A Prayer for the Morning.

O Lord God, most mightie & mer­cifull Father, I vnworthy crea­ture acknowledge mine owne vilenes, naturall cor­ruption and abhominable sinnes, many times com­mitted against thee: I be­seech thee admit mee to [Page 86] render thee my bounden thankes, for thy manifold mercies extended towards me this night past, and all other times of my life: for my rest and sleep, my food, and rayment, my health, peace and liberty, and the hope of a better life in the merites of thy Sonnes bit­ter passion. Now deare Father, I beseech thee to continue thy mercifull fa­uour vnto me this day and euer hereafter. Forgiue me all mine vnthankfulnes, vn­kindnes and prophanenes towards thee, thy word and seruice, or towards my Neighbour. Set all my [Page 87] sinnes ouer to that recko­ning, which thy Sonne Ie­sus Christ, my Lord, hath made vp for them vpon his Crosse; neuer lay any of them to my charge, but freely forgiue and forget all.

O Lord strike my heart with thy rod, that I may al­way be furnished for a true and vnfained repentance; that I may not be blinded in my sinnes, to delight in them, or to think that thou wilt not respect my vnto­wardnesse; but that I may be weary of them, grieue for them, and by all means possible striue to attaine to [Page 88] a true mortification of the flesh, and so liue holily, and iustly, and soberly in this present world.

O good God, I humbly intreat thee, leaue me not to my selfe, mine owne lusts and desires: but assist mee with thy grace to hearken vnto thee and thy word, & to passe my time in feare and trembling, as an obe­dient childe of so good a Father.

Blesse me Lord this day, and prosper all that I shall take in hand; let mee haue all my directions from thy will, and the successe from thy mercifull hand. Giue [Page 89] mee a competent stay for the maintenance of this mortall life. Continue may food, and rayment, health, peace and liberty, that I may with a quite minde & thankefull heart passe my time in this vale of miserie, doing good to all men af­ter mine abilitie, without disgrace to my selfe, or harme to any one.

Grant these good things most mercifull God, and all other needefull graces, not onely vnto me, but vn­to all thy deere children in the world, to the good of our soules and bodies, for Iesus Christs sake, in whose [Page 90] name I further call vpon thee, as he hath taught vs, in his Gospell, saying, Our Father which art in Hea­uen, &c.

A Prayer for the Euening.

O Eternall GOD, and most merci­full Father, I doe confesse against my selfe that my heart and hands are full of all filthines and sinnes whatsoeuer, and I am altogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee, or to come neere thy presence. Neuerthelesse beeing so much bound vnto thee, as this day past, and all other times of my life doe wit­nesse, [Page 92] I offer vnto thy ho­lines (by the hands of Ie­sus Christ my Mediator) my humble dutie of praise and thanksgiuing for my creation, election, redemp­tion, vocation and sanctifi­cation, with all other good graces appertaining to this life, or that which is to come. And namely, ô Lord my tongue and lippes shall glorifie thee, sitting aboue the Cherubins, for preser­uing me this day past from so many miseries and casu­alties whereinto I might iustly haue fallen, if thou wouldest haue entred into iudgement with mee. But [Page 93] Lord thou art mercifull & passest by my offences, to winne me by thy long suf­ferance: I beseech thee make mee thankfull for all thy mercies.

O Lord, pardon and for­giue mee all my sinnes: graunt me euery day more and more the sight and fee­ling of them, with heartie sorrow and vnfained repen­tance for the same. Giue mee grace to belieue all the sweet promises that thou hast made vnto mee in Christ Iesus, both for the remission thereof, and the hope of a better life: strengthen me from aboue [Page 94] with thy mighty hand, to walke in euery good way without feare, and to bring forth the fruits of a true & liuely faith in my life and conuersation, all the dayes of my life.

Arme me O Lord with thy grace and holy spirit a­gainst all the common cor­ruptions of the world, the temptations of the Diuell, and the allurements of the flesh: and settle my minde to the continuall exercise of deuout prayer, with the hearing of thy sacred word watching for thy comming both publike and priuate.

Continue thy goodnesse [Page 95] towards mee, in prouiding for mee such things as are necessarie for the mainte­nance of this present life, and blesse the same vnder my hand: that the little which I haue may be in­creased, and the increase may serue, as well to fur­nish my necessarie vses, as to minister vnto the neces­sities of others, according to mine abilitie.

Keepe mee, Lord, this night from all euils, which may happen either vnto my body, or my soule. Ex­tend thy goodnesse toward all those that depend vpon me, or I on them. Giue me [Page 96] quiet sleepe and rest, and when I shall awake, let all my thoughts and cogitati­ons be holy meditations on thee and thy law. Blesse me O Lord, all the nights and dayes of my life, and at the end thereof send me a bles­sed departure, and after­ward a ioyfull resurrection vnto life eternall.

Graunt me these good things most mercifull fa­ther, and all other needfull graces, for Iesus Christs sake, in whose name I fur­ther call vpon thee, as hee hath taught vs in his Gos­pell, saying, Our Father, &c.

A Prayer to God the Father, as a Preparatiue to the Meditation ensuing.

O Gracious Lord, al­mightie and euerlast­ing God, the father of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ; who was borne at Bethlem in great pouerty: Graunt me, I beseech thee, a roome among the wise [Page 102] men of the East, to offer the poore talent of my weake deuotion vnto him all the dayes of my life: euen a true Faith, for pure Gold, the perfume of de­uout Praier, for sweet Fran­kincense, and hearty Sor­row, with bitter Teares of Repentance, for dropping Myrrhe.

And because hee came into this world in such hu­militie, yet furnished with such a measure of loue, that hee was content for my sake, to be laden with the burthen of all our infirmi­ties, to carry our sorrowes, to vnder goe a world of [Page 103] iniuries and miseries, and at the last in a shamefull death to offer vp himselfe in Sacrifice to thee for my redemption; vouchsafe me thy Grace, that I may pick vp some Crummes vnder his Table, and gather vp some fruits at the foote of his Crosse, that when I haue seene, what Iudas sould, & the Iewes bought: what Iudas lost, and I haue gained, I may bathe my soule in the purple streame of his most precious blood and then entombe him, & lay him vp in a beleeuing heart, vntill his glorious appearance: So that all [Page 104] the dayes of my life, being washed (as the Apostle saith) being sanctified, and being iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus, and by the spirit of my God, I may neuer be without sorrow for my Sinnes, thankfulnes for thy Benefits, feare of thy Iudgements, loue of thy Mercies, nor re­membrance of thy presence. Amen.

A Meditation or Prayer vpon the Life, Death, and Passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ.

O LORD Christ Iesus, Sonne of God, thou holy, mighty, & won­derfull God and Man, who art the life of the liuing, and the death of Death, and therefore both in life [Page 106] and death aduantage: Whose life for my sake, was feebled with naturall infirmities, and death cau­sed by violent sorrowes, & yet thy life milde, and thy death qiuet. I beseech thee giue mee a fleshie heart, to weepe and shedde teares downe my cheekes, if not for thy paines (who didst sweat drops of blood trick­ling downe to the ground, & afterward dyedst for my sake) yet for my sins, which then bred thy sorrow, and now worke my woe.

Lord, I know that for me, the tempest of thy Fathers anger, and fire of [Page 107] his wrath was stirred and kindled against thee; wher­fore now with the wise men of the East, and all the Iewes, I come to seeke thee in the Stable at Bethleem, and in Mount Caluarie. At Bethleem, where the Manger was thy Bed to be borne in: in Mount Cal­uarie, where the Crosse was thy Bed to dye on. In Bethleem, where a hand­full of Straw was the pil­low for thy sacred Head to rest on: in Mount Caluary, where a crowne of Thornes and a number of Nailes pierced and fastened both head and body. In Beth­leem, [Page 108] where course swad­ling clothes were thy best Roabes: and in Mount Caluarie, where thou didst hang naked in much mise­rie. I come to adore thee, to prayse thee, to pray thee, that as in thy life time, thou wast content to be bred, borne & brought vp in manifold infirmities, (to strengthen our frailtie, and to demonstrate the truth of thy Humanitie) and then at thy death, to disarme thy selfe, and to be broken with them, for the discharge of our Captiui­tie, & the assurance of our accesse to the Throne of [Page 109] grace. So thou wilt bee pleased as a gracious King to holde out thy golden Scepter of mercy to my fearefull conscience, that I may come neere to looke into thy wounds, to sue for compassion and pardon, & to taste of thy goodnesse, who am a sinnefull wretch, full of corruption and ma­nifold infirmities.

2 O sweet Iesus, how shall I recount the large seue­rals of thine innocent pas­sions, from thy poore Na­tiuity, to thy guiltles death? From thy bloodie sweat and heauie agonie in one [Page 110] garden, to thy strange bu­riall in another? How can I thinke of thy labours in preaching, thy wearinesse in trauailing, thy watchful­nesse in Praying, thy temp­tings in fasting, thy teares in pittying, and not con­fesse more iustly of thee, then Dauid did of his Io­nathan, Very kinde hast thou beene vnto mee: thy loue to mee was wonderfull, passing the loue of women?

Was it not inough, e­uen for loue to mee, to be cloathed with the vaile of flesh, but that thou must be compassed with the sha­dow of death? Was it not [Page 111] inough to become Earth, Earth, Earth, but thou must become also Woe, Woe, Woe? The God of heauen to be­come the Sonne of Man! The Lord of life to bee made the childe of death! The Maister to be turned to be a Seruant, and from a Seruant, to be counted a bad Seruant! No proofe brought, and yet scourged without measure: No In­ditement found, and yet crucified without mercie! Oh, the beloued of the Lord ran through Bryars of Passions! Oh, the holy Lambe was betrayed, car­ried away, bound, condem­ned, [Page 112] consorted with male­factors and Theeues; and, like Ionas, plunged in the maine depth of sorrowes, and swallowed vp of the whale of death! O Lambe of God, that takest away the sinnes of the world, haue mercy vpon mee.

3 O Lord Iesus, it is the ioy of my heart, that thou hast taken and borne all mine infirmities. All, spiri­tuall and corporall: true euidences of thy humanity, but no impediments to thy Charitie. All of Soule, all of Body, and yet neither deformed in fashion, nor [Page 113] distempered in passion, nor tainted with any guilt of sinne. Thy soule heauie to the death, shall bring my soule to life: I should ne­uer haue beene heartily merry, except thou hadst beene painefully sad, and grieuously sorrowfull. I should neuer haue beene verily satisfied, except thou hadst truely hungred and thirsted. I should neuer haue beene deliuered from feare, and absolutely bold, except thou hadst natural­ly feared.

O thou euer-glorious God, the consolation of Is­raell, and the hope of all [Page 114] the ends of the earth, re­lieue my carefull Consci­ence, that am sadde, dis­ordered and disturbed in minde for feare of thy iudgements, and because I haue displeased so graci­ous a God, and louing Fa­ther.

Oh, neuer let my soule be ouertaken with feare so farre as to dispaire: nor ouerwhelmed with the Sea of thy wrath, nor apparai­led with the suggestions of Sathan: But let it alwayes heare the voyce of thy Blood, speaking better things then the blood of Abell, and crying, not for [Page 115] reuenge, but for pardon, for me, who by my mani­fold transgressions haue robbed God of his honour, the Church of a member, and my soule of life.

4 Oh man of sorrowes, but mirrour of patience: What a weeke of paynes was this to thee? What a good-Friday was that for mee? What dayes of sor­rowes were then one after another to thee? and yet with what patience didst thou passe them ouer? Patient, when Caiaphus so despightfully vsed thee: Patient, when Pilate so vn­righteouslie [Page 116] iudged thee: Patient, when false Iudas so cunningly, and treache­rouslie saluted thee, and designed thee to be taken. Againe, patient, when thou didst carry thine owne Crosse: patient, when the Crowne of Thornes drew blood from thy sacred head; and patient, when all others reuiled, reproach­ed, bespitted, scoffed, and abused thee.

Oh thou that so patient­ly & peaceably, mildely, & meekely, didst carry paine­full and pangfull, haynous and heauie sorrowes for mee: I beseech thee, let [Page 117] thy patience discharge my impatiencie, and let thine infirmities which thou didst truely take, and wil­lingly beare with such po­wer & innocency, informe mine ignorance, comfort my sadnesse, kindle my loue, discharge my feare, and moderate my anger. O Lord, grant me patience to beare thy holy wil in all things, and giue me grace in the midst of all troubles, yet to continue in thy feare.

5 When I desire grace, O sweet Iesus, to fulfill thy commandement of Loue [Page 118] and Charitie, which is the end of thy commande­ment, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience & of faith vnfained, where shall I take my patterne but from thee, such a louer as is Loue himselfe? for whom didst thou not loue? As for thy Disciples, thou didst loue them as Schol­lers, and cherish them as children, and stile them thy friends. Thou didst stoope downe to wash their feete, that were not worthy to vntye thy Shooe. Thou diddest restore Peter, that had abiured thee: thou didst saue the Theefe that [Page 119] dyed with thee: thou didst confirme Thomas that dou­ted of thee: thou didst for­giue Iames and Iohn, that asked too much of thee. The bloody persecutors & crucifiers, who did curse and execrate themselues & their children, to doe thee a mischiefe, they, euen they had thine earnest prayers, before thou diddest either dispose of thy Mother, o [...] pray for thy selfe. Yea, that Iudas that betrayed thee and sould thee for thirtie pence (making no price of thee, but taking a base of­fer) thy holy hands did wash his vncleane feet, and [Page 120] thy sacred lips did touch his prophane mouth.

O thou fountaine of Loue, that doest drench those that loue thee in the streame of thy pleasures, & imbalmest euen thine ene­mies with the oyle of com­passion, and louest Man­kinde with an euerlasting loue, so farre, that after they had borne armes a­gainst thee, thou didst em­brace them in the armes of thy Mercy▪ O thou that didst grieue till thou migh­test dye for me: Thou that wouldst be betrayed with a kisse, as it were to meete death in the middle way: [Page 121] Thou that didst reprooue Peter, when hee diswaded thee from it, and didst ha­sten on Iudas, lest he should be too slacke to bring thee to it. Kindle, ô kindle my desires to thee, inflame my heart with thankfulnesse to thee, inspire my soule with the fire of zealous loue to burne alwayes, and flame vpon the Alter of my hart, that for thy loue to mee, I may euermore loue thee aboue all things, and my neighbour as my selfe.

6 This is the Consum­matum est, O sweet Iesus: Thou hast giuen mee that [Page 122] which thou didst not owe mee, and hast forgiuen me that which I did owe thee: Thou wast content to be the By-word of the people, and the curse of the Law, for my sake. Blessed be thy Name; blessed be thy Life; blessed be thy death. For thy death is my birth: thy crowne of Thornes is my garland the scarres of thy body, are the starres of my firmament. Thy graci­ous wounds are my hap­pie plaisters. Thy bitter Mirrhe refresheth me, thine infirmities strengthen me, thy stripes heale mee, and thy blood clenseth me.

[Page 123] Loe, I haue nothing to take to but what I haue from thee; Therefore Bone Iesu, esto mihi Iesus, O good Iesus make good thy good name Iesus vnto mee, and let thy Passion worke com­passion for me, that by thy mercy I may obtaine re­mission of my sinnes, and by thy merits may obtaine euerlasting saluation in the kingdome of heauen. Amen. Amen.

A Morning Prayer, for priuate Families.

O Eternall GOD and most mer­cifull FATHER, which giuest to them that want, comfortest [Page 128] them which suffer, and for­giuest them which repent, wee sinnefull creatures sue vnto thee for grace, hoping in thy mercie, which is o­uer all. Keepe vs wee be­seech thee, this day, as thou hast kept vs this night past, keepe vs in thy feare, faith and loue. Forgiue vs all our sinnes in the blood of thy Sonne, teach vs to sorrow for them, & separate them from vs, that would sepa­rate vs from thee.

O Lord, remoue from our mindes; all ignorance and blindenesse, and make thy word vnto vs, like the starre which led the wise­men [Page 129] to Christ▪ and all thy workes profitable Instru­ments, to drawe vs vnto thee. Guide vs with thy Spirit, that wee may make conscience of all that wee doe, and neuer make light of any euill, but euen ab­staine from all appearance of it. Strengthen our weak­nes, & lighten our vnder­standing, that in the brunt of temptations, wee may discerne betweene good & euill, right and wrong.

Giue vs the sacred hun­ger & thirst after righteous­nes, that our first care may be to know thy truth: and let vs so profit in the schoole [Page 130] of Christ, that in sicknes we may finde patience, in pri­son ioy, in pouerty content­ment, & in all things hope.

Prosper (O Lord) our labours, and the workes of our hands, and grant vs to learne something of euery thing, till we come to lodge with thee in the Kingdome of Heauen. Let our louing affections grow one to­wards another vnfainedly, that we may loue our bre­thren, and they vs, and pray for them, and they for vs, and both of vs be heard of thee for our selues, and one for another, and thy Sonne for vs all.

[Page 131] Blesse, Lord, the vniuer­sall Church, with truth, peace, and holy Discipline. Continue thy mercie to­ward this realme: Preserue our gratious KING, the QVEENES Maiestie, and Prince HENRY their Son, with all their royall Pro­genie, and whole Familie. Sanctifie the Ministers of the Gospell, the Bishops, and all other that labour in the word and Doctrine. Blesse his Maiesties Coun­cell, and all other in autho­ritie, with necessary graces. Blesse the places of good learning, the Grammer Schooles, the famous Vni­uersities, [Page 132] and the Innes of Court. Blesse this Citie and place wherein we liue: re­moue the punishments due for the sinnes thereof: and giue them grace with Ni­niue to repent in time, lest they be destroyed.

Blesse all our friendes, kinsfolkes, and others, for whom thy will is that wee should pray. Strengthen them that suffer for thy cause, and send them the Comforts of thy Spirit. Comfort them that lye in anguish of conscience for remorse of sinne, and con­uert them that goe astray▪ and teach vs by their exam­ple [Page 133] to see our owne weake­nesse, and to looke better to our wayes. Blesse this Familie with grace and peace, that the rulers, chil­dren and seruants thereof, may all know their seuerall duties, & practise the same in thy feare, for Iesus Christ his sake, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

¶Another for the same vse.

O Lord God, most hea­uenly and merciful fa­ther, though we be vnwor­thy the least of thy mercies, yet hast thou from time to time made vs partakers of many, for which we praise and magnifie thy holie [Page 135] Name: Beseeching thee to giue vs vnderstanding hearts to feele our euils, and direction from thy spi­rit, to auoid the same. And as thou hast in great mer­cy kept vs this night, in the time of darkenes and dan­gers; so we beseech thee to keepe vs this day, that the Sunne of righteousnes may rule in our hearts, all the darkenesse that lurketh in them may be scattered (to the comfort of our soules) and wee may walke as thy Children in cleare light without daunger. Indue vs with giftes and graces needfull for vs, and grant [Page 136] that with a pure & sincere conscience, wee may vse them, to the benefit of our brethren, & the discharge of our owne duties. Keepe the watch of our tongues, and the doore of our lips, in such sort, that no rash, euill, or vaine word passe thereby; and so rule and gouerne our harts, that we may not thinke any thing but that which shall be to thy glory.

Grant vs thy blessings of health, peace, and mainte­nance, and thy holy spirit to instruct vs, as well in the wants thereof, as in the lawfull vse of them. In [Page 137] all our Consultations, words, and workes, let vs remember thy presence, that thou seest vs where­soeuer we doe bestow our selues, and wilt iudge-vs if wee goe astray, and doe a­misse. Chase away from vs all rancour and malice, couetousnes, vncharitable­nesse, and vnkindnesse, and whatsoeuer is contrary to thy loue, which is to vs ward in Iesus Christ our Lord.

Take from vs all igno­rances, and negligences, with the want of iudge­ment and discretion; and preuent all those things that thou knowest may [Page 138] hinder vs in our Christian calling. Increase our Faith, patience and obedience. Let thy blessing be vpon this whole housholde, to lead vs in thy truth, & pro­tect vs in our wayes, and al those whom thou hast made deere vnto vs, whe­ther they bee present or absent. Be good to our chil­dren, seruants, and friends, that liue with vs, that wee may liue together in the seruice of thy Gospell, to grow vp in godly conuer­sation, and soundnesse of faith. Giue vs grace by thy corrections, to feare thee more carefully, and to sor­row [Page 139] for our sinnes more heartily. O LORD grant these things, and whatso­euer thy knowest to bee necessary for vs, for Ie­sus Christs sake, Amen.

An Euening Prayer for priuate Families.

O Lord God, Fa­ther of all that is called Father in Heauen and [Page 141] in earth, wee render thee thankes in all abundance, for thy mercifull preserua­tion of vs this day, and all the times and daies of our life: that thou hast brought vs safe and sound, through so many dangers, and pow­red vpon vs (contrary to our deseruings) so many excellent and notable bles­sings, both Spirituall and corporall. Good Lord (we beseech thee) keep vs euer­more from day to day, as thou hast done, and make vs constant in the professi­on of thy holy name, and the practise of thy law, that neither the violence of [Page 142] man, nor subtiltie of Sa­than, be able to make vs to turne away from [...].

LORD turne thy face from our sinnes wherein we haue so delighted, alter our hearts, and wash & cleanse vs from all staines and cor­ruptions, in the blood of thy sonne. For giue vs all that is past, and grant vs the assu­rance of that forgiuenesse, sealed vp in our conscien­ces by thy holy Spirit. Kin­dle thy loue so feruently in our hearts, that wee may detest whatsoeuer is against thee and thy word.

Forgiue vs our great contempt, and intollerable [Page 143] barrennesse in good works, our foule vnthankfulnesse, and the abuse of thy gra­ces: and strike our stony hearts, with the rod of thy feare, that we may attaine vnto a due thankfulnes for thy benefits, and a most vnfained and earnest re­pentance for our sinnes.

O Lord blesse vs all, this night, that after our bodies haue beene refreshed with competent sleepe, we may see the light of the next morning, and arise safe and sound to serue thee in our seuerall vocations. Sanctifie our minds, that by the help of thy mercy, wee may en­ioy [Page 144] the rest of a quiet con­science. Blesse thy Church and her Ministers: preserue our King, with the Queene his wife, and the noble Prince HENRY: protect the Magistrates of Iustice, & all faithfull people: reare vp the heauy hearted, and turne the chastisements of thy children to their good.

LORD be mercifull vnto them whom thou hast made any way help­full vnto vs, and blesse eue­ry one of vs in our place, that wee may truely serue thee, feare thy Maiestie, and loue thy authoritie. These things (O Lord) and [Page 145] all other needfull for vs, wee craue at thy hands in the Name, and for the righ­teousnesse of Iesus Christ, our onely Sauiour and Re­deemer, saying, as he hath taught vs, Our Father which art in Hea­uen, &c.

¶Another for the same vse.

O Euer-liuing God, and euer-louing Father, which hast not left vs comfortlesse, but hast giuen vs thy Son for a ransome, thy word for a guide, & reserued a King­dome [Page 147] for our inheritance in heauen: wee giue thee thankes for these and all other thy most gracious benefits, beseeching thee, that we may haue the grace to make such vse of them, that they may neuer be in vaine to vs. O Lord for­giue vs all our sinnes, and remooue from vs those things which our conscien­ces are afraid of▪ Assure vs of thy gracious pardon, and renew vs by thy holy Spirit, that wee may vnfai­nedly hate & detest what­soeuer is displeasing vnto thee. Lord, giue vs a sin­cere heart to serue thee, [Page 148] and let this be the houre of our conuersion. In all tentations giue vs strength to resist; in all troubles, pa­tience to beate, and con­stancy to perseuer in our Faith, hope and Patience vnto the end, that the hope of mercy may keepe vs from the horrour of de­spaire, and the feare of Iu­stice, for the sinne of pre­sumption.

O good God, order our times in such comfortable sort, that we hauing peace in thee, our bodyes and mindes may be the more able to doe their seuerall offices in our vocations. [Page 149] Instruct vs by thy word, guide vs by thy spirit, mol­lifie vs by thy grace, hum­ble vs by thy corrections, and winne vs by thy bene­fits. O Lord, wee beseech thee, let all things worke for the best to them that loue thee. Continue thy fauour and goodnesse vn­to vs this night, that wee taking our natural rest, and quietnesse, may through thy protection be all de­fended from immoderate sleepe, fearefull dreames, and outward violence of our Enemies. Touch our hearts with a desire and longing after, Heauenly [Page 150] things, that whensoeuer it shall please thee to call for vs, wee may be willing to come vnto thee, as Chil­dren to their Father, stran­gers vnto their countrey, and members of thy body vnto the head. Graunt vs (O Lord) these and all o­ther things needefull and meete for vs, for Iesus Christs sake, our onely Sauiour and re­deemer, Amen.

A Prayer for the Catholique Ch [...]ch, and all the estates thereof.

O Sun of the eter­nall God, thou sweet Spouse of the CHVRCH, blesse, (wee beseech thee) [Page 152] preserue and keepe thy poore CHVRCH militant here in earth, the blessed company of all faithfull people. Make all Kings and Princes, and the supreame gouernors of euery nation carefull h [...]sing Fathers & nursing Mothers to thy Church. Let all the mem­bers thereof be of one minde, and one heart, that there may be such holy cō ­cord in knowledge of thy truth, and such obedience to their superiours, with brotherly vnity in all mat­ters, as they may neither procure thy scourge, nor the Princes sword against them.

[Page 153] Graunt the Gospell a free passage, and long continu­ance, and remooue not the Candlesticke for their vn­fruitfulnesse or vnthanke­fulnesse. Put thy principall spirit vpon the Ministers of the Word, the Arch-bi­shops, Bishops, and Pastors of seuerall congregations, and giue them grace to fol­low the steps of thy holy Apostles, and blessed Mar­tyres, that being inflamed with true zeale, and furni­nished with sufficient know­ledge, they may be willing & able to labour in season, and out of season, for the feeding of thy flock. Blesse [Page 154] their labours, to the win­ning of Soules to thee, and blesse them with boldnesse of speech, and innocency of life, that like sworne Soul­diers to the crosse of Christ they may liue and dye vn­der thy banner. Cast downe the beames of thy heauen­ly light vpon such publike places as are appointed for the trayning vp of younger yeares, in sound knowledge and commendable quali­ties; namely, our Vniuersi­ties Oxford & Cambridge, the Innes of Court, and all Grammer Schooles, the seed-plots of the Church. Sanctifie their memories [Page 155] to treasure vp good things, purge their consciences to haue peace in thee, re­forme their wils to thy will, and let all their affections be ordered aright, & their Vessels seasoned with the best liquour in the begin­ning, and so to continue.

Blesse the higher powers of authoritie, make them truely humble in the top of their height, that their heads being lifted vp to honour, their hearts may not be puffed vp nor swell with pride: but so rule their hearts and mindes, that all Kings & Princes may true­ly serue thee, reuerence and [Page 156] stand in awe of thee, abette & maintaine thy Church and truth, and wisely fore­see what is best for the ad­uancement of thy glory, & the good of the common­wealth. So deale also (O Lord) with all subordinate authorities, & keepe them from factions, treasons, and conspiracies. Let the Iudges be learned and vn­corrupt, and the Lawyers men of Conscience, to deale sincerely & vpright­ly in their businesse, with­out either feare of greater Personages, or vnlawful fa­uours to friends, or desire of rewards from any.

[Page 157] Calme the Waues, and quiet the stormes of all per­secution, represse the rage and cruelty of all Tyrants, Heathen or Christian. Take away all Antichristian pra­ctisers of the Church of Rome, which perswade no­thing but the infection of youth, and the subuersion of the State Confound all Heresies and Heretikes, dis­perse all Schismes & Sects, that there be no iars, nor difference of opinions a­mongst thy seruants, but that we may be like mind­ed, hauing the same loue, being of one accord, and of one iudgement.

[Page 158] In fine (O Lord) com­fort them that are ouer­worne with Warre, wasted with exactions, vexed with plagues and sicknesses, con­sumed with famine, ouer­flowne with waters, & scat­tered with fearefull threat­nings from the skies. Con­uert the simple, confound the obstinate, gather the dispersed, heale the broken hearted, supply our wants, and amend all that is a­misse for thy truth and for thy Names sake, Amen.

¶Another for the same vse.

O Lord God, thou iust Master of the VINEYARD, and louing head of the Church, send thy Spirit into the hearts of all [Page 160] them that preach or pro­fesse thy holy Truth: all men religious and secular: yea, men and women, Prin­ces and subiects, rich and poore, euen all the people beleeuing in thy Name, and depending wholy vp­on thee. 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 [Page 161] in conuersation, 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 ir may dwell in them plenteously, in all wisedome, and bring forth fruit against all the cares, crosses and courses of this wretched world.

O Lord, thou hast found iniquitie in thy Saints, and the heauens are not cleare in thy sight: Oh then cor­rect vs in thy iudgement, not in thy furie; least wee should be consumed, and brought to nothing. Purge [Page 162] the garden of the Church, and let no Weedes ouer­grow the flowers. Suffer neither sinne nor superstiti­on to choake the good growth of faith or manners in thy people: but keepe them from all euill, Here­sies, phanaticall opinions, seducing spirits, and dead­ly contentions. Keepe our neckes from the grieuous yoke of Antichristian bon­dage, whose religion is re­bellion, whose faith is fa­ction, and whose practise is the murthering of soules and bodyes: and represse the furiousnesse of Tyrants, which labour nothing but [Page 163] the spoile of the Church, and to abolish true Do­ctrine, Prayer, and pure re­ligion. O Lord Iesus, a­mend all that is amisse, and grant vs thy grace all the dayes of our life, euen for thy truth and for thy Names sake, Amen.

A Prayer for the Kings Maiestie, his royall Issue and Familie.

O Almighty God, king of all kings, the Fountaine, Rule, and stay of all Soueraigntie: wee most humbly thanke thee [Page 165] that thou hast not left vs vnto our selues, to doe what seemeth best in our owne eyes, but hast set ouer vs a Noble, Wise, and gracious King, thy seruant Iames, our supreame head, next vnder thee. Lord make all thy good to goe before him day and night: vphold his Crowne, maintaine his State, giue him continuall peace, long life, and much happines. Endue him with wisedome and vnderstand­ing, to do such things both in the Church and Com­mon wealth, as may be ac­ceptable in thy sight, pro­fitable to his subiects, and [Page 166] hurtfull to none that loue thy truth. Mercifully heare him in all his petitions, and effectually worke for him in all dangers, in the day of battell, in his great­est consultations, in the time of his recreations, in the plots of Treason, and in the houre of death. Make vs thankfull for all thy preseruations of him, both at home and abroad, in this kingdome, and else where. Blesse, preserue and keepe him, together with his royall Queene, and the noble Prince Henry his sonne, and the rest of all their hopefull Issue, that as [Page 167] they are like Oliue bran­ches, to his comfort, round about his Table, so they may be as the tall & good­ly Cedars, for the defence of this kingdome from all euill. Let him still imbrace the truth, and manfully mainetaine it against all treacherous plots, and sini­ster perswasions: distasting (as he hath alwayes done) both alteration of religion, and toleration of another. Let thy power alwayes goe forth with his armies, and giue them glorious victo­ries. Banish from his Court all priuie foes, forraine and domestical, and keepe him [Page 168] from al sort of dissemblers.

Let not our sinnes (O LORD) prouoke thee to shorten his dayes, and de­priue vs of thy good bles­sings, but conuert vs to thy good will and pleasure, and giue him the crowne of old age, long and long to con­tinue in the wayes of righ­teousnesse.

O holy Father, giue him such excellent gifts, as be fit the Maiestie which he bea­reth, that hee may be in faith like Abraham; in cou­rage like Dauid; in wise­dome like Salomon; and in hearing good and euill, as an Angell of GOD. En­rich [Page 169] his Counsell and No­bles with wisedome, loyal­tie and fortitude; and make his seruants that stand be­fore him in their seuerall places (with all other sub­iects) as so many lines drawne to one Center, that their hearts being tyed vn­to him, they may be al­wayes fearefull to offend, willing to obay, and faith­full to accomplish whatso­euer may stand with thy glory, our Kings honour, and the good of the Com­mon wealth, for Iesus Christs sake, our onely Lord & Sauiour, Amen.

¶Another for the same.

O Almighty GOD, which hast the Kings heart in thy hand, as the riuers of waters, and tur­nest it whithersoeuer it pleaseth thee: we humbly beseech thee, to keepe thy [Page 171] Vniuersall Church, and our Common-wealth, with peace and prosperitie, in thy worship and Seruice. Giue (O Lord) grace vn­to our most Noble King Iames, that hee may loue, honour, feare, and serue thee, & that he may onely put his trust in thee. Indue him with the spirit of wise­dome and knowledge, and with all other good gifts & vertues, necessary for his roial function. And especi­ally enflame his heart with an earnest & true zeale, to set forth thy glory, and to make thy will knowne vnto all his Subiects, that they [Page 172] may both with heart and minde obserue and keepe the same: and that both he and al his subordinate Ma­gistrates may indifferent­ly and faithfully minister iudgement and Iustice to all his people.

Wee beseech thee (O Lord) preserue his body in health, his minde in quiet­nesse, and both in all since­rity and godlinesse; that by his good example, hee may both stop the mouthes of his aduersaries, and winne the hearts of all those that beleeue. Make his dayes (O Lord) as the dayes of Hea­uen, that hee may raigne [Page 173] many yeeres ouer vs: and wee his Subiects may long liue a peaceable and quiet life, in all godlinesse and ho­nestie, vnder his sacred go­uernment.

Graunt vnto him wise and faithfull Councellors, louing and obedient Sub­iects, dutifull and true ser­uants. Deliuer him (O Lord) from all Conspira­cies, Treasons, and other dangers, and grant him al­wayes a glorious victorie ouer all his enemies. Par­don and forgiue him all his sinnes, make him walke all the dayes of his life in the way of thy Commaunde­ments, [Page 174] that he may liue in thy feare, and die in thy fa­uour, and that in the resur­rection of all flesh, hee may receiue a Crowne of righ­teousnesse, the onely thing which hee doth wish and hope for, through the me­rites and mercy of Iesus Christ, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

A Prayer against temptations of the World, Flesh, and the Diuell.

O Most mercifull and MIGHTIE God, the For­tres of the faith­full, rocke of defence, and refuge for all distressed soules, which knowest wee be set in the midst of so [Page 176] great dangers, that with­out thy help we cannot a­uoide our ruine: I beseech thee keepe my body and soule from all tentations, and snares of the I iuell, and suffer not my senses to range and wander abroad in matters of pleasure and delight, which are to no purpose good. Lord, take from me that which is de­formed by my corrupt na­ture, and continue that which thy GRACE hath wrought in mee; that ha­uing thy whole armour fit­ted vnto mee, I may be able to withstand all as­saults of the enemie.

[Page 177] Let mee not be drawne away by sensualitie, and the desires of the flesh, but giue me power to tame this bo­dy, that by sobriety mode­ration and abstinence from superfluous things, I may bring it into such subiecti­on, as I may the better serue thee, and walke in the spirit. Lord, sequester mee from the darkenesse, filthy­nesse, and deceitfulnesse of this World, that I be not fashioned like therevnto, to follow the multitude: but being changed by the re­newing of my minde, I may walke vprightly and god­ly, looking for the blessed [Page 178] appearing of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ.

O Lord holde backe thy hand in the day of trial, and lead mee no further into temptation, then thou wilt make mee able to beare.

Graunt (O Lord) that I may with strong faith resist Sathan, and by watching, fasting, and Prayer, morti­fie the lusts of the flesh, and by continuall meditation of thy holy Law, auoid the foolish vanities, and dan­gerous pleasures of this world.

Let not knowledge puffe me vp, prosperitie mislead mee, pouerty dismay mee, [Page 189] sicknes turne me to impa­tiency, nor any lack or want of necessaries for this life, bring me to distrust in thy prouidence, or force me to seeke vnlawfull meanes to winne them. Arme me (O Lord) with thy Spirit, en­courage mee with thy pre­sence, and let all thy Chil­dren feele the effectual wor­king of thy power which is euer made perfect through weakenesse, euen for Iesus Christes sake, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

A Prayer for the Remission of Sinnes, and all things necessary thereto.

O Lord God, in greatnes infinit, in power omni­potent, in coun­sell wonderful, & in iudge­ment terrible; although I [Page 181] miserable sinner, haue by thy Iustice truely deserued euerlasting damnation for my horrible sinnes, yet I beseech thee, cast me not away with him that had not on a wedding garment, for I appeale from thy right­full iustice to thine vn­speakeable mercy, & hum­bly cast downe my selfe at thy feete, and beseech thee of compassion and pardon.

Beholde Lord, I am a piece of that purchase that cost so deere a price as the blood of thy deare Sonne, my body and soule are the temples of the holy Ghost, the postes whereof are [Page 182] sprinkled with his precious blood, which cryeth for mercie: therefore enter not into the course of iudge­ment with me, (for there I know I shall bee ouer­throwen) but forbeare, for­giue me, & acquite me, vp­on that satisfaction which he hath made for penitent sinners.

O Lord, though the sti­pend of my sinne be death, and the merit of my transgression eternall per­dition, yet is thy mercy aboue all thy iudgements, and thou canst forgiue more then I can offend: wherefore I pray thee, set [Page 183] his Crosse and passion be­tweene thy iudgements & my soule: looke vpon mee with the eye of mercy and compassion, as thou didst vpon the sinfull woman at the banket, and the Publi­can in the Temple, whose pardons are registred in thy booke for my Comfort.

O Lord bow downe the height of thy Deity, to be­hold my vilenesse and mi­serie (a liuely image of the prodigall sonne) who know no other helpe, but onely thou my most louing Fa­ther, whom I haue so high­ly offended. Powre the oyle of mercy into my defiled [Page 184] and fainting heart: search it, that I may not flatter my selfe, to extenuate my sin; cleanse it, & season it with the Salt of thy grace, to re­ceiue and retaine all good­nesse hereafter. Lord, I thanke thee, for thy pati­ence and long suffering, that thou hast not sudden­ly (after my desert) taken vengeance on me, but gi­uen me a longer time of re­pentance: wherefore (I be­seech thee) appease thine anger towards mee now, but loose in me the workes of darknesse, create in me a new heart, and because thou lookest for my a­mendment [Page 185] that I may haue thy fauour; I beseech thee grant mee thy fauour that I may haue amendment: giue mee grace to repent vnfeinedly, with fasting, weeping, and mourning, and make my faith liuely to beleeue that I am for­giuen in Iesus Christ.

Let not the faults of my forefathers light vpon my head, who haue walked in their sinfull steppes, neither be angry with mee for their sakes; but let the wel-doing of Iesus Christ, who hath shed his blood for mee, succour mee, and procure my pardon.

[Page 186] Forgiue mee all my sinnes of youth and age, negligences and ignoran­ces, thoughts, words, and deedes, and keepe me from presumptuous sinnes. O Lord, looke not vpon the Pharisee, for hee dissem­bleth: nor vpon the Pub­licane first, for he saith lit­tle for himselfe in outward shew: nor vpon Mary Mag­dalen onely, for she had but seauen diuels: but looke vp­on me, that of sinners am chiefe, worse then either Pharisee, Publicane or Ma­ry, who haue as many sins as hayres vpon my head, and a greater clogge vpon [Page 187] my conscience then any burthen that man hath to beare. O Lord, keepe vn­der Sathan, that he compel not my troubled Consci­ence to despaire, quench all the motions of my minde, striuing against thy diuine pleasure, and restore in me the Image of thy Son, that I may liue in thy feare, dye in thy fauour, rest in thy peace, rise in thy power, & remaine in thy glory, for Iesus Christs sake, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

A Prayer for ob­taining of Faith, Hope, and Charitie, and all Christian vertues.

O Father of Lights, of whom is euery good giuing, and euery perfect gift, I beseech thee to blesse me [Page 189] with al spiritual blessings in heauenly things in Christ. Increase the little graine of my weake and feeble faith, direct it to the true obiect, the merites of Christ Iesus, and let it not be bare and dead, but effectuall, wor­king by loue. Make mee strong therein, & constant, to giue credite to thy word, without doubting, and pro, tect mee among the diuers & manifold errours, 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 [Page 190] vnto mee, and so worke in my heart, that I may haue courage in conflict, pati­ence in trouble, & comfort in al things. Keepe me from insolencie and pride, and graunt mee true humilitie, and lowlinesse of mind, that I be not puffed vp to con­temne my brethren, but giue mee that due conside­ration of mine 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 [Page 191] conscience beare witnesse against mee, the whole world forsake mee, and all things set themselues a­gainst me for my sins, then strengthen mee (I beseech thee) in thy faith, that I fall not from thee: inflame my colde heart, with the hea­uenly affection of vnfained loue, that I may loue thee, (O blessed Trinitie) with all that I haue, aboue all, and my Neighbour as my selfe.

Graunt me a compassio­nate & charitable minde, to help and succour others to my abilitie, to forbeare and forgiue them, though [Page 192] they be mine enemies. Purge my veines, and suf­fer not the stinking poison of enuy and wrath to infect my blood: and so mode­rate my affections that the Sunne goe not downe vpon my wrath, but that I may be satisfied in knowing that vengeance is thine. Giue me grace to follow the ex­amples of all painefull and godly labouring men, in matters of my vocation, & keepe me from the hatefull sinne of sloth and idlenesse, the high-way to beggery. Graunt mee a contented mind against couetousnes, amoderate appetite against [Page 193] gluttony and surfets: and a chast bodie from disorde­red lust. Comfort mee (O Lord) in all grieuous acci­dents, and at the point of death, & giue mee grace to fasten all thy confidence in thee, that whereas now I see by Faith onely (as it were in a glasse darkely) I may then see face, to face, the onely thing which I desire and hope for, tho­rough Iesus Christ, Amen.

A Prayer before the receiuing of the Holy Communion.

O Lord God, mer­cifull FATHER, which after the sacrament of re­generation hast appointed [Page 195] vs, to receiue oft-soones the blessed Sacrament of thy Supper, for confirma­tion of our faith: haue mer­cy vpon mee vile wretch, who for my naturall cor­ruptions, and manifolde transgressions, am not wor­thy to approach vnto thy Table, or come neere thy house.

Oh gracious God, par­don me, and disdaine not to accept mee into thy fa­uour, but forgiue mee all my sins that I haue done, said, or thought, in pride, wrath, enuy, gluttony, sloth, couetousnesse, or wanton­nesse: giue mee a true and [Page 196] liuely faith, to beleeue thy word, and the promise of my pardon annexed to thy Sacraments.

Inflame mee with loue & 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 eies of mine 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 me verily partaker of all the benefits of his Pas­sion. [Page 197] Oh deare Lord Iesus, since thou hast suffred so many things for my sake, and hast commanded mee not to dispaire, nor distrust thy goodnesse, graunt mee grace to eate of this bread and drinke of this Cuppe worthily, that I may conti­nually remaine in thy grace and fauour. O Lord GOD, the FATHER, giue mee the full consolation of this misterie and comme­moration, that my Faith may be increased, my hope confirmed, my charitie in­flamed, my weake consci­ence comforted, all dan­gers repelled, and my soule [Page 198] assured of her saluation in the blood of Christ. Let no prophanenesse enter in­to my heart, so long as I am about this holy action; but giue mee grace to receiue with puritie of heart, and cleannes of soule, with loue dread, and stedfast Faith. Haue mercy vpon mee good Lord, that by vnwor­thy receiuing, I bee not guilty of his precious bo­dy and blood, who came downe from heauen, liued with men, & swam through a red sea of blood in his a­gonie and passion, to be my Redeemer. Haue mercy vpon the whole Church, [Page 199] and to this purpose haue mercy vpon this place, and this company, that they may serue and please thee in this holy seruice, and all other actions of their life, for Iesus Christs sake, Amen.

¶Another of the same, before the Communion.

O Almightie God and merciful fa­ther, I am a se­cret sinner; and my heart is a bottomlesse pit of all corruptions: [Page 201] wilfully and foolishly, igno­rantly, & obstinately haue I sinned against thee, vnto whose eye all the secrets of my soule lie open: but now I come vnto thee as a sicke man vnto the Physitian, as an vncleane man to the well of mercie & grace, offered in the precious bloodshed­ding of Iesus Christ, and represented vnto my soule in this blessed Sacrament. Haue mercie vpon mee (O Lord) haue mercie vpon me, and forgiue me all the euill that I am guiltie of: Giue me grace that I may discerne the Lords body, and so reeciue ie in this Sa­crament [Page 202] with such chasti­tie of body, humblenes of minde, thankfulnesse of soule, hearty contrition, dread and reuerence, as is meet for so high a mystery.

O Lord Iesus, it is truely said of thee, that thou didst receiue sinners and eate with them, and I verily be­lieue that thou art the same still, full of goodnesse and mercie: wherefore I beseech thee, leaue me not to my selfe, reiect mee not from thy table. Come in­to my heart, and purge me from all filthinesse of the flesh and Spirit. Enter into my soule, seale and sancti­fie [Page 203] mee, both within and without. 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 own blood, as sufficeth to wash away all the sinnes of mee, and all the world: then be not angry with me, ô Lord, but let thy grace supply my wants, let thy mercy pardon my sins, let thy ho­ly spirit prepare my soule, thy merits inrich my po­uertie, and thy most preci­ous [Page 204] blood wash away all the spots of my life, that I may worthily receiue this hea­uenly Sacrament: so that I may be strengthened ther­by, and throughly filled with the heauenly food of thy body and blood: for the mortification of the olde man, the confirmation of my faith, and the finall sal­uation of my soule: O Lord heare my prayers, and grant my requests I beseech thee, Amen.

A Prayer after the receiuing of the holy Communion.

O Iesus the Sonne of GOD, my Lord and Saui­our; with all humble and hearty thanks [Page 206] I prayse thee for suffering death vpon the Crosse for my sins, and admitting me a miserable sinner, to the participation of this bles­sed Sacrament, the memo­riall of my redemption. Let me (ô 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 thy Spirituall habitation and abode in me.

Apply all thy merites and good things vnto my soule. Let me neuer doubt the forgiuenesse of my sins, [Page 207] but euer open the doore of this Sanctuary vnto mee, that I may runne thither in my greatest need, and ap­prehend thy gracious par­don, ratified by this Seale of thy couenant.

Quicken mee (O Lord) in this life, reuiue & renew mee, that I may disclaime my old conuersation, and be [...]ome a new man Keepe me [...] I slippe not out of this building, nor become as a branch cut off, & good for nothing: but as thou hast seuered mee from the wicked, in calling me to the knowledge of thee▪ so keep mee from all their corrup­tions.

[Page 208] Giue mee 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 me against my frailtie, thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles & aduer­sities, thy merites purchase my needfull pardon, and thy blood bee the Medi­cine for all my sores, euen for thy truth, and for thy Names sake, A­men.

¶Another of the same, af­ter the Communion.

O Iesu CHRIST, the Lambe of GOD, which hast so loued MANKINDE, that thou hast beene contented to become One with him, meate vnto him, and to die for him vpon the Crosse to take away the sinnes, of mee, and many; grant [Page 210] that this my receiuing of this blessed sacrament may be a true testimonie vnto my conscience, that I haue through faith in thee, recei­ued full remission of all that is past, & am become (as it were) a new creature in thy sight.

O sweete Iesus, which hast vouchsafed mee this honour, to come to thy Table, and feed vpon thee, graunt me grace I beseech thee, so to performe, & ful­fill my duty, as this honour which thou hast done mee requireth: linc [...]e mee vnto thee, & giue me power and strength to beleeue thy pro­mises [Page 211] without distrust, and to shew my religion by my good life and conuersati­on. Assist me with thy grace that I may walke worthy this blessed Sacrament, to loue thee and thy Law vn­feinedly, and vtterly to for­sake all vanitie, Idolatry, carnall desires, and all the workes of the deuill.

O Lord God, so mode­rate and order all mine af­fections, that I may be ioy­ned with the brethren to­gether in loue, the bond of peace, and truely fastned vnto thee my head for e­uer. Stirre vp my minde that I may alwaies consider [Page 212] the bitternes of thy death, the greatnes of thy loue, and neuer forget to bee thankefull vnto thee.

O blessed Lord, preserue and maintaine this ordi­nance amongst vs, that it may be alwayes a note and badge of our publique pro­fession: and giue vs all one heart, and one minde in the vnitie 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 Fruites of the earth, and other nourishments of this mortall life.

O Eternall GOD' which feedest with thy bles­sing euery liuing thing: and satiffiest the [Page 214] lawfull desires of thy ser­uants with good things; we beseech thee make vs to couet those things that be pleasing to thee, let vs finde them easilie, & search them wisely▪ know them truelie, and exercise them effectual­ly, to thy glory, and our sal­uation. And we pray thee heare vs fauourably, pray­ing earnestly for the fruites of the earth, & the nourish­ments of this life, that wee may (though vnworthy) be partakers of thy comforts therein. Giue vs, O Lord, this day our daily bread, prepare our ground, and prosper our corne. Blesse the [Page 215] seed time with the first and latter raine, & meete tempe­rature of ayre. Keepe our fruits while they be in the earth, from haile & thunder, from excessiue droughts, and ouermuch raine, from Mildewes, and all noisome wormes.

Send vs a ioyfull haruest, and blesse that which wee shall reape, that for our vn­thankefulnesse it waste not away without our releefe▪ Increase our cattell, with all other our prouision, which wee shall carefully labour for. Blesse our Basket, and our store, that we may haue wherewith, as to furnish [Page 216] our selues▪ so to giue some releefe to others. Protect our seruants and worke­men, that they may be strong to labour, wise to forecast, and faithfull in their businesse. Keepe our Garners, barnes, and store-houses, from fiery meteors, boysterous winds, theeues, and sudden invndations. Prosper our workes and trauels, whether by sea or land, and blesse and prosper all them that any way la­bor for any of those things that we shall haue occasion to vse.

Send remedie (ô Lord) for all hardnesse and mise­rie, [Page 217] turne our dearth into cheapnesse, and our scarci­tie into plentie. Open the hearts of rich-men, to whom thou hast giuen much, that they may haue a charitable respect of the poore at all times. Helpe vs (ô Lord) and giue vs such things as wee stand in need of, yet neither of po­uertie, nor riches too much but a competent store, and the lawfull vse of things necessary for this life, through Iesus Christ our Lord, A­men.

❧ A Prayer for Friends and Benefactors.

O LORD which hast said,Pro. 19. 27 that Hee that giueth vnto the poore, lendeth vnto the Lord: and looke what hee layeth out, it shall be payd him againe, wee beseech [Page 219] thee, to be gracious and mercifull to all those for whom wee are bound to pray by Nature, by desert, or any other duetie what­soeuer. Of thy speciall fa­uour remember all our be­nefactors and friends aliue, euen all those our parents, kinsfolks, and others which haue brought vs vp, taught, promoted, or any way re­leeued vs. Blesse them with all blessings, that haue done good, either to our bodies with temporall benefits, or our soules with profitable instructions. Blesse their estates, that in their godly disposition they may haue [Page 220] alwayes wherewith to re­lieue & comfort others in their discretion. Giue them the consolation of the ho­ly Ghost, to the keeping of Faith & a good conscience. And as they haue shewed mercie vnto vs, and com­forted vs, so Lord, helpe and comfort them in their greatest needs, that both they and their Families, may both haue comfort in their estate and condition here, and finde mercy with thy Sonne our Sauiour Ie­sus at the latter day.

Lord let their almesdeeds and prayers, be alwayes in thy sight, as those of [Page 221] Cornelius, that as they haue beene vnto vs an odour that smelleth sweete, whereby wee haue receiued plentie, & beene filled; so they may be as Sacrifices acceptable and pleasant vnto thee. Vouchsafe vs this grace (ô Lord) that wee be not guil­ty of any ingratitude to­wards them, but rather rea­dy, according to our abi­lities, to recompence them, if neede require.

Let not that which they haue bestowed vpon vs be cast away; but make it fruitfull, and vs wor­thy of it. Graunt this, O thou GOD, which doest [Page 222] good both to the iust and vniust, for Iesus Christs sake, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

A Prayer in time of Warre.

O God, migh­ty in battel, wee beseech thee, beare not in mind our vile deserts, but of thy [Page 224] mercy pitty thy poore af­flicted, endangered, & per­secuted Church. Consider and beholde, how they which hate thy Sanctuary are now vp in armes to root vs out for our professi­on. Therefore (ô Lord) wee pray thee maintaine thine owne cause: Blesse our forces by Sea, and by Land, and grant to the peo­ple one heart, one minde, and one strength. Giue vnto the Counsellors and Cap­taines wisedome and cou­rage, wisely to foresee, and valiantly to defeate the de­uises of their enemies. Keepe all the souldiers from [Page 225] treason and treachery, the leaders from wrong plots, the people from tumults, and all of them from the sinnes and enormities that follow the campe.

Strengthen (ô Lord) and hold vp the hands of Moses, and the weapons of the Church, Preces & lachry­mas, that our fasting and prayer may be heard, and Israel may haue the victo­rie. Put Sisera to flight in thy good time, and rather then he returne to doe mis­chiefe, bring him to his end by an hand vnlooked for. Turne the weapons of him and his followers into their [Page 226] owne bosomes: scatter, breake, and sincke their ships, destroy their armies, and confound their forces. Consider (ô Lord) the end of our enterprises, how wee fight for thy Truth, and ei­ther reconcile vs and our enemies by thy Spirit, to worship one God, and hold one Truth, or else abate their pride, and confound their malice, to thy honour and glory, for Iesus Christs sake, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

Another in time of Warre.

O LORD GOD of Hosts, that hast heretofore sun­dry times mira­culously defended vs, wee [Page 228] beseech thee shew thy selfe in this needfull time: blesse and preserue vs, who haue reposed our trust onely in thee. Blesse our Armies a­broad, which are ioyned together for the defence of thy truth; and the safety of our country: sanctifie vs likewise at home to please thee, that whatsoeuer they or wee doe, it may prosper.

Be present and president at all their consultations, and giue thou the casting voice in all determinati­ons. Suggest heroicall mo­tions into the heart of their Leaders▪ banish all heart-burnings and diuisions: and [Page 229] assist them with the spirit of vnitie and concord, that they may striue all one good way. Marke them wi­ser then their enemies: yea, giue them more experi­ence then the aged, & bet­ter intelligence, and more sound aduertisements then their foes. Lord annoint their shields, blesse their swords, hallow and conse­crate all their weapons and engines of warre with hap­py successe to doe thy will.

Blesse the season of the yeare vnto them, and swee­ten the close ayre in their multitudes: that neither Sunne nor Moone annoy [Page 230] them, nor alteration of dy­er, or place, disable them from their seruice. Com­mand the winds and Sea to fauour them, and let the Land speake peace vnto them. O Lord disappoint the counsels and power of thine enemies, and make a ioyfull peace for thy ser­uants, through Iesus Christ our onely. Lord and Sa­uiour, A­men.

❧ A Prayer for Comfort to sicke persons.

O Most, GRACI­OVS God and lo­uing father, which giuest health to make vs the [Page 232] better to acknowledge thee and thy liberalitie, & some­times sendest sicknesse to recall vs thereby, when we haue sinned against thee: wee humbly beseech thee, for this, and all thy seruants thus afflicted, not to enter into a seuere iudgement with him for his life past, but in remembrance of thine owne mercie, to for­giue him his sinnes, and vpon the satisfaction of thy sonne, to acquit him of thy iudgement.

O Lord, grant him a true zeale, and affections agree­able to thy will, that he may rightly receiue the graci­ous [Page 233] offers of thy great mer­cy. Qualifie all the trou­bles which either the grie­uousnesse of his sinne re­membred, or the bitternes of his pangs susteined, the subtiltie of Sathan, or the feare of death may bring vpon him, and lay no more vpon him ô Lord, then he shall be able to beare. Speake comfortably vnto him, as thou hast done vnto all those that haue sought for their bodily health at thy hands. Dis­pose and mooue his heart to receiue this fatherly cor­rection▪ and gracious visi­tation, with the patience of [Page 234] Iob, the faith of Abraham, the courage of Peter, and true submission to thy bles­sed will, either for life or death: and though that his outward senses, the tongue and voice, be not so quicke as they haue been to praise thee, and pray vnto thee, yet Lord, we beseech thee, stirre vp his heart, in flame and inspire his minde to performe all such things as thou requirest, and may be profitable for the soule in this combate.

Apply, (ô Lord) the ho­ly and wholesome medi­cines of thy Sonnes Passi­on, death, and Resurrecti­on, [Page 235] vnto the soule of this poore creature, against the extremitie of feare, faint­nesse, doubt, and desperati­on. Take away the extrea­mitie of his paine, mitigate his sorrowes, make his bed, wipe all teares from his eyes, and ease his carefull conscience. Comfort him at the houre of his depar­ture: open vnto him the gates of mercie: open thine armes to receiue him into thy fauour, that hee may goe to the graue in peace, being vpholden by thee, in the assurance of a free par­don for all his sinnes, and the hope of a ioyfull Resur­rection. [Page 236] In the meane time (ô Lord) settle his spirits, that they doe not wander, or flie out into any vnruly motions. Continue his re­membrance, that hee may not forget thee, but dayly and hourely haue thee in mind, which art the anchor of his safety. Keepe his tongue from all vaine and idle talke, his heart from all feares, and protect him safe vnder thy wings. Be mercifull vnto vs, who as feeling members of one body, adore thy holy Name, and implore thy di­uine helpe for this thy ser­uant, and let this example [Page 237] teach vs more humilitie, feare, & reuerence towards thee, now and euer. Heare our prayers▪ ô Lord for Iesus Christ sake, Amen.

¶Another for comfort to the Sicke.

OH LORD God, which both in SICKNES and health, hast ap­pointed vs to pray one for [Page 239] another, promising a bles­sing in greatest extreami­ties: we poore sinners pre­sent our selues before thy Maiestie, in the behalfe of this thy poore seruant, that lyeth visited vnder thy hand. Good Lord, we be­seech thee, seale in his heart by thy holy spirit the forgiuenesse of all his sinnes. Let the sweet feeling and taste of a liuely Faith, distaste all the filthy cor­ruptions that are in him; that his body and soule may be presented pure and vndefiled vnto thee in the blood of thy Sonne.

LORD lay not to his [Page 240] charge what hee hath said or done amisse throughout all the whole course of his life, but reale him vp in hope, speake comfortable vnto his soule, and lead him by thy Spirit vnto the trea­sures of thy mercy. Take from him the feare and sorrow of death: raise the siedge of his spirituall ene­mies, that are round a­bout him, and giue him strength against all the as­saults of the deuill, that he may haue a perfect victory. Let the knowledge of thee, (which hee hath learned since thou didst call him) stand him now in stead, and [Page 241] relieue his faith; that hee may haue true repentance, and yeelde vnto thee due obedience & harty thanks for whatsoeuer thou shalt doe.

O Lord, giue vnto him a taste of thy glory, and those ioyes which thou hast pre­pared for him, that in the comfort thereof, hee may fight a good fight, keeping the faith, & when the time of his departure shal come, willingly forsake this pre­sent euill world, and liue with thee for euer. Graunt this (O Lord) for IESVS CHRISTS sake, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

A Prayer before a Man vndertake a Iourney by Sea, or land.

O Lord God, thou Keeper of Israel, who preseruest our going out, and our comming in, into [Page 243] thy handes I commit my selfe, and all that I haue, whether I be at home or a­broad. In the Name of him that was wearied in his iourney, and sate downe vpon the Wel, euen Christ Iesus, I beseech thee to di­rect my paths in this my iourney, as thou didst Iacob in his Voyage too and from Haran, Ionas at Sea, and in the Whales belly, and the children of Israel when they passed ouer Ior­dan. Graunt mee health, giue me strength and cou­rage, and also refresh mee when I am weary: keepe me from the hands of spoylers, [Page 244] the sleights and deceits of theeues and robbers, from sauage beasts and euil wor­kers Graunt that whereso­euer I come, I may alwaies find godly men, which may honestly entertaine & cur­teously entreat mee. Keepe mee from lewde company, that I cast not in my lotte with them, to be partaker of their wickednes: but let me alwayes haue thy feare before mine eyes, to auoid all wandring pathes, know­ing that whersoeuer I walk, thou spiest out al my waies.

Shew mee (ô Lord) in the day time thy comfor­table Pillar of Cloud, and [Page 245] in the night thy Pillar of fire; that both day and night I may escape the hands of all mine enemies, and they likewise may be a­fraid to attempt any thing against me, when they shall see thy wonderfull prote­ction of mee. Yet Lord, if thou hast so appointed, that before I returne, I must goe to my long home, and dye in this voyage, I beseech thee, that vpon whatsoeuer this vessell of my body be split, or wheresoeuer this Tabernacle fall, yet my soule may be safe, and ar­riue at the euerlasting land of Promise, the common [Page 246] Home of the Elect.

Make me partaker of all good prayers, and giue me grace likewise to remem­ber that duetie for all my brethren. Furnish me with necessaries while I shall be abroad, giue mee bread to eate, and clothes to put on▪ and when I shall haue fini­shed my businesse, LORD bring mee home againe, (if it be thy will,) and shew me this fauour, that I may find my friends and fauourers, wife, children and Family, in perfect health at my re­turne for Iesus Christs sake, Amen.

A Prayer in time of present danger, or any other affliction, in bo­die or minde.

O Eternall GOD, which shuttest, and no man o­peneth, and o­penest & no man shutteth, [Page 248] my humble request vnto thee, is for my selfe, and all such as suffer any crosse or affliction in body or mind, that it would please thee to open such speedy way and meanes, as they may be ea­sed and deliuered from the same.

O Lord, in this afflicti­on, which doth so grieuous­ly pierce my soule, I be­seech thee, giue mee grace to acknowledge it thy Fa­therly correction for my sinne, that I may learne to be more carefull of my du­tie to thee. I thanke thee, that thou hast laid no more vpon me, nor punished me [Page 249] to my confusion: I beseech thee grant mee a more pa­tient minde, and stay thy hand in due time, that I may recouer my strength with comfort in thee. All is thine, and thou art all; to thee therefore doe I flie for succour, because there is no succour but vnder thy wings. The sorrowes of hell doe compasse me round a­bout, the feare of death is before mine eyes: helpe, ô helpe mee; saue me, oh saue me, for thine owne sake, for thy SONNES sake, for thy glories sake, for I am the workemanship of thy hands.

[Page 250] Keepe my senses, vnder, standing and iudgement, and saue mee from euery conceite that tendeth to feare, furie, or distrust in thy mercie. O Lord, ad­uise and teach mee wise­dome and moderation in my griefe, yea, with thy power ouer-rule mee that it be not my ouerthrow.

Of thy mercy, LORD, comfort the appalled con­sciences of all those that grieue vnder the burthen of their sinnes, fearing the heauinesse of thy wrath for the same Haue mercie vp­on all those whose tender affections are too neerely [Page 251] touched with the losse of their companions, children or friends, & let them not take any thing to heart, o­therwise then may stand with discretion, reason, and Christian moderation.

Giue thy comforts and consolations vnto all those that by any meanes suffer trouble or torments, for the profession of thy Gos­pel, of the seruice of their Prince. And if it please thee to detaine some vnder a longer Crosse, for thy greater glory, of their fur­ther tryall? yet Lord; let them not be tempted a­boue their strength, but [Page 252] arme them with further patience and hope in thee, that so they may perseuere vnto the end. O Lord, wea­ken the power of Sathan, & the tiranny of his ministers, which eyther by inward tentations or outward vio­lence, haue bred the woe of thy seruants, and ridde thy seruants from all their troubles, that they may sing ioyfull praises vnto thee, through Iesus Christ, Amen.

See the Prayer of one afflict­ed in Conscience. In Part. [...].

A Prayer in time of plague or other extra­ordinary sicknesse.

O Lord our GOD, in whose Name standeth [...] help, and who amongst other e­uils hast promised vs to de­liuer thy people from the [Page 254] snare of the hunter, & from the noysome pestilence, we beseech thee, take this thy plague away from vs: and as the stench of our sinnes hath ascended vp into thy nosthrils to pro­uoke thy wrath against vs in it: so let our humble sup­plications vpon our knees, come before thee to pro­cure our happy release from it.

Lord, call back thine an­gel, & cause him to sheath the sword againe. Wee are thy children, and the worke of thy hands: wee are sorry for our sinnes, which are the cause of all this, and [Page 255] wee purpose amendment: wee are but Men, dust and Ashes, wee are not able to beare long, therefore Lord, haue mercy vpon vs, and that soone. God Lord, ac­cept our sorrowes, and send vs comfort, and suffer vs not to perish after so mise­rable a sort.

We thanke thee, ô Lord that thou hast not left vs altogether comfortles, nor cast vs off without hope, but hast somewhat with drawne thy hand, and spared many hundreds of vs, in compari­son of those whom thou slewest a little before: and wee reioyce at this abate­ment, [Page 256] yet wee stand in awe: wee 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, (ô Lord) wee beseech thee blesse vs and all those that depend vpon vs: set thy sa­uing marke vpon our hou­ses, as thou diddest for the Israelites in Egypt; & giue order 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 blessing make the preseruatiues of the Physi­tians, [Page 257] & ourshifting places for more security, profita­ble vnto vs.

Giue vs grace (ô Lord) that we trust not too much in outward meanes, but onely in thy mercie, and blessing vpon them. Keepe vs in our downe lying, and vp-rising, and protect vs walking in our vocations. Haue pittie vpon our di­stressed brethren, comfort the desolate widdowes, and prouide for all fatherlesse children. Gather vs toge­ther againe, that by these means are dispersed, & con­tinue thy mercifull worke in diminishing our dead [Page 258] number, till wee may iustly say in confidence & thanks with the Prophet, Wee shall not die but liue, and declare the workes of the Lord. Grant this (O Lord) for Ie­sus Christs sake, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

The ancient Pray­er, called, O bountifull IESV.

O BOVNTI­FVLL Iesu, ô sweet Iesu: ô IESV, the Sonne of the Virgin Mary, which art full of mercy and truth: ô sweet Iesu, haue pittie vpon mee, according to thy great mer­cie. [Page 260] O benigne Iesu, by the same precious blood which thou wast content to shed vpon the Altar of the Crosse for vs miserable sinners: I beseech thee, vouchsafe to cast all mine iniquities out of thy sight, and despise not mee who thus humbly beg of thee, crying and calling vpon thy holy Name Iesus. This Name Iesus, is a sweet Name: this Name Iesus is a Name of Saluation: for what is Ie­sus but a Sauiour?

O good Iesus, which hast created me and redeemed me with thine owne blood, suffer not mee whom thou [Page 261] hast made of nought, to be damned. O good Ie­sus, let not my wickednesse haue power to destroy me, whom thine Almightie goodnesse hath made. O good IESV, reknowledge that which is thine in mee, and that which is not of thee, take that away from mee. O good Iesus, euen now while the time of mer­cie is, haue mercie vpon me, and let me not be con­founded at the time of thy fearefull iudgement.

O good IESVS, al­though I vile sinner, by thy streight Iustice, haue deserued to be punished [Page 262] euerlastingly, for my most grieuous sins, yet hauing sure confidence in the truth of thy righteousnesse, I ap­peale to thine vnspeakea­ble mercy: I am sure thou wilt haue mercy vpon mee, like a louing Father, and a mercifull Lord.

O good IESVS, what profit is there in my blood, if I descend into the pit of eternall corruption? For surely they that be dead shall not magnifie thee, nor any that goe downe into the place of silence. O most mercifull Iesu haue mercy vpon mee: ô most sweet Ie­sus deliuer mee. O most [Page 263] holy Iesus, be mercifull vn­to me a sinner.

O IESVS, accept mee wretched sinner, among the number of them whom thou hast elected to saluati­on. O Iesus, the health of all that hope in thee, the life of all that beleeue in thee, haue mercie vpon me. O sweet Iesus, the remission of all my sinnes. O Iesus, the Sonne of the Virgin Mary, powre thy grace into my heart, endue mee with wisedome, charitie, chasti­tie and humilitie, and in all mine aduersitie, grant me a holy, inuiolable and sted­fast patience, that I may [Page 264] perfectly loue thee, and haue my onely delight and affiance in thee, world with­out end, Amen.

Queene Elizabeths Prayer of Thanksgiuing, for the ouerthrow of the Spanish Nauy, sent to in­uade ENGLAND, Anno 1588.

MOst omnipo­tent Creator Redeemer, and Conser­uer. When it seemed most fit time to [Page 268] thy worthy Prouidence to bestow the workmanship of this worlds Globe: with thy rare iugdement, thou didst diuide, into foure sin­gular parts, the forme of all this Mold, which after­time hath tearmed Ele­ments: all they seruing to continue in orderly Go­uernment of all the masse. Which all, when of thy most singular bountie, and neuer yerst seene care, thou hast this yeere made serue for instruments to daunt our foes, and to confound their malice. I most hum­bly with bowed heart, and bended knees, doe render [Page 269] my humbliest acknowledg­ments, and lowliest thanks. And not the least; for that the weakest Sexe hath been so fortified by thy strongest helpe, that neither my peo­ple need finde lacke by my weaknesse, nor Forreiners tryumph at my ruine: Such hath beene thy vnwon­ted grace in my DAYES; as though Sathan hath ne­uer made Holy-day, in practising for my life and state: yet thy mightie hand hath ouerspread both with the shade of thy wings, so that neither hath beene o­uerthrowen, nor receiued shame, but abide with bles­sing, [Page 270] to thy most glory, and their greatest ignominy. For which, Lord, of thy meere goodnesse, graunt vs grace to be hourely thank­full, and euer mindfull. And if it may please thee to par­don my request, giue vs thy continuance in my dayes, of like goodnesse; that my yeares neuer see change of such grace to me, but espe­cially to this my kingdome: which LORD graunt (for thy Sonnes sake) may flourish many ages after my end, Amen.

Queene Elizabeths Prayer for the successe of her Nauie, Anno Domi. 1596.

MOst omnipotent MAKER and GVIDER of all Worlds Masse, that onely searchest and fadomest the bottome of all hearts-conceits, and in them seest the true ori­ginall [Page 272] of all actions inten­ded: Thou that by thy fore­sight doest truely discerne, how no malic of reuenge, nor quittance of iniurie, nor desire of bloodshed, nor greedines of lucre hath bred the resolution of our now set-out Armie, but a heedfull care, and a wary watch, that no neglect of foes, nor ouersuertie of harme, might breed either danger to vs, or glory to them.

These being the grounds, thou that didst inspire the mind, we humbly beseech thee with bended knees, prosper the worke, and with [Page 273] the best fore-windes, speed the Iourney, giue the vic­torie, and make the returne the aduancement of thy glory, the trump of thy Fame, and suertie of thy Realme, with the least losse of English blood. To these deuout petitions, Lord giue thy blessed graunt, A­men.

Queene Elizabeths Prayer for her Nauie, Anno Dom. 1597.

O GOD, All-ma­ker, Keeper and Guider. Inure­ment of thy rare seene, vnused, and seeld­heard-of goodnes powred in so plentifull sort vpon vs full oft, breeds now this boldnes to craue with bow­ed knees, and hearts of hu­militie, thy large hand of helping-power to assist with [Page 275] wonder our iust cause, not founded on prides motion, nor begun on malice-stock, but as thou best knowest (to whom nought is hid) grounded on iust defence from wrongs, hate, and bloody desire of conquest.

For sithens means thou hast imparted to saue that thou hast giuen, by inioy­ing of such a people, as scornes their blood-shed, where safetie ours is none. Fortifie, deare GOD, such hearts in such sort, as their best part may be worst, that to the truest part meant worst, with least losse to such a Nation as despise [Page 276] their liues for their Coun­tryes good. That all for­raine Lands may laud and admire the omnipotencie of thy worke, a fact alone for thee onely to performe. So shal they name be spred for wonders wrought, and the faithfull encouraged to repose in thy vnfellowed grace: and we that minded nought but right, be in chai­ned in thy bonds for perpe­tuall slauery, and liue & die the sacrificers of our soules, for such obtained fauour. Warrant deare Lord all this with thy command, Amen.

The Housholders Prayers.

O MOST mightie God, mercifull and louing Fa­ther, I wretched sinner come vnto thee, in the Name of thy dearely [Page 278] beloued sonne Iesus Christ, my onely Sauiour and Re­deemer, and most humbly beseech thee, to be merci­full vnto me, and to cast all my sinnes out of thy sight & remembrance, through the merites of his bloody death and Passion. Powre vpon me (O Lord) thy ho­ly Spirit of wisedome and grace: gouerne and leade mee by thy holy word, that it may be a Lanthorne vn­to my feete, and a light vn­to my steps. Shew thy mer­cy vpon me, and so lighten the naturall blindnesse and darknesse of my heart, tho­rough thy grace, that I may [Page 279] dayly be renewed by the same Spirit and grace: By the which (O Lord) purge the grossenesse of my hea­ring & vnderstanding, that I may profitably read, heare and vnderstand thy word and heauenly will, beleeue and practise the same in my life and conuersation, and euermore hold fast the bles­sed hope of eternall life.

Mortifie and kill all vice in me, that my life may ex­presse my Faith in thee: mercifully heare the hum­ble sute of thy seruant, and grant me thy peace all my daies, graciously pardon all mine infirmities, and de­fend [Page 280] mee in all dangers of body, goods or name, but most chiefly my soule a­gainst all assaults, tempta­tions, accusations, subtile sleights, and baites of that old enemie of mankind Sa­than, that roaring Lyon, e­uer seeking whom hee may deuoure. Fauourably pro­tect and keepe all that thou hast giuen mee, as Wife, Children or Seruants, and aide me (ô Lord) with thy grace, that I may be able to gouerne, nourish, and bring them vp in thy feare and seruice.

Cast a gracious eye vp­on mee, and lend mee thy [Page 281] directing hand, that the la­bour and paines which I am to vndertake this day, may prosper and let all my dealings be iust and true. Blesse, (ô Lord) thy Vni­uersall Church, and perfect the worke which thou hast begun amongst vs: Beare out most gracious King Iames, the Queene his wife, their royall Sonne Prince Henry, and all their Chil­dren, alwaies in thine owne bosom; and set thine eies al­wayes vpon them for good. Let the spirit of knowledge and holinesse remaine in his Ministers. Blesse all his Counsell, with wisedome [Page 282] and discretion; his Nobles with fortitude & courage: his Iudges with iustice and mercie: his Magistrates with diligence and faithful­nesse: his people with feare & obedience, that we may all with one minde, and one mouth, say with the Pro­phet, He that is mightie hath done great things for vs, and Holy is his Name. Amen.

¶Another of the Housholders.

LEad me (ô Lord) in the way of thy truth and righte­ousnes: and go­uerne all mine actions to thy glory, the good of thy Church, and the discharge of my dutie. Defend and deliuer me from all tempta­tions, from all mine ene­mies, and from all deceits, and dangers. Kindle my [Page 284] heart and minde with a fer­uent zeale of thy holy word, that I may vnderstand and know thy will, and walke in thy wayes. Strengthen mee with thy holy spirit, boldly and constantly to professe the honour and seruice of thy holy Name, least at a­ny time through feare of worldy afflictions, I fall from thee.

Giue mee a contented minde with my estate, and such blessings as thou (O LORD) of thy bountifull goodnesse and mercie hast bestowed vpon mee: that I may vse them, & be thank­full for them. Graunt mee [Page 285] patience in all my troubles and afflictions, that I nei­ther grudge at thy fatherly corrections (knowing them to be tokens of thy loue, and instruments of my ex­ercise and tryall) neither seeke reuenge of my wrongs knowing vengeance to bee thine, and that thou wilt re­ward it in due season.

Keepe my minde from all euill thoughts, my tongue from lewd and vaine spee­ches, my body and euery member thereof, from all sinfull actions. Let all my loue, my faith, and hope, my delight and confidence only and alwaies be in thee. [Page 286] Open my heart to haue pit­ty vpon the poore brethren, giue mee the gift of cha­stitie, that I may possesse my vessell with sanctification and honour, and not in the lust of concupiscence, euen as the Heathen doe, which know not God.

Giue me ô Lord, sorrow for my sinnes, thankfullnes for thy benefites, feare of thy iudgements, and loue of thy mercies, and teach me to bring vp my children and gouerne my seruants, in good order and godly discipline, according to thy holy ordinance: & because by thy grace I am that I [Page 287] am, let thy demaunds, be no greater then thou hast giuen mee grace to per­forme. O Lord, pardon and forgiue all my sinnes, and grant me grace to liue in thy feare, and die in thy fauour, that I may rise to liue with my Lord Iesus, & euermore dwell with him, in thy most glorious and ioyfull kingdome, the onely thing which I desire and hope for, through the me­rits and mercie of the same Iesus Christ, thy onely Sonne, and my one­ly Sauiour and Lord, Amen.

The Wiues Prai­er for her Husband, in ab­sence, or otherwise.

O Lord God, which hast made euerie marryed Couple one flesh, and hast ordained that they should be of one mind, and one iudgement, and carefull one for ano­ther, as members one of another: I beseech thee, leade mee and my husband in the way of thy Truth [Page 289] and Righteousnesse. Go­uerne all our actions to thy glory, the good of thy Church, and the discharge of our duties. Defend and deliuer vs, (ô Lord) from all temptations, from all our enemies, and from all deceits and dangers, here, or elsewhere.

Grant my husband be­ing abroad, to prosper in his businesse, & send him a healthfull and happie re­turne home: that I who without him am sorrowfull in my selfe, and should be a stranger to the world, if he were not, may with him liue in the estate of thine [Page 290] honourable ordinance, in peace and comfort, and al­wayes for thy great good­nesse and mercie towards vs, prayse thy most holy Name.

Grant vs both grace, (ô Lord) one to loue & cherish the other, one to be faith­full & dutifull towards the other: and giue vs both the gift of Chastitie and So­brietie, that both in body and minde, wee may liue a pure life, bring vp our children, and gouerne our seruants with godly Disci­pline and good order, in and according to thy ho­ly word.

[Page 291] O LORD, pardon and forgiue both of vs all our sinnes, and grant vs both grace to loue; honor, feare, and serue thee all the dayes of this our miserable and sinfull life▪ that in this life wee may haue comfort in that which thou hast giuen vs, and after our death, we may receiue the fruites of that hope which wee haue layde vp in thy mercies, through the merites and mediation of thy Sonne Ie­sus Christ, our onely Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

The VViddowes Prayer.

O Lord God which art neerely touch­ed with a care of the afflicted, and despisest not the Widdow when she powreth out her Prayers before thee, I beseech thee, [Page 293] to haue compassion vpon mee, a poore and desolate Widdow. And whereas the bands of death haue made a separation between me & my husband, who was my head, & the best stay I had in this World, next vnder thee: I beseech thee let me not take this crosse impati­ently, but trust in thy good­nesse, that nothing may be able to separate mee from thee, which art mine onely stay, & the ioy of my soule.

Preserue me Lord, from the pawes of rauenous and greedy cormorants, which lye in waite to supplant the weakest, and deuoure our [Page 294] Houses vnder the pretence of godlinesse and colour of right. Grant that in the sight of all Gouernours and Iudges, I may finde fauour and equall dealing in my suites and complaints, a­gainst all violence and op­pressors. Giue vnto all men willing and ready mindes to doe mee good, and o­pen their hearts, to helpe and pleasure mee in all rea­sonable demands. Prouide for mee, by ministring cloths and nourishment fit for mine estate; haue pitty vpon me in all my necessi­ties, and stretch out thy hand to deliuer me.

[Page 295] Blesse mee as thou didst that poore Woman of Sa­repthah, that that small thing which thou hast gi­uen mee, may serue to sup­ply the necessarie vses of me & mine Dispose the hearts of my children & seruants to obedience, peace, and holinesse, that I which am the weaker vessell, depriued of him whose countenance should haue kept them in awe, may by thy help, bring them vp in godly Disci­pline. Giue mee the grace of thy holy Spirit, that at all times, and in all mine af­flictions, I may trust in thee, and continue in Prayers [Page 296] and Supplications day and night: not giuen to any qualitie, but such as befit­teth a modest matrone, and the hand-maid of the Lord, for Iesus Christs sake, our onely Sauiour and Redeemer, Amen.

¶The Prayer of Women with Child.

O Lord GOD, by whose Decree, for the offence of our first Parents, wee beare in our wombs, & bring forth children in paine & sorrow, be mercifull vnto me, that now feele the accomplish­ment of that sentence in my selfe: and as thou hast vouchsafed me this blessing to conceiue in my wombe, [Page 298] and to nourish that which thou hast wrought, vntill this time; so graunt, that in due time I may see the fruit of my body, safe, sound, and perfect, without blemish or deformitie.

Keepe me (ô Lord) from an vntimely birth: graunt that through Prayer, faith, and patience, I may escape all sudden feares, and vnad­uised thoughts. Comfort me when I shall draw neere vnto my hard labour, and when I shall fall into those terrors, horrors and pangs which accompany that houre, shew thy mercie vp­on mee and my Babe; that [Page 299] my sinnes may be forgiuen me, and that it may not be punished for my offences. Giue me patience, that I be not too fearefull, and vnru­ly, but that I may remem­ber what modestie befitteth a woman in those dangers, and repose all my affyance in thee. O Lord, send mee help, and preserue mee that I perish not.

Grant thee (O Lord) safe deliuerance in due time, & make me a ioyfull Mother, when that hour commeth, let not my sinnes so many, be called in question either now, or at that instant, but forget, O LORD, and [Page 300] forgiue them: blesse my poore infant, and lodge it in the vertue of thy coue­nant, and when thou shalt be pleased to call it into open light, giue me wise­dome & strength to bring it vp in thy feare, and (as it were) to trauell againe with it, till it be borne againe vnto a heauenly life, to thy greater glory, and my fur­ther ioy, through Ie­sus Christ, our Lord, A­men.

The Midwifes Prayer.

O LORD GOD, who onely hast power to take all children out of their mothers wombes, and to bring them to the light of this world, I thine vn­worthy [Page 302] seruant, whom thou hast deputed to this great Businesse, for the helpe and comfort of many in their extremities, doe most hum­bly on bended knees, be­seech thee, to vouchsafe me thy gracious assistance in the same.

Haue mercy vpon mee, ô Lord, and in all mine ac­tions let me haue thy feare before mine eyes, that I may be carefull, both for rich and poore, to doe good and not hurt, to saue life and not to destroy. Helpe mine infirmities &c imper­fections, that I be neither too feareful, nor too violent [Page 301] in doing my dutie: and grant me skill and iudge­ment happily to finish e­uery worke that I shall vndertake.

Giue mee, O Lord, an vnderstanding and tender heart, a readie, steedie, and gentle hand, a watchfull eye, and a willing minde. Mercifully looke vpon me, ô Lord, that whensoeuer I shalbe called to doe mine office, either by night or day, to the sicke, or to the sound, I may be defended from all bodily harmes, & preserued from the infecti­on of all contagious dis­eases by thy gracious fa­uour. [Page 302] Prosper, ô Lord, the workes of my hands, ô pros­per thou my handie worke, that I may doe all things to thy glory; the comfort of all good women, and mine owne credite, through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour. Amen.

A Prayer in time of womens trauell.

O Gracious God, and louing fa­ther, of whom the whole fami­lye in heauen and earth is named, wee beseech thee mercifully heare the voyce of all vs thy hand-maydes [Page 304] heere assembled in thy name, for the help of this our Sister in her Agonie now approaching. Lord, looke vpon her in mercie, and mittigate the iudge­ment which thou hast laid vpon her, and all Women for sin. Giue her courage of heart, and strength of body to beare the pangs of her labour so fearfull and vehe­ment. Sweeten them with the drops of thy mercy, and qualifie them by thy graci­ous power▪ pardon her of­fences, and receaue her prayers.

Louing Father, giue her patience and willingnesse [Page 305] to be aduised and ordered by her friends in so great a worke: that shee may re­member, that as in iustice thou hast greatly increased her sorrowes and concepti­ons: so it is thy will to haue a holy seed brought forth in­to the world, which being sanctified by thy grace, may be consecrate here to such godly seruices, as thou hast appointed, and afterward made partaker of thy glory, in the kingdome of heauen. And therefore (O Lord) we pray thee, blesse her and the fruit of her Wombe, let thy mercie be no lesse shew­ed in the birth, then in the [Page 306] wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she bear­eth. Guide all our hands that are about her, and laie to thy helping hand with vs. Giue her an easie, & speedy deliuerance. But if it be thy will to laye any greater weight of thy wrath vpon her acording to thy doome, yet good Lord we beseech thee, let thy holy spirit so comfort her inwardly, with thy promises made to all, and thy goodnes shewed to others, that neither her na­turall frailtie, northe temp­tations of Sathan, nor the extremities of her Throwes cause her to faint. Comfort [Page 307] her, helpe her, finish thy worke in her (ô thou pre­seruer of mankind) that she being safely deliuered, and her Babe preserued, they may both liue to thy will and pleasure, and wee alto­gether prayse thy holy Name, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

A Prayer after the de­liuerance of women.

O LORD God, by whom all men and women are won­derfully & fearefully made, we giue thee most humble [Page 309] thankes, that in thy iudge­ment towards this our Si­ster, thou hast remembred mercie, in giuing her safe deliuerance, together with a comely fruit of her body. Good Lord wee pray thee continue thy great good­nesse towardes her, and keepe her from all fur­ther annoyance and dan­gers of Child-bed. Pre­serue her day and night, sleeping and waking, that so in her time shee may be restored to her former health and strength, and walke in her vocation ac­cording to thy will, with thanksgiuing.

[Page 310] ‘Giue thy blessing to the Infant now borne,Leaue out all this, if the child be not born aliue. that it may in due time increase in wisedome, and stature, and fauour with God and man: that it may be partaker of the sacred Seale of holy Baptisme, & borne anew by the power of thy Spirit, liue a holy and sanctified life in this world, & afterward be made heire of euerlasting life. O Lord, blesse the mo­ther also for the BABES good, that shee may haue strength & meanes to bring it vp to thy glory, and vse all such good endeuours as become a carefull and na­turall Mother.’

[Page 311] Lord giue thy grace to all vs, which haue beene eye­witnesses of this thy mercy and goodnesse: and let this and all other thy workes daily put vs in minde to be thankeful vnto thee, for our creation, preseruation, and all other thy good gifts: to call vpon thee, loue and feare thee, walking in thy sight in all sobrietie, chasti­tie, and godlines, from this day forward for euer­more, for IESVS Christs sake, Amen.

¶The Childrens Prayer, in their Parents life time.

O HEAVENLY Father, Fa­ther of our Lord Iesus Christ, and all that beleeue in him, [Page 313] endue mee, I beseech thee, with thy holy Spirit, that I may be a babe of thy hea­uenly Family, regenerate and made a new creature in the same Christ Iesus, my Sauiour. Make mee by all meanes to honour my Pa­rents, after the example of thy Sonne our Sauiour, and not by any means to breed their sorrow & griefe: that when thou shalt see it good to make mee ancient, and blesse mee with children, then I may haue ioy in them, by their obedience and holinesse.

Ioyne, (O Lord) vnto the towardnesse of my Na­ture [Page 314] the ayde of thy grace, that I be not seduced by false teachers to corrupti­on, either in Faith or man­ners: but that all my vn­derstanding and conceits may tend to the good of my soule, and the bettering of my life.

Restraine (O Lord) the vntamednesse of my youth, which at this time is wont to begin to shew it self: that I neuer passe the limites of thy good pleasure. Keepe me from wandering concu­piscence and idlenes, from wicked company & naugh­tie fellowship.

Forgiue me all the mis­demeanors [Page 315] which I haue at any time committed a­gainst thee & my parents, and giue mee abilitie and grace to help them in their weakest age, and greatest neede; remembring the paines which my mother endured for mee, and the charges of my father. Make mee obedient vnto them, and all other my betters, teachers and Gouernours: help me in all dangers and necessities, and grant mee thy fauour all the dayes of my life, and thy kingdome at the end, for Iesus Christs sake, Amen.

Another Prayer of Children.

O LORD GOD, I beseech thee, to lead my Pa­rents in the way of thy Trueth and righ­teousnes. Gouerne all their actions to thy glory, the good of thy CHVRCH, and the discharge of their duties. Defend and deliuer them from all their ene­mies, and from all deceits and dangers; that I who am [Page 317] a childe in age, vnderstan­ding and discretion, may by their godly wisedome, care, and painefulnesse, be brought vp in all godly in­structions, nourture, and good order, and so liue and serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all my da [...]es.

Grant mee (ô Lord) an obedient and dutifull mind not onely towards my Pa­rents, but all such as it shall please them to make instru­ctors and Rulers ouer mee: that I may submit my selfe to their godly admonitions and gouernment. Incline my heart now in my tender years, to seek for wisedome [Page 318] and good learning with all diligence. Preserue mee from all euill wayes, and lewd companie.

Mortifie (O Lord) the raging lustes, and follies of youthful affections. O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my sinnes, that I may liue in thy feare, and dye in thy fauour, & so receiue the inheritance of that place, which thou in heauen hast prepared for mee, through Iesus Christ, my one­ly Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

The Orphans, or fatherlesse Childes prayer.

O Lord GOD, the succour of all them that are in distresse, and Father of the Fatherlesse: I poore Orphane, by thine [Page 320] appointment depriued of my Parents and chiefest stay in this World, beseech thee to heare my desire, & to set thine eyes vpon mee for good. Haue pitty vpon me (O Lord) and in all pe­rils & necessities stretch out thine helping hand, & deli­uer me appoint me faithfull Patrons & Gardians, which will be touched with an ear­nest care of my wel-fare, that I may be brought vp in thy feare vnto euery good worke.

Giue mee grace to be o­bedient to those that haue the ouer-sight of mee, to hearken to good counsell, [Page 321] to feare thee, and flye euill company. Grant that I may finde fauour and vpright dealing at the handes of them that haue the ouer­sight of mee, and before all other Gouernors & Iudges whatsoeuer. Let me not be oppressed by the mightie, nor seduced by the craftie and subtile, but deliuer me from greedie and deuou­ring cormorants, & dissem­bling friendes that would make a pray of me.

Let me not run too and fro to seeke my bread, but prouide for mee (O Lord) I pray thee, food and ray­ment, and so furnish me in [Page 322] this short time of my Pil­grimage, that I may haue a competent liuing. Blesse my studies and endeuours, increase my yeeres and knowledge to sitte alwayes my estate and calling, di­rect mee with thy Spirit, and blesse mee now and euermore, for Iesus Christs sake, Amen.

The Schollers Prayer.

O Lord God which hast said, If any man lacke wise­dome, let him aske of GOD, (which giueth to all men li­berally, and reprocheth no man,) and it shall be giuen [Page 324] him. I beseech thee, breath into my Soule the Spirit of Vnderstanding, that in my childe-hoode, I may learne; and as I grow fur­ther into yeares, practise the study of those things only, that are agreeable to thy lawes. Haue mercy vp­on me, & lighten mine vn­derstanding with the beams of thy diuine wisedom, that I may haue iudgement to make the best choise, witt and capacitie to conceiue, and memorie to retaine & beare away all such good things as I shall either heare or read.

Lord, hew and square the [Page 325] rough table of my heart, prepare it, and make it smooth & fit to receiue in­to it the impressions of thy diuine grace and wise­dome. Graunt that I may carefully seek for the pearls of true knowledge, and o­bediently submit my selfe to all those that are my tea­chers, and haue the ouer­sight of mee. Giue me such a desire to attaine vnto knowledge, that my study through thy working, may be a pleasure vnto me, and that I may not wilfully lose or vainely bestow that pre­cious time, which neuer can be called againe. Poure [Page 326] into mee thy holy Spirit, that all my trauell & paines in study being blessed by thee, I may plentifully reap the fruit of my labours, and be thankfull vnto thee.

O louing Father, be thou my Schoole-maister, to in­struct mee, and let all my studies be referred to the right end, that I be neither infected with Heresie, nor partaker of any Sect or Schisme. Lord, when I shall haue attained vnto any measure of knowledge, let it not puffe me vp to stand high in mine owne conceit, or be proude of thy gifts; but let mee be wise vnto [Page 327] sobrietie, and cary my selfe humbly, lowly, and mo­destly; and so order all my studies & endeauors, good Father, that I may firmely resolue, speedily be, and constantly continue in per­forming any thing that is agreable to thy will, that so euery thing may serue mee for the furtherance to a godly and vertuous life, & the discharge of a good conscience, through Ie­sus Christ our Lord, Amen.

¶The Souldiers Prayer.

O LORD God of hosts, which tea­chest my hands to fight, and my fingers to battell, I humbly besech thee, to haue mercy vpon me, that am subiect to so many dangers euery day, [Page 329] that I fall not before mine enemies. Touch my heart, that I may truely feele my sins, and worthily lament them before thy Maiestie: and since I haue vnderta­ken this seruice, not for any couetousnesse, or reuenge of blood, but in obedience to my Prince, & to defend a righteous cause, suffer me not (I beseech thee) to giue my members as weapons of vnrighteousnesse vnto sin; but to looke carefully vnto my wayes, seeking to discharge my duty towards thee, and to acquit my selfe in all loyaltie towards my Prince.

[Page 330] O Lord, gird mee with strength, and make my way vpright: conduct me with thy hand, encourage mee with the Trumpet of thy Word, arme me with faith and hope to thee-ward, and strengthen mee to the combate. Blesse all our company in our attempts, and suggest vnto vs the best meanes to saue our selues, and defeat the purposes of our enemies. Arme vs with thy grace, that wee may manfully fight in thy quar­rell: make our name feare­full to our enemies, and a­bate their Pride. Range vs within the limites of truth [Page 331] and honesty, that we be not giuen to those vices which accompany the War, vile affections, inordinate moti­ons, and merciles cruelties. Lord, it is nothing with thee to help with many, or with no power: Helpe vs, O Lord our God: for we rest on thee, and in thy Name are wee come a­gainst this multitde. O Lord thou art our GOD, let not man preuaile against thee.

Keepe vs (O Lord) from treasons, mutinies, and con­spiracies, either against our Prince or Captaines. Lord heare the mournings of all Captiues detained in the hands of their enemies, and [Page 332] worke meanes for their de­liuerance: And if it please thee at any time to lay that crosse vpon vs, or otherwise to expose vs to death in the field, then Lord, keepe vs in thy Faith, that wee may liue and die thy Souldiers, fighting the good fight of hope fixed in thee, and dye in thy fauour, for Iesus Christs sake, Amen.

The Seruants Prayer.

O Lord God, which hast made vs all one in Christ Ie­sus, whether we be bond or free: I beseech thee, grant me a contented mind that during the time of my [Page 334] bondage, I bee not asha­med of that condition of life, wherein thou hast pla­ced me: Cloath me in the liuery of a true Christian, and grant mee alwayes to beare the minde of an ho­nest man. Giue me grace to obey, and be subiect to mine earthly MASTERS, with all feare; whether they be good and curteous, or froward: and to per­forme their designes which Crosse not thy Commaun­dements.

Vouchsafe (O LORD) to send mee an vnderstand­ing heart, to manage my businesse aright: and make [Page 335] mee faithfull withall, to be circumspect and dili­gent, to doe all things for the best. Grant mee a sin­gle and true heart, with­out Hypocrisie and dissi­mulation, that I doe not passe ouer my yeares with an eye-seruice, as a man-pleaser, but iustly and since­rely, that I may in my time procure that Christian li­bertie and freedom which I serue for.

Lord, blesse my Master in all his affaires and dealings: let him not be subiect to a­ny thoughts of crueltie to­wards me: Strengthen my body to performe that bu­sinesse [Page 336] that I am appointed vnto, and keepe mee from murmuring and grudging against any of my betters, & enuious detracting from the estimation of others.

Especially (ô Lord) keepe mee from euill company, that I be neuer entised to spend wastefully, or embe­zell any thing committed to my custody, nor hear­ken vnto the perswasion of any such as wish not well vnto my Lord and Master. Send peace and quietnesse betweene mee and my fel­lowes, that in loue and kind­nesse wee may all with one heart, and one minde, con­stantly [Page 337] & chearfully ioyne together, to follow our Ma­sters businesse, and serue thee, and after this life be­come free-men of the new Ierusalem in heauen, in the blessed company of all faithfull people, for Iesus Christs sake, Amen.

¶Another of the same.

LEad me (ô Lord) I beseech thee, in the way of thy Trueth and righteousnesse. Gouerne all mine actions to thy glory, the good of thy Church, and the discharge of my du­tie. Defend and deliuer me, [Page 339] (O Lord) from all tempta­tions, from all mine ene­mies, and from all deceits and dangers.

Blesse (O Lord) I beseech thee, my Lord, Master, and Mistresse, with all heauenly wisedome, vnderstanding and godlynesse, and with worldly health and hap­pinesse: that I who am their Seruant, may by them and vnder them receiue, not onely the spirituall food of my soule, but also the tem­porall sustenance of my bo­die: doing my seruice not outwardly, as desirous to please men: but with sin­glenesse of minde from the [Page 340] heart, as fearing thee (O Lord my God) that there­by I may receiue that re­ward which thou hast pro­mised.

Giue me (ô Lord) an o­bedient and duti-full mind towards them, that I may submit my selfe to their honest and lawfull com­mandements, and do them true and faithfull seruice with all humblenesse and patience. Grant me grace (ô Lord) to frame my life ac­cording to thy holy word; nourish mutual loue and good wil between me & my fellowes: preserue me from all euill wayes, from lewd [Page 341] company, & from idlenesse. Keepe my minde from euill thoughts, my tongue from lewd & vaine speeches, and my body and euery mem­ber thereof from all sinfull actions. Mortifie in mee (O Lord) the raging lusts, and follyes of youthfull affecti­ons. O Lord, pardon and forgiue me all my sins, and grant me grace to loue, ho­nour, and serue thee, in ho­lines & righteousnes all my dayes, that I may glorifie thee in this world, and be glorified of thee in the world to come, through Ie­sus Christ, my onely Lord and Sauiour. Amen.

The Maydes prayer.

BLessed LORD, which in former times hast not despised the low estate of thy Hand-mayds, when they sought vnto thee: vouchsafe to lend thine eares to the heartie desires [Page 343] of mee thy poore seruant. Consider, O Lord, that in the labours both of body and minde, I am the wea­ker vessel, of lesse capacitie, and more infirmitie: and bestow vpon my youth such competent strength, that I may grow in stature, wise­dome and fauour with God and man. As I grow vp in years, so Lord, let me grow vp in grace: Crowne my Virginitie with chaste and religious thoughts, and my body and mind with godly watchfulnesse to waite for thy comming with the wise virgins.

Giue me grace to thinke [Page 341] alwayes that a good Name, and honest reputation, is better then any dowry to a modest Maide. Make my behauiour meeke, my talke sober, my body chast, and keep me from lewd & wan­ton company, that I par­take not with them in the follies of youth Pardon my fore-past vanities, and by the power of thy Spirit en­able my weaknesse, to a­uoyde all euill. Defend me from slanderous and bad tongues, surmising mindes, and wicked temptations, I beseech thee.

O Lord make mee faith­full and trusty, wise and wa­rie [Page 341] in the ordering of such goods, as are committed to my custody by my Master or Mistresse, father or mo­ther. Marry me vnto thee, O Lord, in righteousnes, in iudgement, in mercy and compassion: and if it be thy will hereafter to call mee to the honorable estate of cor­poral Matrimonie, make me to follow Rachel in loue, Rebecca in wisedom, Sara in faithfulnesse and obedience to my husband, and all o­ther worthy Matrons in modestie and honestie, for Iesus Christs sake, our onely Lord and Sa­uiour, Amen.

The Prayer of one af­flicted in conscience for sinne.

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 mind, and afflicted in conscience [Page 347] for feare of thy iudgements vpon my sin, doe with ben­ded knees, and teares vn­feined, a most humble sup­plyant, beg & craue of thee some succour and reliefe, open, ô open the gates of thy mercy to the greatnes 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 I pray, requiring thee of mercie. O Lord, what shall I desire of thee, that deserue [Page 348] nothing at thy hands? what can I hope for, that am e­uen heartlesse? Lord if thou hast said, Shall not my soule be auenged on such a one as this, remember thy promise else where, I will haue mercy on him that could finde no mercy, and let it light vpon me: if Sathan presume, God hath forsaken him: thinke vpon the decree for the seed of the Woman, and let the power of thy Sons Passion defeate all the de­uises of the deuill against me.

O Lord heare mee spee­dily, if thou doe not, then I am out of hope; my consci­ence [Page 349] accuseth me, my me­mory giues euidence a­gainst me, my reason con­demneth mee. My spirit is weary of this bondage, and I haue bid my life farewell. My conscience is clogged, when I behold the bloody wounds of my soule: the voyce of ioy and mirth is gone from me: I am deepe­ly plunged in discomfort, I haue neither worth to ap­pease thy wrath, nor pati­ence to endure thy indigna­tion. I pray thee therefore send the comfort of thy ho­ly Spirit into my heart, and strengthen my faith, that I be not swallowed vp with [Page 350] 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. Trye not the lawe with mee, lest I come to iudgement: sanctifie all those good means vnto me wherein I seeke reliefe, as Prayer, Conference, Rea­ding, and hearing of thy holy WORD. Moderate and mitigate my vexation, increase Faith, establish hope, graunt patience, and keepe mee from despaire. Take away this Cup from me, if it be thy will: if not, suffer mee not to be temp­ted [Page 351] aboue my strength.

I haue an humbled and contrite heart (O LORD) looke vpon me: I go mour­ning all the day long, and am like vnto him that is at the point to die, O Lord, comfort me: thou that wilt not breake a bruised Reed, spare me: thou that deligh­test not in the death of a sinner, reuiue me: though my heart condemne mee, yet good Lord acquite me, relieue me, release me, say vnto my soule, I am thy sal­uation. Hearken Lord vnto my Prayer, and grant my requests, for Iesus Christs sake, Amen.

The Sicke-mans Prayer.

O Louing LORD, and most holy Father, I poore wretch thy ser­uant, feeling in this sicke­nesse which thou hast layd vpon mee, the punishment of that corruption & trans­gression that is in mee, and all flesh, doe most willingly submit my selfe to thy holy ordinance to beare this Crosse, and taste of this bit­ter [Page 353] cup which I haue deser­ued, and much more: so I may follow thee whither thou art gone.

Therefore (O Lord) since thou hast not yet called me to the Barre of death, but sent thy Heralds to som­mon mee to a tryall: I be­seech thee, looke on mee with thine eye of mercifull pittie, and helpe me in this day of Visitation. Poure thine oyle of grace into my wounded conscience, purge my defiled soule, forgiue me all my sins: and giue me competent comfort & con­solation in this distresse. Let me not dye ere I begin to [Page 354] liue, giue mee time to re­pent, & occasion to amend. But if thou wilt needs put any more of thy wine of correction into my festred sores, lay no more, (ô Lord) lay no more vpon me, then I shalbe able to beare▪ make good vnto mee that good­nesse, which thou hast gran­ted mee vnder the great Seale of thy promise. Sup­plie my want, pardon my sinnes & aide me against all temptations, & I am reco­uered of mine infirmities.

I offer here vnto thee (O Lord) a penitent heart for the time past, and promise through thy grace amend­ment, [Page 355] if it shall please thee to draw out the thread of my life any longer: yet I neither desire the continu­ance of this mortalitie, nor a more speedy deliuerance, otherwise then as thou wilt. Lord looke not vpon my merits, for they are either none, or not good: nor vpon my life, for it hath been naught: but looke vp­on Christ, thy deare Sonne, who from the Altar of the Crosse cryed vnto thee on my behalfe, and accept his satisfaction for my sinnes.

Arme mee with patience to take vp my Crosse, and follow thee, euen to beare [Page 356] thy visitation willingly: and giue mee strength by faith, to resist the aduersarie in in the brunt of temptations. With my sorrow and paine increase thy grace, that when I am in greatest ago­ny, I may finde comfort, beleeuing, and saying with the holy Prophet.Psal. 73. 26 My flesh faileth, and my heart also, but GOD is the strength of my heart, and my portion for e­uer. O Lord, if thy decree be gone foorth, as it was to Hezekiah, that I shall dye; and not liue, giue me grace to put in order my things of this world, that I may depart in more peace: and [Page 357] when the pangs of death haue shut vp the eies of my body, and taken away the vse of my tongue (I beseech thee) let the eyes of my soule still behold, and looke vpon thee, so that when I shall leaue my earth to earth, and my body to the graue, thine angels may ca­rie vp my Soule vnto thee, and I be partaker of a ioy­full resurrection, through Iesus CHRIST our LORD A­men.

¶A Prayer to be sayd at the point of death.

O Lord, my time is at hand, my soule is heauy euen vn­to death. Looke downe vp­on me, poure thine oyle of grace into my heart, par­don my sins, strengthen my Faith, shorten my paines, and driue away Sathan. Helpe mee in this conflict.

[Page 359] Looke vpon thy Christ, hee is my Sauiour and Redee­mer. Come LORD Iesus; welcome. Into thy hands I commend my soule: take it (O Lord) take mee, the worke of thine owne hands, and let me die in thy feare, and rise againe in thy fa­uour, that I may come to thy blisse, for IESVS Christs sake, Amen.

A Generall Thankes-giuing, to be vsed by all men, at all times.

O Blessed LORD and euer-liuing GOD, whose mercy is ouer all thy workes, and of whose fulnesse wee haue all recei­ued, and Grace for grace: I poore SAMARITANE that haue beene holpen, healed and honoured by thy holy [Page 361] Hand, doe poure foorth my heart vnto thee, that I may neither vngratefully remember thy benifits, nor vngraciously forget thy se­uere iudgements, who both in the one and the other, hast beene beyond all mea­sure so gracious vnto mee. I thanke thee, O Lord, for all the externall & internall graces bestowed vpon mee, the Spirituall and corpor­all, the Caelestiall and ter­restriall blessings which I haue receiued.

And in earthly matters, ô Lord, I acknowledge my selfe deeply bounden vnto thee, for my Being, brea­thing, [Page 362] life, and motion. That thou hast made mee of a more noble nature then the rest of the Crea­tures, creating mee after thine owne Image, endu­ing mee with reason, furni­shing me with excellent fa­culties of the minde, and perfect sense.

And I giue thee thankes, O LORD, that thou hast giuen mee a BODIE so sound and so free from great infirmities, and hast set mee in a calling so fit for my condition, and gi­uen mee such a competent estate. That thou hast pre­serued mee from so many [Page 363] harmes in such dangerous accidents: as in sicknes, thunder, lightning, plague, pestilence, fire, and wa­ter: and from the as­saults of theeues and rob­bers, by Sea and Land, attempted or intended a­gainst my bodie, house, or goods; and deliuered mee out of so many troubles and vexations as I haue fallen into.

O Lord, how am I bound vnto thee, that thou hast lent me such kinde friends; and that I liue in such ho­nest reputation among my neighbours: that I haue such libertie of seemly re­creation, [Page 364] such quietnesse of life, such opportunitie of well-doing, and thine An­gels by thine appointment to protect & safe-gard mee in all my wayes.

These things (O Lord) I enioy, though vnworthy, by thy goodnesse: whereas there be many that haue not found the like fauour at thy hands, Blessed be thy Name therefore. And yet ô Lord, thou hast been much more gracious vnto me: thy Spirituall fauours and thy Caelestial blessings exceed all these. There­fore as I am bound, so, much more I blesse thee, [Page 365] that thou didst elect me be­fore all worlds to glorie: that thou didst worke my redemption by the blood of Christ Iesus in his bitter Passion: that I was borne in the light of the Gospel, to know thee, and through Sanctification in thee, haue had the grace to take vpon mee the profession of the Truth, to abandon all Su­perstition and Heresie, to doe good vnto any, and to doe any thing that may doe good, either publike or priuate, & in some mea­sure to keepe my selfe vn­spotted of the world.

Oh, what shall I giue [Page 366] vnto my Lord, that hath done so great and mightie things for mee? O Lord, I giue thee thanks that thou hast giuen mee such an ho­nourable Calling and vo­cation of Christianitie, that thou hast incorporated me a member of the Church, giuing me such a gracious portion of Faith, hope, loue, zeale, patience, peace and ioy, the beginnings of Regeneration.

What am I (O Lord) that thou hast granted mee such things? to receiue such profite by the preach­ing of thy Word, and the Priuiledge of thy blessed [Page 367] Sacraments; to bee washed with thy blood, to sit at thy Table, and to feed on thee the euerlasting Bread?

These I thanke thee for, and for these also; euen for my part which I haue in the Communion of Saints; for the benefit which I haue of their Prayers in the Church militant, the ayde of their counsels, with the pleasure and comfort of their godly examples, for the bettering of my life: that thou hast giuen me a care to vse a good Consci­ence in dealings in this world, and an earnest desire to continue so still: yea, ra­ther [Page 368] to grow better.

And in fine, I cannot forget (O Lord,) thy mercy of longanimitie and pati­ence towards mee: That thou hast granted mee so long and so large a time of Repentance, and hast vouchsafed mee therein, to haue thy Sonne IESVS Christ, for my Mediatour, by whose intercession my Prayers haue accesse▪ vnto thee, and receiue their hap­py answeres.

I prayse thee, I glorifie thee, I worship thee, I mag­nifie thy blessed Name, O Lord, by whose goodnesse I want nothing fitte for a [Page 369] Christian; nor any thing that may fit mee for Hea­uen: where, I thanke thee, for making so glorious a prouision, and such a gra­cious preparation for my Soule, and whither I be­seech thee to bring me, O my GOD, in thy due time, and in the meane time to continue thy goodnesse vn­to mee, for Iesus Christ sake, my onely Sa­uiour and Re­deemer. A­men.

Soli Deo gloria.