Elijahs fiery-chariot, or Glowing-coals taken from Gods altar being excellent prayers and meditations, fitted for all persons in all conditions. Composed by divers learned Fathers and martyrs in the Church of God. The like never before extant.

Author: Elias, John, fl. 1659.1659

Elijahs fiery-Chariot, OR GLOWING-COALS Taken from GODS ALTAR: Being excellent Prayers and Meditations, fitted for all Persons in all Conditions.

Composed by divers learned Fathers and Martyrs in the Church of God. The like never before extant.

London, Printed for Thomas Rooks, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the sign of the Lamb, at the East-end of St. Pauls Church, 1659.

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The Epistle.

Reader,

LEt no prejudicate opinion divert, or fiery passion impede [...] thy [...]erusual of this little Manu [...]l, because it adventures in [...]o a litigious world without [...] Guardian, for know ussu [...]edly, it is no other than a Dove, sent out of the Ark [Page] (Gods Church) to view the frame of the children of men, and amidst the various actions of contentious spirits, will certainly return with the Olive branch of Peace to each faithful Soul; for indulgent mercy, being alwayes ready with unwearied beams of Love and Light, to guide the staggering steps of the rebellious and sinful; yet returning man, will never permit the great Abaddon to destroy the lives of [Page] precious Souls, either by devouring their Religion in the flames of pretend [...]d, but ignorant zeal; or devouring their devotion in the overflowing deluge of a licentious tolleration; for Heavens prop [...]ious eye, is ever watchful over his own peculiar Flock, taking care that his inheritance may not be destroyed by that strange fire, which is daily offered up from the usurped unlawful censors of pretended gifts; [Page] by the many presumptious Corahs, which like the Egyptian Flyes, have of late overspread the whole Land: & that the grand Impostors of the world may no longer prevail upon the hearts of good people; It hath pleased Almighty God to inspire, & stir up the hearts of some, & they of the faithfullest, and most eminent Watchmen of our Israel, in this ensuing Treatise to furnish us the unlearned, and ignorant, with [Page] Prayers, Arguments, and fervent ejaculations; so to cast some glowing coals into the hearts and minds of the most excellent Christians, whereby the fervor of their devotions may be increased. The work is short, but pithy, as containing in it the Elixar of all religious service, the epitomy of all piety, and the whole of every man, furnishing them with Prayers and Meditations, for all times, in all conditions, and [Page] upon all occasions. In short, it is the platform both of prayer and meditation, wherein is copied out Elijahs fiery-Chariot that with speed will carry fainting Souls to the place of comfort and rest, Jacobs Bethel, wherein the strongest man in Christ Jesus, may strive and wrestle with his maker; the Key of David, which if turned by the hand of Faith will open the dore of Heaven to the greatest of sinners.

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AN INTRODVCTION to Praier.

FOrasmuch as of our selues we are destitute of all good things, and vtterly voide of all necessary helpes to saluation, the Lord our God of his owne free mercie and goodnesse offereth himselfe to vs in Christ, and in him, he giueth vnto vs in the stead of our misery, al felicity, in the stead of our pouerty, the vnspeakable riches of his grace, he openeth vnto vs in him the treasures of heauē, that our faith might wholy behold him, and our hope bee fully fixed vpon him Jn whom it hath pleased him that the fulnesse of his grace should dwell, that from thence we might all draw (as out of a most plentifull fountaine) the waters of eternall life. This secret and great misterie is reuealed to such onely, whose eies the Lord hath opened to see light in his light. Therefore since we are taught by faith that whatsoeuer we haue need of, & is wanting in vs, the same is laid vp with God for vs in Christ: it remaineth that we seeke it in him,Rom 10 & with praier craue it of him,

The Apostle therefore to shew that true faith cannot be separated from the inuocation [Page 18] of Gods holy name, hath set this order that as faith commeth by the Gospell, so by the same faith our hearts are stirred vp to call vpon the name of G [...]d, and therefore he saith that the spirit of adoption which sealeth in our hearts the witnesse of the Gospell, raiseth vp our spirits that they dare with boldnesse shew forth their desires: it stirreth vp in vs vnspeakeable gronings, and causeth vs to cry with confidence, Abba Father. By the benefit of prayer therefore we attaine to those riches which God hath laide vp in store for vs: for thereby we haue familiar accesse to God, and boldly entring into the sanctuarie of heauen, we put him in mind of his promises: so that now by experience wee feele and finde that to be true indeede, which by the word we did before but onely beleeue: now we enioy those treasures by Prayer, which by faith wee did before but onely behold in the Gospell of our Lord Jesus.

Now how necessary and profitable this exercise of prayer is, appeareth in that the Lord himselfe witnesseth our whole saluation to consist in the calling vpon his name, whereby he is wholly present with vs, namely by his prouidence and fatherly care, by the which he vvatcheth ouer vs: by his power, [Page 19] by the which hee sustaineth and succoureth our weakenesse, being euery moment ready to perish: and by his goodnesse and mercy, by the which he receiueth vs into fauour, being miserably loaden and pressed down with sinne. And hereby groweth singular rest and quietnesse to our conscience. For when wee haue disclosed to him our necessity, herein we finde most ioyfull and perfect quietnesse, that none of our euils are hidden from him, whom we are perswaded to bee both most willing and also most able to helpe vs.

Now, that our praier may be made in such wise as it ought to be, first wee must see that we be in heart and minde no otherwise prepared, then becommeth those that enter into talke with God, as we are taught Eccl. 28. Before thou pray, prepare thy selfe, and be not as one that tempteth God.

We must consider therfore when we pray, in whose presence wee stand, to whom wee speake, and what we desire. We stand in the presence of the Almighty creator of heauen and earth, & all things therein contained, to whose eternall Maiesty innumerable thousands of Angels do assist, serue, and obey: we speake vnto him, who knoweth the secrets of our harts: before whom nothing is more odious then hypocrisie & dissimulation: we aske [Page 20] those things which be most for his glory, & the comfort of our consciences. VVee must therefore diligently endeuour our selues to remoue all such things as may offend his diuine maiestie. And first, that wee bee free from all worldly cares and fleshly cogitations, whereby our minds are carried hither & thither, and being drawne out of heauen, & from the pure beholding of God, are pressed downe to the earth.

And here let vs call to mind how vnreuerently we abuse the great goodnesse of God, calling vs into familiar talke with him: when we haue not that reuerent feare of his sacred Maiestie, that we would haue of an earrhly creature, or a worldly Prince: but suffering our hearts to be carried away with wandring thoughts & worldly imaginations, are otherwise occupied, and forsake him in the midst of our praiers.

As God is a Spirit, so will [...]e be worshipped in spirit and truth; that is in the inward affections of the heart, and with a true faithfull and vnsained kind of worship. And therfore as at all other times, hee requireth the heart, so specially in the time of praier, when we shew our selues in his presence, and enter into communication with him: and therupon when he promiseth to heare all those that [Page 21] call vpon him, he maketh a restraint, & saith, that call vpon him in truth. Seeing therefore that the chiefe dutie of praier consisteth in the heart, we must with our whole hart poure out our praiers vnto God the searcher of all harts, & with a sincere, vnfained and ardent affection & opening of our hart before God, call vpon him, or else we shall not finde him.

Let vs know therefore, that none prepare themselues right to praier, but such as haue a reuerēt feare of Gods Maiestie: which they cānot haue that come not to it vnburthened of earthly cares and affections.

And this is that is ment in the Scriptures, by the lifting vp of hands, that wee should remember our selues to bee farre off from God, vnlesse we lift vp our hearts and minds also on high. And therefore it is said in the Psalme; To thee haue I lifted vp my soule. The Scripture vseth also this manner of speech, To lift vp praier: that they that desire to be heard of God, should not haue their mindes carried away with earthly cogitations and vanitie. And though it be hard to bee so bent to praier, but that we shall finde that m [...]nie by-thoughts will creepe vpon vs to hinder our praier, yet the more hard it is, the more earnestly we must wrestle to ouercome all lets and hinderances, and labour with [Page 22] inward groanings vnto the Lord, that hee will linke our hearts fast vnto him, and not suffer vs to be ledde away from him, by the vaine suggestions of Satan,Psal. 8 [...] who at all times compassing vs about, is neuer more busie, then when we addresse our selues to prayer, secretly and subtlely creeping into our brest, and calling vs backe from God: so that oftentimes when we with all reuerence should speake to God we find our harts talking with the vanities of the world, or with the foolish imaginations of our owne hearts.

Finally, we must be in christian charity▪ loue and concord with all men: seeking vnfained, hearty, and brotherly reconciliation, if we haue offended any man, before we enter into praier or else God will not heare our praiers: yea they are otherwise execrable, and full of damnable hypocrisie in Gods sight. And this that is spoken of praier, may be said also of hearing of Gods word, or any other seruice of God.

VVe must therefore lay aside all malice enuie, wrath, grudge, contention, wrangling, dissimulation, all guilefull, craftie, and subtle dealing, and with a single heart doe to others, as we would they should doe to vs.1. Pet. 8 Peter willeth, that such as haue once tas [...]ed how good and bounteous the Lord [Page 23] is and are become new creatures by the heauenly regeneration through the doctrine of the gospell, should like holy and innocent babes lay aside all such works of the flesh, which doe depriue a man of the kingdom of God:Galat. 5 and Saint Paul commandeth vs that laying a side all those cursed workes of darkenesse we should in the stead thereof, put on (euen as the elect of God, holy and beloued) tender mercy kindnesse▪ humblenesse of minde, meekenesse, long suffering; forbearing one another, & forgiuing one another, if one haue a quarrell to another, as Christ forgaue vs. And aboue al these thing [...] [saith he] put on loue which is the bond of perfection, & let the peace of God rule in your hearts. When ye shal stand & pray (saith Saint MarkeMark 11) forgiue if yee haue any thing against any man tha [...] your Father also which is in heauen may forgiue you your trespasses: for if yee will not forgiue, your father which is in heauen vvill not pardon your trespasses.

Moreouer we must haue such a feeling of our owne misery and wretchednes, as may worke in vs an earnest sorrow and vexation of minde for the same. Example whereof we may see in the deare seruants of God, when they say, that cut of the deepe deepenesse, and out of the middest of the iaws of deaths they vtter vnto the Lord a sorrowfull [Page 24] voice. Hee that desireth mercie must haue a feeling of his owne misery. And therefore saith Dauid, Heale my soule O Lord, for J haue sinned against thee. There is nothing in my flesh [saith he] because of thy displeasure, nei [...]her is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne.

This anguish & sorrow stirreth vp in Gods children a feruent desire to obtaine comfort helpe and succour at Gods hand, and therefore such as feele themselues oppressed with great calamitie [...], hauing by the helpe of man no hope of deliuerance, doe cry vnto God with afflicted hearts, as Dauid did in his distresse: My soule thirsteth for God, euen for the liu [...]ng God: and as the Hart being wounded braieth for the riuers of waters, so panteth my soule after thee O God.

This is that godly sorrow which S. Paul saith worketh in Gods children repentance to saluatio: The Lord is nigh to them (saith Dauid) that are of a contrite heart, and vvil saue al such as are afflicted in spirit. To him vvil I looke, euen vnto him (saith the lord) that is afflicted and broken hearted and trembleth at my words. Therefore Dauid calleth the time of trouble the fit and conuenient time for the faithfull to flie vnto God by prayer. And albeit they be not at all times in like distresse, or continually groning vnder the burden [Page 25] of present euils, yet they must needs be euer in dread of new dangers, and carefully afraid of fur [...]her troubles to follow. As trouble and feare therefore are the verie spurres to stirr them vp to hearty and feruent Praier, so by occasion thereof they haue more free accesse vnto God, as though hee did thereby call them vnto him.

This godly sorrow for sinne, and feruent desire and longing for Gods louing mercie and fauour, commeth not of our selues, but of the speciall goodnes of God, for wee are of our selues dull, and without all list to pray, yea, so gr [...]at is our imperfection, that wee know not how to pray as we ought; and therefore the spirit helpe [...]h our infirmitie [...], and instructeth vs what is right, and guideth our affections. He maketh intercession for the Saints (saith Saint Paul) according to the vvil of God, & that vvith sighes & gronings, vvhich cannot be expressed: that is, hee stirreth vp out harts, giueth vs a desire & boldnes to pray, and causeth vs to mourn when wee are by any meanes hindred from it, and feele not our selues moued therunto with such feruent zeale and affection as we should be.

Now although we know that it is the onely work of the holy Ghost thus to moue and incline our harts to praier, notwithstanding [Page 26] we may not be negligent and slothfull to dispose and stirre vp ourselues thereunto, but rather contrariwise, so often as we feele our selues cold and not disposed to praier as we ought to be, we must make our supplication vnto the Lord, that it would please him to inflame vs with his holy spirit, whereby we may be framed to pray with such feruency of mind, as we ought to doe.

When we are cast downe by the sense and feeling of our owne infirmity, sinne and misery: yet must we pray [notwithstanding] in sure and stedfast hope to obtaine our requests. These be the things indeed contrary in shew, to ioine with the feeling of the iust vengeance of God, sure affiance of sauour, which things doe yet very well agree in that it is the goodnes of God only that raiseth vs vp being oppressed with our owne euils from the which of ourselues we cannot rise. For as repentance and faith are knit as companion [...] together [albeit the one driueth vs down with feare, and the other lifteth vs vp againe with comfort] so in praying they must needs go together. And this agreement Dauid expresseth in few words. I will [saith he] in the multitude of thy mercies enter i [...]to thy house, Psal. 5. and in the Temple of thy holinesse I will worship thee with feare.

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Therefore when we are once touched with true repentance and feeling of our own misery, we must withall haue such a perswasion of Gods fauour and mercy towards vs in all our praiers, that they shall be accepted of God, so farre forth as it shal be necessary for vs. This is the assurance, saith S. Iohn. that we haue in God: 1. Iohn 5 that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth vs. Jf we haue not a sure trust and confidence in the mercy and promises of God, it is vnpossible to make our prayer to him aright: and whosoeuer doubteth whether God heareth his prayer, that man obtaineth nothing: to such praiers God hath made no promise. But contrariwise he saith, wha [...]soeuer yee shall aske in prayer, if ye beleeue, yee shall receiue it. And againe, Whatsoeuer yee desire, beleeue that yee shall obtaine it: Mat. 31 Mark 12 and it shall be done vnto you. Aske, saith Saint Iames, in faith, and wauer not, for he that wauereth is like to the waues of the Sea, Iames 5 which are tossed of the winde, and carried away. And why should we wauer or doubt, seeing the holy Scriptures testifie of God, that he is faithfull, iust and true in all his words and promises, saying: The Lord is faithfull in all his words, he will euer be mindfull of his couenant: the truth of the Lord indureth for euer.

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And although our faith be not so strong, and therfore our prayer not so harty and zealous as i ought to be: yea, though our faith bee saint and cold, yet let vs hold fast this principle, that our praiers are not frustrator in vain.

For our comfort therin, we haue an example in the father which brought his sonne first to the Apostles, and afterward to Christ, and said,Marke 9 If thou canst Lord, helpe: and yet afterward he acknowledged the weakenesse of his faith, and desired to bee made strong. J beleeue Lord [saith he] helpe my vnbeliefe. How often do the children of God complaine of this imbecilitie and weaknesse of faith? Such as are exercised in true praier doe feele, that in crauing of God the forgiuenesse of their sinnes, they bring scarce the tenth part of that sacrifice which Dauid speak th of, where he sai [...]h; An acceptable sacrifice to God, Psal. 52 is a troubled spirit, a broken and an humb [...]e heart, O God thou wilt not despise Many times they are driuen to wrestle with their owne dulnesse and coldnesse in praier. Many times their minds slippe aside, and wander away in vanitie. Many times they feele not their owne lacke, and miserie to pricke them sharpely enough to praier: yea and many times they are so beaten downe with the sence & feeling of their [Page 29] owne sinne and miserie, as though they were forsaken of God, and their faith vtterly extinguished.

In what horrour and anguish of he art was Dauid, when he said vnto the Lord?Psal. 88 Psal. 39 Why doest thou reiect my soule? why hidest thou thy face from me? And again [...] Cease from me vntill I goe away and b [...] [...] [...]erby it might seeme that he (like a [...] man) desireth nothing else, but that [...] of God c [...]asing, hee might rot in his e [...] but it is not so, for hee saith it not, for that hee would haue God to depart from him, as the reprobate doth; but only he complaineth, that the wrath of God was too heauy for him to bear. A hard temptation is it when the faithfull are compelled to crie,Ps [...]l. 80 How long wilt thou be angrie against the praiers of thy seruants? As though their verie praiers made God more angrie.Lamen. 3 So when Ieremie said: The Lord hath shut vp my praier, no doubt hee was shaken with a vehement pang of temptation.

These are the imperfections of Gods ch ldren, which euen the beleeuing and hoping doe oftentimes vtter some vnfaithfulnesse, and in the verie remedies fall into new diseases: for there is no prayer they make, which the Lord would not worthily loath and abhorre, if he should not winke at their [Page 30] spots and imperfections. And such examples are common in the scriptures. Whereby we see, that the Lord oftentimes suffereth his to bee grieuously tempted and afflicted, and hideth from them the comfort of his spirit, as though they were cleane forsaken: but to their great consolation in the end.

This is the schoole wherein the wisedome of God nurtureth and [...]eth her children, as we may see, Ecclesi. 4. First shee will walke with them [saith he] by crooked waies, & bring them vnto feare and dread, and torment them with her discipline, vntill shee haue tried their soules, and haue proued them by her iudgements: then will shee returne the straight way vnto them, and comfort them, and shew them her secrets, and heape vpon them the treasures of knowledge and vnderstanding of righteousnesse. Thus we see the state of Gods children, that when the Lord hath shewed them what they are of themselues, by the sight and horrour of their sinnes, and terrour of Gods iudgement for the same▪ then will hee shew them what they are in Christ, as Esay saith: For a time, a little while I haue forsaken thee: but I will gather thee together in wonderful mercies. Jn a short time of wrath I hid my face a while from thee: but I wil haue mercie on thee for euer, saith the Lord thy redeemer.

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Such is the louing kindnesse [...]nd mercy of God towards the afflicted when they are sorry for their sinnes, lamenting and mourning in their hearts, to be deliuered from the same that they might serue God in the freedome of conscience.

This is that mourning, this is that hunger and thirst that Christ speaketh of:Mat. 5 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted: Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, for they shall be satisfied

God for his truths sake, will put the righteousnesse of Christ on them, and wash their vnrighteousnes away in his blood.Esay 42 The brused Reed will he not breake, and the smoking Flaxe will he not quench. The afflicted, the heauy and broken hearted, the weake and feeble will he not forsake. Yea, be they neuer so feeble and so fraile, yet so long as this lust, desire and mourning to be deliuered from their sinne and misery remaineth in them, God seeth not their sinnes, reckoneth them not, & laieth them not to their charge: for his truths sake and loue of Christ; hee is not a sinner in the sight of God that would be no sinner. Hee that would bee deliuered, hath his heart loosed already, his heart sinneth not, but mourneth, repenteth, and consenteth to the law and will of God, and iustifieth God, that [Page 32] this is, hee beareth record that God which made the law is righteous and iust, and such an heart trusting in Christs blood, in Christs righteousnes, is accepted for righteousnes: & his weaknes, infirmity and frailty is pardoned, and his sinnes not looked vpon, vntill God put more strength in him: the increase whereof he shal daily feele in such sort▪ that at leng [...]h he shall in all troubles bee ab [...]e to say with Dauid, Psal. 23 If I should go through the shadow and danger of death, I will not seare what soeuer happen.

Now to stirre vp our hearts to consideration of our great misery and necessity, to a more feruent prayer, the Lord himselfe hath commaunded vs to call vpon him for helpe and succour. Therefore let vs haue the commaundements of God alwaies in our sight touching Prayer, and whiles wee pray let vs call them to our r [...]membrance, Aske, seeke, knocke, Mat. 7 Psal. 50 Eph. 6 watch, pray. Call vpon mee (saith God) in the day of trouble, pray alway with all maner of praier and supplication, & watch thereunto with all diligence. Reioice alwayes, pray continual [...]y, 1. Tim. 5 in all things be thankefull, for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus towardes you. Col. 4 Continue in praier, and watch in the same vnto thanksgiuing. Let your requests bee shewed vnto God in praier and supplication, with giuing [Page 33] giuing of thankes.

And this wee are also no lesse bound to doe by commandement, whereby wee are forbidden to take the name of God in vain. For in that we are there forbidden to take the name of God in vaine, we are commanded also to take it and vse it to his glory giuing vnto him the praise of al goodnes, helpe and succour, whiles we aske and looke for the same at his hand. Wherefore except we flie to him in our trouble and necessitie, except we call vpon him for reliefe and succor, we prouoke his difpleasure no lesse, then if wee should make vnto our selues Jdols, or worship strange gods: for in the contempt of euery one of the commandements, we shew like contempt and disobedience to the will of God, and all these sentences which command vs to call vpon God, doe appertaine vnto this commandement. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine: and so praier is a worke & chiefe seruice belonging to his commandement. Wee may not therefore thinke that there are no sinnes, but idolatry, murther, theft, whordome, and such like, but that it is vndoubtedly a great sinne also, not to render this seruice to God, that is, not to pray, not to a [...]ke, not to looke for helpe from God in our necessities, [Page 34] not to render thanks for the benefits we haue receiued.

Therefore if our vnworthines at any time do cry out against vs, stop or feare vs in such sort that our consciences are astonied and flie from God: if we doubt whether god hath respect to our praiers, groanings, and teares, we must set before our eies, how that we are commanded, though we be neuer so vnworthy, and our sinnes neuer so many and great to pray for reconciliation, Gods fauour and forgiuenesse of our sinnes. For else, whereas God commandeth vs to abstaine from theft, murther, whordome, &c. we may in like sort excuse our selues and say, that we are vnworthy to obey Gods commandements: great is our iniquity, and manifest is our contempt and despising of God, when we neglect and delay to call for his helpe. Such as fly vnto God therefore, to call vpon him in their necessities, obey his will, and finde therein no small consolation, knowing that thereby they doe vnto him most acceptable seruice: forasmuch as he pronounceth that nothing is to him more acceptable then obedience to his will and commandement.

As we are commanded of God boldly and without all respect of our owne vnworthinesse, to come vnto him as a mercifull father, [Page 35] and one that knoweth our necessity and pittieth our misery: so hath he promised very graciously to heare vs, and grant our requests. And hereof riseth yet a farre more comfortable and greater consolation wherein consisteth our whole confidence and trust of obtaining su [...]cour and mercy at Gods hand,Mat. 7 wherefore he allureth vs with many sweete promises to call vpon him A [...]ke saith he, & yee shall haue, seeke and ye shall finde knocke, and it shall b [...]e opened vnto you: Iere. 25 Psal. 50 Psal. 145 ye shall crie vnto mee, and I will heare you: ye shall seeke me, and yee shall find me Call vpon mee in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee. The Lord is nigh to all them that cal vpon him, that cal vpon him in tru [...]h [...] hee doth the will of them that feare him, and he will heare their prayers. He shal call vpon mee, and J will heare him: Psal 91 I will bee with him in his trouble. I will deliuer him and glorifie him. At the voice of thy cry he wil cer [...]ainly haue mercy on thee vvhen he heareth thee he vvil answere thee. Hee that is Lord ouer all, Esay 7.5 Rom 8 Psal. 149 is rich & bountifull towards them that call vpon him: He will fulfil the desire of them that feare him, he wil heare [...]heir cries, and will save them. And God to declare his readines in hearing of sinners,Esa. 16.5. saith, Before they cry I will answere and whiles they are yet thinking vvhat to speake, J will heare.

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Among many sweet promises of GOD, though these might be sufficient to prouoke vs to feruent and hearty prayer, yet there be certaine other notable & comfortable promises which wee should specially haue in remembrance, as these: If yee which are euill can giue good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the holy Ghost to them that desire him? Luk, 12. Eccles. 2. Consider the olde generation, and marke them well, was there euer any confounded that put their trust in the Lord? or who hath continued in his feare, & was sorsoken? or whom did he euer despise that called vpon him? And of all other, that is the most notable which by the Prophet Ioel is added imediately after the prophesie of that horrible destruction that was at hand saying: Whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shalbe saued.

Here let vs consider the order of promises, which pertaine either outwardly to the body, or inwardly to the soule. Which part [the soule I meane] because it is much more pretious then the other, wee must first craue such things as properly belong to the saluation thereof. But first of all confessing our sinnes vnto God with most humble and penitent hearts, let vs set before vs the promises of remission of the same. For this [Page 37] sentence is true, God heareth no sinners: that is, such as delight and continue in sin. Wherfore in all other praiers, yea when we be about to aske any other things, whatsoeuer they be, let vs first thinke of the remission of sins, hauing alwaies in our sight some cō fortable promises thereof, as this: If we confesse and acknowledge our sinnes, he is faithfull and righteous to forgiue our offences, & to clense vs from all iniqui [...]ies. And herunto let vs haue the light of the holy Ghost, to kindle and confirme in vs the true knowledge of God. Let vs pray for the continuance of Gods holy word and gospell among vs, for the inlarging of his Kingdome, and the aduancing of his glory. Let vs begge the gifts of faith,1 John 12 repentance, feare, patience, prayer, hope, loue, ioy, peace of conscience, with such other fruites of the spirit, and for euerlasting life.

And here also wee must remember that we doe not onely call our selues continually to account for our new sins, crauing at Gods hand mercy and forgiuenes of the same, but also for those sinnes which might seeme to haue beene so long agoe forgotten, as Dauid hauing confessed an hainous offence,Psal. 52 by that occasion returneth euen to his mothers wombe, wherein he had gathered the infection [Page 38] heaping together the sins of the whole life: euen so in another place when he asketh another thing, he saith, Remember not the sinnes of my youth, remember me according to thy mercy for thy goodnesse sake O Lo [...]d. Psal. 25 Againe, Looke vpon my affliction and trauel, and forgiue all my sinnes.

When we haue thus praide for things pertaining to the soule, and to the kingdome of God, we must pray also for corporall benefits, as well common as private, as peace and tranquility of those countries which giue harborough to the true professors of the gospell and godly congregati [...]ns, b [...]ing in this life,Psal. 88 as Daniel in the midds of the Lions. Pray for the peace of Hierusalem faith Dauid: also for defence from misery deliuerance from trouble, for happie successe in the works of our vocation, for health liuing, protection of life, and goods, name, &c.

And although the Lord knoweth before we aske what we haue need of, & is ready to giue liberally, yea & doth giue oftentimes vndesired, & furthermore hath promised that seeking first the kingdome of G [...]d, and the righteousnesse thereof, all other things shall be giuen vs: yet he commandeth vs to aske corporall benefits, and that for three causes.

First, that we should know that hee is [Page 39] the author and giuer thereof, and therefore should not onely be thankfull for the same, but also stirred vp thereby to seeke, loue and worship him.

Secondly, that we should be wel perswaded of his good prouidence towards vs, when we vnderstand that he doth not onely promise that he will neuer saile vs, but also hath his hand alwaies stretched out to help them that call vpon him.Iosua.

Thridly, that our faith of reconciliation, & forgiuenes of sin shold be exercised through the asking of those corporall things.

And herein we must specially & aboue all things seeke the glory of God, and therfore we must pray for these corporall things in such sort. that we may offer therewith our obedience vnto God Here of we haue example of Christ, when he said: Father, if it be possible let this cup passe from me: neuerthelesse not as J wil, but as thou vvilt. With this obedience to the will of God spake Dauid when he desired to be brought againe into his kingdome, [...]. Reg. 15 saying, If I shal find fauor in the sight of the lord he vvil bring me againe: but if he shall say vnto me, thou dost not please me, I am ready, let him doe as i [...] seemeth good. And Job saith,Iob 30 Though he kill me, yet vvill I put my trust in him.

Therefore forasmuch as we doe know- [Page 40] that it is the lot of Gods children to be alway vnder the crosse, and therefore concerning those corporall benefits, we know not how or what to aske as we ought: wee must herein offer our obedience vnto God, abiding his good will and pleasure so long as it shall seeme good vnto him, to exercise vs in the want thereof, who suffereth vs sometime to be afflicted for our chastisement, and for the probation of our continuance, and also that wee may receiue with great gladnesse (if to his diuine wisdome it seeme expedient for vs) that which with ardent desire wee long looked for.1. Cor. 15 S. Paul saith, When wee are iudged, we are chastened of the Lord, because we should not be condemned with the world. But when we pray for spirituall things, we must aske them absolutely, & without condition, for hereunto do pertain the chiefe promises of the gospell, of the which God would haue vs most assured. Verily, verily, I say vnto you [saith Christ] he that beleeueth in me hath euerlasting life. John 6 As sure as I liue [saith the Lord] I will not the death of a sinner, but that he returne and liue.

To the promise of God we must ioine examples,Eze. 3.3 whereby we learne that God hath heard and holpen those that cal vpon him for all deliuerance, whether they bee of other [Page 41] [whereof the Scriptures are full] [...]r our selues [whereof wee haue experience] are examples of Gods promise. Hereby did Dauid comfort himselfe in the anguish and heauinesse of his heart, saying;Psal. 77 I will remember the works of the Lord, and call to mind thy wonders of old time. Thou hast mightily deliuered thy people, euen the sonnes of Iacob and Joseph. Psal. 31 Againe, I will be glad and reioyce in thy mercy, for thou hast seene my trouble, thou hast knowne my soule in aduersi [...]ie. And thus being warned both by promises and examples, let vs learn to cast our care vpon the Lord, to call vpon him, and to looke for helpe at his hand. So shall our faith by little and little be more firme and certaine, and our heart shall rest in hope and expectation of Gods helpe.

But forasmuch as of our selues we are vnworthie to appeare in Gods sight, whose terrible maiestie comming once into our minde, it is impossible but that we should fly from him as a fearefull Judge: therefore he hath giuen vnto vs a Mediatour, euen our Lord Jesus,1. Iohn 2 that he being a meane between God and vs, might change the throne of dreadfull glory in the throne of grace, and that we by his merits hauing accesse vnto God, might haue assured trust to finde grace in his sight. If any man sinne, saith S Iohn [Page 42] wee haue an Aduocate vvith the Father, Iesus Christ the iust, and hee is the Reconciliation for our sins. Acts 10 To him, saith Saint Peter, beare all the Prophets witnesse, that through his name all that beleeue in him shall receiue forgiuenesse of their sinnes. Eph. 5 Heb. 4 By vvhom saith Saint Paul, vvee haue boldnesse and entrance in all confidence through faith in him. And againe. Wee haue not an high priest which cannot haue compassion on our infirmitie, but vvas in all points tempted like as vve are, sinne excepted: let vs goe boldly therefore vnto the throne of his grace, that vve may receiue mercie, and finde grace to helpe in time of [...]eede.

And as we are commanded to call vpon God, and haue a promise also to be heard: euen so we are commanded to make our praiers vnto him in the name, faith & confidence of this our mediator, & we haue no promise to be heard without him in whom are all the promises of God,2. Cor 1 Luk 11 yea and Amen, confirmed and fulfilled. And no man commeth to the Father but by t [...]e sonne.

For he is our mouth wherby we speake to the Father, hee is our eie whereby we see the father, and he is our right hand whereby we offer our selues to the father. Whansoeuer therefore we aske in his name, we haue a promise to obtaine it. Veri [...]y verily [Page 43] [saith Christ] I say vnto you, vvhatsoeuer yee shalaske of the Father in my name, he shal giue it you in my name, that is for my sake, your high Bishop pray [...]ng for you. Iohn 14 Hitherto you haue not asked any thing in my name: aske and yee shal receiue, Jn that day yee shall aske in my name & whatsoeuer yee aske J vvill doe, that the father may be glorified in the sonne.

Of praier there be two parts, petition and thanksgiuing. By petition we powre forth our desires before God, requiring first those things that may set forth his glory, and then such benefirs as are profitable and necessary for vs. By giuing of thanks, we praise and magnifie his benefits bestowed vpon vs, acknowledging that whatsoeuer good things we enioy, we haue receiued them of his free goodnes and liberality. Therefore Dauid ioyned those two parts together in one verse, when he saith,Psal. 50 Call vpon mee in the day of necessitie, I wil deliuer thee, and thou shalt glorifie me.

The Scripture commaundeth vs to vse both, and that continually. For our necessity is so great, our life is so full of troubles and calamities, and so many dangers hang ouer our heades euery moment, that wee haue all cause enough, yea euen the most holy, with sighes and groanings continually [Page 44] to flie vnto God, and call vpon him in most humble wise. But this we may better perceiue in things pertaining to the soule.

For when shall so many great sins whereof we know our selues guilty, suffer vs to be without care, and not to craue pardon of God for the same? when will Satan giue vs rest and quietnes, when will he cease to range about, seeking whom he may destroy? when shall our tentations giue vs truce, so that we shall not need to hasten vnto God for helpe. Finally, the desire of the kingdome and glory of God, ought to draw vs wholly vnto it, not by fits, but continually that all times should be fit and conuenient for vs to pray. VVherefore not without cause we are so often commaunded to pray continually. And though we be not driuen with like necessitie at all times to pray, yet in this case Saint Iames teacheth vs what we ought to doe, If any man be heauie or afflicted, saith he, let him pray, that is▪ let him craue Gods helpe and comfort, and who so is merry, let him sing: that is, let him praise God.

Moreouer, the benefits and blessings of GOD, are large and plentifull towards vs, which way soeuer wee turne, that we can neuer want matter and occasion of praise and thankesgiuing. And seeing wee ought [Page 45] to acknowledge God to bee the author and giuer of all good things, we should alway receiue the same at his hand with thanksgiuing: for to that end God continually bestoweth his good blessings and benefits vpō vs, that we should continually shew forth his praise, & be thankful vnto him for the same, and so wee render vnto him his due honour. And S. Paul when he saith, that they are sanctified by the word & prayer, signifieth that to vs they are not holy and cleane without the word and prayer: and therefore Dauid saith, when he had felt the liberalite of the Lord, that there was put into his mouth a new song, that is, a new occasion of praise and thanksgiuing. Whereby hee signifieth, that it is a wicked silence if wee passe ouer any of Gods benefits without praise, seeing that as often as he doth good vnto vs, so often he giueth vs occasion to speake good of him.

We should therefore continually, that is, as much as is possible, at all times, in all places, & in things as occasions are continually offered vnto vs lift vp our prayer vnto God in crauing helpe at his hand, and confessing his praise, whereby we may both obtaine of him all good things, and also praise and magnifie his name for all.

How this perseuerance in praier is required [Page 46] of vs. Christ himselfe teacheth vs by the parable of the three Ioanes, and of the widdow and wicked Iudge. Whereby we are taught to continue in prayer with all earnestnesse and feruent supplication and neuer to faint or giue ouer,Luk 11.18 vntill we be assured in our spirit that our praiers be heard.

The praier of the humble (saith the Sonne of Sirach) goeth through the cloudes, Eccles. 53. it ceaseth not vntil it come neare, and it will not depart vntil God the most high God haue respect thereto. Behold (saith Dauid) as the eyes of the seruants looke vnto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden vnto the hand of her mistresse, so our eyes vvaite vpon the Lord our God, vntill he haue mercy vpon vs. Psal. 12 3 And thus must we not cease to doe, vntill we may boldly say also with Dauid: The Lord hath heard the voice of my vveeping, the Lord hath heard my humble petition, the Lord hath receiued my prayer.

Now concerning the forme and manner of praying, least we should follow our owne fantasie being of our selues so blind that we know not how to pray, or what is meete and expedient for vs: the Lord himselfe hath sufficiently instructed vs: who as he hath taught vs through the whole Scripture, how and for what things we [Page 47] ought to pray, so hath he set forth one maner of Prayer, in the which he hath briefly comprehended all such things as we ought, yea, or in any wise may aske of GOD. Wherein he hath expressed what is due, pleasing and acceptable to him, what is necessary for vs, and what he will grant: so that there is nothing herein omitted, that might be thought vpon to the praise & glory of God, or come into the minde of man for his profit and commodity.Mar. 6 Luk. 11. And this is that prayer that our Lord Jesus Christ taught his Disciples, when they asked him how they should pray.

Whosoeuer therefore shall aske any thing that is not contained in this prayer, they presume to adde something of their owne to the wisedome of God, they are not obedient to his will, and they pray without faith, hauing no word of God to warrant them: and therefore they shall obtaine nothing. This praier saith Tertullian, is the doctrine of the wisedome of God, wherein he hath taught whatsoeuer he willed, and willed whatsoeuer was needfull. Albeit we are not so bound to this forme of prayer, that we should not vse any other kinde of words then the Lord himselfe heerein hath vsed. For there are elsewhere set forth in the scriptures, [Page 48] many ptayers, farre differing from this in words, and yet written by the same spirit, and very profitably to bee vsed of vs. And many praiers also are continually vttered of the faithfull by the same spirit, which varie from the same in words. But this is required of vs, [...]hat none should looke for, seek, or aske any other thing at all, thē that which is briefly comprehended in this prayer, and which though it differ in words, yet differeth not in sense & substance: like as it is certain that all the praiers which are found in the scriptures and which doe continually proceed from the heart of the faithfull, are referred by the d [...]rection of Gods spirit vnto this praier, how soeuer they differ in the varietie of words.

Manie good and godly men, euen in our daies, well exercised in praier, haue left vnto vs most worthie examples & testimonies hereof, furnished with ample & large matter to forme holy & true praiers, & ful of power to inflame the heart to a feruent inuocation of Gods holy name; whereof we haue giuen here some taste to the godly, and specially to the simple not yer well exercised.

Reade, meditate, and pray, and you shall find comfort in your soules.

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A meditation concerning prayer.

THe minde of man hath so large roome to receiue good things that nothing indeede can fulfill it, but onely God; whom then the minde fully possesseth when it fully knoweth him, fully loueth him, and in all things is framed after his will.

They therefore (deare Lord God) that are thy children, & haue tasted somewhat of thy goodnesse, doe perpetually sigh that is, doe pray, vntill they come the [...]eto, & in that they loue thee also aboue althings it wonderfully woundeth them that other men doe not so; that is loue thee, and seeke for thee with them

Whereof it commeth to passe that [Page 50] they are inflamed with continuall praiers and desires, that thy kingdome might come euerie where, and thy goodnesse might be both known and also in life expressed of euerie man.

And because there are innumerable manie things which as well in themselues, as in others, be against thy glory, they are kindled with continuall prayer and desire, sighing vnspeakably in thy sight, for the increase of thy spirit. And sometimes, when they see thy glorie more put backe then it was wont to bee, either in themselues, or in any other, then are they much more disquieted and vexed.

But because they know, that thou dost rule all things after thy good will: and that none other can helpe them in their neede, they oftentimes doe goe aside, all businesse laid [Page 51] apart, and giue themselues to godly cogitations and talk with thee, complaining to thee as to their Father, of those things that grieue them, begging thereto, and that most earnestly, thy helpe, not onely for themselues, but also for others; specially for those whom singularly they imbrace in thee, and often doe repeate and remember thy gracious benefits both to others, and to themselues also: where through they are prouoked to render to thee heartie thankes; thereby being inflamed, as well assuredly to hope well of thy good will towards them, and patiently to beare all euils as also to stude and labour to mortifiy the affections of the flesh: and to order all their whole life to the seruice of their brethren and to the setting foorth of thy glory.

This they know is that prayer [Page 52] which thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord commanded to be made to thee in the chamber, the doore being shut. In this kinde of prayer hee himselfe did watch often, euen all the whole night. Herein was Paul frequent as all the Saints be. This kinde of prayer is the true lifting vp of the mind to thee. This standeth in the affections of the heart, not in words and in the mouth. As thy children be endued with thy spirit, so frequent they this talke with thee. The more thy spirit is in them, the more are they in talke with thee. Oh giue me plentifully thy spirit, which thou hast promised to power out vpon all flesh, that thus I may with thy Saints talke with thee night and d [...]y, for thy onely beloued Sonnes sake, Iesus Christ our Lord Amen.

Moreouer, the Sain [...]s, to prouoke them to this kind of praier, do [Page 53] vse first their necessitie, which they consider in three sorts: inwardlie concerning their soules: outwardly concerning their bodies: and finally concerning their name and fame, whereto they adde the necessitie of those that be committed to them, the necessitie of thy Church, and of the common wealth.

Secondly, they vse thy commandements: which require them vnder paine of sinne, to pray to thee in all their need.

Thirdly, they vse the consideratiō of thy goodnesse, which art naturally mercifull to yong Rauens calling vpon thee: much more then, to them, for whom Rauens and all things else were m [...]de, for whom thou hast not spared thy deare sonne, but giuen him, &c.

Fourthly, they vse thy most sweet and free promises made, to heare and [Page 54] helpe all them that call vpon thee in Christs name.

Fifthly, they vse examples how that thou which art the God of all, and rich vnto all them that call vpon thee in Christs name▪ hast heard and holpen others calling vpon thee.

Sixtly, they vse the benefits giuen them before they asked, thereby not onely prouoking them to aske more, but also certifying their faith that if thou wast so good to grant them manie things vnaskt, now thou wilt not denie them any thing they aske, to thy glorie and their wealth

Last of all, they vse the reading and singing of Psalmes, and o [...]her good prayers, because they know that thereby peculiarly, besides the other Scriptures, there is no small helpe: as may appeare by Paul Ephes. [Page 55] 5. whereby he willeth the congregation to vse Psalmes Hymnes, and spirituall songs; but so that in the heart wee would sing and say them. Not that thy children doe not vse their tongues and words, in praying to thee: for they doe vse their tongues, speech, and words, to stirre vp their inward desire and feruencie of the mind, ful well knowing that else we were a plaine mo [...] king of thee, to pray with lips and tongues onely, Oh that I might feele now thy spirit so to affect mee, that both with heart and mouth, I might hartily and in faith pray vnto thee.

Now concerning the things that are to bee prayed for, thy children know that the prayer taught by thy Sonne most surely and plainly doth containe the same and therefore they often vse it; first asking of thee their [Page 56] heauēly father through Christ, that thy name might euery where be had in holinesse and praise: then that thy kingdome by regeneration and the ministery of the Gospel might come: & so thirdly, that willingly, perfectly and perpetually, they might study to doe, yea doe indeed, thy will with thy holy and heauenly Angels, and spirits. These things they seeke & pray for, namely, thy kingdome and thy righteousnesse, before any worldly benefit.

After which petitions, because all things, yea euen the benefits of this present life doe come from thee, they doe godly desire the same vnder the name of dayly bread, being instructed of thy wisdome, that after spirituall benefits to aske corporall, is not vnseemely vnto thy children: which know both spirituall and corporall to come from thy mercy.

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In the other petitions, they pray for things to bee taken from them; beginning with forgiuenesse of sins, which were impudently prayed for, if that their hearts were not so broken, that they could forgiue all things to all men. For their part, they adde their profession, that is Charitie, wherby they professe that they haue forgiuen all offences done to them.

Howbeit because it is not enough to haue pardō of that wh ch is past, except they be preserued from new offences, they pray thee, not to leade them into temptation by permitting them to the peruerse suggestions of Satan; but rather to deliuer them from his importunitie and power, vnderstanding Satan the author of all euill. Oh (deare God) that thou wouldest endue mee with thy spirit of grace and praier, with [Page 58] thy children accordingly, to make this prayer alwaies whensoeuer I doe pray.

As for outward euils, so long as they doe not (as it were) inforce thy people to sinne, in that christian perfection doth account thē amongst thy benefits: thy Son hath not taught thy Church to pray for the taking away of them, in their praier: for here he hath contained but those things, for the which al Christians generally and particularly may of faith pray at all times.

It often commeth to passe, that exterior euils because they bee not euils indeede, that is, they bee not against Gods grace in vs, therefore they cannot of faith be praied for, to be taken away: for thy children, that haue faith, doe alwaies preferre thy iudgement, before their owne. The which iudgement, when they know [Page 59] by that which hapneth to them, they submit themselues therto wholy: although the spirit make his vnspeakable gronings to helpe their infirmities by prayer, not to haue them taken away, but that they might haue strength and patience, to beare the burden accordingly. Which burden, if it bee to heauie in the bitter sense and feeling therof they in their praiers doe complaine something rather then pray to haue it taken away, as our Sauiour did in the garden, whē hee added to his complaint: Not my will, but thy will be done.

So doe thy people in al their complaints adde, not as wee will but as thou wilt. For they are taught by thy spirit, no otherwise to pray for the taking away of corporall euils, either from themselues, or from others, vnlesse they by the same spirit doe certainely see the same to [Page 60] make to thy glorie: as did thine Apostles & seruants, when absolutelie and without condition, they did aske health or miracle for any, when they healed or raised the dead by praier: for they knew nothing can be better then when it is according to thy will. Oh that I might alwaies know thy will in all things, and for euer apply my selfe thereto.

Hereof it commeth that thy saints and deere children, which loue their neighbours as themselues, doe yet notwithstāding in their praiers aske vengeanes of some (as wee may reade in the Psalmes of Dauid) because in praying and talking with thee, they see by thy holie spirit (for without it is no true prayer) sometimes thy iudgements vpon some, which they perceiue to sin to death, and therefore ought not to be praied for, because thy glorie cannot be set [Page 61] forth as it should bee, without their destruction.

Thy will is alwaies best, and the thing wherto they frame all their desires. Therefore, when they perceiue that it is decreed with thee, such & such by their destruction to set foorth more mightily thy glory, how should they but desire and pray for the same, and write as Dauid hath done, that the godly, in reading and weighing such prayers, might receiue cōfort, & the vngodly be afraid: else when that they perceiue not so manifestly the determined iudgement of God, they in their prayers doe most heartely pray for them, as Samuell did for Saul, Mo [...]s s for the Isralites, & Abraham for the Sodomites. O good Father, for thy mercies sake, giue mee the true loue of mankind: but yet so that I may loue man for thee, and in thee, and [Page 62] alwaies preferre thy glorie aboue all things, through Christ our Lord.

Now, though thy children doe know that thy will cannot but bee done, and nothing can be done, but that thou of thine owne will hast determined to doe, although no man should desire the same, yet are they earnest and frequent in praier: first, to render obedience to thee, which requirest prayer as a spirituall seruice to thee: secondly, because thou hast ordained praier to bee as an instrument and meane, by the which thou workest things with thee already decreed and determined.

Thy children doe vse praier, to offer thee their seruice, if it shall please thee to vse the same: and as they doe eat and drinke, which is a meane ordained of thee for the conseruation of their life, not looking thereby to [Page 63] lengthen their daies aboue their bonds which already thou hast appointed, but as it becommeth them, to vse the meanes, which thou hast ordained to serue thy prouidence: so doe they (as men herein not curious to know thy prouidence further then thou, reueilest it) vse prayer as a mean by the which thou art accustomed to worke many of thy childrens desires, that according to thy good will, thou maiest vse the same.

They doe not thinke a mutability in thee (for thou art God, and art not changed: with thee there is no variablenesse) and therfore they pray not as men which would haue thy determination and ordinances (which are in most wisdome and mercy) to bee altered, but rather that they might submit their wils to thine, and make them more able to beare thy will and pleasure.

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They know thou hast promised to help them calling vpon thee: wherfore they doubt not but so thou wilt doe, and therefore pray accordingly

They loue thee har [...]ely, and therefore they cannot but desire much to talke with thee, that is, to pray: euen as a wel mannered and louing wife will not take vpon her to aske any thing of her husband at al, but what she hope [...]h he will take in good part, & do of his owne f ee will, al [...]hough she had spoken nothing therof.

When she knoweth what her husbands will is in things, shee gladly talketh with him thereof, and according as shee seeth hee is disposed to doe, she wil often desire him to doe it. Euen so thy children (I say) which heartely loue thee, in that they know thy wisedome and will is best, how can they but often talke with thee, [Page 65] and desire thee to do that which they know is best? which they know also thou wouldest do; if none should aske or pray for the same.

Thy chi [...]dren vse prayer, as a meane, by th [...] which they see plainly thy power, thy presence, thy prouidence, mercy and goodnesse towards them in graunting their petitions, and by praier they are confirmed of them. Yea, thy children vse praier to admonish them, how that all things are in thy hands. In p [...]ayer they are (as it were) of thee put in minde of those things which they haue ione against thee, their good Lord By reason whereof repentance ens [...]eth, and they conceiue a purpose to liue mo [...]e purely euer afterward, and more hartily to app [...]y themselues to all innocencie and goodnesse.

Who now con [...]id [...]ring so man [...]e [Page 66] great commodities to come by reason of praier, would maruell why thy children are much in praier, and labouring to prouoke others therevnto. For as none that is a suter to any other, will vse any thing which might offend or hinder his sute: so no man that vseth praier will flatter himselfe in anie thing that should displease thee, to whom by praier he moueth sute, whensoeuer he praieth: so that nothing is a more prouocation to all kind of godlinesse then praier is.

As concerning outward things which thy childrē pray for, although they know thy will and decree is not variable, and thy purpose must needs come to passe, yet doe they receiue by their prayer no small commoditie. For either they obtaine their requests, or not. If they doe obtaine them: then proue they by experience [Page 67] that thou dost the will of them that feare thee and so they are more kindled to loue and serue thee. And indeed for this purpose thou art wont, when thou wilt doe good to any, to stir vp their minds to desire the same good of thee, to the end that both thou and thy gifts may bee so much the more magnified and set by of them, by how much they haue beene carnest suters and petitioners for the same. For how can it but inflame them with loue towards thee, to perceiue and feele thee so to care for them, heare them, and loue them?

If they doe not obtaine that they praie for, yet vndoubtedly they receiue great comfort, to see that the euils, which presse them and wherof they complaine still, doe not oppresse and ouercome them: and therefore they receiue strength to beare the [Page 68] same the better. O good father helpe me that I may heartily loue thee; complaine to thee in all my needs, & alwaies by praier to powre out my heart before thee. Amen.

Iohn Bradford.

A meditation vpon the Lords prayer.

Our Father.

THou good Lord, which madest heauen and earth, the sea and all that is therein,Exod. 1. together with thy dear [...]ly beloued sonne Iesus Christ, and with thy holy spirit; thou the same God which openedst thy self to Adam by thy promise:Gen. 3. Gen 12.22.23.24.25. Exod. 13.14 15. Exod. 19.20 thou the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob: then which broughtest thy people of Israel forth of Egypt with a mighty hād, & a stretched out power: thou which gauest the Law vpon Mount Sinai: [Page 69] thou which spakest by thy prophets, and last of all in these latter daies,Heb. 1 by the dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ, whom thou wouldest should be made a second Adam▪ that as by the first wee are children of wrath,1 Cor. 15. Rom. 5. carnall and full of concupis [...]ence; so by him we might bee made children of grace and spirituall by communicating with him in qualitie, merits, vertues and grace of his flesh through the operation of his holy sp [...]rit, as hee communicated wi h vs the substance of our flesh, in the wombe of the Virgin Mary, Ma [...]. 1. Luke 1. in the operation of the same holy spirit, beeing that blessed seede which was promised to Adam, Abraham, [...]saac, Iacob and Dauid, which should bruse the Serpents head,Gen. 3.12.26. [...]8. Psa [...] 89 2. Reg. 1 Luke 1. Psal. 110. which should bring the blessing on all Nations, which should raigne ouer his house for euer, and mightily ouercome [Page 70] thine and our enemies, as indeede he did by his incarnation, natiuitie,Rom. 8. circumcision, exile, baptisme, fasting, temptation, doctrine, miracles, watchings, agonies; bloudie prayer, passion, death, resurrection and ascension,Mat. 24. 2. Cor. 15. 2. Thes. 4. 2 Cor. 5. Exo. 31.33. Joel 3. Psal. 15. Gen. 6. and yet still so doth by his mediation and intercession for vs, and at the length will on all parts fully accomplish by his comming to iudgement, which will bee suddenly in the twinkling of an eye, with the blast of a trumpet, and shout of an Archangell, when hee shall bee seene with thousands of Saints, & innumerable thousands of Angels, all the whole world being on fire, & al the people that euer were are, or shall be, then standing before his tribunall, or iudgement seate, to render an account of that they haue done in this body, be it good or bad: Thou I say, this God which are [Page 71] holie, righteous, true, wise, pure, chast mighty, mercifull, good, gracious, an hater of sin, and a reuenger of vnrighteousnes, &cOur heart is by na [...]ure so corrupt & vnsercheably euill, that out of it springeth al wicked concupiscence, so that the inclination thereto is prone to euill euer from our bir h vp, & our mi [...]de and vnderstanding is so darkened that of our selues we cannot perceiue those things that [...]e of God a [...] is all the wisedome which we receiue from Adam na ural [...]y or othe [...]wise a [...]taine by labour or study before regenera [...]iō. wouldest that I, which am borne in sinne, and conceiued in iniquitie, which by nature am a child of wrath, and in whom dwelleth continuall enmitie against thee; that I which am nothing but sinne, and one that doth euil alwaies before thee, should call thee, and beleeue thee, this God and Father of our Lord & Sauiour Iesus Christ, to be in very deed my Father: that is thou wouldest I should be most assured that thou of thine owne good will which thou barest to mewards before I was, yea before the world was hast in Christ chosen mee to be thy childe, and through him art become my most louing Father, from whom I should looke for all good things, & be most certainly perswaded [Page 72] that lo [...]ke how much thou art more then a man, so much thy loue and fatherly prouidence, towards me, passeth the loue and prouidence of any Father towards his child, in louing mee, ca [...]ing how to helpe mee, prouiding for mee, nurturing mee, and he [...]ping me in all my needs. So certaine thou wouldest haue mee to bee of this, that to doubt of it doth most displease thee, and dishonour thee as though either thou were not true, or not able to doe these things, or else becamest not my father in respect of thine owne goodnesse in Christ only, but also in respect of my worthinesse and deserts.

Causes to comfort our f ith that God is our father.And that I should not wauer or doubt of this, that thou art my deare Father, and I thy childe for euer, through Iesus Christ, it is required in the first commandement, which saith: I am the Lord thy God, thou [Page 73] shalt haue none other Gods but me

Againe, thy sonne doth here command mee to call thee by the name of Father. Moreouer, in the f [...]rst article of my beleefe, I professe the same in saying: I beleeue in God the Father almighty. Besides this there are manie other things to confirme me herein: as the creation and gouernement of the world generally, and of euerie creature particularly: for all is made and kept for man, and so for me, to serue me for my commoditie, necessitie, and admonition. Again, the creation of me, in that thou hast made mee after thy image hauing a reasonable soule, body, shape, &c. where thou mightest haue made me a Toad, a serpent, a Swine, deformed, franticke, &c. Moreouer, thy wonderfull conseruation, nourishing and keeping of me hitherto in my infancy, childhood, youth, &c. All these [Page 74] (I say) should confirme my faith in thy fatherly loue.

But of all things, the opening of thy selfe by thy word and promise of grace made after mans fall, f [...]rst to Adam, then to Abraham, Isaac, Iacob and so to other, being published by the Prophets from time to time, and last of all accomplished by thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ, in whom thy promises are yea and Amen: the opening of thy selfe thus (I say) in and by Christ is the most chiefe and sure certificate, that thou art my Father for his sake: and I thy deare childe, although of my selfe I am most vnworthie. For thou, according to thy promises, hast not spared thy deare Son Iesus Christ, but giuen him to the death of the Crosse for my sinnes. Thou wouldest he should be made flesh of our flesh, and blood of our blood, in the wombe of the [Page 75] Virgin Ma [...]y, by the operation of thy holy spirit, that we by the working of the same spirit, through the merits of his flesh and blood, might be made flesh of his flesh, and blood of his blood: that is, as he hath the substance of our flesh and blood: euen so wee might haue and for euer enioy in him and through him the qualities, vertues and gifts o [...] righteousnesse, holinesse, innocencie▪ immortalitie, and glorie wherewith he hath endued our nature in his owne person for vs all: that as now in faith and hope we haue the same, so in his comming,Phil. 3, wee might fully enioy them in very deede: for then shall our bodies, now vile, bee like to his glorious bodie.

Heerein appeareth thy loue, not that we loued thee, but that thou louedst vs,1. John [...] and hast giuen thy Sonne for vs. Heerein doest thou commend [Page 76] vnto vs thy loue, that when wee were yet sinners, Christ thy deare Sonne died for vs:Rom. 5. so that nothing should seperate vs from the loue in Christ Iesus,Rom. 8. neither affliction, anguish, persecution, famine, neither life nor dea [...]h, &c. For when we were enemies,Rom. 5. wee were reconciled vnto thee by the death of thy Son, much more, we being reconciled, shall bee saued in his life.

And that I should not doubt heereof, but certainely be perswaded all this to pertaine to mee, where I might haue beene bo [...]ne of Turks and infidels, loe thou wouldest I should bee borne of Christian Parents,What Baptisme is and what it requireth. brought into thy Church by Baptisme, which is a Sacrament of adoption and requireth faith as well of remission of my sinnes, as of sanctification and holinesse, to bee wrought of thee in me by thy grace [Page 77] and holy spirit.

Where I might haue beene borne in an ignorant time & Region, thou wouldest I should bee borne in this time and Region, wherein is more knowledge reuealed, then euer was heere or many place is.

Where I might haue beene of a corrupt iudgement, and intangled with many errors; loe, thou of thy goodnesse, as thou hast reformed my iudgement, so dost thou keepe it, and now for the same iudgements sake, doest vouchsafe,What is the eff [...]ct or frui [...] that commeth of this certain perswasion, that God is our father. somewhat by the Crosse to try mee. By all which things I should con [...]rme my faith of this, that thou alwaies hast been, art, and wilt bee for euer my deare father.

In respect whereof as I should be certaine of saluation, & of the inheritance of heauen for euer: so should I be thankefull, cast my whole care [Page 78] on thee, trust to thee and call on thee, with comfort and certaine hope for all things that I want.

For in that thou hast giuen to me this benefit to bee thy child, vndeserued and vndesired on my behalfe, simply and onely in respect of thine owne goodnesse and grace in Christ, least at anie time I should doubt of it: how should I but hope certainely that nothing profitable to me can be denied, in that thy power is infinite? For as thy good will is declared in adopting me, so nothing can be finally wanting in mee, which may make for my weale, for then should not thy power be almighty: and therefore my beleefe requireth that I should beleeue in thee the father almightie.

In consideration wherof, I should in all things behaue my selfe as a child, reioice in thee, praise thee, trust in thee, feare thee, serue thee, loue [Page 79] thee, call vpon thee, &c.

But alas, how heauy hearted am I! How vnthankefull am I! How ful of vnbeleefe; and doubting of this thy rich mercy! How little do I loue thee, feare thee▪ call vpon thee. &c.

Oh be mercifull vnto mee, forgiue me good father for thine owne sake; and grant mee the spirit of thy children to reueale thy selfe vnto me, and Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne our Lord by whom wee are made thy children, that I may truely know thee, heartily loue thee, faithfully hang vpon thee in all my needs with good hope call vpō thee, tender faithfully this honor to thee, that thou art my God and Father, and I thy dear Child through thy grace in Christ, and so alwaies bee endued with an assured hope of thy goodnesse, and a faithfull obedient heart in all things to thy holy will.

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As thy hands and from thee, as I must looke for all things, so come I vnto thee, and pray the to giue me those things, which thy deare children haue, and thou requirest of me that I come and aske them of thee as now I do, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

As by this word (Father) I am taught to glorie of thee and in thee, and all that euer thou hast (for thou art wholy mine, my Lord, my God, my father): so by this word (Our) I am taught to glorie of all the good that all and euerie of thy seruants that euer were, are, or shall bee had, haue, or shall haue. For now I am taught to beleeue, that thou hast called mee into the communion of thy Church and people, whom hereby I perceiue thou hast commanded to be as carefull for mee, as for h [...]mselues, and in all their praiers [...]o bee [Page 81] as mindefull of me, as of themselues.

Againe as by this word (Father) I am taught to remember & render my duty I owe to thee-wards, faith, loue, feare, obedience, &c, so by this word (Our) I am taught my duety towards thy people, to be carefull of them, and to take their sorrow pouerty, afffiction, &c. as mine owne, and therefore to labour to helpe them in heart and hand after my vocation and ability, vtterly abhorring all pride, selfe-loue, arrogancy, and contempt of any.

By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament, and to reioyce. To lament, because I am so farre from consideration, much more from doing my duty to thy people, in thoughts, words, and deeds. To reioice, because I am called of thee, & placed in the blessed society of thy Saints, and made a member and [Page 82] citizen of the heauenly Ierusalem; & because thou hast giuen in commandement to all thy Church, to bee as carefull for mee as for themselues.

But alas how farre am I heerefrom? As I am guilty of vnthankfulnesse for this thy calling mee vnto the blessed communion of thy deare sonne and Church, yea of thy selfe: so am I guilty of selfe-loue, vnmercifulnesse, pride, arrogancy, forgetfulnesse, and contempt of thy children, for else I could not but be otherwise affected and otherwise labour then I doe.

Oh bee mercifull vnto mee, good Father: forgiue mee, and grant for Christes sake, that as my tongue soundeth this word Our, so I may in heart feele the true ioy of thy blessed communion, and the true loue and compassion which thy children haue and feele towards their brethren: [Page 83] that I may reioice in al troubles in respect of that ioifull communion: that I may deny my selfe to honour thy children vpon earth, and endeauour my selfe to doe them good for thy sake, through Iesus Christ our Lord, I come only to thee, to giue me that which I cannot, nor must not else where haue, and thou requirest it of mee, that therefore I should as thy childe, come and craue it to thy glory,

Which art in heauen.

AS by these words, Our Father, I am taught to glory and reioice for the blessed communion which I am called to, with thee, deare Father, with thy Christ, and wi [...]h the holy Church: so also am I heere taught by these words, Which art in heauen, to reioice in respect [Page 84] of the place and blessed ioyes whereunto at the length in thy good time I shall come. For now I may perceiue, that as heauen is thy home, so is it mine also, being (as I am) thy childe through Christ, although here for a time I am bodily on earth and in misery.

Againe by these words, which art in heauen, I am admonished not only to discerne thee from earthly Fathers, and to know how that thou art almighty, present in all places, and of most purity, to confirme thereby my faith, to bee prouoked the more to feare thee, to reuerence thee; &c. But also I am admonished to iudge of thy fatherly loue, by heauenly benefits, and not by corporall, simply & alonely. for oftentimes the wicked prosper more in the world, and haue more worldly benefites then thy children. So that by this I [Page 85] see, thou wouldest pull vp my minde from earth and earthly things, to Heauen and heauenly things, and that I should see further by corporall benefits, thy heauenly prouidence for mee. For if thou place mee thus on earth and thus blesse me as thou doest and hitherto hast done from my youth vp, in that thou art nothing so carefull for my body as for my soule: how should I but thinke much of thy prouidence, for it is thy home where is such glory as the eie hath not seene, &c Of which things these corporall benefits of thine giuen mee on earth, should bee (as it were) inductions, and the takng of them away, admonitions to bee more mindeful of permanent things, and lesse mindefull of transitorie things.

By reason hereof I haue great cause to lament, and to reioice. To [Page 86] lament, because I am so earthly minded, so little desirous of my home, so vnthankefull for thy prouidence and fatherly protection heere on earth.

To reioice, because of my home, and the great glorie thereof: because thou dost so prouide for me heere, because thou doest so correct and chasten me, &c. But alas, I am altogeather a wretch, earthly, and vnthankfull, not only for these corporall benefits, health, riches, friends, fame, wisedome, &c. for thy fatherly correction, sicknesse, temptation, &c. but also for thy heauenly benefits, for Christ Iesus, for the promise of thy spirit, for thy Gospell, &c. yea euen for heauen it selfe and thy whole glory, as the Israelites were for the land of Canaan,Psal. 106. and therefore neuer enioyed it, but perished in the wildernesse: I am proude in prosperitie [Page 87] and forget thee, waxing secure and careles. I am impatient in the crosse and to much consider worldly discommodities.

Oh deare Father, forgiue mee for thy Christs sake a [...]l mine vnthankefulnesse, loue of this world contempt, and obliuion of thy heauenly benefits, and grant mee thy holy spirit, to illuminate the eies of my minde with the light and liuely knowledge of thy presence, power, wisedome,Col. 3 [...]hil. 3. and goodnesse, in thy creatures but specially in Christ Iesus thy sonne, and so by the same spirit, inflame mine affections, that I may desire nothing in earth but thee, and to bee present with thee, that my conuersation may bee in Heauen continually, from whence grant mee still to looke for the Lord Iesus, to make this my vile body like vnto his owne glorious and immortall body, according [Page 88] to his own power, by which he is able to do all things. As thou hast giuen me to be thy childe: so I pray thee giue me these things which bee the properties of thy children, giuen from thee in thy good time.

Hallowed be thy name.

THy name is that whereby thou art knowne, for names serue to discerne and know one thing from another. Now though thou art knowne by creatures, yet is this our corrupt estate,Rom. 1, they serue but to make vs excuselesse. Therefore most properly, liuely and comfortably thou art knowne by thy holy word, and specially by thy promise of grace,Psalme 84.138. How Gods name is hallowed. and freely pardoning and receiuing vs into thy fauour, for Christ Iesus sake. For the which goodnesse in Christ thou art praised and mag [...]ified, according to thy name, that [Page 89] is so much as men know thee in Christ, they magnifie thee and praise thee, which here thou callest hallowing or sanctifying. For that thou art the more holy, not in respect of thy selfe, but in respect of men, who the more they know thee, the more they cānot but sanctifie thee, that is, they cannot but as in themselues by true faith, loue, feare, & spirituall seruice honour thee: so also in their outward behauiour and words, they cannot but liue in such sort,The chiefe desire of Gods children. as other seeing them, may in, and by their holinesse and godly conuersation, bee occasioned, as to know thee, so to sanctifie thy name accordingly: and therefore thou settest forth here vnto me, what is the chiefe and principall wish and desire of thy children and people, namely, that [...]hou in Christ mightest bee truely knowen and honoured, both of themselues and of [Page 90] other inwardly and outwardly: as by the contrary a man may easily perceiue,The greatest griefe of Go [...]s people. that the greatest sorrowe and griefe thy people haue, is ignorance of thee, false seruice or religion and wicked conuersation. Against the which they pray and labour diligently after their vocation; as they for the obtaining of the other, both to other, and to themselues, doe take no small paine in prayer, studie, and godly exercise.

By reason heereof I see, that I am farre from this desire and lamentation which is in thy children, I see mine ignorance of the true knowledge of thee and thy name: for else it had not needed thee so by thy word to haue reuealed thy selfe. I see also mine owne ignorance of the excellencie of the same:Our ignorance. for else wouldest thou not haue told mee, that the sāctifying of thy name is the chiefest [Page 91] thing thou requirest of euery man.

Againe, I see my great want of holinesse:Our great neede. for else thou needest not to teach me to seeke and pray for that I want not.

Moreouer, I see my great peruersity, which would not seeke at thy hands for sanctification, although I see my need thereof. For the which thou wouldest not haue commaunded mee to pray, if I seeing my want, would haue prayed vnto thee for the same.

Last of all,Gods loue. I see thy wonderfull goodnesse, which wilt vndoubtedly giue vnto me sanctification and holinesse: for thou wouldest not that I should aske for that thing, that thou wilt not giue mee.

So that I haue great cause to lament and reioyce. To lament, because I am so farre from this desire and lamentation which thy children [Page 92] haue also because of mine ignorance, pouerty, peruersity, vnthankfulnes, &c. But most of all, because thy holy name, word, and religion is so blasphemed both in doctrine, & in liuing of many, especially in this Realme.

To reioice I haue great cause, for thy exceeding goodnes and mercie, which wouldest so disclose thy selfe by thy workes, word and Gospell: which wouldest open these things thus vnto me and also giue vnto mee and others sanctification in thy sight by faith, and in the sight of men by purenesse of life, and godly conuersation. But alas, I doe hartely neither the one nor the other, that is, lament or reioice, as thou father which searchest my heart, dost right well know.

Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me, yea, giue me for thine owne pity, thy holy spirit to reueale and [Page 93] open to my minde effectually my miserable estate and condition, my ignorance, peruersity, & my carelesnesse for thy true honour and dishonour: in such sort, that I may hartily lament these euills, and haue them pardoned and taken from mee through Iesus Christ our Lord.

Againe, good father, giue mee the same thy holy spirit, to reueale to me thy name, word and Gospell, that I may liuely know thee, vnfainedly loue thee, heartily obey thee, and aboue all things desire and labour by all meanes lawfull that all godlines in doctrine and conuersation may bee exercised both in mee and all others, for whom thou wouldest I should pray.

Here think vpon the state of religion, & the life of the professors of the Gospel, that thou maist lament some, pray for some, and giue thankes for some.

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Let thy kingdome come.

Gods kingdom in respect of his power.THy kingdome is in two sorts to be considered: vniuersally and particularly, Vniuersally, according to thy power, wherwith thou gouernest all things euery where, in earth, Heauen, hell, diuels, Angels, men, beasts, fowles, fishes, and all other creatures.

Of this kingdome spake Dauid, when he said. This kingdome ruleth ouer all. Psal. 10 4. Particularly thy kingdome is to bee considered according to thy grace wherewith thou rainest only in thy Church and elect people,Gods kingdom in respect of his grace. ruling and gouerning all and euery member of thy Church, to thy glory and their eternall comfort. Not that out of this Church I exclude thy power, (for as therewith thou defendest thy people, so thou punishest [Page 95] thy enemies:) but because thy grace is specially considered, being (as it were) the very keeper that keepeth and guideth thy people.God [...] kingdome in respect of his glory

The time will be when this kingdome of grace and power, now being as distinct, shall be vnited and made one kingdome of glory: which will bee when Christ shall giue vp his kingdome into thyne hands, that is, in the resurrection, when death the last enemie shal be subdued, and thou shalt be all in all.

In the meane season,How Gods kingdome is here conside ed and enlarged. this kingdome of grace is miraculously and mightily propagated, enlarged, and gouerned by the true ministery of thy word and Sacraments through the working of thy holy spirit. And this is the meane and way whereby, as thou didst first plant, so doest thou enlarge, amplifie and preserue the same.

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This kingdome of grace begun, continued and enlarged by the true preaching of thy Gospell, and ministration of thy Sacraments is the thing which Christ teacheth here thy children to pray for, that it might come: that is to say that th [...] Gospel might so mightily, purely, and plenteously bee preached (maugre the head of all thine enemies) that the number of thine elect might bee brought in, and so the kingdome of thy glory might appeare. So that as I see thy children desire, pray, and labour that thy Gospell might bee truely preached, heard, and liued in themselues and in others: so they lament the not preaching and refusing, the not liuing and not beleeuing thy Gospell: yea, they lament the lingring of the comming of thy Christ: for in his comming they know they shall bee like vnto him, and hauing [Page 97] this hope, they purifie themselues as hee is pure. By reason heereof I see, first, that I am farre from this desire and lamenting which thy children haue, I see my ignorāce of thy kingdome and power euery where, also of thy grace in thy Church only, and of thy glory when all the enemies of thy grace shall bee cast downe, and thy glory and power shall embrace each other. I see my ignorance, how acceptable a seruice to thee is the true preaching, and the hearing of thy Gospel: for else thou hadst not needed to haue placed this petition next to the petition of the sanctifying of thy name.

Againe, I see heere mine vnablenesse to enter into thy kingdome, and to attaine to it: for else what neede should I haue to pray for that to come from thee, which otherwise may be atchieued?

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Thirdly, I see my peruersity and contempt of thy Kingdome & grace: for although I see my want,Our peruersity. yet I would not desire thy kingdome to come, if thou didest not command me so to pray: and if I would haue praied for it, thou wouldst not haue commaunded me.

Gods goodnesLast of all, I see thy goodnesse which wilt bring thy kingdome and that as generally, by sending foorth ministers to preach truly: so particularly, by regenerating me more & more, & by giuing me as grace here so glory else where: for thou wouldest not I should pray for that which thou wilt deny.

So that I haue great cause to lament and reioice. To lament, because of my miserable state and condi [...]ion, because of my sinne, ignorance, rebellion, peruersity, Sathans power, contempt of thy grace, thy [Page 99] Gospell, and ministery here or elsewhere. To reioice, because of thy goodnesse & great mercie which hast brought me into thy Church, keepest me in it, and wilt do so still: Also because of the ministery of thy word & sacraments by which the holy Ghost is and will be effectuall: and finally because of the great glory whereunto thou hast called mee, and which now thou wilt giue vnto mee asking the same.

But alas how vnthankeful I am and sorrowlesse, Lord thou knowest, for my heart is not hid from thee. Oh be mercifull vnto me and forgiue me good father, and graunt me the spirit of thy children, to reueale vnto mee my ignorance of thy kingdome, my pouerty and peruersity, that I may lament the same, and dayly labour for thy helpe and thy holy Spirite, to suppresse the kingdome of [Page 100] sinne in my selfe and others.

Againe, grant mee that same thy holy spirit to reueale to me thy kingdome of power, grace and glorie, to kindle mine affections, to regenerate me more and more, to raigne in me, as a peece of thy kingdome, to giue to me to desire to pray and to labour for thy kingdome both to my selfe and to others effectually to thy glory, and to assure my conscience of thy goodnesse that thou wilt giue mee grace and glorie. &c.

Heere cal to mind the state of the ministery and ministers, the light and life of Gospelers, the errors & heresies which men be intangled withall.

Thy will be done.

AS thy power is infinite, so is thy wisdome accordingly.

Whereby wee may perceiue that nothing is, or can bee done against [Page] thy power, or otherwise then by it, so is there not, nor cannot bee any thing done against, or otherwise, thou by thy omnipotent and secret will, which is alwaies (as thou art) good holy, & iust, how farre soeuer it seeme otherwise to our foolish reason and iudgement, and therfore heere we are taught to praie, that thy will may be done heere without sinne on mans behalfe, as it is on the Angels behalfe in heauen.

Againe, for as much as thou art incomprehensible of thy selfe as well concerning thy power, as concerning thy wisdome; we may not according thereto search thee, but rather adore and worship thy maiestie and tremble at thy iudgements and works, & therefore pray alwaies, wee may bee content with thy wil and be buxome and obedient thereto.

And for as much as thou hast reuealed [Page 102] vnto vs so much of thy wil in thy word written, as is necessary for vs in this life to know, yea, as wee can attaine vnto & a little further: wee ought to take all things done against the same, as sinne and transgression, although thou canst vse the same sinne, to serue thy prouidence: of the which prouidence we cannot, nor may not iudge further then thou hast and shalt open it vnto vs.

So that this petition, Thy will be done, is not simply to bee vnderstood concerning thy omnipotent will vnreuealed, against the which nothing is nor can be done, but rather concerning thy will reuealed in the lawe and Gospell,, the which thou heere teachest mee that wee should desire not only to know it, but also to doe it, and that in such perfection and willingnesse as it is in heauen. The which thing I perceiue hereby that [Page 103] thy children doe desire dayly in & for themselues and others, and doe lament the contrary,Psal. 109. in whom soeuer it be: so that often their eies gush our with riuers of teares, because me [...] keepe not thy lawes.

By reason hereof I see that I am far from the sighs and teares of thy people.Our ignorance. I see my ignorāce of thy will if thou hadst not opened the same by thine owne mouth I see my ignorance, how acceptable a seruice obedience to thy will is, and therfore doest thou place this petition among the first and continuall desires of thy children.

Againe, I see my pouerty in Godlie obedience,Our necessity. which had need to bee taught to pray for it, there by to signifie vnto me my want and vnability to attaine it but by thy gift.

Thirdly, I see my disobedience,Our disobedience. for else neuer wouldest thou haue [Page 104] commaunded mee to haue prayer for the doing of thy holy will, if I seeing my want, would haue prayed so.

Gods goodnes.Last of all, I see thy goodnesse, which wilt giue to me, and others to obey thy will that is, to loue thee with all our harts, to loue our neighbor as our selues, to dy to our selues, to liue to thee, to take vp our crosse, and to follow thee, to beleeue, to repent, &c. for else thou wouldst neuer haue bidden vs to praie for a thing which wee should not looke for.

So that I haue great cause to lament, and reioice. To lament, because of my miserable estate and condition, because of my sin, ignorance, pouerty, and peruersity: and because thy wil is euery where, either not known or contemned, an Satans will the wil of the world and of the flesh, readily obeyed.

To reioyce I haue great cause for [Page 150] that thou hast opened thy selfe & will vnto mankind for that also thou peculiarly hast taught me these things & because thou wilt grant me grace to doe the same. But alas, how vnthankfull I am, and how hard hearted, thou Lord dost know.

Oh be mercifull vnto me, and forgiue mee, I beseech thee, gracious God Grant mee thy holy spirit, to reueale to mee my ignorance of thy will, my pouerty and peruersity, that I may hartyly bewaile it, &c and by the helpe and working of the same spirit, may suppresse the will of the flesh Againe grant mee thy holy spirit to reueale to me thy will declared in thy Law and Gospel; that I may truly know the same, and inflame so my affections, that I may will and loue the same in such sort, that it may bee my meate and drinke to doe thy will.

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Here call to mind the ten cōmandements of God particularly or generally, what therein hee requireth, and pray for the same particularly as you see your need, and that not only for your self, but also for others.

Pray for patience to suffer what crosse soeuer God shal lay vpon you, and pray for them that be vnder the crosse, that they may be patient: pray for spiritual wisdome in euery c [...]osse peculiar or publike, that you may see and loue Gods will.

Giue vs this day, our daily bread.

BY Bread Bread. the foode of the body, are vnderstood all things necessary for this corporall life, as meate, drinke, health, successe in our vocation, &c,

By this word Giue, Giue. wee should vnderstand that not only spirituall things, but also corporall benefites [Page 107] are Gods free gifts, and come not for our worthines or trauel taken about the same, although our trauels be often times meanes, by the which God doth giue corporall things.

By dayly Daily. we vnderstand the contented mindes of thy children, with that which is sufficient for the presēt time as hauing hope in thee that they shall not want, but dayly shall receiue at thy hands plenty and inough of all things.

By this word Our Our. are as wel vnderstood publike bene [...]ts, as peace in the common weale, good Magistrates, good lawes, reasonable weather, &c. Also particular benefits namely children, health, succes in the workes of our vocation, &c. And besides this, by it we should see the care euen for corporall things which thy children haue for others, as well as for themselues.

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So that heere I may learne how farre I am from that I should bee, and that I see thy children are come vnto, I see my ignorance also how that, as spirituall things d [...]e come from thee, so doe temporall things, and as they come from thee, so are they conserued and kept of thee: and therefor [...] thy children are thankefull and looke for them as thy meer gifts, notwithstanding the meanes which they vse if they haue them: howbeit they vse them but as meanes, for except thou worke therewith, all is in vaine.

Againe, heere I am taught to be content with that which is sufficient for the present time, as thy children be, which haue the shortnesse of this life, alwaies before their eies: and therefore they aske but for daily sustenance, knowing this life to bee compared to a day, yea, a watch, a [Page 109] sound, a shadow, &c.

Moreouer I may learne to see the compassion and brotherly care which thy child [...]en haue one for another. Last of al, heere I may see thy goodnesse, which as thou wilt giue me all things necessarie for this life, (or else thou wouldest not bid me aske. &c.) so thou commandest all men to pray and care for mee, and that bodily, much more then, if they be able, they are commanded to helpe mee both in body and soule.

By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioyce. To lament, because I am not so affected as thy Children bee, because of my ignorance, my ingratitude, my peruersitie and contempt of all goodnes, and of the necessitie of thy people, which (alas) be in great misery, some in exile, some in prison, some in pouertie, sicknesse, &c.

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To reioice I haue geat cause, because of thy goodnesse in teaching mee these things, in commaunding mee to aske whatsoeuer I want, in giuing me so many thing [...] vnasked, in keeping the benefits giuen me, in commaunding men to care for me, to pray for mee, to helpe me, &c.

But alas, how far I am either frō true lamenting or reioycing, Lord thou knowest. Oh bee mercifull vnto me, and helpe mee, forgiue me and graunt mee thy holy spirit to reueale to me my neeed, ignorance, great ingratitude and contempt of thy mercies and thy people, and that in such sort, that I might heartily lament & bewaile my misery, and through thy goodnes be altered, with thy people to mourne for the miseries of thy children, as for mine owne.

Againe, reueale to mee thy goodnesse, deare father, euen in corporall [Page 111] things; that I may see thy mercy thy presence, power, wisedome, & righteousnes in euery creature and corporall benefite, and that in such sort, that I may bee throughly affected truly to reuerence, feare, loue, and obey thee, to hang vpon thee, to bee thankfull to thee, in all my neede to come vnto thee, not onlie when I haue ordinary meanes, by the which thou commonly workest, but also when I haue none, yea when all meanes and helps are cleane against me.

Heere remember the state of your children & family: also your parents, neighbors, kin [...]folks: also your friends, country, magistrates, &c. as you shall haue time thereto, and by Gods good spirit shall be prouoked.

Forgiue vs our debts, as we forgiue them that are debtors vnto vs.

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BY Our debts Debts. we vnderstand not onely the things wee haue done but the omission and leauing vndone of the good things wee ought to doe.

By Our Our. wee vnderstand not only the particular sinnes of one, but also generally of the sins of all and euery one of the Church.

By Forgiuenesse Forgiuenes. we vnderstand, free pardon and remission of sins, by the merits and deserts of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ, who gaue himselfe a ransome for vs.

By Our Forgiuing Our forgiuing. of other mens offences to vs ward, wee vnderstand thy good will, not onely that it pleaseth thee that wee should liue in loue and amitie, but also that thou wouldest haue vs to be certain of thy pardoning vs of our sinnes. For as certain as we are, that we pardon them that offend vs, so certaine should we [Page 113] be that thou doest pardon vs, wherof the forgiuing our trespasses i [...] as it were a sacrament vnto vs.

So that by this petition I am taught to see that thy children, although by imputation they be pure from sin, yet they acknowledge sin to be, and remaine in them, & therfore doe they pray for the remission and forgiuenesse of the same.

Againe, I am taught heereby to see how thy children do consider and take to heart, not only the euils they doe, but also the good they leaue vndone, and therefore they pray thee heartily for pardon.

Moreouer, I am here taught to see that thy children are carefull for other men, & for their trespasses, and therefore pray that they might bee pardoned in saying, our sinnes, and not my sinnes.

Besides this, I am taught heere [Page 114] to see how thy Children not onely forgiue all those that offend them, but also pray for the pardoning of the offences of their enemies, and such as offend them: So farre are they from malitiousnesse, pride, reuengement, &c.

Last of al, I am taught to see how mercifull thou art, which wi [...]t haue vs to aske pardon (whereof thou wouldest that we should in no point doubt but be most assured, that for Christs sake thou hearest vs) and that not only for our selues, but also for many others: for thou doest not command vs to aske for any thing which thou wilt not giue vs.

By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioice. To lament, because of my miserable estate which am so far from these affections that are in thy children, which am so ignorant and carelesse of sinne [Page 115] not only in leauing good vndone, bu [...] also in doing euill, and that daily, [...] thought, word and deed, &c. I speak not of my carelesnesse for other folk [...] sinnes, as of my parents, children, family, magistrates, &c. nei [...]her of the sins of them, to whom I haue giuen occasion to sin.

To reioice I haue great cause, because of thy mercy in opening to me these things, in com [...]anding me to pray for pardon in promising mee pardon, and commanding others to pray for me. And surely I ought to be perswaded of thy mercy, though my sinnes be innumerable: for I see not onely in this, but in euery petition, how that euery, one of the church praieth for mee, yea Christ thy sonne, who sitteth on thy right hand, prayeth for me, &c.

O deare father be mercifull vnto me, and forgiue me all my sins, and [Page 116] of thy goodnesse giue mee thy holy spirit to open mine eies, that I may see sinne, the better to know it, the more truely to hate it, and most earnestly to striue against it, and that effectually both in my selfe and others.

Againe, grant me the same thy holy spirit, to reueale vnto me the remedy of sinne, by Christ onely, and to worke in me faith to imbrace the same by Christ, and thy mercies in him, that I may henceforth be endued with thy holy spirit, to beginne to obey thy good will more and more, and to encrease in the same for euer.

Here call to mind the speciall sins you haue committed heretofore. Remember if you haue occasioned any to sinne, to pray for them by name. Remember that Gods law should be so deare vnto vs, that the breaking thereof in others, should be [Page] an occasion to make vs to lament with teares, &c.

Lead vs not into temptation.

BEcause of our continuall & great infirmities, because of the great diligence and subtilties of our enemies: and because thou art wont to punish sinne with sinne (which of all punishments is the greatest and most to bee feared) in this petition thou wouldest haue thy children to haue the same in remembrance, and for a remedy hereof thou hast appoinetd praier, so that the only cause why any are ouercome and led in [...]o temptation, is for that they forg [...]t what they desire in the p [...]tition going before this, which should neuer bee out of their memory, to prouoke them to bee more thankefull to thee, and more vigilant and heedy hereafter for falling into the like perils. [Page 118] For which to bee auoided thou dost most graciousl [...] set forth a remedy in commaunding vs to pray after pardon for our sinnes past, and for thy grace to guide vs, so that we be not led into temptation, but might be deliuered from euill And because thou wouldest haue all thy children to hang wholy vpon thee, to feare thee onely, and only to loue thee▪ thou dost not teach them to pray: suffer vs not to be led, but lende vs not into temptation, that (I say) the [...] might only feare thee, and certainely know that Satan hath no power ouer so much as a pigge, but whatsoeuer thou giuest vnto him and of thy secret, but most iust iudgement doest appoint him to vse, not as hee will (for then wee are all lost) but as thou wilt which canst will nothing, but that which is most iust as to giue them to the guiding of Satan, which wil [Page 119] not bee guided be thy grace, as thou didest Saul, &c.

Occasions to euill are in two sorts:Occasions to euill in two sorts. loue by prosperity and suckcesse: another by aduersity, and the crosse, &c. The euils eomming of successe commonly are vnthankfulnesse, pride, security, and forgetting of our selues, forgetting of others, forgetfulnesse of God, of our mortallity &c. The euills comming of aduersity, commonl [...] are impatiency,VVhat tentation [...] are to the godly and what they are to the wicked. murmuring, grudging despairing▪ con [...]entning of God, slattering of man stealing, lying, with many other euills, whereto tentations will entice a man that is left to himselfe: whereas to one that is guided with Gods spirit, temp [...]ations are but trialls to the glory of God, comfort of the tempted, and edif [...]ing of the Church But (as I said) if a man bee left alone, temptations entice euen to [Page 120] the diuel himselfe: and therefore thy Children pray to bee deliuered from euill, vnderstanding thereby Satan himselfe, the sower and supporter of all euill. And this thy children doe aswell for others as for themselues. So that I may learne hereby many good things. First, to remember often our infirmity, and weakenesse, & the dangerous estate wee stand in, in respect of our flesh, of the world which is full of euill, of Sathan which seeketh to fift vs, and as a roaring Lion to destroy vs, and of our sinnes which deserue all kind of punishments and correction, that I might with thy children feare thee watch pray, and desire the day of redemption and deliuerance from all euils.

Againe, I may learne heere that to auoid all dangers and euils, is not in the power of man, but onely [Page 121] thy worke. By reason whereof, I should consider thy great goodnesse which hitherto hast kept me from so many euils, both of soule and body, yea of name, goods, &c. as thou hast done in my infancy, childhood, youth, middle age, &c.

Thirdly, I may learne heere that I should be carefull for others, both that they might bee deliuered from their euils, and that they might bee preserued from temptation and from being ouercome in the same, & therfore thou teachest me not to pray, Deliuer me from euill, simply, but D [...]liuer vs from euill.

Last of all, I am taught hereby to see thy goodnes towards me which wilt deliuer me from euill, and from being ouercome in temptations, for thou wouldest not haue me aske for that which I should not certainly looke for at thy hands. By reason [Page 122] whereof thou wouldest haue mee to bee in a certainty of my saluation for euer. For else I cannot belieue my p [...]aier to be heard, if that f [...]nally I should not bee deliuered from euill: and therfore thou ioinest here to a giuing of thankes, which with thy Church I should say For thine is the kingdom, thine is the power, thine is the glory for euer.

By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament, and to reioice. To lament because of my corruption, infirmity, weakenesse, obliuion, and carelesnesse for thy people, ingratitude &c. because of Satans power, vigilance and prudency, which hath ouercome most graue wise, and holy men whereof some neuer recouered: as Cain, Chā, Achitopel, Saul, Iud [...]s &c. To reioice because of thy good, nes, which teachest mee this, and shewest mee the remedy, commaundest [Page 123] all thy Church to pray for mee, and will at length deliuer mee from all euill, and giue mee glory. But alas, I am altogeather carelesse and miserable. O bee mercifull vnto me deare Father, & for Christs sake forgiue mee all my sinnes: grant mee thy holy sp [...]rit to reueale to mee mine infirmities, weakenes, perills, dangers &c in such sort, that as I may heartily lament my miseries, so I may aske and obtaine thy grace to guide me from all euill for euermore.

Againe grant mee the same thy holy spirit to reueale to mee thy loue and kindnesse towards me (and that in eternity) in such sort that I may be throughly perswaded of the same become thankefull vnto thee, & daily expect and looke for the reuelation of thy kingdome, power and glory, as one that for euer shall haue the fruition of the same, through thine own [Page 124] goodnes and mercy in Christ, prepared for me before the beginning and foundation of the world was laid.

Here call to mind our security, Sathans vigilancy, our negligence, his diligence, our infirmity, his aility, our ignorance, his craft and subtlety, &c.

Againe, call to mind, how that hee hath ouerthrowne for a time many of the deare Saints of God, to whom we are to be compared in nothing as Adam, [...], Lot, Iudas, Th [...]mar, M [...]ses, Aaron, M ri n, Samsan, G [...]deon, Eli, Dauid, Salomon, Ezechias, Iosias, Peter, Thmas, and innumerable moe.

Also call to mind the goodnesse of God, and of our shepheard Christ, which hath kept vs hitherto, keepeth vs still, and teacheth vs here to know that hee will keepe vs for euer: for hee would not haue vs aske for deliuerance from euil, if that he would not [Page 125] we should certainely looke for the same. If thou doubt of finall perseuerance, thou dishonorest God. Be certaine therefore, rest in hope, be still in his word. See also how he hath commanded his whole Church, and euery member thereof, to pray for thee as well as for themselues, in these & all other things.

Now and then goe about to reckon how many and diuers kinds of euils there bee, and thereby as you may know you are deliuered frō n [...]ne but by Gods great goodnes: so may you see that the number of euils that you haue, are nothing to be compared to the multitude of euils, wherewith if your Christ were not, the diuel would al to betray you, insect & corrupt you.

But what are all the miseries and euils that can be, to be compared to the least ioy prepared for vs in heaue. O thinke of these ioies, and pray [Page 126] that when the tide of death commeth we may haile forth of the hauen of this flesh, and this world ioyfully.

In praying this petition, call to mind the euils you haue been in, the euils you are in, & the euils you may fall into, if God should not preseue you, that you might be stirred vp the more to thankfulnes, to praier, and to trust in God.

For thine is the kingdome, thine is the power, thine is the glory, for euer.

AS in the beginning of this praier, by these words (Our Father which art in heauen) thy children are excited & stirred vp to a ful confidēce of obtaining the petitions following & all things necessary: so in the later end thou hast added for the same purpose these words (For thine is the kingdom, thine is, &c.) wherin I am [Page 127] taught these many things. First that in praier I should haue such consideration of thy kingdome, power, glory and eternity, that my minde should be stricken with an admiration of the same. Secondly, that I should so consider them, especially in praier that I should not doubt, but that thou workest, rulest, and gouernest althings euery where, in al persons and creatures most wisely, iustly, and mercifully. Thirdly, that in praier all my petitions should tend to the setting forth of thy power, of thy kingdome, and of thy glory.

Last of all that in praier I should in no wise doubt of being heard but be assured that thou which hast commanded me to pray, and hast promised to heare me, doest most graciously for thy mercies sake, and truthes sake heare my petitions, according to thy good wil, throgh Iesus Christ [Page 128] thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour.

By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioyce. To lament, because I consider not these things in praier, in such sort as should moue mee to admiration, and gratitude: because I consider not thy power and wisedom generally in all things, because I am so careles for thy kingdome, & because I am so full of dubitation and doubting of thy goodnesse. To reioyce I haue great cause, because thou reuealest these things vnto me in this sort: because of thy power, kingdom, and glory which maketh to the bearing of my praiers, and helping of mee: because thou wilt vse me as thine instrument to set foorth thy kingdome, power and glory, and because it pleaseth thee to heare my praiers, and assuredly wilt saue me for euer.

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But alas how far am I from these lamentings and reioycing [...]? By reason whereof I deserue damnation O bee mercifull vnto mee, and forgiue me, and of thy goodnesse grant me thy holy spirit, to reuea [...]e to me my blindnes, obliuion & contempt of thy kingdome, power and glory, with the greatnes of my doubtings, that as I may hartily lament them, so haue them pardoned and taken from me through the merits of [...]esus Christ thy sonne

Againe, giue me thy holy spirit to reueale to mee in such sort thy kingdom, power, glory and eternity, tha [...] I may alwaies haue the some before mine eyes, be moued with the admiration the [...]eof, labour effectually to set forth the same: and finall [...], as to haue the fruition thereof after this life, so to encrease in an assured, certaine, and liuely expectation of the [Page 130] same, that I may alwaies and in all things reioyce in thee through Christ, and giue landes, thanks and praises perpetuall, vnto thy most holy name; Oh blessed Father, Sonne and holy Ghost, three persons, and one God, to whom bee all honour and glorie, world without end.

Here thi [...]ke that if the kingdome, power, glory and eternity be Gods, which is our f [...]ther, what our dignity is which be his children. If the power be our Fathers of whom should wee be afraid? Let the diuell be subiect to the Lords power and kingdome (as he is) how can the subiect haue power ouer vs which be sonnes and heires in that he hath not power ouer porkets, without the prouidence and permissiō of God? Therfore full well should wee pray, Lead vs not into temptatiō, rather then, let vs not be led into temptatiō, for [Page 131] power is the Lords, & the Diuel hath none, but that he hath of Gods gift. No, he were notable to receiue power if God did not make him able, althogh the execution of it is rather of God [...] permission.

Giue all thank [...]s, praise and glory to God our Father through Christ our Lord and Sauiour. So bee it. IOHN BRADFORD.

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Priuate prayers for the morning and Euening, and for other times of the day. When you awake out of your sleepe pray thus.

MOst mercifull God and Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, I most humbly thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen mee this night past: beseeching thee that like as thou hast now awaked my body from sleepe, so thou wouldest awake my soule from the sleepe of sinne, and darkenesse of this world, and that which thou now awaked out of sleep, thou wouldest after death (whereof this sleepe is but an image) restore and raise aga ne to life euerlasting. O gratious God [Page 133] make my body I heartily pray thee, such a companion, or rather a minister of godlinesse to my soule this day, and all the time of this present life, that in the life [...]o comit may be partaker with the same of euerlasting happines, through Christ Iesus our Lord.

Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shew light vnto thee, Ephes. 5.

Occas [...]ons to meditate.

Here call to mind the great mirth and blessednesse of the euerlasting resurrection. Also remember to muse vpon that most cleer light, that bright morning & new clearenes of our bodies after the long darken [...]sse, which they haue been in. All then shall bee full of vnspeakable ioy and felicity.

When you behold the day light pray.

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O Lord God, thou most glorious & true light, from whence this light of the day and sun doth spring and shine vnto vs: O light which lightenest euery man that commeth into this world: O light which knowest no night nor euening, but art alway a mid day most cleare and faire: without whom all is most horrible darkenes, and by whom all things are most cleare and bright. O thou wisedome of the eternall Father of mercies lighten my minde that I may see those things onely which please thee, and may be blinded to all other things. Grant mee so to walke in the waies by the light of thy holy word, that nothing else may be light and pleasant vnto mee.

Lighten mine eies, O Lord, that I sleepe not in death, least mine enemies say I haue preuailed against him. Psal 30.

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Occasions to meditate.

Muse a while how much the light and eye of the mind and soule is better then of the body. Also how much more we ought to care for the soule that it may see well th [...]n for the body. Morouer, that beasts haue bodily eies as well as men, but men only haue the eies of the mind, and that such, as are godly wise.

When you arise pray.

OUR f rst parents cast downe themselues from a most excellent high an [...] honourable state into shame and misery, and into the deepe sea of all wickednes and mischiefe: but O Christ, thou p [...]tting forth thy hand didst raise them vp againe. Euen so wee except we be raised vp by thee, shall he still for euer. O good Christ, our most gracious Redeemer, as thou dost mercifully raise [Page 136] vp now this my body, euen so I beseech thee raise vp my minde & heart to the true knowledge and loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art.

If thou be ris n with Christ, think vpon those things that be aboue, Co. 3

Occasions to meditate.

Thinke how foule the fa [...]l of Adam was by reason of sinne, and so of euery one of vs from the height of Gods grace. Again, thinke vpon the inestimable benefit of Christ, by whose help we daily rise again from our fallings.

When you apparell your selfe, pray.

O Christ cloath mee with thine owne selfe, that I may be so far from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof, that I may [Page 137] cleane put off all desi [...]es, and crucifie the king ome of the flesh in me. Be thou vnto mee a g [...]rment to keepe me warme and to defend mee from the cold of this world If thou bee absent (deare Lord) all things are cold, weake and dead, but if thou be with me all t [...]ings are warme, fresh and cherefull &c. Grant me therfore that as I compasse this my body with this garment: so thou wouldest cloth me wholy (but especially my soule) with thine owne selfe.

Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercy, meeknesse, loue peace, &c. Col 3.

Occasions to meditate.

Call to mind a little how wee are incorporate into Christ. Again, how he doth cloath vs, gouerne and nourish vs, & vnder his wings, protection and prouidence preserueth vs.

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When you are made ready to begin the day withall pray

O Almighty God and most mercifull Father, thou knowest and hast taught vs also something to know that the weakenes [...]e of man and woman is great, and that with out thy grace they can neither doe nor think any good thing Have mercy vpon mee I humbly beseech thee, thy most weake, fraile & vnworthie child▪ lighten my minde that I may with pleasure look vpon good things only. Inflame my loue with the heat thereof, that I may carefully couet them, and at the last by thy gracious conducting may happily attaine thē, throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. I distrusting altogether mine owne weaknes, comm [...]nd & offer my selfe both soule and body into thy hands.

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Thy louing spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousnes.

Cogitations meet to begin the day withall.

Think first that man consisteth of soule & body, & that the soule is from heauen heauenly, firm & immortall, but the body is from the earth earthly fraile [...]d mortall.

Again, think that though by reason of sinne wherein ye are conceiued and borne, the parts of the soule which do vnderstand and d [...]sire, b [...] so corrupt that without speciall grace to both parts, you can neither know nor loue any good thing in Gods sight, much lesse then do that is good, yet this notwithstanding, think that you are regenerate by Christs resurrection (which your Baptisme requireth you to beleeue) and therefore haue both those [Page 140] parts some thing reformed both to know and to loue, and therefore to doe also some good in the sight of God through Christ, for whose sake our poore doings are accepted for good, the euill and infirmity cleauing thereunto, not being imputed throgh faith.

Thinke that by faith, which is Gods seede (for they which beleeue are borne of GOD, and made Go [...]'s children) giu [...]n to those that be ordained to eternall life: thinke, (I say) that by faith you receiue more and more the spirit of sanctification, through the vse of Gods word and Sacraments, and earnest praier, to illuminate your mind, vnderstanding, i [...]dgement, and reason. and to bow, forme, frame and inflame your affections with loue and power to do that which is good, and therefore vse you the meanes aforesaid accordingly.

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Thinke that by this spirit, you are through faith coupled to Christ, as a liu [...]ly memb [...]r, and so to God, & (as it were) made one with him: and by loue, which springeth our of this faith, you are made one also with al that be of God, and so you haue fellowshippë with GOD and all good men that euer we [...]e or shall be, in all the good that God and all his Saints haue, or shall haue

Thinke that as by faith and loue through the spirit of GOD, you are now entred into his Communion (the blessednes wherof no tongue can expresse) to after this life, you shall first in soule, and in the last day in body also enioy for euer the same society most perfectly, which now is but begun in you.

Thinke then of your negligence, that do so little care for this your happy estate.

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Thinke vpon your ingratitude to God, for making you, redeeming you, calling you, and so louingly adopting you.

Thinke vpon your folly in f [...]ntasing so much earthly and bodily pleasures.

Think vpon your deafnes & blindnes which hear not God, no see him hee calling you so d [...]ligently by his works, word and Sacraments.

Think vpon your frowardnes which will not be lead of God and his spirit.

Think vpon your forgetfulnes and in consideration of your heauenly estate, how your body is the temple of the holy Ghost, your mēbers are the members of Christ, the whole world, and all things therein are your owne. Therefore lay vnto your soule, O my soule arise, follow God, contemne this world, purpose well and pursue it, long for the Lords comming, be ready and watch that he come not vpon th [...]e vnwares. [Page 140] And forasmuch as you must liue to Gods pleasure, see the vocation & state of your life wherunto God hath called you, and pray to God for grace knowledge, and ability, to make the most profitable things in hand, wel to begin better to goe on, and best of all to end the same to Gods glory, & to the profit of your brethren, and think that time lost wherein you spe [...]k not or doe not, or at least think not somthing to Gods glory, and the commodity of your brethren.

When you goe forth of the dores, pray.

NOw must I walke among the snares of death stretched out of Satan, & of his mischieuous ministers in the world, carrying with mee a friend to them both, and a foe to my selfe, euen this body of sinne [Page 144] and sinnefull flesh, Oh graund Captaine Christ, leade me and guide mee I beseech thee, defend mee from the plagues & subtilties, whereof I am in danger Grant that I may take all things that happen, as I should doe, and setting mine eies vpon thee onely, I may so goe on forward in thy waies, as by nothing I be hindered, but rather furthered, so that al my doings may intend to thy glory.

Shew me thy waies, (O Lord) and teach me thy paths. Psal 25.

Occasions to meditate.

Consider how vainely the most part of men are occupied: how many waies they trouble and cumber thē selues, thereby much alienating their minds from the knowle [...]ge and cogitation of that which they should most esteeme, and so become a let and an offence to others, As in going [Page 145] abroad,Ioh. 6 [...] Ioh. 4. you will see that your apparell be seem [...]y in the sight of men: so see how seemely you appeare in the sight of God.

When you are going any iourny, pray.

THis o [...]r life is a pilgrimage. From the Lord we came, and to the Lord wee make our iorney: howbeit through dangerous and perilous waies which our cruel enemies haue and doe prepare for vs, being now more then stark blinde by reason of sinne. O Christ which art a most true loads-man and guide; and also most expert, faithfull, and friendly, put thou out thine hand, open mine eies, make thy high way knowne vnto mee, which thou diddest first enter into, out of this corruptible life, and hast prepared the same for vs to immortality. Thou [Page 146] art the way, lead vs vnto the father by thy selfe that all we may be one with him, as thou and he together be one.

Shew mee the way that I should walk in, for I lift vp my soule▪ vnto thee. Psal. 124.

Or pray thus.

MErciful father, thou art wont to send to thy seruants & men of simple hearts, thine Angels to bee their keepers, & (as it were) guides as elder brothers to watch vpon thy weake children: so diddest thou to yong Tobias, to Iacob, to Abrahams seruant, to Iosua, &c. O gracious GOD, though we be much vnlike vnto them, so many are our sins, yet for thine owne, goodnesse sake, send thine holy Angels to pitch their tents about vs, to hide vs and defend vs from Satan & his slaues, [Page 147] to carry vs in their hands, that we come not into further danger, that thou wilt deliuer vs out of, for thine owne sake.

His Angels are ministers for them that are heires of saluation. Heb. 1.

Satan sleepeth not, but seeketh alwaies to destroy vs. 1. Pet. 5.

Occasions to meditate.

Thinke something how wee are strangers from our Country, from our home, from our originall, I mean from God. Againe, thinke vpon our madnesse, that doe linger and loiter so gladly in this our iourney and pilgrimage, also how foolish we are to fantasie things which we cannot carry with vs, and to condemne conscience, which will alwaies be a companion to vs, to our ioy, if it be good, but to our shame and sorrow, if it be euill and corrupt. Finally, how vnnatural [Page 148] we are, which so little desire to be at our home, to be with our only father, master, fellowes and friends.

When you are about to receiue your meat, p [...]ay thus.

THis is a wonderfull mistery of thy worke (O maker and gouernour of the world) that thou doest sustaine the liues of men and beasts with these meates. Surely this pouer is neither in the bread nor food, but in thy will and word, by which word al things do liue & haue their being. Again, how great a thing is it that thou art able continually to giue sustenance to so many creaturs? This is spoken of by the Prophet in setting forth thy praises: All things looke vp to thee, Psal. 55. and thou giuest them meat in due season, thou openest thy hand, and fil [...]est with thy blessing euery liuing thing.

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These doubtlesse are wonderfull workes of thine almightinesse. I therefore heartily pray thee (O most liberall Lord and faithfull Father) that as thou by meate, through thy word doest minister life to these our bodies; euen so by the same word with thy grace thou wouldest quicken our soules, that both in soule and body we may please thee, till this our mortall carcase shall put on immortality, and wee shall need no more any further foode, but thee only, which then will be al in all.

Taste and see how good the Lord is. Psal. 14.

Blesse the Lord (O my soule) which seedeth and filleth my mouth with good things. Psal. 103.

Occasions to meditate.

Think a litle how great Gods power is that made vs. Also thinke how [Page 150] great his wisedome is to preserue vs. But most of all, thinke how many things are giuen to our vse, how wonderfull it is to giue vs life, but most of all to propagate and aduance to immortality the life of the soule by his onely be [...]ke. Last of all, thinke that God by his prouidence for thy body, would haue thee to confirm thy faith of his prouidence likewise for thy soule.

In the meane time pray.

O Most liberall distributer of thy gifts which giuest vs all kind of good things to vse, and beeing pure giuest pure things, being holy giuest holy things: grant to vs grace, that wee misuse not these the gracious gifts giuen to our vse and profit. Let vs not delight in the things, but let vs delight in thee from whom they come, as necessarie [Page 151] for vs for a season till we come vnto thee Grant vs to be conuersant amōgst thy gifts, soverly pu [...]ely, temperatly and holily, because thou art so. Then shall we not turne that so the poison of our soules, which thou hast giuen for the medicine of our bodies: but vsing thy benefits thankfully, we shall find them profitable both in soule and body.

Occasions to meditate.

Thinke that the meats and drinke set before you, are giuen you to vse, and not to ab se. Think that they are giuen to profit, and n [...]t to hurt you: Thinke that they are not giuen to you alone, but vnto others al o by you. In eating and drinking, thinke that you doe but feed the worme [...]. Remember the poore prisoners the sick, the afflicted, &c. as though you were in their case.

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Thinke vpon the food of your soule, Christs body broken, and bloud shed: desire the meat that lasteth for euer; labor for it: Christs meat was to doe his Fathers will.

After your meat, pray.

BY corporall meates thou doest sustaine our corporall daily life, ready otherwise to perish. The which surely is a great worke: but yet this is much greater, more profitable, and more holy, that thy grace (O Iesus Christ) doth preserue vs from the death of the soule. For this life wee ought much to thanke thee: and because thou doest prolong it with thy good gifts, we most heartily praise thee. Howbeit this life is but the way to eternall life, which we beseech thee for thy deaths sake that thou wilt giue vs▪ and so shall wee not only giue thee (as we may) [Page 153] thankes for a time for temporall things: but also eternall thanks for eternall things. O grant to vs these our desires for thy mercies sake, Amen.

Occasions to meditate.

Thinke now that God hath giue [...] thee this his blessing of food & sustenance, and thereto time that thou mightest, repent [...] so seeke his glory, and the commodity of thy brethren, therefore goe thereabouts: but first pray for grace well to beginne. Again, consider now thou hast been partaker of others mens labours, as of the husbandmans, the Milners, the Bakers, the Bruers, the Butchers, the Cookes &c. See therefore that thou be not as a drone bee, but rather such a one as may helpe th [...] hiue. If God haue thus fed thy body which he loueth not, but for thy soules sake: how can it bee [Page 154] then, but that he will be much more ready [...]o feed the soule: therfore take a courage to thee, and go to him for grace accordingly.

Cogitations for about the midday.

As thy body is now compassed on eu [...]y side with light, so see that thy mi [...]d [...]ay be also. As God giueth th e th [...]s plentifully this corpo all light, so pray hi [...] th [...]t he wil giue thee the spirituall light. Think that as the sun is now mo [...]t cleare, so shall our bodies be in the day of iudgement. As now the sun is come to the highest, and therefore will begin to draw downeward: so is there nothing in the world so perfect and glorious, which when it is at the full, will not decrease and so weare away.

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When you come home againe, pray.

THere is nothing (O Lord) more like to thy holy nature, than a quiet mind. Thou hast called vs out of the troublesome disquietnesse of the world, into that thy quiet rest and peace, which the world cannot give, being such a peace as passeth mens vnderstanding. Houses are ordained for vs, that therby we might be defended from the iniury of the weather, from cruelty of beasts, frō disquietnes of people and rest from toiles of the world. O gracious father, grant that through thy great mercy my body may enter into this house from outward actions, but so that it may become buxome and obedient to the soule, and make no resistance against the same, that in seule and body I may haue a godly & [Page 156] quietnes and peace to praise thy holy name, Amen.

Peace be to this house, and to all that dwell in the same. Matth. 10.

Occasions to meditate.

Think what a return, and how mer [...]e a returne it will bee, to come to our ete [...]nall, most quiet, and most happy home: then will all griefe and sorrow cease. Whatsoeuer here is pleasant and ioyfull the same is nothing but a very shadow in comparison of that which is to come.

At the Sunne going downe pray.

HOw vnhappy are they, (O Lord) from whom thy Sunne goeth downe, and giueth no light; I meane thy grace, which is alwaies cleare as the mid day? Darke night vnto them is the mid-day, which depart [Page 157] from thee. In thee is neuer night, but alwaies day light most cleare. This corporall sin hath his courses now vp, now downe; but thou deare Lord, if we loue thee, art alwaies one. O that this block and vaile of sin were taken away from mee that there might bee alwaies cleere day in my minde.

Occasions to meditate.

Think that as we are not sorie whē the Sun goeth downe, because wee know it shall rise againe:Thi [...] is ment of the bloody time of Queene Mary. euen so we should not sorrow for death, where through the soule and body do part a sunder: for they shal eftsoones returne, and come together againe in most glorious wise. So long as the Sunne is vp, wilde beasts keep their dennes, foxes their burrowes, owles their holes, &c. But when the Sun is downe, then come they abroad; so [Page 158] wicked men & hypocrites keepe their dennes in the time of the Gospell, but it being taken away, then swarm they out of their holes like bees, as this day doth reach.

When the Candles bee light, pray.

MOst thicke and darke cloudes doe couer our minds, except thy light (O Lord) doe driue them away. Thy sunne (O most wise worker) is as it were a firebrand to this world. Thy kingdome whereby light commeth both to the soule and body, is a firebrand to the spirituall world. After day, when the night cometh, thou hast giuen for the remedy of darknes a candle. After sinne; for the remedy of ignorance thou hast giuen thy doctrine, which thy deare sonne hath brought vnto vs. O thou that art the author and [Page 159] master of al truth and the true light make vs to see, that the dimnes of our minds may be driuen cleane away.

Lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs, and send vs ioy and gladnesse into our hearts. Psal. 4.

Thy word is a lanterne to my feet, and a light vnto my pathes. Psal. 119.

Occasions to meditate.

Thinke that the knowledge which God giueth vnto vs by the cādle light (whereby we see those thing [...] in this night of our bodies which are expedient for vs) should make vs to wish much more for this doctrine of God and spirituall light of our soules, and when we get it, the more to esteeme it, and diligently to embrace it. Again that as all would be horrour without candle light, so there is nothing but meere confusion, where Gods word taketh no place.

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When you make your selfe vnready, pray.

THis our life and weake knit body by occasion of sin, by little & little shall be dissolued, and so shall be resto [...]ed to the earth from whence it was taken, then will be an end of this vanity, which by our folly wee haue wrought to our selues. O most meek father, so do thou vnite me (for thou art he that hath knit these our weake members together) that I may perceiue my selfe to bee loosed & dissolued, and so may remember both of whom I was made, and also whither I must goe, lest I bee had vnprouided vnto thy tribunall seat.

Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences. Col. 3. Eph. 4.

Be content with Ioseph, to put off thy prison apparell, that thou maiest put on new. Gen. 41.

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Occasions to meditate.

Thinke that as wee doe willingly put off our garments, because wee shall receiue them againe when the Night is past: so we should willingly forsake our bodies, when God by death shall call vs, because we shall receiue them againe in the resurrection of the lust.

When you enter into your bed, pray:

THe day now ended, men giue themselues to rest in the night, and so this life finished, wee shall rest in death: nothing is more like this life then euery day: nothing more like to our graue, then our bed. O Lord our keeper and defender, grant that I now laying mee downe to rest, being vnable to keepe my selfe [Page 162] may be preserued from the crafts & assaults of the wicked enemy, and grant further, that when I haue run the race of this life, thou wouldest of thy mercy call me vnto thee, that I may liue & watch with thee for euermore And now gracious God, giue me to take my rest in thee, and bring to passe that thy goodnes may be giuen in sleep before my eies, that sleeping I be not absent from thee, but may haue my dreames to draw me vnto thee, and so both soule and body may be kept pure and holy for euer.

I will lay me downe in peace, and take my rest, &c. Psal. 4.

Occasions to meditate.

Thinke that as the troublesome day is now past, and night come, and so rest, quietnes, and pleasant sleepe, which maketh most excellent princes [Page 163] and poore wretches alike, euen so after the tumults, troubles, temptations & tempests of this life, they that beleeue in Christ haue prepared in them an heauen and rest most pleasant & ioiful. As you are not afraid to enter into your bed, & to dispose your selfe to sleepe, so be not afraide to die, but rather cheerfully prepare your selfe thereunto.

Thinke that now you are neerer your end by one daies iourney, then you were in the morning.

When you feele sleepe to be comming, pray.

O Lord Iesus Christ my watchman and keeper, take mee into thy protection, Grant that my bodie sleeping, my mind may watch in thee, and be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heauenly life, wherein thou art the King and [Page 164] Prince, together with the Father & the holy Ghost, where the Angels and holy Soules be most happie citizens. Oh purifie my soule, keepe cleane my body, that in both I may please thee, sleeping and waking for euer Amen.

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A generall confession of sinnes, with other praiers for the morning and euening, to be vsed in families and publike assemblies.

O Most mercifull and louing father, whose loue is infinit, whose mercy endureth for euer, we sinfull creatures, trusting in thine vnspeakable goodnes and loue toward vs, do appeare this morning before thy diuine maiestie, most humblie confessing our manifold sinnes and innumerable transg [...]essions of thy commaundements and fatherly will. Against thee only, against thee (O Lord) haue wee sinned, wee acknowledge our offences, we accuse our selues vnto thee (O mercifull Lord) and will not hide our vnrighteousnesse. [Page 166] We find in our selues no thing but ignorance of thy wil, disobedience, unstrust, doubtfulnes in thy goodnes, and incredulity, hatred and con [...]empt of al spiritual things, selfe loue confidence in our selues & feruent lusting after carnall things of this world: and this tree of our corrupt nature bringeth forth continually in vs none other fruits but rotten and vnsauory workes of the flesh, in thoughts words and doings vnto condemnation.

Wherfore we humbly beseech thy fatherly goodnes, euen for thy son Iesus Christs sake (whome thou hast set forth for a purchaser of mercy to vs through faith in his bloud) make our hearts cleane, take away our stony heart, and giue vnto vs a true and liuely faith, working in vs vnfained repentance and amendmen: of our sinnefull life. Haue [Page 167] mercy vpon vs, and forgiue vs our sinnes for thy sonnes sake: certifie our consciences of the remission of the same by thy holy spirit: by whose operation so mortifie in vs our old man, the whole body of sin, that wee continually dying vnto sinne, may walke in a newnesse of life, to the glory of thy holy name, through Iesus Christ our Sauiour, Amen.

Another confession of sinnes.

O Eternall God, most merciful father, we confesse and acknowledge here before thy diuine maiesty that we are miserable sinners, conceiued and borne in sinne and iniquitie, so that in vs there is no goodnesse, for the flesh euermore rebelleth against the Spirit, whereby wee continually transgresse thy holy precepts and commandements, and [Page 168] to purchase our selues, through thy iust iudgement, death and damnation. Notwithstanding (O heauenly Father for asmuch as now we are displeased with our selues for y^e sins we haue cōmitted against thee,Gal. 5. Rom 2. Jer. 34. Esa. 20. & doe vnfainedly repent vs of the same. we most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christs sake, to shew thy mercy vpon vs, to forgiue vs all our sinnes, and to increase thy holy spirit in vs, that wee acknowledging frō the bottome of our hearts our own vnrighteousnesse, may from henceforth not only mortifie our sinnefull lusts and affections, but also bring forth such fruit as may bee agreeable to thy most blesses will,Col. 3. Rom. 6. Eph. 4.5. 1. Pet. 2. through Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour, whom thou hast already giuen an oblation and an offring for our sinnes▪ and for whose sake we are [...]ertainly perswaded that thou wilt deny vs nothing [Page 169] that we shal aske in his name according to thy will. For thy spitit doth assure our consciences that thou art our mercifull Father, and so louest vs thy children, through him, that no thing is able to remoue thy heauenly grace and fauor from vs. To thee therefore with the sonne and the holy Ghost, be all honour & glory world without end. So be it.

A P [...]ayer to be said in the Morning.

O Eternall GOD and heauenly Father, seeing that by thy great mercy we haue quietly passed this night, grant wee beseech thee that wee may bestow this day wholy in thy seruice, so that al our thoghts, words and deeds, may red [...]und to the glory of thy name, and good example of our brethren. And as it hath pleased thee to make the sunne [Page 170] to shine vpon the earth, to giue vs bodily light, euen so vouchsafe to illuminate our vnderstanding with the brightnesse of thy spirit, to direct vs in the way of righteousnes, so that what thing soeuer we shal apply our selues vnto, our speciall care & purpose may be to walk in thy fear, and to serue and honor thee, looking for all our wealth and prosperity, to came from thy only blessing, and that we may take nothing in hand which shall not be agreeable to thy most blessed will.

Furthermore, that we may in such sort trauaile for our bodies, and for this present life, that we may haue alwaies a further regard: that is, to the heauenly life which thou hast promised to thy children: and in the mane season that it may please thee to preserue and defend vs both in body and soule, to strengthen vs [Page 171] against al the temptations of the diuel, and to deliuer vs fr [...]m all perils and dangers that may happen vnto vs▪ if we be not defended by thy godly power.

And forasmuch as to begin well and not to continue is nothing, wee beseech thee to receiue vs not onely this day into thy holy protection, but also for the time of our whole life, continuing and increasing in vs daily thy good grace & gifts therof vntill thou shalt bring vs to that happy state where we shall fully & foreuer be ioined vnto thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour, which is the true light of our soules, shining day and night perpetua [...]ly.

And to the end that we may obtaine such grace at thy hand, vouchsafe (most mercifull Father) to forgiue and forget all our sins, which wee haue heretofore committed against [Page 172] thee, and for thy infinite mercies sake to pardon the same as thou hast promised to those that aske of thee with vnfained heart, for whom as for our selues we make our humble petitions vnto thee in the name of thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, in such sort as he hath taught vs saying, Ou Father, &c.

Another Praier to be said in the Morning.

O Almighty and most gracious God, we hartily thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen vs this night past; and for as much as thou hast commanded by the holy Word that no man should bee id [...]e, but all occupied in godly and vertuous exercises, euery man according to his calling: wee most humbly beseech thee that thine eies may attend vpon [Page 173] vs, daily defend vs, cherish, comfort, gouerne vs, and all our counsels, studies and labors in such wise, that wee may spend and bestow this day according to thy most holy will, setting thee alwaies before our eies, liuing in thy feare, working that may bee found acceptable before thy diuine maiesty, through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it.

Another Prayer for the Morning.

VVE humbly and heartily giue thankes vnto thee (O heauenly Father) through thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ, that to thy innumerable bene [...]ts hitherto powred vpon our soules, and vpon our bodies, thou hast kept vs this night past from many euils, both spirituall and corporall, and now of thy mercy dost offer and giue vs time [Page 174] to repent and amend our liues, so that we might liue henceforth, not as we wil, but as thou wilt: & as our bodies doe draw continually neerer & neerer their end (the graue I mean) so our soules might aproch to their end that is heauen & not hel, for in one state we stand not stil, but either we are neerer and neerer the happy state of life, or else the vnhappy condition of death eternall.

Wherefore we beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs good Father, and as of thy goodnes thou giuest vs time to repent and liue godly, so of y^e same thy goodnes in Christ, wee humbly beseech thee to giue vs thy gracious gift of true, holy, perfect & perpetuall repentance, that we may more and more lament our former sinfull life, trusting vnfainedly in thy rich mercy, through the merits of Iesus Christ, for the pardon of [Page 175] all our sinnes, and that we may vnfainedly purpose, and effectually labour to amend our liues this day; & so long as we haue to liue, in al our doings and words, and euen in our very thoughts, to the praise of thy holy name, and good example by all our doings, and words, to all our brethren.

And forasmuch as thou knowest our weaknes, our ignorance, and great vntowardnes, to carry any great crosse or affliction: We beseech thee our sweete Father, so temper & order all things towards vs this day and for euer, that we be neuer further proued & tempted, than thou wilt make vs able to beare & so to help vs in the same, as may be most to thy glory & our saluation, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

An Euening Praier.

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O Lord God, Father euerlasting, and full of pitty, wee acknowledge and confesse that wee are not worthy to lift vp our eies to heauen, much lesse to present our selues before thy diuine maiesty, with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and graunt our requests, if wee consider our owne wretched deseruings. For our consciences doe accuse vs, and our sins witnes against vs, & we know that thou art an vpright Iudge, which dost not iustifie the sinners and wicked men,Exo. 20. but punishest the faults of such as transgresse thy commaundements. Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to commaund vs to call vpon thee in all our troubles and aduersities,Psal. 15. Psal. 28. promising euen then to helpe vs, when wee feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death & desperation, we vtterly renounce all [Page 177] worldly confidence and trust, & fly to thy soueraign goodnesse, as our only stay and refuge, beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse,He. 9.10. whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs: neither our negligēee, nor our vnkindnes, which haue neither worthily esteemed, nor in our liues sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs: but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son Iesus Christ our Lord, who by offering vp his body in sacrifice once for all,Psa. 107: hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes.

Haue mercy therefore vpon vs (O Lord) and forgiue vs our offnces.Psa. 9.10. Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them, and earnestly repent vs for the same: and so much the rather (O Lord our God) [Page 178] because that the reprobate and such as thou hast forsaken,Psal. 8. P [...]al. 5. cannot praise thee, nor call vpon thy name: but the repenting hart, the sorrowful mind, the conscience oppressed, hungring & thirsting for thy grace shal euermore set forth thy praise and glory.

And albeit we be but worms and dust, yet thou art our Creator, & we be the worke of thy hands: yea thou art our father, & we thy childrē, thou art our shepheard,Psal. 22. 1. Cot. 6. and we thy flocke: thou art our redeemer, and wee thy people whom thou hast dearely bought: thou art our God, and wee are thine inheritance.Jer. 10. Psal. 6.

Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God, neither according to our deserts doe thou punish vs, but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection; that al the world may know, that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent [Page 179] him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart, thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembrance, as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet.

Finally, forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in, as thou hast ordained him the day to trauaile, grant (O dear father) that we may so take our bodily rest, that our soules may continually watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare, for our full deliuerance out of this mortall life, and in the mean season that we be not ouercome by any fantasies, dreames or other temptations, but may fully set our minds vpon thee, loue thee, feare thee, and rest in thee, in such sort that our very steep also may be to the glory of thy holy name.

Furthermore, that our sleepe bee [Page 180] not excessiue or ouermuch after the insaciable desire of the flesh, but only sufficient to content our weake nature, that we may the better be disposed to liue in all godly conuersation, to the glory of thy holy name, and profit of our brethren, through Iesus Christ our Lord: in whose name we make our humble petitiōs vnto thee as he hath taught vs.

Our father which art, &c.

Almighty and euerlasting God, vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant vs perfect continuance in thy liuely faith, augmenting & increasing the same in vs daily, vntill we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ, whereof we make our confession saying: I beleeue in God the father, &c.

The Lord blesse vs and saue vs, the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs. Lord be mercifull vnto vs: the Lord [Page 181] turne his fauourable countenance towards vs, and grant vs this peace.

The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ, the loue of God, and the communion of the holy Ghost be with vs, and remaine with vs for euer. So be it. 2. Cor. 9.13.

Another Euening praier.

MOst mercifull God and tender Father, which besides thine inestimable mercies declared & giuen vnto vs, in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy dear Son Iesus Christ, in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed word, in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holy Church, and in thy most gracious gouerning of vs, and all things hitherto for our singular wealth and commodity, hast also most fatherly [Page 182] cared for vs, and kept vs this day from all dangers both of soule and body, giuing vs health, food apparell, & all other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore & miserable life, which many other do want: for these and all other thy good gifts and gracious benefits, which thou of thine owne goodnes onely, and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs, and doest presently powre vpon vs, and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name, beseeching thee that as al things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth, so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and bury all our sinnes which this day, or at any time heretofore wee haue committed against thy holy commandements: and as now wee purpose to lay our bodies to rest: so [Page 183] grant the guard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night and for euermore: and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shal come, grant that it may be in thy good fauour, so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally, to thy glory and our ioy, through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it.

Another Euening Praier.

O Eternall God, and most mercifull father, who this day and all the time of our life hast graciously defended, nourished & preserued our soules and bodies, & made such fatherly prouision for vs poore sinners, that of thy louing kindnesse wee haue rich portions, not only in the creatures of heauen and earth, but also in that plentifull redemption, which thy most deare Sonne Iesus [Page 184] Christ hath purchased for vs, grant vnto vs (O mercifull father) the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit, that as our bodies shall now take their naturall rest, euen so our soules and minds, at the beholding of thy goodnesse towards vs, may quiet themselues in thee, & conceiue such inward pleasure & heauenly sweetnes in thy loue, that whatsoeuer we shall from henceforth, either thinke, speake, or do, it may be all to the honor of thy holy name, through Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen.

Thy mighty hand and our streched arme (O Lord) be still our defence, thy mercy and louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ thy deare sonne, be our saluation, thy truth and holy word our instruction, thy grace and holy spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end, and in the end.

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A praier for the remission of sinnes.

O Almighty and euerlasting Lord God, the deare Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, which hast made heauen and earth, the sea and all that therein is, which art the only ruler and gouernor, conseruer and keeper of all things, together with thy dearely beloued Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord, and with the holy Ghost our comforter. O holy righteous & wise: O strong, terrible mighty and fearefull Lord God, gouernor of the whole world, Iudge of al mē: O exorable, patient, and most gratious Father, whose eies are vpon the waies of all men, and are so cleane that they cannot abide impiety: thou searchest the hearts, and triest the very thoughts and raines of all men, thou hatest sinne, and abhorrest iniquity.

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For sins sake thou hast grieuously punished mankind, thy most deare creature, as thou hast declared by y^e penalty of death, laid vpon all the children of Adam: by the casting off Adam and his ofspring out of Paradise, by the cursing of the earth, by the drowning of the world, by y^e burning of Sodom and Gomor by hardning the heart of Pharao, so that no miracle could conuert him, by the drowning of him and his people in the red sea, by the ouerthrowing of the Israelites, in the wildernesse, so that of six hundred thousand there were but two that en [...]red into the land of promise: by reiecting King Saul, by the punishments vpon thy seruant Dauid, notwithstanding his hearty repentance, by grieuously afflicting Salomon in himselfe and his posterity, by the captiuity of the ten tribes, and by the thraldome of the [Page 187] Iewes wherein to this present day they continue a notable spectacle of thy wrath to the world, against and for sinne.

But of all spectacles of thy anger against sinne, the greatest and most notable is the death and bloody passion of thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ. Great was thine anger against sin, when in heauen and earth nothing could be found which might appease thy wrath, saue the bloudshedding of thine only and most dearely beloued sonne, in whom was & is all thy delight. Great was the sore of sin that needed such a salue: mighty was the malady that needed such a medicine. If in Christ, in whom was no sin, thy wrath was so fierce for our sinnes, that he was constrained to cry: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? How great & importable then is thine anger against [Page 183] vs which are nothing but sinfull? They that are thy children, through the contemplation of thine anger against sinne, set forth most euidently in the death of Christ, doe tremble and are afraid, lamenting themselues vpon him, and hartily crying for mercy: whereas y^e wicked are altogether carelesse & contemptuous, nothing lamenting their iniquities or crying to thee hartily for mercy and pardon. Amongst whom we are rather to be placed, then amongst thy children, for that we are so shamelesse for our sinnes, and carelesse of thy wrath▪ heaping daily sinne vpon sinne, so that the measure hath ouerflowed, and ascended vp to heauen, and brought thy heauy plagues vpon vs, which are but ernests for greater to ensue: therefore to vs pertaineth shame, and nothing else is due but confusion.

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What shall we doe? what shal we say? who shall giue vs penitent hearts? who can open our lips, that our mouthes might make acceptable confession vnto thee? Alasse, of our selues we cannot thinke any good, much lesse wish it, & least of all do it. As for Angels, or any other creatures, they haue nothing but that which they haue receiued, & they are made to minister vnto vs: So that where it passeth the power of the master, the minister must needs wāt. Alas, then what shall we doe? Thou art holy, & we vnholy, thou art good, and we nothing but euill; thou art pure, & we altogether impure; thou art light, and we most darke darkenesse: how then can there be any agreement betwixt vs? O what now may we doe? Despaire. No, for thou art God and therefore good: thou art mercifull, and therefore thou forgiuest [Page 190] sinnes: with thee is mercy and propitiation, and therefore thou art worshipped.

When Adam had sinned, thou gauest him mercy before he desired it: & wilt thou deny vs mercy which now desire the same? Adam excused his fault, and accused thee: but we accuse our selues and excuse thee, and shall we be sent empty away? Noah found fauour when thy wrath aboū ned, and shall we seeking grace, bee frustrate? Abraham was pulled out of Idolatry when the world was drowned therein, and art thou his God only? Israel in captiuity in Egypt was graciously visited and deliuered: and dear God, the same good Lord, shal we alwaies be forgotten?

How often in the wildernes didst thou defer, and spare thy plagues at the request of Moses, when the people themselues made no petition to [Page 191] thee? And seeing we not onely now make our petitiōs vnto thee through thy goodnes, but also haue a mediator for vs, farre aboue Moses, euen Iesus Christ, shall we (I say) deare Lord depart ashamed? So soone as Dauid said, I haue sinned, thou diddest forthwith answer him, that he should not die: thou hadst takē away his sinnes: and gracious God, euen the selfe same God, shall not wee which now with Dauid gladly confesse that we haue sinned, shall we (I say) not heare by thy good spirit that our sinnes be pardoned? O grant that with Manasses wee may find fauour and mercy.

Remember that thou hast not spared thine own only deare Sonne Iesus Christ, but giuen him to die for our sinnes, to rise for our righteousnes, to ascend for our possessiō taking in heauen, and to appear before [Page 192] thee for vs for euer, a high priest after the order of Melchisedech, that through him we might haue free accesse to come to thy throne, now rather of grace then of iustice. Remember that thou by him hast bidden vs ask, and promised that we should receiue saying: Aske and ye shall haue, seeke and ye shall find, knocke and it shall be opened vnto you. O deare God, and most meeke and mercifull father, wee heartily beseech thee to bee mercifull vnto vs, for this thy Christs sake, for his deaths sake, for thy promise, truth, and mercy sake, Haue mercy vpon vs, pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes, iniquities and trespasses, whatsoeuer we haue committed against thee in thought, word or deed, euer or at any time hitherto by any meanes. Deare father haue mercy vpon vs. Though we be poore, yet our Christ is rich: though [Page 193] we be sinners, yet he is righteous, though we be fooles, yet he is wise; though we be impure, yet he is pure and holy: for his sake therefore bee mercifull vnto vs.

Call to mind how thou hast promised that thou wilt powre out of thy cleane waters, and wash vs frō our filth, and cleanse vs from our euils. Forget not that thou hast promised to take from vs our stony hearts, and to giue vs soft hearts, new hearts, and to put in the middest of vs right spirits. Remember thy couenant, namely that thou wilt bee our God, and we shal be thy people that thou wilt put out of thy memory for euer all our vnrighteousnesse, and hast promised to write in our minds, and hearts, thy law and testimonies.

Remember that thou dost straitly charge vs to haue none other Gods [Page 194] but thee, saying, that thou art the Lord our God, O then declare the same to vs all, we heartily now beseech thee. Forgiue vs our sinnes, forget our iniquities, clense vs from our filthines, wash vs from our wickednes, powre out thy holy spirite vpon vs: Take from vs our hard hearts our stony hearts, our impenitent hearts, our distrusting and doubtfull hearts, our carnall, our secure, our idle hearts, our impure, malitious, arrogāt, enuious, wrathfull, impatient, couetous, hypocriticall, and epicurall hearts: & in place therof giue vs new harts, soft harts faithfull harts, mercifull hearts, louing, obedient, chast pure, holy, righteous, true, simple, lowly, & patient, hearts, to feare thee, to loue thee, to trust in thee for euer.

Write thy law in our harts graft it in our minds, we heartily beseech [Page 195] thee. Giue vs the spirit of praier: make vs diligent and happy in the works of our saluation, take into thy custody and gouernance for euer our soules and bodies, our liues and all that euer we haue. Tempt vs neuer further then thou wilt make vs able to beare, and whatsoeuer thou knowest we haue need of in soule and body (dear God and gratious Father) vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time, & alwais as thy children guide vs, so that our life may please thee, and our death praise thee, though Iesus Christ our Lord, for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things thus asked, and al (other things necessary for soule and body, not only to vs but to all others also, for whom thou wouldest that we should pray, specially for thy children that bee in thraldome, in exile, in prison, misery, [Page 196] heauinesse, pouerty, sicknesse, &c.

Be mercifull to the whole realme of England, and grant vs all true repentance, and turne from vs the euils that we so wickedly haue deserued: pardon our enemies persecutors, & slanderors, and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts. Be mercifull vnto our parents, brethren & sisters, friends, kinsfolkes, and familiars, neighbours, and such as by any meanes thou hast coupled and linked to vs, by loue or otherwise: and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holy name, grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctifie vs, and dwell in vs as thy deare children, to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill, to thy eternall glory, & our euerlasting comfort, and the profit of thy Church: which mercifully maintaine, cherish and comfort, strengthning them that [Page 197] stand, so that they neuer fall, lifting vp them that be fallen, and keep vs from falling from thy truth, through the merits of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour, which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost, to whom be all praise and honour, both now and for euer. Amen.

I. B.

A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ.

O Almighty God, and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, and by him also our Father, the father of all mercy and God of al consolation, haue mercy vpon vs, and heare our praiers. We most humbly beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake, for his merits and cruell death, which he suffered, to deliuer vs from eternall death and the power of [Page 198] darknes, send into our hearts, the spirit of truth, to worke in vs a true liuely & stedfast faith that the clear light and brightnes of thy Gospell, the glory of Christ, may shine vnto vs: and lighten our minds that wee may learn and vnderstand the wonderful and vnspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ. O Father of glory, giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedom, & bring vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ, & the knowledge of thy selfe. Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and vnderstanding, that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called vs, and how the rich glory of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saintes, and the exceeding greatnes of thy power towards vs, that by true faith, by vnderstanding and knowledge of thine [Page 199] eternall wisedome (which is Iesus Christ) we may be indeed, (as wee are called) true Christians, and vnfained professors of thy holy name, to worship thee in spirit and truth, and to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our Lord, Amen.

O deare father, write in our harts loue of thy law, hate to al sin, thankfulnes of heart, and continuall heate of thy holy spirit for thy Son Iesus Christs sake. To whom with thee and thy holy sp [...]rit, be all honor maiesty, glory, thanks, rule empire, and dominion for euermore, Amen.

A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption, and praier for the strength and increase of faith. O Lord increase our faith. Luk 17.

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ETernall praise and thanks bee giuen vnto thee, deare God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which hast blessed vs with ali spiritual blessings,Ephe. 4. in heauenly things by Christ, in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laid, that we should bee without blame before thee through him, by whom we haue redemption through his blood, euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes: in whom after we heard the word of truth, the Gospel of our saluation, wherein we beleeued,Rom. 8. we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, which spirit hath and doth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children, and therefore crieth in our hearts, Abba Father. And thus most gracious father, when thou hast once giuen the earnest penny of our saluation [Page 201] vnto our hearts, thou doest not repent of thy gift and calling: neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merits, confirmed in vs by that seale & loue token For, what though we be weake in our beliefe,Rom. 3. shall our vnbeliefe make thy promise of none effect? No, thou wilt alway be found true, but all men are lyers. And yet Lord thou dost most graciously behold and accept, be it neuer so little a sparke of faith. Wee say therefore and cry vnto thee,Mar. 9 with one that wept and said: I beleeue, Lord help my vnbeliefe Yea, that little, be it neuer so litle, is thy meer g [...]ft also. The which as thou hast begun, so (most merciful Lord) increase y^• same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience, and the glory of thy name, through Iesus Christ Amen.

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A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits.

HOnour and praise be giuen to thee (Lord God Almighty) most deare Father of heauen, for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that [...]t hath pleased thy gracious goodnes, freely and of thine owne accord, to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world, and euen like continuall thanks bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine own image, for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare sonne, when we were vtterly lost, for sanctifying vs with thy holy spirit, in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word, for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessity, for sauing vs from all danger both of body and soule, for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles, & afflictions, [Page 203] for sparing vs so long, and giuing vs so large a time of repentance. These benefits O most mercifull father, like as we do acknowledge that we haue receiued of thy only goodnes, euen so we beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake, to grant vs alwayes thy holy spirit, whereby we may continually grow in thākfulnes towards thee, he led in all truth, and com [...]orted in all aduersity.

Strengthen our faith. O Lord, kindle it more & more in feruentnes and loue towards thee & our neighbours for thy sake. Suffer vs not (most deare father) to receiue thy word any more in vaine: but grant vs alwaies y^e assistance of thy grace and holy spirit, that in heart, word, and deed, we may sanctifie and doe worship to thy holy name, that wee may helpe to amplifie and increase [Page 204] thy kingdome, and that whatsoeuer thou sendest,Thy kingdome come: Thy will be done: Giue vs this day, &c. we may hartily well be content with thy good wil and pleasure. Suffer vs not to lack the thing (O Father) without the which we cannot serue thee: but blesse thou so al the workes of our hands, that we may haue sufficient, and not to bee chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others. Be mercifull O Lord, vnto our offences:Forgiue v [...], &c. and seeing our debt is great which thou hast forgiuen vs in Iesus Christ, make vs to loue thee & our neighbours so much the more. Bee thou (O Father) our captain & defender in all temptations,Lead vs not into temptation. hold thou vs by thy mercifull hand, that we thereby may be deliuered from al inconueniences, and end our liues in the sanctifying and honouring of thy name,But deliuer vs from eu [...]ll. through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A aier for true mortification.

O God my creator, preseruer, and euerlasting defender, where first in my creation, I was made like vnto thine owne likenesse: the diuell (alas) hath since by Adams fal made me vgly, monstrous, and euill fauored like to himselfe. For what are now Lord, mine earthly members, but as thine Apostle writeth, adultery, whoredome, vncleannesse, vnnaturall lusts, euill concupiscence,Colos. 3. couetousnes (which is the worshipping of Idols) and such other, for the which thy wrath is wont to come vpon the children of vnbeliefe? Neuerthelesse▪ Lord, of thy great mercy and goodnesse, against this so great a mischiefe, a much greater remedy thy fatherly prouidence hath ordained, for thou hast sent Iesus Christ thy dear and only naturall sonne into this world, the vale of miseries, to [Page 206] loose the works of the diuell, and to take away my sinnes.1. Joh. 3.

Therefore Sathan hath now nothing to brag of, for through Christ all that beleeue in thee,1. Joh, 5. & so become thy children, doe ouercome the world the flesh & the diuel. And this is the victory which ouer commeth them al euen our faith: that faith I meane which is perswaded, that whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ▪ Ioh. 3. Ioh. 5. shall not perish, but haue euerlasting life.

That faith which beleeueth the testimony to be true which thou God the Father dost testify of thy son, so making thee no liar: and this is the testimony that thou hast giuen vs eternall life, that faith which beleeueth that thou Father, who raisedst vp Christ frō death, shalt also quicken our mortall bodies,Rom. 8, through thy holy spirit, dwelling in vs. That faith which beleeueth it to bee true [Page 207] which thy Sonne. Christ affirmed with a double oath, saying, Verily, Joh. 1. verily, I say vnto you, he that beleeueth in me, the works that I doe, the same shall he doe, and greater works then these shall he doe, Ioh. 15. because I goe to my Father And finally, that faith which beleeueth that now Christ hath been lift vpon the crosse, he shal draw al things vnto him: this faith (I say) is the victory which ouercommeth our enemies, the diuell,Joh. 12. the world and our flesh.

Thou therfore dear father which hast promised to giue whatsoeuer I shall aske in thy dear Sonne Iesus name,1. Joh. 3 [...]. for thy great mercy and infallible truths sake, do now in me the thing that he came for: loose in me the works of the diuel, & take away my sinnes I beseech thee, make stedfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies, and merciful promises, [Page 208] so that I assuredly beleeuing in thee, may haue (as thou hast promised euerlasting life, & making thee (deare God) no lyer, may beleeue, feele and know in my heart and conscience, that the same euerlasting life is thy meere and free gift vnto me, yea already of thy great goodnes vndoubtedly giuen me, being now translated from death to life.

Colos. 3.In thankfulnesse whereof, Lord cause me now daily to mortifie my earthly mēbers, yea, dear father, sith thy spirit, which raised vp Christ from death, dwelleth within me, doe thou (who raisedst Christ frō death) quicken my mortal body, through thy spirit so dwelling within me. I beseech thee, yea Lord Iesu, according to thy promise (because thou art now gone to thy Father) make me worke the wonderful great work that thou spakest off.Ioh. 6.4. I meane, make me, being [Page 209] of my selfe but a lumpe of sinne, and a monster most vgly, (as the vices whereof the members of my earthly body are aboue declared to be compact doe proue) make me I say, yet through thy grace, to hate, abhorre, flee and subdue all adultery, whoredom, vncleannes, vnnaturall lusts, euill concupiscence, vnordinate desires, wantonnes, tendernesse, delicatenes, idlenesse, drunkennesse, gluttony, slothfulnes, distrust, despaire, ignorance, weaknes, wilfulnes, idolatry, superstition, hypocrisie, heresie, error, sects, variāce strife, wrath, enuy, slanders, lying, swearing cursing, vainglory, pride, couetousnes, theft, deceit, flattery, and whatsoeuer else. (O Lord) fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirit: and then (O Father) I will boast and make vant against mine enemy the diuell, that I haue done greater [Page 210] works then thy deare Sonne Iesus did, at what time hee spake these words amongst the Iewes, because albeit he vanquished Sathan, yet in as much as he himselfe was vtterly without sinne, the victory seemed the more easie. But I to vanquish Sathan (being my self altogether sinful yea contrary to my most sinful nature) to subdue sinne, the Diuel and mine owne flesh, it seemeth a more victory, & a greater worke then the other. For the which neuerthelesse I will with all submission acknowledge vnto thy diuine maiesty, that the whole victory Lord indeede is thine, and thy holy spirit the beginner and finisher both of the wil and the worke.

Now therefore (Lord Iesu) strengthen me with thy grace and might that thou maiest by me a most sinful wretch, draw all these our earthly [Page 211] members and horrible vices before rehearsed, vnder my feet, that I may not only fight against them, but also subdue them; so that they may all turne to the best for me, as meete matter whereon I may exercise my faith, powre forth my hearty praier, and giue thee most hearty thanks for victory: whereby I may learne and haue experience that thou hast in me drawne all things vnto thee, insomuch as thou thus (Lord) of thy diuine powre drawest both the diuell & the sinne that dwelleth in me, to set forth thy honor and glory: which thing for thy mercies sake bring to passe: O God my creator preseruer, and euerlasting defender.

A meditation for the exercise of true mortification.

HE that wil be ready in waighty matters to deny his owne [Page 212] will, and to be obedient to the will of God, the same had need to accustom himselfe, to deny his desires in matters of lesse waight, and to exercise mortification of his own will in trifles. For, if that our affectiōs by this daily custome bee not (as it were) halfe slaine, surely, surely, when the plunge shall come, we shall find the more to do. If we canot watch with Christ one houre (as he said to Peter) we vndoubtedly can much lesse go to death with him. Wherefore that in great tentations we may be ready to say with Christ, Not my will but thy will be done (forasmuch as this commonly commeth not to passe, but where the roots of our lust a by thy grace deare father, are almost rotten & rooted out, by a daily deniall of that they desire) I humbly beseech thee for Christs sake to help me herein.

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First pardon me my cherishing and (as it were) watering of mine affections, obeying them in their deuises & superfluous desires, where through in that they haue taken deepe root, and are so liuely in mee, I secondly doe beseech thee to pull them vp by the roots out of my heart, and so henceforth to order mee that I may continually accustome my selfe to weaken the principall root, that by the roots and branches they may loose all their power. Grant mee (I beseech thee) that thy grace may daily mortifie my concupiscence of pleasure in things, that is, of wealth, riches, glory, liberty, fauour of men, meats, drinks, apparel, ease, yea and life it selfe that the horrour and impatience of more grieuous things may be weakned, and I made more patient in aduersity.

Whereunto I further desire and [Page 214] pray thy goodnes deare father, that thou wilt adde this, namely, that I may for euer become obedient and ready to do thy good wil in al things hartily and willingly to serue thee, and do whatsoeuer may please thee. For doubtlesse although we accustome our selues in y^e pleasant things of this life to mortification and deniall of our selues, yet we shall find enough to doe when more bitter and weighty crosses come. For if thy Sonne our Sauiour (euer wont to obey thy good will) praied so hartily and often, Not my will, but thy will be done, (whereby he declareth himselfe to be very man) how can it bee but we whose nature is corrupt, not only in natiuity, but in the rest of our whole life also, shall find both our hands full in great and grieuous temptations, wholy to resigne our selues vnto thee.

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Grant therefore deare Father, for thy Christs sake, to me a most miserable wretch, thy grace and spirit to be effectuall in me, that daily I may accustome my selfe to deny my will in more easie and pleasant things of this life, that when need shal be, I may come vnto thee with a resigned will, alwaies stedfastly expecting thy mercy, and in the meane season continually obeying thee with readines and willingnes, doing whatsoeuer may most please thee through Christ our Lord, who liueth with thee, &c.

A meditation of the comming of Christ to iudgement, and of the reward both of the faithfull and vnfaithfull.

O Lord Iesus Christ, the Son of the euerliuing God, by whom al things wer made, are ruled [Page 216] and gouerned: as of thy loue for our redemption thou diddest not disdaine to be our mediator, and to take vpon thee our nature in the wombe of a virgin purely and without sinne, by the operation of thy holy spirit, that both thou mightest in thine owne person wonderfully beutifie and exalt our nature, and work the same in vs also: first abolishing the guiltines of sin, by remission, then sinne it selfe by death, and last of all, death by raising vp again these our bodies that they may be like to thine owne glorious and immortall body, according to the power, wherewith thou art able to subdue all things vnto thee: as (I say) of thy loue for our redemption thou becamest man, and that most poore and afflicted vpon earth by the space of three & thirtie yeers at the least in most humility, and paiedst the price of our ransome [Page 217] by thy most bitter death and passion (for the which I most heartily giue thanks vnto thee) so of the same thy loue towards vs, in thy good time thou wilt come againe in the clouds of heauen, with power, & great glory with flaming fire, with thousands of Saints, with Angels of thy power, with a mighty cry, shout of an Archangel, & blast of a trump, & suddenly, as a lightning which shineth from the East,Mat. 24. &c. when men thinke least, euen as a theefe in the night, when men be a sleep, thou wilt so come I say,Mat. 15. thus suddenly in the twinckling of an eie, all men that euer haue been, be, or shall be, with women and children, appearing before thy tribunall seat, to render an account of all things, which they haue thought, spoke, and done against thy law, openly and before all Angels, Saints and Diuels, and so [Page 218] to receiue, the iust reward of thy vengeance, if they haue not repented and obeied the Gospell, and so depart from thee to the Diuell, and his angels, and all the wicked which euer haue been, be or shall be▪ into hel fire, which is vnquenchable, & of paines intollerable, easelesse, endlesse, hopeles, euen from the face of thy glorious and mighty power.

But if they haue repented and beleeued the Gospell, if they be found watching with their lampe and oile in their hands, if they bee found ready apparelled with the wedding garment of innocency, if they haue not hardned their hearts, & hourded vp the treasure of thy vengeance in the day of wrath to be reuealed, but haue vsed the time of grace, the acceptable time the time of saluation, that is, the time of this life, in the which thou stretchest out thy hand, [Page 219] and spreadest thine armes, calling & crying vnto vs to come vnto thee, which art meek in heart, and lowly, for thou wilt ease all that labor and are heauy leaden, if they baue visited the sicke & prisoners, comforted the comfortlesse, fed the hungry, cloathed the naked, lodged the harborlesse: if they haue not loaden their hearts with gluttony and surfetting and carelesnes of this life: if they haue not digged and hid their talent in the ground, doing no good there with, but haue been faithfull to occupy thy gifts to thy glory, and haue washed their garments in thy bloud by hearty repentance, then shall thy angels gather them together, not as the wicked which shall be collected as fagots, & cast into the fire, but as y^e good wheat that is gathered into the barne then shall they be caught vp to meet thee in the clouds: then [Page 220] shall their corrupt body put on incorruption, then shall they be endued with immortality and glory, then shall they be with thee and go whither thou goest: then shal they heare Come ye blessed of my Father, possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning, &c. Then shall they be set on seats of maiesty, iudging the whole world: then shall they raigne with thee for euer, then shall god be al in al with them & to them, then shal they enter and inherit heauenly Ierusalem, and the glorious restfull land of Canaan, where is alwaies day and neuer night, where is no maner of weeping tears, infirmity, hunger, cold, sicknes, enuy, malice nor sinne: but alwaies ioy without sorrow, mirth without mesure, pleasure without paine, heauenly harmony, most pleasant melody, saying and singing, Holy, holy [Page 221] holy Lord God of hosts, &c.

Finally the eie hath not seene, the eare hath not heard, neither hath it entred into the heart of man, what they shall inherit and most surely enioy, although here they be tormēted, prisoned, solicited of Sathan, tempted of the flesh, and intangled with the world, where through they are inforced to cry, Thy kingdome come, Come Lord Iesu, &c.

How amiable are thy Tabernacles? Like as the Hart desireth the water brookes, &c. Now let thy seruant depart in peace. I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ. We mourn in our selues, waiting for the deliuerance of our bodies &c. O gracious Lord when shall I find such mercy with thee, that I may repent, beleeue, hope and look for these things with the full fruition of those heauenly ioyes which thou hast prepared [Page 222] for all them that feare thee, and so rest with thee for euermore.

A meditation of the life euerlasting: the place where it is, and the incomparable ioyes thereof.

THat there is an euerlasting life, none will deny, but such as will deny God. For if he be true and iust, (which he must needs bee, or else he is not God) then can there not be but an eternall life. That he hath both spoken and promised it, in Mat. 25. 1. Cor 15. Heb. 4.11.13. 1. Pet. 1. it plainely appeareth, and elsewhere in very many places: so that to deny an euerlasting life, is to deny God, to deny Christ, and al that euer he did: also to deny all piety, and religion, to condemne of foolishnesse all good men, Martyrs, Confessors, Euangelists, Prophets, Patriarches. [Page 223] Finally, the denial of eternall life is nothing else but a denial of the immortality of the soule, and so a plaine making of man nothing better then beasts. If it be so,1. Co. 15. let vs then eat and drinke, for to morrow we shall die. Lord preserue vs from this Saduceall and Epicureal impiety, and grant vs for thy mercies sake deare God, that we may be assuredly perswaded, that there is indeed an eternall life and blisse with thee, for them that put their trust in thee, amongst whom account me for thy mercies sake.

Againe, this eternall life,Where this eternall life is. and the place appointed for them that be thy seruants, all men do grant to bee with thee. Albeit they do not thinke that because thou art euery where, therefore eternal life is euery where. For they by thy worde doe know, that in as much as no man can see [Page 224] thee and liue, which eternall life and thy blessed presence is most pleasant and had in fruition,Ioh. 14. after in another world, whereunto by corporal death they do depart, and are translated to a place aboue them, wher thou dwellest in a light, whereunto no man can approch.4. Tim. 6. Abraham, bosom they read was aboue, as the place of the wicked was below and beneath. Helias was caught vp into heauen,Joh. 17. and the deare Sonne our Sauiour praied, that where he is, those also might be which thou hadst giuen him, and might see his glory. Now he, deare father (we learne by the spirit) was ascended & taken vp in his very body into heauen: whither Stephen looked vp & saw thy Christ standing on thy right hand to whom he praied,Act 17. O Lord Iesus receiue my spirit. Grant I beseech thee gratious God & Father that I may haue a clean heart, [Page 225] more and more to see thee, and so in spirit to see and looke often vpon this place, whither bring me at the length in body also, I humbly pray thee.

Now what a thing this euerlasting life is, no man is able to conceiue, much lesse able to vtter. For The peace of God which is eternall life passeth all vnderstanding. 1. Cor. 6. The eie hath not seen, the ear hath not heard neither can mans hart conceiue those things which thou (deare God) hast prepared for them that loue thee. Whatsoeuer therefore can be spoken or imagined of thy kingdome, of the clearnes, ioy and felicity of the same, is nothing in comparison, as we may see by the Prophets, which (because they could not otherwise) vnder corporal things haue shadowed the same. So that the confidence of eternall life, what a thing it [Page 226] is can in no wise be told. Howbeit somewhat we may bee brought to some sight of it by earthly things to thinke on this sort:What knowledge may be had in this life of the life eurelasting. If GOD haue giuen here so many things in a strange place how many are y^e great good things that be at home? If in prison are so many mercies, how many are they in the pallace? If the wicked haue so many benefits, what is the store prepared for thy seruāts? O Lord if thy children find such cō fort in the day of teares and mourning, what shall they find in the day of y^e mariage? If with beasts men being, haue the vse of innumerable blessings, O how many are the blessings which they shall enioy with thy Angels, and with thy selfe, O deare God, when they shall see thee & haue the fruition of thee? in whom is fulnes without lothing, of al good & faire things: so that nothing can [Page 227] be more desired, & that for euermore.

This thy children do not see as they now beleeue it, I say that euen in their bodies they shall see it for euer, as Iob said. They beleeue that they shal see thee and their own eies behold thee,Job. 15. when these our corporall eies, our bodies being raised shal doe their duties: such a knowledge of thee they beleeue to haue, as shal not be only intellectuall and by faith as now it is, but euen a full sight and fruition, yea a coniunction, and fellowship with thee. Now they see but as in a glasse,1. Co. 13. Heb. 11. euen in a darke speaking: but then they shal see thee face to face. For faith though it be the substance of things hoped for, & a certaine darke sight of thee: yet it may not be compared to the reward of faith, that glorious sight which we shall see in the life to come, when faith and hope shall cease.

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Now thy children know that they be thy sons, though they yet appeare not what they shall bee. Wee know (say they) y^t when our Christ, God and man shal appear, then shal we be like vnto him, for we shall see him euen as he is. O great prerogatiue to see Christ, as he is: which is not to be considered, so much for the manhood, as for the godhead it selfe, as Paul doth also write, that when all things are subiect vnto the Sonne, thē shal he be subiect vnto thee deare Father also, that God may be al in al. And therfore Christ our sauior praied for vs that we might know thee the onely true God. Not that our Christ the sonne is not with thee, the true, coequall and substantiall God, but that we might know how that after the iudgement, such a mystery of his mediatorshippe shall not be in heauen as is now in earth.

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Then thou blessed Trinity, God the Father, God the Sonne, and God the holy ghost, shal be all in al, thou shalt be the end of our desires, thou shalt be looked vpon without end, thou shalt be loued without lothing, thou shalt be praised without wearinesse: although loathsomnesse be wont to follow fulnes, yet our fulnes, in the contemplation of thy pleasures, shal bring with it no kind at all of loathsomnesse. Society of ioyes shalbe in the beholding of thee. Pleasures are on thy right hand for euer. We shal be satisfied when we arise after thine image, I meane in the resurrection.

O deare Father shew thy selfe vnto vs, and we aske no more. Oh grant vs with thy Saints in euerlasting life to praise with perpetuall praises thy holy name. Happy then and happy againe were we, if that [Page 230] day were come that we might sing with the Angels, Elders, and innumerable thousands, a new song, and say, Thou Christ Iesu which was slain, art worthy to receiue power, and riches, and wisedome, and strength, honour, and glory, and blessing.

In this blessed life al kind of maladies, griefs, sorrowes and euils be farre away, and all full of all kind of mirth, ioy and pleasure. Oh that we might see now a little with S. Iohn that holy City new Ierusalem descending from heauen, prepared of God as a bride trimmed for her husband. O that we might now something hear the great voice speaking out of the throne: Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and hee shall bee vnto them their God, hee will wipe away all teares from their eies, and death shall [Page 231] be no more, nor weeping, nor crying, nor sorrow, for the former things are gone.

I.B.

Another meditation of the blessed state and felicity of this life to come.

THis body is but a prison where in the soule is kept, and that verily not beautifull nor bright, but most foule and dark, disquiet, fraile and filled vp with much vermin, and venimous vipers, (I mean it concerning our affections,) standing in an aire most vnholesom, and prospect most lothsome, if a man consider the extremities of it by the eies, nose, mouth, eares hands feet, and all the other parts. So that no Bocardo, no Litleease, no Dungeon, no Bishops prison, no Gatehouse, no sinke, no pit may be compared in any point to be so euill a prison for the soule, as the [Page 232] body is for, and of the soule: wherethrough the children of God haue been occasioned to cry and lament, their long being in it. Oh saith Dauid, How long shall I lie in this prison. Oh wretch that I am (saith Paul) who shall deliuer me out of this body of sinne? Rom. 7. which is an heauy burden to the soul, as the wise man saith. And the godly cry;Luke 2 [...] Now let thy seruant depart in peace. O that I were dissolued, and had put off this earthly & fraile tabernacle,Psal. 143. Take me vnto thee and bring my soule out of this prison, that it may giue thanks vnto thee, O Lord. For so long as wee bee in this body, we cannot see the Lord, yea it is an heauy habitation, & depresseth down sore the spirit from the familiarity which it selfe should haue with God. This world and life is an exile, a vale of misery, a wildernes, of it selfe, being void of all vertues [Page 233] necessary for eternall life, full of enemies, sorrowes, sighings, sobbings, gronings miseries, &c. In danger to hunger, cold heat, thirst, sores sicknesse, tentations, trouble, death, and innumerable calamities, being momentany, short, vnstable, and nothing but vain, and therfore is compared to a warfare, a womans trauaile, a shadow, a smoke, a vapor, a word, a storme, a tempest, in the which Gods people feele great molestations; griefs and troubles, now of satan himselfe, now of the world, now of their own flesh, and that so wonderfully, diuersly, dangerously, and contrarily, that they are enforced to cry, O Lord when shall we come & appear before thee? when shall this misery end? when shall we be deliuered out of this vale of misery, out of this wildernes, out of these continuall afflictions and most perilous seas.

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But where thou art (Lord and deare father of mercy) there is not onely no prison, no dolours, nor sorrow, no sighings, no tears, no sicknesse, no hunger, no heat, no colde, no paine, no tentations, no displeasure, no malice, no pride, no vncleannesse, no contention, no torments, no horror, no sinne, no filth, no stinch, no bearth, no death, no weeping, no teares, no misery no mischiefe, there is (I say) not only no such thing or any euill, not some or displeasant thing but all liberty, all light, all pleas [...]ntnesse, all ioy, reioycing, mirth pleasure, health, welth riches glory, power, treasure, honour, triumph, comfort, solace, loue, vnitie, peace, concord, wisedome, vertue, melody, meeknesse, felicitie, beatitude, and all that euer can be wished or desired in most securitie, eternity and perpetuity, that may [Page 235] be thought not onely of man, but of Angels and Archangels yea aboue all thoughts. The eie hath not seene the like, the eare hath not heard, 1. Co [...]. 2. nor no heart is able to conceiue in any point, any part of the blissefull beatitude, which is with thee most deare Lord and Sauior, most gracious God and comforter.

Where thou art O blessed God the Archangels, Angels, Thrones, Powers, Dominions, Cherubins, Seraphins, Patriarchs, Prophets Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, Confessors, and righteous spirits cease not to sing night and day: Holy, Apoc. 4. holy holy, Lord God of hosts, honour maiesty, glory, power, empire and dominion be vnto thee, O God the creator, O Lord Iesus the redeemer, O holy spirit the comforter. Apoc. 5.

In recordation of this, O how thy children reioice, How contemne [Page 236] they the pleasures of this world? How little esteeme they any corporall griefe or shame? How desire they to be with thee? How amiable are thy Tabernacles, O Lord God of hostes, say they: My soule hath a desire to enter into the Courts of the Lord, my heart and my soule reioyceth in the liuing God: blessed are they that dwell in thy house, that they may be alwaies praising thee. For one day in thy Courts is better then a thousand elsewhere, I had rather be a dore keeper in the hou [...]e of my God, then to dwell in the tents of vngodlines: Psal. 24. for the Lord God is a light and defence. And again Like as the Hart desireth the water brooks, so longeth my soule after thee, O God: my soule is a thirst for God, yea euen for the liuing God. Psal. 63. when shall I come to appeare before the presence of God? my soule thirsteth for thee: my soule also [Page 237] longeth after thee in a barren & drie land where no water is.

They (thy children I meane, O Lord) desire the day of that their redemption. Still they cry,Rom. 8. Apo. 12. Phil. 3. Let thy kingdome come. They cry, Come Lord Iesus. They lift vp their heads, looking for thy appearing, O Lord, which wilt make their vile bodies like to thine own glorious and immortall body. For when thou shalt appeare, they shall be like vnto thee, thy Angels will gather them together, and they shall meet thee in the clouds, and be alwaies with thee,Mat. 24. They shall heare this ioyfull voice: Come ye blessed of my father possesse the kingdome, prepared for you from the beginning.

Then shall they be like to thy Angels. Then shall they bee like vnto the Sunne in thy kingdome.Mat. 13. Apo. 7. Then shall they haue crownes of glory, [Page 238] and be induod with white garments of innocency and righteousnesse, hauing palms of victory in their hands. O happy is he that may but see that immortall and incorruptible inheritance, which they shall enioy for euermore. Amen.

I. B.

A meditation of the presence of God.

THere is nothing that maketh more to true godlinesse of life, then the perswasion of thy presence (deare Father) and that nothing is hid from thee, but all to thee is open and naked, euen our very thoughts, which one day thou wilt reueale and open either to our praise or punishment, & in this life as thou diddest Dauids faults which he did secretly 2. Reg. 12. or in the life to come, Math. 25. for nothing is so hid that [Page 239] shall not be reuealed. Therfore doth the Prophet say, Woe to them that keep secret their thoughts, to hide their counsell from the Lord, and do their works in darknes, saying, who seeth vs.

Grant me therefore deare God, mercy for all my sinnes, especially my hid and close sinnes. Enter not into iudgement with me I humbly beseech thee, giue me to beleeue truly in thy Christ, that I neuer come into iudgement for them, and that with Dauid, I might so reueale them vnto thee, that thou wouldest in thy great mercy couer them. And grant further, that henceforth I may alwaies thinke my selfe continually conuersant before thee, so that if I do well, I need not to passe of the publishing of it, as hypocrites doe: if I thinke or do any euil, I may forthwith know that the same shall [Page 240] not alwaies be hid from men.

Grant me that I may alway haue in mind that day wherein the hid works of darknes shall be illuminated, & also that sentence of thy sonne, that nothing is so secret which shall not be reuealed. So in trouble and wrong I shal find comfort, and other wise be kept through thy grace from euill, which do thou worke I humbly beseech thee for Christs sake.

I. B

A meditation on the prouidence of God.

God worketh all in all, maruellously iustly and holily.THis ought to be vnto vs most certaine, that nothing is done without thy prouidence, (O Lord) that is, that nothing is done, bee it good or bad, sweet or sowre, but by thy knowledge, that is, by thy will, wisedome and ordinance (for knowledge doth comprehend all these [Page 241] in it) as in thy holy word wee are taught in many places,Math. 5. that euen the life of a sparrow is not without thy will nor any liberty or power vpon a porket haue all the diuels in hell, but by thy appointment and will, which wil we alwaies must beleeue most assuredly to be al iust and good,Math. 8. howsoeuer otherwise it seeme vnto vs, for thou art maruellous and not comprehensible in the waies, & holy in all thy works.

But hereunto it is necessary also for vs to know no lesse certainely, that though all things bee done by thy prouidence,God worketh by meanes without & against meanes. yet the same prouidence hath many and diuers means to worke by: which meanes being contemned, thy prouidence is contemned also. As for example, meate is a meane to serue thy prouidence for the preseruatiō of health and life here; so that he which contemneth [Page 142] to eate because thy prouidence is certain and infallible, the same contemneth thy prouidence.

Indeed if it were so, that meate could not be had, then should we not tie thy prouidence to this mean, but make it free as thou art free, that is that without meat thou canst helpe and giue health and life: for it is not of any need, that thou vsest any instrument or mean to serue thy prouidence. Thy power and wisedome is infinite, and therefore should wee hang on thy prouidence, euen when all is clean against vs. But for our erudition & infirmities sake, it hath pleased thee by mean to worke and deale with vs here to exercise vs in obedience, and because we cannot else (so great is our corruption) sustaine the naked and bare presence.

Grant me therefore deare father I humbly beseech thee for Christs [Page 243] sake, that as I somthing now know these things, so I may vse this knowledge to my comfort, & commodity in thee, that is, grant that in what state souer I be, I may not doubt but the same doth come to me by thy most iust ordinance, yea by thy mercifull ordinance, for as thou art iust so art thou mercifull, yea thy mercy is aboue all thy works.

And by this knowledge grant me that I may humble my selfe to obey thee, and looke for thy helpe in time conuenient, not only when I haue meanes by which thou maist worke and art accustomed so to doe: but also when I haue no means, but am destitute thereof, yea when all means be directly and cleane against mee, grant, I say, that I may yet still hang vpon thee and thy prouidence not doubting of a fatherly end in thy good time.

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Againe, least I should contemne thy prouidence, or presume vpon it by vncoupling these things which thou hast coupled together preserue me from neglecting thy ordinary and lawfull meanes in all my needs, if so be I may haue them, & with good conscience vse thē, although I know thy prouidence be not tied to them further then pleaseth thee, & grant that I may with diligence, reuerence and thankfulnes vse them and thereto my diligence, wisedome and industry in all things lawfull, to serue thereby thy prouidence, if it so please thee: howbeit so that I hang in no part on the meanes, or on my diligence, wisedome, and industry, but only on thy prouidence, which more and more perswade me to bee altogether fatherly and good, how farre soeuer otherwise it appeare, & seeme, yea or else is felt of me. By [Page 245] this I being preserued from negligence on my behalfe, and despair or murmuring towards thee, shall become diligent and patient through thy meere and alone grace, which giue and increase in me, to the praise of thy holy name for euer, throgh Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour, Amen.

I.B.

A meditation of Gods power, beauty, goodnesse, &c.

BEcause thou Lord wouldst haue vs to loue thee, not onely doest thou will, entice, allure, and prouoke vs, but also dost command vs so to doe, promising thy selfe vnto such as loue thee, and threatning vs with damnation if we do otherwise: wherby we may see both our great corruption and naughtines, & also thine exceeding great mercy towards vs.

First concerning our corruption [Page 246] and naughtinesse what a thing is it that power, riches, authority, beauty, goodnes, liberality, truth, iustice, (all which thou art good Lord) cannot moue vs to loue thee? Whatsoeuer things we see, faire, good wise, mighty, are but euē sparkles of that power, beauty, goodnes, wisedome, which thou art. For to the end thou mightest declare thy riches, beauty, power, wisedome, goodnesse, &c. thou hast not onely made, but still doest conserue all creatures to be (as Dauid saith of the heauens declarers & setters sorth of thy glory, and as a book to teach vs to know thee.

How faire thou art, the beauty of the Sunne, moone, starres, lights, flowers, riuers, fields, hilles, birds, beasts, men, and all creatures, yea the goodly shape, and forme of the whole world doth declare.

How mighty thou art, wee are [Page 247] taught by the creation of this world euen of nought, by gouerning of the same, by punishing the wicked mighty Giants thereof, by ouerthrowing their deuices, by repressing the rages of the Sea within her boundes by storms, tempests, and fires. These & such like declare vnto vs thy inuisible almighty & terrible power, wherby thou subduest al things vnto thee

How rich thou art this world thy great & infinit treasurehouse doth well declare. What plenty is there not only of thinges, but also of euery kind of things? Yea how doest thou yeerely, and daily multiply these kinds? How many seedes dost thou make of one seed? Yea, what great increase dost thou bring it vnto? These cannot but put vs in remembrance of the exceeding riches that thou hast. For if to thine enemies which loue thee (not (as the most [Page 248] part in this world be) if to them thou giuest so plentifully thy riches here, what shall we thinke that with thy self thou hast laid vp for thy friends?

How good thou art, all creatures generally and particularly do teach. What creature is there in the world which thou hast not made for our commodity? I will not say how that thou mightest haue made vs creatures without sense or reasō, if thou haddest would. But among all things, nothing doth so teach vs thy great loue towards vs, as doth the death of thy most dearely beloued sonne, who suffered the paines & terrors thereof,John 15. yea and of hell it selfe for our sakes. If this thy loue had been but a small loue, it would neuer haue lasted so long, and Christ should neuer haue died.

I B.

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A meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body, that it may be subiect and obedient to the soule.

THis our body which God hath made to be the tabernacle and mansion of our soule for this life, if we consider it accordingly, we could not but vse it otherwise then we do: that is, we would vse it for the souls sake, being the guest thereof, and not for the body it selfe, and so should it be serued in things to helpe, but not to hinder the soule. A seruant it is, & therefore it ought to obey & serue the soule, that the soul might serue God, not as the body will, neither as the soule it selfe will, but as God will, whose wil we should learn to know & behaue our selues thereafter. The which thing to obserue is hard for vs now, by reason of sinne which hath gotten a mansion house in our [Page 250] body, and dwelleth in vs as doth the soule. To the which sinne (I mean) we are altogether of our selues inclined, because we naturally are siners nd borne in sinne: by reason wherof. we are ready, as seruants to sin, and to vse our bodies accordingly, making the soule to fit at reward, and pampering vp the seruant to our shame.

O therefore (good Lord) that it would please thee to open this gate vnto me, and to giue me eyes to consider effectually this my body what it is, namely, a seruant lent for the soule to soiourne in, and serue thee in this life: yet it is by reason of sin, that hath his dwelling there, becom now to the soule nothing else but a prison, and that most strait, vile, stinking, filthy, and therfore in danger of miseries, too many in all ages, times and plac [...]s, till death hath turned it [Page 251] to dust whereof it came and whither it shall return, that the soule may returne to thee, from whence it came, vntill the day of iudgement come, in the which thou wilt raise vp the body, that then it may be partaker with the soule and the soule with it inseparably of weale or woe, according to that is done in, and by the same body here now in earth.

Oh that I could consider often and hartily these things, then should I not pamper vp this body to obey it but bridle it, that it might obey the soule: then should I flie the pain it putteth my soule vnto by reason of sinne and prouocation to all euill, and continually desire the dissolution of it with Paul, and the deliuerance from it as much as euer did prisoner his deliuerance out of prison, for as onely by it the diuell hath a dore to tempt, and so to hurt me, in it I am [Page 252] kept from thy presence, and thou frō being so conuersant with me, as else thou wouldest be: by it I am testrained f [...]om the sense and feeling of all the ioyes and comforts (in manner) which are to be taken as ioyes and comforts indeed. If it were dissolued and I out of it, then could Sathan no more hurt me, then wouldest thou speake with me face to face, then the conflicting time were at an end, then sorrow would cease, and ioy would increase, and I should enter into inestimable rest. Oh that I could consider this accordingly.

I. B.

Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body and pleasure of this life.

THe beginning of all euill in our kind of liuing, springeth out of the deprauation and corruptnesse of our iudgement, because our will [Page 253] alwaies followeth that which reasō iudgeth to be followed. Now that which euery man taketh to be friendly and agreeing to his nature, the same doth he iudge necessarily to be good for him and to be desired. This as meat, drinke, apparel, riches, fauour, dignity, rule, knowledge, and such like, because they are thought good and agreeing either to the body or to the mind, or to both: for they helpe either to the conseruation or to the pleasure of man, accounted of euery one amongst good things.

Howbeit such is the weaknes of our wit on the one part, & the blindnes and too much rage of our lusts on the other part, that we being left to our selues, cannot but in the desire of things which we iudge good and agreeing to our nature, by the iudgement af our senses and reason, we cannot (I say) but ouerpas the [Page 254] bounds whereby they might be profitable vnto vs, & so we make them hurtfull vnto vs, which of thēselues are ordained for our health. What is more necessary then meate and drinke, or more agreeing to nature? But yet how few be there which do not hurt thēselues by them? In like maner it goeth with riches, estimation, friends, learning, &c yea, although we be in these most temperat, yet when there wanteth thy spirit our regenerator, we are so drowned in them that we vtterly neglect to lift vp our minds to the good pleasure of God, to the end we might imitate and follow God our maker, by yeelding our selues ouer duly to vse his gifts to the common and priuate vtility of our neighbors.

But now God only is life and eternity, and cannot but demand of vs his handy work, that we should [Page 255] tender our selues and all we haue to the end wherefore we were made, that is, to resemble for our portion, his goodnes, as they which be nothing else but witnesses, and instruments of his mercy: So that when we wholy do naturally striue against that kind of life, wherunto he hath created vs, by seeking alwaies our selues, what other thing ought to ensue, but that he should again destroy vs, and take away his notable gifts wherwith he therfore endued vs, that by all kind of well doing we should resemble his image? yea what other thing may ensue, but that he should leaue vs, and that eternally, that we might feele, and by experiente proue how bitter a thing it is to leaue the Lord, in whom is all goodnes? O that I might therefore find such fauour in thy sight (deare Father) that thou wouldest work in [Page 256] me by thy holy spirit, & true knowledge to all good things, and hearty loue to the same, through Christ Iesus our Lord and only Sauiour, Amen.

I. B.

A meditation of death, and the commodities it bringeth.

VVHat other thing do we daily in this present life, but heape sinne vpon sinne, and hoord vp trespasse vpon trespasse? so that this day is worse alwaies then yesterday, by increasing as daies, so sins, & therfore thy indignation, good Lord against vs: but when we shall be let out of the prison of this body, and so taken into thy blessed company, then shall we be in most safety of immortality, and saluation: then shall come vnto vs no sicknes, no need, no paine, no kind of euill to soule or body, but whatsoeuer good [Page 257] we can wish, that shall we haue, & whatsoeuer we loath, shall bee farre from vs. O dear father that we had faith to behold these things accordingly. O that our hearts were perswaded thereof, and our affections inflamed with the desire of them.

Then should we liue in longing for that which now we most loath. Oh helpe vs, and grant that wee being ignorant of things to come, and of the time of our death (which to thee is certaine) may so loue and finish our iourny here, that we may be ready and then depart, when our departing may make most to thy glory and our comfort through Christ.

What is this life but a smoake, a vapour, a shadow, a warfare, a bubble of water, a word, grasse, a flower? That thou shalt die, it is most certaine, but the time no man can tel when. The longer in this life [Page 258] thou doest remaine, the more thou sinnest, which will turne to thy more paine. By cogitation of death, our minds be often in manner oppressed with darknes, because wee doe but remember the night of the body, forgetting the light of the mind, and of the resurrection.

Here to remember the good things that after this life shall ensue, with our wauering, in certainty of faith, and so shall the passage of death hee more desired. It is like a sailing ouer the sea to thy home and Country, it is like a medicin or purgation to the helth of the soule & body: it is the best Physition; it is like to a womans trauell: for as the child being deliuered, commeth into a more larger place then the wombe wherein it did lie before, so thy soule, being deliuered out of thy body, commeth into a much more large and faire place, [Page 259] euen into heauen.

A meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ.

OH Lord Iesus Christ the sonne of the euerliuing God, by whom all things were made, and be ruled and gouerned, thou the liuely image of the substance of the Father, the eternall wisedome of GOD, the brightnes of his glory GOD of God, light of light coequall, coeternall and consubstantial with the father, thou which of the loue thou haddest to mankind when he was fallen from the fellowship of God into the society of Satan and all euill, didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediator between God and man, taking to thy Godhead our nature, as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man, also the heire of all, and most mercifull [Page 260] Messias which by the power of thy Godhead, and merits of thy Manhood, hast made purgation of our sinnes, euen by thine owne self, whilest thou wast here on earth, beeing now set on the right hand of thy father for vs, euen concerning our nature, in maiesty, glory and power, infinite, I pray and humbly beseech thy mercy to grant me at this presēt to reherse some of thy passions & sufferings for me, the last night that thou wast here before thy death, that thy good spirit may thereby be effectuall to worke in me faith, aswell of the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affecti [...]us, comfort in my crosses, and patience in afflictions, Amen.

In the middest of thy last Supper with thy dear Apostles, these things could not but be before thee, namely that they all would leaue thee, [Page 261] the most earnest would forsweare thee, and one of the twelue should most traiterously betray thee, which were no small crosses to thee, Iudas was admonished of thee to beware; but when he took no heed, but wilfully went out to finish his worke, contemning thy admonition & counsell he could not but vex thy most louing heart.

After supper there was contention amongst thy Disciples who should be greatest after thee, yet dreaming carnally of thee and thy kingdome, & hauing this affection of pride and ambition busie amongst them, notwithstanding thy diligence in reprouing and teaching them.

After thy admonition to them of the crosse that should come, thereby to make them more vigilant, so grosse were they, that they thought they could with their two swordes put [Page 262] away all perils, which was no little griefe vnto thee. After thy comming to Bethlehem heauines pressed thee and therefore thou willedst thy disciples to pray; thou diddest tell to Peter and his fellows that thy heart was heauy to death. Thou diddest will them to pray, being carefull for them also, least they should fall into temptation After this thou wentest a stones cast from them, & didst pray thy selfe, falling flat & groueling vpon the earth, but alasse thou feltest no comfort, and therfore thou camest to thy disciples (which of all others were most sweet & deare vnto thee) but loe thy further discomfort, they passe neither of thy perills, nor of their owne, and therefore sleepe apace.

After thou hadst awaked them, thou goest againe to pray, but thou foundest no comfort at all, and therfore [Page 263] diddest returne againe for some comfort at thy detest friends hands. But yet againe (alas) they are fast asleep. Wherupon thou art enforced to goe again to thy heauenly father for some sparke of comfort in these thy wonderfull crosses and agonies. Now here thou wast so discouraged and so comfortles, that euen streams of bloud came running from thine eies and eares, and other parts of thy body. But who is able to expresse the infinitnesse of thy Crosse euen at thy being in the garden? All which thou sufferedst for my sake, as well to satisfie thy Fathers wrath for my sinnes, as also to sanctifie all my sufferings, the more gladly to be sustained for euer.

After thy bloudy praier thou camst and yet againe foundest thy disciples a sleepe: and before thou canst well awake them, loe Iudas commeth [Page 264] with a great band of men to apprehend thee as a theefe, and so doth leading thee away bound to the high Bishops house Annas, and so from him to Caiphas. Here now to augment this thy misery, behold thy disciples flie from thee, false witnesses be brought against thee, thou art accused and condemned of blasphemie, Peter euen in thy sight forsweareth thee; thou art vniustly stricken for answering lawfully: thou art blindfolded, stricken & buffered al the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas house of their seruants.

In the morning betimes thou art condemned againe of the Priests of blasphemy, and therfore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate, by whom thou art openly arraigned, as other theeues and malefactors were, and when he saw that thou wast accused of malice, yet hee [Page 265] did not dismisse thee, but send thee to Herod where thou wast shamfully derided in comming and going to him, and from him al the way, especially after Herod had apparelled thee as a foole.

Afore Pilate againe therefore thou wast brought and accused falsly: no man did take thy part, or speake a good word for thee.

Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged, & to be handled most pittifully, to see if any pitty might appeare with the Prelates, but no man at all pittied thee.

Barrabas was preferred before thee al the people head and taile, was against thee and cried, Hang him vp: vniustly to death wast thou iudged, thou wast crowned with thorns, they pearced thy brains, thou wast made a mocking stocke, thou wast reuiled, beaten, and most miserably handled.

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Thou wentest through Ierusalem to the place of execution euen to the Mount of Caluarie, a great Crosse to hang thee on, was laid vpon thy backe to beare and draw, as long as thou was able.

Thy body was racked to be nailed to the tree, thy hands were boared through, and thy feet also, nailes were put through them to fastē thee thereon, thou wast hanged between heauen and earth, as one spued out of heauen, and vomited out of the earth, vnworthy of any place: the hie Priest laughed thee to s [...]orne the Elders blasphemed thee, and said, God hath noe care of thee, the common people laughed and cried out vpon thee, thirst oppressed thee, but Vinegar only and gall was giuen thee to drinke, heauen shined not vpon thee, the sun gaue thee no light, y^e earth was afraid to beare thee, satan [Page 267] tempted thee, and thine owne senses caused thee to cry out. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? O wonderfull passions which thou sufferedst. In thē thou teachest me, in them thou comfortest mee, for by them God is my father, my sins are forgiuen By thē I should learne to feare God, to loue God, and neuer to leaue him for any tēptations, but with thee to crie, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.

A praier to Christ crucified.

AS thou O Lord wast crucified for me, so I beseech thee crucifie me with thee, that I may rise againe with thee to euerlasting life. Thy flesh was crucified for me: crucifie with thee (O Christ) the kingdome of the flesh, which hath dominion in me, that I may put off the old Adam, and by newnesse of [Page 268] life may be transformed into thee the second Adam, sin, infidelity, and the whole tyranny of Satan being vanquished and ouercome.

Bring to passe (O Lord), that by thy crosse and painfull suffering, thy yoke may be to me made light, & thy burden easie, that willingly & gladly following thee, I may come whither thou art gone: that is to thy Father most blessed and immortall, from whom nothing shall afterward be able to separate vs.

God forbid that I should reioyce in any thing, but in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified vnto me, and I vnto the world. Gal 6.

A praier to Christ ascended, and raigning in glory.

O Good Christ, our first begotten brother and tender hearted [Page 269] Ioseph, O naturall Sonne of that Father to whom we are made Children by adoption through thee, Oh our head raigning on high in glory, forget vs not thy poore members here on earth, whereunto abasing thy selfe thou camest downe & sufferedst for vs most cruell death. Out of this thy throne of maiesty and glory thou puttest vs in assured hope and confidence that we also shall attaine to that blessed place, whither thou art gone before to take possession for vs. Oh our strong tower of defence and succour, what can hurt vs now trusting in thee? Most vnhappy are they which are ignorant of thee: most happy are they which alwaies behold thee: Blessed are they which haue known thee here in the daies of their mortality, but more blessed are they which see thee in the heauens, and shall see thee raigning [Page 271] with thy father in ioyes incomparable, O Lord the onely ioy and comfort of our soules, shew vs thy louing countenance, embrace vs with the armes of thy mercy: receiue vs O good Ioseph thy yonger brethren with the kisse of comfort, powre into our hearts thy holy spirit, plucke vs vp from the earth & earthly things: open our eyes, and lift them vp vnto thee: open thy mouth and call vs vnto thee, open our eares that we may heare thee, so that what soeuer we do speake, or thinke, it may be directed vnto thee alone, our redeemer, mediator and aduocate.

If ye be risen again with Christ, seek the things which are aboue, where Christ setteth at the right hād of God set your affection on things that are aboue, and not on things which are on earth. Col. 3.

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Another.

THou Lord diddest put away Mary Magdalen from the kissing of thy feet, because thy flesh was not yet exalted, and she knew not yet the dignity of thy glorified body, & beautified with the glory of immortality, but was addicted only to the bodily presence.

She yet sought the liuing among the dead, neither was it known to her that thou wast equall with thy father. Wherfore thou wouldest not suffer her so much as to kisse thy feet, because it was a thing vnworthy for thy maiesty. O thou mighty Lion of the Tribe of Iuda thou conqueror of hell and death, euerliuing and immortall, thou art now risen from death for vs, thou art now ascē ded to thy Father and our Father, and sittest at his right hand in glorie, suffer vs to come neer vnto thee [Page 272] that we may kisse thee; yea Lord thou louer of our soules,Cant. 1. come then rather vnto vs, & kisse vs with the kisse of thy mouth, that we may bee glad and reioice in thee, draw vs that we may runne after the sauour of thy sweet ointments, that wee may behold thee in righteousnesse,Psal. 17. and when thy glory shal appeare we may be satisfied: for in thy presence there is fulnesse of ioy,Psal. 16. and in thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore.

A Praier for true repentance.

MOst gratious God and mercifull father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, because I haue sinned and done wickedly, and through thy goodnesse haue receiued a desire of repentance, whereunto this thy long suffering doth draw my hard heart, [Page 293] I beseech thee for thy great mercies sake in Christ, to worke the same repentance in me; and by thy spirit, power and grace, so to humble mortifie and feare my conscience for my sinnes to saluation, that in thy good time thou maist comfort & quicken me again, through Iesus Christ thy dearely beloued Son. So be it.

I.B.

A praier for the strength and increase of faith.

O Merciful God and deare father of our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ (in whom as thou art well pleased, so hast thou commanded vs to heare him) forasmuch as hee often biddeth vs to aske of thee, and also promiseth that thou wil [...] heare vs and gran [...] vs that which in his name we shall aske of thee, lo [...] gracious father, we are bold to be [...] of thy mercy through thy sonne Iesus Christ one sparkle of true faith [Page 274] and certaine perswasion of thy goodnesse and loue towards vs in Christ, where through I being assured of the pardon of all my sinnes by the merits of Christ thy sonne, may be thankfull to thee, loue thee, and serue thee, in holinesse and righteousnes all the daies of my life.

I.B.

A praier for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercy in Christ.

OH Lord God and deare Father, what shall I say, that feele all things to be (in maner) with mee as in the wicked▪ Blind is my mind, crooked is my will and peruerse concupiscence is in me, as a spring or stinking puddle. O how faint is faith in me? How little is my loue to thee or to thy people? How great is selfe loue? How hard is my heart? By reason whereof I am [Page 275] mooued to doubt of thy goodnesse towards mee, whether thou art my mercifull Father, and whether I be thy child or no. Indeed worthily might I doubt, if that the hauing of these were the cause, and not the fruit rather of thy children. The cause why thou art my father, is thy mercy, goodnesse, grace, and truth in Christ Iesus, which cannot but remaine for euer. In respect whereof thou hast borne me this good will, to bring me into thy Church by baptisme, and to accept me into the number of thy children, that I might bee holy, faithful, obedient and innocent, and to call me diuers times by the ministery of thy word into thy kingdome, besides thy innumerable other benefits, alwaies hitherto powred vpon me. All which thou hast done of this thy good will, which thou of thine owne mercy barest to mee in [Page 276] Christ, and for Christ, before the world was made. The which thing as thou requirest straitly that I should beleeue without doubting; so wouldest thou that in all my needs I should come vnto thee, as vnto a Father and make my mone without mistrust of being heard in thy good time, as most shall make to my comfort. Loe therefore to thee, deare Father, I come through thy sonne our Lord, mediator, and aduocate Iesus Christ, who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for me, and pray thee of thy great goodnesse & mercy in Christ to be mercifull vnto mee, that I may feele indeed thy sweet mercy as thy child. The time (Oh deare father) I appoint not, but I pray thee that I may with hope stil expect and looke for thy helpe, I hope that as thou for a litle whil hast left me, so thou wilt come and visit mee, [Page 277] and that in thy great mercy, whereof I haue need by reason of my great misery.

Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whom thou louest, but surely (O Redeemer) in eternall mercies thou wilt shew thy compassions. For when thou leauest vs O Lord, thou dost not leaue vs very long, neither dost thou leaue vs to our owne losse, but to our lucre and aduantage, euen that thy holy spirit with bigger portion of thy power and vertue may lighten and cheare vs, that the want of feeling of our sorrow, may be recompenced plentifully with the liuely sense of hauing thee to our eternall ioy, and therfore thou swarest that in thine euerlasting mercy thou wilt haue compassion on vs. Of which thing, to the end we might be most assured, thine oath is to bee [Page 278] marked, for thou saiest: As I haue sworne that I will neuer bring any more the waters to drown the world: so haue I sworne that I will neuer more be angry with thee, nor reproue thee. The mountaines shall remoue, & the hils shall fall downe, but my louing kindnesse shall not moue, & the bond of my peace shall not faile thee. Thus saiest thou, the Lord our mercifull redeemer.

Deare Father, therefore I pray thee remember, euen for thine owne truth and mercy sake, this promise and euerlasting couenant, which in thy good time, I pray thee to write in my heart, that I may know thee to be the only true God, and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent; that I may loue thee with all my heart for euer, that I may loue thy people for thy sake, that I may be wholy in thy sight through Christ, that I [Page 279] may alwaies not only striue against sin, but also ouercome the same daily more and more, as thy children do, aboue all things desiring the sanctification of thy name, the comming of thy kingdome, the doing of thy will here on earth, as it is in heauen, &c. through Iesus Christ our redeemer, mediator and aduocate, Amen.

I. B.

A praier against our spirituall enemies, the diuell, the world, and the flesh

O Lord God, the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom hee may deuoure, the flesh lusteth against the spirit, the world perswadeth vnto vanities y^t we may forget thee our Lord God, & so for euer be damned. Thus are we miserable on euery side, beset and besieged of cruell & vnrestfull enemies, [Page 280] and like euery moment to perish, if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyranny: Wee therefore poore and wretched sinners despairing of our owne strength. which indeed is none, most hartily pray thee to endue vs with strength from aboue, that we may bee able through thy help with strong faith to resist Satan with feruent praier to mortifie the lusts of the flesh, with continuall meditation of thy holy lawes, to auoid the foolish vanities and transitory pleasures of this wicked world: that through thy grace wee being set at liberty from the power of these our mortall enemies may serue thee here in true holinesse and righteousnesse, & after be partakers of the euerlasting ioies prepared for thy children, which as they are great and vnspeakable, so are there few that doe enioy them. For strait [Page 281] is the way, and narrow is the gate that leadeth therunto, and few therbe that find it. Notwithstanding (O GOD) thou hast a little flocke te whom it is thy pleasure to giue that ioyfull kingdome: whose names are written in the book of life. Make vs therefore of that number, for Iesus Christs sake, and place vs amongst those thy sheep which shall stand on thy right hand, to receiue that blessed inheritance, and dwell with thee for euermore.

A praier for present helpe in temptation.

DEare father to whom it is more easie to doe all things, then for mee to thinke any one good thing, Loe doe thou but speake a word, and thy deadly sicke seruant, my soule, shall be made whole. Helpe (O Lord) for thy great mercy sake, [Page 282] for thy truths sake, and for thy deare son Iesus Christs sake, and let thy strength suffice against my weakenesse and thy ho y spirit against my sinfull flesh and old man.

Thou art faithfull (O Father) who hast promised that I shall not be tempted further then thou wilt make me able to bea [...]e. Giue now therefore thy grace and strength vnto thy seruant, that I may with a strong faith in thy vnfallible truth and promised mercy, vanquish and subdue whatsoeuer rebelleth against thy most blessed will, preserue and keepe holy my soule and body; and let them not be defiled and made a dungeon of diuels and wicked spirits through delectation in sinne. Behold deare Father the postes thereof are sprinkled with the precious bloud of thy deare son, and of thy great mercy they are made the temple and tabernacle [Page 283] of thy holy spirit. Shall now (alas) the diuell, the world, or the flesh, plucke from thee that thing which presently crieth to thee with assured trust in thy promised helpe? Nay further, but grant that I may by thy mighty power turne all their crafts, deceits, and raging assaults vnto the increase of thy fatherly assistance in this my present tēptation, and may with assured hope and trust in thy ready helpe and comfort, ouercome my said enemies hereafter in like assaults, & praise thy holy name for the victory, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

My sonne if thou wilt come into the seruice of the Lord, stand fast in righteousnesse and feare, and prepare thy soule to tentation. Eccles. 2.

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Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations.

First, remember that sinne is so hainous a thing, that God by his iustice might worthily damne thee for the same, & is therfore to be abhorred, as a sweet poison, a flattering death and destruction of the soule, which would cut thee off from God thy Sauior, and make thee a bondslaue to Satan thy deadly enemy

Auoid therefore euen at the fi [...]st the occasions thereof, and be time squash out the braines of the children of Babilon against the hard stones, whiles yet they be yong and weake, lest when they be growne elder and stronger, they dash thee to pieces.

And for a remedy against the same, flie vnto God, who commandeth thee to call vpon him in thy trouble, and promiseth to deiluer thee, and wil not [Page 285] suffer thee to be further tempted then he will make a way out, whereby thou shalt escape, and doubt not, but hee that causeth thee to hate the sin which thy nature is to loue, will deliuer thee also from the dangers thereof, and make thee to triumph ouer Satan to his confusion, to Gods glory, and thy great comfort, which are causes that our tender louing Father sendeth tentations, vnto vs; and hee that is not tempted what is he?

Now after thou hast obtained the victory, remember two things; first, to giue most hearty thankes to God for his grace and assistance, whereby thou hast ouercome, and be not vnthankfull in any wise: and then that he who continually goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may deuour, will not be long, or farre away from thee, but will attempt againe the same, or as euill waies, to ouercome [Page 286] thee. Watch therefore and pray.

A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauy wrath and vengeance for our sins.

OH Lord God strong and mighty great and fearful, which dwellest in the heauens, & workest great wonders, we thy miserable children, here vpon earth, do most humbly beseech thee to be mercifull vnto vs, to pardon our offences, and to forgiue vs all our sinnes. O Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruants, for if thou doe, there shall no flesh bee saued in thy sight.

We confesse and acknowledge, O Lord, that it is our sinnes which haue mooued thee to wrath, and to shew such fearefull tokens of thy displeasure towards vs in these our daies, first, with fire from heauen, [Page 287] betokening the hot burning indignation and wrathfull displeasure for sinne, which aboundeth at this day: then, with such horrible and monstrous shapes against natur as were neuer seen here in our daies, nor in any time before vs, which do betoken to vs none other thing, but thy plagues to come vpon vs, for our degenerate and monstrous life & conuersation. And now desides all this, by great mortality, plagues and pestilence thou hast terribly threatned vs, fatherly warned vs, and mercifully called vs to repentance. The axe is set to the root of the tree, and if we bee not as rotten members without all sense and feeling, wee may perceiue our fearefull destruction and desolation to bee at hand, (vnlesse wee speedily repent and turne vnto thee) because wee haue been so long taught out of thy most [Page 288] holy and sacred word, and yet no fruits of repentance or Christian life will appeare.

Woe and alas to these our daies, that neither preaching by word most comfortable, nor preaching by fire most terrible, nor preaching by monsters most strange and vgly, neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible, will stir vp our stony hearts, and awake vs from our sinnes.

Wee feare (O Lord) that the Turkes with all the rest of the vnbeleeuing wil condemn vs in the last day: which if they had been so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word, and sweet promises of thy Gospell, or seen the wonders which we haue seen, no doubt their righteousnesse would haue shined at this day to our great shame and confusion. Thou hast no lesse [Page 289] warned vs (O Lord) of thy fearefull displeasure & heauy plagues, at hand for our great wickednes, then thou diddest the Israelits of that horrible destruction which came vpon them, whom thou first in mercy diddest call to repentance by y^e preaching of thy word: but when no warning would serue, thou didd [...]st send them monstrous and fearefull signes & tokens, to declare that thy visitation was not far off. But they like to vs at this day, did alwaies interpret those things after the imaginaion of their owne vaine hearts, promising to themselues peace when destruction was ouer their heads.

Which things when we do call to mind (forasmuch as they are written for our learning, example and warning) it maketh vs to tremble and quake for feare of thy iust iudgements. For if thou hast thus dealt [Page 290] with thine owne deare and chosen children, in token of thy great wrath against sinne, what shall we looke for, who do no lesse deserue thy fearefull scourge (for of mercy it is that thou dost thus long forbeare vs) and liue as though there were no God at all to be reuenged vpon our sinnes. It maketh vs to feare and cry inwardly in our soules,Apo. 22. Come Lord Iesu, holy and true in all thy doings, and shorten our daies; and bring this our pilgrimage to an end, suffer vs not to heape sinne vpon sinne, vntill the day of vengeance, lest we be caught vp amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate, which shall neuer see thy louing countenance.

It maketh vs to cry to thee (O Lord) Let thy kingdome come, and end this our sinfull life, wherein wee do nothing but prouoke thee to wrath.

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Correct vs not O Lord, in thine indignation, Psal. 6. neither chasten vs in thine heauy displeasure. And though to vs belongeth nothing but shame & confusion, psal. 89 though our offences haue deserued to be visited with the rod, and our sinnes with scourges, yet in mercy Lord & with fatherly correction, chasten vs, and thy louing kindnesse take not away from vs. To thee we fly for succour, ps, vnder the wings of thy mercy, shall be our refuge, vntill thou turne thy wrathful countenance fro [...] vs. Eccl. 23. Wee know that thy mercy i [...] [...] boue all thy works, and euen as [...]at as thy selfe. Therefore will w [...] say with holy Iob, Though thou ill vs, Job. 13. yet will we put our whole [...]rust in thee.

Thou camest to comfort and pluch out of the dungeon of hell, such wretches as we are. Thou art the good Samaritā that camest to heal [Page 292] our deadly wounds: thou art that good Physition that camest to cure our mortall infirmities,Luk. 15. thou art the good Shepheard that camest to seek vs wandring and lost sheep, & to bring vs to thy fold againe:E [...]. & more then that, thou art our brother, flesh of our flesh,Isa. 53. & bone of our bones: which hast tasted of our infirmities, felt our temptations, and borne the burden of our sinnes, therefore at thy hands [...]e looke for mercy against the day of [...]ngeance. And though thou punish [...]er our hope is, and euer shall be, tha [...] [...]hy rodde shall no farther touch vs, [...]en shall make to thy glory, our comm [...]dity, and the strengthning and increa [...] of our faith.

Let this thy preaching sundry waies (O Lord) be sufficient for our warning, and grant that we may speedliy and from the bottome of our hearts repent, endeuour to doe thy [Page 293] righteous and blessed will reuealed in thy word, and frame our liues according to the same, that wee may here liue in thy feare all the daies of our life, & after this our sinful course is ended, may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdome, through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our only redeemer. So be it.

Another praier for the auoiding of Gods deserued wrath hanging ouer vs for our sinnes.

VVHen we looke back and behold our sinful life past, what a dungeon of errours, vice and wickednesse openeth it selfe vnto vs? So that there is no man but he must needs be ashamed of himselfe when he cals to mind what e hath been, and tremble when he considereth the wickednesse and sinfull course of hi [...] [Page 294] life to come, for who shall vndertake that the rest of our life shall be any better then is past? How can wee then sufficiently magnifie and praise thy great mercy, which hast deferred thy punishment so long? Beholding therefore this our dangerous & miserable state, we come vnto thee (O thou great and mighty Iudge) in trembling and fear, humbly beseeching thee not to heap vpon vs thy deserued vengeance: but let thy tender kindnes and loue thou barest to Iesus Christ thy Sonne our gracious Lord and redeemer, couer our iniquities: for whose sake (though we deserue al extreamity) thou dost pardon vs.

If thou Lord shalt straightly marke our iniquity, O Lord who shall be able to abide it? Psal. 103.

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A praier to be said of all such as suffer any kind of crosse.

ALmighty God, king of all kings, and gouernour of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth iustly, to punish sinners, and to be merciful [...] vnto them that truly repent: we confesse that thou dost iustly punish vs, for we haue grieuously sinned against thee. And we acknowledge that in punishing vs thou doest declare thy selfe to be our most mercifull father, as wel because thou doest not punish vs in any thing as we haue deserued, as also because by punishing vs thou doest call vs and (as it were) draw vs to increase in repentance, in faith, in praier in contemning of the world, and in hearty desiring of euerlasting life, and thy blessed presence.

Graunt vs therefore gracious [Page 296] Lord thankfully to acknowledge thy great mercy, which hast thus fauorably dealt with vs, punishing vs not to our confusion, but to our amendment. And seeing thou hast sworne that thou wilt not the death of a sinner, but that he turn and liue, haue mercy vpon vs, and turne vs vnto thee for thy dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christs sake, whom thou wouldest should be made a slain sacrifice for our sinnes, thereby declaring thy great and vnspeakable anger against sinne, & thine infinite mercy towards vs sinfull wretches.

And forasmuch as the dulnesse, blindnes & corruption of our hearts is such, that we are not able to arise vp vnto thee by faithfull and hearty praier, according to our great necessity, without thy singular grace and assistance, grant vnto vs gracious Lord, thy holy and sanctifying spirit [Page 297] to worke in vs this good worke, with grace to weigh and consider the need and greatnesse of that wee doe desire, and with an assured faith and trust, that thou wilt grant vs our requests, because thou art good and gracious euen to yong Rauens calling vpon thee, much more then to vs for whom thou hast made all things, yea and hast not spared also thine owne deare sonne, because thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thee, because thy throne wherto we come, is a throne of grace and mercy, because thou hast giuen vs a mediator Christ to bring vs vnto thee, being the way by whom we come, being the doore by whom we enter, & being our head on whom we hang & hope, that our poor petitions shal not be in vain, through him & for his names take.

We beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercy, wherin thou art plentifull [Page 298] to all them that cal vpon thee, to forgiue vs our sinnes, namely, our vnthankfulnes, vnbeleefe, selfeloue, neglect of thy word, security, hypocrisie, contempt of thy long suffering, omission of prayer, doubting of thy power, presence mercy and good wil towards vs, vnsensiblenesse of thy grace, impatience, &c. And to this thy benefit of correcting vs, and this gracious gift of repentance, faith, the spirit of praier, the contempt of this world, and hearty desiring of euerlasting life. Indue vs with thy holy spirit, according to thy couenant of mercy, aswell to assure vs of pardon, and that thou doest accept vs in thy fauour, as thy deare children in Christ and for his sake, as to write thy law in our hearts, and so to worke in vs, that wee may now begin and go forward in beleeuing, louing, fearing, obeying, praysing, [Page 299] hoping & seruing thee, as thou doest require most fatherly and most iustly of vs, accepting vs as perfect in thy sight, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

A praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods Word.

O Gratious God, which seekest all meanes possible how to bring thy children into the feeling & sure sense of thy mercy, and therefore when prosperity will not serue, then sendest thou aduersity, graciously correcting them here whom thou wilt haue elsewhere to liue with thee for euer: we poore wretches giue humble praises and thanks to thee, that thou hast vouchsed vs worthy of thy correction at this present, heereby to worke that which wee in prosperity and liberty did neglect. [Page 300] For the which neglecting and many other our grieuous sinnes, whereof we now accuse our selues before thee (most mercifull Lord) thou mightest most iustly haue giuen vs ouer and destroied vs both in soul & body. But such is thy goodnes towards vs in christ, that thou seemest to forget all our offences, and as though we were far otherwise then we bee indeed, thou wilt that we should suffer this crosse now laid vpon vs for thy truth and Gospels sake; and so be thy witnesses with the Prophets Apostles, Martyrs, & Confessors, yea with thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ, to whom thou dost now here begin to fashion vs like, that in thi [...] glory, we may be like to him also.

O good God what are we on whom thou shouldest shew this great mercy? Oh louing Lord, forgiue vs our vnthankfulnesse and sinnes. Oh [Page 301] faithfull Father, giue vs thine holy spirit now to crie in our hearts. Abba, dear Father; to assure vs of our eternall election in Christ, to reueale more and more thy truth vnto vs, to confirme, strengthen, and stablish vs in the same, that we may liue & die in it as vessels of thy mercy, to thy glory, and to the commodity of thy Church. Indue vs with the spirit of thy wisedome, that with good conscience, we may alwaies so answer the enemies in thy cause, as may turn to their conuersion or confusion, & our vnspeakable consolation in Christ Iesus: for whose sake we beseech thee henceforth to keepe vs, to giue vs patience, and to wil no otherwise our deliuerance or mitigation of our misery then may stand alwaies with thy good pleasure and mercifull will towards vs.

Grant this deare Father, not only [Page 302] to vs in this place, but also to all others elsewhere, afflicted for thy names sake, through the death and merits of Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

I.B.

A praier to God the Father, the Son and the holy Ghost.

O Almighty and euerliuing God, the eternall Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which of thy vnmeasurable goodnes hast opened thy self vnto vs, and with a loud voice hast said; of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord, Heare him: O maker and preseruer of all things, with thy coeternall son our Lord Iesus Christ, which raigneth with thee (and was manifested in Ierusalem) & with thy holy spirit which was poured vpon the Apostles. O wise God, mercifull Iudge, and mighty Lord, which hast said, As truely as I liue, [Page 303] I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he shold conuert & amend: which also hast said: Cal vpon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliuer thee; haue mercy vpon vp for Iesus Christs sake, whom thou wouldest of thy meruellous and incomprehensible counsaile should bee made for vs a slaine sacrifice,He. 6.11. mediator, reconciler, and peace-maker, to the end that thou mightest shew thine exceeding great wrath against sin, and thine inestimable mercy towards mankind. Sanctifie and illuminate our hearts and soules with thy holy spirit, that wee may truely beleeue in thee, call vpon thee, bee thankfull vnto thee and obedient to thy holy will. Defend, gouerne, & cherish thy Church, as thou hast promised, saying:Esa. 55. This is my couenant that I haue made with them. My spirit which is in thee, and my word which [Page 304] I haue put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed for euer. Preserue those kingdomes & common weales, which giue harboure to thy people, and maintaine the ministery of thy holy word and Gospell, that the kingdome of thy sonne Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world.

O Iesus Christ, Sonne of the euerlasting God,A praier to God the Son. crucified for vs and raised also from the dead, and now raigning at the right hand of thy father that thou maist giue gifts vnto men, which hast said, Come vnto me all ye that labour, and are heauy loaden, and I will refresh you. Haue mercy vpon vs, and pray for vs vnto thy eternal Father:Joh. 14. sanctifie and gouerne vs with thy holy spirit, helpe and succour vs in al our necessities, as thou hast promised saying: I will [Page 305] not leaue you comfortlesse.

O holy and blessed spirit, together with the father and the son, one true and euerliuing God, full of maiesty and power, which with thy heauenly inspiration quicknest the mindes of them that afore were dead in sinne, makest ioifull the hearts of the faithfull penitent, bringest into the way of truth all such as ha [...]e erred and gone astray, comfortest the soules of such as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, and plenteouslie enrichest those with diuers gifts which aske them in Iesus Christs name: purifie our hearts (wee beseech thee) and inflame them with the fire of thy loue: replenish them with thy heauenly benefits and spirituall blessings, that they may bee made meere temples for thee; leade vs into all truth, which aet the onely fountaine of truth, and mortifie [Page 306] in vs whatsoeuer proceedeth not of thee.

Or else pray thus.

O holy spirit, powred into the Apostles, which hast promised vnto vs by the sonne of God our Redeemer, to kindle in vs a true knowledge and inuocation of God, as it is written, I will powre vpon you the spirit of grace and compassion: make to arise in our harts a true feare of God, and faith and knowledge of thy mercy, which the eternal father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised vnto vs for his sons sake. Be our comforter in all our counsels and dangers. Illuminate our vnderstanding, and fill our hearts with new affections and spirituall motions, and renew vs both in soule and body that we may die to sinne, and liue to righteousnes and so in true obedience may praise [Page 307] the father of our Lord Iesus Christ, and his sonne our redeemer, and the [...] also our comforter euerlastingly.

A thanksgiuing to God the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost.

VVE rēder thanks vnto thee O Almighty and eternall God, with the deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ, and with thy holy spirit, for that of thin exceeding great goodnes, thou hast made thy selfe knowne vnto vs by most assured and euiden [...] testimonies, and for that thou hast ga [...]hered and chosen vnto thy selfe a perpetuall Church, and wouldest that thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ should suffer death, to restore vs from death to life, for that thou hast giuen to vs thy Gospel and the holy Ghost, for that thou forgiuest vs our sinnes, deliuerest vs [Page 308] from the power of the diuel, and from eternall death, and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life: finally, for that thou hast visited vs with many great benefits, giuing vs life, food, doctrine, peace in such places as we haue liued in, and hast diminished the pains which we haue iustly deserued.

We giue thankes vnto thee (O Lord Iesus Christ,A thanksgiuing to the Son. sonne of the liuing God, crucified for vs and risen againe, because thou hast coupled vnto thee our humane nature, and of thy inestimable loue diddest giue thy selfe to death for vs, turning vpon thee the great wrath of GOD the Father, conceiued against vs, to reconcile vs vnto him, and [...]o purchase vs eternall redemption, because thou hast brought vs to this grace wherin we stand and reioice in hope of the glory of GOD: because thou doest preserue, cherish, and defend [Page 309] send thy Church against the Diuell and all thine enemies, because thou giuest and renewest often the light of thy Gospell, and maintainest the ministery of thy word, because thou doest forgiue vs our sinnes, and giuest vnto vs euerlasting life, because thou art our mediator, and makest continuall intercession for vs, & finally, because thou doest succour & preserue vs in all our necessities, dangers and afflictions.A thanksgiuing to God the holy Ghost.

We giue thanks also vnto thee O holy spirit, the giuer of life, which wast powred vpon the Apostles, be cause thou kindlest thy light in our hearts, because thou rulest, instructest, admonishest, and helpest vs, because thou gouernest and guidest the labours and works of our vocation, and sanctifiest vs to eternall life.

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A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth.

MOst righteous Iudge God of all mercy and comfort, which by thy secret iudgement and wisedome, doest suffer the wicked to triumph a increase for a time, for triall of the faith of thy welbeloued litle flocke, and the mortifying of their lusts, now at length to the vtter confusiō ot thy enemies, and ioifull deliuerance of thy people, look downe we beseech thee on thy dispersed sheepe, out of thy holy habitation in heauen, and strengthen our weaknesse against their furious rages: abate their pride asswage their malice, confound their deuises, wherwith they lift vp themselues against Christ Iesus thy sonne our Lord and Sauiour, to deface his glory, and to set vp Antichrist. [Page 311] We be not able our selues to thinke a good thought, much lesse to stand against their assaults, except thy vndeserued grace and mighty arme defend and deliuer vs. Performe thy promises made to Iacob, & stop the mouthes of the wicked Edomits. Cal them to repentāce whom thou hast appointed to saluation [...] bring home them that run astray [...] lighten the blind and teach the ignorant: forgiue all those that wilfully and obstinatly rebel against thy holy will. Let thy fearefull threatnings pearce our stony hearts, and make vs tremble at thy iudgements, make the examples of thē whom thou hast ouerthrowne in their owne deuises, as Cain, Cham, Nimrod, Esau, Pharoh, Saul, A [...]chitophel, Iudas and such other to be a warning for vs, that we set not vp our selues against thy holy will. Grantfree passage to thy holy [Page 312] word: that it may worke effectually in vs the worke of life and blessed hope of our saluation to the eternall praise of thy maiesty through our mediator Christ Iesus, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, be praise and thanksgiuing in all congregations, world without end. So be it.

A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist.

O Mercifull Father, who neuer doest forsake such as put their trust in thee: stretch forth thy mighty arme to the defence of our brethren by the rage of enemies persecuted and grieuously tormented in sundry places, for the true profession of the holy Gospell: who in their extream necessities cry for cōfort vnto thee, Let not thy long suffering, O [Page 313] Lord be an occasiō either to increase the tyranny of thy enemies, or to discourage thy children, but with speed O Lord, consider their great miseries and afflictions. Preuent the cruell deuise of Haman: stay the rage of Holofernes, breake off the counsell of Achitophel, Let not the wicked say, Where is now their God. Let thy afflicted flocke feele present aid and releefe from thee. O Lord looke downe vpon them with thy pitifull eie from thy holy habitation, send terror and trembling among their enemies, make an ende of their outragious tyranny, beate backe their boldnesse in suppressing the truth, in destroying thy true seruants, in defacing thy glory, and in setting vp Antichrist. Let them not thus proudly aduance themselues against thee and thy Christ, but let them vnderstand and feele that against th [...] they [Page 314] fight. Preserue and defend the vine which thy right hand hath planted, and let all Nations see the glory of thine annointed, Amen.

A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods word.

ALmighty God and most mercifull father, whose word is a lanterne [...]o our feet, and a light vnto our steps, we most humbly beseech thee to illuminate our mindes, that we may vnderstand the mysteries contained in thy holy law, and into the selfe same thing, that we godly vnderstand, we may be vertuously transformed, so that of no part we offend thy diuine Maiesty, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

Another.

IN this great darknes of our soule O Lord, thou shinest diuers waies [Page 315] vnto vs by the light of thy grace, but in nothing so effectually as in the preaching of thy word. Great is the haruest, (as thou thy selfe hast said) and the workmen are few. The greatest part of men are ignorant wrapped in miserable blindnes, and few there be that teach thy word truely, as they ought. Wee beseech thee therefore to send foorth workmen into thy haruest. Send teachers (O Lord) which are taught of thee, and instructed by the spirit of godly wisedome, and vnderstanding, which by their preaching will seeke, not themselues, but thee; because they are godly: and can so doe, because they are wise & vnderstand. Giue to the preacher of thy word here present, out of the treasures of thy wisedome, that which he may powre vpon vs to our saluation: and vnto vs giue thy grace & holy spirit [Page 316] (O Lord) so to heare and to receiue thy word, that the good seed which falleth vpon vs be not choaked with thornes, or withered away with heat or deuoured by the foules of the aire, but may grow vp in a good ground, and fructifie with great increase.

A praier to Be said after the preaching of Gods word.

1 Pet. 4. Num. 26, Deut. 29. Iosu. 7. Mat. 13.ALmighty God and most mercifull Father, we hartily beseech thee that this seed of thy word now sowen amongst vs, may take such deep root, that neither the burning heat of affliction, or persecution cause it to wither, neither the thorny cares of this life do choake it, but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirty, sixty, and an hundred folde, as thy heauenly wisedome hath appointed. And because [Page 317] we haue need continually to craue many things at thy hands, we humbly beseech thee (O heauenly Father) to grant vs thy holy spirit,Luke 17. Rom. 8. Iames. 5. 1 Joh. 5 Rom. 12. Wis 6. to direct our petitions, that they proceed from such a feruent mind, as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will.

And seeing that our infirmity is such, that we are able to do nothing without thy helpe, and that thou art not ignorant with how many and great tentations we poore wretches are on euery side compassed and inclosed,2 Cor. a9. Iohn 5. Phil. 2. Psal. 303 1. Pet. 1. 1. Pet. 5. Luk. 17. let thy strength (O Lord) sustaine our weakenesse, & assist vs with thy grace that we may be safely preserued against all the assaults of Satan, who goeth about like a roaring Lion, seeking to deuoure vs. Increase our faith (O mercifull father) that we doe not swarns at any time from thy heauenly word. [Page 317] Augment in vs hope and loue with a carefull keeping of thy commandements,Psal. 95 Heb 14. 2. Joh. 2. that no hardnesse of heart, no hypocrisie, no concupiscence of the eies, nor inticements of the world, doe draw vs away from thy obedience. And seeing the times are dangerous wherein we liue, let thy fatherly prouidence defend vs against the violence of all our enemies, and specially against the furious rage of that Romish Idoll, enemy to thy Christ.

Furthermore, forasmuch as by thy Apostle we be taught to make our praiers and supplications for all men;Epl. c. 13. Rom. 11. 2. Cor. 4. wee pray not onely for our selues here present, but beseech thee also to reduce al such as be yet ignorant, from the miserable captiuity of blindnesse and error, to the pure vnderstanding of thy heauenly truth, that we all with one consent, [Page 318] and vnity of mind may worship thee our only God and Saviour.

We beseech thee also most (deare Father) for Pastors and Ministers,John 21. Mat 18. John 9. Mat. 6. to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word, and charge of thy chosē people, that both in their life and doctrine they may de found faithfull setting only before their eies thy glory, & that by them all poore sheepe which wander and goe astray, may be sought out and brought to thy fold.

Againe, that it would please thee to deliuer the Church from such idle shepheards, wolues, and hirelings as seeke themselues, their bellies,Pro 21. John 16.1. Rom. 13. Iohn 6. and not thy glory, and the safegard of thy flocks.

Moreouer, because the hearts of rulers are in thy hands, we make our praiers vnto thee for all princes and magistrates, to whom thou [Page 302] hast commited the administration of iustice: especially (O Lord) for the Kings Maiesty) that it would please thee to endue him with thy plentifull grace and principall spirit, that he may with a pure faith acknowledge Iesus Christ thy only sonne to bee king of all kings, and gouernour of all gouernors euen as thou hast giuen all power vnto him both in heauen and earth, and so worke in his heart, that he considering whose minister he is, may heartily seeke, and zealously promote thy true honour and glory carefully trauelling to bring thy people commited to his charge (and yet remaining almost in all parts of his Realms in miserable blindnesse and darke ignorance) to the true knowledge of thee, ruling and guiding them as hee is taught and commanded by thy holy word.

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Also we beseech thee, to indue al [...] such as are in any authority vnder him, with thy grace and holy spirit, that they may be found vpright and faithfull in their calling, fauourers and furtherers of thy holy Gospell, maintainers & defenders of the true Preachers and ministers therof, and such as in singlenes of heart wil seek not themselues, but thy glory and the commodity of thy people.

And for that wee be all members of the mysticall body of Christ Iesus, wee make our requests vnto thee (O heauenly father) for al such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation, as war, plague,1. Cor. 2. Rom. 12. Jacob. 5. famine, sicknesse, pouerty, imprisonment, persecution, banishment, or any other kinde of thy roddes whether it be griefe of body, or vnquietnesse of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancy,2. Co. 12. Heb. 13. [Page 322] till thou send them full deliuerance out of all their troubles.

Finally (O Lord) we most humbly beseech thee: to shew thy great mercie vpon our brethrē which are persecuted, cast into prison, and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth,Heb. 13. Rom. 8. Psal. 4. John 1. and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aid, yet let thy sweet comfort neuer depart from them, but so inflam their harts with thy holy spirit, that they may boldly and cheerefully a bid such trial as thy godly wisdome shall appoint:1. Pet. 1. Acts 2. Mat. 10. Luk 21. so that at length aswel by their death, as by their life, the kingdome of thy Son Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world. In whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee, as he hath taught vs saiing; Our father which art, &c.

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A Praier to be said before receiuing of the communion.

O Father of mercy and God of all consolation, seeing al creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernor and Lord, it becommeth vs, the workmanship to thine owne hands, at al times to reuerence a magnifie thy godly maiesty: First, for that thou hast created vs to thine owne imagr & similitude,Gen. 1. Eph. 2. Gala. 1. Gen. 3. Acts. 4. Heb. 9. Apoc. 5. John 3. Heb. 8. Heb 4. 1. Pet. 1. Es [...]. 45.53. Ma. 3.17. Ier. 31. but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death & damnation, into which Satan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne, from the bondage whereof, neither man nor Angeli was able to make vs free: but thou (O Lord) rich in mercy, and infinite in goodnesse, hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeloued Son, whom of very loue thou diddest giue to bee made [Page 324] man like vnto vs in all things,Heb. 8. Rom. 5. Heb. 2. John. 6. Gen. 3. Rom. 5. Ephe. 3. sinne excepted, that in his body hee might receiue the punishment of our transgression, by his death to make satisfaction to thy iustice, and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the authour of death, & so to bring againe life to the world, from which the whole of spring of Adam was most iustly exiled.

Eph. 2. John 6.17. Gen. 6. Rom. 3. [...]sa. 64. Psal. 5.12. Rom. 7. Mat. 16. 2, Cor. 2. Luk. 11. Mat. 11.O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth, the deepnes and height of that thy most excellent loue, which mooued thee to shew mercy, when none was deserued, to promise and giue [...]ife, where death had gotten victory, to receiue vs into thy grace, when wee could doe nothing, but rebell against thy Maiestie. The blind dulnesse of our corrupt nature wil not suffer vs sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample [Page 325] benefits. Yet neuerthelesse at the commandement of Iesus Christ our Lord,Ma. 16. Luk. 11. 1. Co. 11. Joh. 8. Gala. 5. Rom. 8. 1 Pe. 1. Ephe. 5. Heb. 4. Rom. 3. Ma. 25. Phil. 3. Ephe. 1. Ephe 2. Apo. 13. wee present our selues to this thy table (which he hath left to be vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe) to declare and witnesse before the world, that by him alone we haue receiued liberty and life: that by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires; that by him alone we haue entrance to the throne of thy grace; that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table, and with whom wee hauour conuersation presently in Heauen, and by whom our bodies shall be raised vp again from the dust, and shall be placed with him in that endlesse ioy, which thou (O Father of mercy) hast prepared for thine elect, before the foundation of the world [Page 326] was laid. And these most inestimable benefts wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace, by thine only beloued son Iesus Christ. For the which therefore we thy congregation, moued by thy holy spirit, doe render to thee all thanks praise, and glory for euer and euer.

A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion.

MOst mercifull Father, we render vnto thee all praise, thanks honour & glory, for that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercies to grāt vnto vs miserable sinners, so excellēt a gift & treasure, as to receiue vs into the fellowship and company of thy deare son Iesus Christ our Lord whom thou hast deliuered to death for vs, & hast giuen him vnto vs, as [Page 327] a necessary food and nourishment vnto euerlasting life. And now we beseech thee also (O heauenly father) to grant vs this request, that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkind as to forget so worthy benefits, but (father) imprint & fasten them sure in our harts,Luk. 15. Gala. 5. 1. Tim. 4. [...]h 5. 2. P t. 5. Mat. 5. 1. Pe. 1▪ that we may g [...]o [...] and increase daily more and more in true faith, which continually is exercised in all maner of good worke [...]; and so much the rather (O Lord) confirme vs in these perilous dates and rages of Satan, that we may constantly, stand and continue in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy glory, which art God ouer all things, blessed for euer.

A lamentation of a sinner, afflicted in conscience for his offences.

IN the middest of the desperate assaults of my soule, the intollerable [Page 328] heauinesse of my mind both heertofore (Lord) cried as shrill in thine eare as though I had shricked and with lamentations cried out saying; Helpe, helpe me my GOD my creatour, my most prouident keeper, and euerlasting defencer, for behold I perish.

On this occasion (Lord) when heauinesse of minde did heeretofore assault me, I remembred that thou haddest many times set before mine eies the wonderfull greatnes of thy most tender loue towards me, by the great multitude of thy benefits powred vpon me: which benefits euery of thy workes (as they came before mine eies) gaue me iust occasion to be mindfull of.

Would not (thought I) if I had in any maner any grace at al, would not such loue bring now into my heart a wonderfull delectation, ioy, [Page 329] & comfort in God for the same. And againe, could such delight in Gods sweet mercy & tender loue towards mee (if I were not as euill as a cast away that were none of Gods children) be without loathing of my sin and lust and desire to doe Gods holie will. And these things thought I (fle vpon mee vnthankfull wretch) are either not at all in me, or else indeed so coldly and slenderly, that they being truely waighed and compared to righteousnesse are m [...]re vile then a filthy cloth starched in corrupt blood.

O (thought I) I am afraid, I haue deceiued my selfe: for thy seruants at all times (I trow) feele otherwise then I now doe, the fruits of thy spirit, as loue, ioy, peace, and such like. But my loue (alas) toward thee, what is it? my ioy is not once almost felt of me; for my very soule [Page 330] within mee (as Dauid in his heauinesse said) refuseth comfort, and fareth as though it did vtterly dispare and what peace can I feele then, or certainty of thy fauour and loue? Iustly I may powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion: The Lord hath forsaken me, Isa 49 and my Lord hath forgotten me.

Euen in the middest (I say) of these my former desperate assaults, and in mine intollerable heauines, I cried to thee, O my God, and from heauen thou hardest my gronings, & thereupon first preparedst my hart to aske comfort of thee, and then thou diddest accept my praier and gauest me plentifully my asking.

Oh my soule, consider well that thou art neuer able to declare the exceeding goodnesse of God in this, that hee heard the very desires of thee being afflicted; who is so redy [Page 331] fauourably to grant the requests of the afflicted, that oftentimes hee tarrieth not vntill they do call, but or euer they call vpon him, fauourably heareth them as the Psalmist saith: The desire of the aflicted thou hearest O Lord: thou preparest their hearts, Psal. 77, and thine eares heare them.

Oh Lord my God, maruellous things are these, whether I consider of this maruellous maner of thy hearing, or else the maruellous nature & property of thy goodnesse. Maruellous (no doubt) is that thy hearing, whereby the very desires of the afflicted are heard: but much more maruellous is this thy goodnesse, which tarriest not vntill the afflicted do desire thy help, but preparest first their harts to desire, and then thou giuest them their desires.

Yea Lord (worthy of all praise) it cannot otherwise bee. For how [Page 332] shouldest thou doe otherwise then thy nature and property is. Art not thou very goodnesse and mercy it selfe? How canst thou then but pitty and helpe misery?

Art not thou both the creator and also the conseruer of all things?

Insomuch as the Lyons whelpes roaring after their pray doe seeke their food at thy hands, and the Rauens birds lacking meat,Psal. 147. Esa. 94. do call vpon thee.

If then thy fatherly prouidence & tender care (O Lord) vpon all thy creatures bee so great, that the very beasts and foules haue this experience of thy goodnesse in their necessities, that their roarings & cryings haue the strength of earnest calling and desires: how much rather doe these sighings, groanings, and desperate heauinesse of men, but chiefly of thy children, crie and call [Page 333] lowde in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all.

Should I then now despaire of thy fatherly mercy, whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule and heart to craue help at thy hand? Should I thinke that thou wilt absent thy self for euer? that thou wilt be no more intreated? that thy mercy is cleane gon? that thy promise is come vtterly to an end, & that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindenesse in displeasure?

Nay Lord, for all alterations are of thy right hand, and turne alway to the best to them that feare thee. All this is but mine owne infirmitie, for thou art euer one, thy promises bee infallible, and thy loue towards thine, euerlastingly during. I will therefore in this my present tentation & grieuous assault, powre out the heauinesse of my heart before [Page 334] thee deare Father. Out of the deepe will I cry, and lift vp my soule vnto thee,Psal. 1. from whom I assuredly know my helpe is comming, I will also for my present comfort, call to remembrance (O Lord my God) thy tender mercies towards me already shewed the multitude of thy benefits the greatnesse of the sa [...]e, the long continuance of them euen from my onception, vntill this instant: and sinally, thy continuall loue and desire to powre them vpon me.

And moreouer, sith thy goodnesse is so great (O Lord) that thou doest not onely pitty misery, but also callest the heauy hearted and afflicted vnto thee, promising that thou wilt ease their misery:Mat. 11. for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit, I loath and abhorre my sins, feele the grieuousnesse of them, and thy heauy wrath towards me for the same, and [Page 335] sinally, what neede I haue of thy gracious aide and succour: therfore (O Lord) in thy Sonne Christs name, with sure confidence and trust in thine infallibe promise, in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercifull calling, & craue comfort at thy hand. For thou hast promised, that when I loath my sins, thou wilt vtterly forget them; when I feele the grieuous but then of them, thy mercy swalloweth them vp: when I seeke that I want, thou wilt assuredly grant it me. For sith thou mouest my heart to desire help, how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy truths sake, giue me my asking?

Yea, where I know not how, or what to desire, as I ought, thy holy spirit gratiously working in mee, maketh intercession mightly for mee with groanings which cānot be expresseth, [Page 336] and therwithal certifieth my spirit, that by adoption through thy great mercy and goodnesse I am become thy child and heire.

Why should I not then be of good comfort, and ioyfull in thee my God? For if thou be on my side, who can bee against me? Since thou diddest not spare thine owne sonne, but gauest him for me, euen when I was thine enimy; how shalt thou not with him, now that by his death I am brought into thy fauour, giue me all things with him, and for his sake:Rom. 8. Who shal lay any thing to the charge of thine elect? it is thou Lord which iustifiest mee. It is Christ that hath died for mee; yea, rather that is risen againe for me. Who also is set on thy right hand, and hath taken possession, yea, and perpetually there maketh intercession for mee, vntill that ioyfull day be come, when [Page 337] I shall haue full fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuine maiesty in the kingdome which thou hast prepared before the beginning of the world, [...]phe. [...]. but in time (to the gracious goodnesse thought best made known to mee by giuing thy holy spirit into my heart: whereby when I first Lord beleeued thy holy word which is thine owne power to saue all that beleeue, I was sealed,Rom. 8. confirmed and stablished in the certainty of that [...]hine euerlasting kingdome and inheritance.

For the which inestimable benefit of thy rich grace (Oh Lord my God) I beseech thee, euen for y^e loue thou barest to Christ Iesus thy son, and the mercy thou haddest on him when he cried on the crosse:Ma [...] ▪ [...]7. My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee? Help, help, I say, & inflame my heart with loue so plentifully towardes [Page 338] thee againe, that I may bee euen swallowed vp in the ioyful feeling of the same, in such sort, that I may of very thankfulnes loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God, and nothing but thee, and for thy sake. O holy spirit whose work this is in me, increase this work of thy in [...]uit mercy, and preserue me that I neuer become vnthankfull vnto thee therfore, Amen.

A praier for the sicke.

O Most mercifull God, which according to the multitude of thy mercies, doest so put away the sins of those which truly repēt, that thou remembrest them no more: open thy eies of mercy, and look vpon this thy sicke seruant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiuenes: renue in him (most louing father) whatsoeuer [Page 339] hath beene decaied by the fraud and malice of the diuell, or by his owne carnall will and frailty: Preserue and continue this sick member in the vnity of thy Church. Consider his contrition, accept his teares asswage his paine, as shall be seene to thee most expedient for him. And forasmuch as hee putteth his full trust only in thy mercy, impute not vnto [...]im his former sinnes, but take him vnto thy fauor through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ.

A praier to be said at the houre of death.

O Lord Iesus Christ which art the onely health of all men liuing, & the euer lasting life of them that die in thee: I wretched sinner doe submit my selfe wholly vnto thy [Page 340] most blessed wil, and being sure that the thing cānot perish which is committed vnto thy mercy, willingly now I leaue this fraile and sinfull flesh in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to mee againe at the last day, in the resurrection of the Iust. I beseech thee most mercifull Lord Iesus Christ, that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soule against all tentations, and defend mee with the buckler of thy mercy against all the assaults of the diuell.

I see and acknowledge that there is in my selfe no hope of saluation: but all my confidence, hope and trust is in thy rich mercy and goodnesse. I haue no merits or good workes which I may alledge before thee: of striues and euill works (alasse) I see a great heape: but yet through thy mercy I trust to be in the number of [Page 341] them to whom thou wilt not impute their sinnes, but wilt accept & take mee for righteous and iust, and to bee an inheritour of euerlasting life.

Thou mercifull Lord wast borne for my sake: thou diddest suffer both hunger and thrst for my sake: thou diddest teach, pray, and fast for my sake, all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake: thou sufferedst most grieuous paines and torments for my sake: Finally, thou gauest thy most precious body and bloud to be shed on the Crosse for my sake. Now most mercifull Sauiour let all those things profit mee that thou freely hast done for mee, which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee. Let thy bloud clense and wash away the spots and foulenesse of my sins.

Let thy righteousnes hide & couer [...]ny vnrighteousnesse: let the merits [Page 342] of thy passion and bloud-shedding be the satisfaction for my sinnes. Giue me Lord thy grace, that the faith of my saluation in thy bloud maner not in me, but may be euer firme & constant: that the hope of thy mercy & life euerlasting neuer decay in mee: that loue waxe not cold in me: Finally, that the weaknes of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feare of death.

Grant me merciful Sauiour that when death hath shut vp the eies of my body, yet the eyes of my soule may still behold and looke vpon thee; & when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue, yet my heart may cry and say, Lord into thy hands I commend my soule, Lord Iesu receiue my spirit.

A praier for a woman with Child.

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THou art wonderfull (O Lord) in all thy workes, and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is, that doest thou easily bring to passe, neither is there any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue done. And albeit this thy mighty power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy workes, yet in conceiuing, forming and bringing forth of man, it shineth most euidently.

At the beginning (O Father) when thou madest man and woman, thou commandest them to encrease, multiply and replenish the earth. If through the subtell enticements of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commandement by eating the forbidden fruit, the woman whom thou hast appointed to be the instrument and vessell to conceiue, nourish and bring forth man through thy wonderfull workmanship, had without [Page 344] any labour, paine or trauell brought forth her fruit.

But that which thy goodnes made easie, sin & disobedience hath made hard, painefull, dangerous, and without thy speciall helpe and succour, impossible to be brought to passe: so that now all women bring forth their children in great sorrows paines, and troubles. Notwithstanding that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenesse they are not able of themselues to passe, thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them, and bringest vnto a ioyfull end.

We [...]herfore (being fully perswaded of thy fauour and g [...]odnesse, of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities, knowing also by the testimonies of the hol [...] word: how great & intollerable the paines of women [Page 345] are that trauell of child, if through thy tender mercy they be not mitigated and eased) most [...]umbly pray thee for. Iesus Christs sake thy son our Lord, to helpe and assist this thy seruant now in trauell and labour that by th [...] almighty power s [...]e may safely bring forth that which by thy goodnesse she hath conceiued, & that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable vnto her, which sinne hath made hard and painefull.

Ease (O Lord) the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women, for the sinne and disobedience of our Grand-mother Eue, in whom all we haue sinned: be present with her in her trouble, according to thy mercifull promise: Giue her strength, and make perfect that which thou hast so graciously begun; Let thy power be shewed no [Page 346] lesse in the safe bringing forth, then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth. Make her a glad and ioyfull mother that s [...]ee through thy goodnes being safly deliuered and restored to health againe may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer.

A Psalme to be said in the time of any common plague, sicknes, or other crosse and visitation of God.

O Come let vs humble our selues and fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare.

For he is the Lord our God, and we are the people of his pasture and sheepe of his hands.

O come therefore, let vs turne againe vnto our Lord: for hee hath smi [...]ten vs, and he shall heale vs

Let vs repent and turne from our [Page 347] wickednes and our sinnes shall bee forgiuen vs.

Let vs turne, and the Lord will turne from vs his heauy wrath, and will pardon vs, and wee shall not perish.

For we acknowledge our faults' and our sinnes are euer before vs.

Wee haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord) thy wrath is waxed ho [...]e and thy heauy displeasure is sore kindled against vs.

Thou hast in thine indignation stricken vs with grieuous sicknesse, and by and by wee haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde

Indeed we acknowledge that our punishments are not worse then our deseruings: but yet of thy mercy Lord co [...]re [...]t vs to amendment, and plague vs not to our destruction.

For thy hand is not shortned that [Page 348] thou canst not helpe: neither is thy goodnes abated, that thou wilt not heare

Esay 65.Thou hast promised O Lord, that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs, and whilest we yet speak, thou wilt haue mercy vpon vs.

For none that trust in thee shal be confounded,Tobit 8. Job, 32. neither any that cal vpon thee shall be despised.

For thou art the onely Lord who woundest and dost heale again,Oseas, 6. who killest and reuinest, bringest euen to hell, and bringest backe againe.

Our Fathers hoped in thee, and trusted in thee,Sap. 22. and thou diddest deliuer them.

They called vpon thee, and were helped, they put their trust in thee, & were not confounded.

Psal [...] 6.O Lord rebuke vs not in thine indignation: neither chasten vs in thy heauy displeasure.

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O remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth: but according to thy mercy thinke thou vpon me,Psa. 25. O Lord for thy goodnesse.

Haue mercy vpon vs O Lord, for we are weake: O Lord heale vs for our bones are vexed.

And now in the vexation of our spirits, and the anguish of our soules wee remember thee, and we cry vnto thee: heare Lord and haue mercy. [...]arue. Jonas [...].

For thine owne sake, and for thy holy names sake, incline thine eare and heare, O mercifull Lord.

For we do not powre out our praiers before thee, [...]a [...]. 6. trusting in our owne righteousnes, but in thy great and manifold mercies.

Wash vs throughly from our wickednes, and clense vs from our sins.

Turne thy face from our sins, and put out all our misdeeds.

Make vs cleane hearts O God, [Page 350] and renue a right spirit within vs.

Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glory of thy name. O deliuer vs, and be merciful to our sinnes for thy names sake.

So we that be thy people & sheepe of thy pasture, shal giue thee thanks for euer, and will alwaies be shewing forth thy praise from generation to generation.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beg [...]nning, &c.

A Psalme of thanksgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kind of sicknes, trouble or affliction.

LOrd thou art become gracious to thy land, thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy s [...]ruants.

Thou hast taken away al thy displeasure, and turned thy selfe from [Page 351] thy wrathf [...]l indignation.

For if thou Lord hadst not helped vs it had not failed, but our soules had beene put to silence.

But when we said, our feet haue slipped, thy mercy (O Lord) helpes vs vp.

In the multitude of the sorrowes that we had in our hearts, thy comforts haue refreshed our soules.

Our soules waited still vpon the Lord, our soules hanged vpon his helpe our hope was alwa [...]es in him.

In the Lords word wil we reioyce: in Gods word did wee comfort our selues.

For the Lord said Call vpon mee in the time of trouble, & I wil heare thee, and thou shalt praise me.

So when wee were poore, needy, sickly, and in heauines, the Lord cared for vs▪ he was our helper, & our [Page 352] deliuer according to his word.

Ps [...]. 27.In our aduersi [...]y and distresse hee hath lifted vp our head, and saued vs from vt [...]er destruction.

Psa. 33.He hath deliuered our soules from death, he hath fed vs in the time of dearth, hee hath saued vs from the noisome pestilence.

Therefore will we offer in his holy temple the oblation of thanksgigiuing,Psa. 37. with great gladnesse we wil sing & speake praises vnto the Lord our Sauiour.

Psa. 106. Psa. 86.Wee will giue thankes vnto the Lord, for he is gracious, & his mercy endureth for euer.

Psa. 103.The Lord is full of compassion & mercy, long suffering, plenteous in goodnesse and pitty.

John 5.7. Psa 108.His mercy is greater then the heauens, and his gracious goodnes reacheth vnto the cl [...]ds.

Psa. 103.Like as a father pittieth his own [Page 353] children, euen so is the Lord merciful vnto them that feare him.Psal. 72.

Therefore will we praise thee, & thy mercies O God: vnto thee will we sing, O thou holy one of Israell,P [...]al. 98. We will sing a new song vnto thee O God: we will praise the Lord with Psalmes and thanksgiuing.Psal. 47.

O sing praises, sing praises vnto our God: O sing praises, sing praises vnto our king.

For God is the king of the earth, sing praises with vnderstanding

We will magnifie thee, O God our King,Psal. 145. we will praise thy name for euer and euer.

Euery day will we giue thankes vnto thee, and praise thy name for euer and euer.

Our mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, & let all flesh giue thanks to his holy name for euer and euer.Psal. 72.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel [Page 354] for euer, and blessed be the name of his maiesty, world without end Amen.

Glory be to the father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

Praiers to be said before and after meales.

AL things depend vpon thy prouidence (O Lord) to receiue at thy hands due sustenance in time conuenient. Thou giuest to them and they gather it, thou openest thy hand, and they are satisfied with all good things.

O heauenly father which art the fountaine & full treasure of all goodnesse: We beseech thee to shew thy mercy vpon vs thy children, and sanctifie these thy gifts which we receiue of the mercifull liberality, granting vs grace to vse them soberly & purely according to thy blessed will: [Page 353] so that thereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giuer of all good things, and aboue all that we may remember continually to seeke the spiritual food of thy word, [...]. Tim. 2. wherwith our soules may be nourished euerlastingly, through our Sauiour Christ, who is the true bread of life, which came down from heauen, of whom whosoeuer eateth shall liue for euer,Joh [...]. and raigne with him in glory, world without end. So be it.

Another praier before meales.

WHether ye eat or drinke faith S. Paul,, or whatsouer ye do else, let all be done to the praise and glory of God.

Eternal and euerlasting God, father [...]f our Lord Iesus Christ,1. Cor. 10▪ who of thy most singular loue which thou [Page 356] barest to mankind, hast appointed to his sustenance, not only the fruits of the earth, but also the fo [...]ls of the aire, the beasts of the field and fishes of the sea, and hast comman [...]ed thy benefits to be receiued as from thy hands with thanksgiuing, assuring thy children by the mouth of thine apostle, that to the cleane all things are cleane, as the creatures which be sanctified by thy word and praier: grant vnto vs so moderatly to vse these thy gifts present, that our bodies being refreshed our soules may be more able to proceed in all good works, to the praise of thy holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Our father which art in heauen, &c Another.

O Eternall God the very God of peace and al consolation: which [Page 357] broughtest againe from death, our Lord Iesus the g [...]eat shepheard of the sheep [...], through the bloud of [...]he euerlasting couenant make vs fruitfull in all good works to d [...] [...] will, and worke in vs that which is acceptable in thy sight. Sanctifie vs throughout and keep our whole spirit, soule and body faul [...]ies vn [...]o the comming of thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ, [...]hou art faithful (O father) who hast promised this, who also shalt bring it to passe, to thee therefore be giuen euerlasting praise honour and glory Amen.

A thanksgiuing after meales.

LEt al nations magnifie the Lord let all people reioice in praising and extolling his great mercies: For his fatherly kindnesse is plentifuly shewed foorth vpon vs, and the [Page 358] truth of his promise endureth for euer.

We render thanks vnto thee, O Lord God, for thy manifold benefits which we continually receiue at thy bountifull hand not only for that it hath pleased thee to feed vs in this present life, giuing vnto vs al things necessary for the same: but specially because thou hast of thy free mercy fashioned vs anew vnto an assured hope of a farr better life, the which thou hast declared vnto vs by thy holy Gospell.

Therefore we humbly beseech thee Oh heauenly father, that thou wilt not suffer our affections to be so entangled & rooted in these earthly. & corruptible things, but that we may alwaies haue our minds directed to thee on hic, continually watching for the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ, what time he shal appear for [Page 359] our full redemption. To whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honor and glory for euer and euer, So be it.

Another thanksgiuing after meales.

GLory praise and honor be vnto thee most mercifull and omnipotent father, who hast fed and daily dost feed (of thy most bountiful goodnes) all liuing creatures we beseech thee, that as thou hast nourished these our mortall bodies with corporall food, so thou wouldest replenish our soules with the perfect knowledge of thy liuely word of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ: to whom with thee & the holy Ghost be praise glory and honour for euer, So be it,

Another.

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MOst bountifull and gracious God, which feedest all flesh, and hast promised that asking of thee we shal not lacke, if we first seeke thy kingdom and the righteousnes therof, we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gracious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporall food, do render vnto thee most harty thāks for the same, beseeching thee likewis to feed our soules with that heauenly food which perisheth not, but abideth vnto euerlasting life, so that we being nourished by the goodnes, both in body and soule, may be apt & ready to do al good works which thou hast prepared for vs to walke in, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

Vnto him that loued vs, and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud, and made vs kings and Priestes vnto God his Father, be all glory, power, and dominion for euermore. Amen.

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Another.

THe God of glory who hath created redeemed, and presently feed vs, be blessed for euermore. Amen.

The God of all power who hath called from death the great Pastor of the sheepe our Lord Iesus, comfort and defend the flocke which hee hath redeemed by the bloud of the eternall Testament: increase the number of true Preachers, represse the rage of obstinate tyrants, lighten the harts of the ignorant, relieue the paines of such as be afflicted, but specially of those that suffer for the testimony of thy truth; and finally, confound Satan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ. So be it.

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Prayers commonly called Lidleys praiers, with certaine godly additions.

‘Before thou prayest, forgiue, if thou hast any thing against any man, & come not to GOD, with a double heart, but lift vp pure hands without wrath or doubting. 1. Tim. 2.’

ALmighty and most mercifull Father, I thy poor creature and worke of thy hands acknowledge and confesse vnto thee my manifolde sinnes and offences, which I from my youth vp vnto this day, haue committed against thee, in thought word, and deed, beseeching thee for Iesus Christ thy dear so [...]s sake, to [Page 363] haue mercy vpon me, and to pardon the same according to thy graet mercy, which hast promised, that at what time souer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart, thou wilt put his wickednes out of thy remembrance.

O Lord I confesse that I was borne in sinne and conceiued in wickednes, and am by nature a child of wrath. For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing, and of my selfe I am not able to think a good thought, much lesse to doe that, thou in thy law requirest of me saying: Cursed is he that continueth not in al things that are written in the law to doe them. Againe, thy law is spirituall, but I am carnall, fold vnder sinne. Therefore (O Lord) I come vnto thee for grace which hast said. Aske only shall haue, seeke & ye shal find, knock & it shal be opened [Page 364] vnto you) to preuent and draw my will vnto all goodnes, for none can come vnto thee except he be drawn, & except w be borne from aboue, we cannot see the kingdome of God.

Therefore O Lord renue in mee a right spirit, that I may receiue strength and ablenesse to doe thy righteo [...] wil [...]

Grant that I may euer desire and will that which is most pleasing & acceptable to thy will.

Thy will be my will, and my will be alwaies to follow thy will

Let there be euer in me one will & one desire with thee, and let me neuer desire to will or not to will, but as thou wilt.

Grant me that aboue all things I may rest in thee, and fully quiet and pacifie my hart in thee; for thou Lord art the true peace of the hart, & the perfect rest of the soule.

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Thou knowest Lord what is most profitable and expedient for mee: wherefore do with mee in al things as it shall seem best vnto thee. For it may not be but well that thou dost which dost most iustly and blessedly dispose all things after thy most godly wisedome. Therefore whither it be by prosperity or aduersity, losse or gaine, sicknes or health, life or death, thy will be done.

Cast out of my heart, all vnprofitable cares of worldly things, and suffer me not to be led with the vnstable desires of earthly vanities: but giue me grace that all worldly and carnall affections may be mortified and dy in me.

Grant vnto me the strength of thy holy spirit, to subdue this body of sinne, with the whole lusts thereof▪ that it may be obedient both in will, mind, and members, to do thy [Page 366] holy will.

Assist me with thy grace (O Lord that I may be strengthned in the inward man, and be armed with thy holy armour, which is the breastplate of righteousnesse, the shield of faith, the hope of saluation for an helmet and the sword of thy spirit, which is thy holy word, that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will, and be found worthy through Christ to receiue the crowne of life which thou hast promised to all them that loue thee.

Giue me grace that I may esteem all things in this world as they be transitory & soone vanishing away, and my self also with them drawing towards mine end. For nothing vnder the sunne may long abide, but all is vanity and affliction of spirit.

Oh Lord God which art sweetnesse [Page 367] vnspeakable, turne into bitternes vnto me al transitory and earthly delights which may draw mee from the loue of eternall things: and for all worldly comforts giue me the sweet comfort of thy holy spirit: for thou Lord art my ioy, my hope, my crowne and my glory.

Blessed are they that for the loue of thee, set not by the pleasurs of this world but crucifie the flesh, and the lusts thereof, so that in a clean and pure conscience they may offer their praiers vnto thee, and be accepted to haue company with thee, together with the Angels & heauenly spirits. O euerlasting light send down the beams of thy brightnes, and lighten the inward parts of my heart.

Open my heart that I may behold thy lawes, and teach mee to walke in thy commandements.

Behold my weaknes (O Lord) [Page 368] & consider my frailenes, best knowne vnto thee.

Faine would I cleaue fast to heauenly things, but worldly affections and temptations plucke mee backe they daily rebell and suffer not my soule to liue in rest.

Which although they draw me not away to consent, yet neuerthelesse their assaults be very grieuous vnto me.

O what a life may this be called where no trouble nor misery lacketh? where euery place is full of snares of mortall enemies?

For one trouble or temptation ouerpassed, another commeth by and by the first conflict yet during, a new battell suddenly ariseth.

Tedious it is to me to liue in such battels, but I perceiue such conflicts are not vnprofitable for mee whilest I know my selfe and mine infirmities [Page 369] the better, and am therby compelled to seek helpe at thy hand.

It is good for me (O Lord) that thou hast thus exercised and humbled me & that I may learn to dread thy secret and terrible iudgements, which scourgest euery child that thou receiuest, which bringest down to the gates of hell, & bringest backe againe.

I yeeld thee thanks therfore that thou hast not spared my sinnes, but hast punished me with scourges of loue, and hast sent afflictions & anguish within and without.

Of grace and fauor it is (O Lord) that thou suffered thy seruants to be troubled and afflicted in this world, because they should not be condemned with the world.

Thou wouldest that they should here be broken with affliction that they may af [...]er rise in a new light, & [Page 370] be clarified and made glorious in thy kingdome

O holy father, thou hast ordained it so to be, and it is done as thou hast appointed.

Wherefore (O Lord) giue me thy grace to rest in thee aboue al things and to quiet my heart in thee aboue all creatures, aboue all glory and honour, aboue all dignity and power, aboue all health and beauty, aboue all riches and treasure, aboue all ioy and pleasure, aboue all fame and praise, aboue all mirth and consolation, that mans heart may take and feele besides thee. For thou Lord art most good, most wise most righ [...]eous most holy, most iust, most blessed, most high, most mighty, most comfortable, most beautifull, most louing, most glorious, in whome all treasures of goodnes most perfectly rest,

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And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee, it is nothing vnto mee: for my hart may not rest, nor fully be pacified but only in thee.

Oh Lord Iesus, who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue, that I may flee vp from these worldly miseries and rest with thee?

O Christ, the king of euerlasting glory, my soule crieth vnto thee with continual gronings, and saith, How long tarrieth my Lord God to come to me? Oh when shall the end come of all these miseries?

When shall I cleane be deliuered from the bondage of sinne?

When shal I (Lord) haue my mind onely f [...]xed on thee and we merry in thee with perfect ioy and gladnesse? When shall that blessed houre come that thou shalt visite mee, and make mee glad with thy blessed presence, when thou shalt be to me all in all?

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When shall I come vp to thee, and feele and enioy those sweet consolations which with thy blessed saints are alwaies present?

When shal I haue peace without trouble, peace without, & peace with in, and on euery side stedfast & sure?

O Lord Iesu when shall I stand and behold thee, and haue full sight and contemplation of thy glory?

When shall I be with thee in thy kingdom, that thou hast ordained for thine elect before the beginning?

O blessed mansion of that heauenly City: O most cleare day of eternity whom the night may neuer darken.

This is the day alwaies cleare, and merry, alwaies sure and neuer changing.

This day shineth clearely to thy saints in heauen. O gratious God with euerlasting brightnesse; but to [Page 373] vs here on earth (so great is the darknes of sin in vs) it shineth obscurely, & as it were a far of, we set but a glimmering thereof.

Would to God this day might shortly appeare, and shine vnto vs, & that these worldly vanities were at an end.

Thy heauenly citizens know and feele how ioyfull this day is: but we the children of Eue, strangers and exiles here on earth, doe lament and bewaile the bi [...]ter tediousnesse of this present life, short and euill, full of sorrow and anguish.

Where man is oftentimes defiled with sin, disquieted with troubles, oppressed with cares, busied with vanities, blinded with errors, oue [...]charged with labours, vexed with temptations, ouercome with v [...]ine delights and pleasures of the world, and miserably wrapped in [Page 374] many kinds of calamities.

Wherfore, O Lord, arise and help me: comfort mine exile, asswage my sorrow, destroy the power of mine enemies, the kingdome of sinne, Satan, the world, and my wicked flesh, which alway make battell against me, and bring these conflicting daies to an end. [...]o shall I sing praises vnto thee (O God of my saluation) and magnifie thy holy name world without end. Amen.

A confession of sins, and a praier for the remission thereof.

O Lord God rich in mercy, and of great goodnesse, who of thy tender loue towards vs euen when we were thine enemies, diddest send into the world thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ, to be a slaine sacrifice for our sinnes, so that whosoeuer [Page 375] beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting, haue mercy on mee according to thy great mercies, and according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities.

For mine iniquities are gone ouer my head,Psal 38. and as a waighty burthen they presse me downe.

Against heauen and against thee haue I sinned, O Lord I am not worthy to be called thy child.

I am a shamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee,Luke 15. for my sinnes are ascended vp into thy sight.

There is nothing sound in my flesh because of thy displeasure,Psal. 38. neither is there any rest in my bones, because of my sinne.

Behold I am sould vnder sin, & in my flesh there dwelles no good thing.

For the good which I should doe I doe not,Rom. 7. but the euill which I [Page 376] would not doe that I doe.

Psal. 51.Wash me therefore O Lord, from mine iniquities, and clense me from my sinne.Psal. 1. Purifie my heart by the sanctifying of thy holy spirit, and by the sprinckling of the bloud of thy deare son from the filth of sin, and an euill conscience,

Make me to heare ioy & gladnesse that the bones which thou hast broken may reioice.

Create in me a new hart O God, and renew a right spirit in me.

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit frō me.

Psal. 8Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and stablish me with thy free spirit.

For thou art good to them that trust in thee, and to the soule that seeketh thee.

All thy waies are mercy and truth [Page 377] to them that seek out thy couenant, and testimonies.

The fountaine of thy goodnes is euer full and ouerflowing, thy mercy neuer decaieth.

Thou woundest and healest again thou killest and reui [...]est, bringest euen down to hell, and bringest backe againe.

Thou raiseth vp those that are fallen, thou cōfortest the broken harted Thou strengthnest the weary standers & crooked knees, and out of the gulf of hell thou deliuerest the afflicted.

Out of darknes thou bringest light, out of death life, and out of damnation thou bringest saluation,

Heare me therefore O Lord, according to thy louing kindnes, turne vnto me, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

Look vpon mine affliction, and my [Page 378] trauell and forgiue me my sinnes.

Psal. 63.Remember not the offences of my youth, nor my rebellions against thee

Psal. 130.For if thou Lord shouldest marke our iniquities, Lord who should bee able to stand in thy sight.

Job 15.Seeing thou hast found iniquitie euen in thine Angels, & the heauens are not clean in thy sight, much more is man abhominable & filthy, which drinketh iniquity like water.

Notwithstanding thou hast saide. O Lord, that as the righteousnes of the righteous man shal not saue him whensoeuer he offendeth so shall not the wickednesse of the wicked man hurt him, whensoeuer hee forsaketh his wickednes and turneth to thee.

Psal. 83.For thou knowest thine owne handy worke: thou remembrest what we are, thou seest that we are but weak and feeble flesh.

Looke not therefore vpon my [Page 379] sinnes O Lord, but looke vpon the face of thine anointed.

For he hath borne our iniquities,Isay [...] he hath carried our sorrowes.

Hee was wounded for our transgressions: he was broken for our iniquities, the chastisment of our peace is laid vpon him.

He gaue his body to be beaten and his cheekes to bee stricken, hee bare the sinnes of many, and praied for the offenders.

He came to bring glad tidings to the poore, to bind vp the broken harted,Isay 6 to preach liberty to the captiues to comfort them that mourne in Sion: and to giue vnto them beauty for ashes, the oile of ioy for mourning. the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauines, that they might bee called trees of righteousnes, and the planting of the Lord.

For his sake therefore, O Lord [Page 380] be mercifull vnto me, and say vnto my soule, behold I come to thee, thy health and thy saluation.

A praier for the true knowledge and vnderstanding of the word of God.

LEt my praier come before thee O Lord, and giue me vnderstanding according to thy word.Psal. 119.

Blessed art thou O Lord, teach me thy statutes.

That with my lips I may declare all the iudgements of thy mouth.

That I may delight in the way of thy testimonies aboue all riches.

That I may meditate in thy precepts, and consider thy waies.

That I may take pleasure in thy statutes, and not forget thy word.

Be good vnto me thy seruant O Lord, y^e I may liue & keep thy word.

Open mine eies that I may see [Page 381] the wonders which are in thy law.

I am a stranger vpon earth notwithstanding hide not from me thy commandements.

For my hart languisheth with the desire that it hath to thy iudgments.

Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsell [...]rs.

I will praise thee with an vpright heart when thou hast taught me the iudgements of thy righteousnes.

Shew me thy waies O Lord, & teach me thy paths.

Lead me forth in th [...] truth, and teach me, for thou art my God and my saluation, in thee doe I trust all the day long.

Make me vnderstand the way of thy prece [...]s, and I wi [...]l consider thy wondro [...]s works.

Th [...] hands haue made me and fashioned me, giue me vnderstanding that I may scar [...]e thy commandements.

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That they which feare thee, seeing me may reioyce, because I haue trusted in thy word.

Shew the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant, and teach me thy ordinances.

Thou art good & gracious, therefore according to thy goodnes, teach me thy statutes.

O Lord, of whose goodnesse the earth is ful, teach me thy ordinances

O Lord, I beseech thee accept the sacrifice of my lips, and teach me thy iudgements.

The righteousnes of thy testimonies is euerlasting, grant me vnderstanding, and I shall liue.

Deale with thy seruant according to thy mercies, and teach mee thy statutes.

I am thy seruant, grant mee vnderstanding, that I may know thy [Page 383] testimonies.

My lippes shall shew foorth thy praise, when thou hast taught mee thy statutes.

My tongue shal talke of thy word,Psal. 36. for al thy commandements are righteous.

For in thee is a wel of liuing waters, and euer flowing, and in thy light shall we see light.

A praier for the leading of a godly life.

I Crie vnto thee with my whole hart, heare me O Lord,Psal. 119. and guide me, that I may keepe thy statutes.

I call vpon thee, saue me,Psal. 141. that I may keepe thy testimonies.

Let my prayer bee directed in thy sight as incense, and the lifting vp of my hands as an euening sacrifice.

I haue gone astray like a lost sheepe, seeke thy seruant,Psali 11 [...] for I doe [Page 384] not forget thy commandements.

Psal. 86.Teach me thy way (O Lord) that I may walke in thy truth: knit my hart vnto thee, that I may feare thy name.

Let thy louing kindnes come vnto me O Lord, and thy saluation according to thy promise.

9Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes, that I be not confounded.

O that my waies were so directed tha [...] I might keep thy statutes.

Then shall I not be confounded wh [...]n I haue regard vnto all thy commandements.

I make my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart, bee mercifull vnto me according to thy promise.

Guide me (O Lord) that I may consider my wares, and turn my feet into thy testimonies.

Wherwith shal a man redresse his [Page 385] waies? In taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Teach me (O Lord) the way of thy statutes that I may keep them to the end.

Giue me vnderstanding that I may keep thy law, yea that I may keep it with my whole heart.

Direct me in the path of thy commandements, for therein is my delight.

Turn away mine eies that I regard not vanity, and quicken me in thy way.

Stablish thy promise to thy seruant whereby he may be taught to feare thee.

Direct my steps in thy word and let not iniquity haue dominion oue [...] me.

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked moue me.

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Gather not my soule with the sinners, nor my life with the blody men.

Let my foot stand in vprightnesse that I may praise thee, O Lord, in the congregation.

Let not the word of truth depart out of my mouth, for I trust in thy iudgements.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keepe the dore of my lips.

Let not my heart bee inclined to euill, to worke wicked workes, with them that worke iniquity.

Teach mee good iudgement and knowledge, for I doe beleeue thy commandements,

Stay my steps in thy paths, that my feet do not slide.

Stablish mee in thy promise, that I may liue, and let mee not be disappointed of my hope.

Stay thou me, O Lord, and I shall be safe, and I will delight continually [Page 387] in thy statutes.

O God create in me a pure heart, and renue a right spirit within me.Psal. 52.

Cast mee not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirite from me:

Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation, and stablish mee with thy free spirit.

Let me heare thy louing kindnesse in the morning,Psal. 143. shew mee the way that I should walke in, for in thee is my trust.

Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God: let thy good spirit leade mee into the land of righteousnes.

A praier for deliuerance from sinne, and to be restored to Gods grace and fauor againe.

OH Almighty and euerlasting Lord GOD, which hast made [Page 388] heauen and earth; and all things therein contained: O incomprehensible vnity: Oh alwaies to be worshipped most blessed Trinity: I humbly beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanity of our Lord Iesus Christ, that thou wouldest incline and bow down the great height of thy deity, to the bottomles pit of my vtility. Driue from me all kind of vice, wickednes, and sin. Create in me a clean heart, and renue in me a right spirit, for thy holy names sake.

Oh Lord Iesu, I beseech thy goodnes for the exceeding great loue which drew thee out of thy Fathers bosome, into the wombe of the holy virgin, and for the assumption of mans statute, wherin it pleased thee to saue me and deliuer me from eternall death, that thou wouldest draw me out of my selfe into thee [Page 389] my Lord God, and grant that this my loue may recouer again to me thy grace to increase and make perfect in me that which is wanting, to raise vp in me that which is fallen, to restore to me that which I haue lost, & quicken in mee that which is dead & should liue, so that I may become conformable to thee in al my life and conuersation, thou dwelling in me and I in thee, my heart being coupled with thy grace, and setled in thy faith for euer.

Oh my God, loose and set at liberty my spirit from all inferior things, gouerne my soule, and worke that both in soule & body, I may be wholy and liue to thy glory, world without end, Amen.

I. B.

A praier necessary to be said at all times.

O Bountifull Lord Iesu, O sweet Sauiour O Christ the Son of [Page 390] God, haue pitty vpon me, mercifully heare me, and despise not my praiers. Thou hast created me of nothing, thou, hast redeemed me from the bondage of sinne, death and hell, neither with golde nor siluer, but with thy most precious body once offered vpon the Crosse and thine own blood shed once for all, for a ransome. Therefore cast me not away, whom thou by thy great wisedome hast made. Despise mee not whom thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure, nor let my wickednesse destroy that which thy goodnesse hath builded.

Now while I liue, O Iesu, haue mercy on me: for if I die out of thy fauour, it will be too late afte [...]ward to call for thy mercy. While I haue time to repent, looke vpon mee with thy mercifull eyes, as thou diddest vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thy [Page 391] Apostle, that I may bewayle my sinfull life, and obtaine thy fauor to liue and die therein I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with mee according to thy iustice, I haue deserued euerlasting death.

Therefore I appeale to thy high throne of mercy, trusting to obtaine thy fauour, not for my merites, but for thy deserts (O Iesu) who hast giuen thy selfe an acceptable sacrifice to thy Father, to appease his wrath, and to bring all sinners truly repenting and amending their euill life, vnto his fauour againe.

Accept me (O Lord) among the number of them whome thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to saluation, forgiue mee my sinnes, giue mee grace to leade a godly and innocent life, graunt mee thy heauenly wisedome, inspire my heart with faith, hope and charitie: giue mee grace [Page 392] to be humble in prosperity, patient in aduersity, obedient to my rulers, in all my doings faithfull, dealing truly with all men, to liue chastly in wedlocke, to abhorte adultery, fornication and al vncleannes, to do good after my power vnto all men, to hurt no man, that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life, & that I afterward may attaine euerlasting life, through thy mercy and the merits of thy death and passion, Amen.

A Praier for grace and remission of our sinnes.

O Lord God mercifull Father, I poore wretched sinner come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued Son Iesus Christ my sauiour beseeching thee for his sake to be mercifull vnto me, & to cast al my [Page 393] sinnes out of thy sight, euen through the merits of his bloudy death. Powre vpon me (O Lord) thy holy spirit of grace and wisedome, to gouern & lead my body and soule in thy holy word & commandements: shew thy mercy vpon me, & so lighten the naturall blindnes and darknes of my hart through thy grace, that I may daily be renued by thy holy spirit. Open my hard hart & grosse eares to heare and read thy word, and heauenly voice, and to beleeue and follow it in my conuersation, and euer to holde fast that blessed hope of euerlasting life. Mortifie and kill al vice in me, that my life may expresse my faith in thee. Mercifully heare y^e humble supplications of thy seruant, and grant me thy peace all my daies. Graciously pardon my infirmities, and defend me in all dangers, both outwardly in my body, [Page 394] goods and name, and inwardly in my soule, against all euil temptatiōs and subtile baites of Sathan that roaring lion, seeking whom hee may deuoure. Grant (O Lord) that I and euery member of thy Church in his vocation and calling, may truely and godlily serue thee. Graft in my heart the loue of thy name: increase in mee true religion: replenish mee with all goodnesse, and of thy great mercy keepe me in the same vnto the end. Giue vnto me the spirit of praier, true humility, perfect patience, and continuall ioy in the holy Ghost. I commend vnto thy protection (O Father) my house and all thou hast giuen me, my whole family, my wife and children, and aide mee that I may well and holily gouerne, [...]orish and bring them vp in thy feare and serui [...]e.

And forasmuch as in this world [Page 395] I must alwayes be at war, not with one sort of enemies, but with an infinit number, not only with flesh and blood, but with the diuell. which is the prince of darknesse: grant me thy grace, that being armed with thy defence, I may stand in this battel with an inuincible cōstancy agains [...] all corruption, which I am incompassed with on all sides, vntill such time as I hauing ended the combat▪ which, during this life, I must sustaine, in the end I may attaine to thy heauenly rest which is prepared for me, through Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour, Amen.

A praier taken out of the first Psalme.

ALmightie and most gracious God, take away from vs all euill counsell, and then our sinne [...]: suffer vs not to run into an vngodly [Page 396] and wickedlife, and finally keep out minds farre from the contempt of godlinesse and scorning of vertue, & in the stead of these euils grant that we may continually be occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures that we be not carried about like the wicked, & like dust and fruitlesse chaffe with euery blast of affection and doctrine: but rather that we as trees planted by the water brookes, indued with the life of the spirit & faith may also bring forth the fruits of good works: and that what soeuer we take in hand may prosper, and tend to the praise and glory of thy name, & furtherance of our saluation, and at the last, when the wicked shall fal away in thy iudgement, we may stand stedfast and be made perfect, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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Out of the same Psalme.

ALmighty God, we are sufficiētly taught, that grieuous calamities & miserable plagues do therefore daily vex & trouble the church because we haue not ceased to follow the counsell of the vngodly: which being once known we ought to haue eschewed. The way also of the wicked we haue not shunned: yea, wee haue not ceased to walke their race by continuall transgression of thy commandements, we haue also o [...] long time contemned all godly correction and discipline, and whatsoeuer hath been taught vs out of thy work hath been too little regarded: yea, w^tout all shame, neglected & scorned▪

Wherefore it is no maruell, if w [...] in the stead of that happinesse and quiet peace, which we (alas) haue to long abused, be now compelled to [Page 398] suffer all heauy, grieuous, and most bitter plagues. But now, O God in humblenes of hart we flee vnto thee confessing our grieuous offences, and wee most humbly and heartily beseech thee, that those euills which we so foolishly and wretchedly haue committed, thou wilt mercifully forgiue vs, and frame our minds wholy to the obedience of thy Law, in such wise that our hearts might be occupied both day and night in nothing else but in the meditation of thy holy Scriptures. For so shall wee, giuing credite to thy wordes, bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruit, and shal not be spoiled of the graces of the holy Ghost; yea, our doings shal neuer be withour happy successe Now we are tossed hither & thither, not vnlike to leaues and chaffe, with the wind of aduersity and affliction, yet grant (O most merciful Fathee) [Page 399] that our life perish not with the wicked, but that the cause of the iust may be defended by thy singular prouidence and protection: so that in iudgemēt, and in the company of the iust we may be able to stand and not bee confounded, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Out of the same Psalme.

ALmighty GOD, forasmuch as wee haue now learned, that a great part of our felicity, so long as we liue here, consisteth in this, that wee refraine from vngodly counsell and wicked manners, and also auoid the company of those that despise & deride all good things, and that in the stead of these euills, we giue our selues to the heauenly study of thy holy law, to bee occupied and exercised therein both day and night, [Page 400] wherby we do perceiue that we haue very much erred and straied from this way of our saluation, yea wee haue in these things most wickedly offended, therfore we beseech thee euen for thy mercies sake, that thou wilt pardon our offences, and that henceforth by continuall study and exercise of thy word, thou wilt vouch safe to make vs fruitful plants that we may not only bring forth wholesome fruits in thy Church whiles we liue here, but also may be able in the other world to stand in iudgement before thee, who best knowest the way of the iust, through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen.

A praier taken out of the second Psalme.

VVE perceiue (most mercifull and almighty God) that not only Antichrist, but also the power and strength of the whole world conspireth [Page 401] against thee, and against thy Christ, which thinke the gospel and the building vp again of the church, to be an intollerable bondage & hard yoke. Wherefore they labour by all possible meanes to breake asunder the societies and congregations of the faithfull, and cast away al discipline. But forasmuch as thou sittest in heauen, & art not ignorant what the diuell or wicked flesh goeth about: laugh thou to scorne their vain counsells, & bring their purposes to nought. Let them feele thine anger to be kindled against them, & make them astonied at the storcenesse of thine indignations, so that they may not be able to destroy the Church ouer whō thou hast appointed Iesus Christ our only Sauior, to be a gouernour, that in it hee may raigne by his word and spirite with inuincible might and power. Wherefore [Page 402] grant vnto vs although vnworthy and shrinking children, such faith & constancy, that we may finde him, & also confesse him to be our only king: and that we may nothing doubt, but that wee may be his nation, people, and heritage, being most assured of this, that he is of such strength and power, that with his sword more strong then yron, he is able to destroy whom he will, and breake them in peeces like earthen pots.

Therefore, O God, turne the kings and princes of the world vnto thee, that they may bee wise and vnderstand, whereby they may vnfainedly acknowledge, imbrace, and kisse his sonne, lest when his wrath shall once be kindled, they perish and be destroyed for euer. And when it shalbe thy good pleasure make them blessed for euermore, which commit themselues to thy gouernance and [Page 403] and protection, by Christ Iesus our Lord, Amen.

Out of the same Psalme.

MOst mighty and merciful Lord God, though the diuel rage, the powers of the world daily rise vp, & the flesh with all her bond slaues cōspire against the kingdom of thine onely begotten son Iesus Christ our Lord, yet make vs to vnderstand and with constant faith bee perswaded that thou deridest and contemnest all such, whom thou canst in thine anger & fierce displeasure, when thou wilt suddenly destroy & bring to nought. In this faith, seeing wee are sometimes so weak, that being ouercome with sundry kindes of terrors and dread, we are not so obedient to thy commandements as we ought to be: wee therefore beseech thee for thy great goodnes sake to be mercifull [Page 404] vnto vs, and grant that we may cō stantly beleeue thy sonne our King, and our redeemer, to haue the highest power and dominion with thee in all things. For, seeing thou hast begotten him, thou hast also deliuered to him all natiōs to be ruled by his power as his owne inheritance: grant therefore vnto vs, that yet at length wee may be wise and vnderstand, in such sort as we may serue thee with al due feare and worship: that in the last day wee be not dashed in peeces, as earthen vessels with the rodde of thine indignation, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

A praier which M. Iohn Bradford said alittle before his death in Smithfield.

MErcifull God and Father, to whom our Sauiour Christ approched in his feare & need, by reson [Page 405] of death, & sound comfort: gracious God, and most bounteous Christ, on whom Stephē called in his extreame need, and receiued strength, most benigne holy spirit, which in the midst of all crosses and death, didst comfort the Apostle S. Paul with more consolations in Christ, than hee felt sorrows and terrors in the world, haue mercy vpon mee a most miserable▪ vile and wretched sinner, which now draw neer the gates of death, deserued both in soule and body eternally, by reason of my manifold, horrible, old and new transgressions, which to thine eyes, O Lord GOD are open and knowne. Oh be mercifull vnto mee and forgiue mee, for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine onely Sonne Iesus Christ. And though thy iustice do require in respect of my sinnes, that now thou shouldest not heare mee, contemning [Page 406] thy daily callings, yet let thy mercy which is aboue all thy works and wherwith the earth is filled, let thy mercy (I say) preuaile towards me, through the merits and mediation of Christ our Sauiour; for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses, and a record bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him, to giue my life therefore: of which dignity I doe acknowledge (deare God) that there was neuer any so vnworthy and vnmeete, no not the thiefe that hanged with him on the crosse: I humbly therefore pray thee, that thou wouldest accordingly aid helpe and assis [...] mee with thy strength and heauēly grace, that with Christ thy Sonne I may finde comfort, with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power, with Paul and all other, which for thy name sake haue [Page 407] suffered affliction and death. I may find so present with me thy gracious consolation, that I may by my death glorifie thy holy name, set forth and ratifie thy verity, comfort the harts of the heauy, confirme thy Churc [...] in thy truth, conuert some that are to be conuerted, and so depart out of this miserable world (where I doe nothing but daily heape sinne vpon sinne) and enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy, whereof now giue and increase in me a liuely tast sense, and feeling, where through the terrour of death, the tormen [...]s of fire, the paines of sin, the darts of Satan, and the dolours of hell may neuer ouercome me; but may be driuen away through the working of the most gracious spirit which now plē teously endue me withal, that throgh the same sp [...]rit I may offer (as now I desire & am ready to doe) in Christ [Page 408] and by him my selfe wholy soule and body to a liuely sacrifice, holy and acceptable in thy sight (deare father) whose I am, and always haue been euen before the world was made, to whom I commend my selfe, faith & name, family and friends, countrie, & all the whole Church, yea euen my very enemies, according to thy good pleasure: beseeching thee entirely to giue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word againe with godly peace, to the teaching and setting forth of the same: O deare father now guide mee to come vnto thee: so purge and purifie me by this fire in Christs death & passion through the spirite, that I may bee a burnt offering of sweet smel in thy sight, which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost now and euermore, world without end.

[Page 409]

The Letany.

O God the father of heauen, haue mercy vppon vs miserable sinners.

O God the father of heauen, &c.

O God the sonne redeemer of the world, haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners.

O God the sonne redeemer, &c.

O God the holy ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne, haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners.

O God the holy Ghost, &c.

O holy blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons & one God, haue mercy vpon vs miserable sinners.

O holy blessed and glorious, &c.

Remember not Lord our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, neither take thou vengeance of our sins: spate vs good Lord, spate thy people, whome thou hast redeemed [Page 410] with thy most precious bloud, and be not angry with vs for euer.

Spate vs good Lord.

From all euill and mischiefe, from sinne, from [...]he crafts and assaults of the diuell from thy wrath, and from euerlasting damnation.

Good Lord deliuer vs.

From blindnes of heart, from pride, vaineglory and hypocrisie, from enuy, hatred and malice, and al vncharitablenesse.

Good Lord deliuer vs.

From fornication and al other deadly sinne, and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh and the diuell.

Good Lord deliuer vs.

From lightning and tempest, from plague, pestilēce & famine, from battell & murder, & from sodaine death.

Good Lord deliuer vs.

From all sedi [...]i [...]n and priuy conspiracy, from all false doctrine and [Page 411] heresie, from hardnes of heart & contempt of thy word & commandemēt

Good Lord deliuer vs.

By the mystery of thy holy incarnation, by thy holy natiuity and circumcision, by thy Baptisme, fasting and temptation.

Good Lord deliuer vs.

By thine agony and bloudy sweat, by thy crosse and passion, by thy glorious resurrection and assension, and by the comming of the holy Ghost.

Good Lord deliuer vs.

In all time of our tribulation, in all time of our wealth, in the houre of death, and in the day of iudgement.

Good Lord deliuer vs.

We sinners do beseech thee to heare vs, O Lord God▪ and that it may please thee to rule and gouerne thy holy church vniuersally in the right way.

We beseech thee to heare v [...], &c.

[Page 412]

That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse & holines of life, thy seruant Iames our most gracious king and gouernor.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to rule his hart in thy faith, feare and loue, and that he may euermore haue affiance in thee, & euer seek thy honor & glory.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to be his defender and keeper, giuing him the victory ouer all his enemies.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to blesse and preserue our gracious Queene Anne, prince Charles, and the rest of the King and Queenes royall issue.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to illuminate all bishops, pastors, and ministers of the church with true knowledge [Page 413] and vnderstāding of thy word, & that both by their preaching and liuing, they may set it forth and shew it accordingly. We beseech, &c. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the counsell, and all the nobility with grace, wisedome and vnderstanding. We beseech, &c. That it may please thee to blesse & keepe the Magistrates, giuing them grace to execute iustice, and to maintaine truth. We beseech, &c. That it may please thee to blesse and keepe all thy people.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to giue to all nations, vnity, peace, & concord.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to giue vs an heart to loue and dread thee, and diligently to liue after thy commandements. We beseech thee, &c. That it may please thee to giue all [Page 414] thy people increase of grace, to heare meekely thy word, and to receiue it with pure affectiō, and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit.

We beseech thee to heare vs, &c.

That it may please thee to bring into the way of trueth, all such as haue erred and are deceiued.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand, and to comfort and helpe the weake hearted, and to raise vp them that fal, and finally to beat downe Satan vnder our feet.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to succour help and comfort all that be in danger, necessity and tribulation.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to preserue all that trauell by land or by water, all women labouring of childe [...], all sicke persons and young children, [Page 415] and to shew thy pity vpon all prisoners and captiues.

We beseech thee to heare, &c.

That it may please thee to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes, and all that bee desolate and oppressed,

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to haue mercy vpon all men.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to forgiue our enemies, persecutors and slaunderers, and to turne their hearts.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindly fru [...]ts of the earth, so as in due time wee may enioy them.

We beseech thee, &c.

That it may please thee to giue vs true repentance, to forgiue vs al our sinnes, negligences and ignorances, [Page 416] and to indue vs with th [...] holy spirit, to amend our liues according to thy holy word.

We beseech thee, &c.

Sonne of God, wee beseech thee to heare vs.

Sonne of God, we beseech, &c.

O Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world.

Grant vs thy peace.

O Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world.

Haue mercy vpon vs.

O Christ heare vs.

Lord haue mercy vpon vs.

Christ haue mercy vpon vs.

Lord haue mercy vpon vs.

Our Father which, &c.

And leade vs not, &c.

[Page 417]

But deliuer vs from euill. Amen.

The Ve [...]sicle.

O Lord deale not with vs after our sinnes.

The Answer.

Neither reward vs after our iniquities,

Let vs pray.

O God meecifull father which despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desires of such as be sorrowfull, mercifully assist our praiers that we make before thee in al our troubles & adurrsities whensoeuer they oppresse vs, and graciously heare vs, that those euills which the craft or subtlety of the Diuell, or man worketh against vs be brought to nought, and by the prouidence of thy goodnesse they may bee dispersed, that wee thy seruants beeing hurt by no persecution, may euermore giue thankes vnto thee in [Page 418] thy holy Church, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

O Lord arise, helpe vs and deliuer vs for thy names sake.

O God we haue heard with our eares, and our fathers haue declared vnto vs the noble workes that thou diddest in their daies, and in the old time before them.

O Lord a [...]ise, helpe vs and deliuer vs for th [...]ne honour.

Glory be to the father, and to the Sonne, and to the holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and euer shall be, world without end, Amen.

From our enemies defend vs, O Christ.

Graciously looke vpon our affl [...]ctions

Pittifully behold the sorrowes of our hearts.

Mercifully forgiue the sinnes of thy people.

[Page 419]

Fauourably with mercy heare our praiers.

O Son of Dauid haue mercy vpon vs.

Both now and euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ.

Gratiously heare vs O Christ, gratiously heare vs O Lord Christ.

O Lord let thy mercy be shewed o [...] vs, As we doe put ou [...] trust in thee.

Let vs pray.

VVE humbly beseech thee (O Father) mercifully to looke vpon our infirmities, and for the glory of thy names sake, turne from vs all those euils that wee most righ [...]eously haue deserued, and grant that in all our troubles wee may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy; & euermore serue thee in holines and purenesse of liuing to thy honour and glory, through our onely media [...]or & aduoca [...]e Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

[Page 420]

A praier for the Kings maiesty.

O Lord our heauenly father, high & mighty King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the only ruler of Princes, which doest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vppon earth, most heartily wee beseech thee with thy fauour to behold our most gracious soueraigne Lord King Iames, and so replenish him with the grace of thy holy spirit, that he may alwayes incline to thy wil, & walk in thy ways, indue him plentifully with heauenly gifts, grant him in health & wealth long to liue, strengthen him that hee may vanquish and ouercome all his enimies, and finally after this life, he may attain euerlasting ioy and felicity, throgh Iesus Christ our Lord.

A praier for the Queen & Prince, and other the King and Queens children.

ALmighty God which hast promised to be a father of thine elect [Page 421] and of their seed, we humbly beseech thee to blesse our gracious Queene Anne, Prince Charles, and all the Kings & Queens royal progeny, indue them with thy holy spirit, inrich them with thy heauenly grace, prosper them with all happines, & bring them to thine eutrlasting kingdome, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

A praier for Bishops and Ministers of the Church.

ALmighty and euerliuing God, which onely workest great maruels, send downe vpon our Bishops and Pastors, and all congregations cōmitted to their charge, the healthfull spirit of thy grace, and that they may truely please thee, powre vpon them the continuall dew of thy blessing. Grant this (O Lord) for the honour of our aduocate and mediator Iesus Christ.

For raine.

[Page 422]

O GOD heauenly father, which by thy sonne Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that seeke thy kingdome, and the righteousnesse thereof all things necessary to their bodily sustenance, send vs we beseech thee in this our necessity, such moderate raine & showres, that we may receiue the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to thine honour, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

For faire weather.

O Lord God which for the sin of man diddest once drowne all the world except eight persons, and afterward of thy great mercy diddest promise neuer to destroy it so againe; wee humbly beseech thee that although wee for our iniquities haue worthily deserued this plague of rain and waters, yet thou wilt send vs such weather whereby wee may receiue the fruits of the earth in [Page 423] due season, and learne both by thy punishment to amend our liues, and for thy clemency to giue thee praise and glory, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the time of dearth and famine.

O Mercifull God and heauenly father, whose gift it is that the raine doth fall, the earth is fruitful men and beasts increase: and fishes do multiply, behold (we beseech thee) the afflictions of thy people, & grant that the scarsity and dearth, which we doe now most iustly suffer for our iniquities, may through thy goodnes be mercifully turned into cheapnes and plenty, for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be praise for euer Amen.

In the time of warre.

ALmighty God King of all k [...]ngs and gouernour of all things, [Page 424] whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth iustly to punish sinners, and to be mercifull to them that truly repent, saue and deliuer vs (wee humbly beseech thee) from the hāds of our enemies, abate their pride, asswage their malice, & confound their deuices, that we being armed with thy defence, may bee preserued from all perils, to glorifie thee which arte the onely giuer of all victory, through the merites of thy onely Son Iesus Christ our Lord, So be it.

In the time of any common plague, or sickenesse.

O Almighty God, which in thy wrath in the time of King Dauid didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand, and yet remembring thy mercy, didst saue the rest: haue pitty vpon vs miserable [Page 425] sinners, that now are visited with great sickenesse and mortality, that like as thou didst then commād thine Angel to cease from punishing, so it may now please thee to withdraw from vs this plague and grieuous sickenesse, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

A praier for the strength and comfort of the holy Ghost.

ALmighty & most mercifull God, which giuest to thy elect people, thine holy spirit, as a sure pledge of thy heauenly kingdome, wee most humbly beseech thee so to replenish our harts with the grace of thy holy spirit, that he may bear witnes to our spirits, that we be thy childrē & heirs of thy kingdome, & that by thy gracious working of this thy good spirit, we may kil al carnal lusts, vnlawful pleasures, concupiscences & euil affections, contrary to thy most blessed [Page 426] wil, through our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, So be it.

For sure hope and sure tast of euerlasting life.

O Almighty God which hast prepard euerlasting life for al those that be thy faithfull seruants, grant vnto vs sure hope of this life euerlasting, that whiles we be here in this miserable world, wee my haue some taste and feeling of it in our hearts, through the merits of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, So be it.

For true knowledge of God and his word, and a life agreeable to the same.

GRant vnto vs (O mercifull God, wee most heartily beseech thee) knowledge and true vnderstanding [Page 427] of thy most blessed will and word, that all ignorance being expelled, we may know what thy will & pleasure is in all things, and how to do our duety, and truly to walk in our vocation, and that also we may expresse in our liuing those things that we doe know, that wee bee not only knowers of thy will and word, good Lord, but also may be hearty & faithful workers of the same, throgh our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ So be it.

A praier for the strength and increase of faith.

O Almighty and euerliuing God, which not onely giuest euery good and perfect gift, but also increasest those gifts that thou hast giuen: we most humbly beseech thee to increase in vs the gift of faith, that we may truly beleeue in thee, and in [Page 428] thy promises made vnto vs in Christ Iesu our Lord: that neither by our negligence, nor infirmity of the flesh, nor by grieuousnes of temptations, neither by the subtle crafts and assaults of the diuell, wee be driuen from this faith, in the bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, So be it.

For a godly life.

ALmighty God, giue vs grace that we may cast away the workes of darknes, and put on vs the armor of light now in the time of this mortall life, in which thy Son Iesus Christ came to visite vs in great humilitie, that in the last day when hee shall come againe in his glorious maiesty to iudge the quicke and the dead, we may rise to the life immortall, throgh him who liueth and raigneth with [Page 429] thee and the holy Ghost, now and for euer. So be it.

A praier for true perseuerance and the assured hope of eternal life.

BLessed God which hast caused al holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise heare thē, reade them, marke them, & inwardly print them in our hearts, that by patience and cōfort of thy holy word, we may imbrace and euer holde fast the blessed hope of euerlasting life, which thou hast giuen vs in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, So be it.

A praier for the obtaining of our petitions.

ALmighty God which hast giuen vs grace at this time with one accord to make our cōmon supplications vnto thee, and doest promise, that when two or three be gathered [Page 430] together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests: fulfil now (O Lord) the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be must expedient for them, granting vs in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life euerlasting Amen.

The end of the Lateny.

[Page 431]

A GODLY INSTRVCTIon containing the summe of all the Diuinity necessary for a Christian conscience.

Made by M. Iohn Bradford.

A Man that is regenerate & born of God, the which thing that euery one of vs bee, our Baptisme, the Sacrament of regeneration doth require vnder paine of damnation: and therefore let euery one of vs with the Virgin Mary say, Bee it vnto me O Lord, according to thy Word. according to the Sacrament of Bapti [...]me, wherein thou hast declared our adoption and let vs lament [...]he doubting hereof in vs, striuing against it, as we shall be made able of the Lord: a man I say that is regenerate, consisteth of two men [Page 432] (as a man may say) namely of the old man,The olde man. and the new man. The olde man is like to a mighty Giant, such a one as was Goliah, for his birth is now perfect: but the new man is like vnto a little child, such a one as was Dauid, for his birth is not yet perfect,The new man. vntill the day of the generall resurrection.

The olde man therefore is more strong, lusty and stirring then is the new man, because the birth of the new man is but begunne now, and the old man is perfectly borne. And as the old man is more stirring, lusty and stronger then the new man:Why the old man is stronger then the new. In what respect one man is. so is the nature of him cleane contrary to the nature of the new man, as being earthly and corrupt with Sathans seede, the nature of the new man beeing heauenly, and blessed with the celestiall seed of God. So that one man, in as much as he is [Page 433] corrupt with the seed of the serpent, is an old man,both an old man & also a new man and in as much as he is blessed with the seed of God from aboue, he is a new man. And as, in as much as he is an old man, hee is a sinner, and an enemy to God: so in asmuch as hee is regenerate, he is righteous and holy, and a friend to God, the seed of God, preseruing him from sinne, so that hee cannot sin as the seed of the serpent, wherewith he is corrupt, euen from his conception, inclineth him, yea inforceth him to sinne, and nothing else but to sinne. So that the best part in man before regeneration in Gods sight, is not onely an enemy, but enimity it selfe.

One man therefore which is regenerate may well bee called alwaies iust and alwaies sinfull:How one man may be called alwaies sinfull & alwaies [...]ust. iust in respect of Gods seed and his regeneration: sinfull, in resp [...]ct of Sathans [Page 434] seed and his first birth. Betwixt these two men therfore there is continuall conflicts and war most deadly. The flesh and the old man, by reason of his birth that is perfect, doe often for a time preuaile against the new man,Why the old man often times preuaileth against the new man. (being but a chi [...]d, in comparison) and that in such sort, as not onely other,The old man so mightily preuaileth somtimes against the new man in the childrē of God, that the spirit and seed of God seemeth to be vtterly taken from them: wheras indeede it is not so, as afterward to their great comfort they finde and feele. but euen the children of God themselues thinke that they bee nothing else but old, & that the spirit and seed of God is lost, & gone away, where yet notwithstanding the truth is otherwise, the spirit, & the seed of God, at the length appearing againe, and dispelling away the clouds which couer the Sunne of Gods seed from shining, as the cloudes in the aire to the corporall Sunne, so that somtimes a man cannot tell by any sense, that there is any sun, the clouds & winds so hid it from our sight: Euen so [Page 435] our felicity or blindnes, and corrupt affections doe oft shadow the sight of Gods seed in Gods children, as though they were plain reprobats. Whereof it cometh that they praying according to their sense, but not according to the truth, desire of God to giue them againe his spirit, as though they had lost it, and hee had taken it away. Which thing God neuer doth indeed, although he make vs thinke so for a time: for alwaies hee holdeth his hand vnder his children in their falles, that they lie not stil as others doe which are not regenerat. And this is the differēce betwixt Gods children which are regenerate and elect before all times in Christ, and the wicked cast aways, that the elect lie not still continually in their sin, as do the wicked but at the length do returne againe by reason of Gods seed, which is in them [Page 436] hid as a sparke of fire in the ashes, as we may see in Peter, Dau [...]d, [...]aul, Mary Magdalen & others. For these (I meane Gods children) God hath made all things in Christ Iesu: to whom hee hath giuen this dignity that they should bee his inheritance and spouse. This our inheritour Christ Iesus, God with God, light of light, coeternall & consubstantiall with the Father, and with the holy Ghost, to the end that he might become our husband, (because the husband and the wife must be one body and flesh) hath taken our nature vpon him, communicating with it and by it in his owne person, to vs all his children his diuine maiesty (as Peter saith) and so is become flesh of our flesh & bone of our bones substantially: as we are become flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bones, spiritually: all that euer wee haue pertaineth [Page 437] to him, yea euen our sinnes, as all that euer hee hath pertaineth vnto vs euen his owne glory. So that it Sathan should summon vs to answere in our debts and sinnes, in that the wife is no suable person but the husband, wee may well bid him enter his action against our husband Christ, and hee will make him a sufficient answere.

For this end I meane that wee might be coupled and married thus to Christ,The law Per [...]aineth to the old man, and the Gospell to the new man. and so be certain of saluation and at peace with God in our cōsciences. God hath giuen his holy word which hath two parts (as now the children of God doe consist of two men) the one part of Gods word being proper to the old man, & the other part of Gods word being proper to the new man. The part properly pertaining to the old man is the law: the part properly pertaining [Page 438] to the new man is the Gospell. The law is a doctrine which commandeth,What the law is. and forbiddeth, requiring doing and auoiding. Vnder it therfore are cōtained al precepts, threatnings, promises vpon conditions, of our doing and auoiding, &c.

What the gospell is.The gospell is a doctrine which alwaies offereth and giueth, requiring faith on our behalfe, not as of worthines as a cause, but as a certificat vnto vs, and therefore vnder it are contained all the free & sweete promises of God, as I am the Lotd thy God, &c.

The conscience feared and beaten down with the terror of Gods iudgement against sin, may not looke vpon the law, but fly to the Gospell for releeefe & comfort.In those that bee of yeeres of discretion, it requireth faith, not as a cause, but as an instrumēt, whereby we our selues may be certaine of our good husband Christ, & of of his glorie, and therefore when the conscience feeleth it selfe disquieted for feare of Gods iudgment against sin, [Page 439] shee may in no wise looke vpon the doctrine pertaining to the old man, but to the doctrine onely that pertaineth to the new man in it, not looking for that which it requireth, that is, faith, because we neuer beleeue as we should: but onely on it which it offereth, & which it giueth, that is on Gods grace, and eternall mercie and peace in Christ Iesu: so shall she be in quiet when she looketh for it altogether out of her selfe in gods mercy in Christ Iesu, in whose lap if she lay her head w^t S. Iohn,John 13. When the conscience is quiet and at peace with God, the law serueth only to keepe downe the old man. then is shee happy and shall finde quietnes indeede. When shee feeleth her selfe quiet (then in Gods name) let her looke on the law, and vpon such things as it requireth, th [...]reby to bridle and keepe downe the old Adam, to slay the Goliah, frō whom she must needs keepe the sweet promises, being the bed wherein her [Page 440] spouse & she meet and lie together: for as the wife will keepe her bed only for her husband, although in other things she is content to haue fellowship with others, as to speake, sit, eate, drinke, go, &c. so our consciences which are Christs wiues must needs keep the bed y^t is Gods sweet promises all onely for our selues, and our husband there to meet together, to imbrace and laugh together, & to bee ioifull together. If sin, the law, the Diuell or any thing else would creep into the bed, and lie there, then c [...]mplaine to thy husb [...]nd Christ & forthwith thou shalt see him play Phineas part. Thus my deerely beloued, I haue giuen you in few words a summe of all the Diuinity which a Christian conscience cannot want.

FINIS.

[Page]

The Table.

AN introduction to praier. 17
A meditation concerning praier. 49
A meditation vpon the Lords supper. 68
A priuate praier for the morning, euening▪ and other times of the day 132
VVhen you avvake out of your sleepe. eod.
Ʋ Ʋhen you behold the daie light. 134
Ʋ Ʋhen you arise. 135
VVhen you apparrell yourselfe. 136
VVhen you are made readie, to begin the daie vvithall. 138
Cogitations meete to begin the day vvithal. 139
Ʋ Ʋhen you goe foorth of the doore. 143
VVhen you are going anie iourney. 145
VVhen you are about to receiue your meat 148
In the meal time, 150
After your meate, 152
vvhen you come home againe. 155
At the sunne going dovvn 156
VVhen the candles bee light: 158
VVhen you make your selues vnready. 160
VVhen you goe into your bed. 161
VVhen you feele sleepe to be comming. 163
A generall confession of sins, vvi [...]h other praiers for the morning & euening, to be vsed in families and publike assemblies, 165
Another confession of sins, 167
A praier to be sayd in the morning, 169
Another 172
Another 143
An euening prayer. 176
Another, 181
Another, 183
A prayer for remission [Page] of sinnes. 185
A praier for the true knovvledge of the mysterie of our redemption in Christ 197
A forme of thankesgiuing for our redemption, & a praier for the strēgth and increase of faith, 200
A thankesgiuing to God for his greate benefits. 202
A praier for true mortification, 205
A meditation of the exercise of true mortification, 212
A meditation of the cōming of Christ to iudgement, & of the revvard both of the faithfull and vnfaithfull. 215
A meditation of the life euerlasting, the place vvhere it, is & the incō parablenes thereof, 222
Another meditation of the blessed state & felicitie of the life to come, 231
A meditation of the presence of God, 238
A meditation of the prouidence of God, 240
A meditation of Gods povver, beautie, goodnesse &c. 245
A meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body, that it may bee subiect & obedient to the soule, 249
Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the bodie & pleasures in this life, 252
A meditation of death and the commodities it bringeth 256
A meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, 259
A praier to Christ crucified, 267
A praier to Christ ascended and raining in glory. A8
[Page]A praier for true repentance, 272
A praier for the strength & increase of faith 273
A prayer for the true sense and feeling of gods fauour and mercie in Christ, 274
A praier against our spirituall enimies, the diuel the vvorld, and the flesh, 280
A praier for present help in temptation, 281
Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations, 284
A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauie vvrath and vengeance for our sins 286
Another 293
A praier to be said of such as suffer any kinde of crosse, 295
A praier for the afflicted for the profession of gods vvord, 299
A praier to God the father, the sonne, and the holy Ghost, 302
A thankesgiuing to God the father, the sonne and the holy Ghost, 367
A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinate enimies of the truth, 301
A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist. 312
A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods vvord, 314
A praier to be said after the preaching [...] Gods vvord 310
A praier to be said before the receiuing of the communion, 322
A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the communion, 326
A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in onsciēce for his offences 327
A praier for the sicke 333
[Page]A prayer to be said at the hour of death. 339
A prayer for a vvoman vvith childe, 343
A Psalme to bee sayde in the time of any common plague, sicknesse, or other crosse or visitation of God. 346
A Psalme of thankesgiuing for deliueraunce from the plague or anye other kind of sicknesse, or afflictions. 350
A prayer, to be said before meate & after, 354
Another prayer to be said b [...]fore meate: 355
Another, 356
A thankesgiuing after meales. 357
An other [...]hankesgiuing after meales. 359
An [...]ther, 360
Another, 361

Prayers, commonly called Lydleys Prayers, with certaine godly additions.

A Confession of sin. 362
A confession of sinnes and a prayer for the remission thereof. 374
A prayer for the true knovvledge and vnderstanding of the vvord of God. 380
A prayer for the leading of a godly life. 383
A prayer for the deliuerance from sins, & to bee restored to Gods grace & fauour againe. 387
A prayer necessitie to be said at all times. 389
A prayer for grace & remission of sin. 392
Prayers taken out of the first psalme. 395
Prayers taken out of the second psalme. 400
[Page]A praier vvhich M. Iohn Bradford said a litle before his death in Smithfield. 404
The Letany. 409
For rhe Kings maiestie. 410
For Bishops & ministers of the Church. 431
For raine. 421
For faire vveather. 422
Jn the time of dearth and famine. 423
Jn the time of vvarre 423
In the time of any cōmon pla [...]ue of sicknesse▪ 424
For strength and comfort of the holie Ghost. 425.
For sure hope and true tast of euerlasting life. 426
For the true knovvledge of god & his vvord & a life agreeable to the same. ibid,
For the strength & increase of faith. 427
For a godly life. 428
For the true perseuerance and assured hope of eternall life. 429
A praier for the obteining of our petitions 429
A godly instruction, containing the sum of al the Diuinitie necessarie for a Christian conscience. 431

FINIS,

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Elijahs fiery-chariot, or Glowing-coals taken from Gods altar being excellent prayers and meditations, fitted for all persons in all conditions. Composed by divers learned Fathers and martyrs in the Church of God. The like never before extant.

Author: Elias, John, fl. 1659.1659

Our Father.

Which art in heauen.

Hallowed be thy name.

Let thy kingdome come.

Thy will be done.

Giue vs this day, our daily bread.

Forgiue vs our debts, as we forgiue them that are debtors vnto vs.

Lead vs not into temptation.

For thine is the kingdome, thine is the power, thine is the glory, for euer.

Occas [...]ons to meditate.

Occasions to meditate.

When you arise pray.

Occasions to meditate.

When you apparell your selfe, pray.

Occasions to meditate.

When you are made ready to begin the day withall pray

Cogitations meet to begin the day withall.

When you goe forth of the dores, pray.

Occasions to meditate.

When you are going any iourny, pray.

Or pray thus.

Occasions to meditate.

When you are about to receiue your meat, p [...]ay thus.

Occasions to meditate.

In the meane time pray.

Occasions to meditate.

After your meat, pray.

Occasions to meditate.

Cogitations for about the midday.

When you come home a­gaine, pray.

Occasions to meditate.

At the Sunne going downe pray.

Occasions to meditate.

When the Candles bee light, pray.

Occasions to meditate.

When you make your selfe vnready, pray.

Occasions to meditate.

When you enter into your bed, pray:

Occasions to meditate.

When you feele sleepe to be comming, pray.

Another confession of sinnes.

A P [...]ayer to be said in the Morning.

Another Praier to be said in the Morning.

Another Prayer for the Morning.

An Euening Praier.

Another Euening praier.

Another Euening Praier.

A praier for the remission of sinnes.

A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemp­tion in Christ.

A forme of thanksgiuing for our re­demption, and praier for the strength and increase of faith. O Lord increase our faith. Luk 17.

A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits.

A aier for true mortification.

A meditation for the exercise of true mortification.

A meditation of the comming of Christ to iudgement, and of the re­ward both of the faithfull and vn­faithfull.

A meditation of the life euerlasting: the place where it is, and the incomparable ioyes thereof.

Another meditation of the blessed state and felicity of this life to come.

A meditation of the presence of God.

A meditation on the prouidence of God.

A meditation of Gods power, beauty, goodnesse, &c.

A meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body, that it may be subiect and obedient to the soule.

Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body and plea­sure of this life.

A meditation of death, and the commodities it bringeth.

A meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ.

A praier to Christ crucified.

A praier to Christ ascended, and raig­ning in glory.

Another.

A Praier for true repentance.

A praier for the strength and in­crease of faith.

A praier for the true sense and feeling of Gods fauour and mercy in Christ.

A praier against our spirituall ene­mies, the diuell, the world, and the flesh

A praier for present helpe in temptation.

Remedies against sinfull motions and tentations.

A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauy wrath and venge­ance for our sins.

Another praier for the auoiding of Gods deserued wrath hanging ouer vs for our sinnes.

A praier to be said of all such as suffer any kind of crosse.

A praier of the afflicted for the profession of Gods Word.

A praier to God the Father, the Son and the holy Ghost.

Or else pray thus.

When you come home againe, pray.

A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ.

A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption, and praier for the strength and increase of faith. O Lord increase our faith. Luk 17.

A meditation of the comming of Christ to iudgement, and of the reward both of the faithfull and vnfaithfull.

Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body and pleasure of this life.

A praier to Christ ascended, and raigning in glory.

A praier for the strength and increase of faith.

A praier against our spirituall enemies, the diuell, the world, and the flesh

A praier for the auoiding of Gods heauy wrath and vengeance for our sins.

A praier to God for his helpe and protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth.

A praier for the afflicted and persecuted vnder the tyranny of Antichrist.

A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods word.

A Psalme of thanksgiuing for deliuerance from the plague or any other kind of sicknes, trouble or affliction.

Praiers to be said before and after meales.

Prayers commonly called Lidleys praiers, with certaine godly additions.

For sure hope and sure tast of euerlasting life.