thy mercy be fauourable vnto me as thou hast euer beene for though I were driuen to seeke the farthest parts of the earth yet will I call for thy direction yea when I am tormented with cares I haue no other refuge to flie vnto but onely to thee O my God wherefore in mercy looke on me and in thy good time take me vp into the place of ioy prepared for thy elect where I may praise thee for euer for how hast thou in great mercy dealt with me in being vnto me an euerlasting tower of defence against mine enemies and though by reason of the retchlesnesse and frailty of my corrupt nature I haue eftsoones swarued from thy holy word yet I beseech thee O deare father deale fauourably with me and lay not my offences vnto my charge but shew thy selfe a louing and mercyfull God towards me and pour on me thy gifts of grace that I may be holy vnto thee and accepted in thy fight so shall my life be prolonged yea so happy indeed as it shall neuer decay and I shall resort to thy tabernacle in peace where I shall be satisfied with the fruition of thy fauour and be sustained with mercy and truth for euer direct me continually with thy holy spirit and teach me good Lord to hate the waies of the wicked erect my minde to the contemplation of thy heauenly mysteries and receiue me both now and euer into thy gratious protection for my aduocat Iesus Christ his sake Amen A prayer against the feare of death O Eternall God and mercifull father from the depth of my weake heart doe I laud and glorifie thee for all the benefits bestowed on me from the beginning of my life vnto this present especially for the blessings of my election redemption vocation iustification and sanctification in Christ Iesus Thou hast deliuered me from the cruelty of my aduersaries and made me an inheritour of thy kingdome and thy childe by adoption yet thou hast giuen me notwithstanding my vnthankfulnesse the earnest penny of my saluation and in mercie hast reconciled me in Christ whilst I was yet a grieuous enemie vnto thee thou tookest me out of the blinde dungeon of carelesse ignorance to render thankes vnto thee and to call vpon thy name in all which thou hast caused me to proceed and profit vnto this day wherein thy pleasure seemeth to incline me towards the greatest benefit that euer I yet tasted that is to free me from the extremities of this life and to bring me to that heauenly liberty where shall be no bitternesse Now therefore O deare Father for Iesus Christ his sake erect my mind towards thee and as at all times of my life hitherto thou hast nourished and preserued me so now in my last need visit and regard me O God that as the enemie will now bend his force against me so thou with thy louing protection and holy spirit wilt comfort me and with thy presence defend me that my faith still increasing with armed patience I may dispise the feare of this bodies death knowing that it is the vnauoidable way that thou hast appointed to doe away my mortalitie and to bring my soule to rest to yelde praises vnto thee in ioyes euerlasting which thy prouidence hath ordained me vnto so instruct me therefore to number my daies that I may apply my heart to thy eternall wisdome teach me sweet Lord as heretofore to liue so now to frame my end that it may redound to thy glory whereunto with a fighting heart I humbly beseech thee that my vnderstanding may alway be lightned with the feeling of my owne infirmitie and that in all perfect humilitie I may flie from the mind of all earthly stay and so not fainting in my farewell but cleaning to thy promises and apprehending thy saluation with sure hope I may expect the dissolution so beholding thee with the eyes of my faith I may grow as by degrees weaker in bodie so fuller and stronger in spirit so that when the last breath is passed my soule in the bosome of Abraham may ioyfully respire the triumphant odors of an endlesse life Amen A prayer for Chirurgians O Most merâ—ifull God and louing father we most earnestly beseech thee let the eye of thy mercie behold vs and harken to the humble sutes of thy poore seruants that with penitent hearts doe appeale before thee requiring pardon for our iniquities committed daily against thy diuine maiestie vouchsafe O Lord of thy wonted goodnesse to extend and shew thy fauourable pittie and compassion towards vs and lay not our sinnes vnto our charge but put them quite out of thy memory for Christ his sake thy dearely beloued sonne our sauiour and graunt that we may render vnto theé coÌ„tinual thanks for thy manifold benefits and eternall mercies that thou of thy tender loue dost daily bestow vpon vs. Assist vs also with thy grace that we may neuer cease to sing praises vnto thee for our election creation and redemption we beesech thee O Lord to giue vs the true knowledge of that Art whereunto thou hast called vs thereby to maintaine our selues and our families from the extremities of this sinnefull world and momentaneous life for we doe not onely depend vpon thy fatherly prouidence but doe confesse O Lord that euery good and perfect gift commeth from thee therefore be mindfull wee beseech thee of thy seruants and indue vs with thy blessings of wisdome and vnderstanding fith that thou alone hast elected and ordained vs as instruments to minister those thy rich and plentifull gifts which thou hast appointed for the health and reliefe of mankind vouchsafe to giue vs the gift of healâ—ng that we may frame our selues to doe thy will therein and be a comfort to such as lie in miserie and cruell paine by occation of bodily sicknes and externall casualties and hereunto so ioine the increase of thy grace holy spirit that all our actions may be guided according to the rule of thy deuine precepts and commaundements that our consciences be not spotted in thy sight but may remaine pure and holy euen as thou O Lord art holy alwaies reuoking to memorie our duties and necessarie vocation whereby our hearts may be continually stirred vp to call for thy assistance remooue from vs all hatefull and euill thoughts with the couetous desire of filthie lucre and incite in vs a consideration of the wofull estate of the poore and needie that we may relieue their necessitie with such good things as thy fatherly goodnesse and vnspeakeable prou dence in greater measure hath blessed vs withall Respect vs O Lord in thy mercie that those things which we goe about may prosper with us and that all our labours which we shall take in hand may be blessed and brought to good successe by thy assistance and fatherly protection to the honour and glorie of thy holy name credit of thy church comfort of our Christian brethren and our owne saluation graunt vs this O Lord
daies at Blackborne Gisborne in Yorkshire at Chalton 6 d Eugenie confess  7 e Enurcius bishop  8 f Nati of Mary  9 g Siluius bishop  10 A Gorgony mart  11 b Porthy Iacint  12 c Martiman  13 d Amanti  14 e Holy Rood  15 f Lambert  16 g Edith virgine  17 A Timotheus The xiiii day being Holy Roode day at Richmond in Yorkshire at Rippon a horse faire at Waltam abbey at Chesterfield 18 b Victor Coron  19 c Ianuarie mart  20 d Fast  21 e Matthevv apostle  22 f Mauricius 14. The Sunne in Libra 23 g Tecla virgin  24 A Andochius mart Matthevv apost At Marlborough at Bedford at Croiden at Sittingborne at Douer at Shrewsbury 25 b Firmin bishop  26 c Ciprâ—an and Iust  27 d Cosme Damia 29. Michael archangel At Canterburie at Blackborne at Westchester at Cockermouth at Leicester 28 e Ecuperie bishop  29 f Michael Archan  30 g Ierom priest  October hath xxxi dayes 1 A Remigius bishop  2 b â—eodagare mart The iiii day at Michel 3 c Candidie matyr The vi day at S. Faiths besides Norwich at maidestone 4 d Francis martyr  5 e Faith virgin The viii day at Harnord at Herbrough and at Bishop Stapford 6 f Gerionis  7 g Marcie Mart. On S. Edwardâ— day at Graues end at Marshfield at Windsor at Colthester at Charing at Roiston 8 A Apolonaris mart  9 b Pelagi virgin  10 c Linus confessor  11 d Denyâ—e his fel. 14. The Sunne in Scorpio 12 e Nichasins bishop 18. Luke Euang. At Cely at Wrickle at Vpan at Thirst at Friswides in Oxford at Tisdale at Bridgenorth at Scanton 13 f Wilfâ—ide bishop  14 g Trans Ed. king  15 A Ealixt bishop  16 b Wolfran bishop at Burton vpon Trent at Charlton at Wigan in lancashire at Holt in Wales 17 c Michael of the mo  18 d Luke Euang.  19 e Etheldrede vir  20 f Frideswide virgi The xxi day at Saffron Walden at New Market at Hertford at Ciceter at Stokecley 21 g Austreberte vir  22 A Xi M. virgines  23 b Mary Salome  24 c Romaine bishop  25 d Maglory bishop  26 e Crispin and Cres  27 f Fast  28 g Simon and Iude On all Saints euen at Wakefield at Rithen 29 A Narcissus bishop  30 b Germane confess  31 c Fast  Nouember hath xxx dayes 1 d All saints All Saints 2 e All Soules  3 f Menefriede virg The ii day at Blechingly at Kingstone and at Maxfield 4 g Amantius  5 A Lete priest  6 b Leonard The vi day being S. Leonards day at Salforth at Stanly at Tregnie at Newportpond 7 c Wilbroade  8 d Foure crowned  9 e Theodore  10 f Martine The x. day Lenton 11 g Martine bishop The xi day at Marlborough at Douer 12 A Brise bishop  13 b Paterne martyr 13. The sunne in sagittarius 14 c Trans Orknew  15 d Macure bishop  16 e Dep. of Edmond The xiii day at S. Edmonds burie at Gilford 17 f Init. regni Elizab.  18 g Oct. Martine The xvii day at Low at Hide 19 A Elizabeth martyr  20 b Edmond king The xix day at Horsham 21 c Pres of Mary The xx day being S. Edmonds day at Hytch at Ingerstone 22 d Cicely virg  23 e Clement martyr The xxiii day at Sandwich 24 f Grisogon martyr  25 g Katherine virg  26 A Line martyr 30. Andrevv apostle At Colingborough at Rochester at Peterfield at Maidenhead at Bewdly at Bedford in Yorkshire 27 b Virales confess  28 c Rufus martyr  29 d Saturnini Fast  30 e Andrevv apostle  December hath xxxi daies 1 f Elegie bishop  2 g Libane martyr The v. day a faire at Plucklie 3 A Dep. of Osmond  4 b Barbara virgin The vi day at Spalding at Arnedale at Sinook at Exceter at Northwich in Cheshire 5 c Sabba bishop  6 d Nicolas bishop  7 e Octa. Andrew  8 f Conc. of Mary The vii day at Sandhurst 9 g Cyprian bishop  10 A Enlalie virgin The viii day being the conception of the Virgine Mary at Clitherall in Lancashire and at Malpas in Cheshire 11 b Antippe  12 c Damase confess  13 d Lucie virgin  14 e Nirasius virgin  15 f Otholie virgin  16 g O Saplentia 13. The Sunne in Capricornus 17 A Lazarus confess  18 b Gracian bishop S. Lucie the shortest day in the yeere 19 c Venetia virgin  20 d Fast  21 e Thomas apost  22 f XXX Martyrs  23 g Victor virgin  24 A Fast  25 b Christmas day  26 c Stephan martyr  27 d Iohn Euangelist  28 e Innocents day  29 f  The xxix day at Canterburie at Salisburie 30 g Trans of Iames  31 A Siluester mart  A beautifull Baybush A prayer for morning MOst gratious God deare Father we yeeld vnto thee froÌ„ the bottome of our harts most humble thankes in that it hath pleased thee not onely to defend and preserue vs this night from all our enemies both ghostly and bodily but also of thy fatherly pittie to giue vnto these our earâ—hly and languishing bodies such sufficient sleepe and rest as hath satisfied the earnest desire of our weake and feeble nature And as thou of thy mercie hast safely brought vs to the beginning of this present day and shewed vs the light thereof so wee humbly beseech thee O God graunt that our soules may be spiritually lightened with the brightnesse of thy word and sacred misteries wherby we may walke in the steps of Christianitie lead a life agreeable to our vocation in Christ Iesus our Lord. Assist vs also with thy grace and holy spirit O God that we may neuer shrinke from thee for any earthly torments but dilligently applie our selues to the performance of thy will and giue our selues wholy therevnto hauing a strong and stedfast faith in the truth of thy promises Indue vs with wisedome from aboue that wee may dasly increase in the fulnesse of our sauiour Christ Beholde vs with the eye of thy mercy and vouchsafe to defend vs that commit our selues wholly vnto thee both now and euermore Giue vnto vs a heart alwaies affected to honor thee a mind euer meditating of thy righteousnesse and a spirit burning with zeale of thy worship that wee may warily stand vpon our guard and neuer yeéld to the trecherie of the aduersarie Blesse and prosper our enterprises O Lord that whatsoeuer we take in hand we may by thy direction bring it to good successe and euermore praise thy holy name for thy gratious assistance and singular goodnes grant this O father for Iesus Christ his sake our only sauiour and redeemer An Euening
in Christ Iesus Amen A prayer or thankesgiuing for Gods benefits bestowed vpon vs. COnduct and preserue me O Lord for in thee alone doe I trust thou art my health and the portion of my inheritance yea thou hast blessed me with increase and allotted vnto me a faire heritage graunt therefore O Lord that with reuerence I may render vnto thee due thankes for all the blessings which thou hast lent me and may imploy the same to the benefit of thy children let thy feate be euer apparant before mine eyes that I may liue vprightly in thy sight saue me O God from the daungerous euents of this trouâ—lesome and wretched life and hold thy hand continually ouer me to defend my cause against the furie of my aduersaries guide me O God in all my wayes that my course may be ruled according to thy word whereby I may faithfully perseuere with all dutifull obedience in that necessarie vocation whereunto thy onely goodnesse hath ordained me for so long as thy graces haue domâ—nion ouer me I am altogether stedfast and immouable wherefore I reioyce boâ—h in bodie and soule at thy wonderfull workes established within me thou quicknest me from the mind of earthly carefulnesse and makest me oftentimes to feele thy mercy and relieuest my conscience with the reuelation of thy word wherefore with delight shall I declare thy goodnes and praise thy name for euer and euer A prayer for aid in the time of afflictions COnsider my crie O Lord and giue eare vnto me that am oppressed helpe me O God and deliuer me against them that doe iniuriously resist me preserue thy seruant that flieth vnto thee and respect me in mercie that am continually conuersant in calling vpon thee refresh my soule which is lifted vp vnto thee for vnto thee alone doe I call and crie Thou art verily good and mercifull and vsest great clemencie vnto them that call on thee giue eare Lord vnto my prayer and hearken vnto my meditation for in the day of my trouble I will call vnto thee yea all nations shall extoll thy name because of thy wondrous workes teach me the way of thy righteousnes and I will walke therein knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy holy name I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart yea I will alwaies glorifie thy name for great is thy mercie towards me and thou hast deliuered my soule from the lowest graue O gratious God the prowd are risen against me the assembles and iniurious dealings of violent men haue sought my soule to destroy it vtterly and haue not set thee before them but thou O Lord God on whom onely I doe depend art kind and mercifull not hastie vnto anger but full of truth take care now of me therefore O Lord and helpe me for thy mercy sake graunt finally that I may manifestly know and perceiue that thou louest me that my enemies may be grieued and ashamed of themselues when they see that thou doest yeeld comfort and help vnto me so shall I be endued with greater ioy to serue thee and to yeeld vnto thee eternall praise and vncessant thankesgiuing for euer Amen A prayer crauing aid of God against all our enemies WIth speed O Lord come forth to deliuer me make hast to helpe and succour me my God let them be confounded and put to shame that pretend to doe me euil and let them be turned backward and put to endlesse confusion that desire my death let them turne home with shame as a recompence disappointed of their purpose which haue vaunted a-against me as though I had bene quite confounded and graunt thou O Lord that not I alone but all they also that haue a desire to worship thee may with a lowe voice ascribe all glorie vnto thee in reioycing and that they may delight to giue solemne and euerlasting praises vnto thee who hast in mercie deliuered thy seruant In the meane season I stand here all alone oppressed with the approach of daily sinnes and destitute of all succour yea and continually grieued with the troublesome assaults of Sathan which keepeth the soule in perpetuall bondage wherefore make hast and draw neere to helpe me O mercifull God for vpon thy gratious aid doe I onely depend O God my deliuerer O Lord. I beseech thee delay not longer but graunt me thy heauenly assistance that I feeling thy great kindnesse may henceforth applie my selfe wholy to the obseruation of thy lawes through Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all power and dominion for euer A prayer to be vsed of all men and at all times WIth the eye of mercy O God see into my sorrowfull soule and gratiously behold my inward cogitations and as thou hast oftentimes shewed thy selfe a most louing and mercifull Lord vnto thy seruants euen so with humble heart I earnestly beseech thee O God satisfie my mind with good things and couer my sins in the multitude of thy mercies change the frowardnes of my corrupt nature release thine anger preteÌ„ded towards me that I may worthâ—ly praise thee shew me thy mercy O deare father and grant me thy saluation instruct me continually by thy holy spirit in the reuelation of thy lawes that I may thereby perceiue thy will in all things and so lead a life acceptable in thy sight and vouchsafe O Lord euermore to graunt me thy heauenly wisdome that I may not be enclined to follie but knowing whereunto thou hast created me I may diligently â—roceed in that necessarie vocation that thy diuine prouidence hath called me vnto seruing thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of conuersation all the dayes of my life Graunt also O Lord that I may altogether imbrace thy true and a heauenly doctrine eschew all such things as are contrarie to thy will that so leading a life agreeable to my calling I may in the end attaine to the ioyes euerlasting A prayer and thankesgiuing vnto God to be vsed of euery man that hath been either troubled in body or mind TO thee O Lord doe I render continuall thankes for thou in mercie hast heard my voyce and inclined thine eare vnto the prayers and petitions of my mouth and therefore will I call vpon thee so long as I liue for when the most cruell snares of death compasseth me and when the dreadfull anguish of the graue held me being ouercome with the troubles of my sorrowfull heart then I called vpon the Lord saying O Lord I beseech thee come speedily and deliuer my soule and thou like a mercifull father didst send and and reliefe vnto me verily thou O God art mercifull and righteous full of truth and compassion for I waâ— in misery and thou didddest saue me O my soule enter now therefore into the place of rest seeing the Lord hath beene so beneficiall vnto thy safetie for he hath deliuered my life from death thou hast staied mine eyes from breaking out into teares and thou hast
when my weary daies O Lord shall draw to an end in leauing this life and earthly pilgrimage graunt me a strong and stedfast faith with speech and memorie euen to the end that so departing in peace I may rest with thee for euer Amen A prayer to be saide in any kinde of affliction ETernall God and father of all mercies I humbly beseech thée to bow down thine eares hearken vnto me poore sinner whose state is weake and feeble because of thy heauy displeasure but I confesse and acknowledge that it is a iust reward for my iniquities committed against thee respect me neuerthelesse in thy mercie and thinke not vpon my transgressions deliuer my soule endue me with all spirituall graces and consolation and continually keepe me in true faith and humble obedience towards thee neither let me murmure at thy chastisements but with patience endure thy correction it is in thée to deale with me at thy pleasure since thou createdst me of dust and slime of the earth and gauest me life and breath in my mothers wombe Wherfore O Lord I beseech thee suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength neither yet to be holden downe with greater afflictions then my weak nature is able to endure but rather aâ—cording to thy tender mercie support and relieue me that neither the flesh the world nor the diuell triumph in my weakenes giue me a feeling of thy mercies that thy graces neuer depart from me and when it pleaseth thee O Lord to bring to an end this miserable life graunt that I may with humble obedience towards thee and perfect faith in thy diuine promises neglect the state of this wretched world and rest with thee O Lord my God in that euerlasting kingdome which thou hast prepared for thy elect from the beginning of the world where I shall continually yeild praises vnto thee together with all the host of heauen for euer and euer Amen A prayer of thanksgiuing to God for his benefits COntinue thy goodnesse stil towards me O Lord that I may daily haue occasion to extoll thy praises for great cause doe I already retaine to land thy glorious name for euer because thou alone act my ioy and saluation and the strong citie whereunto I alwaies flie for succour thou hast euer bene my rocke and tower of defence open now therefore the gate of righteousnesse that I poore sinner may enter therin as one of thy children so shall I be preserued in peace I haue alwaies put my trust in thee stregthen me therefore I beseech thee with thy holy spirit and as thou art altogether righteous and iust so vouchsafe to instruct me in the path wherein I ought to walke for my soule reioyceth in thy truth and desireth thee in the night season yea and my spirit shall seeke thee in the morning how mercifully dost thou nourish thy people and how glorious doest thou make thy elect when I was in distresse I called vpon thee and when thou diddest chastise me I poured forth my prayers and thou like a louing Lord diddest shew mercy on me according to thy great kindenesse O deare father my soule now replenished with griefe because of my sinnes desireth to be receiued into thy eternall rest I was dead putrified through my sinnes and enuironed with dispaire because of my fall but thou of thy goodnesse diddest yeeld reliefe vnto me and made me aliue againe yea thou hast eleuated my soule out of the darknesse of death and ministred light vnto me that I might regard my footesteps thou hast vpholden my life from daungers and preferred me against the enuious mindes of the wicked thou hast defended me from such as rose vp against mâ— and sent me reliefe in my greatest necessitie yea thou hast plenteously indued me with all things and giuen me a tast of thy goodnesse Wherfore O most merciful God assist me with thy holy spirit that I neuer be vnmindfull of thy mercies but may extol thy glorious name for euer and euer Amen A prayer to be vsed before a man doth begin to trauell or take any iourney in hand REspect me thy vnworthie seruant O Lord with the eye of thy mercie for on thee dependeth my saluation and there is none but thou alone can bring sufficient reliefe and succour vnto my afflicted spirit Wherfore O God be mercifull vnto me and rule my heart in thy faith feare and loue with a carefull keeping of thy commaundements guide thou my footesteps O God and gouerne me with thy mightie hand that I fall not into the pit of destruction assist me with thy grace and holy spirit that I may both discerne and reiect those thinges that are contrary to thy law and saue me O God from the cruelty of such as seeke to oppresse my soule send me knowledge from aboue that I may conceiue rightly of thy heauenly mysteries and teach me O Lord so to order my life that acording to the precise rule of thy holy word and deuine precepts I may daily proceede in newnesse of life to the honor and glorie of thy name Indue me with all spirituall graces to stand against the subtile assaults and temptatious of my ghostly enemies that I may neuer quaile by his tirannie but giue him his finall repulse and vtter ouerthrow be thou my protector and defender most louing father that in all my waies I may be safely directed by thy mighty prouidence for thou art my refuge in all my troubles and in thy mercie will I stay my selfe for euer and my hope shall still rest in thee O God that liuest for euer A prayer for a man that is beset with aduersaries I Call and crie to thee O God with mourning voice beseeching thee to hearken vnto my groning sighes deliuer me from my troubles that oppresse mee grieuously for misery is come vpon me and there is none but thou alone can helpe me guide me O Lord in thy truth and lead me foorth in the pathes wherein I ought to walke thou art the onely rokce whereunto I must cleaue and in thy good time thou wilt vphold my state against my enemies that enuiron me about they haue cast snares in the way to entrap me and by crueltie haue daily sought my decay Wherfore I beséech thée O God come quickly and succour me put forth thy mightie arme and deliuer me from them that rise vp against me pretending my vtter ouerthrow Conduct me in thy truth that I be not intrapped in my waies nor holden in the earke prison of this miserable worlde from the view of thy deuine maiestie but that I may be compassed with the assembly of thy elect to reioyce in thee O my good God for my deliuerance and to sing continuall praises vnto thy holy name for euermore with a chéereful voice preserue me from destruction and vouchsafe O Lord to forgiue me all my offences that I may stand stedfast in thee and neuer be put to confusion but to rest with thee eternally Amen A
prayer to be said at all times I Most heartily beseech thee O thou God of al mercy power to make strong my soule against all the troublesome and most dangerous assaults and temptations of the world the flesh and the deuill confirme my beliefe and faith in thee and make me good Lord one of the number of thy elect and graunt that all my sinnes may be cleansed in the blood of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O deare Father let thy graces and blessings be continually poured vpon me and shine on me with the comfortable beautie of thy cheerefull countenance and graunt me in this life the perpetuall direction of thy holy spirit and in the life to come eternall rest with my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen A charitable prayer to be vsed at any time for the benefit of such as liue amisse O Lord thou hast euer bene our safe hauen and habitation and thy louing kindenesse hath beene plentifully shewed vnto vs and our elders from one generation to another thou art a God that raignest and rulest for euer without beginning or ending yea thou didst create vs of dust and slime of the earth and we being most miserable cretures so soone as thou takest thy spirit from vs are euen then immediatly dissolued into dust againe for as a watch in the night so doth our life passe away and as a tale that is told so do we vanish we grow vp like the hearb which at the rising of the sunne doth flourish but in the euening is cut downe and withereth graunt therefore O God that we neglecting all idle imaginations may account the dayes of our earthly pennance how short they are that our mindes by this cogitation beeing brought from the troublesome care and vaine hope of earthly felicitie as also called away from all those entisements whereby we wander out of the right path of thy truth may aspire to true wisedome in applying our hearts wholly vnto thy eternall testimonies be mercifull vnto vs O Lord and â—aâ—e vs from all the assaults and temptations of our ghostly enemies conduct vs with thy mighty hand we beséech thée in all our dealings that we may walke vprightly in our estate and vocation without fraud or deceit grant that after so long and innumerable troubles as we haue sustâ—ined thy goodnesse may shine vnto vs like a most pleasant light that we being satisfied with the comfortable nourishment thereof may enioy thy true and eternall consolation and like as with many miseries thou hast corrected vs so we beseech thee of thy eternall goodnesse to comfort vs againe and in the middest of all our troubles restore vs to ioy and gladnesse that from the bottome of our hearts we may yeeld continuall praises vnto thee accept vs amongst the number of thy heaâ—enly armie and let the voice of our humble petitions O God ascend vp vnto thee make vs continually thankfull for our election and let vs neuer forget that thou hast taken vs into thy family to be cared for of thee yea let this thy glory shine forth to our posteritie and let thy exceeding goodnes beautifie adorne vs gouerne thou our counsels from thy sanctuary and let our enterprises be acceptable in thy fight O God that liuest for euer Amen A prayer for the assistance of Gods power and holy spirit against our enemies and the dangers of this world ETernall God I most humbly beseech thee giue eare vnto the prayers and dolefull cries which I heere poure foorth before thee strengthen me that I may walke in thy waies and carefully auoid the path that the oppressors tread Accept the requests of thy seruants vouchsafe O Lord in mercie to relieue them that trust in thee against such as resist thy doctrine keepe me as the apple of thy eye and euermore defend me from my enemies euen vnder the shadow of thy winges for they are full of enuy and their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death neuerthelesse my hope dependeth only vpon thy assistance that thou wilt stand on my side whereby I may vtterly vanquish and ouerthrow their force for thou art my fortresse and strength in whome is no variety in thee will I trust O God of my saluation yea I will call vpon thee and praise thy name for euermore preserue me therefore and assist me in the day of my daunger let not the vngodly man preuaile against me but preuent their wicked deuises that intend my destruction indue me plentifully with thy graces that I may take delight in those things that may please thee and bestow such good gifts as thou hast lent me to the vse of my Christian bretheren that stand in need therof let thy spirit scale the assurance of thy election in my heart that I neuer decline from the true seruice of thee but with all constancie giue my selfe wholly to the loue of thy law and perseuere therin vnto the end for thou art my portion and the lot of mine inheritance let me not be oppressed by any earthly penury least through frailety of my flesh I be enforced to fall from thee but teach me continually by secret inspirations the right way to attaine to the fruition of thy blessings that I may at all times sing praises vnto thee be thou alwaies at my right haÌ„d O Lord that my course may be directed by thy godly assistance and deliuer me out of all troublsome daungers that I may reioyce both in body and soule for thy gratious protection shâ—w me thy fauour O God in all things that I take in hand and let the successe of my trauels fail out as my hope expecteth to the great comfort of thine elect and the exceeding ioy of all that put their trust in thee let not the cruelty of the enemy preuaile against me least he say that he hath ouercome me and they that oppresse me reioice in my fal for my trust is wholy in the truth of thy promises neither shall my heart dissent from the hope of thy mercy and defence in all my enterprises but being at the length deliuered by thee from the dreadfull daungers of earthly casualties I will not cease to land and praise thy holy name in the midest of the congregation for euer and euer Graunt this most mercifull Father I humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake my onely Sauiour and redeemer Amen A prayer to be said at all times WIth the eie of mercy most louing father beholde my care and inward griefe and hearken I humbly beseech thee to my complaint and lamentable sute my soule cryeth out to thee for mercie extend therefore thy louing countenance and fauour vnto me that am sore plunged in the gulph of calamities yet do I confesse acknowledge that I haue and doe deserue most extreame punishment for so grieuously offending thee my louing Lord but if thou shalt euer marke what is amisse in me how am I able to abide thy frowning countenance but with thee is alwaies mercy
for Iesus Christ his sake our only Sauiour and redeemer Amen A prayer for penitent sinners MOst mightie God and eternall king of maiestie how can I hide my selfe away from thy presence or with what pretence might I couer my shame from the piercing fight of thine eye since there is nothing in me but a whole heape of sinne whereby I am almost driuen to the dore of dispaire Erect therefore thy mighty hand to helpe me O Lord for if thy wisedome prouide not for me I am alwaies in daunger for vnrighteousnesse in this my cortuptible bodie raigneth as a king wherefore when my enemies enuiron me I wonder that thou doest not destroy me considering the lewdnesse of my liuing and the multitude of my grieuous offences But thus thou vsest to comfort thy children and my soule but for this reliefe O God had perished long agoe therefore from the bottome of my heart crie I vnto thee take me not away I beseech thee O Lord in my sinnes neither let me reape the portion of the wicked thou hast shewed me the daies of comfort and often deliuered my soule from the Lion and because thou in great mercie hast let mee see this goodnesse and also made me reioice therein increasing light afterdarkenes I will neuer cease to call vpon thee in my afflictions but continually expect the good houre in my danger increase my faith settle me in the knowledge of thy will and plentiously blesse me with thy grace and holy spirit both now and euer for no place is free from the rage of thy aduersaries assist me in my infirmities that I may euer gaine a double reioycing and that the most subtile assaults of the enemies may alwaies fall out to be his foulest foile through Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour Amen The true knovvledge of afflictions and tov what end they are sent THe Scriptures of God in sundry places doe manifestly declare vnto vs the healthfull effect of afflictions in calling them a cup or drinking glasse for like as the expert Phisition giuing vnto his patient such quantity of medicine as he thinketh good the patient must of necessity yeeld the choice of his fancie to the skilfull prouidence of him that ministreth euen so our good and gratious Lord knowing farre better what is profitable and most expedient to cure the infirmities maladies of our soules tameth our affections with such cups of afflictions as his wonderfull wisedome in mercie foreseeth to be most behooueable for vs. In like manner are they also called in another sence his artillerie his speares and his swords wherewith to fight and ouerthrow his enemies and euen as these definitions touching their ends are not alike but very diuers so likewise are the afflictions of God sent both to the godly and vngodly but to two sundrie ends for by the one sort of affliction God exerciseth the patience of the faithfull handling them for the most part more roughly than he doth the wicked The other he vseth both to testifie vnto vs that iniquitie cannot raigne vnpunishable as also to hold them vnexcusable and that is the full end of all afflictions extended to the infidell or reprobate The cuppes therefore and afflictions of God as they are not sent to all men to one end so do they not worke one effect but for all them the lewd person remaineth still vngodly sicke he was before he tooke the medicine and in like manner sicke or rather more vncurable he goeth foreward after it he feeleth himselfe smitten but considereth not in truth who smote him so exceeding farre is he from the perfect perusing of his owne life and oueruiweing of his former daies thereby he imputeth his crosse to fortune rather than smelleth his owne sinnes or intendeth to change his life and if his crosse endure but a little he chafeth at God and reiecteth his corrections he amendeth not at all but waxeth worse and worse farre contrarie is the effect of those afflictions which Gods elect sustaine for his children so soone as they feele his crosse by any meanes layed vpon them they by and by without delay bethinke themselues of their sinnes remembring that the hand of God is come vpon them for the same in which feare with all humilitie and reuerent trembling casting downe euery height within them they throw themselues flatlong at the footstoole of Gods Maiestie reckoning vp all their hainous crimes to their power acknowledging their faults and beseeching God in mercie to giue them a feeling of their sinnes that he will pierce their eares and in such wise open them that their affliction may turne to the comfort of their consciences this case is cleane contrarie as is said to the fearefull punishments of the reprobate they being hardened like Pharao thereby for lacke of his second grace which is the softening of mans heart and sobernesse of his nature by the holy Ghost from the free goodnesse of our eternall God Those being opened in their hearts by such grace and feeling of Gods chastisements are spéedily taught to mislike of themselues for their loose life and offences to sigh and grone for them and to flie to the mercie of God for refuge Now by these conferences appeareth a certaine rule or touchstone not without an vnspeakeable comfort to Gods elect for in as much as God punished Pharao and softened not his heart withall he intended to leaue him inexcusable to his deserued destruction but in that he afflicted Iob he did it to the bettering of his life mollifying his heart to his saluation and hence we gather two points of comfort to be noted and obserued the one is that when God maketh vs to feele his hand so that we are humbled vnder the same it is a speciall priuiledge and sure token of his good will and which he neuer sheweth to any but to his owne children and the other is since we are punished but to the amendment of our liues and drawing vs backe from our sinfull waies we liue therefore in happie case for that it declareth vnto vs that the Lord will not be angrie with vs for euer but doth as it were hedge in both the sides of our race euen because he loueth vs so that we haue no cause to doubt of Gods fauour but rather to be fully resolued that when he punisheth vs he holdeth vs not for his enemies but by tâ—â—t meane procuâ—eth our saluation and thus we see as S. Paule saith our victorie consisteth in taking hold of this loue of God in Iesus Christ being euermore throughly perswaded that God hath adopted vs to bee his children and heires of his kingdome which principle wee once hauing ought not to be led aside nor dismayed with any affliction for seeing that God beareth such exceeding loue towards vs we shall neuer be confounded and so little in very deed shall our afflictions hinder our welfare that they shall turne to our furtherance and vndoubtfully prooue vnto vs that Christ his yoake is sweet and easie and
not onely bringeth vs to the obedience of Gods will but to eternall happines Thus afflictions are in truth our medicines to driue vs to God to tame the pride of our nature to kill our vices to make vs know our selues loath our sinnes vnfainedly flie from our owne waies seeke strength of the Lord and so from vertue to vertue ascend to the height of our saluation Finally as to the impatient reprobate they are the fearefull comets of their destruction so to the number of Gods elect they are the infallibly pledges and sure ensignes of their continuall victory and future triumph in Iesus Christ The life and healthfull afflictions of Iob and Dauid in aboundont manner do testifie the louing end of Gods afflictions and in them may we find infinit testimonies to prooue how profitable are the fatherly chastisements of our good God who by them dooth euermore scoure vs from the rust of our naturall disposition and fineth vs like pure gold in the furnace briefely by them he violently breaketh into the heart of old Adam and there bursting the corrupt ends and coates of his veines by his wonderfull operation powreth a new spirit into his arteries which creeping through the sences with a liuely moisture as by a certaine heauenly Analogie or proportion doth in settet sort dispose vs to contemne this vile place of miserie and to eleuate our minds to God that so framed vs and so forsaking our sinfull waies and hatefull affections indeuour with all newnesse to serue worship him in righteousnesse and holinesse of life and with all patience looke for the reuelation of the elect children of God against which new birth and inuincible hope before time reserued vnto vs by the good purpose of the father in his sonne Christ and now vndoubtedly confirmed in our consciences by the badges of this fatherly handling shall nothing auaile vs for all the dartes of affliction in what kind soeuer assaulting vs shall be so farre from preuailing to ouerthrow our faith and libertie as the enemy would as that they shall flue-fold redouble the force thereof with exceeding ioy against them so that the very subtilest engines of Sathan shall make vs the more inuincible and his force the more contemptible Thus I say shall Gods fauoureble exercises intermedled with his graces worke the same effect in our soules as our meat and drinke doth to our bodies And like as all such nourishment is the right and ordinarie meane whereby our bodies in this earthly tabernacle doe daily increase and grow in strengthfull habite of health euen so by the other our soule is visited strengthened and increased and we are brought by the mercifull hand of God euen as by degrees and from step to step till at length we come to the fulnesse of our redeemer Christ Iesus to appeare before the Lord in Sion A prayer for Saylors THou God that art the Creator and maker of al things behold vs that here prostrate our selues at the footstoole of thy maiestie crauing pardon for our sinnes gouerne vs thy people O Lord that by thy permission do most daungerously trauell the boisterous seas according to the office and vocation whereunto thou hast called vs for except thy mightie hand do stay vs we shall perish yea we are alwaies in danger to be ouerwhelmed with the perillous waues of the sâ—a and to be swallâ—wed vp in the deepe gulfes thereof behold vs therefore O Lord in thy mercy that in these â—ur enterprises we may receiue the fruition of thy blessings when thou O God art angry with vs for sinne thou makest the stormes to rise and the seas to rage in such sort that they enforce vs to quake and tremble and when we cease from sinne thou causest them in like manner to cease for thou appointest to the sea his course and keepest it euer in his bounds yea thou hast ordained vs to trauell thereon to see thy maruellous workes and excellent greatnesse as also to declare thy wonders amongst the children of men thou hast oftentimes for our disobedience and inordinate liuing caused vs to feele thy wrath and grieuous scourge the dangers whereof haue almost brought vs to our wits end but when we turne vnto thee with repentance thou wilt not onely bring vs to a safe harbour to ease our weary bodies but also when our painefull daies are spent and ended receiue vs into the blessed hauen of eternall rest the which O Lord graunt vs to come vnto for Iesus Christ his sake Grace before meat TO thee O Lord God we render most hearty thanks for these thy blessings of meat and drinke which thou in mercy doest now bestow vpon vs beseeching thee to graunt that we doe not abuse them immoderately by surfetting or gluttony but onely to feed thereon with sobrietie thereby to sustaine our feeble flesh and hungry desire and so frame our speeches O God that thy name therein may be glorified and our Christian brethren edified preserue most louing Lord our gratious King with thy vniuersall Church graunt vs we humbly beseech thee the continuance of thy glorious Gospell to be truely and sincerely preached amongst vs and make vs faithfull followers thereof in righteousnesse and holinesse of life vouchsafe O deare father to defend and euermore to keepe our Realme from the inuasion of forraine enemies and send vs a perpetuall peace in conscience through Iesus Christ our Lord. Grace after meat GRations God and most louing father we thy poore seruants yeild vnto thee in humilitie of heart all praise and thankes in that it hath pleased thee of thy inestimable goodnesse at this instant to refresh and relieue the appetite of our earthly bodies with this food of meat and drinke which thy diuine prouidence O Lord in plentiful measure hath bestowed vpon vs and as these thy creatures are by thy permission ordained to nourish our mortall bodies euen so in mercy vouchsafe to graunt that our soules may be fed and comforted with the diuine food of thy glorious Gospell and that it may so shine in our hearts and sences that we by the direction of thy grace and holy spirit may proceed in newnesse of life to the honour and glory of thy holy name Call vs not O deare Father to account of the vaine and idle speeches that we haue at this present as also at other times of our life vndiscreetly vsed but in fauour remit the same and graunt that we with willing minds may remember and helpe our needy brethren who feele the want of that which we haue had at full In mercy O Lord preserue thy Church our King and Realme increase the number of thy seruants and blesse vs with peace of conscience and health of body thorow Iesus Christ our Lord. Earnest and zealous meditations on the seuen petitions of the Lords prayer O Lord thou art the father of all mercies and God of all consolation behold vs that with lowly hearts come vnto thee euen as children doe to their naturall
established my feet in such a perfect path that I may walke now safe and sound amongst the liuing for I haue euermore beleeued the promises of the Lord and therefore did I speake euen my aith minâ—string voice and words to me being opressed with sorow and thou didst ouercome the dangerous attemps of my foes quickening me for thine infinite mercies sake what shall I render vnto thee therefore for all thy benefits which thou hast bestowed vpon me I will giue thee the sacrifice of praise and call vpon thy name with reuerence yea I w ll pay my vowes vnto thee which I haue promised euen in the mâ—dst of thy faithfull congregation for euer and euer Amen A prayer vnto God desiring him to defend vs from the malice of our aduersaries MOst mercifull God I beseech thee for thy names sake saue me and deliuer me being an innocent by thy power giue eare vnto the wordes of my mouth and refuse not my prayer that I here present vnto thy diuine maiestie defend me O Lord from the wicked and such as rise vp against me confound their deuices and let the snares that they haue set to imtrap me be as a sword lighting vpon their owne heads cut them downe according to thy promises which thou hast made to thy children that I being deliuered by the extended force of thy right hand may willingly performe my vow and solemne promise vnto thee and celebrate thy praises seeing there is nothing more bountifull nor more excellent than the worthinesse of the power namely in that thou hast saued me from all distresse and graunted me my desire on my enemies graunt this O father for Iesus Christ his sake our onely redeemer Amen A prayer for such as intend to enter into the estate of matrimonie made at the request of M Ed. Fenton MOst mightie God and heauenly father from the bottome of my heart I yeeld all honour land praise and thankesgiuing vnto thy diuine maiestie for those thy riches blessings and benefits which thou in mercy hast bestowed vpon me O Lord that by thy incomprehensible power madest Adam out of the dust and slime of the earth and createdst him to thine own image behold me thy seruant whom thy good pleasure hath called to the honourable state of matrimony and as by thy most excellent prouidence thou diddest giue vnto Adam Eua to be his helper and immutably ordainest them to become one flesh from whom proceeded all mankind so O my good God in thy mercy graunt that this woman whom thou hast giuen me may be vnto me a helper and that we may be a comfort one towards another euen as Abraham vnto Sara and Isaac to Rebecca and not to fulfill our vngodly affections nor the corrupt and filthie desire of our fleshly appetites but to loue and liue together withall humble obedience and reuerent feare towards thee as becommeth thy seruants without strife or debate and for the procreation of children to the increase of thy kingdome which if it please thee to blesse vs withall grant that we may bring them vp in thy feare and true religion Lord behold vs that with one heart and voiâ—e doe most humbly beseech thee so to endue direct and sanctifie vs with thy holy spirit that all our actions may stand with thy honour and glory credit of thy Church and our euerlasting saluation and graunt that we with all modesty may liue together with continuall peace of conscience and health of body vntill we become aged that we may see our childrens children and thy name eternally aduanced in the Church and congregation and when thy goodnes hath finished our dayes in this life conduct our soules in safetie vnto that spirituall kingdome which thou hast ordained for thine elect to rest with thee for euer Graunt O most mercifull father that those things which we haue faithfully asked according to thy will may effectually be obtained that we thy lowly and obedient children obtaining the perpetuall fruition of thy fauour may for thy gratious assistance and inestimable treasures yeeld vnto thee eternall praise power and dominion with vncessant thanksgiuing both now and euer thorough our onely mediatour and aduocate Iesus Christ Amen A prayer for a vvoman that is barren and desireth the fruit of her bodie O Lord my God most gratious and louing father in Iesus Christ behold me poore wretch whom thy hand hath hitherto humbled as it were in the sight of all the world at the length take away my reproch I acknowledge thy hand to be vpon me for none in heauen or earth saue thy maiestie only is able to withstand the particular effect of that thy generell commaundement Bring foorth fruit and multiply Thou onely deare father canst doe it because of thy almightinesse and thou also doest it euen in thy children according to the most holy decree of thy vnsearchable wisdome now because when thou vâ—sitest thy children with any wants of outward comforts and blessings thou doest it not deare father for any lacke of loue to them or as though the blessings also of this life pertained not to them for in Christ Iesus who is Lord of all they are likewise our right the vngodly being meere vsurpers of them but thou doest it to draw them by some temporal want and short restraint of their desires to seeke at thy hand some eternall blessings which they stand more in need of that thereby in the end thou mightest be seene to multiply thy rich mercies towards them euery way Of which thy wisdome thou hast left vs a leagible euidence in the story of thy seruant Iob who after thou baddest taught him more humilitie thou enrichedst also as his heart could desire Now because thy waies are all iust O Lord and thou walkest euer like thy selfe haue mercie on me thy seruant I beseech thee giue me to vnderstand that which thou wouldest haue me to see in this my affliction and sith through the darkenesse of my mind it is hard for me O Lord to espit out the deformities and wants that are in me may it please thee to vouchsafe me the especiall guiding of thy holy spirit herein so as by it I may make a through visitation of my selfe both for my outward deeds and for my inward affections vntill I shall find out the thing that may please thee and may also be yet further blessed of thee euen in this thing which my heart defireth so shall this thy louing returne wipe away my reproch thy bounteous dealings with thy seruant be ioyfully praised among thy Saints and as for me whose head thou hast thus lifted vp I will neuer cease talking of thy goodnesse and informing those who shall in like case of thy liberall kindnesse towards all that wait on thee and thy most wise and righteous iudgements which thou exercisest amongst those also that feare thy holy name Amen A prayer for iourneying O Most louing and tender Father I commit this my iourney and corporall trauell vnto thy
heauenly direction to guide and gouerne me as shall seeme most expedient to thy godly wisdome and as this my troublesome and wearie life is but a pilgrims passage and a spanne from birth to graue so graunt that I may alwaies consider of it and I beseech thee O my God that as to Iacob iourneying into the East praying for thy gratious protection thou didst minister all things necessarie to his safetie so thou wilt mercifully behold me a member of thy little Israell and prosper me so in my iourney that all things according to thy heauēly wil may go well with me to the honor and aduancement of thy holy name that like as Iacob said thou shouldest be his God so we knowing that in all things thou art more rich and plentiful vnto vs a thousand fold thā we can deserue may for thy continuall goodnesse sing land and praise vnto thy holy name O God that for euer liuest one in trinitie and three in vnitie Amen A godly prayer to be vsed at all times O Most mercifull father from thy holy sanctuarie looke downe I beseech thee vpon me and behold me poore wretch that am oppressed with the burthen of daily sinne and be wrapped in the bonds of mortall misery prisoned in the fetters of originall wickednesse and hauing in mine owne body the traiterous affections of concupiscence alway conspiring to betray my soule into the hands of the aduersarie behold me I say in the bright beames of thy louing countenance with thy eye of mercy see into the troubles of my spirit and lay thine eare vnto the mournefull grones of the same my soule howleth out vnto thee euen from the gulph of deepe calamities pressed with the prouision of temporall things vrged with the spightfull watching of the hatefull pricked with the presumptuous pride of worldly benefites and wounded with the venomous dart of Adams transgression my battailes are full of difficulties my victories compassed with treason and my dwellings in the dores of death O my God what felicitie can the poore seruant find in this irkesome life Or what comfort can bring sufficient reliefe to the afflicted spirit but the true platforme of our pathes and the sweete scope of our pilgrimage euen Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued sonne our sauiour Wherfore I poore sinner humbly beseech thee not to carry long or deferre my deliuerance from this wearie iourney Let not my soule alway be clad with mourning and my bones witherwith anguish thou Lord hast created me of nothing and thou gauest me life in my mothers wombe Thou hast chosen me to be of thine and thou hast giuen me thy holy spirit the testimony O deare father let not thy graces be in me in vaine let me not be ouerwhelmed with the iniquities of this troublesome world but preuent me with the extended force of thy right hand and saue my soule O God my rocke of strength Behold not that which is amisse in me neither let my sinnes and infirmities make separation betweene thy mercy and me driue out or at the least wise hold downe in me the cruell sting of raging concupiscence by the increasing might of thy holy spirit impresse in my heart a feare of thy lawes and instruct me so to number my daies that I may applie my selfe wholly to thy statutes Also O most mercifull father as the dore of thy mercy is alwaies open and as thou wilt neuer refuse humble sutes of thy seruants heare me O Lord in my earnest petition for thy little Church of England let me neuer see it gouerned againe with the mistie cloud of deepe ignorance suffer me neuer to see thy holy temple and sanctuary defiled with the beastily superstition and blasphemous idolatrie of Antichrist strike not the lampe out of our hands in thy wrath and so make vs go groping in palpable darkenesse I must needs confesse O deare father that the multitude of our sinnes which are growne in such ripenesse due worthily deserue thy grieuous plagues euen from the highest to the lowest we haue all gone astray and prowdly breaking our allegiance haue disol eyed thy precepts But yet O mightie Iehouah who admittest dust and ashes to speake vnto thee heare thy poore seruant I beseech thee euen with the teares of a sorrowfull heart appease thine anger hold thy heauie rod shed not the violl of wrath vpon vs in thy surie let not thy spirit be mooued with man because he is but flesh correct vs not in thine anger least we be consumed and brought to nothing but conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted change vs and we shall be changed for thine elects sake O father spare this Realme of England Deferre the day of reuenge and so much more plenteously poure thy pretious spirit into the hearts of thy children which now alreadie feele thy fatherly calling that they with all speede making hast into thy vineyard may painefully sweate in dunging earthing and priming the trees to the increase of thy vintage to the glory of thy holy name Lord heare me I beseech theé and so kindle in the hearts of thy children the loue of thy law and zeale of true profession that we may walke together in all brotherly admonition and Christian exhortation that we all striue to goe before others in godly zeale and flourish in the fruits of perfect faith That we vse not our liberty to the infirming of the weake but euery one burne in desire to winne a soule vnto thee Finally that our stedfast going forward and continuall increase may be to the strengthening of the weake and comfort of the strong to the sifting out of Wolues defence of the Lambs to the shining credite of thy Church and finall confusion of Antechrist that so turning from vs thy heauy displeasure and vnbending the bowe of thy wrath thou maiest imbrace vs in thy armes of mercie where gaining the fruition of thy fauour in all patience and thanksgiuing we may expect the day of our liberty which we shall one day obtaine by the dissolution of this life and entrance into that vnspeakable rest that Christ our sauiour hath purchased and entred into by his pretious blood to whom with the father and the holy spirit be all praise and thankesgiuing for euer Amen Godly meditations to be vsed at all times O Eternall God and heauenly father whose wisdome and power is infinit and yet whose mercie surmounteth all in whome all creatures haue their being and from whom all goodnesse floweth as from a fountaine I humbly beseech thee giue eare vnto the groning requests of my spirit and pittie the salt streames that for the sight and sence of mine owne infirmities flow from the inwards of my consuming heart And also I aske nothing but that which soundeth to the glory of thy holy name and to the credit of thy Church shew thy selfe O father as willing as able that my spirit being refreshed and my heart receiuing comfort I may boldfast the reioysing of my hope with
a sound and setled conscience to the end Against temptation O Thou maker of heauen and earth deliuer me from the continuall and most dangerous assaults of Sathan who priuily layeth baites and secretly diggeth pittes for my soule leauing nothing vnattempted that might worke my destruction and I feeling my selfe nothing but a masse of infirmities and ready to decline at euery stroke that he giueth cannot but mistrust my selfe altogether and wholly flying vnto the sea of thy mercie power and wisedome doe beseech the vncessant supplie of thy gifts in the continuall accesse of thy holy spirit that in the throng of temptations I may be deliuered and stand victorer in Iesus Christ For patience O Most louing Lord suffer me not to be tempted aboue my might neither by affliction of bodie or soule neither by whatsoeuer earthly penurie the enemie would presse me with but euen in the middest graunt me patience to suffer thy fatherly tryals thankefully and without all grudging as worthily may beseeme the childe of so louing and mercifull a father For increase of faith O God thou creator of al maÌ„kind increase my faith and purge me of vnbeliefe that I alway calling to mind thy wonderfull louing worke of our redemption may with all boldnesse of spirit in the blood of Iesus Christ so apply thy comfortable promises to the saluing of my sores as that in vsing of the same pretious oyle of thy grace I may alwayes feare to make wast thereof For sanctification O Thou mightie God of Israell graunt me such an vnderstanding heart and so instruct my sences to be studious and capable of thy heauenly mysteries that according to the right rulâ— and perfect platforme of thy prouident direction I may loue in all singlenesse and humilitie of heart as a feeling member of Christ Iesus suffer in him mutually and fructifie in all aboundance of godly life to thy honor For temporall benefits O Father of all mercies so moderate thy mercifull hand in blessing me with the benefits of this temporall maintenance that neither through aboundance old Adam may set vp his feather nor yet thy vertues be in me through scarcity obscured For thankfulnesse O Thou comforter of the comfortlesse rend out of my heart all fleshly thornes and impediments that would at any time incline me to forget thy goodnesse or neglect to serue thee and giue me a heart alwaies affected to honour thee a minde euer meditating vpon thy mercy and a spirit burning with zeale of thy worship that daily I may pay my vowes vnto thee and speake to thy praise in the midst of the congregation For mortification and resolution O Most bounteous God so mortifie old Adam in my members and redouble the strength of the inner man that despising this momentanous life I may not sticke in the ioy of any earthly pleasure or yeeld my selfe to the delight of this present life but alway refusing to endeuour my selfe in an vncertaine hospidge and knowing that I am here but as a pilgrim I may shun my acquaintance with all things of fickle stay and fixe my heart my solace and delight vpon the hope of beholding the maiestie and beautie of thy glorie euen as it is where my ioy shall be full and nothing wanting for euer which ioyes as my spirit groneth to see so O Lord I beseech thee with expedition finish thy good workes in me and shortly bring to an end my sorrowfull daies that my soule as a doue may once take her flight from this earthly tabernacle and being receiued in to the bosome of thy deare sonne may be placed in that most happy rest which he hath purchased for the same with the price of his most pretious blood to whom with thee O father and the euerlasting comforter be all praise dominion and power euermore ascribed Amen A prayer against the feare of death O Eternall God my most louing and mercifull father I praise and glorifie thee euen from the depth of my infirme heart for all the benefites and riches of thy goodnesse bestowed vpon me from the beginning of my life vnto this present time but especially for the blessings of my election redemption vocation iustification and sanctification in Iesus Christ in all which thou hast in part taken me out of this world and giuen me the pledge of thy holy spirit which witnesseth vnto my spirit that I am thy childe thou hast I say giuen me the earnest peny of my saluation and whilest I was yet thine enemie hast reconciled me in Christ yea thou tookest me out of the blinde dungeon of carelesse ignorance to serue thee in simplicity to feare thee in loue and to call vpon thee in spirit and truth and in all these most louing father hast then made me proceed and profit vnto this present day wherein happily thy good pleasure seemeth to incline me towards the greatest benefiâ— that I euer yet tasted that is wholly to free me from all the miseries of this present life and to bring me to that heauenly liberty where my ioy shall be full and no tâ—st of mixture with bitternesse Now therefore deare father for Iesus Christ his sake I beseech thee respect me thy vnworthy seruant as all times of my life thou hast fatherly fedde nourished preserued and defended me so now in my last need visit and regard me that as the enemy will now with all rage bend his force agâ—inst me so thou with thy fatherly and mighty protection by thy holy spirit wilt comfort me and with the comfortable presence of thy maiestie strengthen me that my â—â—â—th still increasinâ— with armed patience I may despise the feâ—re of this bodies death knowing that it is the vnauoidable way that thy good pleasure hath appointed to doe away our mortalitie and to bring vs those ioyes which thy vnspeakable prouidence hath ordeined vs vnto without all deseruing on our parts teach me new therefore so to number my daies that I may apply my heart vnto thy wisdome teach me sweet Lord as heretofore to liue so now to frame to die to thy glory whereunto I poore wretch doe with a sighing heart beseech thee neuer â—o forsake me with thy holy spirit but that mine vnderstanding may alway be lightened with the feeling of mine owne infirmities so that in all perfect humilitie I may flie from the mind of all earthly stay and cleauing inseparably to thy promises and apprehending my saluation with sure hope I may expect the dissolution so beholding thy maiestie with the cleare eyes of my faith I may grow as by degrees weaker in body so fuller and stronger in the spirituall body or inner man so that when the last breath hath passed my soule may ioyfully respire the triumphant odours of an endlesse life in the bosome of Abraham withall thy saints whereto hasten me O deare louing father euen for Iesus Christ his sake our sauiour to whome with thee and the holy Ghost be all power glory and dominion now and for euer
heauen by the conduct of thy holy spirit through Iesus Christ my onely aduocate and mediatour Amen Godly petitions to be vsed of euery Christian O My God accept thy most vnworthie seruant here humbly falling downe before thee I acknowledge thy great mercies and in sundry sort thy extended goodnesse towards me yet in feare of mine owne frailety I eftsoones present my selfe before thy maiestie to looke fauourably on me alwaies and to open mine eyes more clearely to see thy maiestie for the little tast that thou hast giuen me hath perswaded me alreadie that thou art sweet yea and the more that I discerne thy sweetnesse the more I see also my vncleannesse the knowledge of thee therefore I confesse is the leader to saluation for the consideration of thy greatnesse maketh me despise my basenesse and thy puritie my filthinesse and thy wonderfull goodnesse my monstrous vnworthinesse Forgiue me then O Lord my sinnes and let them not hold backe thy bounteous hand now begunne to be opened towards mee I say begun my Lord because my selfe hath but now begun to see it giue me a wise vnderstanding heart and send me knowledge from aboue driue from my mind the mistes of fleshly darkenesse and make me capable of thy heauenly riches fill my mouth with good things for I will open it to receiue of thy blessings Let me not die but liue and declare the praises of my Lord. Why hast thou made me but to glorifie thee Why hast thou enlightned me but to loue thee yea why hast thou redeemed me but to saue me And for what cause hast thou sanctified my heart but to make me fit for those good things that thou purposest to bestow vpon me O sweete Father thy loue is not to be expressed Now therefore goe forward and cease not with thy poore seruant performe that good building which thy spirit hath begun in me thou hast made me thirst for thy righteousnesse replenish now therefore my heart with gladnesse make my flesh to vanish and the new Adam to rise vp in strength thaâ— I may be discreet in my waies and stand in the continuall search of thy iudgements And when thy mercie thus ha h enlarged me as a full cloud so shall I declare thy kindnesse and as the sauour of Myrrhe so shall my lippes send vp thy praises Blessed be the Lord who haâ—h hiddeÌ„ these things from the wise of the world and reuealed the way of righteousnesse vnto the simple Lord I thy handmaid or sonne of thy handmaid will attend vpon thy will and repose myselfe vnder the shadow of thy wings both day and night Thou art my wisdome my power my beautie my strength my riches my glory my king my God and my saluation The grace of God the Father the peace of Christ Iesus our sauiour through the comfortable fellowship of the holy Spirit be with me preserue keepe me this day this night and euermore Amen A godly prayer to be said at all times O Eternall God and most mightie King of maiestie how can I hide my selfe froÌ„ thy presence or with what cloake or pretence might I couer my shame from the piercing fight of thine eye since I haue nothing O Lord but a guiltie conscience intollerably oppressed with the heauie but then of sinne by which I am almost driuen to the dore of despaire if thy mightie hand stay me not I fall and if thy wisdome prouide not for me I am alwaies in daunger The sorrowes of my heart are enlarged for my daies consume in sinne and the graue gapeth to receiue me before I gaine the gift of loue Vnrighteousnesse raigneth as a king in this my corruptible body and concupiscence deceiueth my sight till I be entraped verily when I come to fight I wonder that thou diddest not destroy me saying O Lord who is able to number his sinnes or what soule is righteous in thy sight shall man striue with God who can say I will be saued fith thou art iust Why diddest not thou cut my thred whilest I prouoked thee why diddest not thou send me to the inheritance of the wicked but thus thou vsest to comfort thy children in their great necessitie and my soule had perished but for this reliefe long agoe therefore crie I vnto thee from the depth of my heart take me not away O God in my sinnes neither let me reape the portion of the wicked thou hast shewed me the dayes of comfort and often deliuered my soule from the Lion And because thou in thy great mercie hast let me see this goodnesse and also made me to reioyce therin increasing light after a darkenesse and doubling ioy to my paine I will neuer cease O deare father to call vpon thee in my afflictions and to looke for the good houre in my daunger increase my faith and settle me in the knowledge of thy will Plenteously blesse me with thy grace and let thy spirit be my protectour for misery O Lord is threatened vnto thy children and ruine to the faith of the younglings no place is safe from the rage of thy aduersaries but thou art the God of might and hast power to preserue our peace Oh if I might aske the death of this old Adam so that all concupiscence might vanish as a smoake then sure say I I would wholly be exercised in the law of my God and at all times would I sing praises vnto his name but I will not presume about thy seruant Paul whom thy wisdome thus answered My grace is sufficient for thee thus will I beseech thee whiâ—e I liue that this balme of thy grace may alwaies be poured fresh into my wounds that euen in my infirmities I may euer gaine a double reioycing and that the most subtill assaults of the aduersarie may alwaies fall out to be his soulest faile and my weakenesse my wisedome by the renuing of thy grace and enlightning my spirit with the sweete balme of thy louâ—ng countenance through thy most tender mercie in the purchase of thy beloued sonne our deare Sauiour Christ Iesu vnto whom with thee and the holy spirit be all power and dominion for euermore Amen A prayer for women with child O Eternall God and most mercifull father who notwithstanding my manifold and grieuous offences hast of thy gratious goodnesse in marriage made me fruitfull which I take as thy great blessings and benefits bestowed vpon me beseeching thee now most humbly to helpe me thy poore handmaiden in these grieuous paines of trauaile and childbirth Thou hast willed vs to call vpon thee in all our needs and necessities and hast promised in thy great mercies neuer to faile them that call vpon thee helpe me now wretched sinner in these intollerable pains that I may ouercome them with patience and euermore praise thy maiestie Comfort me with thy holy spirit that I sinke not vnder this heauie burthen And as gratiously thou hast blessed me hitherto from time to time in giuing me children so mercifully sanctifie them