hainous crimes When I should walk sin drowneth me with sleepe for one good thought I sinne a thousand times Sigh O my soule weepe sorrow and lament and seeke for helpe if any hope be left Pray vnto Christ for grace thou mayst repent before his merits from thee be bereft Though by his rod afflictions humble thee and for thy sinnes thou suffer grieuous paine Yet with his flesh he still vpholdeth thee frō deepe despaire in bliss with him to raigne All glory be to God on high and to his Son our Sauiour wise and iust To whom with ioy still pray and sing will I and to my Comforter the holy Ghost Whose being was from all eternity one Deitie distinct in persons three According to the blessed Trinity distinguisht to three yet one in vnitie Abba ben Ruach sacred trinitie one drop of Nectar Lord on me bestow That glorious blood to cure sinnes miserie that all mankinde thy loue to me may know Let not sinnes hire nor grieuous punishment be condemnation to my stained soule Be pleased with Christ his all-sufficient payment who ransom'd vs from sinnes eternall thralls A prayer to be said on a Sunday morning for the right sanctifying of the Sabbath O Lord of Sabbath that in the beginning after the finishing of the sixe dayes workes in which by thy most mightie word thou didst create the heauen and the earth and produce all this wonderfull variety of things which wee perceiue euery day most admirably to be made not onely in the sensible but also in all insensible liuing things of all which workes thou hast caused man chiefely to excell hauing in him most curiously epitomised all the glory of this earthly fabrick and for all this thy great goodnesse thou hast done vnto him hast onely required of him that he in the contemplation of these created things not only without but within himselfe might finde out thee a louing Father and Creatour and doe vnto thee that high homage that thou hast commanded on this day not as slaues and seruants but as sonnes filled with all duty obedience which that wee might doe thou hast charged vs on the seuenth day to remember our Creatour not onely by refraining our seruile labour which in the sixe dayes thou hast appointed vs but by leauing the wicked workes of darknesse vnto which we are by nature and wicked desires so much addicted O Lord graunt that I may sequester my selfe this day vnto thy praise not onely in thy holy Congregation but in the secret cogitations of my heart And graunt that euery word or thing that I shall this day heare with my eares or see with my eyes may be so digested in my soule as fit subiects out of which I may bee occasioned to magnifie thy praise and glory O heauenly Father graunt that all those Sabbath dayes which haue passed in my youth and manhood while I knew thee not may be now recalled by double diligence in the deuout hearing of thy Word receiuing of the Sacraments and calling vpon thy name which on this day thou hast for euer commanded to bee done vnto thee in thy Church and holy Congregation And O Lord let my heart depart edified in thy most holy feare not for the present while I am hearing but for euer while I shall liue and let some part of thy holy Word which I shall heare expounded this day abide in me that at all times when I shall haue occasion or be called thereunto I may bee fitted and furnished to giue a full account and reason of the hope I haue in thee O Lord thy Apostles haue called this day not now the seuenth day from the Creation but the first day and the Lords day putting vs in mind of that high and admirable benefit of our Redemption as on this day accomplished by his glorious resurrection for the which wee can neuer rēder too much thanks neither publick nor priuate O Lord make my heart like the good ground mentioned in the Parable that when it had receiued good seede it brought forth thirty sixty and an hundreth fold so most sweet Sauiour graunt that I may haue thy Word so deepely rooted by the power of thy holy spirit this day sent downe into my heart that I may bring it forth in an hundreth fold thy power in my saluation And let it abide this day and euer in my soule the most sweet sauour of life vnto life O Lord driue from mee all impediments arising from the thoughts of the world the flesh and the deuill by which Sathan laboureth to frustrate in me the sauing hearing of thy Word and make me to heare thy precious Word with all reuerence and humility not as the word of man but as it is indeede the word of God And seeing thou hast said not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law are iustified O Lord make me a doer of the law And as thou hast againe said Blessed are yee if ye doe these things Wherefore Lord that I may bee capable of thy blessing graunt that this day when I haue heard I may doe the things and as thy blessed Mother pondered all thy sayings and layd them vp in her heart to remember them O sweet Sauiour helpe me this day and other dayes and times so often as I shall heare thy word or reade the same that my memory may be so quicke and fresh that I may retaine and remember all that shal most especially concerne me and not to be filled with idle knowledge but with constant doing that I may be accepted among those builders that set their house vpon the rocke most blessed Lord let me not be so simple as to thinke my selfe blessed by bare looking into thy law by an outward conformity in comming to thy Church to heare lest in so doing I become as a forgetfull hearer that offers to thee a sacrifice of fooles and so in sanctifying this thy Sabaoth so idely thou cast mee out among the hypocrites the chiefe profaners of the Sabbath in the burning lake and vnquenchable fire O Lord let no wicked temptation of sathan or of my flesh enter into my minde in the hearing of thy Word to make it vnsauourie or bitter vnto my soule but let it be this day and euer more sweet vnto my soule then honey vnto my lips O Lord let it be in some measure my meate and drinke to doe thy will and graunt that I may this day learne so much thereof that I may become wiser then my Teachers or those that regard not to keepe thy law graunt all these my requests most louing Lord both to mee and all thine this day and for euermore Amen Amen A Prayer for godly zeale O Lord knowing that zeale doth sauour our knowledge sweeten our vnderstanding confirme our faith and make acceptable all our sacrifices and seruices vnto thee and being a most excellent and perfect gift that commeth from thee the Father of gifts and how all thy seruants Moses Iosuah
most watchfull to shed the blood of the righteous destruction and misery are in their wayes and the way of peace they doe not know For the feare of God is not before their eyes euery one deuiseth to worke mischiefe putting farre away the euill day professing themselues wise till they became fooles O Lord thou hast iustly done to the men of this world in these our dayes as vnto the ancient Philosophers who mightily boasted themselues of their wisedome generall knowledge and yet were ignorant of thee euen as the Antichristian enemies doe at this day boast themselues to be the onely true Church Yet because they knew thee in word and not in deede therefore thou gauest them vp vnto their owne hearts lusts to worship and serue the creature in steed of the Creator adoring the bread in the Sacrament for Christ himselfe and honouring the Pope a mere man as God himselfe saying hee is God euen as the heathen Gentiles vnto their wooden Gods sometime said thus O Lord because the Antichristian enemies haue agreed with the heathen to contemne thy Word thou hast iustly done to giue them vp vnto a reprobate minde to worke all manuer of vnrighteousnesse as at this day wee see the Romish Bishop Prelates Clergie and Professours to be the man and men of sinne that should sit in the Temple of God and in doctrine speake blasphemies and wicked vntrueths O God in thy Word thou hast euidently marked him out shewing that hee should pretend chastity in heart and body but indeede haue nothing lesse to claime all spirituall power to open and shut the gates of thy Kingdome at his owne will and pleasure and against whom hee lust to bee vniuersall Bishop through the whole world and supreame head of the Church and Kings and Princes to be his vassalls and at his making and deposing O Lord hee thrusteth out of the Church as heretickes all that speake against his blasphemies denouncing damnation to all that will not beleeue his exposition of thy Word saying that hee hath alwayes the holy Ghost in his breast and that hee cannot erre He hath forbidden the publique reading of thy Word as hereticall and dangerous especially for simple people and ordained thy seruice in an vnknowne tongue that the people might offer vnto thee the Sacrifice of fools in stead of the Sacrament which wee should often receiue he hath brought into the Church a superstitious sacrifice of the Masse in which they pretend to offer thee O Christ againe for the sinnes of the people and the Priests eating is sufficient for all the rest of the Church be they neuer so many or if they receiue it in one kinde it is enough for them saying that the body is noâ— without the blood quite gaine saying thy commandements drink yee all of this Hee teacheth for sound Doctrine that wee must be cleansed in Purgatory in which he can giue indulgence to release whom he will and that wee are saued by our good workes that wee may keepe perfectly all the commandements and so deserue our saluations by our owne merites and that in Prayer we should call on the virgin Mary as Queen of heauen to command her Sonne to heare vs teaching vs that she is our Aduocate that pleadeth for vs. He teacheth Pilgrimages worshipping Images keeping Reliques and that euery man hath â—is peculiar Saint in heauen to whom he liketh best to commend his sutes by saying that it is presumption to approach to thee onâ—y in thy Sonne though thou hast â—id There is no name in heauen â—r in earth whereby wee should â—e saued but onely by the name of â—esus to whom thou hast ordaiâ—ed euery knee to bow and onely â—or to come By these and infinite of Romish forgeries and blasphemies â—ath this strumpet of Babylon â—…de drunke the Kings and Prinâ—s of the earth by those abomiâ—ble and lying wonders and miâ—cles hath hee blinded the eyes 〈◊〉 Christian Kingdomes and Naâ—ons that they doe not know â—w to serue thee the Lord. Wherefore O Christ and most â—ly Lambe of GOD against â—…m he hath so long time warâ—d as it were drunke with the bloud of the Saints Yea O Lord with the brightnesse of thy comming let the violls of thy wratâ— be powred out vpon her to heâ— vtter desolation that the souleâ— of iust and righteous men togâ— ther with the Angels in the vnitâ— of the spirit may sing a song 〈◊〉 Halleluiah saying saluation glâ— ry honour and power be to thâ— Lord our God to the Lambe aâ— holy Spirit for euermore Ameâ— Come Lord Iesus come quicklâ— Amen LACHRIM 3. Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith zeale and strength in vndergoing Gods corrections O Lord I lift my heart to thee my soule in thee doth euer trust O let me not confounded be but make me righteous with the iust Let men not haue their wills ' gainst me but powre on me thy comforts sweet Thy sauing health Lord let me see who prostrate begge it at thy feete Let thy right hand and prouidence be stretched out to hold me vp And giue me grace and patience in lowlinesse to taste thy cup So shall I sit on surest rocke and strength and power to me get And stoutly shield mine enemies stroke though round about they me beset For why my comfort is in thee and on thy prouidence I depend O keepe me safe in liberty till all my troubles come to end From perils sixe hast me deliuered I know therefore thou wilt from seauen From earthly thoughts let me be seuer'd and conuersation haue in heauen I know that loue a multitude of shamefull sinnes doth closely couer Within the gates I me include thou art my soules true spouse and louer The faithfull thereby may take hold of hope to haue a prosperous end Of their desires this makes me bold for ayde and comfort to attend And with all patience to perseuer I know thy word it is most sure Poore penitent by faith I le euer stand firme and to the end endure Alas deere God I nothing crane to haue of thee by mine owne right But in Christs name I le aske and haue for he is most gracious in thy sight Yea for his merits thou do'st loue me in him I know thou art well pleas'd And hearest sinners when they moue thee for giu'st their sinne and they are eas'd Amongst whom Lord I am the chiefe and of good things am ignorant Yet on the Crosse didst saue the Thiefe for Christ his sake me mercy graunt In this world vanities most vilde I liue and haue no taste of truth I knew not I was in exile but did in folly spend my youth Of thee alone I knowledge haue for of my selfe I am but weake Thou art my God that strength me gaue to worke to rest to liue to speake For of my selfe is miserie and of my selfe is all that 's ill But from thee Lord comes all mercie and perfect power to worke thy will Within to consolation of my sad
soule and wounded heart Without to preseruation of my weake body in each part Therefore teach me the truth O Lord O sacred truth teach me thy wayes That I should walke led by thy Word and to thy glory spend my dayes Lord keepe from wicked thoughts mine heart mine hands that they commit none ill Mine eyes my tongue and euery part Lord graunt they may performe thy will My feete from falling still preserue as of my selfe regard me not Deale not with me as I deserue as are my sinnes reward me not Behold not my deformities but looke on me in Christ by loue My sinnes and all enormities as mists and cloudes from me remoue Thou righteous art and gracious reformest sinners sinnes forgiu'st O be to me propitious to liue in thee that euer liu'st Keepe thou my soule let me not perish nor vtterly to be confounded That trust in thee but my soule cherish and ioy mine heart which thou hast wounded Thou art my strength and sure defence in time of dangers imminent Though all helpe faile experience hath taught me thou art permanent I goe vnto thine Oracle and from thy word I counsaile take And finde a wonderous miracle thou neuer do'st thine owne forsake Thy seruants that in thee doe trust thy Tabernacle shall them shield In secret thou do'st hide the iust that are not with foule sinne defilde Hearken O Lord hearken and heare vnto my voyce that call and crie O let thy loue towards me appeare with streames and floods of thy mercie Thou sayest O Lord seeke yee my face what is it but in my distresse To crie for helpe and craue thy grace and ayde in time of heauinesse My soule by the pure priuiledge of thy free spirit which teacheth trueth My heart prepared with knowledge and faith and hope vnto thee sueth My tongue doth speake mine heart doth mutter and euery member in his place Doth striue to speake and these words vtter helpe me opprest hide not thy face Though father that did me beget my mother that from wombe me bare And all my friends forsake me yet thou Lord of me tak'st charge and care O Lord thou wilt me not forsake for so hast promis'd in thy Word In all distresse no feare I le take but forthwith flie to thee O Lord Thou giu'st not like our earthly Sires nor wants suppliest like carnall friends That would but cannot our desires performe in deedes as heart pretends Hopelesse I should downe faint and fall did I not in thee surely trust That holdeth no respect at all but vnto those whom Christ makes iust And thou acceptest not vaine glory as worldlings doe nor things externall Thou look'st not to things transitorie but to the things that are internall A lowly and obedient heart a trembling spirit thou doest elect Of poore opprest thou tookst the part and proud men downe thou doest deiect Frame thou therefore my inward zeale that outward businesse me deceiue not Of comforts which thou doest reueale to thine and me of ioyes bereaue not When at thy mercy gate I knocke doe not as rich men vse the poore That 'gainst them faest the gates doe locke but quickly Lord set ope the dore Let not my miseries depriue my heart of ioy or soules comfort Let not vaine things ill men deuise draw me to be of their consort Make strong my faith and hope Lord giue me and I le take hold of thy protection Be my defence and Paâ—…oplie and guide me safe to thy election Thou hast O Lord my troubles scene hast knowne my soule in bitternesse Thou hast mine helpe and succour been O helpe me now in my distresse In mercies thou hast mightily sau'd me from perils infinite My life consumes my heart doth die my yeares doe waste my day is night The day tells day the night the morrow the base reproach of my disaster Yea friends and foes adde griefe to sorrow and each base mate doth me o're-master I am now at the point to pine O let it be thy blessed pleasure To ease my griefe for I am thine my paines asswage Lord in some measure For thou my paines hast measured and all that 's good for those that feare Lord thou in store hast treasured to me Lord let the same appeare In sight of those that are my foes that thinke there is no period Of all my tortures paine and woes graunt this for Christ his sake O God A Prayer of an afflicted minde O Lambe of GOD which takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vpon mee a most vile and wretched sinner wounded euen vnto death eternall if thou Lord in whom all fulnesse of mercy and compassion doth dwell doe not relieue and comfort mee O Lord how am I assaulted by the crafty and subtill temptations of Sathan that cunning serpent that seeth all my weaknesses both of soule and body and neuer ceaseth night nor day sleeping waking eating drinking hearing and reading mourning and laughing but alwayes followeth doggeth me with fearefull temptations telling mee that I am but an hypocrite and that all my repentance hath beene but in words and not in heart in outward shew but not in trueth and that my sinnes are greater then God can or will forgiue that I am none of his Elect that I haue no true faith saying That those that truely beleeue neuer doubt that I doe not vnderstand Gods word aright and that it doth nothing appertaine vnto mee no more than vnto Iudas who for all hee was an Apostle yet was reprobated and cast away and how knowest thou but that thy faith is presumption seeing neuer any man but St. Paul had such assurance of faith Yea thou doest not delight in Gods word nor so loue his Ministers as thou shouldest thou doest not abound in good workes all thy righteousnes is pharisaicall thou art a louer of the world more then of God doest thou not see how thou art continually punished plagued and smitten of God neuer without one crosse or other on thy selfe thy wife children and seruants on thy cattell goods and aduentures at home and abroad and in other businesses Yea in euery thing thou puttest thine hand vnto thou seest how God is against thee and cannot abide thee yea euen in thy Prayers thou mayest feele how the spirit of God hath left thee therefore deceiue not thy selfe thou art none of his if it were otherwise thou shouldest not be so afflicted in euery thing as thou art Deceiue not thy selfe God doth not loue thee if he did hee would neuer haue suffered thee to commit so many sinnes as thou hast done by lying by swearing by drunkennesse by whoring by fornication by adulterie by murther and the like and to haue liued so long in them as thou hast done Yea what a prophaner of the Sabbath day hast thou beene what filthy vncleane thoughts what scurrilous Songs and vnsauourie speeches haue issued out of thy heart and mouth and how hast thou beene swallowed vp in pleasure and pride
all the dayes of thy youth And how many of Gods good creatures hast thou prophaned in thy belly on thy backe on thy neck to pranke thy Iezabels face thinking nothing good enough and fine enough to pamper thy earthly carcasse And doest thou thinke that God will now in thine olde age accept thy blinde seruice Thy repentance comes too late God will not regard thy sacrifice but as thou regardest not him when hee called in thy youth so now he will not regard thee in thine olde age though thou make many cries vnto him yea there is no sacrifice can cleanse thee from thy sinnes thou hast cast Gods law behinde thy backe and committed the sinne against the holy Ghost so that it is in vaine for thee to hope for mercy thou canst not be forgiuen though with Esau thou shâ—d neuer so many teares Thou art a reprobate by Gods decree and what knowest thou but that thou art in hell already so that do what thou wilt thou canst not be saued And therefore drowne or hang thy selfe or cut thy throat O Coward kill thy selfe and so shalt thou rid thy selfe out of this present paine O heauenly Father look down vpon this my wounded spirit and O Lord driue away Sathan that he preuaile not in these temptations against my soule O Lord so strong and violent are his temptations that I know not how to resist them but by the strength of thy holy Spirit which I beseech thee O Lord may powerfully and comfortably ayde assist me now and for euermore Lord for thy Christ his sake in whom I onely trust to obtaine thy mercy doe away my sinnes and speake peace vnto my soule against this lying serpent that thou art and wilt be my saluation O Lord. create in me a cleane heart and renue in me a right spirit that I may learne to feare thee according to thy word deale bountifully with me thy seruant that I may escape these temptations and in spight of Sathan liue to keepe thy word let not such contempt reproach come vpon me but saue mee out of the iawes of hell and from the power of Sathan for thy names sake and for thy mercy sake and for thy Sonne his sake O Lord I beseech thee And though my soule through these temptations cleaue vnto the dust yet quicken thou mee according to thy word and though the sorrowes of death hereby compasse mee in on euery side and the terrours of hell haue now caught hold on mee yet O Lord I beseech thee to deliuer my soule And though Sathan hath compassed me with the multitude of his temptations yet in thy Name O Lord I am confident that I shall ouercome them And though thou hast suffered Sathan for a time to buffet me yet I beseech thee as thy Sonne Iesus my Sauiour hath taught mee in this last petition of his holy Prayer let me be neither further led nor come into temptation but as in the wildernesse after Sathans three-fold temptation of thee thou by faith in the Word of thy Father didst resist him that in the end hee left thee so that thy Angels ministred comfort to thee so most sweet Sauiour help me so by the same skill of thy holy Word that I may resist Sathan and after the battell be comforted and confirmed in obedience by the most sweet comfort of thy holy spirit O Lord my Sauiour how did he tempt thee to make away thy selfe but could not preuaile So O Lord strengthen mee by the same power of thy Godhead and a true liuely faith by which I am ingrafted into thee that I may neuer by Sathans power be forced against nor with my will to commit the wickednesses wherewith hee tempteth mee O Lord hee could not enter into the Heard of Swine vntill thou gauest him leaue wherefore by thy vnlimitted power curbe and restraine him that hee enter not into mee much lesse worke his will of mee as he did of them He faine would haue killed thy seruant Iob as hee had done his children seruants and cattell but thou wouldst not giue him leaue So O Lord he hath striuen to doe with me but thou hast kept mee and resisted and rebuked him in my behalfe he striueth like a roaring Lyon to make mee his prey and beateth hard to enter into my heart which thou hast swept and garnished to be a receptacle for thy selfe wherefore O Lord let that stronger man euen thy holy Spirit keepe sure my soule vnto thee that I be not ouercome with his furious assaults and temptations to let goe my hope in thy mercies thou delightest not in the death of a sinner but rather to shew mercy that hee may be saued Lord for thy mercy sake saue mee and helpe mee for thy Sonnes sake keepe mee from the rage and fury of this my great oppressour O God he would fame play the lying spirit vnto my soule that he might plunge me in thy great displeasure but O Iesus I beseech thee saue mee and driue Sathan away from me that hee neuer come at mee more O God he continually striueth with mee for my soule as hee did with thine Angell for the body of Moses but as then thou didst defend it and thine Angell and in the end rebuked Sathan So O Lord defend me rebuke Sathan that he preuaile not against me neither in health in sicknesse nor yet at the point of death but send thine Elect Angel of the couenant Christ Iesus my annointed Sauiour and his innumerable heauenly Souldiers here to keepe me and at my end to conduct my soule to that place of rest where this champion of hell shall not once dare to defie it or cast forth any wicked accusation against mee and that for the merits of thy dearest Son and sprinkling of his bloud vnder which I expect my safety and saluation both heere in the Church militant and for euer in thy Church triumphant therefore to thee most holy Trinity and Lord God of Sabbaths be giuen by me and all thine both present and eternall praise Amen LACHRIM 4. Wherein the distressed prayeth GOD to keepe him from despaire howsoeuer men goe about to ruine him or his estate not regarding so God in his mercie and protection be with him who or how many rise vp against him IN thee O Lord I put my trust and yet there are which daily say There is no helpe for me vniust but Lord thy word cannot decay Thou art my God how can they then proue that thou wilt none helpe me send I am brought low in sight of men there 's none will helpe or comfort bend My basket and my store is spent they say it was by thee accurst Thou didst at take that hâ—dst it sent but they take all things at the worst At me they gape at me they wonder as at a monster seldome seene On all their workes and words I ponder what I now am what I haue beene I faint at nought thou know'st my smart th' art my
THE SACRIFICE OF A CONTRITE HEART In Teares Meditations and Prayers Penned by IOHN EVANS Minister of Gods Word IAMES 5. If any be afflicted let him pray If any be merry let him sing Psalmes LONDON Printed by A. M. for Richard Hamond and are to be sold at his Shop at the vpper end of Fleete lane 1630. The Contents A Consideration of mans miseries and Gods goodnesse pag. 1 A Meditation for the morning p. 10 A morning Prayer for one alone 14 The confession of a sorrowfull sinner 23 A Prayer vnto Almighty God 28 A Prayer for Christian vertues 30 A generall confession of our sinnes 34 Another morning Meditation 35 A prayer for the morning with company 40 Precepts of Christian duties 48 Another morning prayer 53 A Meditation for the Euening 56 An Euening prayer for a priuate person 60 Another for the Euening 64 An Euening prayer for a whole Family 74 Another for the Euening pag. 81 The repentant sheweth his vnfained griefe for offending so mercifull a God 85 An Euening meditation 90 A prayer for the encrease of Faith 93 A prayer for the remission of sinnes 96 A meditation vpon the miseries of man 101 A prayer for the forgiuenesse of sinnes 103 The Repentants complaint against sin 108 A prayer for sanctificatioÌ„ of the Sabbath 110 A prayer for godly zeale 116 A meditation to gaine fauour from God 119 A prayer for Faith Hope and Charity 122 The sighes and complaint of an afflicted conscience 124 A prayer for sanctification 128 A prayer in aduersity or affiiction 131 Meditations vpon the passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. 133 What to be learned by the passion 150 A prayer for patience vnder the Crosse. 164 A thanks giuing for Gods blessings 172 A meditation inciting vs to seeke God 180 A prayer before the Communion 187 A meditation before the Communion 192 Meditations vpon Gods mercies 197 Lachrim 1. Wherein the distressed prayeth for constancy and patience in his time of afflictions 205 A thanks giuing after the Communion 213 Another prayer after Communion 214 A prayer for the Catholicke Church of God 218 A prayer for the Kings Maiestie 221 Lachrim 2. Wherein the distressed expresseth his confidence in God 224 A prayer for the encrease of Christ his Kingdome 230 A prayer against Antichrist 238 Lachrim 3. Wherein the distressed prayeth that his faith and zeale may be encreased 246 The complaint of an afflicted minde 254 Lach. 4. Wherein the distressed prayeth against the dangereus sin of dispaire 264 The Merchant aduenturer his prayer 269 A prayer for the fruits of the earth 274 A thanksgiuing for benefits and Benefactors 276 Lach. 5. Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hold fast the promises of God 279 A generall thanksgiuing 283 Lach. 6. The distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes 295 A prayer to be vsed in the time of any contagious sicknesse 302 The prayer called O bountifull Iesu. 305 The sicke mans prayer 308 A prayer for the sicke 311 Lach. 7. The distressed detesteth the world and all worldly things 316 The young mans prayer for a vertuous wife 321 The mayds prayer for a godly husband 326 The prayer of a woman with childe 332 The 8. Lachrimae 337 A prayer for loue and charity 346 The 9. Lachrimae 351 Te Deum laudamus 352 TO AL THAT desire with faith and reuerence to call vpon the name of the Lord by the mediation of Iesus Christ Gods most holy Spirit be giuen for their inward consolation in this life and their eternall peace and glory in the life to come THe holy Prophet Dauid in a thankfull commemoration of the in numerable blessings hee had receiued from the hands of God said Quid retribuam domino what reward shall I giue vnto the Lord for all the benefits hee hath done vnto me and apprehending that God was not so well pleased with ceremoniall sacrifices as thousands of oblations or whole streames of the blood of young bullockes or goates or with riuers of oyle as with a troubled Spirit and a contrite and a broken heart resolueth therefore to humble his soule with fasting with weeping and with mourning to seeke the face and fauour of the Lord to pay his vowes to pray vnto the Lord to cal vpon his holy name to praise him for euermore assuring himselfe that the Lord would neither reiect nor despise such a sacrifice Good Christian Reader doe thou the like which art as farre indebted as euer Dauid was And seeing that Iesus Christ himselfe calleth vnto thee saying Come vnto mee all you that labour and are heauy laden with the burden of your sinnes and I will refresh you Oh â—et thy resolution be as ready as Dauids was when the Lord called seeke my face hee answered thy face O Lord will I seeke euen with my whole heart so let thy answere bee to the Sonne of God I come Lord Iesus I come I will pay my vowes promised to thee in the presence of thy people and confirmed vnder the Sacramentall Seale of Baptisme thy couenant of grace and mercy I will come and offer vnto thee my heart I will come and praise thee for all thy benefits I will come and hearken to thy voyce in thy most holy and blessed word I will abandon all secure licentious and voluptuous liuing and wholly delight in thy Testimonies and in thy Commandements which are not grieuous to thy children but more pleasing then honey or the honey combe and more inualuable then all earthly treasure I will come with reuerence repentance Charitie and Faith to receiue the cuppe of saluation at thy holy table in remembrance of thy most precious and for my sinnes sake ignominious death And forasmuch as the Spirit is willing but the flesh fraile and weake pray therefore for mortification of the flesh and that Sanctification and strengthening of thine owne inward Spirit oh pray for the presence and assistance of Gods most holy Spirit to helpe and strengthen thine infirmities whereby the diligent sighes inward groanes of thy heart may cheerefully ascend and pierce the heauens for a blessing oh stirre vp thy heart and soule to pray earnestly offer vp thyteares with watching with almes-deedes with abstinence and fasting as the repentant Niniuites as Dauid as Daniel oh breath out powerful sighes with Hannah oh streame out riuers of teares with penitent Mary Magdalen As some kinde of deuils could not bee cast out but by prayer and fasting so some sins are not eiected nor pardon for them procured without prayer and fasting and also bitter teares with repenting Peter Oh pray effectually and cheerefully and giue thy selfe continually to this diuine and holy exercise for this is the alone meanes to haue heauenly conference with thy gracious God oh pray without ceasing as the widow and as the importunate woman of Canaan pray euery where though it be in the vppenpart of thy house with Peter or in thy chamber alone with Eliseus
Keepe me from fees that neuer 〈◊〉 to take my life from me ô Lord Thy seruice is most perfect free to know thee 't is eternall life Reach out thy helping hand to mee against my foes that gainst me striue O God from whom all good desires from whom all iust workes doe proceedâ— Whose wise great actes all men admires assist me in the time of neede O Lord whose power and qualitie is sinners trespasse to forget Being tied and bound with chaines of sinne for pitty loose me I intreat Assist me in this mortall age what change or chance so ere befall From Sathan sinne and enemies rage Lord still defend me from them all Almighty God which giu'st vs grace now in thy name to pray to thee And promisest in any place when ioynes together two or three Thou wilt giue and grant what they request now Lord doe the desires fulfill Of vs thy serâ—…ts us seeme best and most expedient to thy will In this world knowledge vs granting of thy pure trueth and sanctity And after death let our new being be life with thee eternally O God that no time doest despise the fighing of a contrite heart Nor the desires of sinners cries in troubles anguish griefe and smart Assist our prayers in distresse and graciously vouchsafe to heare When sudden euils vs oppresse and subtill crafâ—s of foes vs fear Let them ô Lord be brought to nought and by thy goodnesse scattered be That so to vs no hurt being brought we may giue thankes and praise to thee Oh God of mercy we thee pray to looke on our infirmities And all those euils turne away which we deserue contâ—…llie Grant that in troubles and sicknes we put our trust and hope in thee And serue thee in true holines in awefull â—rueth and sanctitie Through Christ the onely aduocate and mighty Lord of all mankinde That workes Gods loue from wrath and hate towards his elect to be most kinde Oh God to whom all hearts are seene and hid desires are plainely kâ—owne My life reforme and minde make cleane my spirit inspire to be thine owne That I may loue thee perfectly and magnifie thy holy name Through Christ my Sauiour worthily and all the world confesse the same Lighten my darkenesse Lord I pray thee from daily dangers me defend Let not flesh world nor deuill dismay me keepe me both to and in the end Thy mighty hand and arme protect mee thy mercy in Christ be my saluation Lord euer let thy word direct mee and thy Spirit giue me consolation The peace of God which farre exceeds all vnderstanding of mans wit Preserue my soule from wicked deeds and gâ—ide my heart to doe what 's fit A Morning Prayer for a priuate person ALmighty God and heauenly Father I make my prayer vnto thee in an acceptable time calling most faithfully and feruently vpon thee in the name and mediation of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ thy well beloued Sonne in whom thou art well pleased trusting that for his sake and for the multitude of thy mercies thou wilt heare me and grant my petitions may be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my saluation Almighty immortall and invisible God who inhabitest eternitie and dwellest in light that none can attaine vnto whom neuer man saw neither can see as thou art in thy eternall glory with this eye of flesh and liue vnto thee oh Lord God doe I prostrate and direct my selfe most humbly confessing that I am but dust and ashes not worthy to open my lippes to speake vnto thee or once with my eyes to looke vp to thy heauens to behold thy glory in thy wonderfull workes for oh Lord I haue sinned against heauen and against thee and am not worthy to bee counted or called thy Sonne being by nature the child of wrath a fire-brand of hell altogether both in body and soule begotten conceiued and brought foorth in sinne and have euer since my first originall liued and continued therein adding sinne vnto sinne and heaping vp transgression vpon transgression and drinking in iniquitie as the beast doth water so that oh my Lord God if thou shouldest but behold mee with thy pure eyes that can abide no iniquite thou mightest not onely punish and afflict me with diuers crosses with sundry paines sicknesse and diseases in this mortall life but O Lord thou mightest follow and pursue mee with thy secret hatred with thy infinite and eternall displeasure yea and for euer giue me my part portion with the wicked reprobates and damned spirits in infernall darkenesse But oh Lord though by nature and desert hell be my portion yet thou hast pleased for Christ his sake in whom alone I beleeue the pardon of all my sinnes originall and actuall of omission and commission of ignorance and knowledge and of presumption in all which kindes I haue mightily offended thee mine owne conscience beside the testimony of thy word bearing witnesse which is greater then if ten thousands of witnesses should stand vp against me But ô Lord for thy Christ his sake that immaculate and vnspotted I am be that was once sacrificed for the Redemption of the whole world doe away all my sinnes and offences and let them not at any time through Sathâ—ns accusation or aggrauation stand vp against me neither in conscience in this world to accuse mee or in the day of thy second comming to condemne mee wash them away ô Lord in the precious blood of thy Sonne and for his sake bee at peace with mee Seale vp vnto my soule and conscience this day and while I am in this life the assured pardon of all my sinnes of thought word and deed Let thy Spirit dwell in me and testifie vnto and with my Spirit this day the assurance of my Iustification and adoption O Lord sanctifie and regenerate mee to thy Image through thy holy Spirit from whence through Adams sinne and my owne actuall I am fallen should for euer lye plunged therein if thou Lord shuldest denie to reach foorth vnto mee thy mercifull hand or thy hand full of mercy and aboundant kindnesse in Christ. O Lord if when we were dead in sinnes and trespasses and inasmuch as in vs lay thy most malicious enemies when wee were without God and without hope in the world and sought not after thee till thou as to Adam in the garden didst seeke and finde vs out How much more beeing in Christ and in him seeking thee wilt thou be found of vs and nigh vnto vs when wee call vpon thee O Lord thou hast promised that if wee aske wee shall haue if we seeke we shall finde if wee knocke it shall bee opened vnto vs wherefore I beseech thee pardon my weake Faith O Lord encrease in me godly sorrow for all my offences past and present ô let mee sorrow that I cannot sorrow according to the heighâ—… multitude of my transgreâ—… Lord make mee to know my sâ—… not onely open but secret not 〈◊〉 the highest but
through the merits of thy sufferings that I may a so bee made partaker of thy blessed Resurrection Amen 7. O Lord Iesus the very freedome of the Angels and the pleasure of Paradise remember the terrour and griefe which thou didst endure at the time when as all thine enemies stood round about thee like a sort of roaring Lyons vexing thee with buffetings spettings scratchings and other intollerable dealings and martvring thee with reproachfull words grieuous stripes and most grieuous torments I beseech thee O Lord for thine owne sake and for thy exceeding great mercies sake which caused thee to endure and suffer these things for our redemption deliuer mee from all mine enemies visible and inuisible and graunt that I may finde protection in this life and endlesse felicity in the life to come Amen Amen O Lord the Creatour and framer of the world whom no measure can comprehend within bounds and which holdest the earth in thine hand call to minde thy most bitter paine which thou didst endure when they nayled thy most holy hands to the Cross and likewise pearced through thy most tender feete making thy wounds still more and more painfull and so drawing and stretching out thy body to the length and breadth of the crosse I beseech thee graunt that my continuall minding of this thy most holy and bitter paines vpon the Crosse may also cause me to stand in awe of thee and also to loue thee with an vnquenchable loue 8. O Iesus the heauenly Phisitian remember the anguish paine and griefe which thou diddest suffer by the renting crucifying tearing of all the parts of thy body when thou wert lifted vp and nayled to the Crosse insomuch as there was not any one of them whole and vnbruised so that there was neuer any paine found like vnto thine for there was not any place of thee left whole from the sole of the foote to the crowne of the head and yet euen then vnmindfull of all thy paines thou prayedst earnestly and mildly for thine enemies saying Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe I beseech thee by thy louing kindnes and mercie which caused thee to suffer these paines for my sake let thy passion be the full satisfaction absolution and pardon for all my sinnes Amen 9. O Iesus the mirrour of eternall brightnesse and fountaine of vnconsumeable goodnesse which crucifying vpoÌ„ the Cross didst thirst for the saluation of mankinde I beseech thee kindle in vs the desire of all good works quench in vs the thirst and concupiscence of all fleshly lusts and both coole and kill in vs the loue of all worldly delight O Princely Iesus the strength and triumph of our minds which for our sakes didst suffer such anguish of heart that the bitternesse of thy death and the exclamation of the Iewes vpbraiding and reuiling thee made thee to cry out with a loude voyce O God my God why hast thou forsaken me I beseech thee forsake mee not in my distresse but bee at hand to comfort mee and deliuer me especially at the time of death O Iesu the bottomlesse sea of all mercy I beseech thee by the deepe wounds which pearced through thy flesh into the marrow of thy bones and into the very bowels of thee pull me out of the gulph of my sinnes and hide mee in the holes of thy wounds from the sight of thy Fathers iust wrath vntill his displeasure be ouer-past 10. O Lord the mirrour of truth the standard of vnity and the bond of charity remember thine innumerable wounds wherwith thou wert torne from top to toe by the wicked Iewes so that thou wert all on a gore blood which torment thou didst suffer in that most holy body of thine for our sakes O most sweet and milde Iesus leauing nothing vndone on thy behalfe that might be for our benefit I beseech thee write the memoriall of these thy bloody wounds in my heart with thy most pretious blood that in them I may reade thy great loue towards mee let the remembrance of them be layd vp continually in the closet of my heart that the consideration of the paines and griefes which thou sufferedst for my sake in thy passion may make mee to loue thee more and more and neuer to giue ouer vntill I be come vnto the treasure of all goodnesse ioyes which I beseech thee to graunt me for thine owne sake O most sweet Iesus Amen 11. O Iesu the onely begotten Sonne of the heauenly Father and the brightnesse and Image of his substance remember thy heartie commending of thy spirit into thy Fathers hands when hauing thy body all torne and thy heart full of anguish and sorrow and the curse of our bloody sinnes pressed thee euen to the death and to the expiration of thy humane soule I beseech thee for this thy pretious deaths sake O King of Saints giue mee strength to withstand the deuill the world and the flesh that being dead to the world I may liue onely vnto thee And whensoeuer this wayfaring and banished poore soule of mine shall depart hence I beseech thee receiue it home into the hands and protection of thy mercy and graunt it may be deare and pretious in thy sight and liue and remaine with thee in glory for euermore Amen 12. O Iesus the true fruitfull vine remember the abundant flowing out and shedding of thy blood which thou didst send out of thy body most plentifully as out of Grapes pressed at the wine-presse at which time as thou didst tread the wine-fatte alone and begannest to vs of the cup of water and wine which streamed forth out of thy most glorious side I beseech thee O most sweet Iesus by this most bitter death of thine and by the shedding of thy most pretious blood wound my heart with such repentance of my sinnes and â—oy of thy loue as my teares may be my food day and night Turne â—hou mee wholy vnto thee that my heart may dwell with thee continually and my conuersation be acceptable vnto thee And let my life bee such through thy goodnesse as I may praise thee â—or euer with all thy Saints in the â—ife to come Amen O Lord Iesus Christ the Son of the liuing God who thirsting â—or the full accomplishment of mans redemption didst taste of â—he vinegar and gall despightfully offered vnto thee and diddest dyâ—ng vpon the Crosse commend â—hy spirit into the hands of thy heauenly Father So doe I betake my soule into thy mercifull hands beseeching thee both to preserue it here from all sinne and in the end to receiue it in peace into the company of thy chosen that are departed that I may with them praise thee euerlastingly which liuest and raignest with the Father and the holy Spirit coequall and coeternall one glorious wonderfull and immortall God for euer and euer Amen Amen In the pangues of death and in all tribulations the Remedies to be learned in the sufferings of Christ. VVHat 's death a seperation
my carelesse and negligent receiuing by the suddaine hand of sicknesse be struck vnto death but as the faithfull Iewes in their constant and conscionable celebration of their feast of Passeouer by them kept a perpetuall remembrance of their Egyptian deliuerrnce from Pharaohs bondage were exceedingly edified confirmed in the promises of thy loue that thou wouldest be their God and they should be thy people which they sawe fulfilled in their Fathers and still continued vnto themselues through the hope of the Messiah by whom they expected their greatest safety and deliuerance Graunt vnto mee O heauenly Father that as the Minister of thy Word and Sacraments setteth a part the Bread and Wine so I may remember the eternall loue by which in the beginning thou diddest set a part thy Sonne through faith in him to be my saluation promising that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And as I see the Wine powred out and the Bread broken so I may remember thy patient enduring the breaking of thy body and shedding of thy blood whereby thou hast payed the price and satisfied the punishment that was due vnto me and as the Bread Wine doe presently comfort and refresh my body so most sweet Sauiour let me feele my soule so comforted and edified this day and so often as I shall thinke of thee and thy mercies hereby promised and assured yea graunt that being made one with thee by spirituall vnion I may liue in thee and thou in me in the encrease of a godly life to the honour of thee my Sauiour To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be giuen by me and all thine both present and eternall praise Amen Amen Another godly Meditation before the receiuing of the holy Communion O Almighty God and mercifull Father I am a secret sinner and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions wilfully and foolishly ignorantly and obstinately haue I sinned against thee vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lye open but now I come vnto thee as the sick man vnto the Physitian as an vncleane man vnto the Well of mercy and grace offered in the pretious blood-shedding of Iesus Christ and represented to my soule in this blessed Sacrament Haue mercy vpon mee O Lord haue mercy vpon mee and forgiue mee all the euills that I am guilty of Giue mee grace that I may discerne the Lords body and so receiue it in this Sacrament with such chastity of body humblenesse of minde thankfulnesse of soule hearty contrition dread and reuerence as is meete for such a mysterie O Lord Iesus it is truly said of thee that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them and I verily beleeue that thou art the same still full of goodnesse and mercy wherefore I beseech thee leaue me not to my selfe reiect me not from thy Table come into my heart and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the spirit Enter into my soule seale and sanctifie me both within and without Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my blessed Sauiour Open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe mee to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance Send mee the hunger and thirst after this righteousnesse satisfie me with this heauenly foode make mee verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion Oh deare Lord Iesus since thou hast suffered so many things for my sake and hast commanded mee not to dispaire nor distrust thy goodnesse graunt me grace to eate of this bread and to drinke of this Cup worthily that I may continually remaine in thy grace and fauour O Lord God the Father giue mee the full consolation of this mysterie and commemoration that my faith may be encreased my hope confirmed my charity enflamed my weake conscience comforted all dangers repelled and my soule assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ let no profanenesse enter into my heart so long as I am about this holy action but giue mee grace to receiue with purity of heart and cleanenesse of soule with loue dread and stedfast faith haue mercy vpon me good Lord that by vnworthy receiuing I be not guilty of his pretious body and blood who came downe from heauen liued with men and swamme through a red sea of blood in his agony and passion to bee my Redeemer Haue mercy vpon the whole Church and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place and this companie that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice and all other actions of their life O Lord be not angry with mee a barren and dry tree a creature with a face of brasse and heart of flint I haue not so many teares as are sufficient to wash thy feete with Mary Magdalen but thou hast shed as much of thine owne blood as surficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee and all the world then be not angry with mee O Lord but let thy grace supply my wants let thy mercy pardon my sinnes let thy holy spirit prepare my soule thy merits enrich my pouerty and thy most pretious blood wash away all the spots of my life that I may worthily receiue this heauenly Sacrament so that I may bee strengthened thereby throughly filled with the heauenly foode of thy body and blood for the mortification of the old man the confirmation of my faith and the finall saluation of my soule O Lord heare my prayers graunt my requests I beseech thee Amen Godly Meditations vpon the loue and mercy of God in bestowing together with his Sonne these holy Mysteries vpon vs the commemoration whereof may moue vs to an awefull reuerence in the participation of the same O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing all creatures doe confesse thee to bee their Gouernour and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship of thine owne hands to reuerence and magnifie thy godly Maiestie First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne image and similitude but chiefely because thou â—ast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death and damnation into which Sathan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the â—ondage whereof neither man nor Angell was able to make vs free But thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeleued Sonne whom of very loue thou didst giue to bee made man perfect in all things freely exempted and excepted from sinne that in his body he might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy Iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the Author of death and so bring againe life vnto the world from which the whole off-spring of Adam was most iustly exiled O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepenesse and height of that
doe me teach In vnderstanding truth instruct me vouchsafe me perfect patiencâ— And to freedome Lord conduct me where is no loss nor paine of sence And from these dangers Lord me free which most I feare and soon'st possesse The comforts most desir'd by me and so enioy true happinesse O make not Lord thy absence long but hasten my deliuerance Against my foes Lord make me strong which doe themselues 'gainst me aduaâ—ce That ready are with onset new for to assault my silly soule Wearied with stormes that doe accrewe and plung'd with waues which o're me roule Wherefore hast thou left vnto vs by thy word a commandement To cast our care on thee which thus with weighty burthens vs torment With promise to vs helpe and ease thou seest and know'st Lord our desire Our secret hearts and all our wayes all 's plaine to thee as light as fire If therefore I should iustifie my selfe I should condemned be Thou find'st me out and do'st me trie my righteousnesse is nought to thee Disclayming my integrity I cast me downe Lord at thy feete And pray for pure sincerity that I doe all in all that 's meete Wherefore thou art most mercifull when wants and weakenesse we confesse Yea then thy gifts are plentifull vs to relieue in our distresse On thee my burthen Lord I lay for well I know thou câ—r'st for all That thee beleeue loue feare obay and for thy grace and mercy call My faith and hope is all in thee I am of imperfections full I aske why thou doest visite me should I that blockish am aâ—… dull Defil'd within and eke without plead duties done â—r else be mute It is in vaine to goe about with thee O Lord for to dispute Who euill am in my best way in purest thoughts yea most impure Pardon my weakenesse Lord I pray and giue me zeale and truth to endure With humblenesse and perfect loue which Lord thou doest of me require Instruct me God with wisedome moue me guide and leade to thy desire Shew me the way that tends to blisse after this my long straying hâ—â—re And bring me home where all peacâ—â—s let thy free fauour Lord appeare Wherein is life and liberty comfort ioy and societie With rest peace and tranquility for them that liue in piety O happy he whom thou protectest most happy he whom thou doest loue He is happy and sure whom thou respectest he is fed and clad from thee aboue In all good things he is rich indeede when he doth call thou doest him heare What he doth aske thou giu'st at neede he seekes and findes them euery where When he is sicke thou doest him â—ure when poore thou doest his wants supply When he is sad he shall be sure thy sauing helpe and health is niâ— When he is troubled doest defend him in danger doest securenesse giue him When men him hate thy loue wilt send him when almost dead life doth reuiue him And giu'st him then such ioyes for euer as no mans wit can apprehend Me fauour graunt Lord bring me thither to these thy blessings without end This fauour Lord vnto me shew and blesse my contemplation Onely in heauen and hee I know is perfect contentation My sorrowes shall be turn'd to ioy my wants vnto sufficiencie My teares to gladnesse from annoy mourning to mirth and melodie My soule keepe safe from death and hell my feete from sliding and from falling Let mâ— vprightly walke and dwell and on thee still O Lord be calling Who do'st performe thy promises and let'st none empty part away That with their hearts seeke thy mercies or doe for helpe or comfort pray Send helpe therefore and saue me from them that would me quite deâ—oâ—re And daily grieue me and depraue me my soule 's with Lyons euery houre I wads as through the raging sea I dwell amongst them set on fire Whose teeth are spears whose tongue beares sway like two-edg'd sword with wrath and ire Thy mercy therefore and thy truth let be my bucklen and strong sâ—…ld Hast beene mine hope euen from my youth let troubles cease new ioyes me yeeld Set me vpon thy rocke for 〈◊〉 of perfect loue and true reliefe Let rest and refuge faile me nâ—uer and thy protection saue from griese Bring thou to passe what 's fit for me what thou doest know expedient That righteous men thâ—â—nd may see and how my hope obâ—â—in'd conâ—â—nt That they may of thy glory talke and speake of thy eternall praise All men shall say that see me walke doubtlesse God will the righteoâ—s raise There is a God thâ—â—'s gracious goâ—d to them that be of perfect heart When he hath all their foes with stood heauens ioyes to them he will impart A Prayer in the time of plague or other extraordinarie sicknesse O Lord our GOD in whose name standeth our helpe and who amongst other euills hast promised vs to deliuer thy people from the 〈◊〉 of the Hunter and the noysome Pestilence wee beseech thee take this thy Plague away from vs And as the stench of our sinnès hath ascended vp into thy nosthrills to prouoke thy wrath against vs so let our humble supplications come before thee to procure our happy and speedie release from it Lord call backe thine Angell and cause him to sheath the sword againe We are thy children the worke of thy hand we are sorrie for our sinnes which are the cause of all this and wee purpose amendment wee are but men dust and ashes not able to beare long therefore Lord haue mercy vpon vs and that soone send vs comfort and suffer vs not to perish after so miserable a sort We thanke thee O Lord that thou hast not left vs altogether comfortlesse without hope but hast somewhat withdrawne thine hand and spared many hundred of vs in comparison of those whom thou slewest before and now wee reioyce at this abatement yet stand in awe we presume vpon this thy fauour but with feare and trembling wee trust it shall be euery day better yet we are carefull to winne it by pleasing thee Wherefore O Lord wee beseech thee blesse vs and all those that depend vpon vs set thy sauing marke vpon our houses as thou didst for the Israelites and giue or er to the destroyer that hee hurt vs not Put thy strength to our medicines guard our regard which wee haue of our selues let thy good blessings make the preseruatiues of the Physitians and our shifting places for more security profitable vnto vs and let vs not trust too much to outward means but chiesely in thy mercy and blessing vpon them Keepe vs downe-lying and vp-rising and protect vs walking in our vocations haue pittie vpon our distressed brethren comfort the desolate widowes prouide for all fatherlesse children Gather vs together againe that by these meanes are dispersed and continue thy mercifull worke in deminishing our dead numbers till wee may iustly say in confidence and thankes with the Prophet we shall not die but liue and declare the
From head to foote so leprous be our staines That in our selues not one good thought remaines But if we doe or thinke ought that is good It is in vs the effect of Christ his blood Our bloody sinnes are numberlesse and daily call That thou in iudgement should condemne vs all But Lord our God be hold vs in thy Sonne Forgiue forget remit what wee haue done Corruption made vs sonnes of wrath and fire-brands of hell Thy grace in Christ made vs thy sonnes and heires to dwell In heauen where thy kingdome is most glorious be thy name Which hast in Christ elected vs before all worlds frame In glory thou in heauen art in mercy heere with vs below In iudgements with the damned crew the seas thy wonders know Yet sea nor earth nor heauens high thy essence can containe Thou art hast bin and euer shalt I AM of might remaine Seeing thou art to vs a Father deare of heauenly might Giue vs obedience to thy will and in thy lawes delight Humilitie with godly feare heauenly thoughts diuine And whatsoeuer graces else may signe and scale vs thine Most glorious sacred sanctified acknowledg'd be thy name Amongst vs all thy children deare that doe professe the same Although none hallowing we can adde vnto thy essence pure Grant that our liues our thoughts our words thy glory may procure Eâ—due vs with such godly zeale thy honour to maintaine With reuerence due to vse thy name and not in ieast or vaine Seeing that thy wisedome greatnesse cleare and piercing eye Beholds what 's done or thought both farre and nye From swearing lying and blaspheming thee Good Lord in mercy still deliuer me By all we thinke shall doe or act indeed Grant that some glory to thy name proceede Let not our sinnes nor Sathans strong temptation Nor our fraile flesh gaine sinfull approbation Come thou Lord Iesus quickly cleanse and garnish Our sinfull hearts and thine kingdome establish O Sonne of God ô Lambe pure vndefiled The ioy solace which all Saints desired Inflame our hearts let vs not quench thy Spirit Make good to vs what thy owne death did merit God hath ordain'd and thou hast dearely bought A glorious Kingdome by vs seldome sought Lest from that Kingdome we excluded be O work in vs such works as pleaseth thee Thy will is holy perfect right and iust Our wils peruerse possest with sinfull lust O grant vs willing hearts for to perfome Whatsoeuer thy good will shal vs informe Our will 's peruerse corrupted full of sin No good in act or thought we can begin If any thing we doe that please thee may It is thy grace that doth direct our way O Lord my God doe thou so rule my mind That to thy will my will be still inclin'd Let me not thinke nor will nor wish to doe But what thy wil doth wel conâ—ent thâ—rto Thy holy words to feed our soules and natures wants supply For all our base vnthankefull hearts good Lord doe not deny Thy blessings Lord continue still and prouidence diuine And when we daily call on thee ô Lord to vs incline It is not wealth nor ophire gold that can enrich our neede Nor pleasant dainties that wee take that can our bodies feede It is thy blessing mighty Lord thy strong protecting arme That feeds defends thy children dears from penury and harme No desert wild nor person 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 famine sore Shall long oppressâ— thy children deare or quite cosume theiâ—â—…re The Rock the Rauen. Asses jaw and eke the Lyon strong Shall comfort yeeld vnto all those that to thy grace belong The little birds the dainty flowers are fed and cloth'd most gay And euery creature in his kind feeles thee most kind alway But we for whom this vniuerse all things in 't were sign'd Doe take thy gracious benefits and proue to thee vnkind For sinfull debts to Iustice due no payment can we make Eternall death our payment is vnlesse thou mercy take Compassion Lord haue thou on vs be thou a Father kind And seal'd to vs in Christ his blood let vs thy mercie find The blind the lame the dumb and they possest with deuils The leaprous sinfull stained soules were cured of their euils They sinned had thy counsell was they should not sinne againe O soules sole cleanser Sauiour deare our hearts from sinne restraine Small is the wrong that 's done to vs in body goods or name By friends or foes we them forgiue good Lord doe thou the same If comfort any we can yeeld when they beâ— in distresse Grant we for thee our loue to them may willingly expresse Although our many grieuous sinnes deserue thy ragefull ire Repenting hearts with mournefull soules and mercy we desire O let that precious blood of thine to vs be of such force That nothing from the loue of thee may euer vs diuorce Withdraw not Lord thy grace from vs when strong temptations are Lest grosse notorious shamelesse sinnes how fraile we be declare Make vs strong pillars in thine house thy name on vs engraue That neither Sathan sinne nor hell of vs the conquest haue Though sometime Sathan suffered is to try thy children all Defend them Lord succour them when they on thee shall call So shall the glory be thine owne the conquest be their gaine And Sathan with his engins all shall know he wrought in vaine The more assaults the Dragon makes in conscience or in mind The more that man if constant bee the strength of God shâ—ll finde That soule that sacrificed is by sharpe afflictions knife By faithfull sufferance to the end doth gaine a Crowne of life Most mighty and victorious Lord that hast the conquest gain'd Of all the foes of thee and thine that in the world remaine Let no temptations though full strong a captiue make of me But by thy strength and powerfull grace good Lord deliuer me O holy sacred Trinitie that art of â—…ll might Instrust direct inspire our hearts to pray to thee aright And whatsoeuer may aduance or glorifie thy name By gracious will and powerfull might coâ—…erre on vs the same Eternall King immortall God all kingdomes are thine owne Thy power wisedome and thy might to vs doth make thee knowne All honour glory praise and laude be rendered by all men Vnto thy sacred Maiestie for euermore Amen A Morning Meditation ALmighty God which hast me brought in safety to this present day Keepe me from sinne in heart and thought and teach me what to dâ—â— and say Prosper me Lord in all my workes helpe me with thy continuall grace Kâ—… 〈◊〉 from Sathan vile that lurkes â—… soule in euery place Almighty Lord and God of loue dirâ—ct mine heart and guide my wayes Amend my misse my minde remooue from all that from thy glory strayes Thou that of wisedome art true spring and fountaine of felicitie Let mercy meere my prayers bring by Faith in Christ to sight of thee Thou which art authour of all peace and the true louer of concord
sting mee Because my conscience doth controule and saith to hell gates they will bring mee Because they doe besot my senses because they dull my Spirits quicknes Because they cause so great expenses because they cause my sad soules sicknes Because all vertue hindered is by this vile worlds accursed pleasure Because it will bereaue of blisse and of that blessed heauenly treasure And therefore earth and world farewell adue fond fancies flattering fauours Your ioyes are toyes your heauen is hell I hate your poyson'd tast and sauours And thou that art life of my life soule of my soule ô Iesus Christ Point downe the period of worlds strife thou art the Prophet Prince and Priest That wentest vp to prepare that place aboue Sunne Moone and Planets seauen O saue me by thy sauing grace and bring me to that highest heauen Where are such ioyes caelestiall as cannot be exprest by pen Bring me from things terrestriall to raigne with thee for aye Amen A Prayer vnto Almighty God to prepare and dispose our hearts rightly vnto Prayer O Louing God and Father deare I humbly thee beseech and pray For Iesus sake my prayers heare and harken what my soule shall say My heart and thoughts Lord sanctifie thine holy Spirit inspire within me Me from corruptions mundifie and let thy louing mercies win me O let me aske and haue of thee let me by Faith my suite obtaine Thy louing fauour shew to me all other fauour is but vaine Restraine my vaine imaginations preuent by Grace Sathans intrusions Let him not taint my cogitations nor â—â—â—nd mine eyes with vaine illusions Which are the enticements and the baites of that great ghostly enemy That still for worldlings seekes and waites within which rancke poore wretch am I But as my mouth and lippes haue sayd words of a faithfull seruant true So let my soule of Christ craue ayd with inward spirit to liue anewe For now my poore soule is afraid and time mispent alas I rue To thee I runne imploring aid within me doe thy Spirit renue O Lord I see the bloody wounds of thy sweete Sonne my Sauiour 〈◊〉 see thy mercies there abounds and promised by thy fauour And therefore I by sinfull deâ—…des that earst liu'd carelesse in despaire Doe flye vnto those wounds that bleedes and plucke downe grace by force of prayer Oh in that grace grant me to live and in that grace grant me to die And when I die Lord grace me giue to raigne with thee perpetuallie A Prayer for Christian vertues OH my Lord God grant that with a sincere heart I may desire thee and in desyring seeke thee and in seeking find thee and when I haue found thee grant that I may constantly loue thee and not returne to that filthinesse of sinne for which thou hatest me and I become odious loathsome in thy presence that thou art constrained to withdraw thy gracious countenance from beholding so great impuritie Giue me ô my Lord God a repentant heart a contrite Spirit eyes flowing with fountaines of penitent teares quench in me all the concupiscense of the flesh and kindle in me the fire of thy loue Oh my Redeemer take from me the Spirit of pride and most fâ—â—ourably enrich mee with the treasure oâ— thy humilitie remooue from me◠ô my Sauior the fury and distem perance of choller and graciously arme me with the shield of pati ence O my Creator roote out oâ— me all ranck or and malice and en due me with gentlenes and meekâ— nes bestow vpon mee a perfecâ— faith a right hope and constanâ— loue Preserue me ô Lord from aâ— vanitie inconstancy of minde waâ— uering of heart scossing and conâ— temptuous speaking reproches tauntes and slanders against mâ— neighbour busie curiositie hunâ— ger of riches extortion ambitiâ— on vaine-glory from the vice oâ— hypocrisie the poyson of flatte ry contempt of the weake op pression of the poore from gree dy auarice cankered enuy deadly blasphemy Deliuer me ô Lord from rasâ— boldnesse contumacy frowardnesse idlenesse negligence sloath dulnesse of wit blindnes of heart obstinacy of minde sauage conditions contempt of good things the abandoning of wholesome counsell offence of the tongue rapine of the poore malicious and false accusation against the innocent violence against the impotent neglect of inferiours cruelty towards my family impietie and infidelitie towards them that repose trust in me and from vniust and rigorous dealing with all men O my God my merciful God I beseech thee in thy beloued Sonne blesse me with the workes of mercy and zeale of godlinesse to suffer with the afflicted to minister to the needy to succour the miserable to counsell them that go astray to comfort the sorrowfull to releeue the oppressed to nourish the poore to cherish and comfort such as mourne to forgiue my debtors to pardon them that trepasse against mee to loue them that hate mee to render good for euill to despise none but to honour them to imitate the good to beware of euill things and euill vngodly societie to eschew vice and to embrace vertue in aduersitie patience humblenesse in prosperitie to guard the doore of my mouth to watch the enemies that compasse my lippes to despise worldly things and earnestly to thirst after the heauenly O Lord my God blessed be thy name for euer dispose my heart open my lippes and guide mee by thy holy Spirit to a true acknowledgement of all my sinnes and an eternall detestation renouncing and forsaking of them that my prayers may bee heard of thee in the name and for the name of thy Sonne Iesus Christ. To whom with thee and the most holy Spirit three sacred persons one mighty and immortall God bee ascribed attributed and giuen all praise all thankes all honour and glory this day and for euermore Amen Amen A generall confession of sinnes OMnipotent and gracious Father I from thy wayes haue stray'd and err'd Like a lost sheepe and followed rather mine hearts deuises and prefer'd My foolish fancies fond desires and broke the lawes set downe by thee I haue not done what thou requires but done those things that should not be No health in mee but thou ô God haue mercy on me sinfull wretch Spare me oh spare me hold thy rod that to offenders thou doest stretch I doe confesse my faults restore mee I doe repent for Iesus sake That promise euer is before thee which thou in Christ to God didst make And grant for his sake liue I may a godly right and sober life To thy names glory still for aye possessing heauen where is no strife All laude and praise be to thy name for euer and euer now and then To whom all nations sing with fame sweete Psalmes of ioy Amen Amen A Morning Meditation I Laid me downe to rest and slept and in the moring rose againe God me sustain'd and safely kept and by his grace did me maintaine His Angels pitcht me round about sleeping and waking keeping me Both comming in and going out
our feete vnto which wee are so exceeding prone And that because we are thy temples and members one of another and of thy Sonne Christ especially And for our helpe herein giue vs grace that we may euery one seriously apply and diligently minde the things thou hast this day appointed vs to doe in our seuerall rankes and callings as we are either fathers masters children or seruants that we may both gouerne and obey as becommeth thy children and seruants which feare thy holy name and giue vs grace that wee may this day and all the dayes of our life perseuere in the faith and feare of thee and of thy Sonne Iesus our most louing and blessed Sauiour And grant most louing Father that as we haue begunne in him so wheresoeuer we are at the last we may finish our mortall race in him and change this life vnto his glory and our owne eternall comforts Now hauing continued our accustomed suites for spirituall blessings and graces we returne vnto thee most humble and hearty thankes for all those fauours which as assurances of all thy loue thou hast giuen euery one of vs here present as in our births into this present world thou didst safely bring vs through the straight gates of nature which â—ike Herod in the act of birth â—hreatneth nothing but present â—eath in infancy childhood and â—outh considering our weakenes â—nd wildnes might haue befallen â—nto vs many mischances of deâ—… 〈◊〉 in our bodies so since â—e came to manhood thou hast â—ept vs from the same dangers a â—ousand manner of wayes for â—hich we thanke thee O Lord â—e thanke thee also for our daily â—ead and contiâ—…all cloathing that through thy blessing doeth daily comfort vs in this present life for thee and for a thousand more of which we haue continuall experience both in body and soule wee are bound to continue and conclude these our prayers thankesgiuing and morning sacrifice vnto thee for our selues and thy holy Church as thy Sonne our Sauiour hath taught vs saying Our Father which art in heaueÌ„ c. To thee the Father the Son and the holy Ghost bee giuen all honour and glory by vs and all thine this day and for euermore Amen Amen Be mercifull ô Father of all mercies to thy Church vniuersall dispersed throughout the whole world and grant thâ—… they that dâ—e confesse thy name may agree in the truth of thy holy word liue in godly concord and vnitie More especially good Lord bee mercifull to all such as bee vnder persecution for the testimony of a good conscience and the profession of the Gospell of thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ. Defend and saue ô Lord those silly soules which as sheepe are appointed to the shambles and slaughter and represse the rage and tyranny of such as are bent to blood-shed and minde nothing but murthering thy Saints and children be mercifull to this sinfull kingdome wherein wee liue and be good and gracious to thine annoynted Charles our most gracious King blesse the honourable Counsell the Reuerend â—lergie the Nobilitie and Cominalâ—ie of this Land and also blesse â—s a portion of thine inheritance the which our Lord Iesus Christ was contented to redeeme with his most precious blood the alone mediator of all mercies to whom â—ith thee and the holy Ghost beeâ—â—â—l honour and glory for and euer Amen Amen Precepts of duty HIgh mighty God of righteousnes in wrath a dread consuming fire Thou didst in perfect happinesse make man that did 'gainst thee conspire And breake thy lawes with all despight when thou hadst made him pure and holy Plac'd him in garden of delight so great and wicked was his folly That hauing leaue to take or leaue to chuse refuse or vse at pleasure He did himselfe by sinne deceiue of that diuine surpassing treasure And by his mutabilitie regardlesse of thy sacred lawes He brought in instabilitie lost his free-will by breach of lawes Thou God of Iustiâ—e must doe right man wanting grace with want of grace By grace substraction didst requite and banish him that blessed place By meanes of which we are inclin'd from thy behestes to run astray Our tongue our heart our soule our mind by sinne is carried cleane away Thou hast vs Lord by grace elected and thy free mercy to inherit Thy blisse if thy blisse be respected and seal'd vs with thy holy spirit Thou madest vs free by thy Sonnes blood to th' end thou mayest be glorifi'd In soules and bodies for our good his passion hath vs purifi'd Thou freedst vs to that end we might serue thee in holy righteousnes Thou gauest thy Sonne and he vs bought from thraldome of our sinfulnes Thou would'st he should for all men die to make him liue in thine elect And they in him to â—ructifie and with his graces hast them deckt By grace and holy inspiration rebellious nature seek'st to tame With precepts for instruction and leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name The ready way of seruing thee and profit to our neighbours bring And louing thee most zealously who art our Father Lord and King Though by thy Gospell we be free from lawes their sting and punishment Yet rules of life and pietie thou hast precrib'd and to vs lent Thereby to manage all our deeds and guide vs lest we step awrie Obseruing carefull as we needs how well to liue and well to die These lawes thou writ'st in Table two with the pure finger of thine hand Deliuering them Moses vnto that we thy will might vnderstand The first containeth precepts foure Of precepts due vnto thy feare The second sixe Commanrements more of loue we should to neighbours beare The summe and substance of them all and that fulfilleth euery part Is thee to loue on thee to call with all our soule might mind and heart To other men especially thine houshold that are firme in faith As to our selues to giue supply with all our helpe as Scripture saith But we are weake the case thus stands In this â—raile mortall life of ours No man can keepe these thy commands but breakes them at all times and houres Yet thou thy children oft doest will themstlues to comfort hopefully There is left for them some measure still to come to thee regardfully Namely when they doe bend their strength daily preuented by thy Spirit And stand in hope to attaine at length what now they want by Christ his merit Walking and daily going one by steppes thereof to Paradise Praising and lauding thee alone bewailing their infirmities The faithfull know all and beleeue with thee our father mercy is Thou with thy Sonne doest all things giue how can we then of mercy misse Therefore my God now giue to me all that thou giuest to thine elect Of thine eternall clemency good Lord doe not my soule reiect Illuminate my knowledge darke possesse my heart with perfect loue What 's done amisse Lord doe not marke the guilt of sinne from me remoue That I most constantly may walke the
small but my heart may affright terrific and amaze mâ— as it did Dauid when he cut off the lap of Sauleâ— garment And when I haue sinned let thy louing countenance shine vpon me as it did vpon Peter when hee had denied thee that I may poure forth a fountaine of teares And in bed if I happen to awake at midnight giue mee thy holy Spirit that with sobs sighes and groanes in the secret closet of my heart I may cast vp loude cryes vnto thee not onely for my sinnes past in the darke night of my childhood and youth while I knew not thee but euen now since I came to some groath and manhood in Christ I haue broken all thy Commandements thy Lawes thy Statutes thine Ordinances not in ignorance but in knowledge for which I haue neede againe to pray vnto thee Wherefore Lord forgiue mee forgiue mee for thy Christ his sake O my Loue my Doue the blessed and powerfull Sauiour of my soule thou knowest that I haue sought after thee euer since I knew thee by night in my bedde haue I sought thee whom my soule loueth O my Sauiour since thou hast first drawne mee with the cordes of thy loue let the strength thereof hold mee so fast that I may for euer abide constant in the like loue to thee againe Thou hast promised that him thou once louedst that thou wilt loue him vnto the end Good God in thy loue keepe mee this night in soule and body and not onely mee in mine owne person but all that belong vnto mee for the loue of thy onely Sonne Iesus to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory by mee and all thine this night for euermore world without end Amen Amen An Inuocation to God humbly praying for remission of sinnes VVEll-spring of bounty God of feare beginning that mak'st all begin With what oblation to appeare t' appease thy wrath that 's due for sin I know the blood of bulls and beast or sweetest Incense that doth rise From earth of old they were the least and are not now of any prise O how should I be reconcil'd againe vnto thy louing fauour How long Lord shall I be exil'd from my sweete Lord and onely Sauiour How long oh haue I call'd to thee to thee in name of thy deare Sonne Yet what I ask'd thou gau'st not mee and what I would is left vndone I long haue knocked at thy dore of mercy but no â—n rance finde Sorrowes and troubles more and more increase and vexe my soule and minde I daily waite most wofull motall before thy seate of clement grace But may not peepe within thy portall nor see thy glorious beauteous face I sighe I mourne my teares are seas I sinke vnder the burdenous load Of sinne and shame and finde no ease prouoke me forward with thy word My selfe chastising I desire to quench thy wrath with floods of teares Yet still encrease thy fearefull fire and so eucrease my daily feares By prayers thee to presse who dares except by thy Sonnes mediation To seeke thy glory 's all our cares and the end of earthly mens creation What course should I then poore wretch take to doe or aske that 's good and iust But vnto thee my prayers make and onely in thy Sonne put trust If that my sinnes shall thee offend then all thy creatures rage and storme And all conspire by thy command to punish me poore silly worme Where shall I be or whether flie from sight of thine all-seeing eyne As Noahs Doue on earth am I and cannot looke against thy shine But if thou show thy louing face all creatures on my seruice tend Men beasts and Angels doe me grace to helpe me all their powers doe bend What should I then say giue or doe what paine can gaine thy fauour lost Riuers of oyle or ought thereto they are thine owne and of thy cost Accept yet Lord the sacrifice of heart and calues of lippes vnfain'd This is that offering thou didst deuise to haue thy grace to be obtaind The free-will offerings of my zeale in sense of sighing still ascending They to thy mercies seate appeale and would make peace for mine offending Although mine heart and tongue doe falter Yet through my Sauiours blest mediatiâ— Receiue this offering on thine alter with all my best imagination Heare me in him in him relieue me for without him no helpe can bee None can my soules or hearts ease giue me nor can I inward comforts see Till I know that thy wrath 's appeas'd and haue thy Charter for my pardon Then shall I finde my heart so eas'd that I desire no further gueÌ„rdon And now I most vnhappy man that did offend my God so kind By grace in him in all I can I le seeke with heart with soule and mind To honour serue obey and please him that is my gracious maker Whom I beseech to grant me peace and make me of his ioyes partaker An Euening prayer to be said with a whole Family O Most blessed Sauiour bâ— whose merits alone theâ— is graunted vnto vs this preseâ— libertie to approach vnto the Fâ— ther and in thy name after thâ— end of our labours this day accomplished by which through thy goodnesse wee haue profited our selues and furthered the continuaÌ„ce of humane society which by no meanes could continue if wee did not seriously apply our selues in the workes of our vocation in which thou hast ordained that euery man should liue not onely to his present necessity but vnto the furthering of the welfare of our children and alliance which accordingly wee haue this day done so farre foorth as the approaching â—ight would suffer and as our fraile bodies soone spent and tired with the cares and labours of this world would giue vs leaue And seeing thou hast ordained the night for man by sleepe to refresh himselfe Lord we intreate thee to giue vnto our bodies such rest and sleepe this night that the day following wee may be raised strong in minde and body to goe on in our seuerall labours honest businesse and employments in moderation wisedome and discretion as may bee most to thy glory and to the honour of thy great name O Lord wee beseech thee let not our sinnes of which wee bee many wayes guilty cause thee to remooue away our sleepe from vs nor frustrate this dayes endeauours let no blasting or mildewe or any the euill that walketh in the darkenesse hurt the fruite of our labours Let no sons of Belial when we are in our fast sleepe come in vpon vs to spoyle without nor steale within that which thou through our honest endeauours or the gift of our parents hast blessed vs withall for as the beastes of the forreâ—… which are of sauage nature hunt after the prey so wicked meâ— that aske not their bread of thee doe in the night by violent hands robbe and spoyle thy people O Lord we know not but that for the wickednesse of our hearts
c. A godly Meditation wherein the distressed sheweth his vnfained griefe and sorrow for hauing offended so powerfull a God and so-mercifull and gracious a Father ALas that I offended euer this God of gods this Lord of powers That can in peeces all men shiuer and ouerturne the stateliest towers Ah woe is me that I offended and iustly God stirr'd vp to ire Who by his Law hath sinne condemned vnto the pit of endlesse fire I daily see Gods creatures all iustly for sinne displeas'd with me Mens hearts are hardned and with gall feede me that haue offended thee My God thy blessings all on earth tho duoest with-hold and from me keepe Alas my soule sustaines a dearth of grace vnto thy grace I creepe But what to doe or what to say I know not Lord but I know this My griefes encrease more day by day my mirth is moane bane is my blisse One euill doth another call like waues on waues in raging seas My weary burthen makes me fall I finde no comfort helpe nor ease I hope of helpe but that hope quailes in crosses are my comforts ended I flie to Faith but then Faith failes when I neede most to be defended As if I were the onely man prepos'd by thine intendement Whom heauen ond earth must curse and ban as subiect of all punishment Thy iustice damnes me I appeale to mercy then appeal'd I feare To be reiected thus cold zeale and secret sinnes with griefe I beare Shall I thinke it a fruitlesse taske vnto my God for to repaire That sinners cals and bids them aske and they shall haue all things by prayer Can it be bootelesse downe to fall before his throne of Maiestie And with repentant tongue to call for pardon for mine iniquitie May not vnfaigned cries at last preuaile with him that 's pittifull To pardon mine offences past reuiue my soule which now is dull I le frame my heart to meditate my tongue to vtter what may please Him whom best knoweth my estate and seeke his wrath for to appease To him I le goe in Christ his name in whom I know he is well pleas'd And will confesse my sinne with shame and so mine heart shall sure be eas'd For Christs sake looke on me againe he is God all-sufficient He doth behold and see my paine my inward faithfull hearts intent He knoweth what I goe about all I thinke speake or doe amisse He writes or notes without all doubt in his remembrance booke it is I know he will in worth accept what iustly I intend to be And cannot it performe except he put his helping hand thereto He knoweth that I am but flesh and what is flesh but fraile and ill And what is man a lumpe of trash whom vaine desires doe fully fill And will this God Iehouah high so strong and powerfull set his might Against a worme so weake as I a silly man a shade of night What conquest can there be in God to worke reuenge on me poore soule Who still corrects me with his rod whose Iustice doth my sinnes controle Shall I dispute with thee nay rather poore wretch I should fall prostrate downe And humbly kneele vnto my Father and pray with teares when he doth frowne If he afflict more be it so if further plague me le't be so If he will kill with paines and woe doe what he will let it be so For I am his doe what he will with me and all that mine can bee It is his owne and must be still there 's no disputing Lord with thee There is no Art or Eloquence can quench thy coales of burning ire It is not words can make defence nor friends can saue me from the fire Nor take me from thy powerfull hands so full of might force strength and power Or breake in sunder thy strong bands nor ease one minute of an houre I le yeeld me therefore to his will Lord doe what thy good pleasure is Turne me as may thy minde fulfill I le waite the time of happy blisse I le waite thy pleasure time will come wherein I may the issue see Of my afflictions all and some and what thy purpose is with me The meane time I will with thy word consult and vse my exercise And comfort take through hope ô Lord refresh dull spirits and cleare dimme eyes With dewe of thy sweete promises laying aside all fleshly aide I onely rest on thy mercies in holy word as thou hast saide And in true faith will I remaine and seeke thee being the true way Wherein who walkes at length shall gaine true blisse and happinesse for aye Who this embraceth shall not erre wherein who liues shall neuer dye But weare a crowne past reason farre and liue with God eternally An Euening Meditation O Most deare Lord Iesus to whose euerlasting goodnes wee are daily engaged for all the good things we haue which hast granted the cheerefull light of the day vnto all men both good and bad to follow their affaires and seuerall employments in and mercifully giuest the sweete stilnesse of the night to refresh their wearred bodies and to put away the cares of their mindes and to asswage their sorrowes wee â—…seech thee that those things 〈…〉 haue done amisse this day 〈…〉 our common imbecillit 〈…〉 gence ignorance or â—…g 〈…〉 rash and vnaduised presumptiâ—… 〈…〉 wherein we haue offended 〈…〉 cred eyes they may be paâ—… and forgiuen for thy 〈…〉 goodnesse sake and according 〈…〉 the innumerable multitude 〈…〉 mercies And grant herewithall that this night may be blessed and prosperous vnto vs safe by thy protection ouer vs and free from the dangerous illusions of wicked spirits so as this refreshment by quiet rest and sleepe may make both our bodies and mindes more cheerefull to morow and we the more enabled to doe thee seruice and faithfully to follow those employments thou hast appointed for vs blesse vs ô Lord and water vs with the dew of thy blessings and let the drops of thy Sonnes blood shed for our sinnes and yet crying for mercy distill into my heart by a liuely Faith for the comfort of our soules and the amendment of our sinfull liues wee beseech thee ô Lord take from vs all manner of darkenesse misbeleefe infidelitie carnall lustes and affections and so strengthen vs with thy grace that the Barke of our weake Faith sinke not through the stormes of Sathans temptations nor our hopes be ouer whelmed through the weight of our vnworthinesse nâ—r any of thy good graces in vs extinguished or blemished by the waues of a wicked conuersation Enter thy Iudgements into the tables of our hearts that wee may bee content to spare of our ordinanary sleepe to muse of all thy CoÌ„mandâ—ments and that wee may bee more earnest vpon the meditation of thy sacred word then the Kings of the Nations haue beene to turne ouer their Records in the night season Be mindfull of vs when wel appen to forget our selues and think vpon vs ô Lord sleeping
Lord if thou â—ast said Shall not my soule be â—uenged on such a one as this remember thy promise elsewhere I will haue mercy on him that could finde no mercy and let it light vpon me if Sathan prefume that GOD hath forsaken him thinke vpon the decree for the seede of the woman and let the power of thy sonnes passion defeat all the deuises of the deuill against me O Lord heare me speedily if thou doe not I shall be helplesse and hopelesse for my conscience accuseth mee my memory giues euidence against me and my reason condemneth me My spirit is weary of this bondage and I haue bid my life farewell My conscience is clogged when I behold the bloudy wounds of my soule the voyce of ioy and mirth 〈◊〉 gone from me I am deepely pluâ—ged in discomfort I haue neitheâ— worth to appease thy wrath no patience to endure thine indignaâ—tion I pray thee therefore senâ— the comfort of thy holy Spirit iâ— to my heart and strengthen my faith that I be not swallowed vp with ouer much heauinesse O Lord let thy maiestie appeare in thy mercy forgiue my sinnes the vnhappy ground of all this woe and I am recouered of all mine infirmities Try not the law with me lest I come to Iudgement sanctifie all those good meanes vnto me wherein I seeke reliefe as prayer reading and hearing of thy holy Word moderate and mittigate my vexation encrease faith establish hope graunt patience and keepe me from dispaire Take away this Cup from mee if it be thy will if not suffer me not to be tempted aboue my strength I haue an humbled and contriâ—e heart O Lord looke vpon me I goe mourning all the day long am like to him that is at the point â—o dye O Lord comfort me thou â—hat wilt not breake a bruised â—eed spare me thou that delighâ—est not in the death of a sinner reuiue mee though my heart condemne me yet good Lord acquite mee relieue mee release mee say vnto my soule I am thy saluation Hearken Lord vnto my Prayer and graunt my requests for Iesus Christs sake Amen The distressed prayeth to be sanctified and to enioy the renued graces of regeneration O Lord me throughly sanctifie vntye my tongue open my lips I cannot silence keepe for why my conscience euery houre me whips My miseries growe more and more within my bones I finde no rest Thy grace a-new to me restore and let me speake what likes thee best Let thine eares euer be enclinde to my extreame and dolefull cries Let me thy mercies ready finde to take my teares from weeping eyes Thou euermore do'st heare the cries of all that feare thy holy name And comâ—ortst them with thy mercies that trust in thee and begge the same Their soules thou doest from death defend and cheeres their heart in time of neede To me therefore thy comforts send and giue thy helpe with louing speede Thy seruants cannot hold their tongue though oft they muse and cannot see Why thâ—iâ— afflictions last so long and they for mercy â—rie to thee Till at the length the fire of zeale doth kindle then it out must breake Tongue cannot hold but must reueale their groanes griâ—fes needs must speake To shew their hope which like to fire none can suppresse when they beleeue T will pearce the cloudes to thee aspire yet thou doest seeme no helpe to giue At last thy goodnesse doth appeare and thou embracest him with â—…y Time of delâ—uerance draweth neere and thou Lord freedst him from annoy Good God how commeth this to passe that I so long haue sought to thee And thou still seem'st to hide thy face and keep'st thy graces still from mee How long haue I vnto thee pray'd and thou seem'st not to giue me eare This makes mine heart and thoughts afraid ready to faint with deepe despaire I ready was for to surcease the suite which I so long had sought Made vnto thee for to appease thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought O Lord my God thy promises and louing kindnesse onely feede And comfort me in heauinesse with neuer dying hope in neede I know expected time will come when thou for getting all my sinne Wâ—lt see my sorrowes all and some and free the bondage I am in A Prayer in affliction or aduersity MOst mercifull Redeemer which art alwayes full of compassion thou art alwayes our preseruer whether thou sendest vs aduersity or prosperity for great is thy mercy and compassion in that thou healest the inward man by outward afflictions as it were by bitter medicines and preparest vs to euerlasting ioyes by temporall troubles And forasmuch as thou thy selfe hast traced vs out this true way to felicity by thine owne footesteps graunt that I may patiently and obediently drink this cup which thou reachest vnto me Grieuous indeede are these things vnto my nature but yet thou hast suffered grienouser things for mee and I haue deserued farre grieuouser things then these for I haue deserued hell fire Notwithstanding â—hou knowest the frailtie of mans estate and therefore like the mercifull Samaritane thou powrest wine into our wounds which maketh our vices to smart but yet thou alayest it with the oyle of thy comfort If thou think meet to encrease our griefes encrease thou also the gift of patience and graunt that these afflictions may turne vs to the amendment of our sinfull deedes or if thy fatherly louing kindnesse thinke this thy gentle chastisement to be sufficient let this stormeâ—pâ—sse that although heauinesse endure for a night a moment ioy may come in the morning graunt vnto vs in both respects a reuerent thankfulnesse as well for amending and reforming thy vnprofitable sâ—ruant by gentlenesse as also for that thou hast remooued the cup of affliction or allayed the bitternesse of it by the sweetnesse of thy mercie To thee therefore bee thankes and praise for euer Amen Amen Meditations vpon the passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. VVHat man is this whom I behold all bloudie bowing down his head for weaknesse towards his shoulders his body all tormented with sâ—ourges stripes grieous wounds crowned with a Garland of thornes pricking and piercing to the braine and thus fastned to an ignominious Crosse What heauie or haynous crime hath hee done to deserue this intollerable and vnspeakeable torment What Iudge could bee so cruell to sentence him to it or what remorcelesse or mercilesse Executioners could be found to deale so outragiously with this tender and peerelesse body Notwithstanding the deformity of these bloudie wounds yet is this matchlesse body fairer then the Sonnes of men Surely it is Iesus Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Oh hee is my Lord and Sauiour Iesus that is thus crucified for my sin and for my sake Oh art thou he that excellest all men in beauty 〈◊〉 in whose lippes was neuer fouâ—… guile and from whom proceeded such gracious words as neuer man spake where then is that beauty of thine where is that
healed His was a death cause death was due in him di'd all he died for all Gods Iustice vs to death doth sue he pay'd it and repair'd the fall That we might sleepe he suffered paines that we might laugh he oft did weepe His was the losse ours was the gaines thus did he change death to a sleepe To Christ did Stephen yeeld vp his spirit for he 's the way the truth the life He purchast life by death and merit the husband's he the Church his wife He is that Noah his Church the Doue that holds his hand for to receiue vs He bids vs come to embrace his Loue we flye to him when all deceiues vs. The heauens the earth the Lord commands to him all creatures runne but wee None can vs take out of his hands in life and death to him we flee Pillar of faith Basis of blisse of true Religion true supporter The point of Resurrection is in death it is the chiefe Comforter If this doe fall all faith may faile what Article doth vs refresh When life and health and strength doth quaile the Resurrection of the flesh Our bones shall blossome as the grasse we shall be raised out of dust The body that before time was by Christ his power arise it must The first fruits Christ the head is rais'd the members shall the same likewise The Lord God for the same be prais'd we know that we shall also rise If he ad aboue the water be how can the body then be drowned We shall arise and Iesus see and with him shall be Kingly crowned Of life and death the true directour who in his life and in his dying Of our misdoing is Correctour and into all our actions prying Christ is afflicted for our sake left vs example that we should Follow his steps and his way take thy crosse to beare with courage bold Our Sauiour Iesus teacheth thee how can that be say'st thou behold Example if thou punish'd be with sicknesse hunger thirst and cold With thy selfe reckon and account how it cannot compared be With his thornes his nayles surmount the greatest paine that paineth thee Art thou restrain'd of thy desire and lusts that draw thou know'st not whither Thinke on Christs Crosse his wrath and ire and put his tortures all together If pride puffe vp thy minde with motions looke on Christ nayl'd on the Crosse And thinke as bound by due deuotions of our great gaine by his great losse If thou in filthy lust doest burne or any other ill desire Thinke but how Christ his flesh was torne to saue thy soule from flames of fire With stripes thrust through and all to broken his drinke was Eysell mixt with gall With his last gaspe the earth was shaken who suffered for the sinnes of all If enuie hate reuenge thee grieue thinke with thy selfe how Christ did pray O Father doe them all forgiue for them that tooke his life away God vs commanded to forgiue and sayeth then we shall be forgiuen Without offence no man can liue and God his ballance hangeth euen He â—hat doth not forgiue his brother will then the Lord his faults remit No as he deâ—…h with another another shall repay 't is sit And when you kneele to God and pray forgiue if you haue any thing Gainst any liuing man that day that Christ may you remission bring And when thy gift thou do'st present and on the Altar sacrifice First with thy brother make consent and him forgiue in any wise When thou to Christ wast enemie and strengthened in great extreames Yet then did he giue remedie and o're thee spread his mercy beames He gaue to thee his holy spirit to guide and leade thy soule aright And gaue thee heauen there to inherit all ioyes and blisse aye in his sight When thou from him was gone astray be sought thee out and did thee finde And finding thee brought thee away vnto his fold he thee resignde Thanke God therefore and render praise exalt and laude his holy name Vnto the heauens sing alwayes All men on earth doe yee the same Henceforth my soule walke in his path and erre not from him any more Lest thou prouoke his heauy wrath and then art worse then wert before Let not Gods gifts be giuen thee to worke thy condemnation With feare and trembling walke sincere confirming thy Saluation Shunne thou all wicked Company with doers ill associate not Lest thou from faith should'st fall and 〈◊〉 and soule and body soile and spot But blesse his name who called thee vnto the state of righteousnesse And thy sinnes vengeance tane hath he to giue thee heauens happinesse Blesse thou his blessed Holinesse his praise let heart and minde record And let thy tongue and voyce confesse the gracious goodnesse of the Lord Prostrate thy selfe downe at his feete offer thy seruice with free heart O yeeld God all for 't is most meete since he made sau'd and blest each part Who spared not his onely Sonne but let him dye thy soule to saue To pay and ransome thy faults done and to redeeme thee from the graue So in the Prayer of our Lord we doe forgiue what 's done against vs As God forgiuenesse shall afford our Sauiour Christ doth teach vs thus A Prayer to beare patiently the Crosse of Christ or any affliction And if God so please to call vs to that triall euen to reioyce in Martyrdome O Almighty God most mercifull and louing Father that hast decrced that through manifold tribulations and afflictions in this world we that trust in thee must enter into the Kingdome of heauen And those that will follow thee my Sauiour and be thy Disciples must take vpon them by the constraint of the world as Simon of Cyrene to beare thy Crosse and to follow thee and those that liue godly in thy Son must suffer reproach and affliction And that there is neuer a Son whom thou louest but must like Peter drinke of thy Cup and endure chastening And in so doing thou offerest thy selfe an assured louing Father and assurest vs that wee are thy sonnes because it is giuen vs not onely to beleeue in thee but also that wee should suffer for his names sake O Lord I am willing not onely to liue with thee but also to dye with thee My Spirit is willing though my flesh bee weake Wherefore if it bee possible let this bitter Cup passe from me or if thou please and hast appointed that I by death should glorifie thee and with my blood seale and confirme thy truth sweet Iesus giue mee strength comfort and patience blessed be thy name and thy most holy will be done O Lord manifest thy power in my weakenesse and strengthen me that I may by the same power whereby thou raisest thy selfe from death to life patiently beare and willingly suffer that for thy name sake which otherwise for flesh and blood seemeth fearefull to be endured O Lord when I consider the hazards that wee runne through for the obtaining of
scandalls and disgrace With thy protection Lord approach and let thy mercy me embrace Let not me come within the reach of their inuentions and deuice Whose facts are foule they faire in speech and by base flattery me entice Nor such as lye in wayte for me obtaine their wish who doe desire Fit time and opportunity to worke the euill they conspire O let me tread in the right path and walke from faith to faith in loue Obserue thy lawes and shunne thy wrath and forward to all vertue mone And let my conscience witnesse beare of my saith and integrity Let all men see the Christall cleare of my poore hearts sincerity Though I good Father cannot liue free from all sinne and all offence And some take cause though I none giue yet keepe thou cleare my conscience Shall I deserue still as I doe mens iust reproofes through indiscretion And that against my meaning too and suffer carnall mens oppression That breake forth into bitternesse against me that am weake and lame And vomite out their filthinesse What thou hast done they count my shame And take it as an argument that I am in deiection And thinke it is thy full intent to keepe me from protection Indeede O Lord I must confesse my sinnes deserue sharpe punishment Worthy of more and not of lâ—sse then all the plagues on me hast sent I more should taste then I can beare or able them for to endure Thy mercies yet they doe me spare and make me cleane that am impure But in my weakenesse of behauiour I this haue done which caus'd me fall But yet I trust in Christ my Sauiour his pâ—â—tious blood hath payd for all Depending on thy mighty power to saue keepe and deliuer me Lest miseries doe me deuoure and enemies my sorrowes see And take oâ—casion to pursue pretending to my soule no good Inâ—etered hatred they renue to eats my flesh and spill my blood Therefore consider my great groanes preuent the dangers comming nigh me My heart is rent with sighes and moanes J flye to thee O Lord stand by me Why standest thou a loose alas seem'st not my troubles to regard Why turn'st thou Lord away thy fâ—câ— mine heart doth hope for some reward Why hidest thou thy selfe me fro when troubles are so much abounding As though thou Lord dâ—dst me not know thy darts are alwayes mine heart wounding There is no helpe for mâ— in thee they say thou nothing doâ—st respect me I neuerthelesse will come to thee for Christ his sake thou wilt not reiect me The rather therefore me relieue that righteous men may well perceiâ—â— Thou ready art thine ayde to giue and their desires wilt not deceiue And not to faâ—nt when they are tride with like afflictions any wayes But shall with patient minde abide thy will and giue thy name the praise The dullest hearts thou doest prepare to call on thee and thou againe Doest heare their cries and them do'st spare and easest them of griefe and paine How long O Lord how long wilt thou forget me and how long shall I Seeke to be heard and know not how to make thee listen to my crie How long shall I thy counsell seeke yet ignorant what course to take I pray thee O Lord most meete with sighes and groanes which neuer slake My heart with griefe and heauinesse powres forth complaints continually Before thee in my great disâ—…sse yet inward light obtaine not I That lighten should my pensiue soule and comfort mine afflicted heart Thy wrath with rigour doth controle my forward hopes and causeth smart Thou threatn'st sorrowes to encrease to such as seeke to other gods Why should not then my torments cease that child-like feare thy awfull rods Sith I in thee my faith repone why should I then true wisedome want It being sought from thee alone why do'st thou then refuse to graunt Thou didst create all men at first and doest preserue and all maintaine Thy Sunne doth shine on best and worst the same to all thou do'st remaine But sith to thee alone I kneele and onely vnto thee doe call O let me Lord thy mercies feele and let thy drops of mercy fall With thee there is redemption and thou deliuerest all that trust In Christ for their saluation by whom the sinfull are made iust Thou keep'st them safe vnder thy wings of fauour from the mercilesse Thy fauour giueth all good things to thine Elect in their distresse O therefore be my rocke where on I may both safely build and rest Castle of refuge Arke alone in which I am in safety blest For thou hast promis'd in thy loue that they that put their trust in thee Like Syons mount which doth not moue shall safely stand eternally Breake thou the chaines which haue me tide remoue the sorrowes from my heart Wherewith Lord all my vaines are dried and I am parcht in euery part That I walking at liberty with a free spirâ—â— may salue my sore My hope may liue and crosses die and I sing praise to thee therefore And let my â—oes no more preuaile that Lyon-like doe me destroy And like to Wolues they me â—ssâ—ile that spoile the Sheepe the Shepheards ioy O carry me Lord in thine armes througâ— out these miseries cleane away And safâ—ly keâ—pe me from all harmes that now sticke fast in mire and clay Let no vntimely suddâ—ine Fate cut off my dayes ere fully spent Or raging floods sinke mine estate nor swallow me incontinent But rather Lord returne them backe these swelling waues that reare and rage On euery side to worke me wraâ—ke their gusts and tempests Lord asswage Let me passe on my mortall course and finish these my dayes of life Of thy meere loue and kinde remorse in peace and loue from hate and strife A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the Lords Supper O Heauenly Father I thanke thee that thou hast made me this day to sit downe with thee at thy heauenly Table and hast giuen me the bread of God that came downe from heauen not as the Mannah which being eaten afterward did perish and the eaters too and hast made this Sacramentall body and bloud of thy Sonne to be meate indeede and drinke indeede farre surpassing the olde carnall Mannah which extended but vnto the body but this spirituall foode which thou hast giuen mee with thiâ—e owne hand hath in it a quickning life for the present and an assurance of an eternall life in the life to come Wherefore hauing fed on thee this day by faith in my heart let the sweet comfort thereof so cheare my soule that I may more and more thirst after thee and by godly liuing expresse my dwelling in thee and so be more and more assured that thou art that Christ and Sonne of the liuing God my Sauiour and Redeemer in life and death and for euermore after death for vnto this end O God the Father thou hast sealed thy Sonne to be my Sauiour in thee will I for euer trust in this life to be
pardoned my sinne through thee in the life to come eternally to be saued Amen Amen Another Prayer after the receiuing of the holy Communion O Iesus the Sonne of God my Lord and Sauiour with all humble and hearty thanks I praise thee for suffering death vpon the Crosse for my sinnes and admitting me a miserable sinner to the participation of this blessed Sacrament the memoriall of my Redemption Let mee O Lord finde and feele in my heart the inuisible power of thy heauenly grace effectually working the transformation of mee into thee the wonderfull vnion of me with thee and the spirituall habitation and aboade in me Apply all thy merits and good things vnto my soule let me neuer doubt the forgiuenesse of my sinnes but euer open the doore of this Sanctuarie vnto me that I may runne thither in my greatest neede and apprehend thy gracious pardon ratified by this scale of thy couenant Quicken me O Lord in this life râ—â—â—ue and renue mee that I may disclaime my olde conuersation and become a new man keepe mee that I slippe not cut of this building nor become as a branch cut off and good for nothing but as thou hast seuered mee from the wicked in calling mee to the knowledge of thee so keepe mee from all their corruptions giue me a perfect loue towards thee that I may not delight in any thing but in thee nor seeke any other honour but thine O Lord Iesus I meekely beseech thee let thy holy Spirit strengthen mee against my frailty thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles and aduersities thy merits purchase my needefull pardon and thy blood be the medicine for all my sores euen for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen O Iesus Christ the Lambe of God which hast so loued mankinde that thou hast beene contented not on ly to become one with him but also meaâ—e vnto him and to dye for him vpon the Crâ—sse graunt I beseâ—ch thee that this my receiuing of this Sacrament may be a true testimony vnto my conscience that I hauâ— through faith in thee receiued full remission of all that is past and am become as it were a new creature in thy sight O sweet Iesus which hast vouchsafed mee such fauour and honour as to come to thy Table and feede vpon thee graunt mee grace I humbly entreâ—te thee so to performe and fulfill my duty as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth Linke mee vnto thee and giue mee power and strength to beleeue thy promises without distrust and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersation Assâ—st mee with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament to loue thee and thy children vnfaiâ—â—dly and vtterly to forsake all vaâ—ity idolatry carnall desires and all the workes of the deuill O Lord God so moderate and ordâ—r all my affections that I may be ioyned with the brethren together in holy loue which is the bend of peace and truly fastned vnto thee my Head for euer Stirre vp my minde that I may alwayes consider the bitternesse of thy death the greatnesse of thy loue neuer forget to be thankfull vnto thee O blessed Lord preserue and maintaine this ordinance amongst vs that it may be alwayes a note and a badge of our publique profession and giue vs all one heart and one minde in the vnity of the Spirit for the reuerent and worthy receiuing of the same whensoeuer we shall come to thy holy Table againe Amen A Prayer for the Catholique Church and all the estates thereof O Most glorious euer liuing and euer louing Lord God the iust Master of the Vineyard and louing Head of the Church send thy holy Spirit into the hearts of all them that teach oâ— professe thy most holy truth alâ— men religious or secular Yea men and women Princes and subiects rich and poore euen all the people beleeuing in thy name and depending vpon thy grace and mercy Giue vnto them all O Lord one law one baptisme one hope one spirit that there may be but one voyce among all that professe the Catholique faith Keepe backe the famine of thy word and send such labourers into thy haruest as be sound in doctrine faithfull in their worke and godly in their conuersation that they may be in number many and in power wonderfull Open we beseech thee the hearts and eares of the people for the receiuing of thy Word that it may dwell in them plentifully in all wisedome and bring forth fruit against all the cares crosses and courses of this wrâ—tched world O Lord thou hast found iniquity in thy Saints and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight Oh then correct vs in thy iudgement not in thy fury lest wee should be consumed and brought to nothing Purge the garden of the Church and let no weedes ouergrowe the flowers suffer neither sinne nor superstition to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people buâ— keepe them from all heresies phanaticall opinions se â—ucing spirits deadly contentions Keepâ— our neckes from the grieuouâ— yoke of Antichristian bondageâ— whose Religion is rebelliâ—nâ— whose faith is faction and whosâ— practise is the murthering oâ— soules and bodies good Lord re presse the furâ—ousnesse of all Tyrants which labour nothing buâ— the spoile of the Church and thâ— abolishment of true doctrine prayer and true Religion O Lorâ— Iesus amend all that is amisse anâ— graunt vs thy grace all the dayeâ— of our life euen for thy truth anâ— for thy names sake Amen A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie O Almighty God King of all Kings the fountaine rule â—nd stay of all soueraignty wee most humbly thanke thee that â—hou hast not left vs vnto our â—elues to doe what seemeth best â—nto vs in our owne eyes but â—ast set ouer vs a noble wise and â—racious-King thy seruant Charles â—ame head next vnder â—hee Lord make all thy good to â—oe before him day and night â—phold his Crowne maintaine â—is estate giue him continuall â—eace long life and much happiâ—esse Endue him with such wisâ—ome and vnderstanding to doe â—ch things both in the Church â—d Câ—mmon-wealth as may be â—ceptable in thy sight profitable 〈◊〉 his Subiects and hurtfull to â—one that loue thy truth merciâ—ly heare him in all his petitions and effectually work for him in all dangers in the day of battell in his greatest consultations in the time of his recreations from all plots of Treason and in phe houre of death Make vs thankfull for all thy preseruations of him both â—t home and abroad in this Kingdome and else-where Blesse preserue and keepe his Royall Consort Queene Maryâ— Frederick the Prince Elector Paâ—atine the Lady Elizabeth his wife with all their Prinâ—… Let our noble King still embrace the truth and manfully maintaine it against all treacherous plotâ— and 〈◊〉 perswasions distastiâ—â— as he hath alwayes done both alteration of true Religion and to leration of any other Let thy po wer alwayes
saying that they would honour him But O Lord how much more cruelly did they behaue themselues towards thee calling thee a sinner and friend of Publicans and sinners and the Prince of the deuils and would haue throwne thee the Lord of life as Sathan did the Heard of Swine from the Rock into the Sea And at last when nothing tooke effect according to their malicious minds they came out against thee as against a malefactour with clubbs and staues and tooke thee and carried their expected Messiah before Herod and Pontius Pilate and brought false witnesse against thee and preferred a murtherer before thee and though indeede thou wert their King yet in mockage they put vpon thee a purple roabe and in thy hand a Scepter of reede on thy head a crowne of thornes then buffetted they thee and spet vpon thy face contemning both thy princely priestly and propheticall offices in which thou wast their perfect Sauiour Then disroabed they thee and carried thee without the gates of the Citie and after an ignominious manner with two theeues vnto Golgotha the place of common execution and nayled thee to a woodden Crosse in the middest of them And after they had wounded thee in sundry places yet againe in their malicious and cowardly fury they pierced thy side with a speare euen when thou sighedst groanedst prayedst vnto thy Father to forgiue them their sinnes and to accept thy sacrifice Yea all this while they mocked thee and bid thee come downe from the Crosse to saue thy life as thou sauest others and wrote a title ouer thy head vnto all Nations in contempt of thee and when in the pangues of thy passion thou didst thirst for their pardon then they ranne and flapped in thy mouth not to comfort thee but to prolong thy sorrowes an hysope spunge dipt in vinegar and after thy death to make them sport they cast lots for thy garments O sweet Sauiour being thus abused by thy once peculiar people thou hast most righteously according to their wish brought vpon them and their children the reward of thy innocent blood and done iustly in forsaking the house of thine honour and put it into the possession of the Gentiles to bee battered downe that there might not bee left one stone vpon another and to scatter them into perpetuall captiuity as at this day we doe behold But O heauenly Father thou hast made knowne vnto vs Gentiles that beleeue in thee according to thy Word that they did no more then what they hand and counsell had determined long before to be done And had they knowne that they had crucified thy Sonne the Lord of glory no doubt they would not haue done it for in ignorance as did their Fathers they haue done it wherfore O God for the respect thou bearest to Abraham Isaac and Iacob and for thy seruant Dauids sake as thou hast promised that a remnant should be saued euen as many as thou wilt call and the first fruits being holy the branches descending thereof should be holy haue respect vnto them that with the fulnesse of vs Gentiles they may come againe into the folde of Christ. O Lord our Sauiour open their eyes that they may beleeue the Scriptures and so come againe and be grafted into their owne Oliue stocke for thou O God art able to graffe them in againe for thy gifts and calling are without repentance Wherefore take from them their vnbeliefe that wee both Iewes Gentiles may be saued through thy mercy O sweet Sauiour haue mercy on them call them home againe that wee and they may make one sheepe-fold and like good sheep know thy voice and follow thee our louing Shepheard in the sincere obedience of thy Gospell Heauenly Father blesse thy Church vniuersall that it may stand fast in the obedience and faith of Christ giue thy Gospell a free passage in it among all people that yet know not thee O thou which art the Lord of the haruest send forth diligent and painefull labourers into thy haruest Blesse all the reformed Churches in these westerne parts but especially this church of England that it bee an ensample of sound doctrine and godly life vnto all other Churches And graunt that the Kings Nobles and Senators may remaine and succeede nursing Fathers in it for euermore O Lord let not the wilde Boares of the Forrest the Turke nor Antichrist supplant the faith established among vs nor roote vp the vine that thine own right hand hath planted but continue the light among vs which now liue or hereafter shall liue euen as long as the Sun or the Moone shall endure O God as thou hast promised for thy Elect sake finish these dayes of sinne and hasten thy comming vnto glory And as by all thy workes in generall so by vs men in speciall yea by me with the residue of thy holy Church be especially giuen both now and for euermore all honour and glory world without end Amen Amen A Prayer for the discouerie and desolation of Antichrist O God of Hoasts the omnipotent inuisible and incomprehensible the Father the Son and the holy Ghost the eternall Creator and most mighty vpholder of all things in heauen and in earth and by whom Kings ruie and Princes raigne heare me a poore sinfull subiect of thy great dominions grieued and distressed in soule to behold how the enemies of thy trueth doe bandy themselues against thee and thy Christ the Annoynted of the Lord and the only King of Kings the wonderfull Counsellour the mighty God the euerlasting Father the Prince of peace Looke downe and discouer the haters of thy Word those that haue cast thy lawes behinde their backes and scorne to be ruled by the sincere trueth of the same yet shame not to take thy lawes in their mouthes though they hate to be reformed thereby O God we haue heard with our eares and our Fathers haue tolde vs that in the last dayes shall bee perilous times in which men shall be louers of themselues couetous proud boasters blasphemers disobedient vnto superiours vnthankfull vnholy without naturall affection truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traytours heady high minded louers of pleasure more then of thee hauing a forme of godlinesse a great shew of righteousnesse wanting the power thereof being in trueth nothing but scoffers and walkers after their lust forbidding meates drinkes marriages which with thanksgiuing thou hast made holy and honourable being indeede giuen to adulterie fornication lasciniousnesse Idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations strifes wrath seditions heresies murthers drunkennesse reuilings and infinite the like whereby it is come to passe that there is none righteous no not one none that vnderstandeth none that seeketh after GOD aright but haue stumbled at noone-day euen against that rocke of life thereby haue vsed their tongues to deceit and opened their mouthes full of cursing and bitternesse and haue runne as Caine with their feete to shed innocent blood yea
my defiled wicked heart Prosper and blesse mine actions lighten my knowledge grosse and darke O Wash me from impiâ—tiâ— exhilerate my sicke soules sadnessâ—… In darknesse let me light espie in midst of sorrow graunt me gladnesse On fruitfull ground Lord doe me planâ— and build me vp on surest râ—cke Annoyes to ioyes to wealth turne wâ—… from future ills me keepe and locke As trees that grow by waters side whose leaues and blossomes freshly flourish For euer let my state abide thy loue reuiue thy grace me nourish Let thy spirit daily spring and bud with faiths pure branches from my heart Let dewes and drops of Christs deere blood feede vaines of hope from sinners darâ— My store is decayed thou canst renew it my basket's empty thou canst fill it Refresh my heart againe reuiue it reuiue it Lord for thou didst kill it Thou help'st the simple poore and needie thou seest my state thou canst all mâ—nd I know thou know'st when to be speedie and knowest thy time when to defend Helpe helpe O Lord else downe I fall hold me fast by thy strong hand And lift me vp against them all that by opposing me withstand Thy promise Lord thouâ—…o st performe thy words are deedes thou 〈◊〉 and do'st A happy end thou doest returne and graunt to those that on thee trust My safety Lord thou hast ordain'd by faith my hope doth mount and â—lie And by that hope I am sustain'd if that were lost my soule would die My faith hath fixt an obiect right my will doth farre my power exceede But Lord I know that in thy sight the will is taken for the deede Then Lord for deede my will doe take and I secured shall be then O graunt me this for Christ his sake to whom be praise for aye Amen A conuenient Prayer for all times either for a priuate person or a whole family MOst mighty God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ most louing Sauiour and Redeemer and most blessed Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the eternall most glorious Trinity which in the beginning didst create the heauen and the earth with all the hoasts of them and from time to time vnto this present moment of their being vpheld and preserued them and all creatures that thou diddest then make haue euer sithence obayed thy first institution man onely for whom thou madest all things excepted which when we doe consider O Lord we cannot but be much deiected in our selues to thinke that wee whom thou hast adorned with thine owne Image should bee fallen backe in our obedience and become worse then the worst of thy creatures thou gauest vs disposition to obay thee but wee haue despised thee and cast away from vs the yoke of obedience yet so great is thy mercy that though we haue reiected thee yet thou hast not reiected vs but hast continued all thy couenants in full force vnto vs as in the beginning vnto our fore-fathers O Lord from the wombe of our Parents are we risen a rebellious seede and like the prodigall sonne haue in the vaine imaginations of our hearts wandered from thee so that thou canst take no pleasure nor delight in vs or in any thing we doe but O Lord wee cast downe our selues in thy sight and presence earnestly beâ—eeching thee as on the poore Publican to haue mercy vpon vs and pardon all our sinnes which wee from time to time haue done against thee O Lord pardon our sinnes of ignorance of omission and commission in the duties commanded forbidden which wee haue neglected and not done O Lord pardon our sins of knowledge by which wee haue often grieued thy good spirit that would haue hindered and detained vs from them if wee out of the loue to them had not too much delighted in them stopped our eares against his holy motions and directions O Lord pardon our sinnes of presumption by which wee haue most mightily offended thee and so hardned our hearts as wee could take no delight in the exercise of thy worship or seruice as by the contempt of thy most holy Word and Sacraments in our owne conscience and in the sight of thy holy Church vnto whom we are knowne is most maniâ—est yet O our most good God doe away all our transgressions at what time or place so euer they haue beene committed or done O Lord seperate them as farre from thee as the East is from the West binde them in a bundle and drowne them from thy sight as thou diddest the sinnes of the old world O Lord drowne them in the huge sea of thy mercy so as they may be cleane forgotten for wee confesse that if thou shouldest call vs to a reckoning and account for them there is not the least of them but like mill-stones tyed about our neckes in the midst of the sea would drown vs in eternall death coÌ„demnation of body soule for euermore But O Lord we beseech thee to naile our sinnes vnto the Crosse of thy deare Sonne Iesus our Sauiour and Redeemer and for his sake we onely entreate thee to be at peace with vs and thy whole Church throughout the world Wash our sinnes away in his most holy bloud which he shed for his Churches sake in his agony on the mount before and in his death on the Crosse for hee is the Lord our righteousnesse who in thy secret counsell was slaine from the beginning of the world that wee which trust in him by his stripes and wounds might of our sinnes bee healed O Lord I beseech thee heare these our petitions which much like forlorne beggers wee put vp vnto thee in thy Sonnes name being imboldened and encouraged this to dee from that promise of thine which in thy holy Gospell thou hast giuen vs saying Aske and yee shall haue seeke and yee shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you Yea thou hast encouraged vs heere vnto saying Can you that are euill giue good gifts to your children when they aske and shall not I giue the holy Ghost to my children when they aske of me And thou hast said that hauing giuen thy Sonne vnto vs that thou wilt with him giue vs all things else and for his sake deny vnto vs nothing in conscience of the truth of this thy holy word wee pray thee to heare vs and to settle our hearts mindes in the knowledge loue and obedience of thy word and commandements to the end and in the end of this our fraile and weake life O Lord considering our weakenesse and how vnable wee are to stand in temptation and considering how many and how great our temptations are both in things spirituall and things temporall and how the deuill as a wandring and raging Lyon raigneth throughout the world and in the Church especially seeking whom hee may deuoure and considering how subtilly hee vseth and offereth this world vnto vs as hee did vnto thee in the beginning of thy Ministerie which thy Father had appointed thee in his
thee I beseech thee if it be thy will let thy secret and hidden power in which there is more verâ—ue then in all mineralls plants be extended forth to his comfort reliefe that he again may come into thy house and magnifie thy mercy for his renewed strength O Lord as hee hath abounded with charity and compassion vnto others in their extreamities of sicknesse so likewise as thou hast promised let this thy mercifull seruant in his languishing paines obtaine mercy from thee that art most mercifull and as hee hath heard the lamenting cries of others so Lord doe thou heare his mournefull and lamenting sighes vnto thee for thou art very pittifull and of tender mercy O Lord he humbleth himselfe in thy sight wherefore I beseech thee to raise him vp againe if any man be sicke thou hast willed vs that be well to pray one for another assuring vs that the Prayer of the righteous if it be seruent auaileth much In confidence and full assurance that thou wilt make good thy word O Lord I earnestly beseech thee to restore my sicke and weake friend N vnto his perfect health if it may bee thy good pleasure and this I aske as one not without hope for I beleeue that as Iesus died and rose againe euen so by his power shall this my sicke friend doe at the last day Yet O Lord for the perfecting of that which is wanting in his faith repentance and good works I earnestly beseech thee to adde some more vnto the number of his dayes haue mercy vpon him and restore him againe to strength his former health But most mercifull Father if thou please through this his sicknesse to finish his dayes graunt that he may in quiet minde and stedfast faith commend to thee the care of all his worldly charge because thou hast promised to be a Father vnto the widdowe and the fatherlesse And it is thy wil that wee should cast our care on thee not onely in life but in death especially O Lord when death that cruell tyrant sinne the graue the deuill and all the fries of darknesse shall assault his body and affright his soule with distrust in thee and of his part in the glorious resurrection then strengthen him by the power of thy Sonne my Sauiour that hee may no lesse triumph ouer all the terrours and feares of the graue of hell and death as all the Saints in like case haue done and then I my selfe may doe in the same houre of my departure which I beseech thee to graunt through him that hath loued vs euen Iesus Christ my most absolute and perfect Sauiour Amen Amen LACHRIM 7. Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and wouldly things and desireth heauen and heauenly things MY soule doth long and shall depend on God for euer euerliuing God shall begin and make an end that hath giuen all yet euer giuing I sigh and groane for to appeare before his gracious mercy seate As thirsteth the Hart for water cleare so long I for thy mâ—rcy great I am quite tyred with my groanes I faint vnder mine heauie loade Of miseries breaking all my bones layd on me iustly by my God O God the rocke of my whole strength Lord of mercy behold mine anguish O graunt me helpe and ease at length I faint I fall I figh I languish Why doe I daily weepe and mourne and haue no comfort helpe nor ease Why do'st not heare but from me turne why doe my woes and foes encrease Sith I doe seeke thee vnfainedly defend me Oh defend me in This dangerous time of misery layd iustly on me for my sin Preserue me from men mercilesse hard hearted bloudy minded cruell Blesse me with thine hid blessednesse giue me thy fauour my soules iâ—well The man of earth layes load on loade as on an Anuile stroke on stroke Within without at home abroad mine head to the heele bowes with the yoke I am reproach to neighbours all I am ashamed men should see me They scorne and laugh to see my fall but this mine hope doth comfort me That thou from them wilt set me free And thee triumphant shall behold In shining Throne of Maiestie where 's neither hunger thirst nor cold No want nor sinne nor ignomie nor sicknesse death nor deadly paine But fulnesse mirth ioy victory with thee in glory I shall raigne And if it be thy will O Lord now after all this sturdy storme To my most troubled soule afford thy peace and pitty mee poore worme Free me from death that 's mors Gehennae giue peace ioy rest not transitorie I take it as an earnest pennie of perfect blisse and endlesse glory And I le here praise thee men among that they may see marke and consider T is thou canst onely right our wrong and from all troubles vs deliuer Thou canst and wilt vs saue and keepe though much we suffer in this life Thou art our Shepheard wee thy Sheepe saue me from hate enuie and strife So shall I also giue thee praise my mouth continually thee laude My soule and inward part alwayes thy wonderous workes shall still applaude I will be glad and ioy in thee reioyce yea and againe reioyce Abiect though I yet comfort me I le praise thee with minde heart and voyce Awake therefore in time awake preserue me that I perish not I am if thou do'st me forsake but as a dead man cleane forgot And censured a cast-away among such as see me depriu'd Of present helpe for these men say my soule can neuer be reuiu'd One sorrow doth encrease another all hope on earth turnes to distrust Of ayde from neighbour friend or brother hide not thy face my God most iust Forget not mine extreamities Lord free me from in fernall hells Of torments and of miseries which comes from thee and from none else My soule is beaten to pits brimme my heart doth faint my hands grow weeke My knees doe faile mine eyes growe dimme my tongue is dumbe and cannot speake And each part of my body vext I daily moane my miseries Looke on me Lord I am perplext O ease my griefe and heare my cries Though thou by Iustice made the wound and by correction grieu'd mine heart If thou wilt cure salue soone is found with spirituall comfort ease my smart Doe not withhold such things are good which for thy children are ordain'd Turne thou thy face with Christes blood cleanse all the spots my sinnes hath stain'd Rise vp O Lord rise vp I say with thee doth Loue and Bounty raigne I am throwne downe I thee obay therefore rise vp raise me againe Although my sinnes like swords doe cut me from thy fauour and thy grace Let righteousnesse of Christ be put to hide my sinnes before thy face Unite me vnto thee againe in such sort Lord make me so fast That I with thee may still remaine and ioy in ioyes that aye shall last The young mans Prayer for a vertuous wife O God the euerliuing and only wise the
grace especially vnto thee a most vile wretched sinner and chiefe of sinners doe I prostrate my selfe and confesse that my heart is so hardned in euill custome of sinne that when it commeth vpon me by the motion of thy spirit to desire to doe good I finde no meanes in my selfe to doe any thing that is good neither for the vertue it selfe nor as it is thy commandement so that thou mightest most worthily cast mee off as thou didst that vnmercifull seruant into bonds of death and imprisonment of hell for euermore But O Lord it is thy property alwayes to haue mercy Wherefore I beseech thee to bestowe this gift of loue on me that through thy acceptation it may couer in mee the multitude of my sinnes for vnto whom thou forgiuest much much is returned to thee againe wherefore O Lord let this gift of loue bee mighty and strong in me that I may loue thee againe as thou hast loued me and expresse my loue by being ready to forgiue all wrongs and offences of my brother and neighbour and not vnto seauen times but vnto seauenty times seauen O let mee loue thee and my neighbour out of a sincere faith and loue vnfained and at all times as thou hast forgiuen mee my debts offences and trespasses So O Lord make me ioyfull and willing to forgiue as I desire of thee to be forgiuen And seeing it is the end of thy Commandements and the fulfilling of the law O heauenly Father let this gift of loue through the operation of thy spirit bee neuer wanting or absent in this life nor in the life to come O Lord graunt that this marke of Adoption and stampe of Regeneration may encrease in mee not onely to my friends in affinity and consanguinity and acquaintance but vnto all men in generall as my owne flesh and thy image by which bonds thou hast commanded mee to doe good vnto all of all sorts that shall stand in neede of my helpe saying Be you mercifull as your heauenly Father is mercifull who doeth good vnto all in outward things of this world causing his raine to raine and his Sunne to shine vpon the vniust as vpon the iust And in the endeauour of doing this generall good O Lord let mee not forget to doe most good vnto the Saints and dye in loue to all men in thee and for thee and that through the loue of thee and my onely Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and the holy Ghost for euermore Amen Amen LACHRIM 9. The poore and distressed soule being loaden with the burthen of his sinnes â—eruently prayeth vnto God for his remission thereof O Lord come pittie my distresse see how I sigh and groane With teares and floods of heauinesse my heart is ouerthrowne No hope I finde no helpe I feele no cure nor salue I see None can my sinnes corruptions heale sweet Iesus comfort me My wounding sorrowes neuer cease my griefes growe more and more What I should kill doth still encrease Lord saue my soule therefore I liuing dye yet dying liue in life yet daily dye I sigh and groane yet cannot grieue sinne makes this mysterie Lord let me liue yet hourely dye in loue yet daily hate Let me embrace yet still defie let peace breede all debate O let me liue yet neuer liue aliue yet euer dead O let me grieue yet neuer grieue fed with thy liuing bread Let passions passe let groanes be gone let mâ—anes be turn'd to mirth I liue and dye to Christ alone Let sorrowes sinke to earth An exhortation to praise God and to acknowledge our Thanksgiuing to him without ceasing VVE praise thee God we acknowledge thee our onely Lord and Christ to be The earth and world doe worship thee eternall Father heauenly King To whom aloud bright Angels sing the Thrones and powers thee magnifie The Cherubins and Seraphin to crie to thee doe neuer linne Holy holy most holy Lord of Sabbath God of maiestie Heau'ns full of thy glory all Nations laude thy name and word The glorious ' postles companie the goodly Prophets vnitie The holy Martyrs noble Armie the holy Church the world throughout Doth spread the Gospell all about the Father of true pietie Thy sacred true and onely Sonne the holy Ghost vs comfort wonne Thou art of glory King O Christ thou art the euerlasting Sonne Of God whose blessed will was done by thee all people to deliuer Thou didst not the 〈◊〉 the virgins wombe abhorre nor loath that sacred Toâ—…be Till thou wast borne from God sent hether when thou thâ— serpents head hadst broken The Heauens Kingdomes gate set open for true beleeuers to come thither Thou siâ—sâ— on Gods right holy hand thy Fathers will doest vnderstand Whence thou shalt come our Iudge to be we therefore thy poore seruants pray Thy succour helpe and ayde that day whose pretious blood redeem'd vs free Let them with Saints be numbered in endlesse glory comforted Thy people Lord keepe saue and stay blesse saue thine owne inheritage Lift vp their hearts from age to age we magnifie thee day by day We worship thee world without end This day from sinne Lord vs defend Haue mercy mercy on vs Lord. Lord let thy mercy on vs light Our trust is on thee day and night We trust in thee with one accord O Lord I put my trust in thee Let neuer me confounded be All glory to the Trinity to God the Father and the Sonne And holy Ghost all praise be done for euer and euer eternally FINIS Psal. 51. Math. 26 1. Cor. 14. Math. 5. Acts 10. Iona. 3. 1. Thess. 5 Actes 10. Daniel 6.
Phineas Sampson Dauid S. Paul and Stephen and all the rest of the Prophets and holy Martyrs both ancient and late haue abounded herein I doe prostrate and cast downe my selfe before thy most high Maiestie beseeching thee to giue mee this coale from thine Altar that I may delight my soule to be talking and singing thy continuall praise and inflame my spirit like the men that trauailed to Emmaus to be astonied in admiration and contemplation of thy exceeding loue O God my Sauiour let not my zeale be headie preposterous or ignorant zeale that there with I may neither offend thee disquiet thy Church or afflict my selfe as the Scribes and Pharisees in Ierusalem and the Israelites in the absence of Moses at mount Sinah or as Saul in his Pharisaicall deuotion giue me not knowledge without zeale nor zeale without knowledge and that all my vnderstanding in thy Word may euermore bee mixed with true zeale O let not my zeale be aboue knowledge lest while I thinke to serue thee in the breath of charity by the distemper thereof I bee inforced to dishonour and blaspheme thee as the blinde Heathen ignorant Papists or vndiscreete Protestants at this day doe Graunt this O Lord for the honour of my Aduocate and Mediatour Iesus Christ. Amen A feruent Prayer vnto God that the repentant may finde fauour in Christ. ATtend vnto my teares O Lord regard my wofull moane And seeke to saue me by thy Word or I am ouerthrowne For sinne doth so oppresse my minde that I am damn'd to hell Vnlesse by Christ I fauour finde whose wounds must make me well Cure thou my soule so sicke with sinne by merits of thy Sonne Marke not the estate that I liue in but marke what he hath done Most perfect hee though I be vilde to please when I offend He sits with thee though I exilde in glory to the end My nature is inclin'd to euill though his with good accord My sences seeke to serue the deuill his will to please the Lord. Wherefore O God that art most iust in him my debts to pay In his desert my soule doth trust thy wrath for to allay O Father full of knowledge deepe thou searchest secrets of each heart Beholdst desires wee priuate keepe with hidden silence in the darke But yet thou doest thus much require thy children should know and confesse Thee for to be their lightsome fire that iudgest their workes in righteousnesse As thou hast fram'd in man a heart wherewith his Maker to beleeue A tongue and lips and euery part wherewith he glory may thee giue And thou doest chalenge at his hands free sacrifice of prayers praise And honours due throughout all lands that all men canst deiect and raise Thy Children must not in their minde be dumbe nor in their tongues be mute When they should seeke thy helpe to finde and by petition shew their suite Thy Sonne doth bid me aske and haue and finde to seeke to knock to enter What they doe want that they may craue by faith in him they may aduenture Thou still art ready to be found and helpe thine owne in their distresse That in their faith are constant found and patient in their heauinesse Therefore deare Father I beset with many miseries distrest Come vnto thee thine ayde to get and after trouble to finde rest And haue thy Grace without within but I that am of sinners chiefe Because thou hat'st in me my sinne they doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe Alas poore wretch what shall I doe to aske I am so farre vnfit Vnapt my God to aske vnto vnworthy to haue benefit Of what I craue or doe desire and yet to cry I will not linne Till thou doest send refining fire and purifie me from my sinne A Prayer for the obtaining of Faith Hope and Charity and all Christian vertues O Lord and Father of lights from whom proceedeth euery good and perfect gift I beseech thee to blesse mee with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ. Increase the little graine of my weake and feeble Faith direct it to the true obiect the merits of Christ Iesus and let it not be bare and bad but effectually working by loue Make me strong therein and constant to giue credit to thy Word without doubting and protect mee among the diuers and manifold errors sects and heresies of this world that fight against the foundation Lord let me not be disappointed of my hope which I haue in thee but make good thy promises vnto mee and so worke in my heart that I may haue courage in conflict patience in trouble and comfort in all things Keepe mee from insolencie and pride and graunt mee true humility and lowlinesse of minde that I bee not puffed vp to contemne my brethren but giue mee that due consideration of my owne vilenesse and infirmities that as dust and ashes I may tremble and stand in awe of thy Iudgements and as a sinfull man esteeme better of others then my selfe O deare Father when Sathan shall accuse mee my owne conscience beare witnesse against mee the whole world forsake mee and all things set themselues against mee for my sinnes then strengthen mee in thy Faith that I fall not from thee inflame my cold heart with the vnfained affection of heauenly loue that I may loue thee O blessed Trinity withall that I haue aboue all my neighbour as my selfe Graunt me a compassionate and a charitable minde to helpe and succour others to my ability to forbeare and forgiue them though they bee mine enemies Inflame me with loue and charity towards all men to forgiue and forget to doe good to pray for them that I may follow the steps of my Sauiour open the eyes of my vnderstanding and helpe me to examine my selfe concerning my knowledge faith and repentance send me the hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and make mee verily and fully partaker of all the benefits of that bitter passion of my Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ To whom with thee and thy most holy Spirit be all honour and glory this day and for euermore Amen Amen The sighes and meditations of an afflicted conscience O Most mercifull God which by the sending of thy Sonne into the world hast brought to passe that where sinne abounded there grace abounded much more I forlorne wretch disquieted in minde and afflicted in conscience for feare of thy Iudgements vpon my sinne doe with bended knees and teares vnfained a most humble Suppliant begge and craue of thee some succour and reliefe open open the gates of thy mercies to the greatnesse of my miseries my abiect countenance witnesseth my distressed minde My spirit is sorrowfull my heart is heauie my words are stopt with sighes and my plants watered with teares to thee I hold vp my hands to thee I lift vp my heart to thee 〈◊〉 pray requiring thee of mercie O Lord what shall I desire of â—hee that deserue nothing at thy â—ands What can I hope for that â—m euen heartlesse