mouthes of Lions and violence of fire And as concerning such whose bodilie deliuerance were not best but are fittest for martyrdome those strengthen in the middes of paine that they feare not such as kil the bodie but cannot kil the soule that being afflicted according to thy wil they may commit the keeping of their soules to thee with wel doing as vnto a faithful Creator and so though they leese as may seeme their soules in this world yet shal they find them safe and blessed in another life which is eternal where thou liuest and raignest with the Father in the vnitie of the holie Spirit a God for euermore Amen 6. A praier for Widowes and Orphanes O Most merciful and faithful God father of orphanes iudge of widowes Looke downe from heauen thou which considerest our labor and sorow and in whose hands al our saluation doth consist The poore is left vnto thee for thou art the helper of the fatherles The Lord doth heare the desire of the poore thou preparest their harts and thine eare harkeneth thervnto to helpe the fatherles and widowe vnto their right that the man of the earth be no more exalted against the miserable We beseech thee O most righteous auenger haue thou a consideration of al widowes and orphanes and prouide for them by ministring clothes nourishment vnto them haue pittie on them in al their perils and necessities stretch out thine helping hande and deliuer them as thou didest that widowe whose pitcher of oile by the Prophet Elias thou didest so encrease with thy blessing that not onlie she deliuered hir children in bondage for debt out of the hands of hir creditors but also of the oile she sold had wherewith to sustaine both hir selfe and hir children For thou art the Lord which carest for strangers and relieuest the fatherles and widowes but destroiest the waies of the vngodlie Thou art touched with a care of the afflicted and despisest not the desires of the fatherles nor the widow when she poureth out hir praiers before thee For the teares running downe the cheekes of the widow ascend vp into the heauens and hir crie against him which wringes it out Grant therefore merciful God that in the sight of al gouernors and iudges they may find fauor and haue equal iudges and patrones of their matters that the iudgement of the stranger and fatherles be not peruerted nor the cause of the widow neglected but that iudgement may be sought according to thy lawe the oppressed holpen iudgement giuen for the orphane and the widowe defended For thou hast giuen a straight commandement vnto al iudges saieng Keepe equitie and righteousnes deliuer the oppressed from the power of the oppressor doe not grieue nor oppresse the stranger the fatherles nor the widowe and shed none innocent blood For thou art the God which wil auenge thine elect that crie vnto thee thou keepest truth for euer and euer doing iustice to the oppressed with wrong Now deliuer O Lord the fatherles and widowes out of the pawes of rauening theeues which eate vp the houses of widowes vnder the pretence of godlines and colour of right Deliuer them out of the hands of wicked iudges which faine and inuent lawes to suppresse the poore and to hurt the cause of the base among the people that widowes may be a praie for them and that they mayâ—rob the fatherles such peruerse iudges O God in the daie of their visitation and calamitie from a far thou wilt vtterlie destroy Appoint vnto orphanes and widowes faithful patrones which wil be touched with an earnest care of their welfare Also giue vs willing mindes to pleasure widowes and fatherles children according to our habilitie to deliuer the poore when he crieth and the fatherles which hath none to helpe to helpe him that is readie to fal to comfort the widowes hurt euermore to be as fathers to the fatherles and from our tender yeares to minister instruction to the widowe and suffer them neuer to perish but in blessing to blesse them and to fil them with bread For pure religion and vndefiled before thee O God our Father is to visit the fatherles widowes in their aduersitie and to keepe our selues vnspotted of the world For he which is merciful towards the orphane as a father sheweth himselfe as an husband towards his mother in taking the defence of their cause vpon him he shal be as an obedient sonne of the Hiest and thou God wilt more fauor him than a mother can pittie hir sonne But they which despise the sight and teares of the widowe keepe back their loafe that the fatherles eate not thereof and suffer them to perish for want of clothing and apparel yea which lift vp their hands to afflict them shal greuouslie be punished their shoulders shal fal from their ioints and their armes be broken from the bones of them O merciful God extende thy fauor vpon al widowes that at al times and in al afflictions they may trust in thee the liuing God and continue
sinnes nor guiltie of their condemnation neither wilt thou require their blood at mine hands Wherefore againe and againe I beseech thee assist me euermore that through an open and bold reprehending of their wickednes I may deliuer my soule in the daie of wrath and teach thy waies vnto the wicked whereby the vngodlie may repent Finallie so blesse me with thy fauor that I may walke in thy feare as it becommeth me and be an ensample of good life vnto my flock least while I preach vnto others my selfe proue a castawaie that in no case through my wicked conuersation I giue occasion to anie man of blaspheming thy worde and that in trobles and persecutions I faint not but may suffer patientlie the reproch of this world and the manifold trobles that Satan stirreth vp to disquiet thy Church Grant also to as manie as shal heare thy worde from my mouth that they may firmelie with me beleeue the same and be the followers of me as I followe thee and haue consideration of such as walke so as becommeth Christians that together we may continue in faith and patience euen for thine owne sake Amen A praier for anie hearer of Gods worde I Giue thee most hartie thanks O eternal God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ for that it hath pleased thee of thine vnspeakable mercie and goodnes in al ages continuallie to sende into the worlde men wonderful in thy gifts and knowledge of thy wil to be renuers and spreaders forth of thy truth Like thankes I ascribe vnto thy sacred Maiestie for allowing vs shepherds and preachers in these our daies for the gathering together of thy Church out of al mankinde to the building of the bodie of Christ. Humblie I beseech thee gratious GOD continue alwaie among vs thy pure worde through thy ministers gather vnto thy selfe an euerlasting Congregation so instruct mine hart with thy Spirit of truth that vnfainedlie I may assent to thy wholesome worde proue a liuelie member of thy bodie and be incorporated into that societie which both in this world doth syncerelie confesse thee and euermore extol thine holie Name Keepe those Preachers which thou dost and wilt giue in the certaine knowledge of thy blessed wil that they may from time to time both open vnto vs thine intent concerning the repairing of mankinde the saluation and redemption of our soules through thy free mercie and also teach vs how to liue in new obedience and to abstaine from carnal desires which fight against the soule Inspire thy ministers and preachers of thy word with thine holie Spirit that they may vtter thy wil purelie as they haue receiued it from thine hands retaining the forme of wholesome words and sounding onlie that doctrine which is vttered by thy Sonne out of thy bosome For otherwise departing from the order of faith and the rule of thy worde they wil greatlie obscure the light of thy doctrine and obtrude vpon vs the vanitie of their owne inuentions Wherefore let them speake thy word not deceiptfullie but syncerelie euen as from thee and in thy sight Grant also that by transforming thy ministerie into policie they Lord not ouer thine elect neither contend about superioritie and primacie in thy Church but onelie to seeke the glorie of thy Name and the saluation both of themselues and vs. Giue them libertie of speech boldlie without feare to blame and rebuke al false doctrine blasphemous superstition and abuses in thy Church Open vnto them the doore of vtterance that they may speake the mysteries of Christ and manifest them as they ought to doe so shal their doings be profitable vnto the godlie Assist them also with thine especial grace that they disgrace not their doctrine by impuritie of life but let their conuersation answere vnto the doctrine which they teach and preach Especiallie for the shepherd of my soule frō whose mouth I learne thy blessed wil I hartilie praie that thou wilt keepe him in religion syncere and pure from enormous offences in outward conuersation endue him with a long and healthful life if it be thy good pleasure that manie a good daie and yeere he may continue in preaching the gladsome voice of thy gratious Gospel among vs without contention and strife And O Sonne of God which art the Lord of al the flock worke thou effectuallie by thy preachers speake thou within vs to our harts the blessed wil of thine eternal Father and confirme thy doctrine in our minds by thine holie Spirit Grant that we may truelie know and discerne the same from the houling of wolues and from the inchanted songs of seducing hirelings and grant that we may know thee euen as thou knowest thine heauenlie Father and to walke religiouslie and righteouslie in thy sight shewing our selues to be of that holie seede which praiseth thy Name for euermore Come holie Spirit open mine hart and eares that I may conceaue the profite of thy wholesome doctrine and the sweete comfort reuealed in thine holie word by the preaching of the Gospel O Lorde I acknowledge with teares my sluggishnes carelesnes in seeking thy truth and bewaile the wretched coldnes and hardnes of mine hart beseeching thee to endue me with an vnfained longing and an ardent desire of holie Sermons Grant that in this life I may worship the feete of the preachers of peace and reuerence the true dispensors of thy mysteries thy faithful ministers with doble honor and none otherwise to obeie their godlie sermons than I woulde if a voice should sounde from the heauens Let me not for the blemishes and imperfections of some particular men vnreuerentlie conceaue of thine whole ministerie Worke also within me that despising thy word deliuered vnto vs I neuer seeke after strange reuelations or violent rauishings both besides and contrarie to thy worde but bearing alwaies in minde the order which thou hast appointed may constantlie embrace thy word manifested in the Church Finallie impart such grace vpon vs that we may imitate and folowe the good workes of holie men casting of the old man by putting on the new which is created after God in righteousnes and true holines Amen A praier for a Prince or Magistrate BLessed art thou Lord God of Sabbaoth For to thee appertaineth al magnificence and power and glorie to thee belongeth al honor and auctoritie For whatsoeuer is either in the heauens aboue or in the earth beneath it is thine Thine O Lord is the kingdome thou art aboue al Princes Kings Riches are thine glorie is thine and thou art Lorde ouer al. In thee remaineth virtue and power greatnes and gouernement O God of my Fathers Lord of mercie which hast made al things by thy word and by thy wisedome appointed man to rule the creatures which thou hast made and to gouerne the world with equitie and iustice I praise thee and extol thy glorious Name for appointing me
adorne me with the pretious stones of virtue and place vpon mine head glorie and honor that al mine ornament may be inward and that I may please thee through hoping in thy mercie For thou art mine husbande which louest me my God whom I worship and the head wherevnto I am subiect Giue me grace that I neuer delight in mine owne fairenes and so plaie the harlot following mine old louers which promise me bread and water wol flaxe oile drinke O God the holie Ghost which maintainest the loue of married folkes within our brests I humblie beseech thee inflame the heate of chaste affection betweene al married folkes Giue me wisedome discretelie to dwel with my wife considering alwaies that naturallie she is weake and for that cause I must beare with much foolishnes and swalowe vp manie sorrowes when I shal perceiue the weaknes of hir affections And for asmuch as I am the head of my wife giue mee grace with iudgement godlie both to instruct hir and to bring vp my familie in the knowledge and feare of thy Name Let me neither ouer nicelie bring them vp nor to roughlie entreate them but gently vse them that they may both continue in thy feare and yeeld me due obedience but especiallie liue godlie in thine eies Blesse thou my wife that she may proue a sweet companion vnto me louing mee vnfainedlie from the hart without dissimulation so that I may safelie trust in hir and she may render vnto mee good for good not euil for good O God which art a chaste minde make me with a chaste bodie and pure affectiō to serue thee in chaste matrimonie and neuer with a wicked eie to beholde the wife of another man to lust after hir neither yet to forsake my proper bed with the losse of my soule Driue awaie Satan the mortal enimie to this thine ordinance that he sowe not contentions braules betweene vs. Cut of al occasions of debate and sinister suspicions that so in a true conioining together of minds we may in this world liue virtuouslie and hereafter in the worlde to come raigne eternallie according to thy worde Amen Reade the praier for wedded folkes afore pag. 108. A praier for children OEternal and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesu Christ maker of heauen and earth which hast inioined vnto vs children that with due obedience we honor our parents which thing not onelie true religion doth exact but also natural reason doth binde vs vnto Besides thou art maruelouslie delighted with such obedience of children towarde their parents for thy Sonnes sake our Lorde And that the more willinglie we may obeie them thou hast made a singular promise of long life vnto vs. And as the obedience of children which they owe and shewe to their parents is exceedinglie grateful in thy sight so contrariwise obstinacie and disobedience is most vnsauerie and displeaseth thee The which may be gathered by the horriblenes of punishment which thou denouncest against stubborne and disobedient children I beseech thee therefore most humblie euen for thy Sonnes sake in whom onelie thou delightest lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that aboue al I may truelie and syncerelie acknowledge thee my principal Father of whom al the familie both in heauen and earth is named and in true inuocation and thankesgiuing obeie and in true holines and righteousnes serue thee my God and heauenlie Father from whom I drewe vital breath my soule and bodie with al the faculties and powers that I haue For which cause I am bound rather to obeie thee my maker than men and to be occupied in those things which belong to thee my Father which art in heauen and cheerefullie to go about that which thou hast enioined me Secondlie giue me grace to honor mine earthlie parents in deede and word in al patience and neuer to be a cause of their sorow and griefe of minde And when their vnderstanding shal faile through age be it far fro me that I doe either disdaine or deride them albeit I am beautified with neuer so excellent gifts of nature but make me to beare with the weaknes of their age as I am bound both by thy word and in conscience to doe so shal I be blessed For he which honoreth his parents shal haue ioie of his owne children and when he maketh his praier he shal be heard O Lord forgiue thou my sinnes whereby I haue offended my louing parents O remember not the sinnes of my youth nor my rebellions but according to thy mercie remember thou me euen for thy goodnes sake O Lord. Let the example of thy Sonne my Sauior Christ which in his childhoode was obedient vnto his parents be depainted and fixed alwaies in my minde the better to obeie them which begat and haue brought me vp and to relieue them being weake either through age or sicknes For he which forsaketh his father shal come to shame and he that angreth his mother is cursed of God. Likewise let it please thee to giue me a willing hart to obeie my teachers and betters and to omit no part of dutie and reuerence which I owe so that I may alwaies declare my selfe to be a decliner from euil and a doer of good a seeker of peace and a follower of the same O Christ Iesu which hast giuen to weake yeeres the benefit of docilitie giue likewise to the towardnes of my nature the aide of thy grace that I may learne good nurture and liberal artes seruing to the aduancement of thy glory wherby the more easilie I may attaine to the knowledge of thee whom to know is perfect happines and felicitie For thou art the fountaine from whence al wisedome vnderstanding proceedeth without whom al our studies lacke good successe Wherefore at thy hands doe I beg wisedome which giuest liberallie without reproching any man. Lighten thou mine vnderstanding with thy grace that hauing learned the liberal artes and the tongues I may applie them to those endes wherevnto they serue that according to thy sacred infancie I may profite as in yeeres so in wisedome and virtue both afore thee and man O God the holie Ghost purifie mine hart by a liuelie faith that I spend not my time in vaine pleasure cockering mine affections Extinguish in me the flames of doting and filthie loue and let me neuer serue the lust of the flesh like horse and mule which haue none vnderstanding Thine hands O Lord haue made and fashioned me O giue me vnderstanding that I may learne thy Lawe I am smal and of no reputation yet wil I neuer forget thy righteousnes For thy righteousnes is a perfect righteousnes and thy Lawe is truth Amen Vse the praier for yong folks which you shal finde afore pag. 114. A praier against the Turke or anie other foraine Tyrans O Omnipotent eternal God Father of