¶ A short SVMME OF THE cheefe groundes of
chriſtian religion, ſet down in fiue ſpeciall points.
Sanctify the lord God in your hearts,1. Pet. 3.15. & be ready alwayes to giue an anſwere to euery one that asketh you a reaſon of your fayth, & that with meekeneſſe and reuerence.
Keepe the true patern of the wholſome words which thou haſte heard of me in faith and loue,2. Tim. 1.13. which is, Ieſus Chriſte.
I Beleeue and confeſſe firſt,Rom. 10.10. that there is * one God onelye, who * is a ſpirituall nature,Ioh. 45.5 without any bodily or viſible ſharpe,Ioh. 4.24 1. Tim. 6 16. Exo. 34.6 Pſa. 95.4 * of infinite power, wiſedome, * goodneſſe and glory, creator and gouernour of heauen and earth, & that this one god, is diſtinct into * three perſons, the father,Iohn. 5.7 the ſon, and the holy ghoſt.
Secondly, that the ſame God did in the beginning * make mankinde in an excellent ſtate of all perfection & happines,Gen. 1.26 euen according to his owne * holineſſe & righteouſneſſe.Eph 4.24.
Thirdly, that we fell afterwards through the diſobedience of Adam, into a curſed kind of al miſery,Rom. 5.12 euen * into the wrath of God and eternal damnation of body and ſoule.
Fourthly, that the deliuerance and redemption from this miſery, is fully wrought by * IeſusActes. 4.12.
Chriſt onely, both God & man, who hath * ſuffered all the puniſhments of our ſinns,Rom. 13 4 that we might not bee damned for them,1. Ioh. 1 7 1. Pet. 2 24. * & hath perfectly kept the * ten commaundements for vs, which we could not do, to bring vs again to the * loue of God,Rom. 5.19
21 and to eternal life.
Fiftly, that they onely are partakers of Ieſus Chriſte and * this great worke of our redemption,Math. 7.7 which do earneſtly and faithfully praye for the grace of his holy * Spirite,Rom. 10 11 that thorough
the * preaching of the Worde,Iohn. 3.36. there maye bee wroughte in their heartes a * ſtedfaſt fayth,Iam. 2.18 21. to be ſaued by his ſufferings and holineſſe onely, and that their fayth may be ſhewed and iuſtyfied by continuall repentance, and a Godly life, that is,Deu. 12
12. by * ſhunning thoſe thinges which hee forbiddeth, and dooing thoſe thinges which he commaundeth.
This is lyfe eternall,Iohn. 17.3. to knowe thee to bee the onelye true God, and him whome
thou haſte ſente, Ieſus Chriſte.Ioh. 17.3
Ieſus ſayd, take heede and beware of the leauen of the phariſees & ſaduces,Mat. 16.6 12. which is their doctrine.
Caſt away prophane and old wiues fables,1. Tim. 4.7 & exerciſe thy ſelfe vnto godlineſſe.
I will pray vnto God,Pſal. 55.16. and the Lord ſhall ſaue mee, euening and morning, and at noone day will I pray, and he will heare my voyce.
Prayers for the morning, neceſſary to be vſed of all houſholders in their families.
MATH. 26.41.
VVatch and pray, leaſt ye enter into temptation.
O moſte mighty God our heauenly and mercifull father, we moſt wretched ſinners, humblye confeſſe vnto thy maieſty, that all good thinges wee haue, doe come from thy onelye mercy, that we are moſt vnworthy of them, and yet altogether vnable heartily to pray for the
continuaunce thereof, yet ſeeing thy dear ſon Ieſus Chriſte, hathe commaunded vs in his name, to pray, and that with aſſurance to ſpeed and to be heard: wee beſeeche thee for his ſake, to prepare oure heartes by thy holye ſpirite, to put oute of our mindes all worldlye thinges and vayne fantaſies, and to ſtir vs vp earneſtly to cōſider what greate neede wee haue of thy continuall help both in our ſoules and bodies. O Lord we haue through our manifold
ſinns, deſerued thy wrath, and eternall damnation of body & ſoul, yet by the vertue of the great ſufferinges of Ieſus Chriſt, and the ſhedding of his precious bloud, forgiue and waſh away al our offences: wee are vnworthy of thy fauour, either in this life or in the life to come, yet thorough his holines, receiue vs vnto mercy, & make vs heirs of thy bleſſed kingdom and ſo increaſe in oure hearts euery day, vnfained repentaunce for our former wickednes,
in that we haue neither worſhipped thy maieſty, nor liued towardes others, accordinge to thy worde. Strengthen our faith (O Lord) in Ieſus Chriſte, for the forgiueneſſe of our ſinnes, and for thy tender mercy ſake, powre into our hearts the grace of thy holy ſpirite, which may ſtirre vp in vs a more hearty loue vnto thee and thy bleſſed worde, that by it we may learn to worſhip thee aright, and to liue faithfullye, & truelye towardes all men in our callings, ſtriuing
cōtinually againſt all ſinne, chiefly in our ſelues, and then alſo in others, ſo that whenſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe thee to call any of vs out of this ſhort & ſinfull life, we may willingly deliuer vp our ſoules into thy bleſſed kingdome, and may come with ioy (as louing children) to thee our heauenly and merciful Father. O lord make vs thankful for all thy corrections, giuing vs grace by them to fear thee more carefully, & to ſorow for our ſinnes more heartily. Make vs
alſo thankfull for all thy benefites, namely, for the ſweete ſleepe and quiet reſt, wherby thou haſte this nighte refreſhed vs, wee beſeeche thee now in like manner (O gratious God) for Chriſts ſake, to receiue vs this day into thy bleſſed keeping, preſerue vs frō al perils & dangers, frō ſinn, frō the wicked cares of this life, and the vaine deſires of the fleſh, ſhinning into our hearts by the grace of thy holy ſpirit, and the true knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt, the true light
of the worlde, that wee may guid al ourthoghts words, & deeds, according to the ſame, and walk painfully and truly in our callings, to the glorye of thy bleſſed name, the good example of al others, and the great aſſuraunce of our own ſaluation, through thy deare Sonne Ieſus Chriſte our onely ſauiour, in whoſe name we pary for theſe, and al other graces, as hee hath taught vs ſaying, Our father &c.
Another Prayer for the Morning.
ALmighty God, and moſte mercifull Father,Dan. 9 we do not * preſēt our ſelues heere before thy maieſty, truſting in oure owne merites or worthineſſe, but in thy manifolde mercies, which haſt promiſed to heare our prayers and * graunt oure requeſts,Iohn. 16. which we ſhall make to thee in the name of thy beloued Sonne Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde, who hath alſo commanded
vs to aſsēble our ſelues together in his * name,Math.
18. with full aſſurance that he will not onely bee amōg vs, but alſo be our mediator, & * aduocate towardes thy maieſtie,1. Tim. 2. that we may obtain * all things which ſhall ſeem expedient to thy bleſſed will for our neceſſities.1. Ioh. 3. Therefore wee beſeech thee, moſt mercifull father, to turne thy louing countenāce towards vs,Pſal.
32. and * impute not vnto vs our manifolde ſins & offences, whereby wee iuſtly deſerue thy wrath & ſharp
puniſhment: but rather receiue vs to thy mercy for Ieſus Chriſtes ſake, accepting his death and paſſion as a iuſt recompence for all our offences, in whom only thou art pleaſed, & through whome thou canſt not bee offended with vs. And ſeeing that of thy great mercies wee haue quietli paſſed this night grant, o heauēly father, that wee may beſtowe this day wholly in thy ſeruice, ſo that all oure thoughtes, wordes and deeds may redound to the glory of thy name,
and good example to al men: who ſeeing our good works, may glorify thee our heauēly father. And foraſmuch as of thy mere fauour and loue thou haſt not only created vs to thine own ſimilitude & likeneſſe, but alſo haſte choſen vs to bee heires with thy dear ſonne Ieſus Chriſt of that immortall kingdom, which thou prepa redſt for vs before the begining of the world, wee beſeech thee to increaſ our faith & know ledge, & to lighten our heartes with thine holy
ſpirit, that we may in the meane time liue in godly conuerſation & integrity of life, knowing that * idolaters,Gal. 5 adul terers, couetous men, contentious perſonnes, drunkardes, gluttons & ſuch like, ſhall not inherite the kingdome of God.
And becauſe thou haſte commaunded vs to pray one for another we doe not onely make requeſt, O Lord, for our ſelues, and them that thou haſt already called to thee true vnderſtanding of thine heauenly
will, but for all people & * natiōs of the world,Actes.
10. 1. tim. 2. who as they knowe by thy wonderful workes, that thou art God ouer all, ſo they may be inſtructed by thine holie ſpirite, to beleue in thee their onely ſauiour and Redeemer. But forasmuch as they can not beleeue except they * hear,Rom.
10. nor cānot hear but by preaching, and none can preach except they be ſent, therfore, O lord raiſe vp faythfull diſtributers of thy miſteries, who ſetting aparte all worldly reſpectes, may
both in their life and doctrine only ſeeke thy glory. Contrarily confounde * Sathan,Rom. 16. Antichriſt with all hirelings and papiſtes, whō thou haſt already caſt of into a reprobate ſenſe, that they may not by ſects, ſchiſmes, hereſies and errours diſquiet thy little flocke. And becauſe, O Lorde, wee be fallen into the latter dayes,2. tim. 3. and daungerous times wherin ignorance hath gotten the vpper hand, and Satan with his minyſters ſeeke by all meanes to quench the
light of thy Goſpell, we beſeeche thee to maintaine thy cauſe againſt thoſe * rauenous wolues,Mat. 7 and ſtrengthen all thy ſeruauntes, whome they keepe in priſon & bondage. Let not thy long ſuffering bee an occaſion eyther to increaſe their tyranny, or to diſcourage thy children, neyther yet let oure ſinnes and wickedneſſe bee an hynderaunce to thy mercyes, but with ſpeede, O Lord, conſider the greate myſeries, and afflictions of thy poore
Church, which in ſundry places by the rage of enimies is greeuouſly tormented: and this we confeſſe, O Lord, to come moſte iuſtlye for our ſinnes which (notwithſtanding thy manifold benefites, whereby thou doeſt dayly allure vs to loue thee: and thy ſharp thretnings, wherby we haue occaſion to feare thee, and ſpeedily to repent) yet continue in our owne wickednes and feel not our hearts ſo touched with the diſpleaſure of our ſinnes as we ought to do. Therefore,
O Lorde, create in vs newe heartes, that with feruent minds we may bewaile our manifolde ſinnes, & earneſtly repent vs for our former wickedneſſe and vngodly behauiour towardes thee: and wheras wee can not of oure ſelues purchaſe thy pardon, yet wee humblye beſeeche thee for Ieſus Chriſtes ſake, to ſhewe thy mercies vppon vs, and receiue vs again to thy fauour. Graunt vs, deare father, theſe oure requeſtes, and all other thinges neceſſary for vs
and thy whole Church according to thy promiſe in Ieſus Chriſt our Lord: in whoſe name we beſeech thee, as hee hath taught vs, ſaying, Our Father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy name. &c.
A GODLY PRAIER to be ſayde at all times.
HOnour and prayſe bee giuen to thee, O Lord God almighty, moſte deare Father of
heauen, for all thy mercies & louing kindneſſe ſhewed vnto vs, in that it hath pleſed thy gratious goodneſſe and freely of thine own accord, to elect & chuſe vs to ſaluatiō before the begining of the world: & euē like cōtinual thanks be giuē to thee for creating vs after thine own image, for redeeming vs with the precious bloude of thy deare ſonne, when we were vtterlye loſte, for ſanctifying vs with thine holye Spirite in the Reuelation and knowledge of thyne
holy word, for helping and ſuccouring vs in all our needes and neceſſities, for ſauing vs from all daungers of bodye and ſoule, for comforting vs ſo fatherly in all our tribulations & perſecutions, for ſparing vs ſo long, and giuing vs ſo large a time of repentaunce. Theſe benefits, O moſt merciful father, like as wee knowledge to haue receiued them of thine onely goodneſſe, euen ſo wee beſeech thee, for thy dear ſon Ieſus Chriſtes ſake to grant vs alwais thine
holy ſpirit, whereby we may continually growe in thankfulnes towards thee, to bee led into all truethe, and comforted in all oure aduerſities. O Lord, ſtrengthen our faith: kindle it more in feruentnes and loue towardes thee and our neighbors for thy ſake. Suffer vs not, moſt dear Father, to receiue thy word any more in vain, but graunt vs alwayes the aſſiſtaunce of thy grace and holy ſpirite, that in heart, word, and deede we may ſanctify and doe worſhip to thy
name, helpe to amplify and increaſe thy kingdome, that whatſoeuer thou ſendeſt, we maye be hartely well content with thy good pleaſure and wil. Let vs not lack the thing, o father, with out the which we cannot ſerue thee, but bleſſ thou ſo all the workes of our handes, that we may haue ſufficient, and not to bee chargeable, but rather helpfull vnto others. Be mercifull, O Lorde, to our offences: and ſeeing our debt is great, which thou haſte forgiuen vs in Ieſus
Chriſt, make vs to loue thee and our neighbors ſo much the more. Be thou oure Father, oure captaine and defender, in all tentations: holde thou vs by thy mercifull hand, that we maye bee deliuered from all inconueniences, & end our liues in the ſanctifiing & honor of thy holy name through Ieſus chriſt our Lord, & only Sauioure, ſo be it. Let thy mighty hande and out-ſtretched arme, O Lorde, bee ſtill our defence, thy mercye and louing kindeneſſe
in Ieſus Chriſt thy dear Sonne, oure ſaluation, thy true and holy word oure inſtruction, thy grace and holy ſpirite, our comfort and conſolation, vnto the ende and in the end, ſo be it.
O Lord, increaſe our fayth.
A PRAIER TO BE ſayde of the childe before he ſtudy his leſſon.
PSALME. 119.
Wherein ſhall the childe addreſſe his way? In guiding him ſelfe according to thy Worde. Open myne eyes &
I ſhall knowe the maruails of thy Lawe. Giue me vnderſtanding, and I ſhall keepe thy Lawe, yea, I ſhall keepe it with mine whole heart.
LOrde, which art the fountain of all wiſdome and knowledge, ſeeing it hath pleaſed thee to giue mee the meane to bee taught in my youth for to learne to guide me godly and honeſtly all the courſe of my life, it maye alſo pleaſe thee to lighten myne vnderſtandinge, the which of it ſelfe is blind, that it may comprehende
and receiue that doctrine and learning which ſhall bee taught me: it may pleaſe thee to ſtrengthen my memory to keep it wel: it maye pleaſe thee alſo to diſpoſe my hart willingly to receiue it with ſuch deſire as appertayneth: ſo that by my ingratitude the occaſion which thou giueſt me, be not loſt. That I may thus do, it maye pleaſe thee to powre vpon me thine holy ſpirit, the ſpirite I ſay, of al vnderſtā
ding, truth, iudgement, wiſdom & learning, the
which maye make mee able ſo to profite, that the paines that ſhall be taken in teaching me, be not in vaine. And to what ſtudy ſoeuer I applye my ſelfe, make me, O lord, to addres it vnto the right end: that is to know thee in oure Lord Ieſus Chriſt, that I may haue full truſt of ſaluation in thy grace, and to ſerue thee vprightly according to thy pleaſure, ſo that whatſo euer I learne, it may be vnto me as an inſtrumēt to helpe me therevnto. and ſeing thou doſt promiſe
to giue wiſdom to the little and humble ones, and to confound the proude in the vanity of their wits, & likewiſe to make thy ſelfe knowne to them that be of an vpright heart, and alſo to blinde the vngodly and wicked, I beſeech thee to faſhion me vnto true humility, ſo that I may be taught firſt to be obedient vnto thee, and next vnto my ſuperiors, that thou haſte appoynted ouer me. Further that it may pleaſe thee to diſpoſe mine heart vnfaynedly
to ſeek thee and to forſake all euill and filthye luſts of the fleſh: & that in this ſort I may nowe prepare my ſelf to ſerue thee once in that eſtate which it ſhalpleaſe thee to appoint for me whē I ſhall come to age.
A PRAIER TO BE ſayde before a man begin his worke.
PSALME. 25.
The Lorde reuealeth his ſecretes vnto them that fear him, and maketh them to knowe his alliance.
O Lorde God moſte mercifull Father &
ſauiour, ſeeing it hath pleaſed thee, to commaunde vs to trauaile, that we may relieue our neede, we beſeech thee of thy grace ſo to bleſſe our labor that thy bleſſing may extende vnto vs, without the which we are not able to continue: & that this great fauour may be a witnes vnto vs of thy boūtifulnes & aſſiſtance, ſo that thereby we may know the fatherlye care that thou haſt ouer vs.
Moreouer, O Lorde wee beſeech thee that thou wouldeſt ſtrengthen
vs with thy holye ſpirit, that we may faith fullye trauaile in our eſtate & vocation without fraud or deceit: and that we maye indeuour oure ſelues to followe thine holy ordināce, rather thē to ſeek to ſatiſfy our greedy affections or deſire to gaine. And if it pleaſe our labour, giue vs a minde alſo to help thē that haue need according to that ability that thou of thy mercye ſhalt giue vs: and knowing that all good thinges come of thee,
graunt that wee maye humble oure ſelues to our neighbours, & not by any meanes lift our ſelues vp aboue them, which haue not receiued ſo liberal a portion as of thy mercye thou haſt giuē vnto vs. And if it pleaſe thee to trye & exerciſe vs by greter pouerty, and need then our fleſh would deſire, that thou wouldſt: yet O Lorde, grant vs grace to know that thou wilt nouriſh vs continually through thy bountifull liberality, that wee bee not ſo tempted that we
fall not into diſtruſt: but that wee may patiently waite till thou fill vs, not onely with corporall graces and benefites, but cheefely with thine heauenly & ſpirituall treaſures, to the intent that wee may alwayes haue more ample occaſiō to giue thee thankes, and ſo wholly to reſt vppon thy mercyes. Heare vs, O Lorde of mercy, through Ieſus Chriſte thy ſonne our Lorde. Amen.
APR AIER FOR
the Morning.
O Gratious God, and louing Father, according to thy cōmandement, we do here preſent our ſelues before thy maieſtye, humblye proſtrating our ſelues before the throne of mercy, acknowledging and confeſſing from the bottome of our heartes that wee bee miſerable ſinners, dayly breaking thy commandementes, both in thought, word, and deede, wherein we
iuſtlye deſerue euerlaſting damnatiō, & to be vtterly throwne frō thy preſence, yet O lord, we ſee thy goodnes againe towardes vs, who not ſuffering vs thus to periſh in our ſins, haſt ſent thine owne deare Son Ieſus Chriſt, to take vppon him whatſoeuer is due to reconcile and make vs at one with thee again: in him therfore, good Lorde, and throgh him do we com vnto thee, beſeeching thee for his ſake, that we feeling the greeuoſnes of our ſins, and groning
vnder the burden of them, may feele the releaſe & eaſe of them, in that we be thorough thy holy ſpirit aſſured, and ſtedfaſtly beleeue, that Chriſt hath borne the burden of them, euen for vs. Graunt, O Lorde, that wee being aſſured hereof in oure conſciences, may thorough thy holye ſpirite be renued in the inner man, to hate, deteſt and abhorre ſinne, and to ſtudy to liue according to thy bleſſed will during our whole life.
We do not only pray
for our ſelues, but alſo for all thy whol church, eſpecially ſuch as bee perſecuted for thi word graunt vnto them, that whether it be by death or life, they may glorifye thy name to theire liues end. Bee mercifull to this Church of England and Irelande, wee beſech thee good lord, and preſerue euery part & member of the ſame, eſpecially thy ſeruaunt ELIZABETH oure Queene: graunt her all ſuch giftes as be needeful for ſo high a calling, to the aduancement of
thy glory, and benefite of this commō wealth, to the eſtabliſhing of a perfect gouernment of thy Church, according to the preſcript rule of thy bleſſed word, to the rooting out of al ſuperſtition and reliques of Antichriſt, to the gouerning of her ſubiectes in all peace and traquillitie. Defend her, O lord, from all conſpiracies, treaſons, & rebellions, and ſo woorke in the harts of all her ſubiects, that knowing her authorise doth come frō thy heauenly maieſtie,
they may with obediēt harts humbly obey her in thee & for thee. Preſerue the whol counſell & the. Magiſtrats of the realme, that being lightened through thy holy ſpirite, they maye defend thy truth, ſuppreſſe wickednes, & maintain equity. Beholde all the Paſtors & Preachers of the worde, bleſſe their labours, increaſe the number of them, place ouer euerye Church a painfull watch man, remooue all idle lubbers, & confound the power of Antichriſt, & tourne
the heartes of the people that they may be obedient to thy trueth. Bleſſe the two Vniuerſities, Cambridge and Oxenforde, and all the Studentes of the ſame, with all Schooles of learning. Beholde all thoſe that bee afflicted with any kind of croſſe, that they may profit by thy correction in newneſſe of life.
Laſtly, for our ſelues heere gathered together, wee heartily craue at thy handes, that it woulde pleaſe thee to make vs thankfull vnto
thy maieſtie, for all thy louing kindnes ſhewed vnto vs euen from our infancy: eſpecially, that thou haſte this preſent night deliuered vs frō all dangers both of body and ſoule, wherinto many haue fallen, as we in like maner ſhoulde haue doone, if wee had not beene ſtayed with thy merciful hand: that thou haſt alſo graunted vnto vs ſo ſweet & comfortable reſte, and haſte now preſently brought vs to the beginning of this daye. For theſe thinges, good Lord, we
yeelde vnto thee moſte harty thanks, beſehcing thee to make vs more & more daylye thankfull vnto thy maieſtye for thē, & pardon oure vnthākfulnes. And as thou haſt ſafely preſerued vs vnto this preſenthowre frō all the daungers of this life: ſo we beſeech thee continue thy fauor towardes vs this day, & the whole courſe of our life. Defend vs, O lord, that we now entring into the affayres of this daye, bee not drawne away with the vayne alluremēts
of this world, to ſinn and wickednes: that we walk not in the ſhadowes of death, that we be not intangled in the ſnares of ſinne, that wee ſtumble not at the blockes of iniqnity, that we finallye fall not into the pit of death, and deſtructiō: but being ſhadowed vnderthy wings we may cheerfully and conſtantlye goe on forward to the end of our courſe. Graunt vnto vs, O Lorde our God, that this good time which thou granteſt vnto vs in this life, bee not idly, or
vainly of vs conſumed, but that euerye one of vs maye bee diligentlye exerciſed in his calling this day, and all our life long, being aſſured that thou wilt once call vs to yeelde an account of our ſtewardſhip. Indue vs we beſech thee, with thoſe giftes and graces, which bee needfull for vs in our calling, & that with a pure and ſincere conſcience we may vſe them to the benefite of our brethren, and diſcharge of our own conſciences, before thy maieſty. We beſeech thee,
O Lord, that in all oure confultations, words & works this day, and the whole courſe of oure life, wee maye alwayes haue thee preſent before our eyes, knowing that thou ſeeſt euen the very deepe thoughts of our harts, which alwais maye bee as a brydle to pull vs backe, that wee neither do, nor yet conſent vnto anye ſinne or wickednes, but that alwayes we may be ſo exerciſed in the affayres of this life, that we loke ſtill to the ende of our courſe, when it ſhall
pleaſe thee to bring vs through the pilgrimage of this life to our euerlaſting reſte with thy deare Sonne IESVS CHRIST oure Sauiour. In whole name for theſe mercies and what ſoeuer thou knoweſt to be needefull for vs, and for the whole Church, we pray vnto thee, as he him ſelfe hath taught vs in his holye worde, ſaying: Our father. &c.
The Lorde bleſſe vs and ſaue vs, the Lorde make his face to ſhyne vppon vs, and be mercifull vnto vs, the Lorde
tourne his fauourable countenaunce towards vs, & grant vs his peace. The grace of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, the loue of God the Father, & the moſte comfortable fellowſhippe of the holye Ghoſte, be with vs, preſerue and keepe vs this day and euermore. Amen.
A CONFESSION of ſinnes with faith and repentance.
O Merciful and Heauenlye Father, wee
thy ſeruaunts do humbly proſtrate our ſelues before thy maieſtye, acknowledging heere in thy ſight our hainous offences committed againſt thy maieſtye, ſeeing and beholding thy heauye wrath againſte them: wee feele oure ſelues laden (O Lorde our God) with a huge companye of horrible ſinnes, wherof euen the verye leaſte, beeing but conceiued in thought, is ſufficient in iudgement to throw vs down to the euerlaſting burning lake. Our owne
conſciences, O Lorde, do beare witnes againſt vs, of oure manyfolde tranſgreſſions of thy bleſſed law, of our ſecurity & ſenceleſſe blindnes running head-long to deſtruction, committing ſinne after ſinne, although not notorious to the world, yet horrible before thine eye. The thoughtes of oure hartes riſe vp in iudgement againſt vs: the vanity of our talke before thy maieſtye condemneth vs: the wickednes of our deedes from thy ſight reiecteth vs: al our
wicked thoghts, words and deeds, with the inward corruption of our nature, do altogeather as it were a whole lump and loade of ſinne, lye heauie vppon vs, and with their intollerable weight do euen preſſe vs down to hell. Wee do daylye grone vnder the burthen of them inwardly lamenting our owne folly ſo greedily running into them. In Heauen, Earth, or Hel, wee ſee none able to ſuſtaine the weight of them, but euē the dearlye beloued Sonne Ieſus
Chrſt, who in mercy infinite, and compaſſion endleſſe, hath ſuſtained and ouer come that endleſſe punniſhement due vnto them: in him therefore in him, moſt meeifull father & through him wee come to thee, being fully aſſured according to thy promiſe, that thou wilt accept and take that ful recompence which hee thy deere Sonne hath made for vs, as a iuſt raunſome for all the ſinnes of all thoſe who with a true faith take houlde on him.
In him therefore we ſee thine anger towards vs appeaſed, thy wrath ſatisfied, and our debts payde.
Increaſe in vs, good Lord, we beſeech thee, this liuely and feeling faith, for wee feele it oftentymes in vs verye weake, & troubled with many doubtes: increaſe it in vs (O Lorde) that wee may through thy holy ſpirite bee aſſured that the punniſhement of our ſinnes is fully in thy ſonne diſcharged. Make vs, O Lorde our God, to feele this ſame
in our ſoules and conſciences, that IESVS CHRIST is ours, and all that hee hath done: that we are graffed into his body, and made one with him, and therfore fellow heires with him of euerlaſting life. Let vs not onely haue theſe wordes in our mouthes (good Lord) but through thy holye ſpirite lette vs feele the comfort of them in our heartes fully ſealed and ſetled in vs: that we feling our ſelues inwardly before thy iudgment ſeat, diſcharged and our
conſciences towardes thee appeaſed, may bee ſwallowed vp with an vnfained loue towarde thy heauenly Maieſtie, and towardes thy brethren for thy ſake. Make ſin to dye in vs dayly more & more, that we may hate, deteſt, & vtterly abhor all ſin and wickedneſſe in all men, but eſpeciallye in oure ſelues: that wee maye ſtrongly thorough thy holye ſpirite ſette our ſelues in open warre & defiance againſt all ſinn and wickedneſſe: that we pleaſe not ourſelues
in our ſinnes, but ſtraitlye examining ſin by the iuſt rule of thy holy Lawes, wee maye vtterly from the bottom of our hearts condemn euen the leaſte ſinne in our ſelues, hauinge our whole ioy, comfort and conſolation vppon thoſe thinges whiche bee agreeable to thy bleſſed will, alwayes beeing afrayde to doe any thing contrarye to the ſame: that we may euen from the bottom of our hearts examine and try our thoughtes, before thy preſence,
that they be vpright & vnfayned, not hipocriticall in outwarde ſhew onely and appearance, but that euen all corners of our harts being opened and diſcloſed before thee, we maye euen as though it were openly before the face of the whole worlde bring them in ſhewe, knowing that a dubble hart is deteſtable in thin eyes: and that we may walke alwaies as before thine eyes, not only before the eyes of man, beeing more careful to walke circumſpectlye,
in this reſpect, that wee haue thee to be a vewer of our doinges, a thouſande folde more then the eyes of man: that thus we maye walke as becommeth thy children, not onely in outwarde ſhew, but alſo in ſincerity of hart, abhorring euen the leaſt ſinn in our ſelues, ſtryuing, reſiſting and fighting againſt ſinne, not delighting our ſelues in ſinne, nor noriſhing the ſame in our breſt, but earneſt lye embracing, and ſtudiouſlye ſeeking after thoſe thinges which be
pleaſant in thine eyes: that neither the feare of man, nor loſſe of goods life, landes, poſſeſſions, or friends draw vs away from thee, to doe anye leaſt thing contrarye to thy will and pleaſure: neither the fauoure or friendſhip of man, nor yet the flattering entice mentes of this worlde, nor the vaine promotions of the ſame doe moue vs any whit from the true and endles ioy, delighte and pleaſure which we ought to haue in thoſe thinges which be agreeable to thy wil,
and the conſtaunt performance of the ſame: but that alwayes to the end of our lyfe we may continue in thy pathes, growing and increaſing from faith to faith, from ſtrength to ſtrength, till at length we ſhall come to thy euerlaſting reſt.
A FORME OF MOR
ning praier neceſſarye for this preſent time for godly chri
ſtians, to vſe in their houſes and fa
milies.
WE moſt humblye thank thee O heauenlye
Father) for the ſweete & quiet reſt that we haue had this night, for the louing and fauourable deliueraunce out of all dangers both of bodye and Soule, which we iuſtly deſerue to be throwne into for our manyfolde ſinnes: for that thou haſte rayſed vs vp this morning, we pray thee to goe before vs: and for as much as thou ſeeſt our ſluggiſhnes and drowſines, it woulde pleaſe thee (good Lord) to pull vs after thee, and to ſhewe vs thoſe wayes, which
thou haſt appoynted vs to walk in. And as thou renueſt this morning, ſo renue thy mercies: and as thou cauſeſt the Sun comfortablye to ſhine to our bodilye eyes, ſo vouchſafe (wee praye thee) to be Sunne vnto our bodyes and to our ſoules, by the beames of thy holy Spirite, and Starre of thy bleſſed Word, ſhining into the middeſt of our harts, to driue away all the night and darknes of all prophaneneſſe: to chaſe awaye all want of true feare of thy good Maieſty:
and in place therof, bring in loue towardes thy glory, zeale of thy houſe, loue alſo towardes our brethren: eſpeciallye thoſe that thou aboue the reſt cō
mendeſt vnto vs, that we may loue them with that loue, wherewithall thou haſt firſt loued vs: which is pure, vncorrupt, vehement, and euerlaſting: and therfore we praye thee to ridde our hartes of all naughtye and corrupt loue, and whatſoeuer is vnmeete to bee in thoſe veſſels that are to ſerue
ſuch a mightye Prince as thou arte: and in thoſe houſes wherein it pleaſeth thy maieſtye by thy holye Spirite to dwell: and therefore on the other ſide (good Lord) chace away from vs all▪ rancor and malice, all pride, enuiouſneſſe, diſdaynefulneſſe, vncharitableneſſe, vnnaturalneſſe, vnkindeneſſe, and whatſoeuer is contrarye to that loue, wherof thou haſt giuen vs a liuelye example in our ſaniour Ieſus chriſt: vnto the which example, grant (good Lord)
that wee may alwayes haue oure eyes lifted vp, and therein holden, and cauſed thereby to profit, vntill ſuch time as we come to that perfection, wherunto thou haſt appointed we ſhall come. Vouchſafe more ouer by the comming of the ſelfe ſame Spirit, to ſcatter in vs all the night and darkneſſe of ignoraunce, and forgetfulneſſe, and of all thoſe things which pertaine to the clearer and fuller knowledge of thy truth Take from vs all negligence, all want of iudgment
and diſcretion, & deliuer vs from al thoſe thinges, which thou knoweſt to bee hinderaunces to vs, either to walke in that great callinge of Chriſtianitye whervnto thou haſt called vs, or in thoſe ſeuerall and particular callinges wherin thou haſt placed euery one of vs: that we maye walke ſo (good Lorde) both in the one & in the other, that thy name maye be glorified in both.
We praye not onely for our ſelues (O moſte merciful Father) but for
all thoſe that thou haſt appointed to eternall life: beſeechinge thee to gather the number of thoſe that are to bee gathered; thoſe that thou haſte alreadye called, thou wouldeſt alwayes keepe: and to this end (good Lorde) rayſe vp faithfull miniſters both of thy church and common weale, whoſe heartes thou wouldeſt fyll with all graces of thy holy ſpirit meete for their callinges, meete alſo for theſe dangerous times: roote out from among
thy church, al rauening and deuouring beaſts, which to fyll their own bellies, diſtroy thy flok, eaſe thy ſelfe of all hirelings & idle ſhepherds, which haue no care nor skil to feed thi flok with the holſom food of thy bleſſed worde, nor to rule them with that equitye, wherewithall thou wilte haue thy people to bee ruled: thoſe Paſtoures that thou haſte giuen, it woulde pleaſe thee to increaſe the number of thē: thoſe that are falne a ſleepe & caried away
with the corruptions of theſe times, that thou wouldeſt awake, letting them vnderſtande the charge that thou haſte mitted vnto them, the truſt that thou haſt put them in, and the accōpt that thou wilt take at their handes. Be gratious (O Lord) vnto this land of ours, and enter not into iudgemēt with the horrible ſinnes of it, namelye, the contempt and light eſteeming of thy holy word, ſo many yeares offered vnto vs, and wee beeing truſted withall, ſo manye Nations
better then we being paſſed by, whiche woulde haue brought foorth the fruite therof more then weehaue done: and we not onely haue brought foorth no good fruite, but rotten and vnſauourye, to prouoke thy Maieſtye withall: notwithſtāding all theſe our ſinnes, it woulde pleaſe thee in that loue, wherewithall thou haſt firſt loued vs, when we hated thee, & in that long patience wherein thou haſte hitherto borne with vs, and doeſt yet beare and
tarrieſt for ourrepentance: to grant vs heartie and earneſtrepentaunce, our heartes being effectually touched with thy holye Spirite, ſtrikinge theſerockye hearts of ours, that thei maye bee reſolued into riuers of teares for oure ſynnes, making them ſoft and meeke to receiue the print of thy holy word, and ſeale of thy bleſſed ſpirire, writing with thy fynger thine own laws in thē, ſo, that thou maiſt read thine owne hande, acknowledge thine owne
ſeale, & ſo paſſe by vs, when thou ſhalt bring thy iudgement vppon the face of the earth, for the iniquities thereof: whereof thou haſte giuen, and ſtill giueſt, frō time to time diuers tokens, which we beſeech thee may be profitable vnto vs, whilſte firſt of al we acknowledge thy hande ſtriking vs, and thy counſayle callinge vs thereby torepentaunce, that thy heauier iudgementes doe not fall vpon vs, to our vtter deſtruction.
Moreouer, we thank thee (O Lorde) for that it hath pleaſed thee to be the watch-mā, and as it were the ſpie of this Church and common wealth, and haſte foreſeene all the ſtormes, & treaſons comming againſte it, and againſte thine annoynted oure Souaraigne, whōe thou in mercye haſt appoynted to rule ouer it, and haſt ſcattered them and brought thē to naught, and haſte purſued certaine of thine enemyes and ours vnto death, be ſeeching thee to continue
this watchfull and carefull eye ouer vs, ſtill to doe vs good, and to purſue the reſt of thine enemies and ours vnto the graue: giuing notwithſtanding repentāce vnto them, vnto whom thou haſte left place of repentaunce. And to this ende, raiſe vp the harts of our moſt gratious QVEENE & her honourable Counſell thy Magiſtrates, that as they ſit in thy ſeate, and are called by thy name, ſo they maye execute thy iuſtice, which thou ſo well approoueſt of,
whereof alſo thou wilt require a ſtraighte accompt at their hands. Wee deſire thee alſo to ſhewe theſe thy graces to all other Churches of thine, namely, thy Church of Englande, that it may enioye that peace that thou haſt giuen it: and graunt that the ſame be referred to that end wherfore thou haſt giuen it: namelye, to the ful eſtabliſhment of the throne of thy dear ſonn our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST, & to the building of his Kingdome there. Wee
beſech thee alſo, for the churches which thi hād hath plāted long ſince, eſpeciallye thoſe, from whō we haue receiued knowledge in time of our ignorāce, places of refuge in time of perſecution: that it woulde pleaſe thee to continue thy louing kindnes towards them, and therefore cauſe them to continue their faith toward thee, & obedience towards thy holy worde. And whenſoeuer it ſhal bee thy pleaſure, to try them with any kinde of affliction, it woulde
pleaſe thee to graunt vnto them, that they maye put their truſte in thee, hauing regarde to the truth of thy promiſes, and to the good experience that they haue of thy helpe in times paſt, and thereby conceiue comfort & hope, (O Lorde) euen of life in death, and of ſaluation in deſtruction. We praye thee alſo (good lord) that we may haue the feeling of the miſeries of our brethren, as members of the ſame body, & thoſe that liue by the ſame ſpirite. And
therefore we pray thee, that according to the manyfold troubles that thou ſhalt viſite them with, it woulde bee thy good pleaſure, to meaſure out rhy grace in ſuch plentifull maner, that thy children maye patiently beare, and ioy fullye attende, for the good howre wherein thou wilt pul them out of all their troubles. And eſpecially we pray thy maieſty for our brethren that are afflicted for thy Goſpell ſake: namelye, thoſe that ſuffer impriſonment or otherwiſe
in any nation, for the clearer teſtimony of it: that it woulde pleaſe thee to giue thē patience in all theire troubles, wiſedom and mouthes to defend thy cauſe, againſt all thoſe that riſe vp againſte it: that thou woldſt bleſſe their trauels and ſufferings, for that for which they are taken: which is, to giue a freer courſe of thy goſpel into al places. And therewithall wee beeſeeche thee for the churches of France and Flaunders, which are ſo miſerably racked
and torn in ſunder, and which are almoſt conſumed with theſe fierie trials: that it wold pleſe thee to looke vpon the ſighings and gronings, the teares that fall from their eies continually, the bloud that is ſhed in all the partes of the Lande, the bodies that lye vnburied, to bee meate to the foules of the ayre, and Fiſhes of the Sea, the lonenes of wiues lacking ther huſbāds, children their fathers, & euery frend his freind. And for aſmuch as thoſe thynges are
come vppon them for thy names ſake, let it be thy good pleaſure to helpe them conſidering that they are forſaken of all their friends roūd about: and therefore praye thee that thou wouldeſt not looke vppon our ſinnes, nor the ſins of our forefathers, wherby we deſerue not onelye this correction, but vtter deſtruction, as Sodom & Gomorrha: but rather to looke vpthy mercies which were before them: whereby thou haſt ſayde, that although we doe offend,
and thou doeſt correct vs, yet thou wilt not take awaye thy mercies from vs, but wilt leaue a remnant which thou wilt multiply, and make as the ſtarres of the heauen, and as the ſandes of the ſea. Looke alſo (O lord) vpon the outragiouſnes and cruelty, vnfaithfulnes, and blaſphemy of the enemies, wherewithal they blaſpheme thee, and prouoke thee to thy face, and therefore in thine owne cauſe, and for thine own ſake, take the matter into thine owne
handes, and pay into the Boſomes of thine enymies double and treble of that they haue giuen to thee. Notwithſtanding, thoſe amongeſt them, that belong to thine holy election, haſten their calling, that afterward thy iudgement may haſten vpon the earth, and the inhabitants therof may learn to knowe thee by thy iudgementes; that would not vnderſtand and come to thee, by the louing callinge of thy Goſpell. Wee pray thee (O Lorde) for our
brethren that are vp in arms in both thoſe coū
tries: that thou wouldſt goe before them, and come behinde them, and on euerye ſyde of them: couer their heads in the daye of battell, teache their handes to fyght, & their fingers to war: giue them wiſdom & valiantnes, and good ſucces in al their enterpriſes: ſtrike a dizineſſe & maze of ſpirite into the enimies hearts, and take away from them al force, and diſappoint all their counſels. And vpō our brethren in Flāders
we beſeeche thee that thou wouldeſt comfort them ouer all thy troubles that they haue receiued, and breaches that haue beene made in vpon them: & where there are new forces euery day gathered, new ſleights inuented to deſtroy thē, it maye pleaſe thee, to ſcatter their forces, and bring their ſleights to nothing. Yea grant alſo (O lord) that that which they haue deuiſed againſt thy children, may come vppon their own heades. And for oure Brethren in
Fraunce wee beſeeche thee (O Lorde) what ſtraights ſo euer thei be in, thou wouldeſt deliuer them: and althogh they be forſaken in the iudgement of all the world, and in their own iudgementes, notwithdanding thou that haſt the iſſues of death in thine owne handes, deliuer thoſe that are appoynted to death. And finally we moſt humbly thanke thee, for that it hath pleaſed thee to keepe vs this daye, and all the dayes and times of our liues, beſeeching
thee, that thou wouldſt receiue vs this night in to thy holye keeping, that we may haue quiet reſt, not of bodies alone, but of our ſoules alſo, reſtinge from all thoſe thinges that are contrarye to thy moſt holy wil, atēding while thou raiſeſt vs vp in the morning, to do al thoſe thinges that thou haſt appointed vs. Theſe thinges wee deſire of thee, & all other things (which thou knoweſt to bee more needfull for vs, and thy whole Church, better then we
ourſelues do know) for Ieſus Chriſtes ſake: ſaiing the ſame praier, that hee hym ſelfe hath taught vs. Our father. &c.
A forme of euening prayer, neceſſary to be vſed of all chri
ſtians in their houſes and families.
Pſal. 55. verſ. 16.
I vvill call vnto GOD, and the Lord vvill ſaue me: Euening & Morning, and at noone will I pray & make a noiſe, and hee vvill he are my voice.
VVE moſtehumblye beſeeche thee, O gratious God and heauenlye Father,
euen for thy ſonne Ieſus Chriſtes ſake, to pardon and forgiue vs all our ſinnes, in thought, worde and deede committed againſt thy holy lawes and commandementes, to tourne away from vs gratiouſlye all thoſe plagues which we moſt iuſtlye haue deſerued for them, both in this lyfe and in the lyfe to come, working in our harts euery day by the holye ſpirite more true and vnfayned ſorrow for thē, with greater care euer hereafter to know thy bleſſed wil
reuealed in thy worde, and to order all our opinions and doings according to the ſame, & ſo much the rather, O Lorde, becauſe of thy manyfolde bleſſinges, wherby thou doſt dayly mooue vs herevnto, for the which (O heauenlye father) make vs more hartely thankfull, ſpecially for our recreation at the firſte after thine owne holineſſe & righteouſneſſe, for our redemption by IESVS CHRIST, when wee were vtterly loſte, for that knowledge of our
Sauiour, which by the preaching of thy bleſſed Goſpell thorough thy holye Spirite thou haſte wrought in oure heartes, for true repentaunce, for fayth, hope, and loue, for watchfulneſſe in oure dooinges, and all other gyftes of thy grace pertayninge to oure ſaluation, all which graces (O Lord) are verye weake in vs, becauſe of the greate wickedneſſe of oure heartes ſtriuing againſt thy holy ſpirite, ſo as in thy wrath thou mighteſt
iuſtlye forſake vs vtterly: (yet O Lorde) let it bee thy grations pleaſure to increaſe them in oure heartes euerye daye, euen ſo long as we lyue in this worlde, as of thy goodneſſe thou haſte begun, that thereby the aſſuraunce of oure ſaluation maye be more certaynelye ſealed vppe vnto oure owne conſciences, that ſo wee maye alſo learne to bee more truelye thankfull vnto thy MAIESTIE for the benefites of this lyfe: Namelye,
that thou haſt hitherto euer ſince wee were borne, giuen vs thoſe thinges that were needfull for oure bodies, as health, foode apparrell, and ſuch like, that thou haſt kept vs from many daungers, comfort vs in all our troubles, and ſtrengthen vs in all our weakneſſe, and giuing vs grace this daye to labour faithfully & truelye in our callinges, hauing brought vs ſafelye paſte all the daungers thereof, vnto this preſent howre. O Lorde forgiue vs the ſinnes of
this daye, and of oure whole life, and ſpeciallye our great vnthankfulneſſe for theſe thy manifold bleſſings, and in IESVS CHRIST thy deare ſonne, continue them towardes vs euer hereafter both in ſoules and bodies, and ſpeciallye this night receiue vs into thy bleſſed keeping, preſerue vs from all daungers, from ſin, frō al vngodly dreames and fanſies, graunting vnto vs cōfortable reſt, ſo as wee maye bee the better ſtrengthened to ſerue thee faithfully in
our calling, and giuing vs grace alwayes both ſleeping and waking, to bee readye when thou ſhalt call vs out of this miſerable worlde. Laſt of all, becauſe thou haſt commanded vs to pray for others alſo, wee beſeech thee good Lorde be mercifull to all Nations, ſpecially to thoſe Churches where thy Goſpell is truely preached, continue thy mercy towards this realme, preſerue oure Queene, bleſſe her Counſell, and all in aucthoritye with neceſſarye graces,
increaſe the number of faythfull Preachers, ſtrengthen the Godly, lighten the ignoraunt, conuert the wicked, be merciful vnto al ſcholes and places of learning, to all our friendes and kinsfolkes, and others, afflicted in bodye or in ſoule, graunting to euerye one of them, as to oure ſelues, thoſe neceſſarye graces whiche thou knoweſte to bee needfull for euery one of vs in oure ſeuerall eſtates and callinges, to the glorye of thy name, and the better
aſſurance of our ſaluation through CHRIST IESVS, in whoſe name we aske of thy maieſty as hee hath taught vs. Our Father. &c.
Euening prayer for priuate houſes and families.
O Gratious God, and louing Father, according to thy cōmandement, wee doe heere preſente our ſelues before thy maieſty, humbly proſtrating our ſelues before the throne of mercy, acknowledging
and confeſſing frō the bottome of oure heartes that we be miſerable ſinners, daylye breaking thy commandementes, bothe in thought, word, & deed, wherein wee iuſtly deſerue euerlaſting damnation, and to be vtterly thrown from thy preſence: yet, O Lorde, we ſee thy goodnes again towardes vs, who not ſuffering vs thus to periſh in our ſinnes, haſte ſent thine owne deare ſon Ieſus Chriſt, to take vppon him whatſoeuer is due, to reconcile and
make vs at owne with thee agayne: In hym therefore, good Lorde, & through him do wee come vnto the, beſeching the for his ſake, that wee feeling the greeuouſneſſe of our ſinnes and groning vnder the burthen of them, maye feele the releaſe & eaſe of them, in that wee be through thy holy ſpirit aſſured, and ſteadfaſtly beleeue, that Chriſte hath born the burthen of them, eaueu for vs. Graunte O Lorde, that we beeing aſſured hereof, in our conſciences,
maye through thy holy Spirit bee renuee in the inner man, to hate, deteſt and abhorre ſinne, and to ſtudie to liue accordinge to thy bleſſed will duringe our whole life.
Wee do not onelye pray for our ſelues, but alſo for all thy whole Churche, eſpeciallye ſuch as bee perſecuted for thy worde: graunt vnto them, that whether it bee thy death or life, they may glorify thy name to their liues end. Be merciful to this
Church of England & Irelande, wee beſeeche thee good Lorde, to preſerue euery part and member of the ſame, eſpecially thy ſeruant ELIZABETH our queen: graunt her all ſuch gifts as bee needefull for ſo high a calling, to the aduauncement of thy glory, and benefite of this common wealth, to the eſtabliſhiſhing of a perfect gouerment of thy Church, according to the preſcript rule of thy bleſſed word, to the rooting out of al ſuperſtition and reliques of
Antichriſte, to the gouerning of her ſubiects in al peace and tranquility. Defende her, O Lorde, from all conſpiracies, treaſons, and rebellions, and ſo worke in the heartes of all her ſubiectes, that knowing her authoritye dothe come from thy heauē
ly maieſtye, they may with obedient heartes humblye obey her in thee and for thee. Preſerue the whole Counſayle, and all the magiſtrates of the realm, that being lightned through thy holye ſpirite, they
maye defend thy truth, ſuppreſſe wickedneſſe, and maintaine equitie. Beholde all the Paſtors and Preachers of the worde, bleſſe their labors, increaſe the number of them, place ouer euery Churche a paineful watchman, remoue all idle Lubbers & confound the power of Antichriſte, and turne the heartes of the people that they maye be obediēt to thy truth Bleſſe the two Vniuerſities, Cambridge and Oxenforde, and all the Studentes of the ſame,
with al Schooles of lerning. Beholde all thoſe that bee afflicted with any kinde of croſſe, that they may profit by thy correction in newneſſe of lyfe.
Laſtly, for our ſelues here gathered, wee render moſt hearty thanks to thy maieſtie, O Lord which haſt hitherto frō our infancye, preſerued vs by thy mercie from all perils and daungers both of ſoule and body whervnto fraile man is ſubiect, that thou haſte ſent vno vs all thinges neceſſary for this preſēt
life, as health, foode, apparell, and ſuche like, which manye of thy dear children do want, being notwithſtanding as preciouſely boughte with the precious blod of thy deare Sonne, as we be, & yet lye in myſery and calamity, oppreſſed with pouertye, nakedneſſe, impriſonment and baniſhment, in which caſe alſo, dear Father, thou mighteſt haue brought vs, ſaue onelye that thou dealeſt heerein more fauourably with vs, then with them. For the
which thy louing kindneſſe, we giue thee harty thanks, deſiring thee, that as thou haſt hitherto thus fauourablye in mercy preſerued vs by thy protection, and euen preſently this daye haſte brought vs paſt al the dangers thereof: ſo we beſeeche thee good Lord, in like fauour behold vs this night, that we taking our naturall reſt and quietneſſe, may thorough thy protection bee defended, that our bodyes reſting, our ſouls may be occupied in beholding thy fauor
and mercy toward thy children, ſtil looking for the comming of Lorde and Sauioure hs IESYS CHRIST for oure full redemption. Grant that our ſleepe bee not immoderate, according to the luſt of our fleſhe, but as much as is ſufficient to refreſhe oure weake nature: that being thus refreſhed both the body and the mind maye bee more able to do their ſeuerall office and function, in that vocation wherein thou haſt placed vs.
Graunt that we laying
our bodies downe to reſt, maye bee thereby put in mind of oure long reſt of death: that as we do now lai down our bodies in bedde, ſo wee maye bee thereby admoniſhed, that hereafter they ſhall bee laid downe in graue, to bee conſumed to Duſte, Earth, and Aſhes, from whence they were taken. That wee hauing this before oure eyes, maye bee ſtyrred vpp in minde warelye to walke in this our pilgrymage, not knoweing
when the time ſhal be of our departure, but alwayes to bee founde ready with our lampes of our pure faith clearely burning, that we may bee accepted to meete the Bridegrome, when our mortal, earthly, and corruptible bodies ſhal be made like to the glorious body of our lord and ſauiour Chriſt Ieſu, there to raigne with him in perpetuall ioye and conſolation togeather with all the elect children of God, continually lauding with all the heauenly multitude
the glorious maieſty of thee our Lord God & heauenly Father, in our Lorde and ſauiour Ieſu Chriſt. For theſe and whatſoeuer elſe thou knoweſt to be needfull for vs and thy whole Church, we praye vnto thee, as he him ſelf hath taught vs, ſaying: Our Father. &c.
The Lorde bleſſe vs and ſaue vs, the Lorde make his face to ſhine vpon vs, and be mercifull vnto vs: the Lord tourne his fauourable countenaunce vnto vs, and grant vs his peace.
The grace of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, the loue of God the Father, & the moſte comfortable fellowſhippe of the holye Ghoſte, be with vs, preſerue and keepe vs this day and euermore. Amen.
A forme of euening prayer, neceſſary to be vſed of all chri
ſtians in their houſes and families.
O Lorde prepare our hartes to pray, bow down thine eares (deare Father) and heare vs, open thine eyes & looke vppon vs for thy deare
Son Ieſus Chriſtes ſake, and receiue our humble confeſſiō that we make to thee againſte our ſelues, which haue broken all thy lawes, and therefore deſerue to hauethy heauy iudgments powred vpon our heades to our vtter deſtruction, if thou ſhouldeſt enter into iudgement with the leaſte of oure ſinnes, whereof wee haue ſo great and infinite thouſands: notwithſtanding we praye thee to turne away thy face from our ſinnes, and for IESVS CHRISTES ſake to
forgiue vs all that is paſt, and graunt that we may haue the aſſurance of the forgiuenes of our ſinnes, ſealed vp by thy holy ſpirite in our conſciences, whereby we knowing that we are at one with thee, maye haue our harts kindled with thy loue ſo feruently, as it maye waſte in vs all that is againſte thy holy will. And for this cauſe we beſeech thee, good Lord, to go forward with the work of our new byrth, that thou haſte begunne in vs, and neuer take away
thy hande, vntill ſuch time as thou haſt made an end of it: and to this end, we beſeech thee to ſlaye in vs euerye daye, more and more the old man with his concupiſcences, nailing them to the croſſe of thy deare ſonne Ieſus Chriſt: and cauſing vs to feele the power of his paſſion in our bodies and in oure ſoules, that we beeing partakers thereof, maye come alſo to the felowſhip of thy holye reſurrection: not onelye in that we ſhall once appeare before thee, hauing
theſe our baſe bodies chaunged, and made like vnto his glorious bodye, but alſo that wee maye in the mean time riſe from the death of ſin to all newneſſe of life, and that our good works may ſo ſhine before men, that they ſeeing them may glorify thee our heauē
ly father: not only they that are of the ſelf ſame Religion with vs, but but thoſe alſo that are enimies vnto thy truth, may rather in the time of their calling by the voyce of thy Goſpell,
yeeld themſelues to be one ſheepfold with vs. And we moſte humbly thank thee (O Heauenly father) for all thy louing kyndeneſſes beſtowed vppon vs from time to time, and eſpecially for that olde and ancient Loue, wherewithall thou haſt loued vs before the beginng of the worlde: for that alſo that thou calling vs by the voyce of thy Holye Goſpell in that good tyme that thou appoyntedſt for vs, haſt giuen vs faith, hope, and loue, and all other
graces which thou knoweſt to bee needfull for vs: which we beſeeche thee to increaſe in vs with mighty increaſes, according to that thou ſeeſt we haue neede of, hauing regarde to oure manifold enemies, that wee haue to wreſtle with: and that we haue not to ſtriue with fleſhe and bloud, but againſte the Diuels themſelues. And therefore conſidering their ſtrength, and our weakeneſſe, their craft and oure ſimplicitye, their watchfulneſſe and oure ſluggiſhneſſe,
their long experience and our rawneſſe, their preparation & our nakedneſſe, and that wee haue not only nothing to helpe vs, but alſo to carry about vs our own concupiſcences, readye to betraye vs into the handes of our enemies, it maye pleaſe thee to furniſh vs from aboue, giuing vs the ſtrength of thy holy ſpirit, in the inner man, reaching vnto vs the compleat harnes of thy grace, wherewith we beeing armed on both ſides, maye be prepared at all aſſaies againſt
all aſſaults of our enemies. And foraſmuch as in this weakeneſſe wee oftentimes giue backe, and ſometimes runne away, wee pray thee (O Lord) that with the hand of faith, wee may lay holde on the victory of our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt: that albeit we be not able to ouercome in our owne perſons, yet notwithſtā
ding we may ouercom in his, who hath ouercommed for vs all, & ſo bee partakers of thoſe promiſes that thou haſt knit vnto that glorious
victory. And we moſt humblye thanke thee alſo for thoſe graces both of the bodye and ſoule, which pertaine to this preſent life: deſiring thee to increaſe them vppon vs, and in vs, ſo farre foorth as thou ſeeſt wee haue neede of to thy glory, the commodity of others, and our owne comforts: therfore we beſeech thee, Lord, to teach vs with thy holy Spirite the lawfull vſe of thē: that thou wouldeſt not ſuffer our harts to bee rooted in them,
but that at all times we maye be willing to part from them. And whenſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe thee to call for vs, wee may willingly goe vnto thee, as childrē to their deare Fathers, ſtrangers vnto their own Country, and members of the body vnto their Head: and ſo much the gladder, by how much thou Lord art better then all the men in the worlde, and the kingdome that thou haſt prepared, better then all the kingdomes thereof.
We pray not only for
our ſelues (O moſt mercifull Father) but for all thoſe that thou haſt appointed to eternall life: beſeechinge thee to gather the number of thoſe that are to bee gathered; thoſe that thou haſte alreadye called, thou wouldeſt alwayes keepe: and to this end (good Lorde) rayſe vp faithfull miniſters both of thy church and common weale, whoſe heartes thou wouldeſt fyll with the graces of thy holy ſpirit meete for their callinges, meete alſo for
theſe dangerous times: roote out from among thy church, al rauening and deuouring beaſts, which to fyll their own bellies, diſtroy thy flok, eaſe thy ſelfe of all hirelings & idle ſhepherds, which haue no care nor skil to feed thi flok with the holſom food of thy bleſſed worde, nor to rule them with that equitye, wherewithall thou wilte haue thy people to bee ruled: thoſe Paſtoures that thou haſte giuen, it woulde pleaſe thee to increaſe the number of
them, thoſe that are fallen aſleepe and carried awaye with the corruptions of theſe tymes, that thou wouldeſt awake, letting them vnderſtande the charge that thou haſte committed vnto them, the truſt that thou haſt put them in, and the accōpt that thou wilt take at their handes. Be gratious (O Lorde) vnto this lande of ours, and enter not into iudgement with the horrible ſins of it, namely, the cō
tempt & light eſteming of thy holye worde, ſo
many yeares offred vnto vs, and we being truſted withall, ſo manye nations better then we being paſſed by, which woulde haue brought foorth the fruit thereof more thē we haue don: and we not onely haue brought forth no good fruit, but rotten vnſauory, to prouoke rhy Maieſtye withall: notwithſtanding all theſe our ſins, it would pleaſe thee in that loue, wherwithall thou haſte firſte loued vs, when we hated thee, & in that long patience wherein thou
haſt hitherto born with vs, and doſt yet beare, & tarrieſt for our repentance: to grant vs heartie and earneſt repentaunce, our heartes being effectually touched with thy holye Spirite, ſtrikinge theſe rockye hearts of ours, that thei maye bee reſolued into riuers of teares for oure ſynnes, making them ſoft and meeke to receiue the print of thy holy word, and ſeale of thy bleſſed ſpirite, writing with thy fynger thine own laws in thē, ſo, that thou maiſt read
thine owne hande, acknowledge thine owne ſeale, & ſo paſſe by vs, when thou ſhalt bring thy iudgement vppon the face of the earth, for the iniquities thereof: whereof thou haſte giuen, and ſtill giueſt, frō time to time diuers tokens, which we beſeech thee may be profitable vnto vs, whilſte firſt of al we acknowledge thy hande ſtriking vs, and thy counſayle callinge vs thereby to repentaunce, that thy heauier iudgementes doe not fall vpon vs, to our
vtter deſtruction.
Moreouer, we thank thee (O Lorde) for that it hath pleaſed thee to be the watch-man, and as it were the ſpie of this Church and common wealth, and haſte foreſeen al the ſtormes, and treaſons comming againſte it, and againſte
•
hine annoynted oure SOVERAIGNE, whome thou in mercye haſt appoynted to rule ouer it, and haſte ſcattered them and broughte them to naught, and haſte purſued certayne of thyne Ennemyes,
and ours vnto death, be ſeeching thee to continue this watchfull and carefull eye ouer vs, ſtill to doe vs good, and to purſue the reſt of thine enemies and ours vnto the graue: giuing notwithſtanding repentāce vnto them, vnto whom thou haſte left place of repentaunce. And to this ende, raiſe vp the harts of our moſt gratious QVEENE, & her honourable Counſell thy Magiſtrates, that as they ſit in thy ſeate, and are called by thy name, ſo they maye execute
thy iuſtice, which thou ſo well approoueſt of, whereof alſo thou wilt require a ſtraighte accompt at their hands. Wee deſire thee alſo, to ſhewe theſe thy graces to all other Churches of thine, namely, thy Church of Englande, that it may enioye that peace that thou haſt giuen it: and graunt that the ſame be referred to that end wherfore thou haſt giuen it: namelye, to the ful eſtabliſhment of the throne of thy dear ſonn our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST, &
to the building of his Kingdome there. Wee beſech thee alſo, for the churches which thi hād hath plāted long ſince, eſpeciallye thoſe, from whō we haue receiued knowledge in time of our ignorāce, places of refuge in time of perſecution : that it woulde pleaſe thee to continue thy louing kindnes towards them, and therefore cauſe them to continue their faith toward thee, & obedience towards thy holy worde. And whenſoeuer it ſhal bee thy pleaſure, to try
them with any kinde of affliction , it woulde pleaſe thee to graunt vnto them , that they maye put their truſte in thee, hauing regarde to the truth of thy promiſes, and to the good experience that they haue of thy helpe in tymes paſte, and thereby conceiue comfort & hope, (O Lorde) euen of life in death, and of ſaluation in deſtruction. We praye thee alſo (good lord) that we may haue the feeling of the miſeries of our brerhren, as members of the ſame
body, & thoſe that liue by the ſame ſpirite. And therefore we pray thee, that according to the manifold troubles that thou ſhalt viſite them with, it woulde be thy good pleaſure, to meaſure out thy grace in ſuch plentifull maner, that thy children maye patiently beare, & ioyfullye attende, for the good howre wherein thou wilt pul them out of all their troubles. And ſpecially we pray thy maieſty for our brethren, that are afflicted for thy Goſpell ſake:
namely, thoſe that ſuffer impriſonment or otherwiſe in any nation, for the clearer teſtimony of it: that it woulde pleaſe thee to giue thē patience in all theire troubles, wiſedom and mouthes to defend thy cauſe, againſt all thoſe that riſe vp againſte it: that thou woldſt bleſſe their trauels and ſufferings, for that for which they are taken: which is, to giue a freer courſe of thy goſpel into al places And therewithall wee beeſeeche thee for the churches of France
and Flaunders, which are ſo miſerably racked and torn in ſunder, and which are almoſt conſumed with theſe fierie trials: that it wold pleſe thee to locke vpon the ſighings and gronings, the teares that fall from their eies continually, the bloud that is ſhed in all partes of the Lande, the bodies that lye vnburied, to bee meate to the foules of the ayre, and Fiſhes of the Sea, the lonenes of wiues lacking ther huſbāds, children their fathers, & euery frend his
freind. And for aſmuch as thoſe thynges are come vppon them for thy names ſake, let it be thy good pleaſure to hepe them conſidering that they are forſaken of al their friends roūde about: and therefore praye thee that thou wouldeſt not looke vppon our ſinnes, nor the ſins of our forefathers, wherby we deſerue not onelye this correction, but vtter deſtruction, as Sodom & Gomorrha: but rather to look vpō thi mercies which were before them: whereby
thou haſt ſayde, that although we do offende, and thou doeſt correct vs, yet thou wilt not take away thy mercyes from vs, but wilt leaue a remnant which thou wilt multiply, and make as the ſtarres of the heauen, and as the ſandes of the Sea. Looke alſo (O Lord) vpon the outragiouſnes and cruelty, vnfaithfulnes, and blaſphemy of the enemies, wherewithall they blaſpheme thee, and prouoke thee to thy face, and therefore in thine owne cauſe, and for
thine own ſake, take the matter into thine owne handes, and pay vnto the Boſomes of thine enymies double and treble of that they haue giuen to thee. Notwithſtanding, thoſe amongeſt them, that belong to thine holy election, haſten their calling, that afterward thy iudgement may haſten vpon the earth, and the inhabitants therof may learn to knowe thee by thy iudgementes; that would not vnderſtand and come to thee, by the louing callinge of
thy Goſpell. Wee pray thee (O Lorde) for our brethren that are vp in arms in both thoſe coū
tries: that thou wouldſt goe before them, and come behinde them, and on euerye ſyde of them: couer their heads in the daye of battell, teache their handes to fyght, & their fingers to war: giue them wiſdom & valiantnes, and good ſucces in al their enterpriſes: ſtrike a dizineſſe & maze of ſpirite into the enimies hearts, and take away from them al force, and diſappointall
their counſels. And vpō our brethren in Flāders wee beſeeche thee that thou wouldeſt comfort them ouer al their troubles, that they haue receiued, and breaches that haue beene made in vpon them: & where there are new forces euery day gathered, new ſleights inuented to deſtroy thē, it maye pleaſe thee, to ſcatter their forces, and bring their ſleights to nothing. Yea grant alſo (O lord) that that whiche they haue deuiſed againſt thy children, may come vppon
their own heades. And for oure Brethren in Fraunce wee beſeeche thee (O Lorde) what ſtraights ſoeuer they be in, thou wouldeſt deliuer them: and althogh they be forſaken in the iudgement of all the world, and in their own iudgementes, notwithſtanding thou that haſt the iſſues of death in thine owne handes, deliuer thoſe that are appoynted to death. And finally we moſt humbly thanke thee, for that it hath pleaſed thee to keepe vs this daye, and
all the dayes and times of our liues, beſeeching thee, that thou wouldſt receiue vs this night into thy holye keeping, that we may haue quiet reſt, not of bodyes alone, but of our ſoules alſo, reſtinge from all thoſe thinges that are cōtrary to thy moſt holy will, attending while thou raiſeſt vs vp in the morning, to do al thoſe thinges that thou haſte appoynted vs. Theſe thinges wee deſire of thee, & all other things (which thou knoweſt to be more needfull for
vs, & thy whol church, better then we our ſelues do know) for Ieſus Chriſts ſake: ſaying the ſame praier, that he him ſelf hath taught vs. Our father. &c.
A PRAYER FOR
the Euening.
O Lorde God, Father euerlaſting and full of pitty, we acknowlege and confeſſe that we be not worthye to lift vp oure eyes to heauen, muche leſſe to preſent oure ſelues before
thy maieſty, with confidence that thou wilt heare our prayers and graunt our requeſtes, if we conſider our owne deſeruinges, for our cō
ſciences do accuſe vs, & our ſinnes do witnes againſt vs, and we know that thou art an vpright Iudge, which doſt not iuſtifie the ſinners and wicked men, but punni ſheſt the falts of al ſuch as tranſgreſſe thy commandements: yet moſt mercifull Father, ſince it hath pleaſed thee, to Commaunde vs to call vpon thee in all
our troubles & aduerſityes promiſing euen then to helpe vs when we feel our ſelues (as it were) ſwallowed vp of death and deſperation. We vtterly renounce al worldlye confidence, & flye to thy Soueraigne bounty, as our only ſtae and refuge: beſeeching thee not to call to remembraunce our manifold ſinnes and wickednes : whereby we continuallye prouoke thy wrath and indignation againſt vs: neither our negligence and vnkindnes, which haue neither
worthely eſteemed, nor in our liues ſufficiently expreſſed the ſweet cō
fort of thy Goſpell reuealed vnto vs: but rather to accept the obedience, & death of thy ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, who by offering vp his body in ſacrifice once for all, hath made a ſufficient recompence for all our ſinnes. Haue mercye therefore vppon vs (O Lorde) and forgiue vs our offences. Teach vs by thy holye ſpirte, that we maye rightly weigh them, and earneſtly repent for the ſame. And
ſo much the rather (O Lord) becauſe that the reprobate and ſuche as thou haſt forſaken cannot praiſe thee nor call vpon thy name: but the repenting hart, the ſorrowfull mind, the conſcience oppreſſed, hungring and thirſting for thy grace, shall euer ſet foorth thy praiſe & glory. And albeit we be but wormes and duſte, yet thou art our Creator, & we be the worke of thy hands: yea thou art our Father, and we thy children: thou art our ſhe p-heard, and we thy flock:
thou art our redeemer, and we thy people whō thou haſt bought: thou art our God, & we thine inhertiance. Correct vs not therfore in thine anger (O lord) neither according to oure deſerts puniſh vs, but mercifullye chaſtice vs with a fatherly affection, that all the worlde may know, that at what time ſoeuer a ſinner doth repēt him of his ſinn frō the bottō of his hart, thou wilt put away his wickednes out of thy remembrance.
Finally for as much as it hath pleaſed thee to
make the night for man to reſte in, as thou haſte ordayned him the daye to trauaile, graunt O deare Father that wee may ſo take our bodely reſt, that our ſoules may continuallly watch for the time that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt ſhal appear for our deliuerance out of this mortall life, and in the mean ſeaſon that we not ouercome by any fantaſies, dreames or other temptations, may fully ſet our mindes vppon thee, loue thee, fear thee, & reſt in thee. Furthermore that our ſleep
be not exceſſiue or ouer much after the vnſatiable deſires of the fleſhe, but only ſufficiēt to cō
tent oure weake nature, that we may be the better diſpoſed in all godly cōuerſation, to the glory of thy holy name, & profite of our brethren. So be it.
¶ A Prayer for all times.
O Lord God, Father of mercy and God of al conſolation, without whome wee haue
neither hope nor comfort, we pore wretches & miſerable ſinners, beſeech thee of thy fatherly goodnes to look vpō vs, and ſo make vs partakers of thy gratious goodnes, that we may ſtil increaſe in all goodneſſe, ſo that euermore we may ſet forth thine honor & glory: let our conuerſation bee ſuch, that a great mani beholding our good workes, may glorify thee oure heauenly father: & ſo direct our ways, that we may hold forth the profeſſiō of thy goſpel, as a
lanthorn to lighten the ſteps of a greate many that they may turne to thee, & praiſe thy name in their viſitation. Thus (O Lord) we beſeeche thee to deale with vs, that in deed we may be veſſels of honour vnto thee, now to ſet foorth the praiſe of thy name, and after this tranſitory life, to behold thy glory, who haſte immortality alone, and dwelleſt in lighte, that no man hath approched vnto: remoue far from vs our ſinns & iniquities, that they may not ſeperate
betweene vs and thee: blot out all our offences, and make our prayers righteous, that thou mayſt fauourably grant our requeſts: looke vpō vs with thy fauourable mercie, that thou mayſt haue pitty vpon vs, and beholde in the righteouſneſſe of thy beloued Sonne Chriſt Ieſu, and that wee may bee preſented faultleſſe in thy ſight: and thou accepting vs as only, we may finde the Grace euermore to ſet foorth thy honour and glory, and to ſpeake of thy prayſes
in the middes of all thy people. Let vs loue (O Lord) the thinges that thee good, and hate the things that are euill: let vs delight in all things that may pleaſe thee, & let vs bee greeued with whatſoeuer is diſpleaſant in thy ſight. And to the intent wee may haue true vnderſtāding and be able to diſcerne betweene things, what is good or euill, we beſeech thee let thy word dwell plentifully in vs, which may guide oure vnderſtandings ſo, that we may abound in all
knowledge, and do according to that which is righteous. And in this eſtate of the true Chriſtianity, being inſtructed in minde, and ready in body to all holy obedience, wee beſeeche thee make vs to growe and encreaſe frō grace to grace, frō fayth to fayth, vntill we come vnto the fulneſſe of age to be perfect members of the body of Chriſte, waiting for the bleſſed hope of thine elect, and ſighing in ſpirite vntill that thy children ſhalbe reuealed. In the meane
ſeaſon, let vs ſigh withal thoſe that haue receiued the firſt fruits of thi ſpirit, that theſe days of ſinne may ceaſe, that ſatan be trodē down vnder feet, that Antichriſt may be reuealed, yet to many thouſandes that be in ignoraunce, that the number of thine elect may be full, the body of thy ſaintes made perfect, all teares wiped from oure eyes, euen then when thy ſonne ſhal appear again the ſecond time, to iudge the quicke and the deade, which time (O Lorde)
ſend quickly, according to thy good will, and teache vs to pray with all thy Sayntes, Come Lord Ieſu, come quickly: graunt this (O Father) for thy Sonnes ſake, in whoſe name we pray vnto thee. And although wee bee but Earth and Aſhes, yet are we bolde to ſay vnto thee, (the GOD of all glory) euen as hee hath taught vs. Our Father whiche art in Heauen, hallowed bee thy name. &c.
A Prayer for the eſtate of the whole church.
O Lorde our God & heauenlye Father, foraſmuche as by thy holy word we are commaunded in our prayprayers, not only to be mindfull of our ſelues, but alſo of al others thy children, yea, euen of our enimies: wee commend vnto thy Maieſty all thy whole true and Catholique Church, & euery member thereof: that as it hath pleaſed
thy goodneſſe by the bright beams of thy holy worde, to ſhine ouer the whol world, wherbi thou haſt expelled, driuen away, & cauſed to vaniſh, the dark & miſty clouds of ignorance & ſuperſtitiō, ſo thou woldeſt voucheſafe by thy holy ſpirit to touch the hearts of men, that thei may ioyfullye embrace that, thine ſo high treaſure ſent amongeſt vs, that thorough our vnthākfulnes we prouoke not thy maieſty in anger to take it from vs. Cruſh, bruſe, & deſtroy
with the breath of thy mouth, the mighty power of that man of ſin, which ſo proudly exalteth him ſelfe aboue all that is called God. Let not thy ſimple flocke (deare father) in whoſe conſciences he of long time hath, and yet doth ſit as God, be any longer poiſoned with his ſweet enticing poiſons: but ſo lightē their harts that they may perceiue his iuglinges, and embrace the ſweet & comfortable doctrine of life euerlaſting, reuealed in thy glorious Goſpell.
And for aſmuch as it hath pleaſed thee in mercy aboue all natiōs in the earth, to powre down the ſweet ſhowers of thy Heauenlye Graces, vppon this our Engliſh nation aboundantlie, in more plentifull wiſe watering the ſame with the giftes of the holy ſpirite, in promoting thy Goſpell, & ouerthrowing Idolatri, we beſech thee cōtinue thy fauour toward the ſame, & vtterly root out al remnants, reliques, & Monumentes of Idolatry, that thy glorious
name may be throughlye exalted, in ſincere, pure, and holy worſhip. And as thou haſte in mercy from amongſt vs in this thy Church, vtterly baniſhed all falſe, venemous and poyſonfull doctrine, wherwith the ſoules of thy Children heeretofore haue bene woūded to death, and in place therof, haſt placed the true & comfortable doctrine of life euerlaſting, wherewith the ſoules of thy Children be fedde and nouriſhed to euerlaſtinge ioy: ſo in like mercy &
fauour we beſeech thee deere father, eſtabliſhe in the ſame thy church, a true, perfect, and ſincere regiment thereof, according to the preſcript rule of thy bleſſed worde, all fantaſies of mans brayne, and Dreames of humane policy vtterlye aboliſhed: that thy glorious Maieſtye onelye maye bee exalted in the light of thy glorious goſpell: and that thy Churche flouriſhe and increaſe, beeing thorough thy protection ayded, ſupported,
maintayned and defended: we beſeeche thee by thy holy Spirit, guid and rule euerye parte and member thereof, eſpecially thy ſeruaunt ELIZABETH our Queene, whome thy gratious fauoure and prouidēce hath appointed a cheefe member in the ſame: vnder whoſe winges next vnto thy protection it hathe a cheefe ſuccour and ſupport. Graunt vnto her, O LORDE, a pure and perfecte zeale aboue all thynges to promote thy Glorye:
firſt and chiefly in laboring and endeuoring of her ſelf earneſtly, in wiping away and purging out of thy Church all blots and deformityes, to reduce the ſame to a pure & ſincere forme of worſhip, agreing to thy bleſſed word, vtterly to mooue all ſtumblinge blockes, which ſtay and hinder the courſe of thy goſpell: giue her in like maner O Lord, the ſpirite of wiſdome, diſcretion, and gouernment, that with equitye and iuſtice ſhe maye ſee this whole Realme, which
thou haſt committed to her charge, peaceablye and quietly gouerned: that ſhe may ſtudiouſly labour, that as wel thorough the whole realm vertue be exalted, and vice abandoned: as ſpecially in her own houſe and Court, that all wicked vanityes of this world, all licentious & inordinate life, all flattering and diſſimulation being vtterly baniſhed, the feare of thy glorious Maieſtye maye ſo raigne in the heartes of all within her pallace & Court, that their liues
and conuerſation may be agreable to thy bleſſed wil, in ſincerity and true holines and integrity of life, that from them, as from the head, maye ſhine puretye of life and conuerſation, as an example and patterne of true Godlines to the whole Realme. Preſerue her, wee beſeech thee good Lord, from all conſpyracies and treaſons, that if it be thy good will, ſhee may haue a long & quiet raigne ouer vs, to the benefit of thy Church, & the aduancement of
thy glory. Indue the whol coūſel, good lord with the true & perfect wiſdom, that in all their conſultatiōs & coūſels, hauing thee preſent before their eies, thy mai conſult of thoſe things, which principally and cheefely may be for the aduauncement of thy glory, & the cōmodity of thy church, and next for the quiet peace and gracious gouernmente of this realm. So lightē al inferior magiſtrats of this realm, good Lord, with the brightneſſe of thy holy Spirite, that
vnderſtanding thy will, they may zealouſly defend, maintain & further the courſe of the Goſpell with the ſwoord of iuſtice, cut off the wicked, & cheriſh the godly. Defend and gouern by the holye ſpirite, the Paſtours of thy church, & labourers in thy vine yarde, that they maye zealouſly, earneſtly and diligētly feed thy flock committed vnto them, with the foode of lyfe thy bleſſed word, wherwith their ſoules maye bee nouriſhed to life euerlaſting. Increaſe the
number of them, deare Father, place ouer euerye flocke a godly, learned and painful Paſtor, who may painfully and carefully trauail, euery one in his charge, to bring thy people (which now alas in moſt partes doe wander and goe aſtray like loſt ſheepe) to the true knowledge of thee their lord & God, and of their deare Son Chriſte Ieſu their Sauiour. And for thy mercy we beſeech thee, to take pity vpon thy poore & and ſimple flocke, roote out al rauening wolues,
whiche haue craftilye crept into thy ſheepefolde and do make hauocke of the ſoules of thy ſimple flocke. Caſt out all hirelinges, timeſeruers, and dumbe Dogges, whiche to fill theire bellyes onelye, haue thruſt them ſelues among the ſheep, & do pitifully ſuffer the flock of Chriſt thy ſonne, to bee deuoured and ſcattered of the wolfe. Stir vp, good Lord, & place in their rooms faithfull ſhepheards, which diligently, paynfully, carefully and earneſtly may
labour in thy vineyard, ſeek to win the ſouls of thy people, out of the tyranny and power of Satan, to the freedome of thy deere ſon Chriſt Ieſu our Lord.
And that thy Church may be furniſhed with Godly learned paſtors, we beſeeche thee proſper and encreaſe in all Godly knowledge, all Schooles of learning, eſpeciallye the two vnyuerſities, CAMBRIDGE and OXFORD: grant deer father vnto all the ſtudents of the ſame, that the cheef
end of all their ſtudyes maye be to the furtheraunce of thy Church, and maintenance of the common wealth. Bleſſe their ſtudies, deare Father, that all vaine ſtudies ſet a ſide, they may ſo fructify and profit in all profitable and godly ſciences, that heereafter they may become profitable members in thy Church, and godly vpholders of the common wealth.
Graunt, good Lord, to all the whole Commons of this realm, that their hartes beeing touched
with a ſincere fear and reuerence of thy heauenlye maieſtye, acknowledging thy mercy in placing ouer them a godly Princeſſe, they may euery one in their callinges, walke in all true and humble obedience vnto her, in thee & for thee, without reſiſtaunce, tumultes, inſurrections, conſpiracies, or rebellions: knowing that to reſiſte the higher powers, is to rebell againſt thy maieſty. Finally we beſeech thy goodneſſe, ſo guid and gouerne the harts of all
the whole realme of euery degree, that euery one in his calling, being by thy grace ſupported, may ſo occupy his Talent, that thy glory in al thinges may be aduanced, thy Church enlarged, & this whole realm into ſincere godlineſſe vertuouſly reduced.
Moreouer we beſeech the (O Lord our God) in mercye beholde all thoſe which ſuffer perſecution for thy glorious wordes ſake, whether it be impriſonmēt, death, or baniſhment, or whatſoeuer els: ſtrengthen
then them good Lord, that they hauing thee alwais before their eies, and the glorye layde vp for them in the lyfe to come, may cōtinue conſtaunt in defending thy truth, with out feare of man or vain alluremēts of the world, that whether it come by lyfe or death, they may glorify thy holye name in continuing in the truth to the ende. Preſerue in like maner wee beſeech thee, all others thy children, whome it hath pleaſed thee with anye other kinde of Croſſe
to chaſten for their amendment, whether by peſtilence, famine, war, pouerty, impriſonment, ſicknes or baniſhment, trouble of conſcience, vexation of ſpirite, diſquietnes of mind, want of ſpirituall comfort, or what ſoeuer kind of affliction of bodye or minds, thou doeſt try them with: that by thy holy ſpirite beeing fully aſſured, that thou by this thy correction mindeſt to call them backe to a feeling of their ſin, and due conſideration of their life and conuerſation,
that they maye patiently abide thy Fatherly triall, looking for aide, helpe and comfort from thee, when it ſeemeth moſt conuenient to thy godly wiſdome: and beeing by thy mercyfull hande once deliuered, may acknowlege thy ſingular power and worke, giuing all laude and praiſe to thy glorious Name: and afterwardes, all the dayes of their life, ſtudye to liue before thee in ſincerity and perfect holineſſe, euen to their liues ende. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR
all eſtates.
O Lorde God Father of light, with whōe is no chaunge, neither yet ſhadow of chaunge, but haſte eſtabliſhed thine appoynted counſels, which ſhall not bee changed for euer: thou (O God) haſte made among vs this diuerſitie of eſtates and degrees, according as euerye cō
mon wealth requyreth, keepe vs all, we beſeech thee, that we may walke obedientlye in our calling,
and followe the ſteppes that thou haſte ſet before vs, euen from the higheſt to the loweſt, let vs accompliſhe that duety vnto which thou haſt appointed vs, and with a faithfull remembrance of thy promiſe made of old to our father ABRAHAM, that thou art his exceeding great rewarde, we maye likewyſe depend on thy prouidence, and ſeeke not any ſhameful waies to get our liuing, wandringe from the righteouſneſſe of our vocation, into the manifold
errors of ſinne and iniquity: looke vppon vs (O Lord) and inrich vs with thy grace, make vs obedient to our inferiours, meeke towardes our enemies, faithfull to our friendes, true & iuſt towardes all men, that we may dwell ſtedfaſtly rooted in the hope of thine elect, vntill thou ſhalt make an end of all our labors: looke vpon oure moſte Excellent Queene, and her honorable Counſell, and as thou haſte called them to the higheſt roome, ſo giue vnto thē the greateſt
meaſures of grace, that they faithfully diſpence the talents committed vnto them: lead them with the good King DAVID into thy ſanctuary, that they may ſee thy louing kindnes which is better thē life, and ſaye with the Prophet: All fleſh is graſſe, and the glory of man is as the flower of the field, and ſo conſecrate them ſelues to doe thy will, offer vp their bodies to be holy, liuely & reaſonable ſacrifices vnto thee, that they maye be Nurſes and nurſ-fathers
vnto the Church: looke alſo wee beſeech thee vpon thy miniſters whome thou haſte appoynted to the preaching of thy Goſpell, make thē (O God) faithful diſpenſers of thy miſteries, without reſpect of perſons to doe the worke vnto the which thou haſte appointed them, that they maye conuert Sinners, and haue their glorye perfect in the day of chriſt: and knitte vs togeather in peace and loue, that wee maye bee full of cōpaſſion one towards
an other, to reioyce with them that reioyce, and mourne with them that mourne, eſpeciallye to inſtruct one an other in the wayes of righteouſneſſe, that by our mutuall helpe wee maye the better withſtande our enemye, and dwell, ſafe in hope of thine electe, till oure dayes ſhall be full, and wee ſhall walke the wayes of all the world, which time we beſeech thee bring vs happelye vnto, euen for thy Sons ſake wee beſeeche thee, to whome with thee
and the holye Ghoſte, three perſons and one God, be all honour and glory now and for euermore. Amen, Amen.
A PRAYER FOR
the Queene.
O Gratious Lorde, & moſt mercifull Father, wee acknowledge thee the Lord of lords, and the King of Kings, creating at the beginning, & ruling al things euermore in heauen & in earth, according to thy wonderfull wiſdom
and power: and our ſelues to be thy poore ſeruauntes, the worke of thy hands, & the ſheepe of thy paſture, ſubiected to thy high maieſty, and depending vpon thy fatherly prouidence for al thinges. Neuertheles, ſeeing thou in thy wiſedome annoynteſt kings and Queenes, appoynting them to rule ouer thy people, to ſitte as Lieuetenauntes in thy ſeat, to miniſter iuſtice, and moſte of all, as Fathers and Nurſes to maintaine and cheriſhe thy Church: commanding
vs not onely to obey and honour them, but moreouer to praie for them, as watching ouer vs for our good: wee therefore beſeeche thee for thy gret names ſake, and for IESVS CHRISTS ſake, to ſhew thy mercy to all Kinges and Princes, that mayntaine thy glorious goſpell: but eſpeciallye we praye thee to bleſſe our gratious Queene, in all ſpirituall bleſſinges in Chriſte Ieſus, and in all tēporal bleſſings, according to thy good pleaſure, that in the great
meaſures of thy effectual loue, ſhee may more and more find great increaſes of verttue, and wiſdom, and ſtrength in Chriſt Ieſus to the faithful & happye diſcharge of her duty: that her holines, & ioy, and zeal of thy houſe may be multiplied and enerlaſting. And, ſeeing it hath pleaſed thee of thy ſingular mercy, to giue her this eſpeciall honour, firſt to ſuffer for thy glorious truth, and afterwarde miraculouſli deliuering her out of the hands of all Her ennemyes, and
to ſet vp a crowne vpon her heade, and to make her the inſtrumente to aduaunce thy glory and goſpell for which ſhee ſuffered, and to bring it out of darkneſſe into light, out of perſecution into this great and long peace: as we giue thee moſt harty thankes for this ſingular benefit, ſo we beſech thee to make her & vs euermore thāk full for it, & in thy good pleaſure ſtill to preſerue her, for the continuāce of theſe bleſſinges towardes vs, with all increaſe frō time to time,
to thy glory, the benefit of thy Church, and her infinite peace in Chriſt Ieſus, the Prince of peace. And furthermore we pray thee for her, & the eſtate, that ſuch as be enemies of the Goſpell, and her enemies alſo, for the defence therof, may not deſpiſe the peace offered them to repentaunce, but that they maye account thy long ſuffering, and her peaceable & vnblouddy gouernement an occaſion of ſaluation to their ſoules, and vnfayned loue to the truth, &
their merciful ſouerain. Otherwiſe if they ſtill remaine diſobedient to the truth, diſobedient to her hihgneſſe, and dangerous to the ſtate, then (O God of our ſaluation) as thou haſt diſcouered them, ſo diſcouer them ſtill, as thou haſt preuented them, ſo preuent them ſtill, and let their eies waxe weary with looking, & their harts faint with waiting for the comminge of that, which yet commeth not, neither let it come (O Lorde) wee beſeeche thee, but a
bleſſed, and a longe raigne to her, and peace to SION for euermore.
Alſo (deare Father) ſo bleſſe, ſo loue, ſo in thy ſpirite ſanctify and keepe her, that ſhee maye in the ſpirite of counſel and fortitude, ſo rule that other Siſter alſo, namelye, this her common wealth, that they maye flouriſhe togeather, and growe vp togeather as Palme trees, in beautie, and in ſtrength, giuing ayde and helpe one to an other, that in the
Church the glorye of God maye appeare, as the ſunne in his brightneſſe, and that the land may flow with milke & hony, and true peace abound therin, as in the tryumphant raigne of DEBORA.
Theſe graces (O lord) are great, and we miſerable ſinners, vnworthy of the leaſte of them: therfore looke not to vs but to thy ſelfe, not to oure iniquityes but to thy great mercies, accepting the death and paſſion of thy ſonne, as a full ranſome for all our
offences: throwing thē into the bottome of the ſea, & making his croſſe and reſurrection effectuall in vs to all obedience and godlineſſe, as becommeth thy ſaints, that to all other thy good bleſſings towards our gratious ſoueraign, this may be added, that ſhe gouerneth bleſſedlye, ouer a bleſſed people, a people blaſſed of the Lorde, and beloued of the Lorde, and that thy graces may abound as the waters of the ſea, in the Prince and in the people, in the Church
and in the Common wealth, from day to day till the day of our tranſlation into the kingdō, where iuſtice inhabiteth, where we alſo ſhal inhabite and raign with thee, according to thy promiſe, for euer. Grant vs theſe things (O mercifull Father) for thy deare ſonne our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt his ſake, in whoſe name we craue them at thy mercifull hande, praying furthermore for them, as hee hath taught vs to pray. Our father which art in heauen. &c.
A PRAYER TO be ſayd in viſiting of the ſicke.
O Our good GOD, Lord & Father, the Creator and conſeruer of all thinges, the fountaine of all goodnes & benignitye, like as (among other thine infinite benefites, whiche thou of thy great goodneſſe and grace doeſt diſtribute ordinarilye vnto all men (thou giueſt them health of body, to the end that they ſhould the better know
thy great liberalitye, ſo that they might be the more readye to ſerue & glorifye thee with the ſame: ſo contrarywiſe, when we haue ill behaued our ſelues in offending thy maieſtye, thou haſt accuſtomed to admoniſhe vs, and call vs vnto thee by diuers and ſundry chaſtiſementes, thorough the which it hath pleaſed thy goodnes, to ſubdue and tame our fraile fleſh, but eſpeciallye by thy grieuous plagues of ſickneſſe and diſeaſes, vſing the ſame, as a meane, to awake &
ſtir vp the great dulnes and negligence that is in vs all, and aduertiſing vs of oure euill life by ſuch infirmities & dangers, eſpecially when as they threaten the verye death, which (as aſſured meſſengers of the ſame) are all to the fleſh full of extreame anguiſhe and torments, althogh they be notwithſtanding to the ſpirit of the elect as medicines both good & wholſom. For by thē thou doſt mooue vs to retourne vnto thee for our ſaluation, and to cal vpon thee in our afflictions
to haue thine helpe, which art oure dear and louing father. In conſideration wherof wee moſt earneſtlye praye vnto thee oure good God, that it wold pleaſe thine infinite goodnes to haue pitty on this thy poore creature whome thou haſt, as it were, bounde and tied to the bed by moſt grieuous ſickneſſe, and brought to great extremitie by the heauineſſe of thine hand.
O Lorde, enter not into a count with him, to render the rewarde
due vnto his workes, but through thine infinite mercye remitte all his faults, for the which thou haſt chaſtiſed him ſo gently, and beholde rather the obedience which thy deare Sonne Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde hath rendred vnto thee, to witte, the ſacrifice which it hath pleaſed thee to accept as a full recompence for all the iniquities of thē that receiue him for their iuſtice & ſanctificatiō, yea for their onely ſauiour.
Let it pleaſe thee, O GOD, to gyue him
a true zeale and affection to receiue and acknowledge him for his onely redeemer: to the end alſo, that thou maiſt receiue this ſicke perſon to thy mercy, qualifiyng all the troubles, which his ſins, the horror of death, and dreadfull feare of the ſame may bring to his weake conſcience: neither ſuffer thou, O Lord, the aſſaults of the mighty aduerſary to preuaile, or to take from him the comfortable hope of ſaluation, which thou giueſt to thy dearely beloued
children.
And for as much as we are all ſubiect to the like ſtate & condition, and to bee viſited with like battel, when it ſhal pleaſe thee to call vs vn to the ſame: we beſeech thee moſte humblye, O Lorde, with this thy poore Creature, whom thou now preſently chaſtiſeſt, that thou wilt not extende thy rigorous iudgement againſt him, but that thou wouldeſt vouchſafe to ſhew him thy mercye for the loue of thy deare ſonne Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde,
who, hauing ſuffered the moſt ſhamefull, and extreame death of the Croſſe, bare willinglye the fault of this poore patient to the end that thou mighteſt acknowledge him, as one redemed with his precious bloud, and receiued into the communion of his body, to be participant of eternall felicity in the companye of thy bleſſed Aungels: wherfore, O Lord, diſpoſe, & moue his hart to recieu by thy grace with all meekeneſſe this gentle and fatherly correction,
which thou haſte layde vpon him, that he maye indure it patientlye and with willing obediēce, ſubmitting himſelf with heart and minde to thy bleſſed will and fauourable mercye, wherein thou now viſiteſt him after this ſort for his profit and ſaluation. It may pleaſe thy goodneſſe, O Lord, to aſſiſt him in all his anguiſhes and troubles. And although the tongue and voyce bee not able to execute their office in this behalf to ſet forth thy glorye, that yet at the leaſt
thou wilt ſtirre vp his hart to aſpire vnto thee only, which art the onlye fountaine of goodneſſe, & thou wilt roote and ſettle in his hart the ſweet promiſes which thou haſt made vnto vs in Chriſte Ieſus thy ſonne our Sauiour, to the intent he may remaine conſtant againſt all the aſſaultes and tumult, which the enemy of our ſaluation maye raiſe vp to trouble his conscience.
And ſeeyng it hath pleaſed thee, that by the death of thy dear Son,
life eternall ſhoulde be cōmunicated vnto vs: and by the ſhedding of his bloud, the waſhing of our ſinnes ſhould be declared, and that by his reſurrediō alſo, both iuſtice and immortality ſhoulde bee giuen vs, it may pleaſe thee to apply this holy and wholſome medicine to this thy poore Creature in ſuch extremitie, taking from him all trembling & dreadfull feare, & to giue him a ſtout courage in the middes of all his preſent aduerſityes.
And for as much as all thinges, O heauenly father, be knowne vnto thee, and thou canſt according to thy good pleaſure, miniſter vnto him all ſuch thinges as ſhall be neceſſarye and expedient, let it pleaſe thee, O Lord, ſo to ſatiſfie him by thy grace, as may ſeeme moſt meete vnto thy diuine maieſty
Receiue him, Lorde, into thy protection: for he hath his recourſe & acceſſe to thee alone, & make him conſtant and firme in thy commaundements and promiſes,
and alſo pardon all his ſinnes both ſecreat, and thoſe which are manyfeſt: by the which hee hath moſte grieuouſlye prouoked thy wrath & ſeuere iudgementes againſt him, ſo as in place of death (the whiche both he and al we haue iuſtlye merited) thou wilt graunt vnto him that bleſſed life, whiche we alſo attend & looke for, by thy grace and mercy.
Neuertheleſſe, O heauenlye Father, if thy good pleaſure bee that hee ſhall yet lyue
longer in this worlde, it may then pleaſe thee to augment in him thy graces, ſo as the ſame maye ſerue vnto thy glorye: yea, Lord, to the intent he may conforme himſelfe the more diligentlye and with more carefulnes, to the example of thy ſonne Chriſt Ieſus: and that in renouncing him ſelfe he maye cleaue fullye vnto him, who, to gyue conſolation and hope vnto all ſinners, to obtaine remiſſion of all their ſins and offences, hath carryed with him into the
Heauens, the Theefe whiche was crucified with him vppon the croſſe.
But if the tyme by thee appoynted bee come, that hee ſhall depart from vs vnto thee, make him to feele in his conſcience, O Lord, the fruite and ſtrength of thy grace, that thereby he may haue a new taſt of thy Fatherly care, ouer him from the beginning of his lyfe, vnto the end of the ſame, for the loue of thy dear ſonne Ieſus Chriſt our Lord.
Giue him thy grace, that with a good heart, and full aſſuraunce of faith he maye receiue to his conſolation ſo great & excellent a treaſure, to wit, the remiſſion of his ſinnes in CHRIST IESVS thy Sonne, who now preſenteth him to this pore perſonne in diſtreſſe, by the vertue of thy promiſes reuealed vnto him by thy woorde, which he hath exerciſed with vs in thy Church and congregation, and alſo in vſing
the ſacramentes, which thou haſt eſtabliſhed for confirmation of al their faith that truſte in thee vnfaynedly.
Let true faith, O lord, be vnto him as a moſte ſure buckler thereby to auoyde the aſſaultes of death and more boldly walke for the aduancement of eternall life, to the end that he hauing a moſt liuely apprehenſion therof, may reioyce with thee in the heauens eternally.
Let him be vnder thy protection and gouernāce, O heauēly father,
and althogh he be ſick, yet canſt thou heale him: he is caſt downe, but thou canſt lift him vp: he is ſore troubled, but thou canſt ſende redres: he is weak, thou canſt ſende ſtrength: he acknowledgeth his vncleanes, his ſpots, his filthines & iniquityes, but thou canſt waſh him, & make him cleane: he is woūded, but thou canſt miniſter moſte ſouerain ſalues: he is fearefull & trembling, but thou canſt gyue him good courage and boldneſſe. To be ſhort, hee is, as it
were vtterly loſt, and as a ſtrayed ſheepe, but thou canſte call him hoame to thee againe. Wherfore, O Lord, ſeeing that this poore creature (thine own workmanſhip) reſigneth him wholly into thine hāds, receiue him into thy merciful protection. Alſo we poore miſerable creatures, which are, as it were, in the field ready to fight til thou with draw vs from the ſame, vouchſafe ſo to ſtrengthen vs by thine holye ſpirite, that we maye obtayne the victory in
thy name, againſt oure deadly and mortal enemye. And furthermore, that the affliction and combat of this thy pore creature in moſte greeuous tormentes, maye moue vs to humble our ſelues with all reuerent feare and trembling vnder thy mighty hande, knowing that we muſte appear before thy iugement ſeat, when it ſhal pleaſe thee to appoint. But O lord, the coruption of our fraile nature is ſuch that wee are vtterlye deſtitute of anye mean to appeare before
thee, except it peaſe the to make vs ſuch as thou thy ſelfe requireſt vs to be: & further, that thou gyue vs the ſpirite of meekneſſe and humility, to reſt and ſtay wholye on thoſe thinges which thou only commaundeſt.
But for as much as we be all togeather vnworthy, to inioye ſuch benefites, wee beſeech thee to receiue vs in the name of thy deare Son our Lorde, & maiſter, in whoſe death & ſanctification ſtandeth wholly the hope of our ſaluatiō
It may alſo pleaſe thee, O Father of comfort & conſolation, to ſtrengthen with thy grace, thoſe which imploye theire trauell and diligence to the ayding of this ſick perſō, that they faint not by ouermuch and continuall labour, but rather to go heartily and cheerefully forward in doing their indeuours towards him: & if thou take him frō them, thē of thy goodneſſe to comfort them ſo, as they may paciently bear ſuch departing, and prayſe thy name in
all things. Alſo, O heauenly father, vouchſafe to haue pition al other ſick perſons, and ſuch as bee by anye wayes or meanes afflicted, & alſo on thoſe who as yet are ignorant of thy trueth, & appertaine neuertheles vnto thy kingdom.
In like manner on thoſe that ſuffer perſecution, tormented in priſons, or otherwiſe troubled by the enemies of thy veritye, for bearing Teſtimonye to the ſame: finally, on all the neceſſityes of thy people, and vpon al the
ruins or decayes, which ſatan hath brought vpō thy church. O father of mercy, ſpread forth thy goodnes vpon all thoſe that bee thine, that we forſaking oure ſelues, may be the more inflamed and confirmed to reſt onely vpon thee alone. Graunt theſe our requeſtes, O our deare Father, for the loue of thy deare ſonne our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, who liueth & raigneth with thee in vnity of the holy Ghoſt, true God, for euermore,
PRAYERS AND thankeſgiuinges to be ſaid before and after meat.
A Prayer before meate.
O Lorde our God and heauenly Father, in thy beloued ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, worke in our harts true repentaunce, with increaſe of a true and liuelye faith: make vs thankefull vnto thy Maieſtye for all thy benefites whiche wee continually do receiue at thy mercifull hande: Graunt vs the grace,
that we may at this preſent with thankful harts as from thy handes receiue meat and drincke for the ſuſtenaunce of our bodies, with moderation vſe them to thy glory, and through thy bleſſing, receiue by thē perfect nouriſhment: & aboue all, wee craue at thy hands, good Lord, the heauenlye foode of our ſoules, which neuer periſheth: that through thy gratious goodnes, we maye be nouriſhed and ſtrengthened both in ſoule and body to eternall life, through Ieſus
Chriſt our Sauiour. Amen.
A THANKESGIVING
after meat.
ETernall God, and mercifull father, we yeelde vnto thee moſte harty thankes, for al thy benefites ſo plentifully beſtowed vppon vs: eſpecially that thou haſt at this preſent, fed and nouriſhed oure mortall bodyes with meate and drinck: we beſeech thee in like manner let oure ſoules feele the ſweete
taſte of thy heauenlye food, that we being fed and nouriſhed at thy handes, both in ſoule & body, maye in this lyfe walke as it becommeth thy children, and in the life to come, be receiued to thine eternall kingdome of glory, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde and ſauiour. Amen.
A PRAYER
BEfore meat.
O Mercifull and heauenlye Father, who giueſt food to euery liuing
creature, and with out whom nothing can liue, bleſſe and ſanctifie our meates & drinckes, whiche wee are now about to receiue, that they maye turne to the nouriſhment of our bodies, wherevnto thou haſt appointed thē: that we acknowledging thy gratious goodnes in prouiding ſo liberallye for our bodyes, maye with cheerful harts be lifted vp earneſtly to long after the food of our ſouls wherby we may be fed eternally, through Ieſus Chriſt our ſauior. Amē.
A THANKESGIVING
after meate.
O Heauenly Father, for theſe thy benefites wherewith thou haſte nowe ſufficiently fedde our bodies, wee beſeeche thee make vs thankful: & as we feele the ſweetneſſe of them pleaſant to our bodies: ſo wee beſeeche thee, good Lorde, that the food of our ſoules, may be as pleaſant & cōfortable vnto our ſoules, & that wee maye with as carefull hearts, prouide for the nouriſhment of
our ſouls, as we are care ful for the nouriſhment of our bodies, till it ſhal ſhall pleaſe thy maieſty to bring vs to the place where wee ſhall neuer hunger nor thirſt more, but liue eternally, thorough Chriſte our Sauiour. Amen.
A PRAYER BEFORE
meate.
O Lord our God and heauenlye Father, which haſte prouided meate and drinke for
the nouriſhment of our bodies, giue vs grace to vſe them reuerentlye, as from thine handes with thankfull heartes. And as we doe greatlye hunger and thirſte for this foode of oure bodies, ſo we beſeech thee good Lorde, that oure ſoules maye earneſtlye hunger after the lyke food and nouriſhment, that with earneſt minds wee maye ſeeke to haue our ſoules fed and refreſhed eternallye, thorough our onely Lorde and ſauiour Ieſus chriſt. So be it.
A THANKESGIVING
after meate.
VVOnderful is thy prouidence, O Lorde, in preſeruing all liuing creatures. Grant vs grace we beſech thee that with thankful harts we maye acknowledge thy bountifull goodneſſe, ſo liberally giuing vnto vs all things needful: eſpecially feedingvs ſo plētifully at this preſent with thy manyfold bleſſings, wherof agreat
many of our brethren are deſtitute, as in like manner wee ſhould be, if thou didſt not deale more liberalitye with vs: graunt vs therefore, gratious Lord, that we maye bee thankfull for this thy goodneſſe, and to be mindful of them, which haue not ſuch aboundance to releeue them: that beeing all members of one body, we may at length raign with our head Chriſte, to whom be al honour and glory, worlde with out end. Amen.
A GODLY PRAYER FOR
the Morning.
And may be ſung to the tune of the third Pſalme.
O God which art my part & lot, my comfort & my ſtay:
I haue decreed and promiſed, thy law to keepe alvvay.
Mine earneſt heart did humbly ſue, in preſence of thy face:
As thou therefore haſt promiſed,
Lord graunt me of thy grace,
My life I haue examined, and tride my ſecrete heart:
VVhich to thy ſtatutes cauſed me, my feete ſtraight to conuert.
I did not ſtay nor linger long, as they that flouthfull are:
But haſtily thy lawes to keepe,
I did my ſelffe prepare.
The cruell handes of wicked men,
haue made of me their pray:
Yet vvoulde I not thy lavve forget, not from thee go aſtray.
Thy righteous iudgement ſhewde toward me, ſo great is and ſo high:
That euen at midnight will I riſe, thy name to magnifie.
Companion am I to all them, vvhich feare thee in their hart:
And neither vvill for loue not dread, from thy commaundement ſtart.
Thy mercyes (lord) moſt plenteouſly, do all the world fulfill:
Oh teach me how I may obey, thy ſtatutes and thy vvill.
All laud and prayſe be to the Lorde,
Oh that of might art moſt:
To God the father and the ſonne, and to the holy ghoſt.
As it in the beginning vvas, for euer heretofore:
And is novv at this preſent time,
And ſhall be euermore.
A GODLY PRAYER FOR
the Euening.
And may be ſung to the tune of the third Pſalme.
ACcording to thy promiſe Lord, ſo haſt thou with me dealt:
For of thy grace in ſundry ſorts, haue I thy ſeruant felt.
Teach me to iudge alvvaies aright, and giue me knovvledge ſure:
For certainly beleeue I do, that thy precepts are pure.
Yet thou didſt touch me with thy rod I erred and vvent aſtray:
But I vvill keepe thy holy vvord, and make it all my ſtay.
Thou art both good and gratious, and giueſt moſt liberally:
Thy ordinauces hovv to keepe, therefore (O Lord) teach me.
The proud and vvicked men haue forgde, againſt me many a lye:
Yet thy cōmandements ſtill obſerue, vvith all my hart vvill I.
Their hearts are ſvvoln vvith worldly vvealth, as greace ſo are they fat:
But in thy lavv do I delight, and nothing ſeek but that.
VVho ſo vvith reuerence doth thee ſeare, to me let them retire:
And ſuch as do they couenats knevv and them alone deſire.
My heart vvithout all vvauering, let on thy lavves be bent:
That no confuſion come to me, vvherein I ſhould be ſhent.
All laud and prayſe be to the Lorde,
Oh that of might art moſt:
To God the father and the ſonne, and to the holy ghoſt.
As it in the beginning vvas, for euer heretofore:
And is novv at this preſent time,
And ſhall be euermore.
FINIS.