CERTAYNE GODLY EXARCISES MEDITACIONS AND PRAYERS VERY necessary and profytable for all persons and for all times set forthe by certayne godly lerned men to be vsed dayly as you shal be godly disposed and shall feele nede thervnto And also the Letany dayly vsed in Churches annexed to the ende hereof Ephesians vi i. Timothe ii ¶ Praie alwaies euery where with all maner of praier and that in the spirite lifting vp pure hartes and handes with out wrath or doubtinge ¶ IMPRINTED London in Fletestrete at the sygne of the George neere to saincte Dunstons churche by VVyllyam Powell ¶ Vse often and hartye prayer to God knowing that it is no lesse necessary for your soule therby to liue and contynue in godlines then water is for the life of fishe or dew is for the growth of grasse and herbes but if you wyll haue youre praier accepted of god se that you accept his worde For accursed be they sayth Sallomon and their prayer that wyll not heare the worde of god If I behold with fauour any wyckednes saith Dauid in my hart god will not heare me for he heareth no such synners as retainethe styll the purpose to continewe it sinne as hee stoppethe not hys eares to heare the prayers of the pore penitents but often before they pray he graunteth them their hartes desire I B. ¶ Occations to meditate to stirre vp the harte to praier IN your praiers thinke vpon the remission of sinnes promysed by and for Chryste and let there be in your remembraunce some most euidente and playne sentence to inflame stirre vp the mind as this Aske and ye shal haue c. And verely verely I saye vnto you what soo euer you shall aske the father in my name he wyll geue it you c. Asking al spiritual gifts without condicion and all temporall vppon condicion As Christ did Father if it be thy wyl let this cuppe passe frō me c. God commaundeth vs to aske of him We breake his commandment in not askynge We do his cōmaundement in asking of hym He promiseth to vs our askinge He is debtour to vs tyll he fulfill our askinge We make god a liar if we mistrust to obteine our askynge He is glorified in his sonne by giuing vs our askynge He longeth to haue vs aske of him loketh for it at our handes If we therfore turne not oure eares from his lawe but call vpon him wyth a stronge Faythe he will moste gladly geue vs our askynge Because we are necligent in askinge he doth of his fatherly goodnesse by necessities and troubles dryue prouoke vs to aske of hym And because we are ignoraunt in askinge he teacheth vs by his holy spirite sent into our hartes and by the prayer that therfore is called the lordes praier how what we shulde aske of him Let vs therefore in our necessitie and troubles aske of god our father and he for his sonnes sake will geue vs our askinge whose very nature and propertie is to relieue suche as are in necessitie and in deede our necessities are as lowde cryinges in his merciful eares A meditation vpon the Lordes prayer QVr father which art in heauen We gloriousely formed vnto the Image of thy deuine maiestie created by thy gracyouse goodnesse vnto highest honour how be it by our own sinfulnes diffigured with vilenes deseruinge dampnation and yet by Christes death redemed and restored vnto grace to be Citizens with sainctes of the family of God Nowe altogether in Christian vnitie as members of one body we pray desyre and trust to obtayne of thee our heauenly father accordinge vnto thy gracious goodnes mighty power and faithefull promise vnto vs that aske aboundaunce of thy grace That thy name may be halowed That thy diuine power and glorious maiesty may be certainely knowne and reuerently honoured That the hartes of vs men by thy word and prayer maye be sanctified from all sinne and vanity so that we with al that we haue seruing thee in holinesse righteousenesse may so shine afore men vpon earth that they therby may be occasion to honoure thee our father which art in heauen Thy kyngdome come Thy worde be so fruitfully preached amongest vs thy peple that we may be throughly instructed taught to brydle our sensual apetites by natural reason and to submit our wyttes reasons vnto a good godly spirite and to trye our spirites by the true scriptures So that within vs may raigne the kingdome of God which is neither meate nor drink whiche is neither supersticious ceremonies voluptuous pleasures nor vayne glory but righteousnes peace comforte in the holy ghost by the which we now tasting of thy heauenly ioyes may be made frō henceforth wery of al worldly vanities continually loking prayinge for the apperance and comming of thy eternall and euerlasting kyngdom Thy wyll be done in earth as it is in heauen In heauen the angelles of reuerente loue do thy will and commaundement with comfortable courage ioyful pleasure In hel the wicked spirits through malice and enuye repininge and grudging do torment and vexe them selues what so euer they be doinge And vpon earth men being subiect vnto sinne do thinke it a labour and paine to be occupied in any thing that is good and godly Wherfore we pray that the grace of thy heauenly spirite maye so worke in our earthly bodies that we being delyuered from sinne and vanitie may frely delite and take pleasure to do thye wyll and commaundement being men vpon earth as thy glorious aungels do whiche be in heauen Geue vs this day our dayly breade We hauinge great nede not hable of our selues to deserue any thing beseche the of thy fatherly goodnes to geue frely vnto all vs in general So that none be hurt nor hindered seuerally this day when as we crye constrained by present nede not craftely crauing for vayn care against to morow our dayly bread our daily and necessarie foode reliefe both bodely and ghostly And especially so that the spiritual foode of Christes flesh and his bloud by dayely preachinge of the gospell and ministracion of the sacramentes maye replenishe our hartes mindes with continual remembrance of Christes deathe and his passion dayly to be vsed for necessary and spirituall consolation Forgeue vs oure trespasses as we forgeue them that trespas against vs. Geue vnto vs that feling and knowing oure owne synfulnesse do nede and desire thy mercifull forgeuenes of oure fautes trespasses which we haue committed against thee so that we frely forgeuing all other that haue offended vs in any thyng what so euer it be may be sure that mercy springyng in thee hathe proceded vnto vs and being graciousely offred of thee hath ben thankefully receaued of vs and beinge charitably vsed of vs towardes other shal most certainly be confirmed and enlarged of thee toward vs So that by free mercy sprynging and proceding from thee al fautes maye be freely forgeuen euen as those
and vnderstanding Comforte my soule with thy swete promyses and let thy mercies couer my infirmities For the deathe and bloudshedynge of thy Christ O Lord consider myne infirmities which are many and helpe to heale myne imperfection delyuer me from al kyndes of euilles that I do not obey vnto them as from adultery fornication vncleannesse wantonnes ydolatry good lord deliuer mee Frō witch craft lyeng hatred varyaunce zeale wrath strife sedition good lorde delyuer mee From sectes enuiyng whyspering backebityng bringing vp of euyll tumours good lorde delyuer mee From murther drunkennes gluttony and from the spirite of euyl telosie good lorde deliuer me From enuiynge of other which loue thee thy people more then I or be beloued of thee or of thye people more than I am from swelling at other mennes giftes good lorde deliuer mee From surmisynge murmuringe lowring grudging mutteringe when wordes be not spokē to my mind good lorde for thy great mercies sake deliuer mee and geue me grace that I do at no tyme enuye any good man or womaunes loue but labour to increase it that their prosperstie in worde prayse of other may be my consolation and reioysynge O lord graunt me that I may be low in myne owne syght to submit my self to beare all occasions to wrestle wyth fleshe and bloudde and get the victory Graunt me this gyfte that I maye be swyft to heare slowe to speake slowe to wrathe that my hart do not go after any euyll and wicked imaginations Geue me grace to walke soo that I geue none euill occasions and to auoid all suspitious thinges wherby euyll occasions maye growe O Lorde assist mee with thye spirite that I may labour to mainteyne peace to increase loue and to further vertue Graunte O mercifull father that I may prosper in all vertue in long suffering gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes mekenes temperaunce strength and pacience with all suche like vertues as are cōmaunded in thy holy law for mee to walke in O lorde geue me ioye in thy holy spirite that I may reioyce in thy holy scriptures that al my whole pleasure felycitie and consolation may be in thy holy woorde night and daye in readinge thinking talkinge of the same to thy glory and my edifienge Assist thy seruaūt against this world with the vaine pompe pleasure beautie thereof that it maye be vnto me as vile dust slime fylthynes and asshes that I maye vse it as thoughe I vsed it not and that it may serue me and I not it that I may take my part therof vnto my necessitie with thankesgeuing that I do not vse thy creatures voluptuousely but that I may at al tymes liue righteously soberly and godly in this lyfe Geue me grace to walke with a good conscience bothe before thee and towardes all men in bying and sellinge and in all other my doinges to cast away allyinge craft and disceite that I be not a reader of thy holy worde and a talker onely but that it may appere also in my lyfe and conuersation O Lorde graunte vnto thy seruaunte the strengthe of thy holy spirite to subdue this bodye of synne with the whele lustes therof that it may be made obedient both in wyll minde membres to do thy will that it may be weake vile simple and of no reputation in it selfe by the way of fastinge prayer and meditation of thy lawe that I may be low harted humble minded gentle spryted and to all vertues obedient Geue me grace O lorde to brydle my mouth from al vayne and lyght communication and geue me an vnderstāding hearte with suche discretyon that neyther fylthynes nor folishe talkinge nor iestinge whiche are not comely procede out of my mouthe but rather geuing of thankes O Lord my sauiour increase my faith in thee and in thy Christe and make it stronge to beleue thy promyses O Lorde my redemer increase in me a loue to do thy wyll and to thy ryghteous people O Lorde my iustifyer increase in me a sure hope of my saluation withoute doubt or wauering in aduersitie with out pride or presumption in prosperytie so that in aduersitie I maye be pacient and geue thankes in prosperitie serue thee with reuerence and godly feare all the dayes of my lyfe Increase in me Lord al other vertues agreable to a godly lyfe for I come vnto thee my god as vnto the wel euerlasting fountaine of health and saluation O heauenly father graunt vnto mee al other wheresoeuer they be dispersed throughout the whole world which professe thy holy worde so to lyue that we may dye to sinne and leade a godly conuersatiō walking innocētly before thee Preserue and defende thy seruaunte from all false opinions that I be not deceyued and caryed awaye in errour of the wicked but that I maye growe in grace and knoweledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ O Lord geue me a reuerent and pure vnderstanding of thy holy word that I may therby auoyde al rashe iudgemente and peruerse interpretations O Lorde geue me wisedome knoweledge and vnderstandinge to perceyue those false lying flatteryng spirytes whiche doe deceyue the hartes of innecentes and begyle vnstable soules O Lorde make me to be content with thys woman which thou hast geuen me to be my wyfe that we maye godly lyue together accordynge to thy holy ordynaunce Geue her an hearte of vnderstanding and set thy feare alway before her eyes that she may be obedient in word dede and thought to all that is thy wil. O Lord geue vs the power of thy holy Spirite to rule gouerne and bryng vp these our children and familie in al god lye feare and knoweledge of thy holye worde and that we maye be vnto them an example in all godlynes and vertue to the prayse of thy holy name Saue my soule oh my God whether it be throughe prosperitie or aduersitie losse or gayne sickenes or health life or deathe Ayde strengthen succour and defend thy seruaunt in all aduersitye tribulation and temptaciō and suffer not him to be tempted aboue his strength Increase my ioye that I may reioyce in persecution embrace it to my cōsolacion comfort thinke my felfe happie and blessed when I am counted worthy to suffer rebuke for thy names sake Take from my hearte the care of all worldly thinges only set before my eies the ioye of the crosse of Christe that I maye take comforte therin and despyse the shame for the great rewarde that is laide vppe in heauen for all those that with pacience suffer in aduersitie continue in well doinge vnto the ende O Lorde neither lay thou presumption vnto thy seruauntes charge nor loke not vppon my vilenes whiche am but dust earth and ashes yet lorde I haue taken vpon me am bolde to come vnto thee throughe the merites of Chrystes death and bloud shedyng to lay my prayers before thee requiringe merry pardon and forgeuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy
grace to do thy wyll all the dayes of my lyfe and to obteyne all these my peticions through Iesus Christ thy dere sonne my onely sauiour To whom be all honour and glory nowe and euer Amen Iohn Lydley ¶ A Godly Prayer for all Christen men O Almighty euer liuynge god thou God of all power before whose eyes all thinges lye naked and bare haue regarde vnto me moste miserable synner shews me the light of thy mercies let my praiers ascende vp before thy presence and be accepted in thy sight for Iesus Christes sake Geue thy holy spirite into my heart Oh Lord and lighten my vnderstanding that I maye dwell in the feare of thy name al the dayes of my life that I maye knowe thee the onely true god and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sente For I come vnto thee Oh Lorde thou louer of our soules not hoping in mine owne righteousenes but trusting onely vpon the multitude of thy great mercies whiche thou hast layde forthe before the eyes of all people offering saluation to the whole worlde and haste promysed that who so euer he be of the whole generation of man that wyll obey to thy grace Repent and tourne vnfaynedly from his synnes he shall haue free remission and forgeuenes through Iesus Christ our lord whiche is our onely aduocate and mediatour in whom our saluation lyeth of whom thou hast sayde This is my deere sonne in whom I am well pleased well pacifyed For this thy sonnes sake by whom I am bold to come vnto thee whiche appereth nowe inthy syght making continuall intercession for vs Haue mercy vpon me O thou mightye God and forgeue mee all my synnes which I haue vnrighteousely committed against thee in thoughte worde dede Oh let me feele thy mercies towardes mee for I do confesse my synnes vnto thee Oh lord and hide not mine vnrighteousenes I doo acknowledge mine offences and accuse my selfe before thee of all my misdeedes Helpe me O God my sauioure for the glorye of thy name O delyuer and forgeue me my synnes for thy riche mercies sake Remember not the offences of my youth O Lorde but thinke vppon thy great mercies and couenaunt made vnto me in Christ Iesus O most merciful father consider mine infirmities which are many and great and beare myne imperfection for thy sonne my Sauiour Iesus Christes sake which had good erperience of our infirmitie that he might be merciful vnto al them that are tempted consider how the ennemye hath gotten an open way into my fleshe wherein I confesse that there dwelleth nothynge but synne wretchednes and miserie Therefore I come vnto thee O Lord my God desiringe thee for Christes sake to renewe in mee a right spirite that I may receaue strength and hablenes to do thy wyll and to stande againste all the assaultes of the deuill that they maye haue no place in me but that the olde man which I bear about in my body may be crucified and dayly dye in me that the lustes of synne maye vtterly be destroyed that I maye euermore be renewed in the spyrite of my minde that the lyfe of Christ may alwayes appeare in me Good lord deliuer me from all kyndes of euyll as fornycation couetousenes malyciousnes enuy murder debate deceyte from whisperynge backbitinge contempt of the my neyghbour good lord deliuer me from euyll ielosie from doinge of wronge pride boasting from adultery vaine glory hipocrisie wantonnes ydolatry witchecrafte hatred variaunce zeale wrath strife seditiō sectes enuying drunkennes gluttony and other suche lyke Good lord for thy great mercies sake deliuer me and graunt me grace to haue thee alwaies before myne eyes that I may also haue a respect vnto thy iudgementes that whatsoeuer I say thincke or do may be agreable to thy holy word that I be not mynded as the vngodlye wycked men are Let me haue no pleasure in such thinges as please thē make me lowe in mine owne sighte O lorde that pryde selfe loue ouertake me not Let not the hand of the vngodly cast me downe but bowe my harte alwaies vnto thee that I may serue thee withoute feare all the daies of my lyfe in such holinesse and righteousenesse as is acceptable before thee Remoue frō me al vanities and lies take fro me the iustes of the bodye let not the desires of vnclennes take holde vppon me and geue me not ouer vnto an vnshamefast or obstynate minde but holde me alwayes vnder thy nurture and correction Of thy fatherly mercy leaue me not to my self but stand thou alwaies by me for I am to weake of myne owne power to do any thinge that is good but my ryghteousenesse strength lyeth onely in thee Therfore O lord I come vnto thee requirynge mercy in thy sight and the assistance of thy grace that I may be strengthened with power in the inwarde mā be armed with thy holy armour whiche is the brestplate of ryghteousenes the shylde of Fayth the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sworde of the spirite whiche is thy holy worde that I may stand parfecte in al that is thy wil and be founde worthy through Chryst to receyue a crowne of lyfe whiche thou hast promised to all them that loue thee in purenesse of mynde O Lord plant in me true obedience to thy holy lawe let not the cares of this world choke thi word in me Kepe me al so from all desceitefulnes of richesse and vncleane desyres that all vertues maye be planted in me Good Lorde geue me grace to walke before thee all the dayes of thys my Pilgrimage with good conscience and pure minde that when thou shalt appeare to rewarde euery man according to hys dedes I may reioyce and not be ashamed of the at thy comming Increase my faith O Lorde my sauyour in thee and in thy Christ Increase my loue O my Redemer to thee and to thy ryghteous people Increase a sure hope in me of my saluation O my Iustifier Increase strength in me to ouercome synne and to stande agaynste all euil temptaciōs that they haue no place in me Encrease in me true vnderstanding and pure iudgement in thy worde that I be not deceaued and caryed away in the errour of the wicked But graūte O lord that I may grow in thy grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ Let thy kingdome come vnto me whiche is righteousnes peace and ioye in thy holy ghost longe sufferyng gentlenes goodnes faithfulnes mekenes temperaunce strength pacience with all suche like vertues as ar prescribed vnto me in thy holy word that in prosperous thinges I may geue thee thankes and in aduersitie be pacient that I be not lifted vp with the one nor oppressed with the other Oh let al worldly things be vile vnto me for thee Let me not be mery with the ioy that is without thee and let me desire nothing beside thee Make me to lift vp my hart oftentimes to thee
be corrected refourmed at thy owne wil and pleasure Most mighty god and father through our lorde Iesus Chryste thy eternal sonne with thy holy spirite gouerne and kepe thy holye catholyke apostolike church euery mēber of the same as thou hast promised saying this is 24. Esai 56. 24. my couenaut with thē my spirite which is in thee and my word which I haue put in thy mouthe shal not depart frō the mouth of thy sede for euer lighten vs alwayes with thy gospell rule cōfirme our harts with thy spirite least the Ipocrisy superstition of papistes other heretikes or the erroures wicked life of Epicures Lybertynes cause vs to fal Gouerne therfore that studies of thy church defend the policies of those realmes cities which geue harborough to thy people 25. Sacha 12. 25. powre vppon vs the spirite of grace and prayer make vs diligente and happy in the workes of our vocation take into thy custody for euer our soules and bodies our liues and al that euer we haue Be gracious and fauourable O lord to all Iewes Turks Infidels heretikes and euen oure very enemies and according to thy good wil and purpose forgeue them their sinnes Conuert vnto thy truth all those whom thou haste apoynted in Iesus Chryste to saluation Be merciful also O lord to all our bretherne and sisterne that suffer anye kynde of persecutyon or affliction whether in mynde or in body especially such as suffer for thy name and gospell geue them pacience constancy and stedfaste hope till thou sende theym full and good deliueraunce of all their troubles Be gracious to al those whom thou hast coupled and linked to vs in loue frend shippe whose hartes thou hast moued to praye for vs to wysshe vs good to succoure and helpe vs in oure necessytyes graunt vs all thy blessing and holy spyrite to sanctify vs in the vnity of fayth and dwel in vs for euer Finally oh lord haue mercy vpon my wife children and famely which thou hast geuen me and encrease thy feare in our hartes that we maye truely loue thee and one of vs an other in thee so that we maye be pure both in soule and body and bryng them vp in vertue nurture and information of the lord Plant and sowe in my harte all vertues that be necessary and required in a christiā man namely wisdome discretion tēperance pacience strēgth and boldenes and geue me grace so to vse them and all other giftes whyche I haue receaued at thy mercifull hand as may be most to thy glory and praise to my consolatyon saluation and to the profyte of thy Churche 26. Esai 64. which peticions and requestes I do not make O Lorde trustinge in myne owne ryghteousnesse which I do acknowledge with thy prophet to 29. be stayned defiled no but onely in thy great mercye and promise O heare me lord forgeue me lorde consider me and tary not ouer long but for thy owne sake doe it and for thy sonne Iesus Chrystes sake in whome all thy promyses are yea and amen whych is our onely reademer sauiour and Iustifier to whom with thee o father and the holy ghost be al glory prayse now and for euer Amen Lord let it be so Robart Coles FINIS A morninge prayer WE humbly and hartely geue thākes to thee O merciful father in and by thy derely beloneb sonne Iesus Christ our only sauiour that to thy innumerable benefites hitherto powred vpon our soules and vpon oure bodies thou hast vouchedsafe to kepe vs al this night past from many euils spiritually and corporally and nowe of thy mercye doest offer and geue vs time to repente to amend our liues so that we might lyue hence forth not as we will but as thou wilte and as our bodies do drawe cōtinually nearer and nearer their end the graue I meane so our soules myght aproche to theyr ende that is heauen not hel For in one state we stande not styll but eyther we are nearer nearer the happy state of life or els the infortunat or vnhappy condicion of death eternall Therefore we besech the to be merciful vnto vs good father that is wee praye thee as of thy goodnes thou geueste vs time to repente to liue godly so of the same thy goodnes in christ we humbly besech and pray thee to geue vs thy gracious gift of true holy perfect and perperpetuall repentaunce that we maye more and more lamente our former sinfull life trusting vnfainedly in thy rych mercye throughe the merytes of Iesus Christ for the pardone of al onr sinnes and that we maye vnfainedly purpose effectually labour to amende our liues this day and so long as we haue to liue in al our doinges and wordes and euen in oure very thoughtes to the praise of thy holye name good example of our neyghboures and bretherne And for as much as thou knowest our weakenesse our ignoraunce great vntowardnesse to cary any geeat crosse or affliction we besech thee oure swete father so to temper and order all thynges towardes vs this day and for euer that we be neuer further proued and tempted then thou wilt so helpe vs in the same as may be most to thy glory and our saluation thorough Iesus Chryste our lorde Amen R. Coles ¶ An Euening praier MOste mercyful God and tender Father whiche besides thyne inestimable mercyes declared geuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in redemynge of vs by the deathe of thy dere sonne Iesus Christe in the callynge of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed worde in keping of vs hitherto in thy holy Catholike churche in the moste gracious gouerninge of vs and all thinges hitherto for our mooste weale hast also most fatherly cared for vs and kept vs this daye from all dangers bothe of soule and body geuing vs bealth foode apparell al other thinges necessary for the comforte succour of this poore miserable lif which many other do want for these and al other thy good giftes and gracious benefites which thou of thine owne goodnes onely fatherly prouydence for Christes sake hast hitherto powred vppon vs doest presently powre vpon vs and many other wee most humbly thanke thee prayse thy holy name beseching thee euen for the same thy Christ to pardon our vnthanckefulnes our neglectynge and abusing of those thy benefites and all our sinnes whiche this daye or any tyme heretofore we haue commytted againste thy holy commaundementes And as nowe we purpose to lay our bodyes to rest so graunte the garde of thy good Aungelles to keepe the same this night and for euer And where or when so euer our last slepe of death shal come graunte that it may be in thee good father so that our bodies may reste bothe temporally and eternally to thy glory and our ioye through Iesus Christ our Lorde So be it R.C. ¶ Certaine exercises to
to mortifie my erthly membres Ro. 8. Yea dere father sithe thy spirite which raised vp Christ frō death dwelleth within mee do thou who raisedst Christ frō death quickē my mortal body through thy spirite so dwellyng in me I beseche thee Iohn 14. Yea lorde Iesu according to thy promise because thou art now gone to thy father make me work this wōderful great worke the thou speakest of I meane make me Collo 3. being of my self but a lumpe of synne and a monster moste ougly as the vyces whereon the membres of my earthly body aboue declared to be compacte doo proue make me I saye yet throughe thy grace to hate abhorre flee and subdue all adultery whoredome vncleannes vnnaturall lustes euyl concupiscence vnordinate desyres wantonnes tendernes delicatenes idlenes drunkennes gluttony slouthfulnes distruste dispaire ignoraunce weakenes wilfulnes Idolatry superstition hypocrisie heresye errour sectes variaunce strife wrath enuie slaunders lyeng swearing cursyng vayne glory pride couetousenes thefte disceite flattery and what so euer elles lord feighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirite And then lorde Father I will boast and make vaunte agaynste myne ennemie the deuyll that I haue doone greater workes then thy dere sonne Iesus dyd at what tyme he spake these wordes amōg the iewes because Iohn 14. albeit he vanquissehed Sathan yet in as muche as he hym selfe was vtterly without synne the victorie semed the wore easy But I to vanquishe sathan being my selfe altogether synful yea contrary to my most synfull nature to subdue synne the deuyll and myne owne fleshe it seemeth a more victorye and greater worke then the other For the whiche neuerthelesse I wyll with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuyne maiestie taht the whole victory lord in deede is thine and thy holy spirit the begynner and fynisher bothe of the will and worke Nowe therfore Lorde Iesu strēthen me with thy grace myght that thou mayste by me a moste synfull wretch drawe al these my earthly membres and horrible vices before rehersed vnder my feete that I maye not onely mightely fyght againste them but also subdue them so that they may al turne to the best for me Rom. 8. Io. 12. as mete matter wheron I may exercise my fayth powre forth harty prayer and geue thee most hartye thanckes for victorie whereby I maye learne haue experience that thou haste in me drawen althinges vnto thee in so muche as thou thus lord of thy diuine power drawest bothe the deuill and the synne that dwelleth in mee to set forth thy honour and glory whiche thyng for thy mercies sake brynge to passe O God my creatoure preseruer and euerlastinge defēdour ¶ A Prayer of a christian man expressing his great anguishe heuines of minde that he had before time for his sinnes for that he felt not his hart cōforted in the ioy of gods great loue towardes him with the maner of his prayers groninges which he then made nowe powreth forth againe vnto god for his grace assistance in his new assaultes wherby the broken harted afflicted for their sinnes maye learne to stirre vp strengthen their faith and hope in like dangers and trouble of conscience 1. EVen in the myddes of the desperate assaultes of my soule the intollerable heuinesse of my minde hath heretofore Lorde cryed as shrill in thine eares as thoughe I had shryked and with lamentations cryed out saying Help helpe me my god my creatour my most prouident keper and euerlasting defender for beholde I peryshe 2 On this occasion Lorde that heauines of mynd did heretofore assault me I remembred that thou haddeste manye tymes set before myne eyes the wonderfull greatues of thy most tender loue towardes me by great multitude of thy benefites powred vpon me whiche benefytes euery of thy workes as they came before mine eyes gaue me iuste occasyon to be mindefull of 3 Wolde not thought I if I had in a maner any grace at all wolde not suthe loue brynge nowe into my harte a wonderfull delectation comforte ioye in god for the same 4 And againe coulde suche delyghte in goddes swete mercy and tender loue towardes me if I were not as euyll as a cast awaye that were none of goddes chyldren be without lothing of my syn and lust desire to do goddes holy wyl And these thinges thought I fye vpon the vnthankeful wretche are either not at all in me or elles in deede so coldelye and sclenderly that they beynge truelye waied and compared to righteousenes Esa 64. are more vile then a sylthye clothe starched in corrupte bloudde 5 Oh thought I I am aferd I haue deceyued my selfe for thy seruauntes at al times I trowe feele otherwise then I nowe do the fruites of thy spirite as Loue Ioye Peace and suche lyke But my loue alas towards thee what is it my ioye oh woe is my hart therefore is not once almost felte of me for my very soule within me as Dauid in his heuynes said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it dyd vtterly despaire Psal 77. And what peace can I feele then or certaintie of thy fauoure and loue Iustely may I powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion the lorde hath forsaken me Esai 49. and my lorde hath forgotten mee 6 Euen in the middes I say of these my former desperate assaultes myne in tollerable heuines cryed to my god and from heauen he heard my gronynges therupon first prepared my hert to aske comfort of him then he heard my praier and gaue me plētefully my asking 7 Oh my soule consider wel that thou art neuer hable to declare the excedynge goodnes of god in this that he heard the very desires of thee being afflicted who is soo redy fauourablye to graunte the requestes of the afflicted that often tymes he taryeth not vntyll they do call but or euer they cal vpon him he fauourably heareth thē as the psalmist saith the desires of the afflicted thou heareste O lorde thou preparest theyr hartes thine care heareth fauourably Psal 10. 8 Oh lorde my god marueilous thinges are these whether I consyder this marueilous maner of thy hearing orels the marueilous nature and propertye of thy goodnes Marueilous no doubt is that thy hearinge wherby the very desires of the afflicted are hearde but muche more marueilous is this thye goodnesse which taryeth not vntyl the afflicted do desire thy help but prepareth first their hartes to desyre and then thou geuest them their desires 9 Yea Lorde worthye of all praise it can not otherwise be For how shouldst thou do otherwise then thy nature and propertie is art not thou very goodnes and mercy it self how canst thou then but pitie and helpe miserie 10 Art not thou both the creatour and also the conseruer of all thinges In so much as the lyons whelpes roaryng after their pray do seeke their foode at thy handes Psa 104. Psal 147. and the rauens byrdes lackyng meate
synglenesse of heart wyll seeke not them selues but the commoditie of thy people graunt that we maye all liue as faythefull subiectes in al godly due obedience firste to the Quene as supreme head and gouernour and then to al other according to their degree and callynge Fynally we beseche thee O lorde that we maye altogether bothe highe lowe walke in a lyfe and cōuersation worthy for our profession to thy glory the good exāple of other and the stopping of the mouthes of thy ennemies and oures for thy truthes sake that where as they slāder vs as euyll doers they maye see our good workes prayse the in thee day of visitation Amen ¶ A prayer necessary to be sayde at all tymes O Bountiful Iesu O swete Sauioure O Christe the Sonne of god haue pitie vpon me mercifully here me despyse not my prayers Thou haste created me of nothynge thou haste redemed me from the bondage of synne deathe and Hell neyther with Golde nor Siluer but with thy moste precious bodye once offered vpon the crosse and thyne owne blood shed once for al for my raunsome Therfore cast me not away whom thou by thy great wisdome hast made despise me not whome thou hast redemed with suche a precious treasure Nor lette my wickednes destroye that which thy goodnes hath builded Nowe whiles I liue O Iesu haue mercy on me for if I dye oute of thy fauour it wyll be to late afterwarde to call for thy mercy Whiles I haue time to repente looke vppon me with thy mercifull eies as thou dyddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thyne Apostle that I maye bewayle my synfull life and obtaine thy fauour and die therin I acknowledge that if thou shuldest deale with me according to thy Iustice I haue deserued euerlastynge deathe Therfore I appeale to thy high throne of mercy trusting to obtaine thy fauour not for my merites but for thy merites O Iesu who hast geuen thy self an acceptable sacrifics to thy father to please his wrath and to bryng al sinners truelye repenting and amendinge their euil life vnto his fauour agayne Accept me O Lorde among the number of theym that shall be saued forgeue me my synnes geue me grace to leade a godly and innocent life graunte me thy heauenlys wisedome inspire my hart with Faith Hope and Charity geue me grace to be humble in prosperitie pacient in aduersitie obedient to my rulers faithful vnto theym that truste me dealing truclye with all men to lyue chastlye in wedlocke to abhorre adulterye fornication and all vncleanes to doo good after my power vnto al menne to hurte no man that thy name mays be glorified in me duringe this present lyfe that I afterwarde maye attayne euerlastinge lyfe through thy mercye and the merites of thy greuous Passion Amen ¶ A Prayer for true mortification and quietnes of the harte in God MOste blessed Lorde Iesu graunt me thy grace that it maye be alwaye wyth mee woorke in me and perseuere with me vnto the ende and that I maye euer desire and will that is most pleasaunt and moste acceptable to thee thy will be my will and my will alway to followe thy will be there alway in me one will and one desire with thee so that I maye haue noo power to wil or not to wil but euen as thou wilt or wilt not and graunt me that I may dye to all thinges that be in the world and for thee to loue be glad to be dyspised and to be as a man vnknowen to this worlde Graunt me also aboue al that can be desired that I may reste me in thee and fully in thee may pacify my hearte for thou lorde art the very true peace of harte and the perfect reste both of body and soule and without thee all thinges be greuous and vnquiet Wherfore let my hart finde peace and comfort in that peace that is in thee on highe one blessed and one endlesse goodnes reste therin for euermore So be it ¶ A prayer to be sayd before the hearing or readynge of goddes word ALmighty God and most mercifull father whose word is a lanterne to our fete and a lighte vnto oure steppes we most humblye besech thee to illuminate our mindes that we may vnderstand the mysteries conteyned in thy holy lawe and into the selfe same thing that we godly vnderstande we maye be vertuousely transeformed so that of no parte wee offende thy dyuine maiestye through our Sauiour Iesus Christ An prayer for remission of synnes WHen we loke backe and behold our sinfull life paste O Lorde what a dūgeon of errours vice and wickednes openeth it selfe vnto vs so that ther is no mā but he must nedes be ashamed of him self when he calleth to mind what he hath bene and tremble when he considereth the wickednes and sinfull course of his lyfe to come For who shall vndertake that the rest of our lyfe shal be any better then that is past howe can we then sufficiently magnifie and prayse thy great mercy which haste differred thy punishement so longe beholdynge therfore this our daungerous miserable state we come vnto thee O thou great mighty iudge in trēblyng feare hūbly besechig thee not to heape vpon vs thy deserued vēgeaunce but let thy tender kyndnesse and loue thou bearest to Iesus christ thy dere son our gracious lorde redemer couer our iniquities for whose sake though we deserue al extremitie thou doest pardon vs. If thou lord shalt straitly marke our iniquities O lord who shal be hable to abide it Psal 130. A prayer against our spiritual ennemies the deuyll the worlde and the fleshe O Lorde god the deuyl goeth about lyke a roaryng lyon sekyng whō he may deuoure the fleshe lusteth agaynste the spirits the worlde perswadeth vnto vanities that we maye forget thee our Lorde God and so for euer be dampned Thus are we miserablye on euery syde beset and besieged of cruell and vnrestfull ennemies and lyke at euery momēt to perish if we be not defended with thy godly power agaynste theyr tyranny We therfore poore wretched synners dispayring of our owne strength which in dede is none most hartely praye thee to endue vs with strength from aboue that we may be hable through thy helpe with stronge faith to resist Sathā with feruent prayer to mortifie the lustes of the fleshe with continual meditation of thy holy lawe to auoyd the foolyshe vanities and transitorye pleasures of this wicked worlde that through thy grace beinge set at lybertie from the power of these our mortall ennemies maye lyue and serue thee in holynesse and ryghteousnesse al the dayes of our lyfe worke this in vs O holy and blessed spirite together with the Father the sonne one true and euerliuing god ful of maiestie and power whiche with thy heauenlye inspirations quickeneste the myndes of them that afore were dead in sinne makest ioyful the hartes of the faythful penitent bringest into the waye of truthe
al suche as haue erred and gone astray comfortest the sowles of them that hunger and thyrst after ryghteousnesse and plenteously enrychest those with diuerse gyftes which aske them in Iesus Chrystes name purifie our hartes we besech thee inflame them with the fyre of thy loue arme vs against the crafty assaultes of subtyl sathan agaynst the vayne plcsures of the wicked world agaynst the sinfull lustes of fylthy fleshe the we beynge endued with grace from aboue by thy holy inspiration may walke forwardes in newenesse of lyfe in true holynes and righteousnes all the dayes of our lyfe Fyl our hartes with newe afctes and spirituall motions renewe vs both in body and sowle that we may dye vnto olde Adam lyue vnto righteousenes through a liuely faythe whiche worketh by Charitie whiche synguler gyfte of faythe graunt vnto vs that we truely beleuing in thee O eternal God the father the sonne and the holy ghost and fully perswaded of the truthe of thy holy word may be made thy sonnes and inheritours of the euerlastynge ioyes whiche as they are great and vnspeakeable so are there fewe that do inioy thē For straite is the way narrowe is the gate that leadeth therunto fewe there be that fynde it Notwithstandinge O god thou hast a lyttell flocke to whō it is thy pleasure to geue that ioyful kingdome whose names are wrytten in the boke of lyfe Make vs therfore of that nombre for Iesus Christes sake place vs amongest those thy shepe whiche shall stande on thy ryght hande to receiue that blessed inherytance and dwell with thee for euermore An other prayer REmēbre not O lorde god our olde iniquites but let thy mercy spedely preuent vs for we be very myserable help vs god our sauiour and for the glory of thy name deliuer vs be merciful forgeue our synnes Let not the wicked people saye where is their god we be thy people the shepe of thy passture we shal geue thākes vnto thee for euer frō age to age we shal set forth thy lawde and praise to thee be honour and glory world without ende Amen 2. Peter 3. The day of the Lord will come as a theefe in the night in the which day the heauens shall peryshe with terrible noise and the Elementes shall melt with heate and the earth with the worckes that are therin shal burne vp Seinge therfore that all these things shall perish what maner persons oughte ye to be in holy conuersacion and godlines loking for and hastening vnto the day of God ¶ The Letany and suffrages O GOD the father of heauen haue mercye vppon vs myserable sinners O God the father c. O god the Son redemer of the worlde haue mercy vpon vs myserable sinners O God the sonne redemer c. O God the holy ghoste procedinge from the father and the sonne haue mercye vpon vs myserable sinners O God the holy ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinitie three persons and one god haue mercye vpon vs miserable sinners O holye blessed and glorious c. Remember not Lorde oure offences nor the offences of oure forefathers neyther take thou vengeaunce of oure synnes Spare vs good Lorde spare thy people whom thou hast redemed wyth thy most precious bludde and be not angry with vs for euer Spare vs good lorde From all euyl and mischiefe from syn from the craftes assaultes of the deuil from thy wrathe and from euerlastynge dampnation Good lorde deliuer vs. From all blindnes of hart from pryde vayne glorye and hipocrisie from enuie hatred and malice and al vncharitablenes Good Lorde deliuer vs. From Fornication and al other deadly synne and from al the deceyptes of the world the fleshe and the deuyl Good Lorde deliuer vs. From lightnynge and tempeste from plague pestilence and famine from battel and murder and from sodain death Good Lorde deliuer vs. From al sedicion and priuie conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresy from hardnes of harte and contempte of thy worde and commaundement Good Lorde deliuer vs. By the mistery of thy holy incarnacion by thy holy natiuitie and circumsition by thy baptisme fasting and temptaciō Good Lorde deliuer By thyne agony and blouddy sweat by thy Crosse and Passion by thy precious death and burial by thy glorious resurrection and ascention and by the commyng of the holy ghost Good Lorde deliuer vs. In al time of our tribulation in al time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lorde deliuer vs. We synners do beseche thee to heare vs O Lorde God that it may please the to rule and gouerne thy holy churche vniuersally in the right waye We beseche thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please thee to keepe and strengthen in the true worshippinge of thee in ryghteousnes and bolines of life thy seruaunt Elizabeth our most gracyous Queene and gouernour We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it may please the to rule her hart in thy faythe feare and loue and that she may euermore haue affiaunce in thee and euer seke thy honour and glorye We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it may please thee to be her defender and keper geuing her the victory ouer all her enemies We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please thee to illuminate all Byshoppes Pastours and ministers of the church with trew knowledge and vnderstandyng of thy woorde and that both by theyr preachynge and lyuinge they maye set it foorth and shewe it accordynglye We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please thee to endue the lordes of the counsell and all the nobilitye with grace wisedome and vnderstandynge We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it may please thee to blesse kepe the Magistrates geuyng them grace to execute iustice and to mainteine truth We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please thee to blesse and keepe all thy people We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please thee to geue to all nacions vnitie peace and concorde We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please thee to geue vs an harte to loue and dreade thee and dilygentlye to lyue after thy commaundementes We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please thee to geue al thy people increase of grace to heare mekely thy word and to receyue it with pure affection and to bryng forthe the fruites of the spiryte We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it may please thee to brynge into the waye of truth all such as haue erred and are deceyued We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please thee to strengthen suche as do stande and to comforte and helpe the weake hearted and to raise vp thē that fal and finally to beate downe Sathan vnder our fete We besech thee to heare vs. c. That it maye please