THE SACRIFICE OF A CONTRITE HEART: In Tears, Meditations, and Prayers. Penned by JOHN EVANS Minister of God's Word. JAMES 5. If any be afflicted, let him pray: If any be merry, let him sing Psalms. LONDON: Printed by A. M. for Richard Hamond, and are to be sold at his Shop at the upper end of Fleet lane. 1630. The Contents. A Consideration of man's miseries, and God's goodness. pag. 1 A Meditation for the morning. p. 10 A morning Prayer for one alone. 14 The confession of a sorrowful sinner. 23 A Prayer unto Almighty God. 28 A Prayer for Christian virtues. 30 A general confession of our sins. 34 Another morning Meditation. 35 A prayer for the morning with company. 40 Precepts of Christian duties. 48 Another morning prayer. 53 A Meditation for the Evening. 56 An Evening prayer for a private person. 60 Another for the Evening. 64 An Evening prayer for a whole Family. 74 Another for the Evening. pag. 81 The repentant showeth his unfeigned grief for offending so merciful a God. 85 An Evening meditation. 90 A prayer for the increase of Faith. 93 A prayer for the remission of sins. 96 A meditation upon the miseries of man. 101 A prayer for the forgiveness of sins. 103 The Repentants complaint against sin. 108 A prayer for sanctification of the Sabbath. 110 A prayer for godly zeal. 116 A meditation to gain favour from God. 119 A prayer for Faith, Hope, and Charity. 122 The sighs and complaint of an afflicted conscience. 124 A prayer for sanctification. 128 A prayer in adversity or affiiction. 131 Meditations upon the passion of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. 133 What to be learned by the passion. 150 A prayer for patience under the Crosse. 164 A thanks giving for God's blessings. 172 A meditation inciting us to seek God. 180 A prayer before the Communion. 187 A meditation before the Communion. 192 Meditations upon God's mercies. 197 Lachrim. 1. Wherein the distressed prayeth for constancy and patience in his time of afflictions. 205 A thanks giving after the Communion. 213 Another prayer after Communion. 214 A prayer for the Catholic Church of God. 218 A prayer for the King's Majesty. 221 Lachrim. 2. Wherein the distressed expresseth his confidence in God. 224 A prayer for the increase of Christ his Kingdom. 230 A prayer against Antichrist. 238 Lachrim. 3. Wherein the distressed prayeth that his faith and zeal may be increased. 246 The complaint of an afflicted mind. 254 Lach. 4. Wherein the distressed prayeth against the dangereus sin of despair. 264 The Merchant adventurer his prayer. 269 A prayer for the fruits of the earth. 274 A thanksgiving for benefits and Benefactors. 276 Lach. 5. Wherein the distressed showeth his desire to hold fast the promises of God. 279 A general thanksgiving. 283 Lach. 6. The distressed craveth pardon for his sins. 295 A prayer to be used in the time of any contagious sickness. 302 The prayer called, O bountiful jesu. 305 The sick man's prayer. 308 A prayer for the sick. 311 Lach. 7. The distressed detesteth the world, and all worldly things. 316 The young man's prayer for a virtuous wife. 321 The maids prayer for a godly husband. 326 The prayer of a woman with child. 332 The 8. Lachrimae. 337 A prayer for love and charity. 346 The 9 Lachrimae. 351 Te Deum laudamus. 352 TO ALL THAT desire with faith and reverence to call upon the name of the Lord, by the mediation of jesus Christ: Gods most holy Spirit be given for their inward consolation in this life, and their eternal peace and glory in the life to come. THe holy Prophet David, in a thankful commemoration of the in▪ numerable blessings, he had received from the hands of God, said, Quid retribuam domino? what reward shall I give unto the Lord, for all the benefits he hath done unto me, and apprehending that God was not so well pleased with ceremonial sacrifices, as thousands of oblations, or whole streams of the blood of young bullocks or goats, or with rivers of oil; as with Psal. 51. a troubled Spirit, and a contrite and a broken heart; resolveth therefore to humble his soul with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning, to seek the face and favour of the Lord, to pay his vows, to pray unto the Lord, to call upon his holy name, & to praise him for evermore, assuring himself that the Lord would neither reject nor despise such a sacrifice. Good Christian Reader do thou the like, which art as far indebted as ever David was. And seeing that jesus Christ himself calleth unto thee, saying. Come unto me all you that labour and are heavy laden with the burden of your sins, and I will refresh you: Oh ●et thy resolution be as ready as David's was when the Lord called, seek my face, he answered, thy face O Lord will I seek, even with my whole heart: so let thy answer be to the Son of God, I come Lord jesus, I come, I will pay my vows promised to thee in the presence of thy people, and confirmed under the Sacramental Seal of Baptism, thy covenant of grace and mercy; I will come and offer unto thee my heart, I will come and praise thee for all thy benefits, I will come and hearken to thy voice in thy most holy and blessed word, I will abandon all secure, licentious, and voluptuous living, and wholly delight in thy Testimonies and in thy Commandments which are not grievous to thy children, but more pleasing than honey, or the honey comb, and more invaluable than all earthly treasure. I will come with reverence, repentance, Charity and Faith to receive the cup of salvation at thy holy table in remembrance of thy most precious (and for my sin's sake ignominious) death. And forasmuch as the Math. 26 Spirit is willing, but the flesh frail and weak, pray therefore for mortification of the flesh, and that Sanctification and strengthening of thine own inward Spirit: oh pray for the presence and assistance of Gods most holy Spirit to 1. Cor. 14. help and strengthen thine infirmities: whereby the diligent sighs & inward groans of thy heart may cheerfully ascend and pierce the heavens for a blessing: oh stir up thy Math. 5. Acts 10. heart and soul to pray earnestly, offer up thyteares with watching, with almsdeeds, with abstinence and fasting, as the repentant Ninivites: as jona. 3. David, as Daniel; oh breath out powerful sighs with Hannah, oh stream out rivers of tears with penitent Mary Magdalen. As some kind of devils could not be cast out but by prayer and fasting; so some sins are not ejected, nor pardon for them procured without prayer and fasting, and also bitter tears with repenting Peter. Oh pray effectually and cheerfully, and give thyself 1. Thess. 5 continually to this divine and holy exercise, (for this is the alone means to have heavenly conference with thy gracious God) oh pray without ceasing as the widow, and as the importunate woman of Canaan: pray every where, though it be in the uppenpart of thy house with Peter, or in thy chamber alone with Eliseus; whether in the King's Acts 10. chamber, or in the Lion's den with Daniel, or with Moses in Daniel. 6. the wilderness: the blessed children prayed in the fiery furnace, King Hezekias in his bed, jonahs' in the whales belie, and our Saviour Christ in the fields, in the gardens, on the mountain; even upon the Cross at the time of his victorious passion: pray with David either seven times a day, and in the night let thine eyes (like his) gush out rivers of tears, or with Daniel thrice in the day, or with Paul continually be exercised with holy sighs and sacred meditations: let not, oh let not the dulness of thine heart, nor the greatness or grievousness of thy sins hinder thee from this holy exercise, suffer not the Spirit of God to be quenched in thee. To thee that art heavy laden with sin, and pressed with afflictions for sin, doth thy sweet Saviour call, to thee doth his promise most properly appertain, none asketh but he that wanteth, none seeketh but he that hath lost, remember that our Saviour came to call sinners to repentance, and to heal the sick, and to cure the wounded, to ease and refresh all such as are laden with the insupportable burden of their sins! oh be of good comfort, strive against thy dulness, hear what is written for thy consolation; whosoever shall faithfully call upon the Lord, shall be saved. Let not thy afflictions hinder thee, but rather follow the exhortation of the Apostle; if any be afflicted let him pray, let thine afflictions encourage thee, and inflame thine heart to call upon thy merciful God who promiseth by his Prophet to hear thee, and to deliver thee. You shall seek me saith the Lord and find me, because you shall seek me with all your heart, and I will be found of you & will deliver you from captivity; Ask therefore and you shall have, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you: oh mark & firmly believe the gracious promise of him that is the truth and the life, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name you shall receive it: who was ever denied that faithfully called upon the Lord? The Lord is true and faithful of his promise, both able and willing to perform, and will regard the supplications, and accept the prayers of his children; did not the Lord hear the prayers of the Israelites, and did not he with a mighty arm plague their enemies, and deliver them out of captivity and bondage: did not the red sea recoil back at the prayer of Moses; yea the waters saw thee o Lord and were afraid, and at thy appointment made a way for the safety and deliverance of thy people: was not the plague in the wilderness stayed at the prayer of Moses, was not Miriam by prayer cleansed from his leprosy, was not Hanna by prayer of a barren woman made fruitful, did not David by his faithful prayer and repentance obtain remission and forgiveness for manslaughter and adultery, did not Elias by prayer open the windows of heaven and brought down plenty of rain, was it not by prayer that Sennacherib & his innumerable host were slain & discomfited, by the Angel of the Lord. By prayer Susanna was delivered from death, the blessed children from the scorching heat of the Oven, Queen Hester and her people were delivered from death, jonas out of the belie of the Whale; by prayer Lepers were cleansed, the blind were restored to sight, the Palsies were cured, many men & women obtained health fortheir children & servants. By prayer the lame have been restored to their limbs, the deaf to hearing, the blind to their sight, and the dumb to their speech, by prayer remission of sins was obtained, and the holy Ghost was sent down upon the Apostles. What should I say more, by prayer Kingdoms have been subdued, miracles have been wrought, the promises were obtained, the mouths of Lions were stopped, the violence of fire hath been quenched, the heavens have been shut and opened, the dead hath been raised to life, the Sun and Moon have been commanded and stood still. O faithful messenger, oh divine prayer, thou wilt strive and prevail even with the Lord of heaven, and obtain the blessing. Wherefore good Christian and faithful Reader, be fervent and constant in this holy exercise. Remember that when Moses hands failed, the enemies of God's children prevailed; and that Samson lost his strength and glory, when he lost his hair by the treachery of Dalilah: so when thou sufferest God's Spirit to be quenched, thou art deprived of thy spiritual strength and heavenly glory, and her soul despoiled of her beauty and comeliness, and thou exiled from the protection of the most glorious Angels, which are ready with all cheerful willingness to administer their aid and comfort unto thee, and to bear thee safe from all thy enemies and dangers, while thou by faithful prayer dost in the name of the Angel of the Covenant that doth sweetly and acceptably incense all thy oblations, call upon the name of the most mighty and most glorious God of all Archangels and men. And for that experience of my long afflictions and sorrows have made me apprehensive of the hardness of our hearts, and our dulness and unaptness to call upon God in the time of our troubles. I have composed these sorrowful sighs, prayers and meditations, which I may well call the exercises of my sad affections; to the end that if through Satan's buffets, the distemperature or weakness of my corrupt nature, or the snares of evil men my poor heart should be overwhelmed; yet I might have always presented to mine eye how to make my moan unto my God. And intending to public my labour herein, I have endeavoured by variety of meditations and prayers to make it profitably useful for all men. Most humbly beseeching the God of mercy to accept and bless my endeavoure herein: and grant that some glory to his holy name, and some benefit to his children, and comfort and consolation to all that groan under the burden of sin, may redound hereby, and that for the alone merits and mediation of jesus Christ the righteous. To whom with the father and the most holy Spirit, as by the most glorious Angels in heaven, so by us men, be rendered Halleluiah: all the glory, the praise, and the honour for ever more. Amen. Amen. John Euans. THE. CONSIDEration of our miseries, moveth sorrowful sighs, for our enlargement from the thraledome of our sins. O Wretched man involved in crimson sin, Repent with speed, thy sinful life. Begin Before the vials of God's wrath, whose wine is red, Be fiercely poured down upon thy head. The Lord is mild, and wils not sinners death, Prevent his wrath while thou hast time and breath; If he for sin do strike with dreadful hand, Who can his fury stay? or wrath withstand? Conceived, condemned for Adam's ill, To God arch-traitors we continue still: Sin lu●●'d secure by Satan's charm and guile Who watchful is to kill our souls that while. From head to foot so leprous be our stains, That in ourselves not one good thought remains, But if we do or think aught that is good, It is in us the effect of Christ his blood. Our bloody sins are numberless and daily call, That thou in judgement should condemn us all. But Lord our God be hold us in thy Son; Forgive, forget, remit what we have done. Corruption made us sons of wrath and firebrands of hell, Thy grace in Christ made us thy sons and heirs to dwell. In heaven where thy kingdom is, most glorious be thy name, Which hast in Christ elected us, before all world's frame. In glory thou in heaven art, in mercy here with us below, In judgements with the damned crew: the seas thy wonders know. Yet sea, nor earth, nor heavens high, thy essence can contain: Thou art, hast been, and ever shalt (I AM) of might remain: Seeing thou art to us a Father dear of heavenly might, Give us obedience to thy will, and in thy law's delight. Humility, with godly fear, heavenly thoughts divine; And whatsoever graces else may sign and scale us thine. Most glorious, sacred, sanctified, acknowledged be thy name, Amongst us all thy children dear that do profess the same: Although none hallowing we can add unto thy essence pure, Grant that our lives, our thoughts, our words, thy glory may procure, Endue us with such godly zeal thy honour to maintain, With reverence due to use thy name, and not in jest or vain; Seeing that thy wisdom, greatness, clear and piercing eye Beholds what's done, or thought, both far and nigh, From swearing, lying, and blaspheming thee, Good Lord in mercy still deliver me. By all we think, shall do, or act indeed, Grant that some glory to thy name proceed: Let not our sins, nor Satan's strong temptation, Nor our frail flesh gain sinful approbation. Come thou Lord jesus quickly: cleanse and garnish, Our sinful hearts, and thine kingdom establish. O Son of God, o Lamb pure undefiled, The joy & solace which all Saints desired: Inflame our hearts, let us not quench thy Spirit, Make good to us what thy own death did merit. God hath ordained, and thou hast dear bought, A glorious Kingdom, by us seldom sought, Lest from that Kingdom we excluded be, O work in us such works as pleaseth thee. Thy will is holy, perfect, right and just; Our wills perverse, possessed with sinful lust. O grant us willing hearts for to perfome, Whatsoever thy good will shall us inform. Our will's perverse, corrupted, full of sin, No good in act, or thought, we can begin. If any thing we do that please thee may, It is thy grace that doth direct our way. O Lord my God, do thou so rule my mind, That to thy will, my will be still inclined: Let me not think, nor will, nor wish to do, But what thy will doth well con●ent thereto. Thy holy words to feed our souls, and natures wants supply, For all our base unthankful hearts; good Lord do not deny. Thy blessings Lord continue still, and providence divine, And when we daily call on thee, o Lord to us incline: It is not wealth nor ophire gold that can enrich our need, Nor pleasant dainties that we take, that can our bodies feed: It is thy blessing (mighty Lord) thy strong protecting arm, That feeds, defends, thy children dears from penury and harm. No desert wild, nor person 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 famine sore, Shall long oppress● thy children dear, or quite cosume thei●●…re. The Rock, the Raven. Asaph's jaw, and eke the Lion strong, Shall comfort yield unto all those that to thy grace belong. The little birds, the dainty flowers are fed and clothed most gay, And every creature in his kind feels thee most kind always: But we for whom this universe, & all things in't were signed, Do take thy gracious benefits, and prove to thee unkind. For sinful debts to justice due, no payment can we make, Eternal death our payment is, unless thou mercy take: Compassion Lord have thou on us, be thou a Father kind, And sealed to us in Christ his blood, let us thy mercy find. The blind, the lame, the dumb, and they possessed with devils; The leprous sinful stained souls, were cured of their evils. They sinned had, thy counsel was, they should not sin again, O souls sole cleanser, Saviour dear, our hearts from sin restrain. Small is the wrong that's done to us in body, goods or name; By friends, or foes, we them forgive, good Lord do thou the same: If comfort any we can yield, when they be● in distress, Grant we for thee our love to them, may willingly express. Although our many grievous sins deserve thy rageful ire, Repenting hearts with mournful souls, and mercy we desire. O let that precious blood of thine, to us be of such force, That nothing from the love of thee, may ever us divorce. Withdraw not Lord thy grace from us, when strong temptations are, Lest gross notorious shameless sins, how frail we be declare: Make us strong pillars in thine house, thy name on us engrave, That neither Satan, sin, nor hell, of us the conquest have. Though sometime Satan suffered is to try thy children all, Defend them Lord & succour them, when they on thee shall call. So shall the glory be thine own, the conquest be their gain, And Satan with his engines all, shall know he wrought in vain. The more assaults the Dragon makes, in conscience or in mind, The more that man if constant be, the strength of God sh●ll find: That soul that sacrificed is by sharp afflictions knife, By faithful sufferance to the end, doth gain a Crown of life: Most mighty and victorious Lord, that hast the conquest gained, Of all the foes of thee and thine, that in the world remain: Let no temptations though full strong, a captive make of me, But by thy strength and powerful grace, good Lord deliver me. O holy sacred Trinity, that art of ●…ll might; Intrust, direct, inspire our hearts, to pray to thee aright▪ And whatsoever may advance, or glorify thy name, By gracious will, and powerful might, co●…erre on us the same. Eternal King, immortal God, all kingdoms are thine own, Thy power, wisdom, and thy might, to us doth make thee known: All honour, glory, praise and laud, be rendered by all men, Unto thy sacred Majesty, for evermore, Amen. A Morning Meditation. ALmighty God which hast me brought, in safety to this present day; Keep me from sin in heart and thought, and teach me what to d●● and say: Prosper me Lord in all my works, help me with thy continual grace: K●… 〈◊〉 from Satan vile, that lurks ●… soul in every place, Almighty Lord and God of love, direct mine heart, and guide my ways; Amend my miss, my mind remove from all that from thy glory strays; Thou that of wisdom art true spring, and fountain of felicity: Let mercy mere, my prayers bring. by Faith in Christ, to sight of thee. Thou which art author of all peace, and the true lover of concord; Keep me from fees, that never 〈◊〉, to take my life from me o Lord: Thy service is most perfect free, to know thee, 'tis eternal life; Reach out thy helping hand to me, against my foes, that 'gainst me strive. O God from whom all good desires, from whom all just works do proceed●; Whose wise, great acts, all men admires, assist me in the time of need: O Lord whose power and quality, is sinner's trespass to forget; Being tied and bound with chains of sin, for pity lose me, I entreat. Assist me in this mortal age, what change or chance so ere befall; From Satan, sin, and enemy's rage, Lord still defend me from them all: Almighty God which giv'st us grace, now in thy name to pray to thee; And promisest in any place, when joins together two or three. Thou wilt give and grant what they request, now Lord do the desires fulfil; Of us thy ser●…ts us seem best, and most expedient to thy will: In this world knowledge us granting, of thy pure truth and sanctity; And after death, let our new being, be life with thee eternally. O God that no time dost despise, the sighing of a contrite heart; Nor the desires of sinners cries; in troubles, anguish, grief and smart: Assist our prayers in distress, and graciously vouchsafe to hear; When sudden evils us oppress, and subtle craft's of foes us fear. Let them, o Lord be brought to nought, and by thy goodness scattered be; That so to us no hurt being brought, we may give thanks and praise to thee: Oh God of mercy we thee pray, to look on our infirmities; And all those evils turn away, which we deserve cont●…llie, Grant that in troubles, and sickness, we put our trust and hope in thee; And serve thee in true holiness, in awful ●rueth and sanctity, Through Christ the only advocate, and mighty Lord of all mankind; That works God's love from wrath and hate, towards his elect to be most kind. Oh God, to whom all hearts are seen, and hid desires are plainly known; My life reform, and mind make clean, my spirit inspire to be thine own: That I may love thee perfectly, and magnify thy holy name; Through Christ my Saviour worthily, and all the world confess the same. Lighten my darkness Lord I pray thee, from daily dangers me defend; Let not flesh, world, nor devil dismay me, keep me both to, and in the end: Thy mighty hand, and arm protect me, thy mercy in Christ be my salvation; Lord ever let thy word direct me, and thy Spirit give me consolation. The peace of God which far exceeds, all understanding of man's wit; Preserve my soul from wicked deeds, and g●ide my heart to do what's fit. A Morning Prayer for a private person. ALmighty God and heavenly Father, I make my prayer unto thee in an acceptable time: calling most faithfully and fervently upon thee, in the name and mediation of my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, thy well beloved Son, in whom thou art well pleased: trusting that for his sake, and for the multitude of thy mercies, thou wilt hear me, and grant my petitions may be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength, and my salvation. Almighty, immortal, and invisible God; who inhabitest eternity, and dwellest in light that none can attain unto, whom never man saw, neither can see (as thou art in thy eternal glory with this eye of flesh and live;) unto thee (oh Lord God) do I prostrate and direct myself, most humbly confessing that I am but dust and ashes, not worthy to open my lips to speak unto thee, or once with my eyes to look up to thy heavens, to behold thy glory in thy wonderful works: for (oh Lord) I have sinned against heaven, and against thee, and am not worthy to be counted or called thy Son, being by nature the child of wrath, & a firebrand of hell, altogether both in body and soul: begotten, conceived and brought forth in sin, and have ever since my first original, lived and continued therein, adding sin unto sin, and heaping up transgression, upon transgression, and drinking in iniquity as the beast doth water: so that (oh my Lord God) if thou shouldest but behold me with thy pure eyes, that can abide no iniquity; thou mightest not only punish and afflict me with diverse crosses, with sundry pains, sickness and diseases in this mortal life: but (O Lord) thou mightest, follow and pursue me with thy secret hatred, with thy infinite and eternal displeasure: yea and for ever give me my part & portion with the wicked reprobates, and damned spirits in infernal darkness. But (oh Lord) though by nature and desert, hell be my portion; yet thou hast pleased for Christ his sake, in whom alone I believe the pardon of all my sins, original and actual; of omission, and commission; of ignorance, and knowledge, and of presumption: in all which kinds I have mightily offended thee, mine own conscience (beside the testimony of thy word) bearing witness, which is greater than if ten thousands of witnesses should stand up against me: But (o Lord) for thy Christ his sake that immaculate and unspotted I am be that was once sacrificed for the Redemption of the whole world▪ do away all my sins and offences▪ and let them not at any time, through Sath●ns accusation or aggravation, stand up against me; neither in conscience in this world to accuse me, or in the day of thy second coming to condemn me; wash them away (o Lord) in the precious blood of thy Son, and for his sake be at peace with me; Seal up unto my soul and conscience this day, and while I am in this life, the assured pardon of all my sins; of thought, word and deed. Let thy Spirit dwell in me, and testify unto▪ and with my Spirit this day, the assurance of my justification and adoption. O Lord sanctify and regenerate me to thy Image, through thy holy Spirit, from whence through Adam's sin, and my own actual, I am fallen, & should for ever lie plunged therein, if thou Lord shouldst deny to reach forth unto me thy merciful hand, or thy hand full of mercy, and abundant kindness in Christ. O Lord, if when we were dead in sins and trespasses, and (inasmuch as in us lay) thy most malicious enemies, when we were without God, and without hope in the world, and sought not after thee, till thou (as to Adam in the garden) didst seek and find us out. How much more being in Christ, and in him seeking thee, wilt thou be found of us, and nigh unto us, when we call upon thee. O Lord thou hast promised, that if we ask we shall have, if we seek we shall find, if we knock it shall be opened unto us; wherefore I beseech thee pardon my weak Faith, O Lord, increase in me godly sorrow, for all my offences past and present, o let me sorrow that I cannot sorrow according to the heigh●… multitude of my transgre●… Lord make me to know my s●…, not only open, but secret, not 〈◊〉 the highest, but even in the lowest degree: and breed in me a perfec●… hatred of them, not in respect of punishment temporal, or eternal, but in filial fear and godly affection: grant for thy Christ his sake, that I may hate and detest them, and myself in them and for them. And to this end (Lord) open mine eyes, that in the hearing and reading of thy word, as the linely and most effectual means, I may obtain the assurance of thy love and favour, and let it be that to me, which it is in itself, thy strong power and mighty arm to my salvation. Let it be unto me the sweet savour of life unto life, and not at any time through my unworthiness, the savour of death unto death; Good Lord hereby create in me a clean heart, and renew a right Spirit within me, that I may delight in thy word, above gold, above much fine gold; yea, above thousands of gold and silver, let thy word be a continual light unto my pathed, and a daily lantern unto my feet; ôlet me not stand at a stay in grace, nor in any measure of gift of grace, much less decline or go back in any grace or gift of grace: but grant that I may in the use of all holy means go on in grace, till I come unto a perfect man in Christ ●esus. Lord keep me this day, that I may not like Lot's wife look back again, or like the unthankful Israelites, esteem the homely fare of Egypt, (of this world of things of this life) above the heavenly Manna (thy word the only true food of life.) But like Abraham & the rich Merchant, leave & sell all that this world can afford, to attain the Kingdom of heaven, unto which thou hast called me, by faith in Christ, at this day, and for ever. Having begged these graces, I return unto thee humble thanks for all thy benefits that I have received; not only before, but since my being, as for my election before time, and for my vocation in time, from whence have followed my justification, and some measure of sanctification in this life, and my assured hope of glorification in the life to come. For these inestimable blessings, which no mind can conceive, nor tongue express, I return unto thee, all such possible praise and hearty thanks as my understanding can conceive: beseeching thee that I may this day, & all the days of my life, walk worthy of all these thy mercies. O Lord I thank thee for these other inferior testimonies of thy love, which thou hast made more common with the unjust, then with the just; I thank thee o Father that thou hast shared me out so great a portion, even beyond many of thy Saints & servants; Lord grant that while thou continuest the trust of them in my hands (for they are thy talents and not mine) I may soberly use them to thy glory, and to mine own comfort, and the comfort of the Saints. O Lord grant I may abound in charity to all of all sorts, that I shall behold to stand in need of my help: but especially to the household of Faith: and grant that I may give no relief in worldly ostentation, or vain glory, to be seen or talked of, of men, but in an upright heart & good conscience unto thee. And all this I beseech thee to grant, for jesus Christ his sake my only Lord and Saviour. Last of all, I beseech thee as a ceiling member of thy holy Church militant, howsoever, or wheresoever dispersed, scattered, or afflicted; for all thine that suffer any kind of sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity in soul, or body, by sea or land: but especially for all thine that suffer bonds, chains or imprisonments, (with joseph) for righteousness sake, mitigate all their pains and troubles, and give them Faith and patience in all their several distresses as may be most for thine own glory and their comforts; through Christ our Mediator and Redeemer. To thee o Father, Son, and holy Ghost, the eternal and most blessed Trinity, be rendered all praise and glory, not only by all men in general, but by me in special, with thy holy Church, this day and for evermore, Amen, Amen. A particular confession of a sorrowful sinner. MOst mighty, and all-knowing Lord, ●…true spring of cons●…ion; I do confess with hea●t and voice, thou art my preservation: I have offended grievously, by my transg●…ssions don● against thee; And have drawn down a weight on me, of thy great judgements wilfully. Under which burden cannot I, but faint and fall in woeful sort; Unless thy hand and thy mercy, through jesus Christ do me support: Thou knowest good Father I am weak, and cannot bear thy heavy Ire; Not knowing what to do or speak, or how to escape my sinful hire. Unless thou point 〈◊〉 o●t the way, with thy wise Spirit me directing; Unto my foe, I am made a prey, were not thy power me protecting: Not every one that hears thy word, can understand thy wisdom great; Nor every one that cries, Lord, Lord, shall enter in at heaven's gate. Who is not led by better line, then doth pro●… from fle●● and blood; Errs from the truth and doth decline, from right to wrong, to ill from good: Whose end is death, though for a time, seems sweet to please the outward man; That's nothing else, but dirt and slime, or like a puff, in length a span. As honour, riches, friends and health, Preferment, life, and World's delight; Esteeming these true happy wealth, but the true bliss is out of sight: They think that sickness, poverty, imprisonment and enemies fell; And worldly crosses verily, are gates and entrance into hell. So foolish and so ignorant, are those thou guid'st not in thy way; 'Mongst whom even I, through wisdom's want, have been misled until this day: But having found the truth by trial, that earthly joys are transitory; When they me tempt I make denial, and only seek the eternal glory. Now I disclaim all confidence, in honour, health, in wealth or feature; In wit or worldly Sapience, or yet in any earthly creature. And Lord I here do dedicated, all thou hast given me to thine honour; Myself I wholly consecrate, to march and fight under thy banner. And now I bid these toys adieu, that onely-please my flesh and senses: Because they all are most untrue, and still do cause so great offences: Because their glorious bounty fades, and leaves nought but deformities; Because they are nought else but shades, and bring forth gross enormities. Because they are most false and fickle, because they are indeed hell's fuel; Because their rose hath many a prickle, because their slavery is most cruel: Because they are not firm and stable, because they are profane, not holy; Because they are but as a fable, because they are but sottish folly. Because my soul they college and kill, because they give me judas kiss; Because my good they spot and spill, and draw me from mine heavenly wish: Because like swords they wound my soul, because like Serpents they do sting me; Because my conscience doth control, and saith to hell gates they will bring me. Because they do besot my senses, because they dull my Spirits quickness; Because they cause so great expenses, because they cause my sad soul's sickness: Because all virtue hindered is, by this vile world's accursed pleasure; Because it will bereave of bliss, and of that blessed heavenly treasure. And therefore earth and world farewell, adieu fond fancies flattering favours; Your joys are toys, your heaven is hell, I hate your poisoned taste and savours: And thou that art life of my life, soul of my soul, o jesus Christ, Point down the period of world's strife, thou art the Prophet, Prince, and Priest, That wentest up to prepare that place, above Sun, Moon, and Planets seven; O save me by thy saving grace, and bring me to that highest heaven: Where are such joys celestial, as cannot be expressed by pen; Bring me from things terrestrial, to reign with thee for ay, Amen. A Prayer unto Almighty God to prepare and dispose our hearts rightly, unto Prayer. O Loving God and Father dear, I humbly thee beseech and pray; For jesus sake my prayers hear, and hearken what my soul shall say: My heart, and thoughts Lord sanctify, thine holy Spirit inspire within me; Me from corruptions mundify, and let thy loving mercies win me, O let me ask and have of thee, let me by Faith my suit obtain; Thy loving favour show to me, all other favour is but vain: Restrain my vain imaginations, prevent by Grace Satan's intrusions; Let him not taint my cogitations, nor ●●●nd mine eyes with vain illusions. Which are the enticements and the baits, of that great ghostly enemy; That still for worldlings seeks and waits, within which rank, poor wretch am I: But as my mouth and lips have said, words of a faithful servant true; So let my soul of Christ crave aid, with inward spirit to live anew. For now my poor soul is afraid, and time misspent alas I rue; To thee I run imploring aid, within me do thy Spirit renew: O Lord I see the bloody wounds, of thy sweet Son my Saviour; 〈◊〉 see thy mercies there abounds, and promised by thy favour. And therefore I, by sinful de●…des, that erst lived careless in despair; Do fly unto those wounds that bleeds, and pluck down grace by force of prayer: Oh in that grace grant me to live, and in that grace grant me to die, And when I die, Lord grace me give, to reign with thee perpetually. A Prayer for Christian virtues. OH my Lord God, grant that with a sincere heart I may desire thee, and in desiring, seek thee, and in seeking find thee, and when I have found thee, grant that I may constantly love thee: and not return to that filthiness of sin, for which thou hatest me, and I become odious & loathsome in thy presence, that thou art constrained to withdraw thy gracious countenance from beholding so great impurity. Give me o my Lord God a repentant heart, a contrite Spirit, eyes flowing with fountains of penitent tears: quench in me all the concupiscence of the flesh, and kindle in me the fire of thy love. Oh my Redeemer take from me the Spirit of pride, and most favourably enrich me with the treasure o● thy humility, remove from me● o my Saviour, the fury, and distem▪ perance of choler, and graciously arm me with the shield of patience. O my Creator root out o● me all rank or and malice, and en▪ endue me with gentleness and meekenes, bestow upon me a perfect faith, a right hope, and constant love. Preserve me, o Lord, from a● vanity, inconstancy of mind, wa● vering of heart, scossing and con● temptuous speaking, reproaches taunts and slanders against m● neighbour, busy curiosity, hunger of riches, extortion, ambiti● on, vainglory, from the vice o● hypocrisy, the poison of flat flattery, contempt of the weak, open▪ pression of the poor, from gree▪ die avarice, cankered envy, deadly blasphemy. Deliver me, o Lord, from ras● boldness, contumacy, frowardness, idleness, negligence, sloth, dulness of wit, blindness of heart, obstinacy of mind, savage conditions, contempt of good things, the abandoning of wholesome counsel, offence of the tongue, rapine of the poor, malicious and false accusation against the innocent, violence against the impotent, neglect of inferiors, cruelty towards my family, impiety and infidelity towards them that repose trust in me, and from unjust and rigorous dealing with all men. O my God, my merciful God, I beseech thee in thy beloved Son, bless me with the works of mercy and zeal of godliness, to suffer with the afflicted, to minister to the needy, to succour the miserable, to counsel them that go astray, to comfort the sorrowful, to relieve the oppressed, to nourish the poor, to cherish and comfort such as mourn, to forgive my debtors, to pardon them that trepasse against me, to love them that hate me, to render good for evil, to despise none, but to honour them, to imitate the good, to beware of evil things, and evil ungodly society, to eschew vice, and to embrace virtue; in adversity patience, humbleness in prosperity, to guard the door of my mouth, to watch the enemies that compass my lips, to despise worldly things, and earnestly to thirst after the heavenly. O Lord my God, blessed be thy name for ever: dispose my heart, open my lips, and guide me by thy holy Spirit, to a true acknowledgement of all my sins, and an eternal detestation, renouncing and forsaking of them, that my prayers may be heard of thee, in the name, and for the name of thy Son jesus Christ. To whom with thee and the most holy Spirit, three sacred persons, one mighty and immortal God, be ascribed, attributed and given, all praise, all thanks, all honour and glory this day and for evermore. Amen, Amen. A general confession of sins. OMnipotent, and gracious Father, I from thy ways have strayed and erred Like a lost sheep, and followed rather, mine hearts devices and preferred: My foolish fancies, fond desires, and broke the laws set down by thee; I have not done what thou requires, but done those things that should not be. No health in me, but thou, o God, have mercy on me sinful wretch; Spare me, oh spare me, hold thy rod, that to offenders thou dost stretch: I do confess my faults, restore me, I do repent, (for jesus sake;) That promise ever is before thee, which thou in Christ to God didst make, And grant for his sake live I may, a godly, right, and sober life; To thy name's glory, still for ay, possessing heaven where is no strife: All laud, and praise be to thy name, for ever and ever now and then; To whom all nations sing with fame, sweet Psalms of joy, Amen, Amen. A Morning Meditation. I Laid me down to rest and slept, and in the moring rose again; God me sustained and safely kept, and by his grace did me maintain: His Angels pitched me round about, sleeping and waking keeping me; Both coming in and going out, they guard me with security. Lord hear my voice in morning bright, when I my prayers do direct; And wait till thou the God of light, do hear and help me with effect: O Father full of power and might, mercy and love. How dare I cast? Mine eyes unto thy heavenly light; if thou remember my sins past. How can I think or hope for good, on me below to come from high; Having so much thy laws withstood, and sinned against thy Majesty: Thou in thy power and knowledge deep, Lord sees the wicked ways of mine; Whether in sin I wake or sleep, It is not hidden from thine eyen. My vain corrupt and evil deeds, my imperfections more and more; My daily sins, by which it breeds, thine anger worse than was before: Thy judgements I might justly fear, If thou shouldest note what's done amiss; Thou mightst in torture be severe, yet giv'st th' ou rest, and peace, and bliss. And hast raised me up by thy hand, for only thou preservest me; And me defendst by sea and land, awake, or sleep (I serving thee:) Whether I walk, work, eat, or drink, or what ere else, do what I will; Thou blessest all that I can think, without thy blessings all were ill. For I a creature weak and faint, subject to dangers that are rise; And closely work my soul to taint, in this corrupt and evil life: I lie alas in night and blindness, and have no watch me to defend; Yet am preserved by thy kindness, from them that ill to me intent, Whose owlish eyes do shun the light, who lay their traps and snares in dark; But thou defend'st me with thy might, and with bright eyes their work dost mark: Thou dear kind Father full of love, regard'st thy weak and little ones; Thy many mercies do thee move. to hearken to their sighs and moans. O gracious God I give thee thanks, for all thy mercies manifold; Save me from all the plots and pranks, of sin, and of that Serpent old: Forgive me mine offences Lord, let true repentance make me right, An humbled heart, and life reformed, I know are pleasing in thy sight. I am inclined to vanity, to fall into one sin or other; No day nor hour from sin scape I, since first conceived in womb of mother: With cruel foes I am beset, corruptions in me daily fight; They labour sore thy grace to let, and make me loathsome in thy fight. Wresting my will and settled mind, from true sincerity to sin; From good desires to be inclined, to deep despair, and die therein: To make me trust in blandishment, of wicked world my soul deceiving, And in my souls sad languishment. of comforts all my soul bereaving. I fly unto the sauctuary, of thy dear care and providence; Assured I shall not miscarry, when I depend on thy defence: Keep me therefore o King of Kings, as precious apple of thi●e eye, This day me shroud under thy wings, from sin and Sathaus tyranny. Teach me the truth, me knowledge give, and wisdom with all humbleness; Obedience, Zeal, and Faith; relieve my soul with hope in all distress: Change me from sin to sanctity, from the night's darkness unto light, Let my cold zeal most ardent be; to serve the Lord both day and night. Teach me justly to execute, my outward calling; give success, And happy issue to my suit●, and all my lawful labours bless: Give means with truth and equity, to me and mine with godly care; In heart and mind true piety, and all things else that needful are, And let thy holy Spirit so nourish, and govern me that more and more; I may increase bear fruit and flourish, in godliness and goodness store: Until thou shalt cut off this life, that is corrupt with deadly sin; And by Christ's merits end the strife, of mortal wars my soul lives in. And draw me then with cords of love, to thee, and to thy kingdom; The new jerusalem above, where thou alone bearest ruledome: And grant that I, may reign with thee, with Christ and thine elect; Sweet Father for thy mercy's sake, do never me reject. Amen. A Morning Prayer to be said with a whole Family. MOst Mighty God, the Creator and Father of every living thing, both in heaven, and in earth, the wonderful preserver, and constant upholder of all things visible, and invisible; not only in the days of our forefathers, but in these our times. We thy poor sinful servants, do this morning prostrate and deject ourselves, in soul and body, sorrowfully confessing unto thee, against ourselves, that we are so laden with daily transgressions, that we know not, but with infinite shame, how to lift up our heads and eyes towards thee, or once to open our mouths to speak unto thee: for when we remember how in the morning of this world, in the first beginning of mankind, thou didst make him after thine own Image, a glorious creature, and planted him in the Garden of Eden, where he wanted nothing, but was filled with joy and happy contentment. But he despised thy holy Commandment, adventuring to do that which thou hadst forbidden: whereby thou wast so displeased with him, that immediately didst banish him and our grandmother Evah, with all us their miserable posterity: then in their loins, and unto this day issuing and proceeding forth, into perpetual blindness and ignorance of thee, and should so for ever have remained from generation to generation, if we did not believe in thy holy word and Gospel; in which is contained the happy and joyful tidings of thy everlasting love renewed unto us: as that in his seed all nations should be blessed, meaning by his seed, the promised Messiah, which our first parents then believed in, for themselves, and so instructed us their following posterity for ever to do the like. Wherefore, o Lord, we believing in thyword (our Messiah) who in these latter days, hath taken our flesh, and in that nature, by which thou wast most mightily offended, hath again reconciled us unto thee, and thee unto us, by paying that price of our Redemption, even his most precious death & blood; by virtue of which we first entreat thee, to par donour original sins, and all other offences which in knowledge against the motions of thy holy Spirit, and checks of our own consciences, accusing us for the least thing that we have at any time done amiss, or have daily from the beginning of our manhood, unto this present done against thee, even thisweeke, this last day, this night, and this morning since we arose; yea, even now in this instant, while we are speaking unto thee. O Lord, for Christ his sake, pardon all our offences of dishonesty against our neighbours with whom we live, and converse in this life. O keep us this day most sweet Saviour, from that odious and common sin of lying, directly, or indirectly, from swearing, & chase rashly, vainly or irreverently, in, or against thy most holy name. And keep us from all manner of dishonesty, with our bodies, with our tongues, with our eyes, with our hands, and with our feet, unto which we are so exceeding prone. And that because we are thy temples, and members one of another, and of thy Son Christ especially. And for our help herein, give us grace, that we may every one, seriously apply, and diligently mind the things thou hast this day appointed us to do in our several ranks and callings: as we are either fathers, masters, children or servants, that we may both govern and obey, as becometh thy children and servants, which fear thy holy name; and give us grace that we may this day, and all the days of our life, persevere in the faith, and fear of thee, and of thy Son jesus, our most loving and blessed Saviour. And grant most loving Father, that as we have begun in him; so wheresoever we are, at the last we may finish our mortal race in him, and change this life unto his glory and our own eternal comforts. Now having continued our accustomed suits for spiritual blessings and graces, we return unto thee most humble and hearty thanks for all those favours, which as assurances of all thy love, thou hast given every one of us here present: as in our births into this present world, thou didst safely bring us, through the strait gates of nature (which ●ike Herod in the act of birth, threatens nothing but present ●eath; & in infancy, childhood and ●outh, considering our weakness ●nd wildness, might have befallen ●nto us many mischances of de●… 〈◊〉 in our bodies: so since ●e came to manhood, thou hast ●ept us from the same dangers, a housand manner of ways, for ●hich we thank thee. O Lord ●e thank thee also for our daily ●ead, and conti●…all clothing, that through thy blessing doth daily comfort us in this present life: for thee, and for a thousand more, of which we have continual experience both in body and soul, we are bound to continue and conclude these our prayers, thanksgiving and morning sacrifice unto thee, for ourselves, and thy holy Church, as thy Son our Saviour hath taught us, saying. Our Father which art in heaven, etc. To thee the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, be given all honour and glory by us and all thine this day, and for evermore. Amen, Amen. Be merciful, o Father, of all mercies to thy Church universal, dispersed throughout the whole world, and grant th●… they that d●e confess thy name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, & live in godly concord and unity. More especially good Lord, be merciful to all such as be under persecution, for the testimony of a good conscience, and the profession of the Gospel of thy Son our Saviour jesus Christ. Defend and save, o Lord, those silly souls, which as sheep are appointed to the shambles and slaughter, and repress the rage and tyranny of such as are bend to bloodshed, and mind nothing but murdering thy Saints and children: be merciful to this sinful kingdom wherein we live, and be good and gracious to thine anointed, Charles our most gracious King: bless the honourable Counsel, the Reverend clergy, the Nobility, and Commonalty, of this Land; and also bless ●s a portion of thine inheritance, the which our Lord jesus Christ was contented to redeem with his most precious blood, the alone mediator of all mercies, to whom ●ith thee and the holy Ghost befell honour and glory for and ever. Amen. Amen. Precepts of duty. HIgh mighty God of righteousness, in wrath a dread consuming fire; Thou didst in perfect happiness, make man that did against thee conspire: And break thy laws with all despite, when thou hadst made him pure and holy; Placed him in garden of delight, so great and wicked was his folly. That having leave to take or leave, to choose, refuse, or use at pleasure; He did himself by sin deceive, of that divine surpassing treasure: And by his mutability, (regardless of thy sacred laws;) He brought in instability, lost his freewill by breach of laws. Thou God of Iusti●e must do right, man wanting grace, with want of grace; By grace substraction didst requite, and banish him that blessed place: By means of which we are inclined, from thy behests to run astray; Our tongue, our heart, our soul, our mind, by sin is carried clean away. Thou hast us Lord by grace elected, and thy free mercy) to inherit Thy bliss, (if thy bliss be respected) and sealed us with thy holy spirit: Thou madest us free by thy Son's blood, to th'end thou mayest be glorified; In souls and bodies for our good, his passion hath us purified. Thou freedst us to that end we might, serve thee in holy righteousness; Thou gavest thy Son, and he us bought, from thraldom of our sinfulness: Thou wouldst he should for all men die, to make him live in thine elect; And they in him to fructify, and with his graces hast them decked. By grace, and holy inspiration, rebellious nature seekest to tame; With precepts for instruction, and leav'st us laws in thine own name; The ready way of serving thee, and profit to our neighbours bring; And loving thee most zealously, who art our Father, Lord and King. Though by thy Gospel we be free, from laws their sting and punishment; Yet rules of life and piety, thou hast precribed and to us lent: Thereby to manage all our deeds, and guide us lest we step awry; Observing careful as we needs, how well to live, and well to die. These laws thou writ'st in Table two, with the pure finger of thine hand; Delivering them Moses unto, that we thy will might understand: The first containeth precepts four, Of precepts due unto thy fear; The second six Commanrements more, of love we should to neighbours bear. The sum and substance of them all, and that fulfilleth every part, Is thee to love, on thee to call, with all our soul, might, mind, and heart: To other men (especially,) thine household that are firm in faith; As to ourselves to give supply; with all our help as Scripture saith. But we are weak, the case thus stands, In this ●raile mortal life of ours; No man can keep these thy commands, but breaks them at all times and hours: Yet thou thy children oft dost will, themstlues to comfort hopefully; There is left for them some measure still, to come to thee regardfully. Namely when they do bend their strength, (daily prevented by thy Spirit) And stand in hope to attain at length, (what now they want by Christ his merit: Walking and daily going one; by steps thereof to Paradise; Praising and lauding thee alone, bewailing their infirmities. The faithful know all and believe, with thee our father mercy is; Thou with thy Son dost all things give, how can we then of mercy miss: Therefore my God now give to me, all that thou givest to thine elect; Of thine eternal clemency, good Lord do not my soul reject. Illuminate my knowledge dark, possess my heart with perfect love; What's done amiss, Lord do not mark, the guilt of sin from me remove: That I most constantly may walk, the steps and paths of thy just laws; And of thy goodness daily talk, with fear end love and all applause. To thee I wholly owe myself, for thou hast Lord created me; And bought me not with worldly p●lf●, but by thy Son hast made me free: Whence I do also learn to love, all men in thee and for thy sake; Who bear thy Image from above, and unto thee themselves betake. O let me thus thy favours find, and peace of conscience understand; Thy blessings and thy mercy's kind, protected still by thy right hand: That filled my days, I leave this life, to take a life eternally; Where Angels sing continually, all glory be to God on high. Amen, A Morning Prayer, O Blessed Lord God, great in power, fearful in judgement, and rich in mercy: which ●indest and no man looseth, and ●oo●est & no man bindeth, I yield ●hee most humble and hearty ●hankes, for that of thy fatherly goodness thou hast vouchsafed ●e this last night's sleep in peace ●nd rest: and again losing the ●onds wherewith I was tied, hast ●iuen me power to see this mor●ing light. Now, o Lord, I beseech thee, power upon me this ●y the heavenly dew of thy com●rtable blessing, that through the ●eration of thy gracious beams ●hat am a poor tree, weak and orren in myself, may bud forth ●d bear the fruits of true faith 〈◊〉 my life and conversation. Continue this goodness and mercy towards me, and by thy power raise me from the deep sleep of all unrighteousness, discharge me from the works of darkness, and clothe me with the armour of light, that I may walk honestly, as in the day; and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Grant me, o Lord, true understanding and knowledge of thy word, which is the glass of thy will. Increase in me all godly de● sires, together with true contrition of heart, that I may vnfained● lie despise the pleasures of thi● world, & with hearty repentant be converted unto thee: send th● holy Angel to guide me and keep me in all my ways, and prosp● the work of my hands that I n● for fail in my vocation to d● some good to all men, and esche● if it be possible all evil. O Lord, I beseech thee, p● serve and keep my senses ●a● and sound, that I be neither corrupted by prosperity, nor dejected by adversity; nor be too fearful of thy judgements, or too bold on thy mercies. But grant me grace o merciful Lord, that I may apprehend all that comes from thee with a religious heart, and contented mind. O blessed Lord jesus Christ, blessed be thy name for our redemption, great was thy love, sore was thy passion, print in our minds we beseech thee the continual memory thereof, that we may love thee which so lovedst us, and evermore praise thee that hast bought us at so dear a price. Reject not our prayers which we offer to be presented to thy Father, but mercifully help us and heal all our infirmities, increase our Faith and teach us obedience, forgive us our offences, and hide us in thy wounds from thy father's just wrath: make good thy promises unto us for the world to come and enable us with thy grace for the performance of all thy Commandments: prosper o Lord, the works of our hands, and bring us safe to the end of this day for thy truth, and for thy name's sake. Amen, Amen. An Evening Meditation. I Lay me down to sleep in peace, for thou Lord only makest me dwell In safety with great quietness, and dost ill dreams from me expel: My body to enormities. is subject without rest and sleep; Because of mine infirmities, my life and health it cannot keep. Good Father all sufficient, my loving God I yield thee praise; For this days blessings to me sent, and guiding me in all my ways: In that thou hast this day now past, me strongly guarded with thy hands; With love refreshed me, first and last, with mercies more than seashore sands. That hast me brought to this day's end, black night and darkness drawing near, Wherein all creatures rest attend, and lay them down till day appear: I finding my debility, poor creature, run to the divine; O strength mine imbecility, and aid this soul and body mine. Thou hast me made of matter gross, and brittle substance out of clay; Which still is subject to the cross, a tennis ball for worldlings play: He wanting comfort cannot live, after much sorrow and great grief; Therefore I do my body give, and soul to thee, Lord grant relief. O Lord I do thee humbly pray, as thou art fountain of all rest; Be thou my succour, help and stay, let me by thee this night be blessed: Consider me in my weakness, and let my careful eyes behold; My miseries and my distress, to cry for mercy make me bold. And since 'tis time that night now brings, the body's rest and quiet sleep; O shadow me under thy wings, let thy protection safe me keep: Look over me with watchful eyes, when this corrupted flesh of mine; In slumbering sleep and dulness lies, deprived of sense with closed eyen. Unable my poor self to save, from dangers of the darksome night; Keep me, my bed else is my grave, and I shall never see the light: Lord thou that only mak'st me dwell, and in sure safety to abide; (Thou watchest over Israel) watch over me, be by my side. Thou art my Castle and my Fort, my sword, my buckler and defence; My rock, my refuge and comfort, save me from force and violence: Alas without thee what am I? a beast that rightly nothing knows; A senseless block, silly fly, that no good do, nor no good shows. Thy loving favour Lord extend, over the house wherein I rest; My bed with Angel's Lord defend, and soul and body by thee be blessed: Oh, lay me down in rest and peace, in rest and peace o let me rise; In rest and peace, o give some ease, from torments, troubles, tears und cries. Let not the sleights of sin deceive, nor wicked practice overtake me; Let nothing me of hope bereave, oh do not thou (though all) forsake me: Lord I am poor, oh make me rich, with those great riches of thy blessing; My soul, my soul is black as pitch, let pardon follow my confessing. In hope of this I lay me down, depending on thy providence; I care not if the world do frown, for I am safe by thy defence: Lord let it be, for I am thine, my rest make sweet and comfortable; To thee I do myself resign, Lord grant all this, for thou art able. An Evening Prayer, for a private person. O Most holy Father, and my most gracious God which givest unto all men, the cheerful light of the day, that in thine assistance they may follow their honest vocations; and likewise sendest the silent nights, that then they my rest their wearied limbs, and busied minds, and so return their due thanks for thy goodness: I sinful creature adore and praise thee for the total sum of all thy mercies, whereof I have been this day partaker. O Lord I am vile, look not upon mine unworthiness, folly, and wickedness: but appease thy anger justly conceived against me, and forgive what hath been amiss in me this day, or at any other time, even for his sake who is thy well beloved Son, and my dear Advocate. Root up o Lord, the thorns of mine evil inclination, and affections, and in their places make the fruits of virtue to spring: inflame my heart with the desire of heavenly love, that I may love obedience to thy Gommandements with zeal as hot as fire, loving thee above all things, and my neighbour as myself. Give me grace o Lord, to serve thee in true faith, fear, and holiness, all the days of my life, and to overcome my mortal enemies, the desires of the world, the pleasures of the flesh, and the suggestious of the wicked Spirit, remembering my promise made to thee in Baptism, for the performance whereof I depend only upon thy holy Spirit. O God of glorious light, let thine Angels pitch their tents round about this house, for our defence now in the time of this darkness, and grant that this night's sleep may be quiet unto me without grief or trouble, preserve me and mine both in body and soul from all dangers, and offences, which may come either by foolish dreams, noisome spirits, or uncleanness of corrupt nature; waken me again, o Lord, in due time, and let me behold the light of the next day to my comfort, prepare my heart and mind to thy service every day in all truth and sincerity, that when I have run the race of this life, thou mayest please to call me to be partaker of a better. Comfort me, o Lord, in all those things wherein I have been any ways dismayed this day: take not thy holy spirit from me, but continue the motions thereof in my heart, that when as the tempter shal● come with his assaults, I may be furnished with the shield o● faith to quench his fiery darts. Confirm my weakness, and grant that this night's sleep may be sweet and healthful for my body, and a profitable memorial of that sleep which at my last end, in that great night, shall make a separation between my body and soul. Let always thine unspeakable mercies preserve me, thy endless sweetness rejoice me, thy heavenly truth strengthen me, thy knowledge embolden me, and thy goodness keep me now and for evermore from mine enemies visible and invisible, that I may awake in the morning in perfect sense and good health, and for the same be thankful unto thee, and carefully betake me to my vocation and calling for jesus Christ's sake, my only Saviour. Amen. Amen. Another for the Evening. MOst glorious and sacred Trinity, the most mighty God, the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit, which art the author and original of all things, both in heaven and in earth, and that hast appointed unto every thing his end and way in this life. The eyes of all things are towards thee to finish in their courses that obedience they owe unto thee. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars in most constant order extend their light & heat to the comforting, not only of fowls and beasts, but specially to the direction of man, how to know thee and walk in thy ways, as being the books and characters wherein we may read thy power, wisdom, and incomprehensible glory, for their sound and language (as a Harold) is gone forth to proclaim unto the Nations, both Pagan & Christian, that thou art the Lord God Almighty, and most worthy to be praised, as in the Morning, so in the Evening also. Therefore knowing the great dependency, that all things celestial and terrestrial have on thee, I do humbly entreat thee to take me into thy custody this night: knowing that if a Sparrow cannot with safety fall to the ground but by thee, that without thee so great refreshing of sleep cannot be attained unless I beg it of thee, many are the visions of the night, as idle dreams and fancies, that would interrupt my sleep, if thou Lord by thy gracious power and presence of thy good Spirit drive them not away. And Satan would (like Abi●hai ●nto Saul) in his sleep, with fearful darts of despair, strike 〈◊〉 dead at once, (as Jacl did Sise●…) unto eternal death, in soul 〈◊〉 body. Therefore unto thee the keeper of Israel, that neither slumberest nor sleepest, by night, nor by day, do I come beseeching thee, that laying myself to rest in thee, I may in the accustomed time which thou hast appointed, wake again: but if thou pleasest that this night shall be my last, and that this mortal, shall be swallowed up in immortality. O Lord grant though I die in body, yet I may awake in soul, and live with thee for evermore; and that my body so sleeping, yet again may awake at the resurrection of the just, and with those that shall not sleep, be caught up, with soul united by the same power, by which thou (o Saviour) didst at once rise from death to life, even as that life which thou hadst with the father, before the world was. And as thou art one with him, so grant that after my last sleep, I may be one with thee in the presence of the Father, and the holy Ghost for evermore. But (o Lord) if thou please to raise me up again, to spend more days in this vale of tears, grant that I may live honestly in the works of my vocation, which thou hast ordained me to live in, or live by. Grant that I may set thee before mine eyes, day and night, and behold thee always in my presence; that when I am tempted to any eveill, in the work of my calling, or any other ways: I may not be tickled with the profit or pleasures therein objected, and so provoked to sin against thee. Keep my tongue from lying, lest thereby I become the child of Satan, for he is a liar, and the Father of lies from the beginning; keep my tongue from swearing, and that I may not take thy name in vain: empty my heart of covetousness, of pride, of vainglory, and let me not respect worldly vanity, let me not be self-conceited: but, o Lord, give me to be of humble, gentle, harmless and courteous disposition and behaviour, both in my words and deeds, to my superiors and inferiors. O Lord give me to be of a charitable nature, and of a pitiful affection, toward all men in general, but especially towards all those that are (of the household of Faith, of broken and contrite hearts, which thou Lord hast promised, that thou wilt not despise. Grant o heavenly Father, that Christ both sleeping and waking, in this life, and after this life may be to me advantage. O let me not fall into a custom or habit of sinning, lest therewith my heart become hardened, that I cannot repent, but give me such a conscience of sin, that I may never commit sin either great or small, but my heart may affright, terrific, and amaze m● (as it did David) when he cut off the lap of Saule● garment. And when I have sinned, let thy loving countenance shine upon me, (as it did upon Peter, when he had denied thee) that I may pour forth a fountain of tears. And in bed if I happen to awake at midnight, give me thy holy Spirit, that with sobs, sighs, and groans, in the secret closet of my heart, I may cast up loud cries unto thee, not only for my sins past, in the dark night of my childhood and youth, while I knew not thee, but even now, since I came to some groat and manhood in Christ, I have broken all thy Commandments, thy Laws, thy Statutes, thine Ordinances; not in ignorance, but in knowledge: for which I have need again to pray unto thee. Wherefore Lord forgive me, forgive me for thy Christ his sake. O my Love, my Dove (the blessed and powerful Saviour of my soul) thou knowest that I have sought after thee, ever since I knew thee, by night in my bed have I sought thee whom my soul loveth. O my Saviour, since thou hast first drawn me with the cords of thy love, let the strength thereof hold me so fast, that I may for ever abide constant, in the like love to thee again; Thou hast promised, that him thou once lovedst, that thou wilt love him unto the end. Good God in thy love keep me this night in soul and body: and not only me in mine own person, but all that belong unto me, for the love of thy only Son jesus, to whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory by me and all thine, this night & for evermore, world without end. Amen, Amen. An Invocation to God, humbly praying for remission of sins. Wellspring of bounty, God of fear, beginning that mak'st all begin; With what oblation to appear, t'appease thy wrath that's due for sin: I know the blood of bulls and beast, or sweetest Incense that doth rise; From earth of old they were the least, and are not now of any prize. O how should I be reconciled, again unto thy loving favour; How long Lord, shall I be exiled, from my sweet Lord, and only Saviour: How long, oh! have I called to thee, to thee in name of thy dear Son; Yet what I asked, thou gav'st not me, and what I would is left undone. I long have knocked at thy door, of mercy, but no ●n rance find; Sorrows and troubles more and more, increase and vex my soul and mind: I daily wait most woeful motall, before thy seat of clement grace; But may not peep within thy portal, nor see thy glorious beauteous face. I sigh, I mourn, my tears are seas, I sink under the burdenous load; Of sin and shame, and find no ease, provoke me forward with thy word: Myself chastising I desire, to quench thy wrath with floods of tears; Yet still increase thy fearful fire, and so eucrease my daily fears. By prayers thee to press who dares, except by thy Son's mediation; To seek thy glory's all our cares, and the end of earthly men's creation: What course should I then poor wretch take, to do, or ask that's good and just; But unto thee my prayers make, and only in thy Son put trust. If that my sins shall thee offend, than all thy creatures rage and storm; And all conspire by thy command, to punish me poor silly worm: Where shall I be, or whether fly, from sight of thine all-seeing eyen; As Noah's Dove, on earth am I, and cannot look against thy shine. But if thou show thy loving face, all creatures on my service tend; Men, beasts, and Angels, do me grace, to help me all their powers do bend: What should I then, say, give or do? what pain can gain thy favour lost; Rivers of oil, or aught thereto, they are thine own, and of thy cost. Accept yet Lord the sacrifice, of heart, and calves of lips unfeigned: This is that offering thou didst devose, to have thy grace to be obtained: The freewill offerings of my zeal, in sense of sighing still ascending; They to thy mercy's seat appeal, and would make peace for mine offending. Although mine heart and tongue do falter Yet through my Saviour's blessed mediati●; Receive this offering on thine altar, with all my best imagination: Hear me in him, in him relieve me, for without him no help can be; None can my souls, or heart's ease give me, nor can I inward comforts see. Till I know that thy wrath's appeased, and have thy Charter for my pardon; Then shall I find my heart so eased, that I desire no further guenrdon: And now I most unhappy man, that did offend my God so kind; By grace in him in all I can, I'll seek with heart, with soul and mind To honour, serve, obey and please, him that is my gracious maker; Whom I beseech to grant me peace, and make me of his joys partaker. An Evening prayer to be said with a whole Family. O Most blessed Saviour, b● whose merits alone, the● is granted unto us this prese liberty, to approach unto the F● there, and in thy name, after th● end of our labours this day accomplished: by which through thy goodness we have profited ourselves, and furthered the continuance of humane society, which by no means could continue, if we did not seriously apply ourselves in the works of our vocation, in which thou hast ordained, that every man should live, not only to his present necessity, but unto the furthering of the welfare of our children and alliance, which accordingly we have this day done, so far forth as the approaching ●ight would suffer, and as our frail bodies, soon spent and tired with the cares and labours of this world would give us leave. And seeing thou hast ordained the night for man, by sleep to refresh himself; Lord we entreat thee to give unto our bodies, such rest and sleep this night, that the day following, we may be raised strong in mind, and body, to go on, in our several labours, honest business, and employments, in moderation, wisdom, and discretion, as may be most to thy glory, and to the honour of thy great name. O Lord we beseech thee, let not our sins, of which we be many ways guilty: cause thee to remove away our sleep from us, nor frustrate this days endeavours: let no blasting or mildewe, or any the evil that walketh in the darkness hurt the fruit of our labours. Let no sons of Belial, when we are in our fast sleep, come in upon us, to spoil without, nor steal within, that which thou through our honest endeavours, or the gift of our parents, hast blessed us withal for as the beasts of the forre●… which are of savage nature, hunt after the prey: so wicked me● that ask not their bread of thee, do in the night by violent hands, rob and spoil thy people. O Lord, we know not, but that for the wickedness of our hearts, hands, and lives, by which we have this day offended thee, injured and oppressed others, but that thou mightest (as on jobs children) suffer the devil, by his instigation of wicked men, to rob and spoil us, not only of our goods and cattle, and other our personal estates, but also of our lives. But (o our good God) we are confident that through thy mercy and love in Christ, no evil shall come unto us, for thou hast promised, that thou wilt be a refuge and fortress, to keep safe all those that trust in thee: not only from the arrow of the day, but from the terror of the night, which thou at thy will and pleasure sendest for the punishment and correction of our sins (as thou ●iddest Shem●i with his railing ●ongue to a●●●ict David. O Lord, for the worthiness of thy Son our Saviour, in whom only we lay down our bodies to rest, turn back this night, and at all other times of our sleep, all the evil and wicked purposes of those that intent us any hurt in our bodies or goods; and send thy holy Angels to protect us with their hands, as they did thee our Saviour against the prince of darkness, when he had ended on thee his three temptations in the wilderness. And as they fought against the Assirans host, that proudly boasted themselves against thy servant Hezekiah: (So o Lord) let thine Angels fight against all our enemies, and the enemies of thy church, not of flesh, but of Spirit, which resolve our hurt, whether walking in the day, or sleeping in the night. And though our sins, in which we so much abound, have deserved that thou shouldest send those ministering Spirits, as on Egypt's first borne in the night, to take away this our dying life, or life full of death: yet for thy mercy's sake let them be our guardians, not only this night, but all the days and nights of this life, for ever to further our souls and bodies, in thy obedience; and in, and after death to conduct them to Abraham's bosom, to rest in joy and bliss with thee for evermore; yea let thine Angels of light, that continually behold thy face in heaven, be about our body's night and day, and with loving and kind assistance, keeping evil from us, and us from evil: not only of sin, but of temptation, with which that worldly Governor, and Prince of the Air never ceaseth millions of ways to withdraw us from thee: if he cannot through covetousness (as judas,) ●or through the world (as De●as and Achan,) yet through pleasure, (as into our first mother, Eve, David, Solomon, Samson) he will a thousand to one, craftily enter, and seat himself in our hearts. O Lord, if by thy holy Spirit, we happen to be so strong as by none of these baits to be caught, than he laboureth by temporal crosses, and afflictions of body and mind, (as on job) to draw us to distrust and despair in thy mercy and love, in all which assaults let thy grace, and our faith keep us, that we may not be overcome, but as valiant soldiers in Christ, and through the Armoury of God, in which by our holy calling we are girt, we may lead captivity captive, and be more than Conquerors through him that loveth us. So that neither the fears of the day, nor the terrors of the night, of death, and hell, should separate us from the assured guard of thee, and thy Angels, the conductors and furtherers of our salvation. This thy great help, and especial assistance, we are continually enforced to crave, not for our own sakes: but for thy Son his sake, and that as he himself hath taught us in his most holy word, saving, Our Father which art in heaven, etc. To the Lord of Hosts and God of glory, our Creator: to thee o Christ jesus our Mediator, thee most holy Spirit proceeding from the Father, and the Son, be ascribed all praise and glory this night and for evermore. Amen, Amen. Another for the Evening. O Eternal God, and most merciful Father, we acknowledge and confess against ourselves, that our hearts and hands are full of all filthiness and sins whatsoever, and we are altogether unworthy to speak unto thee, or to come near thy presence: Nevertheless being so much bound unto thee, as this day past and all other times of our lives do witness: we most humbly offer unto thy holiness (by the hands of jesus Christ our Mediator) our humble duties of praise & thanksgiving for our Creation, Election, Redemption, Vocation, and Sanctification, with all other good graces appertaining to this life, or that which is to come. And namely, o Lord, our tongues, and lips shall glorify thee, sitting above the Cherubims, for preserving us this day past, from so many miseries, and casualties whereunto we might justly have fallen, if thou wouldst have entered into judgement with us: but Lord, thou art merciful, and passest by our manifold offences, to win us by thy long sufferance: we beseech thee make us thankful for thy mercies and careful to doethy will. O Lord, pardon and forgive v● all our sins, and grant us every day more and more the sight o● them, true, unfeigned sorrow, an● repentance for the same. Give us faith and grace to believe all the sweet promises that thou hast made to us in Christ jesus, both for the remission of our sins, and the hope of a better life, strengthen us from above with thy mighty hand to walk in every good way; and to bring forth the fruits of a true & lively faith in our lives and conversation all the days of our pilgrimage here. Arm us, o Lord, with thy grace and holy Spirit against all the corruptions of the world, the temptations of the devil, & the allurements of the flesh, and settle our minds to the continual exercise of devout prayer, with the hearing of thy sacred word, watching for thy coming both public and private. Continue thy goodness towards us in providing for us such things as are necessary for the maintenance of this present life, & bless the same under our hands, that the little which we have by thy goodness may be increased, and the increase may serve as well to furnish our necessary uses, as to minister unto the necessity of others, according to our abilities. Keep us Lord this night from all evils, which may happen either to our bodies or souls: Extend thy goodness towards all those that depend upon us, or we on them. Give us quiet sleep and rest, and when we shall awake, let all our thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law. Bless us, o Lord, all the nights and days of our lives, and at the end thereof, send us a blessed departure, and afterward a joyful resurrection unto life eternal, grant us these good things most merciful Father, and all other needful graces for jesus Christ his sake, in whose name we further call upon thee as our Lord and Saviour hath taught us in his Gospel, saying. Our Father which are in heaven, etc. A godly Meditation, wherein the distressed showeth his unfeigned grief and sorrow, for having offended so powerful a God, and so-mercifull and gracious a Father ALas that I offended ever, this God of gods, this Lord of powers; That can in pieces all men shiver, and overturn the stateliest towers: Ah, woe is me that I offended, and justly God stirred up to ire; Who by his Law hath sin condemned. unto the pit of endless fire. I daily see God's creatures all, justly for sin displeased with me; men's hearts are hardened and with gall, feed me that have offended thee: My God thy blessings all on earth, though duoest withhold and from me keep, Alas my soul sustains a dearth of grace, unto thy grace I creep. But what to do, or what to say, I know not Lord, but I know this; My griefs increase more day by day, my mirth is moan, bane is my bliss. One evil doth another call, like waves on waves in raging seas; My weary burden makes me fall, I find no comfort, help, nor ease, I hope of help, but that hope quails, in crosses are my comforts ended; I fly to Faith, but then Faith fails, when I need most to be defended, As if I were the only man, preposed by thine intendment; Whom heaven and earth must curse and ban, as subject of all punishment: Thy justice damns me, I appeal to mercy, then appealed I fear To be rejected, thus cold zeal, and secret sins with grief I bear. Shall I think it a fruitless task, unto my God for to repair; That sinners calls and bids them ask, and they shall have all things by prayer: Can it be bootless down to fall, before his throne of Majesty; And with repentant tongue to call, for pardon for mine iniquity. May not unfeigned cries, at last prevail with him that's pitiful, To pardon mine offences past, revive my soul which now is dull: I'll frame my heart to meditate, my tongue to utter what may please Him, whom best knoweth my estate, and seek his wrath for to appease. To him i'll go in Christ his name, in whom I know he is well pleased; And will confess my sin with shame, and so mine heart shall sure be eased: For Christ's sake look on me again, he is God all-sufficient; He doth behold and see my pain, my inward faithful hearts intent. He knoweth what I go about, all I think, speak, or do amiss He writes or notes without all doubt, in his remembrance book it is: I know he will in worth accept, what justly I intent to be; And cannot it perform, except he put his helping hand thereto; He knoweth that I am but flesh, and what is flesh but frail and ill: And what is man, a lump of trash, whom vain desires do fully fill: And will this God jehovah high, so strong and powerful set his might; Against a worm so weak as I, a silly man, a shade of night. What conquest can there be in God, to work revenge on me poor soul; Who still corrects me with his rod, whose justice doth my sins control: Shall I dispute with thee, nay rather, poor wretch I should fall prostrate down, And humbly kneel unto my Father, and pray with tears when he doth frown. If he afflict more, be it so, if further plague me, lead be so, If he will kill with pains and woe, do what he will, let it be so: For I am his, do what he will, with me and all that mine can be; It is his own, and must be still, there's no disputing (Lord) with thee. There is no Art, or Eloquence, can quench thy coals of burning ire; It is not words can make defence, nor friends can save me from the fire: Nor take me from thy powerful hands, so full of might, force, strength and power; Or break in sunder, thy strong bands, nor ease one minute of an hour. I'll yield me therefore to his will, Lord do what thy good pleasure is; Turn me as may, thy mind fulfil, i'll wait the time of happy bliss: I'll wait thy pleasure, time will come, wherein I may the issue see Of my afflictions all and some, and what thy purpose is with me. The mean time I will with thy word, consult and use my exercise; And comfort take through hope o Lord, refresh dull spirits, and clear dim eyes: With dew of thy sweet promises, laying aside all fleshly aid; I only rest on thy mercies, in holy word as thou hast said. And in true faith will I remain, and seek thee (being the true way) Wherein who walks, at length shall gain, true bliss and happiness for aye: Who this embraceth shall not err, wherein who lives, shall never dye; But wear a crown past reason far, and live with God eternally. An Evening Meditation. O Most dear Lord jesus, to whose everlasting goodness we are daily engaged for all the good things we have, which hast granted the cheerful light of the day unto all men, both good and bad, to follow their affairs and several employments in: and mercifully givest the sweet stillness of the night, to refresh their wearred bodies, and to put away the cares of their minds, and to assuage their sorrows we ●…seech thee that those things 〈…〉 have done amiss this day 〈…〉 our common imbecillit 〈…〉 gence, ignorance, or ●…g 〈…〉 rash and unadvised presumpti●… 〈…〉 wherein we have offended 〈…〉 cred eyes, they may be pa●… and forgiven for thy 〈…〉 goodness sake, and according 〈…〉 the innumerable multitude 〈…〉 mercy's. And grant herewithal that this night may be blessed and prosperous unto us, safe by thy protection over us, and free from the dangerous illusions of wicked spirits: so as this refreshment by quiet rest and sleep may make both our bodies and minds more cheerful to morrow, and we the more enabled to do thee service, and faithfully to follow those employments thou hast appointed for us, bless us o Lord, and water us with the dew of thy blessings, and let the drops of thy Son's blood, shed for our sins, and yet crying for mercy, distil into my heart by a lively Faith for the comfort of our souls, and the amendment of our sinful lives, we beseech thee, o Lord, take from us all manner of darkness, misbelief, infidelity, carnal lusts and affections, and so strengthen us with thy grace, that the Bark, of our weak Faith sink not through the storms of Satan's temptations: nor our hopes be over whelmed through the weight of our unworthiness, n●r any of thy good graces in us extinguished or blemished by the waves of a wicked conversation. Enter thy judgements into the tables of our hearts, that we may be content to spare of our ordinanary sleep, to muse of all thy Cōmand●ments, and that we may be more earnest upon the meditation of thy sacred word, than the Kings of the Nations have been to turn over their Records in the night season. Be mindful of us when well appen to forget ourselves, and think upon us, o Lord, sleeping and waking. Keep us, O Lord, this night present, even us, and ours, that we be neither disquieted by dreams, nor surprised by any sudden violence, nor affrighted by any terror: but grant us this freedom & liberty, that we may lie down in peace and rest, and rise up again in due time, safely; to the honour and glory of thy name, and the managing of our worldly business in thy fear, through jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour, Amen. A Prayer for Faith. O Lord our God, thou hast re●ea●ed in thy word, that the just should live by Faith, and that without ●aith it is impossible to please thee, and although a●… not faith, yet as many as are ordained to eternal life, by thy power and gift do truly believe. O Lord, I do believe, increase my faith, and help my unbelief; and grant that through hearing & reading of thy Word, I may grow strong in this grace, and increase from faith to faith. And open my heart, O Lord, as thou didst Lydias, that I may believe the Word to be thy Word, and thy promises therein contained, to be given not unto others but unto me: And that when thy word saith, Believe and ye shall be saved, my heart may presently answer thee, Command or say what thou wilt, I believe Lord, not historically, but sincerely from the bottom of my heart, Lord help my unbelief. And, O heavenly Father, grant for thy Son, my Saviour's sake, that when storms of temptations shall fall upon me, as on Peter on the water, yet beyond his example, having thy Word to support me, I may believe in thee; and though with the eyes of my flesh, I see no hope, but that my faith may frustrate me; yet like Peter I may not sink, but seek for further help from thee: and being assured that every word of promise is most certain, let me still, above hope, and beyond hope, believe in thee: yea, and though with holy job thou kill my body, yet will I trust in thee, for I know thou wilt save my spirit and unite them again, in the day of the Lord. Sweet Saviour, whensoever I shall be stung with the remembrance of my present, or passed sins, grant I may like the faithful israelites in the wilderness, look unto the pillar of thy Cross on which thou suffered'st death for my sins, and through the virtue thereof apprehended by faith (like the diseased Woman in her bloody issue, and perishing grief,) with one glance and touch of sincere and justifying Faith, be suppled, comforted, and cured, of my troubled spirit and wounded conscience: O heavenly Father grant that the oil of Faith in me, may never thorough temptation be weakened, much less utterly decayed; but as the oil in the widows Cruse, through thy blessing, be more and more increased: this grant for the honour of jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen. A Prayer for the Remission of sins, O Lord God in greatness infinite, in power omnipotent, in Counsel wonderful, and in judgement terrible, Although 〈◊〉 miserable sinner, have by thy justice truly deserved everlasting damnation for my horrible sins, yet I beseech thee cast me not away with th●m that have not known thee, or such as forget God, or such as run on in their wickedness and never say what have I done; for I appeal from thy rightful justice, to thine unspeakable mercy, and humbly cast down myself, at thy feet, and confess my sins, beseeching and begging compassion and pardon: behold, O Lord, I am a piece of that purchase that cost so great a price, as the blood of thy dear Son, my body and soul are the Temples of the holy Ghost, the posts whereof are sprinkled with his most precious blood, which cryeth for mercy: And therefore enter not into the course of judgement with me (for there I know I shall be overthrown) but forbear me, forgive me, and acquit me upon that satisfaction which he hath made for penitent sinners. O Lord, though the stipend of my sin be death, and the merit of my transgression, eternal perdition, yet is thy mercy above all thy judgements, and thou canst forgive more than I can offend; Wherefore I pray thee set thy dear Son's Cross and Passion betwixt thy judgements and my soul: Look upon me with the eye of mercy and compassion, as thou didst upon the sinful Woman at the banquet, and the Publican in the Temple, whole pardons are registered in thy Book for my Comfort. O Lord bow down the height of the Deity, to behold my vileness and misery (a lively image of the prodigal Son) who knew no other help but only thee my most loving Father, whom I have so highly offended; pour the oil of mercy into my defiled and fainting heart; search it that I may not flatter myself to extenuate my sin, cleanse it, and season it with the oil of thy grace, to receive and retain all goodness hereafter. Lord, I thank thee for thy patience, and long suffering, that thou hast not suddenly (after my desert) taken vengeance on me, but given me a longer time of repentance: wherefore I beseech thee appease thine anger towards me now, loose in me the works of darkness, create in me a new heart, and because thou expectest my amendment, that I may have thy favour; I beseech thee grant me thy favour, that I may amend: give me grace to repent unfeignedly with fasting, weeping, and mourning, and make my faith lively to believe that I am forgiven in jesus Christ. Let not the faults of my Forefathers light upon my head, who have walked in their sinful steps, neither be angry with me for their sakes; but let the welldoing of jesus Christ, who hath shed his blood for me, secure me and procure my pardon, for give all my sins of youth and age, negligences and ignorances, thoughts, words, and deeds, and keep me from presumptuous sins. O Lord, look not upon the Pharisie, for he dissembleth, nor upon the Publican first, for he sayeth little for himself in outward show, nor upon Mary Magdalen only, for she had but seven devils; but look upon me, that of sinners am chief, worse than either Pharisie, Publican, or Marie, who have as many sins as hairs upon my head, and a greater clog upon my Conscience, than any burden that man hath to bear, and do therefore openly, earnestly, unfeignedly and continually call upon thee. O Lord keep under Satan that he compel not my conscience to despair, quench all the evil motions of my mind, striving against thy divine pleasure, and restore in me the Image of thy Son, that I may live in thy fear, die in thy favour, rest in thy peace, rise in thy power, and remain in thy glory, for jesus Christ his sake, our only Lord and Saviour. Amen. In this Meditation, the distressed humbly confesseth his sins, and the vanities of his former times, lewdly misspent; and resolveth (and exhorteth all others) to return unto God with speedy, true and unfeigned repentance. AN heart that's broken and contrite, to God is a sweet sacrifice, Repentant sinners him delight, far more than just men in their eyes: What I have been, my God hath known, What I now am, the Lord doth see; What I shall be to him is shown, from him no secret kept can be. How I consumed so many years, misspent so many months and days. Both hours and minutes all appears, to God who marks my life and ways: Time is the mean that all things tries, Time worketh what men's wits devose. Time with his swiftness ever flies, And Time in time will make men wise. Fly from me follies of my youth, pack hence my sins that burdened me, Welcome to me is Age and Truth, now I by faith in Christ will be: Whose sins do make my heart to bleed, let them examples take by me Whose wickedness all men's exceeds, come Lord in mercy: pardon me. Lord now let me depart in peace, I ●●ele thy rod, I find thy love: My pains do grow, my joys increase, this mercy comes from thee above: My sickness is a present mean, to heal and cure my wounds of sin: Lord purge all my corruptions clean, and let my death my life begin. A Prayer for the forgiveness of Sins. Eternal God and loving Saviour, before thy Baptism, thou didst send john the Baptist to preach remission of sins, through repentance and faith in thy name: And after thou wert Baptised, and entered into thy Ministry, thou that didst exhort all that were weary, and laden with their sins, to come unto thee, saying, that thou camest to call sinners to repentance, and that the whole had no need of the Physician, but the sick. Wherefore, o Lord, being deadly sick, with the sense of my sins, and with the Samaritan wounded unto death: I entreat thee in the tears of a sorrowful heart, to wash me, not only my hands, feet, and head, but also my heart from sin. O Lord power into my wounds the oil of mercy, that it may pacify and quiet my mind in thee. O Lord wash me with the blood of thy Son, as with Hyssop, for I have with the Prodigal son, and Lost sheep erred in the vanity of my mind. But, o Lord, as Philip found Nathaniel, when he looked not for him; So by true repentance, and hearty confession, let me be found of thee, and in thee, now seeking after thee. O Lord I thirst after thee, and for thee, wherefore send thy holy Spirit into me, to mollify and comfort my hard and unrepentant heart. O Lord, it cannot by nature, enter into my mind, that I am so wretched a sinner, but by thy word as unto Nichodemus, thou hast made me to see, that except by true repentance I be regenerate, and so, as it were, borne again, I cannot enter into the Kingdom of heaven; that is, possibly be saved. But, o Lord, thou hast made me to know sin, and how sin became sin, by the reverend use of thy word, for though there be sin in us, before the knowledge of thy Law, yet sin without thy Law was not imputed: but thou hast given us Christians, this thy law as a touchstone, to know sin, and that sin is the transgression of the Law, for if there were no Law, there would be no transgression, wherefore thy Law which was ordained unto me unto life, by the search thereof, hath slain me unto death, and made me immeasurably sinful, for by the Law, thou hast made me to know sin, which by no other means I could know, or should ever have found out, for how should I have known lust to be sin, if thou hadst not said I should not lust. Wherefore, O Lord, seeing it is so with me, that I do the evil which I would not, and leave undone the good that I would, bind this strong man in me, that though Sin dwell in me, yet he may not reign over or rule in me, yea mortify the wicked deeds of my flesh, by thy holy word, and mighty operation of thy spirit. O grant that by the dying of the Lord jesus, sin in all his kinds and force, may be subdued, and dye in me: lest that thereby I be made to come short of thy glory, which thou hast promised to all repentant sinners. Good God grant, that I may not yield my members, servants unto sins, but reserve them servants unto thee, in true righteousness and holiness, all the days I have to live in this life. O Lord, as Ammon hated his sister Tamar, after he had abused her with himself, and himself with her, so that he could not abide ●ere, (nor (well might) himself) by reason of himself: give me grace, I may hate sin, not only after, but before it is committed with no less indignation than they did each other, and thou them both. O Lord let the old man that is in me, be so crucified with Christ in the power of his death, that I may henceforth be no more servant unto sin, for that thou hast said, that a carnal man living in sin, cannot please thee. O Lord give me thy spirit that I may hate the things of the flesh, which are nothing but sand against thee, and love the things of thy spirit, as joy in the holy Ghost, peace of conscience, long-suffering, patience in bearing, and forbearing wrongs, with faith and the like graces and fruits of thy most holy spirit. O Lord, seeing I have, to the subduing of sin, desired the gift of thy holy spirit, let me be careful, by the use of all holy means, to walk in the spirit. And seeing thou hast condemned sin, in him that knew no sin, for my sake, O Lord condemn it not in me again; and as the first birth is nothing but sinful Adam, Lord grant that by this my second birth, I may be a continual living spiritual man in Christ: thus having confessed my sins with hearty sorrow, I beseech thee, for my Saviour his sake, to forgive me my sin, and to strengthen me all the days of my life to come, that with the man in the Gospel I may follow thy heavenly counsel and sin no more, neither in action, affection, nor intention, lest this my confession and contrition should be in vain, which, O Lord forbid, for thy Christ his sake. Amen. Amen. The Repentant complaineth of the grievousness of his sins, and desireth mercy and pardon, and to be delivered from Sin, and the guilt and punishment thereof. HIdden, O Lord, are my most horrid sins, unto the world, though open plain to thee, He never betters, that no time begins, corruption killeth all good thoughts in me. What sin doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours, but doth increase like monsters huge in me, Committing them, both minutes, days & hours as swift as time, so fast grow they in me. Rend thine own flesh, & tear thy wretched hair, scrape clean corruptions marrow from thy bones: Put out thine eyes, cut off thy tongue stop ears; lame all thy senses, to kill sin at once. I fain would walk, that know not how to creep, I am oppressed with such most heinous crimes: When I should walk, sin drowneth me with sleep, for one good thought I sin a thousand times. Sigh, O my soul, weep, sorrow, and lament, and seek for help, if any hope be left, Pray unto Christ for grace thou mayst repent, before his merits from thee be bereft. Though by his rod, afflictions humble thee, and for thy sins thou suffer grievous pain, Yet with his flesh he still upholdeth thee, from deep despair, in bliss with him to reign. All glory be to God on high, and to his Son, our Saviour wise and just: To whom with joy, still pray and sing will I, and to my Comforter the holy Ghost, Whose being was from all eternity, one Deity distinct in persons three, According to the blessed Trinity, distinguished to three, yet one in unity. Abba, been, Ruach, sacred trinity, one drop of Nectar Lord on me bestow, That glorious blood to cure sins misery, that all mankind thy love to me may know. Let not sins hire, nor grievous punishment be condemnation to my stained soul, Be pleased with Christ his all-sufficient payment, who ransomed us from sins eternal thralls. A prayer to be said on a Sunday morning, for the right sanctifying of the Sabbath. O Lord of Sabbath, that in the beginning after the finishing of the six days works, in which by thy most mighty word, thou didst create the heaven and the earth, and produce all this wonderful variety of things which we perceive every day most admirably to be made, not only in the sensible, but also in all insensible living things: of all which works, thou hast caused man, chiefly to excel, having in him most curiously epitomised all the glory of this earthly fabric, and for all this thy great goodness, thou hast done unto him, hast only required of him, that he in the contemplation of these created things, not only without, but within himself, might find out thee, a loving Father and Creator; and do unto thee that high homage, that thou hast commanded on this day, not as slaves, and servants, but as sons filled with all duty & obedience, which that we might do, thou hast charged us, on the seventh day to remember our Creator, not only by refraining our servile labour, which in the six days thou hast appointed us, but by leaving the wicked works of darkness, unto which we are by nature, and wicked desires, so much addicted. O Lord grant that I may sequester myself, this day unto thy praise, not only in thy holy Congregation, but in the secret cogitations of my heart. And grant that every word, or thing that I shall this day, hear with my ears, or see with my eyes, may be so digested in my soul, as fit subjects, out of which I may be occasioned to magnify thy praise and glory. O heavenly Father, grant that all those Sabbath days which have passed in my youth and manhood, while I knew thee not, may be now recalled, by double diligence, in the devout hearing of thy Word, receiving of the Sacraments, and calling upon thy name, which on this day thou hast for ever commanded to be done unto thee in thy Church and holy Congregation. And, O Lord, let my heart depart, edified in thy most holy fear, not for the present while I am hearing, but for ever while I shall live, and let some part of thy holy Word, which I shall hear expounded this day, abide in me, that at all times, when I shall have occasion, or be called thereunto, I may be fitted and furnished, to give a full account, and reason, of the hope I have in thee. O Lord, thy Apostles have called this day, not now the seventh day from the Creation, but the first day, and the Lords day, putting us in mind of that high and admirable benefit of our Redemption, as on this day accomplished by his glorious resurrection, for the which we can never tender too much thanks, neither public nor private. O Lord, make my heart like the good ground, mentioned in the Parable, that when it had received good seed, it brought forth, thirty, sixty, and an hundreth fold: so most sweet Saviour grant, that I may have thy Word so deeply rooted, by the power of thy holy spirit, this day sent down into my heart, that I may bring it forth in an hundreth fold, thy power in my salvation. And let it abide this day and ever in my soul, the most sweet savour of life unto life: O Lord drive from me all impediments, arising from the thoughts of the world, the flesh and the devil, by which Satan laboureth, to frustrate in me, the saving hearing of thy Word: and make me to hear thy precious Word with all reverence and humility, not as the word of man, but as it is indeed the word of God. And seeing thou hast said, not the hearers of the law, but the doers of the law are justified: O Lord make me a doer of the law. And as thou hast again said, Blessed are ye, if ye do these things. Wherefore Lord that I may be capable of thy blessing, grant that this day, when I have heard, I may do the things, and (as thy blessed Mother) pondered all thy sayings, and laid them up in her heart, to remember them. O sweet Saviour, help me this day and other days and times, so often as I shall hear thy word, or read the same, that my memory may be so quick and fresh, that I may retain and remember all, that shall most especially concern me: and not to be filled with idle knowledge, but with constant doing, that I may be accepted among those builders, that set their house upon the rock, most blessed Lord let me not be so simple, as to think myself blessed, by bare looking into thy law, by an outward conformity, in coming to thy Church to hear, lest in so doing, I become as a forgetful hearer, that offers to thee a sacrifice of fools, and so in sanctifying this thy Sabaoth so idly, thou cast me out among the hypocrites, the chief profaners of the Sabbath in the burning lake, and unquenchable fire. O Lord, let no wicked temptation of sathan, or of my flesh, enter into my mind in the hearing of thy Word, to make it unsavoury, or bitter unto my soul, but let it be this day and ever, more sweet unto my soul, than honey unto my lips. O Lord, let it be in some measure, my meat and drink to do thy will; and grant that I may this day, learn so much thereof, that I may become wiser than my Teachers, or those that regard not to keep thy law, grant all these my requests, most loving Lord, both to me and all thine, this day and for evermore. Amen. Amen. A Prayer for godly zeal. O Lord, knowing that zeal doth savour our knowledge, sweeten our understanding, confirm our faith, and make acceptable all our sacrifices and services unto thee; and being a most excellent and perfect gift that cometh from thee, the Father of gifts, and how all thy servants, Moses, josuah, Phineas, Samson, David, S. Paul, and Stephen, and all the rest of the Prophets and holy Martyrs, both ancient and late have abounded herein. I do prostrate and cast down myself, before thy most high Majesty: beseeching thee to give me this coal from thine Altar, that I may delight my soul to be talking, and singing thy continual praise, and inflame my spirit, (like the men that travailed to Emmaus) to be astonished in admiration and contemplation of thy exceeding love. O God my Saviour, let not my zeal be heady, preposterous, or ignorant zeal, that there with I may neither offend thee, disquiet thy Church, or afflict myself, as the Scribes and Pharisees in jerusalem, and the Israelites in the absence of Moses, at mount Sinah: or as Saul in his Pharisaical devotion, give me not knowledge without zeal, nor zeal without knowledge, and that all my understanding in thy Word, may evermore be mixed with true zeal: O let not my zeal be above knowledge, lest while I think to serve thee in the breath of charity, by the distemper thereof, I be enforced to dishonour and blaspheme thee, as the blind Heathen, ignorant Papists, or undiscreet Protestants at this day do. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of my Advocate and Mediator jesus Christ. Amen. A fervent Prayer unto God, that the repentant may find favour in Christ. ATtend unto my tears, O Lord, regard my woeful moan: And seek to save me by thy Word, or I am overthrown. For sin doth so oppress my mind, that I am damned to hell, Unless by Christ I favour find, whose wounds must make me well. Cure thou my soul so sick with sin, by merits of thy Son: Mark not the estate that I live in, but mark what he hath done. Most perfect he (though I be vild) to please when I offend: He sits with thee, (though I exiled) in glory to the end. My nature is inclined to evil, though his with good accord: My senses seek to serve the devil, his will to please the Lord. Wherefore, O God, that art most just, in him my debts to pay: In his desert my soul doth trust thy wrath for to allay. O Father, full of knowledge deep, thou searchest secrets of each heart; Beholdest desires we private keep, with hidden silence in the dark: But yet thou dost thus much require, thy children should know and confess: Thee for to be their lightsome fire, that judgest their works in righteousness. As thou hast framed in man a heart. wherewith his Maker to believe, A tongue, and lips, and every part, wherewith he glory may thee give. And thou dost challenge at his hands, free sacrifice of prayers praise: And honours due throughout all lands, that all men canst deject and raise. Thy Children must not in their mind be dumb, nor in their tongues be mute, When they should seek thy help to find, and by petition show their suit. Thy Son doth bid me ask and have, and find to seek, to knock to enter. What they do want, that they may crave, by faith in him they may adventure. Thou still art ready to be found, and help thine own in their distress, That in their faith are constant found, and patient in their heaviness. Therefore, dear Father, I beset with many miseries distressed: Come unto thee thine aid to get, and after trouble to find rest. And have thy Grace without, within: but I that am of sinners chief: Because thou hat'st in me my sin, they doubt thou wilt not give relief: Alas poor wretch what shall I do? to ask I am so far unfit, Unapt, my God, to ask unto, unworthy to have benefit. Of what I crave, or do desire, and yet to cry I will not lin: Till thou dost send refining fire and purify me from my sin. A Prayer for the obtaining of Faith, Hope, and Charity, and all Christian virtues. O Lord, and Father of lights, from whom proceedeth every good and perfect gift: I beseech thee to bless me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ. Increase the little grain of my weak and feeble Faith, direct it to the true object, the merits of Christ jesus, and let it not be bare and bad, but effectually working by love. Make me strong therein, and constant to give credit to thy Word without doubting, and protect me among the diverse and manifold errors, sects, and heresies of this world that fight against the foundation. Lord let me not be disappointed of my hope which I have in thee: but make good thy promises unto me, and so work in my heart, that I may have courage in conflict, patience in trouble, and comfort in all things. Keep me from insolency and pride, and grant me true humility, and lowliness of mind, that I be not puffed up to contemn my brethren, but give me that due consideration of my own vileness, and infirmities, that as dust and ashes I may tremble, and stand in awe of thy judgements, and as a sinful man, esteem better of others than myself. O dear Father, when Satan shall accuse me, my own conscience bear witness against me, the whole world forsake me, and all things set themselves against me for my sins; then strengthen me in thy Faith, that I fall not from thee: inflame my cold heart with the unfeigned affection of heavenly love, that I may love thee (O blessed Trinity) withal that I have, above all, & my neighbour as myself. Grant me a compassionate and a charitable mind, to help and succour others to my ability, to forbear and forgive them though they be mine enemies. Inflame me with love and charity towards all men, to forgive and forget, to do good, to pray for them, that I may follow the steps of my Saviour: open the eyes of my understanding, and help me to examine myself, concerning my knowledge, faith, and repentance: send me the hunger and thirst after righteousness, and make me verily and fully partaker of all the benefits of that bitter passion of my Lord & Saviour jesus Christ, To whom with thee and thy most holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, this day and for evermore. Amen. Amen. The sighs and meditations of an afflicted conscience. O Most merciful God, which by the sending of thy Son into the world, hast brought to pass, that where sin abounded, there grace abounded much more, I forlorn wretch disquieted in mind and afflicted in conscience, for fear of thy judgements upon my sin, do with bended knees and tears unfeigned, a most humble Suppliant, beg and crave of thee some succour and relief; open, open the gates of thy mercies to the greatness of my miseries: my abject countenance witnesseth my distressed mind. My spirit is sorrowful, my heart is heavy, my words are stopped with sighs, and my plants watered with tears: to thee I hold up my hands, to thee I lift up my heart, to thee 〈◊〉 pray, requiring thee of mercy, O Lord, what shall I desire of ●hee, that deserve nothing at thy ●ands? What can I hope for that ●m even heartless? Lord, if thou ●ast said, Shall not my soul be avenged on such a one as this? remember thy promise elsewhere; I will have mercy on him that could find no mercy, and let it light upon me: if Satan prefume that GOD hath forsaken him, think upon the decree for the seed of the woman, and let the power of thy son's passion, defeat all the devices of the devil against me. O Lord hear me speedily: if thou do not, I shall be helpless and hopeless, for my conscience accuseth me, my memory gives evidence against me, and my reason condemneth me. My spirit is weary of this bondage, and I have bid my life farewell. My conscience is clogged, when I behold the bloody wounds of my soul the voice of joy and mirth 〈◊〉 gone from me, I am deeply plu●ged in discomfort, I have neither worth to appease thy wrath, no patience to endure thine indigna●tion. I pray thee therefore sen● the comfort of thy holy Spirit i● to my heart, and strengthen my faith, that I be not swallowed up with over much heaviness. O Lord, let thy majesty appear in thy mercy, forgive my sins, the unhappy ground of all this woe, and I am recovered of all mine infirmities. Try not the law with me, lest I come to judgement, sanctify all those good means unto me wherein I seek relief, as prayer, reading, and hearing of thy holy Word: moderate and mitigate my vexation, increase faith, establish hope, grant patience, and keep me from despair. Take away this Cup from me if it be thy will, if not, suffer me not to be tempted above my strength, I have an humbled and contri●e heart (O Lord) look upon me: I go mourning all the day long, & am like to him that is at the point ●o dye. O Lord comfort me, thou ●hat wilt not break a bruised ●eed, spare me, thou that deligh●est not in the death of a sinner, revive me, though my heart condemn me, yet good Lord acquit me, relieve me, release me, say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Harken Lord unto my Prayer, and grant my requests, for jesus Christ's sake. Amen, The distressed prayeth to be sanctified, and to enjoy the renewed graces of regeneration. O Lord, me throughly sanctify, untie my tongue, open my lips: I cannot silence keep, for why my conscience every hour me whips. My miseries grow more and more, within my bones I find no rest: Thy grace anew to me restore, and let me speak what likes thee best. Let thine ears ever be inclined, to my extreme and doleful cries: Let me thy mercies ready find, to take my tears from weeping eyes. Thou evermore dost hear the cries, of all that fear thy holy name; And com●ortst them with thy mercies, that trust in thee, and beg the same. Their souls thou dost from death defend, and cheers their heart in time of need: To me therefore thy comforts send, and give thy help with loving speed: Thy servants cannot hold their tongue, though oft they muse, and cannot see: Why th●i● afflictions last so long, and they for mercy ●rie to thee. Till at the length the fire of zeal, doth kindle, than it out must break: Tongue cannot hold, but must reveal, their groans, & griffes, & needs must speak, To show their hope which like to fire, none can suppress when they believe. T will pierce the clouds, to thee aspire, yet thou dost seem no help to give. At last thy goodness doth appear, and thou embracest him with ●…y: Time of deliverance draweth near, and thou Lord freedst him from annoy: Good God how cometh this to pass, that I so long have sought to thee: And thou still seem'st to hide thy face, and keep'st thy graces still from me. How long have I unto thee prayed, and thou seem'st not to give me ear: This makes mine heart and thoughts afraid, ready to faint with deep despair. I ready was for to surcease, the suit which I so long had sought, Made unto thee, for to appease thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought. O Lord my God thy promises, and loving kindness only feed And comfort me in heaviness, with never dying hope in need, I know expected time will come, when thou for getting all my sin, W●lt see my sorrows, all and some, and free the bondage I am in. A Prayer in affliction or adversity. MOst merciful Redeemer, which art always full of compassion, thou art always our preserver, whether thou sendest us adversity or prosperity, for great is thy mercy and compassion, in that thou healest the inward man by outward afflictions, as it were by bitter medicines, and preparest us to everlasting joys, by temporal troubles. And forasmuch as thou thyself hast traced us out this true way to felicity by thine own footsteps: grant that I may patiently and obediently drink this cup, which thou reachest unto me. Grievous indeed are these things unto my nature, but yet thou hast suffered grienouser things for me: and I have deserved far grievouser things than these, for I have deserved hell fire. Notwithstanding, ●hou knowest the frailty of man's estate; and therefore like the merciful Samaritan, thou pourest wine into our wounds, which maketh our vices to smart, but yet thou alayest it with the oil of thy comfort. If thou think meet to increase our griefs, increase thou also the gift of patience, and grant that these afflictions may turn us to the amendment of our sinful deeds: or if thy fatherly loving kindness think this thy gentle chastisement to be sufficient: let this storme●p●sse, that although heaviness endure for a night, a moment, joy may come in the morning; grant unto us in both respects a reverend thankfulness, as well for amending and reforming thy unprofitable s●ruant by gentleness; as also for that thou hast removed the cup of affliction, or allayed the bitterness of it, by the sweetness of thy mercy. To thee therefore be thanks and praise for ever. Amen. Amen. Meditations upon the passion of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. What man is this, whom I behold all bloody, bowing down his head for weakness towards his shoulders, his body all tormented with scourges, stripes, & grieous wounds, crowned with a Garland of thorns, pricking and piercing to the brain, and thus fastened to an ignominious Cross? What heavy or heinous crime hath he done, to deserve this intolerable and unspeakable torment? What judge could be so cruel to sentence him to it? or what remorseless or merciless Executioners could be found to deal so outrageously with this tender and peerless body. Notwithstanding the deformity of these bloody wounds, yet is this matchless body fairer than the Sons of men. Surely it is jesus Christ the Son of the living God: Oh he is my Lord and Saviour jesus that is thus crucified for my sin, and for my sake. Oh, art thou he that excellest all men in beauty 〈◊〉 in whose lips was never fou●… guile, and from whom proceeded such gracious words as never man spoke? where then is that beauty of thine? where is that grace of thy lips? Oh, I see it not, I find it not, fleshly eyes conceive not so great a mystery: open thou the eyes of my mind, bring thy divine light nearer unto me, and bring me powerfully and more seriously to behold thee in this thine agony and passion. I see it is jesus the Son of God, the unspotted Lamb, without sin, without fault, without offence, which took my wickedness upon him, to the intent that I being set free from sin, might be brought again into God's favour, rise again from my fall: return home again from banishment, and attain the end for which I was created: that which I deserved, he suffered, and that which I could never attain unto, ●e giveth. O my Redeemer, deliverer, and Saviour, draw me to thee, that being always mindful of thy death, trusting always in thy goodness, and being always thankful for thy unspeakable benefits, I may be made partaker of so great reward, and not be separated from thee, through mine own unthankfulness: Oh let not thy most humble investment of humanity be in vain in respect of me, nor thy unspeakable (and by thee alone endured) torments be ineffectual, but valuable and all-sufficient for the eternal salvation of my soul and body: whom thou hast redeemed and sanctified with that thy most glorious and inestimable blood, shed at the time of Passion upon the Crosse. 2. Oh, I behold thee, crucified for my soul: Oh that thou wouldst also crucify me with thee, that I might utterly die in all carnal affections, and so live to thee, or rather my sweet Saviour thou in me, than should I rest perfectly assured (as by faith in thee and thy promises I do) to live in thee, and to arise by thee and with thee to life everlasting: thy flesh is crucified, O Christ: crucify thou the power of sin that reigneth in me: grant I may put off the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin, and be freed from all wickedness, unbelief, hardness of heart, and dominion of all manner sin and Satan. Let thy yoke become sweet, and thy burden lightsome to me, through thy most grievous Passion. 3. O most high & mighty singular obedience, wherethrough thou didst submit thyself to innumerable torments, yea even to a most grievous, most bitter and most reproachful death, because thy heavenly Father (for the Redemption of mankind) had decreed it so. O splendour and brightness of thy Father's glory, O Sun of righteousness, always shining full of grace and glory, show us where thou feedest in the heat of the day, and where thou shrowdest thy Sheep from the cold, and thy little Lambs from the storms of thy Father's burning wrath and fearful indignation: Oh that we might be transformed into that lively and sensible Image of thy Passion, that we might always dwell in thee, and thou in our hearts by faith, rooted, and grounded in charity, so as we might with all thy holy ones, comprehend the length, breadth, height, & deepness of thine agony & bitter passion. 4. I see a wonderful kind of love, thy highness boweth down the head, that we might be certainly assured that thou wilt graciously hear us and help us, thou offerest the kiss of reconciliation and atonement, yea and that of thine own accord, being the party grieved and wronged, unto us that have done the wrong. Thou reachest out thine arms to embrace us: thou stretchest out thy bored hands to give us all things abundantly without holding any thing back: thy side is open to thine heart to receive us in thither, if we will enter in at the open door, thy feet are fast nailed to the intent, that we may know thou wilt never depart from us, if we depart not from thee. O Father and Lord of ours, thou seest the hardness of our heart, and much rather the dulness of it. It is not enough for us to be alured and called so gently, so sweetly, and so lovingly; but thou must be feign even to draw us, pull us, and violently hale us unto thee: create new and obedient hearts in us, for this we have is more ungentle than the cursed jews, and more hard than the stones that clove in compassion of thine innocent and yet most cruel Passion. 5. O Lord jesus Christ, the everlasting sweetness, and triumph of them that love thee, exceeding all joy and all longing, thou saver and lover of repentant sinners, which dost acknowledge thy delight to be among the children of men, and therefore in the end of times becammest man for man's sake: Remember all the sorrows which thou didst endure, even from the instant of thy conception in thy humane nature, and from thy cradle to thy cross. Remember the bitter sorrow which thou didst suffer and endure when thou saidst, My soul is heavy even unto death. And at the institution of the commemoration of thy death, when thou didst wash thy Disciples feet, & comforting them sweetly, toldest them of thy Passion that was at hand: Remember the sorrow, anguish, and grief, which thou didst suffer throughout thy whole tender body, before thy suffering upon the Cross, at such time as after thrice praying, thou didst sweat water like to blood, was betrayed by one of thine own Disciples, apprehended by thine own chosen people, accused by false witnesses, condemned wrongfully by three judges in thy chosen City, at the time of the Passeover, in the flourishing youth of thy body: and being utterly guiltless, was delivered to the cruel jews, bespetted, stripped out of thine own garment, clothed with another body's apparel, buffeted, blindfolded, and smitten with sinful fists, bound, scourged, and crowned with thorns. 6. O most sweet jesus, I beseech thee make me mindful of these thy pains and sufferings which thou hast endured for my sins, that I might be discharged, and set free from them, and my reconciliation and peace be made with thy Father through thy chastisement, by whose sorrowful stripes we are healed: make me to abhor all such hateful sin, and cursed disobedience, which could not be put away, without thy so grievous punishments. Make me to be heartily sorry, for my sinfulness, and to eschew mine offences, which draw thee to the suffering of so great torments: make me mindful of thy great love to me, and to all mankind, and let the infiniteness thereof kindle an unfeigned love in me towards thee and my neighbour. Let this thy unmeasurable goodness breed in me a willing mind, and desire to abide all things patiently for thy sake, and for the truth of thy Gospel: And let it engender in me, a despising of all worldly and earthly things, and an earnestly longing, and endeavour to attain to the heavenly inheritance for the purchasing whereof unto me, and for the bringing of me thereunto, thou hast endured these, & all other thy most bitter, and intolerable torments, at the time of thine agony and passion. Wherefore I beseech thee grant me true repentance, amendment of life, perseverance in all goodness, a steadfast faith, and a happy death through the merits of thy sufferings, that I may a so be made partaker of thy blessed Resurrection. Amen. 7. O Lord jesus, the very freedom of the Angels, and the pleasure of Paradise, remember the terror and grief which thou didst endure at the time, when as all thine enemies stood round about thee like a sort of roaring Lions, vexing thee with buffet, spetting, scratchings, and other intolerable dealings, and marturing thee with reproachful words, grievous stripes, and most grievous torments. I beseech thee, O Lord, for thine own sake, and for thy exceeding great mercies sake, which caused thee to endure and suffer these things, for our redemption; deliver me from all mine enemies, visible and invisible, and grant that I may find protection in this life, and endless felicity in the life to come. Amen. Amen. O Lord, the Creator and framer of the world, whom no measure can comprehend within bounds, and which holdest the earth in thine hand; call to mind thy most bitter pain which thou didst endure, when they nailed thy most holy hands to the Cross, and likewise pierced through thy most tender feet, making thy wounds still more and more painful, and so drawing and stretching out thy body to the length and breadth of the cross: I beseech thee grant that my continual minding of this thy most holy and bitter pains upon the Cross, may also cause me to stand in awe of thee, and also to love thee with an unquenchable love. 8. O jesus, the heavenly Physician, remember the anguish, pain, and grief, which thou didst suffer by the renting, crucifying, & tearing of all the parts of thy body, when thou wert lifted up, and nailed to the Cross: insomuch as there was not any one of them whole and unbruised, so that there was never any pain found like unto thine: for there was not any place of thee left whole, from the sole of the foot, to the crown of the head, and yet even then (unmindful of all thy pains) thou prayedst earnestly and mildly for thine enemies, saying: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, I beseech thee by thy loving kindness and mercy, which caused thee to suffer these pains for my sake, let thy passion be the full satisfaction, absolution, and pardon for all my sins. Amen. 9 O jesus, the mirror of eternal brightness, and fountain of unconsumeable goodness, which crucifying upon the Cross, didst thirst for the salvation of mankind. I beseech thee kindle in us the desire of all good works, & quench in us the thirst and concupiscence of all fleshly lusts, and both cool and kill in us the love of all worldly delight. O Princely jesus, the strength and triumph of our minds, which for our sakes didst suffer such anguish of heart, that the bitterness of thy death, and the exclamation of the jews, upbraiding and reviling thee, made thee to cry out with a loud voice: O God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? I beseech thee forsake me not in my distress; but be at hand to comfort me, and deliver me, especially at the time of death. O jesus, the bottomless sea of all mercy, I beseech thee by the deep wounds, which pierced through thy flesh, into the marrow of thy bones, and into the very bowels of thee; pull me out of the gulf of my sins, and hide me in the holes of thy wounds, from the sight of thy Father's just wrath, until his displeasure be overpassed. 10. O Lord, the mirror of truth, the standard of unity, and the bond of charity, remember thine innumerable wounds wherewith thou wert torn from top to toe by the wicked jews, so that thou wert all on a gore blood: which torment thou didst suffer in that most holy body of thine for our sakes: O most sweet and mild jesus, leaving nothing undone on thy behalf, that might be for our benefit. I beseech thee write the memorial of these thy bloody wounds in my heart, with thy most precious blood, that in them I may read thy great love towards me: let the remembrance of them be laid up continually in the closet of my heart, that the consideration of the pains and griefs which thou suffered'st for my sake in thy passion, may make me to love thee more and more, and never to give over, until I be come unto the treasure of all goodness & joys, which I beseech thee to grant me for thine own sake, O most sweet jesus. Amen. 11. O jesus, the only begotten Son of the heavenly Father, and the brightness and Image of his substance, remember thy hearty commending of thy spirit into thy Father's hands, when having thy body all torn, and thy heart full of anguish, and sorrow, and the curse of our bloody sins pressed thee even to the death, and to the expiration of thy humane soul. I beseech thee for this thy precious death's sake, O King of Saints, give me strength to withstand the devil, the world and the flesh, that being dead to the world, I may live only unto thee: And whensoever this wayfaring and banished poor soul of mine, shall depart hence, I beseech thee receive it home into the hands and protection of thy mercy, and grant it may be dear and precious in thy sight, and live and remain with thee in glory for evermore. Amen. 12. O jesus, the true & fruitful vine, remember the abundant flowing out, and shedding of thy blood, which thou didst send out of thy body most plentifully, as out of Grapes, pressed at the winepress, at which time as thou didst tread the wine-fatte alone, and begannest to us of the cup of water and wine, which streamed forth out of thy most glorious side. I beseech thee O most sweet jesus, by this most bitter death of thine, and by the shedding of thy most precious blood: wound my heart with such repentance of my sins, and ●oy of thy love, as my tears may be my food, day and night. Turn ●hou me wholly unto thee, that my heart may dwell with thee continually, and my conversation be acceptable unto thee: And let my life be such, through thy goodness, as I may praise thee ●or ever, with all thy Saints in the ●ife to come. Amen. O Lord jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who thirsting ●or the full accomplishment of man's redemption, didst taste of ●he vinegar and gall despitefully offered unto thee, and didst dying upon the Cross, commend ●hy spirit into the hands of thy heavenly Father: So do I betake my soul into thy merciful hands, beseeching thee both to preserve it here from all sin, and in the end to receive it in peace into the company of thy chosen that are departed, that I may with them praise thee everlastingly, which livest and raignest with the Father and the holy Spirit, coequal and coeternal, one glorious, wonderful, and immortal God, for ever and ever. Amen Amen. In the pangs of death, and in all tribulations, the Remedies to be learned in the sufferings of Christ. what's death? a separation of mortal body from our breath, What's that? but a cessation, from cares, and from a living death. What's that cessation? Why, it is a sleep, by which we wholly are refreshed: Yea but in sleep, who shall us keep? even he that guards his own redeemed. But who made death? it was made by sin, and what is sin? the law's transgression: Of that how should I vantage win? all sin is weakened by confession. But by death's dint, 'tis overcome, and whence came sin? from hell beneath? When was't first bred? in Mother's womb: when will it end? not till our death. This seemeth strange, but this is true, by nature sin is hatched in us, Old Adam's Rules, till God renew. Why then I see the case stands thus. As sin goes in, so life goes out: as sin goes out, so life comes in: So by the Lord 'tis brought about, sin conquers life, life conquers sin. Though life by sin be still annoyed. and sin of death by strength and sting: Yet viperous sin by death's destroyed, life killeth death, when death kills sin, The death of body, or of nature, is that where to all subject be: Cause sin hath taintod every creature, according unto God's decree. When bodies life doth ●ade away, and we give up our dying ghost: And th●… our corpses is clad in clay, and unto God our soul●s doth post: It is ordained and decreed, that all men by necessity, Through that first Adam's sinful deed, are subject, made the death to dye. To dye for sin, 'tis due for sin, to aye in sin a heavy case, To dye to sin is to begin, to leave our sin and live to grace; The death in sin without repenting, in affect, effect, and aspecting In thinking, doing, and frequenting, and offered grace of God rejecting. I wretched woeful execrable, have plague of God, by sin, for sin, Of miseries most miserable, to them that live and dye therein: But he that dies, before he dies, when he is dead, he is not dead, But old age dies, and he shall rise, with glory from the grave his bed. And he that's touched with conscience prick, whose sense of sin is sharp and quick, That man is sick ere he is sick, and when he's sick, he is not sick. I look poor wretch on mine estate, and others monish by mine harms: That was near death but now of late, by sin enchanted by her charms. Had I not died, sure I had died, O happy Phoenix living death, Still let my flesh be mortified, O let me breathe a living breath. Sweet jesus thou didst dye for me, and in thy death with thee I died, O live in me, and I in thee shall live, and evermore abide. And worm's meat thou, dirt, clay & slime, kill carnal lust thy soul to save: Quail vild affections, whilst hast time, that life through death, by grace mayst have: Shake hands with sins and all offences, and learn to dye, before thou die. When bidst adieu unto thy senses, then shalt thou live eternally. The cause of death. The cause of death is wicked sin, for out of sin, our death did flow: From thence did all our plagues begin out of this tree, our ills did grow. Hunger, fire, death, and all, created were for punishment: And laid on man for Adam's fall, and was the cause of our torment. God said to Adam, Scripture saith, what hour soever thou shalt eat, Thou shalt be sure to dye the death; do thou not taste forbidden meat: Through envious malice of the devil, into the world came this estate: Sins entered with all actions evil by Adam's fault, not by our Fate. Two sorts of death, from death by sin, proceeds as effects from their cause: The death of nature, doth begin, and death of grace next by God's laws. By which we are made slaves for ever in darkness, called death eternal: From worm of conscience freed never, deprived of all the joys supernal. As by example evident, two sorts of death approved well: The glutton rich to hell was sent, his body buried quick in hell. And Lazarus poor beggar dead, to Abraham's bosom carried is: With Angel's wings with glory spread, where is true joy, and comforts bliss: The one hath heaven, the other hell, the one hath bliss, the other bale: The one in heaven still must dwell, and the other devils pull and hale. He died with his conscience evil, in death he saw his wickedness: And his damnations with the devil, as holy Scriptures do express, This is the consolation great, of them that in their deathbeds lie, Their minds fly up to the mercy seat, and there for mercy loudly cry: By Christ which death abolished, and sin that's cleansed by his blood: Whose merits, pardon purchased for all our sins, and death withstood. To us his goodness is imputed, to him the sins that we committed: And we for righteous are reputed, and all our sins they are remitted: For he alone by death hath bought us from power and pain, of devil, of hell: Beat Satan down with iron rod, to place where damned spirits dwell. Eternal death could not prevail, against him, nor over him have power: Christ strengthened those whom sin did quail; his might; the mighty did devour. O'er death, o'er sin and hideous hell, he gave us life and victory: To all those that keep his precepts well, and them enstalls in endless glory. For as by Adam all men died, for sin and by iniquity: In Christ shall all men be revived, to live with him eternally: The godly and just people have most comfort, though with pain and grief: They suffer death, and lie in grave, and seem forsaken save relief. They are sheep which men ordain, to death and slaughter to be put: As silly guiltless Lambs are slain, when Butchers knives their threats do cut: For we which live shall given be, to death, for Jesus Christ his sake, If they do not despair in thee, no fear of death can cause them quake. But rest assured they shall pass, through death to life eternally: Who ask for mercy and for grace, and unto God for Faith do cry. They suffer both his hand and rod, and when he strikes, are patieut: They put their hope, and trust in God, who comforts them with hearts content. Their death is good and of great price, they also know through Christ his passion: Death's overcome in wondrous wise, and so receive they consolation. If any touched in latest pains of dire full death this faith holds fast, In midst of death his li●t attains, and shall have lasting life at last: The Christians surely do believe, that when they seem to be most dead, That then they most of all do live, and so with joy lift up their head, Christ calls the death of godly men a sleep, his own a death, and why? The soldier's spear was made a pen, his blood the Ink to write thereby Quietus est, for-Christians all, and then the same to us was sealed: A sleep he justly may it call, cause by his stripes our wounds were healed. His was a death, cause death was due, in him died all, he died for all: God's justice us to death doth sue, he paid it, and repaired the fall, That we might sleep, he suffered pains, that we might laugh he oft did weep: His was the loss, ours was the gains, thus did he change death to a sleep. To Christ did Stephen yield up his spirit, for he's the way, the truth, the life: He purchased life by death and merit: the husband's he, the Church his wife: He is that Noah, his Church the Dove, that holds his hand for to receive us; He bids us come to embrace his Love, we fly to him when all deceives us. The heavens, the earth, the Lord commands, to him all creatures run but we: None can us take out of his hands, in life and death to him we flee. Pillar of faith: Basis of bliss, of true Religion, true supporter, The point of Resurrection is, in death it is the chief Comforter, If this do fall, all faith may fail, what Article doth us refresh: When life, and health, and strength doth quail, the Resurrection of the flesh. Our bones shall blossom as the grass, we shall be raised out of dust: The body that before time was, by Christ his power arise it must: The first fruits Christ the head is raised, the members shall the same likewise: The Lord God for the same be praised, we know that we shall also rise. If he add above the water be, how can the body then be drowned, We shall arise, and jesus see, and with him shall be Kingly crowned. Of life and death the true director, who in his life and in his dying, Of our misdoing is Corrector, and into all our actions prying. Christ is afflicted for our sake, left us example that we should Fellow his steps, and his way take, thy cross to bear with courage bold. Our Saviour jesus teacheth thee, how can that be (sayest thou) behold Example, if thou punished be, with sickness, hunger, thirst and cold: With thyself reckon and account, how it cannot compared be With his thorns, his nails surmount, the greatest pain that paineth thee. Art thou restrained of thy desire, and lusts that draw thou knowst not whither: Think on Christ's Cross, his wrath and ire, and put his tortures all together. If pride puff up thy mind with motions, look on Christ nailed on the Cross: And think as bound by due devotions, of our great gain, by his great loss. If thou in filthy lust dost burn, or any other ill desire: Think but how Christ his flesh was torn, to save thy soul from flames of fire. With stripes thrust through, and all to broken his drink was easel mixed with gall, With his last gasp, the earth was shaken, who suffered for the sins of all. If envy, hate, revenge thee grieve, think with thyself how Christ did pray: O Father, do them all forgive, for them that took his life away. God us commanded to forgive, and sayeth than we shall be forgiven: Without offence no man can live, and God his balance hangeth even. He ●hat doth not forgive his brother, will then the Lord his faults remit: No, as he de●…h with another, another shall repay, 'tis sit. And when you kneel to God, and pray, forgive, if you have any thing 'Gainst any living man that day, that Christ may you remission bring: And when thy gift thou dost present, and on the Altar sacrifice: First with thy brother make consent, and him forgive in any wise, When thou to Christ wast enemy, and strengthened in great extremes: Yet then did he give remedy, and o'er thee spread his mercy beams: He gave to thee his holy spirit, to guide and lead thy soul aright: And gave thee heaven there to inherit, all joys and bliss aye in his sight. When thou from him was gone astray, be sought thee out, and did thee find, And finding thee, brought thee away, unto his fold he thee resigned: Thank God therefore, and render praise, exalt and laud his holy name: Unto the heavens sing always: All men on earth do ye the same. Henceforth my soul walk in his path, and err not from him any more: Lest thou provoke his heavy wrath, and then art worse than wert before. Let not Gods gifts be given thee, to work thy condemnation: With fear and trembling walk sincere, confirming thy Salvation. Shun thou all wicked Company, with doers ill associate not: Lest thou from faith shouldst fall and 〈◊〉, and soul and body soil and spot. But bless his name who called thee, unto the state of righteousness, And thy sin's vengeance ta'en hath he, to give thee heaven's happiness. Bless thou his blessed Holiness, his praise let heart and mind record: And let thy tongue and voice confess, the gracious goodness of the Lord, Prostrate thyself down at his feet, offer thy service with free heart: O yield God all, for 'tis most meet, since he made, saved, and blessed each part. Who spared not his only Son, but let him dye thy soul to save: To pay and ransom thy faults done, and to redeem thee from the grave: So in the Prayer of our Lord, we do forgive what's done against us: As God forgiveness shall afford, our Saviour Christ doth teach us thus. A Prayer to bear patiently the Cross of Christ or any affliction: And if God so please to call us to that trial, even to rejoice in Martyrdom. O Almighty God, most merciful and loving Father, that hast decrced, that through manifold tribulations and afflictions in this world, we that trust in thee, must enter into the Kingdom of heaven. And those that will follow thee my Saviour, and be thy Disciples, must take upon them by the constraint of the world, as Simon of Cyrene to bear thy Cross, and to follow thee, and those that live godly in thy Son, must suffer reproach and affliction. And that there is never a Son whom thou lovest, but must like Peter drink of thy Cup, and endure chastening. And in so doing, thou offerest thyself an assured loving Father, and assurest us that we are thy sons: because it is given us, not only to believe in thee, but also that we should suffer for his name's sake. O Lord, I am willing not only to live with thee, but also to dye with thee. My Spirit is willing, though my flesh be weak. Wherefore if it be possible, let this bitter Cup pass from me, or if thou please, and hast appointed, that I by death should glorify thee, and with my blood seal and confirm thy truth: sweet jesus give me strength, comfort, and patience, blessed be thy name, and thy most holy will be done. O Lord manifest thy power in my weakness, and strengthen me, that I may by the same power, whereby thou raisest thyself from death to life, patiently bear, and willingly suffer that for thy name sake, which otherwise for flesh and blood seemeth fearful to be endured: O Lord, when I consider the hazards that we run through, for the obtaining of these present profits, and delights of this life, and with what unwearied pains we prosecute the winning of this world's vanities, that in the end are nothing worth, but to pamper the body, and make it upon every slight occasion most willing to deny thee. O Lord, when I consider the pleasure of this world, and the abundance of content I have in this life, wanting nothing for my body. Oh what a Coward doth it make me, that with the young man, that was most ready to follow thee; yet when thou biddest him sell all his worldly riches, and follow thee, (O simple man) he never came at thee more: So me thinks I feel Satan to say unto me; What a fool art thou to leave father, or m●ther, wife, and children, houses, lands, & goods, a certainty for an uncertainty to follow thee. O Lord, how am I tempted by the Papists, the Enemies of the Gospel, to think this way foolishness, a Sect and heresy lately risen, and separated from the Church, meaning themselves. Oh how they do tempt me by the examples of my forefathers', that for many gen●rations, time out of mind, have lived and died in the Romish Religion, and why should I think myself wiser than they. O heavenly Father, see and behold these subtle instruments of Satan, and keep me that these crafty baits of Satan arising from the flesh and the world, prevail not over me, (that like Peter in the water) or the young man I let go my true faith, not to believe in lies and errors, and so finally forsake thee, who hath so dear loved me, and bought me. But O God my Saviour, strengthen my faith that I be not moved, to let go my first love, with which I have been so much comforted in thee. O strengthen me, that neither Satan by himself, nor by his Antichristian Instruments, which he ruleth at his pleasure, prevail against me, either to doubt of my faith, much less to deny thee my Lord and Saviour, but as thou for my sake, didst not contemn nor despise the reproach of the wicked, nor yet the cursed death of the Cross: but for the joy that was set before thee, and which thou hadst with the Father before the world was, endured the same, and though thou wert reviled, yet thou revilest not again, but with infinite patience committed thy cause to thy Father: So, O Lord, grant that by my faith in thy power, I may be no less assured of patience, in the greatest torment, that shall be inflicted upon my body. For I know that although they kill my body, yet they cannot touch my soul, but that it shall live with thee for ever. And in despite of their malice, while they think to destroy my soul with death, they shall extract my spirit into glorious life, with God the Father, and his Christ for evermore. Sweet Saviour, as Samson in his death triumphed most gloriously over his enemies: so grant to me that they seeing my patience, and beholding my unmoveable hope, may be so ashamed, and in their conscience so affrighted (that they may like Saul, at the death of Stephen) be converted, and after their change of mind, magnify as most precious the death of thy Saints, and by preaching the truth, strengthen the brethren, and stand fast in the Faith unto the end. O Lord strengthen me, that I may not faint under the cross, because thou hast appointed us thereunto, that in thy cross, we should be more than conquerors, and by his example, whose steps we should only follow, account ourselves most happy, that thou wilt call us, and grace us, to lay down our lives for his name sake, as thou hast laid down thy life for our sakes. O God, if the righteous scarcely be saved, (as it seemeth unto the world, through these bitter torments, with which we are to be scourged, and made clean vessels to serve thee in thy Kingdom) where shall the wicked and sinners, which regard not thy cross, appear? O Lord, being confident of thy mercy, in the merits of thy Son, do I submit myself in soul and body, to do service and sacrifice unto thee, as unto a faithful Creator, knowing that a crown of glory remaineth for me. Father, into thy hands do I commend my spirit, Lord Jesus after death receive my soul, as thou hast all those brave champions, that were slain with the sword, that wandered about in Sheepskins, and Goatskins, and thought it better to live with beasts in woods and dens to enjoy thee, then to live among men, Gentiles, and Antichristians, and deny thee, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented, wandering in Deserts, mountains, and dens, and holes of the earth, to avoid the beastly and cruel enemies of thy word. O Lord, as thou hast made thy wrath smoke against the Heathens, the Assyrians, the Egyptians, the Moabites, the Ammonites, that first trampled under foot the blood of thy Saints, by labouring an utter consuming of them: So, O Lord, either grant the conversion, or else let thine indignation appear in these our days, against the Turks, Heretics, Atheists, and all Antichristian enemies, that like Herod and julian, obstinately persecute and scorn thy name. And this, though a most unworthy Suppliant, I beseech thee to grant, and that for the honour of thy great name, in which thy true Church doth only trust. Amen. Amen. A thanksgiving for God's temporal and spiritual blessings. O Most bountiful and kind Creator, unto thee in Christ jesus do I come, and return most humble and hearty thanks, not only for the general goodness, which thou hast extended unto all mankind, but for that especial part, which thou hadst divided unto me in more special manner. O Lord, I give thee most humble thanks and praise, for that portion of thy blessings, set forth unto me to my present use and comfort in this life: as for thy daily preservations of me, not only in the womb of my parents: but for my safety in my birth, that I was not mishapen in breeding, nor in coming forth into this world, and that after my birth, in the time of my swaddling bands, infancy, childhood, and youth, no mishap, nor mishap befell me, to the defacing of that perfect shape, in which at first thou broughtest me forth. O Lord, how many children and youth, have been maimed at nurse, and through the carelessness of those unto whom they have been committed unto trust, how many have fallen into the fire, and been burned no● only in some part, but in th● whole body unto death, and by other chances, whereof thi● world is full, as drowned, bruised broken in the body, arms, back legs, thighs, feet, in the eyes nose, and face. O Lord, how innumerable ar● the perils and dangers of this life unto which every man is subject and doth continually run through in every state and degree of thi● present age and life, and yet re ceive no damage. O Lord, fo● these deliverances from dangers through which I have passed an● received no hurt, and for whic● I have never given thee thanks, 〈◊〉 now return humble and hearty thanks. O Lord, didst thou no wonderfully in this life, protect us of thyself, and with thy holy Angels, it were not possible, fo● any man to live one day in health or life. O God, I thank thee fo● the continual blessings which 〈◊〉 have received every day & night of this present life, and for thy liberality in giving me such plenty of food and raiment, not only for my necessity, but for my plenteous and free living, not only in health, but in sickness: And I thank thee that thou hast given me such plenty, that I may be able to lend, and do good unto others, and that thou hast made my Cup to overflow, and hast given me discretion to use them soberly, thankfully, and honestly, and that thou hast given me a heart, to take my part of them, and kept me from prodigal, vain, and wasteful spending of them: so that my family have not wanted in due season, that portion that hath been fit for them to have, and me to give them. O Lord I thank thee, that since I came to man's estate, thou hast kept me from vain and idle courses of living, and that I have not diminished thy blessings, but increased them; for it is thou, O Lord, that givest means and power, not only to keep the patrimony of our Fathers, but to increase it. Yea, it is thou that givest power unto our hands, to get goods, thou makest wise, thou makest simple, thou makest rich and poor, thou makest noble and ignoble, we live, move, and have our Being all in thee, and from thee, and what soever we are in this life, we are at thy will and pleasure, and thine especial appointment: for though we rise early, and go to bed late, yet without thy blessing we labour in vain, and have but pain and sorrow the reward of our desires. Wherefore (O Lord) I thank thee again and again for thine unspeakable love which thou hast manifested unto me, not only in blessing me with an honest vocation and means, in this world to live, and maintain my charge, at home and abroad, in honest profits and recreations, whereby thou hast made my life pleasant, and comfortable unto me: but above all, I thank thee for thy mercy in Christ jesus, wherewith thou lovest me both before, and since my being, and that thou hast so especially cared for my soul, while I knew thee not, neither cared for to know thee; for I was so dead and hardened in the custom of sinning, so that I could not, nor did care to call upon thee, but followed the concupiscence of my own carnal and fleshly desires, savouring nothing, but that which did altogether offend and displease thee, hating thy word not only in itself: but also the Ministers thereof, and professors thereof, because of it whom otherwise I should have loved: until it pleased thee, by the power thereof, to illuminate my blind understanding, and made me to see the wretchedness wherein I lay, for want of thy grace. O Lord, such was and is thy love, that when with the sight of my wretchedness, I began to despair, thou didst reveal thy Son unto me, and promised me, that though my sins were as red as scarlet, yet if I did believe in thy promises, confess my sins and forsake them, they should be forgiven: which I did, and ever since through thy grace have done, and will do: hereby hast thou justified me, and sanctified me, and given me an assured hope of my glorification. And thus of the member of Satan, hast thou made me, of thine own free adoption, a member of Christ. Wherefore (most loving Creator) support me, by the assistance of thy holy spirit, that I may stand fast, and persevere in these Graces and gifts of grace, the seals of my adoption, unto my life's end: And may abound in all fruits of righteousness, sanctification, and holiness, unto a perfect man in Christ jesus. This is that mercy of mercies, surpassing all others, which only maketh me happy, in whatsoever outward wants, or condition I shall be in this life, and though thou gavest me all my desire, which this world can afford, yet without it I should still remain most miserable, though in never so great an estate, or esteem of the men of this world. Therefore for this blessing, whereby thou hast pleased to save me by faith and repentance, I do praise and thank thee, not with the tongue and lips only, but with the whole man. Let all that is within me praise, praise thee; O Lord, while I have breath, I will praise thee, for thou only art worthy to be praised: yea, my soul praise thou the Lord: To thee most glorious Trinity, be given all possible praise, might, and majesty, in heaven and in earth, by thine elect Angels, and us men, in our bodies and spirits for evermore, Amen. Amen. This Meditation inciteth us to repair unto God, in Prayers, in silent sighs, and in inward desires and groans. O Father, full of knowledge deep, thou searchest secrets of the heart, Beholdest desires we private keep, with hidden silence in the dark. But yet thou dost thus much require, thy children should know and confess Thee for to be their light some fire, that iudg'st their works in righteousness. As thou hast framed in man a heart, wherewith his Maker to believe: A tongue, and lips, and every part, wherewith he glory may thee give, And thou dost challenge at his hands, free sacrifice of thanks and praise: And honours due throughout all lands, that all men canst deject and raise. Thy children must not in their mind be dumb, nor in their tongues be mute: When they should seek thine help to find, and by petition show their suit. Thy Son doth bid me ask and have, and find to seek, to knock, to enter: What they do want, that they may crave, by faith in him they may adventure. Thou still art ready to be found, and help thine own in their distress: That in their faith are constant found, and patient in their heaviness. Therefore, dear Father, I beset, with many miseries distressed: Come unto thee thine aid to get, and after trouble to find rest, And have thy grace without, within: but I that am of sinners chief, Because thou hat'st in me my sin, may doubt thou wilt not give relief. Alas poor wretch, what shall I do? to ask I am so far unfit, Unapt my God to seek unto, unworthy to have benefit. Of what I crave or do desire, and yet to cry I will not lin: Thy mercies great I will admire, and crave to cure my woeful sin. O let thy spirit me sanctify, untie my tongue, open my lips: I cannot silence keep, for why, my conscience every hour me whips. My miseries grow more and more, within my bones I find no rest; Thy grace anew to me restore, and let me speak what likes thee best. Let thine ears ever be inclined, to my extreme and doleful cries; Let me thy mercies ready find, to take my tears from weeping eyes. Thou evermore dost hear the cries, of all that fear thy holy name. And comfort'st them with thy mercies, that trust in thee and beg the same. Their souls thou dost from death defend, and chear'st their hearts in time of need: To me therefore thy comforts send, and give thy help with loving speed. Thy servants cannot hold their tongue, though oft they muse and cannot see. Why their afflictions last so long, and they for mercy cry to thee: Till at the length the fire of zeal, doth kindle then, it out must break: Tongue cannot hold, but must reveal their groans, & griefs, & needs must speak. To show their hope which like to fire, none can suppress when they believe. 'Twill pierce the clouds, to thee aspire, yet thou dost seem no help to give. At last thy goodness doth appear, and thou embracest him with joy: Time of deliverance draweth near, and thou Lord freedst us from annoy. Good God, how cometh this to pass, that I so long have sought to thee, And thou still seemedst to hide thy face, and keep'st thy graces still from me. How long have I unto thee prayed, and thou seem'st not to give me ear. This makes mine heart and thoughts afraid, ready to faint with deep despair I ready was for to surcease, the suit which I so long have sought: Made unto thee for to appease thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought. O Lord my God thy promises, and loving kindness only feed: And comfort'st me in heaviness, with never dying hope in need. I know expected time will come, when thou for getting all my sin, Wilt see my sorrows all and some, and free the bondage I am in. Thou art my God, thy help is at hand, thou art a Father, thou knowst when To give the State, dost understand of richest Kings, and poorest men. The things most fit thou dost be stowe, and helpest when all help is missing. Those could not creep thou mak'st to go, and pourest down on them thy blessing. Therefore O God all sufficient, replete with merey, full of love, I do not press to know the intent, but pray thee do what mercy move. To say come now, or then, do this, for the time, where, when, what, and how: What thou dost aim, my mark may miss, me to thy providence I bow. Yet be not over long away, for thou dost know my feebleness: Thou seest my trouble's day by day, bowed down to extreme wretchedness. Without hope of recovery I fall: alas what shall I do! There is no trust, but trust in thee, for help and aid, and succour to. I know by proof that thou art bend, to hear poor sinful wretched men When they are truly penitent, and when they pray deliuer'st then. From troubles, strife, and all debate: from sickness, death, and deadly pain: From envy, malice, sin, and hate, the contrite heart thou'lt not disdain: But who is righteous in thy sight, or in thy Judgements clean are seen: Angels before thee are not bright, much less we wretches righteous been: But all are sinners, all transgress, our elder Fathers were impure: All have offended more or less, yet was thy promise firm and sure. And did obtain mercy and grace, relief, hope, strength, salvation: They saw the brightness of thy face, thou gavest them consolation. Our Fathers, Lord, were comforted, strengthened, relieved, and blessed Only by grace, and justified, as righteous men in jesus Christ. Impute not sin unto my charge, not for my merit and desert. But for thy Son my soul enlarge, and give to me a spotless heart. Thou Lord, full of compassion, and in thy mercies infinite, Bear with my imperfections, and let me in thy law's delight: Cover my sins, as righteous take me, and righteous shall I ever be: That righteous am not, righteous make me, in Christ, O Lord, consider me. O Lord, what can it profit thee, me to for sake or leave in thrall, As though thou didst disualue me, my daily cries, and offerings all. My troubles yet continue still, I seek thee, and am yet denied: Of earthly blessings do thy will, thy name be always glorified. Wretch that I am what end shall be I still complain, I sigh, and cry; I cry, and call, yet hearest not me, I still will seek thee till I die. Thou mayest be found be as thou wilt, into thy hands I me commend: Thou full of mercy, I of guilt, in faith and hope do still attend. A Prayer for the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper. OMost loving Saviour, how great and wonderful is thy love to thy Church, that before thou didst leave this world in thy humanity, didst not only send up loud cries and tears unto thy Father (for them which did, and which after thy departure, should believe in thee) but didst also ordain a perpetual commemoration of thy death and passion, through the institution of the Sacramental signs of Bread and Wine, at the last Supper of the Passeover, in the same night thou wast betrayed, charging, in thy Apostles, thy whole Church unto the world's end, to do it in remembrance of thee, assuring us that as often as we did eat that bread, and drink that wine, according to thy appointment, that thereby we should show thy death until thou didst come, and so keep a perpetual remembrance of thee, not only in our hearts, but in our eyes, as if we saw thee crucified upon the Crosse. O Lord, examining myself, of my faith, my repentance, and love, I find that my faith is weak, my repentance slack and dull, and my love cold, or but lukewarm; so that of myself (O most merciful Lord) I durst not presume to come unto thy table: but O Lord, for this I judge myself, that I may not be judged of thee, the worst and unworthiest of all those that come unto thy table: For unto this present, through the multitude of my sins, with which I am laden, I have (like judas) done nothing but betrayed thee, and prick thy head, and pierced thy side more cruelly, than the thorns or spear wherewith thou wast crowned and pierced, and so in as much as in me lieth, I am guilty of the blood shedding, and death of my Lord. But (most heavenly Father) as the Israelites stung with the fiery Serpents, looked unto the Serpent, Moses set up: so, O Lord, smarting in soul with the anguish of my sins, by which I am continually guilty of thy death, and so again (like judas) worthy of eternal death, much more violently to be inflicted after the taking of the sop. Yet do I look unto thy Cross, on which thou sufferest for me, humbly beseeching thee, for that obedience by which thou hast satisfied God's wrath and justice, to do away my sins (as David's after his adultery and murder) that I may become a worthy partaker of the body & blood of my Lord, and the Sacramental Bread and Wine, after which I have so earnestly thirsted, may not (like the Israelites Quails, sticking in their teeth) become neither my bodily nor spiritual death, nor (like the unworthy Corinthians) for my careless and negligent receiving by the sudden hand of sickness, be struck unto death, but as the faithful jews in their constant and conscionable celebration of their feast of Passeover by them kept, a perpetual remembrance of their Egyptian deliverrnce from Pharaohs bondage, were exceedingly edified, & confirmed in the promises of thy love, that thou wouldst be their God, and they should be thy people, which they saw fulfilled in their Fathers, and still continued unto themselves, through the hope of the Messiah, by whom they expected their greatest safety and deliverance. Grant unto me, O heavenly Father, that as the Minister of thy Word and Sacraments, setteth a part the Bread and Wine, so I may remember the eternal love, by which in the beginning thou didst set a part thy Son, through faith in him to be my salvation, promising that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. And as I see the Wine poured out, and the Bread broken: so I may remember thy patient enduring the breaking of thy body, and shedding of thy blood, whereby thou hast paid the price, and satisfied the punishment that was due unto me, and as the Bread & Wine do presently comfort and refresh my body: so most sweet Saviour, let me feel my soul so comforted and edified this day, and so often as I shall think of thee, and thy mercies hereby promised and assured; yea, grant that being made one with thee by spiritual union, I may live in thee, and thou in me, in the increase of a godly life, to the honour of thee my Saviour. To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, be given by me and all thine, both present and eternal praise. Amen. Amen. Another godly Meditation before the receiving of the holy Communion. O Almighty God and merciful Father, I am a secret sinner, and my heart is a bottomless pit of all corruptions: wilfully and foolishly; ignorantly and obstinately have I sinned against thee, unto whose eye all the secrets of my soul lie open, but now I come unto thee as the sick man unto the Physician, as an unclean man unto the Well of mercy and grace, offered in the precious bloodshedding of jesus Christ, and represented to my soul in this blessed Sacrament. Have mercy upon me (O Lord) have mercy upon me, and forgive me all the evils that I am guilty of. Give me grace that I may discern the Lords body, and so receive it in this Sacrament, with such chastity of body, humbleness of mind, thankfulness of soul, hearty contrition, dread and reverence, as is meet for such a mystery. O Lord jesus, it is truly said of thee, that thou didst receive sinners, and eat with them, and I verily believe that thou art the same still, full of goodness and mercy: wherefore I beseech thee leave me not to myself, reject me not from thy Table, come into my heart, and purge me from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit. Enter into my soul, seal and sanctify me, both within and without. Inflame me with love and charity towards all men, to forgive and forget: to do good, to pray for them, that I may follow the steps of my blessed Saviour. Open the eyes of my understanding, and help me to examine myself, concerning my knowledge, faith, and repentance. Send me the hunger and thirst after this righteousness: satisfy me with this heavenly food, make me verily partaker of all the benefits of his Passion. Oh dear Lord jesus, since thou hast suffered so many things for my sake, and hast commanded me not to despair, nor distrust thy goodness, grant me grace to eat of this bread, and to drink of this Cup worthily, that I may continually remain in thy grace and favour. O Lord God the Father, give me the full consolation of this mystery and commemoration, that my faith may be increased, my hope confirmed, my charity inflamed, my weak conscience comforted, all dangers repelled, and my soul assured of her salvation in the blood of Christ, let no profaneness enter into my heart, so long as I am about this holy action; but give me grace to receive with purity of heart, and cleanness of soul, with love, dread, and steadfast faith; have mercy upon me good Lord, that by unworthy receiving, I be not guilty of his precious body and blood, who came down from heaven, lived with men, and swam through a red sea of blood in his agony and passion to be my Redeemer. Have mercy upon the whole Church, and to this purpose, have mercy upon this place, and this company, that they may serve and please thee in this holy service, and all other actions of their life. O Lord, be not angry with me a barren and dry tree, a creature with a face of brass, and heart of flint: I have not so many tears as are sufficient to wash thy feet with Mary Magdalen: but thou hast shed as much of thine own blood, as surficeth to wash away all the sins of me, and all the world: then be not angry with me, O Lord: but let thy grace supply my wants: let thy mercy pardon my sins: let thy holy spirit prepare my soul, thy merits enrich my poverty, and thy most precious blood wash away all the spots of my life, that I may worthily receive this heavenly Sacrament: so that I may be strengthened thereby, & throughly filled with the heavenly food of thy body and blood: for the mortification of the old man, the confirmation of my faith, and the final salvation of my soul. O Lord hear my prayers, & grant my requests I beseech thee. Amen. Godly Meditations upon the love and mercy of God in bestowing (together with his Son) these holy Mysteries upon us: the commemoration whereof may move us to an awful reverence in the participation of the same. O Father of mercy, and God of all consolation, seeing all creatures do confess thee to be their Governor and Lord, it becometh us the workmanship of thine own hands, to reverence and magnify thy godly Majesty. First for that thou hast created us to thine own image and similitude: but chiefly because thou ●ast delivered us from that everlasting death and damnation, into which Satan drew mankind by the means of sin, from the ●ondage whereof, neither man, nor Angel, was able to make us free. But thou, O Lord, rich in mercy, and infinite in goodness, hast provided our redemption to stand in thine only and welbeleved Son, whom of very love thou didst give to be made man (perfect in all things, freely exempted and excepted from sin) that in his body he might receive the punishment of our transgression, by his death to make satisfaction to thy justice, and by his resurrection, to destroy him that was the Author of death, and so bring again life unto the world from which the whole offspring of Adam was most justly exiled. O Lord, we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth, the deepness and height, of that thy most excellent love, which moved thee to show mercy where none was deserved: to promise and give life, where death had gotten victory: to receive us into thy grace when we could do not hang but rebel against thy majesty. O Lord, the blind dulness of our corrupt nature, will not suffer us sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits: Yet nevertheless, at the commandment of jesus Christ our Lord, we present ourselves to this his Table, which he hath left to be used in remembrance of his death, until his coming again, to declare and witness before the world, that by him alone we have received liberty and life: ●hat by him alone thou dost acknowledge us to be thy children and heirs: that by him alone we have entrance to the Throne of thy grace; that by him alone we are possessed in our spiritual Kingdom, to eat and drink at his Table, with whom we have our conversation presently in heaven, and by whom our bodies shall be raised up ag●ine from the dust, and shall be placed with him in that endless joy, which thou O Father of mercy hast prepared for thine Elect, before the foundation of the world was laid. And these most inestimable benefits we acknowledge and confess to have received of thy free mercy and grace, by thine only beloved Son jesus Christ: for th● which we therefore thy congregation, moved by thy holy Spirit, render unto thee all thanks, praise, and glory for ever. What tongue, or what heart, can worthily give thee thanks, O Lord jesus, for thine vnspeake● able love towards us? who to th●● intent to redeem mankind forlorn, didst vouchsafe to become man, and to take all the miseries of our estates upon thee, insomuch that in the end, thou being a pure and unspotted Lamb, wast contented to be made a sacrifice for us upon the Altar of the Cross, and to abide the punishment due for our sins, that thou mightest reconcile us to thy Father, yea and both in life and death thou didst spend, give, and bestow thyself wholly upon us, and for us. And thy gracious goodness was not so contented, but also lest we might at any time perchance forget so great a benefit, or at least our trust in thee might at any time quail, even now reigning in heaven, thou refreshest our souls from time to time with the food of thy body, and chearest them up with the holy Cup of thy blood. Wherefore I beseech thee, let thy spirit cleanse my heart, that I may not come unworthily to that heavenly feast, and to the table, whereat even the very Angels do tremble: but that by thy shedding thyself into my bowels, I may grow manly in thee, and become the livelier by spiritual encreasements, so as I may continue unto the end, in the blessed fellowship of thy mystical body, whom it is thy will to have all one with thee, in such wise as thou art all one with the Father, by the knitting of the holy Ghost, to whom be praise and thanks for evermore. Amen. I yield thee hearty thanks, O Lord jesus Christ, for thine unutterable love, in vouchsafing to redeem mankind by thine own death: And I beseech thee suffer not thy most holy blood to have been shed in vain for me, but that I growing up in thee by continual increase of heavenly strength, may become a fit member of thy mystical body, which is the Church, and never swarm from that most holy covenant, which thou madest with thy chosen Disciples in thy last Supper, by distributing the bread unto them, and by reaching them the Cup: and by them to all those that by a lively faith apprehend the merits of thy most precious death and passion. My Lord jesus Christ, what am I that thou shouldest vouchsafe to come under my roof? Can a sinful man deserve such grace? O Lord my God, I am certainly altogether unworthy. Am I better than all my Fathers were, thou wouldst not show thyself to Moses one twinkling of an eye, and how happeneth it that thou humblest thyself so much, as to come to a man that is both a Publican and a sinner? And thou vouchsafest not only to eat with him, but also to give thyself to be eaten of him. Hail O bread of life, which camest down from heaven, and which givest life to as many as receive thee worthily. Surely whosoever receiveth thee worthily, although his soul be severed from his body by temporal death, yet shall he not die for ever, because that the separation is not a death, but a passing from death to life: by reason whereof, he that eateth thee worthily, beginneth to live with thee for ever when he dieth in this world: thou art the bread of the Angels: the very sight of thee doth solace and glorify the Angels: thou art the food of the soul, the glory of heaven, the solace of all Angels & Saints. (O most holy food) by the eating whereof by a lively faith, is set free from all evil, is filled with all goodness, and is undoubtedly made immortal, O sacred food of our pilgrimage, by the strength whereof we pass out of this naughty world, to the glorious company in heaven. Go on therefore, O believing and faithful soul, be merry, and rejoice in God thy Saviour: take thy fill of this feast wherein the body of thy Saviour is set before thee to feed on: man fell from God by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree, but by this food he is redeemed again to endless glory. These ●achrymae following, contain godly and de●out Prayers for constanc●e in afflictions, and to bear malicious slanders patiently. O Lord how do my woes increase, how many are my miseries: My troubles rise and never cease, men judge thou wilt not hear my cries: They say thou wilt me quite forsake, that there's no help for me in thee: But (Lord) they are but such that make their censure with a carnal eye. And do not spiritually discern, thy secret purpose and intents: Correcting them whom thou wouldst learn, to know thy Law and Commandments. Chastising them whom thou dost love, and scourging them oft with thy rod: That thou their hearts and minds may'st move, to fear and serve thee mighty God. The wicked outward means prefer, and worldly helps at need they muster: And not to God themselves refer, nor comfort take from heavenly lustre: Who works by means his sacred will, and without means brings to effect: And against means can save or kill for those him serve, his true Elect: Therefore let not their malice move, nor yet their taunts dismay my mind. I will hold fast by God above, whose promise just and true I find: I strive thy statutes Lord to keep, what thou command'st I will perform. Direct me right to thee I creep, O Lord do thou my life reform. Defend me Lord from their despite. that watch to catch me in their snare: And to entrap me day and night, with nets and gins ere I beware; And scoff me basely with reproach, with shameful scandals and disgrace. With thy protection Lord approach, and let thy mercy me embrace. Let not me come within the reach, of their inventions and device, Whose facts are foul, they fair in speech, and by base flattery me entice. Nor such as lie in wait for me, obtain their wish: who do desire Fit time and opportunity to work the evil they conspire. O let me tread in the right path, and walk from faith to faith in love. Observe thy laws, and shun thy wrath, and forward to all virtue moan. And let my conscience witness bear, of my saith and integrity: Let all men see the Crystal clear, of my poor heart's sincerity. Though I good Father, cannot live free from all sin, and all offence: And some take cause, though I none give, yet keep thou clear my conscience. Shall I deserve still as I do men's just reproofs, through indiscretion: And that against my meaning too, and suffer carnal men's oppression: That break forth into bitterness, against me that am weak and lame: And vomit out their filthiness. What thou hast done, they count my shame. And take it as an argument, that I am in dejection: And think it is thy full intent, to keep me from protection. Indeed, O Lord, I must confess, my sins deserve sharp punishment. Worthy of more and not of l●sse, than all the plagues on me hast sent. I more should taste than I can bear, or able them for to endure. Thy mercies yet they do me spare, and make me clean that am impure. But in my weakness of behaviour, I this have done which caused me fall, But yet I trust in Christ my Saviour, his p●●tious blood hath paid for all. Depending on thy mighty power, to save, keep, and deliver me, Lest miseries do me devour, and enemies my sorrows see. And take occasion to pursue, pretending to my soul no good: Invetered hatred they renew, to eats my flesh, and spill my blood: Therefore consider my great groans, prevent the dangers coming nigh me. My heart is rend with sighs and moans, I fly to thee, O Lord, stand by me. Why standest thou a loose alas, seem'st not my troubles to regard: Why turn'st thou Lord away thy f●c●, mine heart doth hope for some reward. Why hidest thou thyself me fro, when troubles are so much abounding: As though thou Lord didst me not know, thy darts are always mine heart wounding. There is no help for m● in thee, they say, thou nothing do●st respect me. I nevertheless will come to thee, for Christ his sake thou wilt not reject me. The rather therefore me relieve, that righteous men may well perceive, Thou ready art thine aid to give, and their desires wilt not deceive, And not to fa●nt when they are tried, with like afflictions any ways. But shall with patient mind abide thy will, and give thy name the praise. The dullest hearts thou dost prepare to call on thee, and thou again Dost hear their cries, and them dost spare, and easest them of grief and pain. How long, O Lord, how long wilt thou forget me, and how long shall I Seek to be heard, and know not how, to make thee listen to my cry. How long shall I thy counsel seek, yet ignorant what course to take: I pray thee O Lord most meet, with sighs and groans which never slake: My heart with grief and heaviness, pours forth complaints continually. Before thee in my great dis●…sse, yet inward light obtain not I, That lighten should my pensive soul, and comfort mine afflicted heart: Thy wrath with rigour doth control my forward hopes, and causeth smart. Thou threatn'st sorrows to increase, to such as seek to other gods. Why should not then my torments cease, that childlike fear thy awful rods: Sith I in thee my faith repone, why should I then true wisdom want. It being sought from thee alone, why dost thou then refuse to grant? Thou didst create all men at first, and dost preserve, and all maintain: Thy Sun doth shine on best and worst, the same to all thou dost remain. But sith to thee alone I kneel, and only unto thee do call: O let me Lord thy mercies feel, and let thy drops of mercy fall, With thee there is redemption, and thou deliverest all that trust In Christ for their salvation, by whom the sinful are made just: Thou keep'st them safe under thy wings of favour, from the merciless. Thy favour giveth all good things, to thine Elect in their distress: O therefore be my rock where on I may both safely build and rest, Castle of refuge, Ark alone, in which I am in safety blessed: For thou hast promised in thy love, that they that put their trust in thee: Like Zion's mount which doth not move, shall safely stand eternally. Break thou the chains which have me tide, remove the sorrows from my heart: Wherewith (Lord) all my veins are dried, and I am parched in every part. That I walking at liberty, with a free spir●● may salve my sore, My hope may live, and crosses die, and I sing praise to thee therefore. And let my ●oes no more prevail, that Lion-like do me destroy: And like to Wolves they me ●ss●ile, that spoil the Sheep, the Shepherd's joy. O carry me (Lord) in thine arms, through out these miseries clean away, And safely ke●pe me from all harms, that now stick fast in mire and clay. Let no untimely sudd●ine Fate, cut off my days ere fully spent: Or raging floods sink mine estate, nor swallow me incontinent. But rather (Lord) return them back, these swelling waves that rear and rage: On every side to work me wrack, their gusts and tempests Lord assuage, Let me pass on my mortal course, and finish these my days of life, Of thy mere love and kind remorse, in peace and love, from hate and strife. A thanksgiving after the receiving of the Lords Supper. O Heavenly Father, I thank thee that thou hast made me this day to sit down with thee, at thy heavenly Table, and hast given me the bread of God, that came down from heaven, not as▪ the Mannah, which being eaten, afterward did perish, and the eaters too, and hast made this Sacramental body and blood of thy Son, to be meat indeed, and drink indeed, far surpassing the old carnal Mannah, which extended but unto the body, but this spiritual food which thou hast given me with thi●e own hand, hath in it a quickening life for the present, and an assurance of an eternal life, in the life to come. Wherefore having fed on thee this day, by faith in my heart, let the sweet comfort thereof so cheer my soul, that I may more and more thirst after thee, and by godly living express my dwelling in thee, and so be more and more assured that thou art that Christ, and Son of the living God, my Saviour and Redeemer in life and death, and for evermore after death: for unto this end O God the Father, thou hast sealed thy Son, to be my Saviour, in thee will I for ever trust, in this life to be pardoned my sin, & through thee in the life to come, eternally to be saved. Amen. Amen. Another Prayer after the receiving of the holy Communion. O jesus, the Son of God, my Lord and Saviour, with all humble and hearty thanks I praise thee, for suffering death upon the Cross for my sins, and admitting me a miserable sinner, to the participation of this blessed Sacrament, the memorial of my Redemption. Let me, O Lord, find and feel in my heart, the invisible power of thy heavenly grace, effectually working the transformation of me into thee, the wonderful union of me with thee, and the spiritual habitation and abode in me. Apply all thy merits and good things unto my soul, let me never doubt the forgiveness of my sins: but ever open the door of this Sanctuary unto me, that I may run thither in my greatest need, and apprehend thy gracious pardon, ratified by this scale of thy covenant. Quicken me, O Lord, in this life, r●●●ue and renew me, that I may disclaim my old conversation, and become a new man: keep me that I slip not cut of this building, nor become as a branch cut off, and good for nothing, but as thou hast severed me from the wicked, in calling me to the knowledge of thee, so keep me from all their corruptions: give me a perfect love towards thee, that I may not delight in any thing but in thee, nor seek any other honour but thine. O Lord jesus, I meekly beseech thee, let thy holy Spirit strengthen me against my frailty, thy power and strength defend me against worldly troubles and adversities, thy merits purchase my needful pardon, and thy blood be the medicine for all my sores, even for thy truth, and for thy name's sake. Amen. O jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which hast so loved mankind, that thou hast been contented, not on lie to become one with him, but also mea●e unto him, and to dye for him upon the Cr●sse; grant I beseech thee, that this my receiving of this Sacrament, may be a true testimony unto my conscience that I hau●, through faith in thee received full remission of all that is past, and am become (as it were) a new creature in thy sight. O sweet jesus, which hast vouchsafed me such favour and honour, as to come to thy Table and feed upon thee, grant me grace I humbly entreat thee, so to perform, and fulfil my duty as this honour which thou hast done me requireth: Link me unto thee, and give me power and strength to believe thy promises without distrust, and to show my religion, by my good life and conversation. Assist me with thy grace, that I may walk worthy this blessed Sacrament, to love thee and thy children unfeignedly, and utterly to forsake all vanity, idolatry, carnal desires, and all the works of the devil. O Lord God, so moderate and order all my affections, that I may be joined with the brethren together in holy love, which is the bend of peace, and truly fastened unto thee my Head for ever. Stir up my mind, that I may always consider the bitterness of thy death, the greatness of thy love, & never forget to be thankful unto thee. O blessed Lord, preserve and maintain this ordinance amongst us, that it may be always a note and a badge of our public profession: and give us all one heart, and one mind in the unity of the Spirit, for the reverend and worthy receiving of the same, whensoever we shall come to thy holy Table again. Amen. A Prayer for the Catholic Church, and all the estates thereof. O Most glorious, ever living, and ever loving Lord God, the just Master of the Vineyard, and loving Head of the Church send thy holy Spirit into the hearts of all them that teach o● profess thy most holy truth, al● men, religious or secular: Yea▪ men and women, Princes and subjects, rich and poor, even all the people believing in thy name, and depending upon thy grace and mercy. Give unto them all, O Lord, one law, one baptism, one hope, one spirit, that there may be but one voice among all that profess the Catholic faith: Keep back the famine of thy word, and send such labourers into thy harvest, as be sound in doctrine, faithful in their work, and godly in their conversation, that they may be in number many, and in power wonderful. Open, we beseech thee, the hearts and ears of the people, for the receiving of thy Word, that it may dwell in them plentifully in all wisdom, and bring forth fruit against all the cares, crosses, and courses of this wretched world. O Lord, thou hast found iniquity in thy Saints, and the heavens are not clear in thy sight: Oh then correct us in thy judgement, not in thy fury, lest we should be consumed, and brought to nothing. Purge the garden of the Church, and let no weeds overgrow the flowers: suffer neither sin nor superstition, to choke the good growth of faith or manners in thy people, bu● keep them from all heresies fanatical opinions, see ●ucing spirits, & deadly contentions. Keeps our necks from the grievous yoke of Antichristian bondage● whose Religion is rebellion's whose faith is faction, and whos● practice is the murdering o● souls and bodies: good Lord re▪ press the furiousness of all Tyrants, which labour nothing bu● the spoil of the Church, and th● abolishment of true doctrine prayer, and true Religion. O Lor● jesus, amend all that is amiss, an● grant us thy grace all the daye● of our life, even for thy truth, an● for thy name's sake. Amen. A Prayer for the King's Majesty. O Almighty God, King of all Kings, the fountain, rule, ●nd stay of all sovereignty: we most humbly thank thee, that ●hou hast not left us unto our ●elues, to do what seemeth best ●nto us in our own eyes: but ●ast set over us a noble, wise, and ●racious-King thy servant Charles, ●ame head next under ●hee. Lord make all thy good to ●oe before him day and night, ●phold his Crown, maintain ●is estate, give him continual ●eace, long life, and much happi●esse. Endue him with such wisdom and understanding, to do ●ch things both in the Church ●d Commonwealth, as may be ●ceptable in thy sight, profitable 〈◊〉 his Subjects, and hurtful to ●one that love thy truth: merci●ly hear him in all his petitions, and effectually work for him in all dangers in the day of battle in his greatest consultations: in the time of his recreations, from all plots of Treason, and in phe hour of death. Make us thankful for all thy preservations of him, both ●t home and abroad in this Kingdom and elsewhere: Bless, preserve, and keep his Royal Consort Queen Mary● Frederick, the Prince Elector Pa●atine, the Lady Elizabeth his wife, with all their Prin●… Let our noble King still embrace the truth, and manfully maintain it, against all treacherous plot● and 〈◊〉 persuasions, distasti●● as he hath always done, both alteration of true Religion, and to▪ leration of any other. Let thy power always go forth with hi● Armies, and give them glorious victories: banish from his Cou● all privy foes, forraigue and do▪ mesticall; grant that he ma● with uprightness and true since rity, both with heart and mind observe and keep thy laws, and that his Highness and all his subordinate Magistrates may indifferently and faithfully minister judgement and justice to all his people. We beseech thee (O Lord) preserve his body in health, his mind in quietness, and both, in ●ll sincerity and godliness: that ●y his good example, he may both stop the mouths of his adversary's, and win the hearts ●f all those that believe. Make his ●ayes, O Lord, as the days of ●eauen, that he may reign many scars over us, and we his Sub●ts may long live a peaceable ●nd qui●t life, in all godliness and honesty under his happy government. Grant unto him wife, and faithful Coun●ellours, loving and obedient Subjects, dutiful and ●ue servants. Deliver him, O ●ord, from all conspiracies, trea●s, and other dangers, & grant him always a glorious victory over all his enemies: pardon and forgive him all his sins: make him walk all the days of his life in the way of thy commandments, that he may live in thy fear, and dye in thy favour, and that in the resurrection of all flesh he may receive a crown of righteousness, through the merits and mercy of jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour. Amen. Amen. LACHRIM. 2. Herein the distressed expresseth his hope and confidence to be in God alone, and not in man, nor in any other external means. I Cannot Lord excuse my sin, most infinite before mine eyes. And many more are me within, I have forget, which secret lies, of life, am weakened in belief: Our Fathers prayed with trust in thee in dangers, out of troubles all Being delivered and set free, and were raised up when they did fall: Thou hearest them when they thee sought, and didst them lend thy aiding hands: When they almost to death were brought, and them delivered out of bands. Great was thy favour, Lord, to all them that took hold on thee by faith: But what am I that am so small, a worm, no man, as David saith. Yet I believe, help unbelief; Lord I am covered with shame. Be thou my glory, ease my grief, that I may magnify thy name. The wicked worldlings me contemn, because thou hidest thy face from me Deriding grace, and me condemn because of imbecility. My neighbours that should me assist disdain me: my familiars all That should me comfort, do desist their help to raise me from my fall. They say of me my hopes are vain, my kinsfolks who should yield me aid, In my necessities refrain, to come to me they are afraid: And tauntingly they scoff and say, deservedly he thus doth suffer: Is just, he wrought his own decay, none other kindness they me offer: I know 'tis thou that sittest on high, dost send and suffer maladies: And therefore I on thee rely, to remedy my miseries. My woes, O Lord, by such increase, as should in friendly wise relieve me: They that should seek to make my peace, they are the men that most do gritue me. But I that taste the Cup, will say 'tis thou hast done't, and I will bear it: When 'tis thy will, who can say nay: 'tis out of love, why should I fear it: Relieve my soul with timely dew, and comfort me restore. Restore my soul unto those joys, the which I felt to fore. Now after storms Lord send a calm, and grant me peace yet now at last. And I will praise thee with a Psalm, with thanks for all thy favour past. I'll magnify thy name for ay, that bring'st such wondrous things to pass: That worldlings neither think nor say nor know why 'tis, or how it was. The just shall hear, and Saints be glad, when wicked men shall faint and quail, To see what favour I have had, and all their hope doth quench and quail: Whom they so long have scorned and deemed, even through afflictions cast away For thy name sake, Lord me esteemed, their night is past, they have their day. Respect my meditation, help me in time convenient: Lord grant my supplication, thou knowst and triest my heart's intent. Let not the righteous be dismayed, nor wicked triumph in my fall: Nor yet let sinners be afraid, in time of need to thee to call. And let me put my confidence, direct my faith, erect my hope Unto thy gracious providence, this of my prayers is the scope. A Prayer for the calling of the jews, and the continual increase of Christ's Kingdom among all Nations. ALmighty & everliving God, who after the flood, didst preserve Noah, and our Fathers, Sem, japheth, Terah, Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, from the perishing waters, and from the continued deluge of sin, which remained in the families of Ham and Canan, his wicked posterity: and of thy abundant mercies, pitied the blind ignorance, in which they had plunged themselves through Idolatrous superstition, and didst separate our Father Abraham, and made of him a peculiar people, a royal Nation, and chosen generation, that for evermore should serve thee. And that they might never forget thy great goodness, it pleased thee to bring them into Egypt, that after the favour of Pharaoh was expired, they should suffer hard and cruel bondage the space of four hundred years, and then in the power of God, with a mighty hand and outstretched arm, in the sight of King Pharaoh, thou wouldst bring them to their Father's promised inheritance, through the red Sea, and waste Wilderness, to the mount Zion, the hill of God, where thou didst appear unto them in a glorious manner, to renew and continue the covenant made unto their Father Abraham, that thou wouldst be their God, and the God of their seed for evermore. Wherefore thou didst out of the midst of the flames of fire so speak unto them, that they might live, and know that thou lovedst them, as thou hadst done their Fathers, that first came into Egypt, that thou wert the same Lord, and that there was no other God besides thee, in heaven or in earth. Yet for all this great love, of which the like was never heard, thou didst only require them to keep thy statutes, thy laws, and thy commandments, promising it should go well with them for evermore: but they started aside like a broken bow, and cast thy promises, and law behind their backs, and forsook thee the guide of their youth, and in their old age, even when they were grown fat, and full fed, with the abundance of thy blessings, they still spurned & kicked against thee, and though thou didst early and late (in the time of the judges and Kings which they so much desired) send them Prophets: yet they cast thee off, and forgot the Lord that made them, and served other gods of the Heathen, whom their Fathers never knew. Yet at last when they had killed thy Prophets and stoned thy servants, thou in infinite love, sent thy Son, saying, that they would honour him. But O Lord, how much more cruelly did they behave themselves towards thee, calling thee a sinner, and friend of Publicans and sinners, and the Prince of the devils, and would have thrown thee the Lord of life (as Satan did the Herd of Swine) from the Rock into the Sea. And at last, when nothing took effect, according to their malicious minds, they came out against thee, as against a malefactor with clubbs, and staffs, and took thee, and carried their expected Messiah, before Herod and Pontius Pilate, and brought false witness against thee, and preferred a murderer before thee, and though indeed thou wert their King, yet in mockage they put upon thee a purple robe, and in thy hand a Sceptre of reed, & on thy head a crown of thorns, then buffeted they thee, and spit upon thy face, contemning both thy princely, priestly, and prophetical offices, in which thou wast their perfect Saviour. Then disrobed they thee, and carried thee without the gates of the City, and after an ignominious manner, with two thieves, unto Golgotha the place of common execution, and nailed thee to a wooden Cross in the midst of them. And after they had wounded thee in sundry places, yet again in their malicious and cowardly fury, they pierced thy side with a spear, even when thou sighedst, groanedst, prayedst unto thy Father to forgive them their sins, and to accept thy sacrifice. Yea, all this while they mocked thee, and bid thee come down from the Cross, to save thy life as thou savest others: and wrote a title over thy head unto all Nations in contempt of thee; and when in the pangs of thy passion thou didst thirst for their pardon, than they ran and flapped in thy mouth (not to comfort thee, but to prolong thy sorrows) an hyssop sponge dipped in vinegar: and after thy death (to make them sport) they cast lots for thy garments. O sweet Saviour, being thus abused by thy once peculiar people, thou hast most righteously, according to their wish, brought upon them and their children, the reward of thy innocent blood, and done justly in forsaking the house of thine honour, and put it into the possession of the Gentiles, to be battered down, that there might not be left one stone upon another, and to scatter them into perpetual captivity, as at this day we do behold. But O heavenly Father, thou hast made known unto us Gentiles, that believe in thee according to thy Word, that they did no more, than what they hand and counsel had determined long before to be done. And had they known that they had crucified thy Son, the Lord of glory, no doubt they would not have done it, for in ignorance (as did their Fathers, they have done it) wherefore, O God, for the respect thou bearest to Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, and for thy servant David's sake, as thou hast promised (that a remnant should be saved) even as many as thou wilt call, and the first fruits being holy, the branches descending thereof should be holy, have respect unto them, that with the fullness of us Gentiles, they may come again into the fold of Christ. O Lord our Saviour, open their eyes, that they may believe the Scriptures, and so come again, and be grafted into their own Olive stock, for thou, O God, art able to graft them in again, for thy gifts and calling are without repentance. Wherefore take from them their unbelief, that we both jews & Gentiles may be saved through thy mercy. O sweet Saviour, have mercy on them, & call them home again, that we and they may make one sheepfold, and like good sheep, know thy voice, and follow thee our loving Shepherd, in the sincere obedience of thy Gospel. Heavenly Father, bless thy Church universal, that it may stand fast in the obedience and faith of Christ: give thy Gospel a free passage in it, & among all people, that yet know not thee. O thou which art the Lord of the harvest, send forth diligent and painful labourers into thy harvest. Bless all the reformed Churches in these western parts, but especially this church of England, that it be an ensample of sound doctrine, and godly life, unto all other Churches. And grant that the Kings, Nobles, and Senators, may remain, and succeed nursing Fathers in it for evermore. O Lord, let not the wild Boars of the Forest, the Turk, nor Antichrist, supplant the faith established among us, nor root up the vine, that thine own right hand hath planted, but continue the light among us which now live, or hereafter shall live, even as long as the Sun or the Moon shall endure. O God, as thou hast promised for thy Elect sake, finish these days of sin, and hasten thy coming unto glory. And as by all thy works in general, so by us men in special, yea by me with the residue of thy holy Church be especially given, both now, and for evermore, all honour and glory world without end. Amen. Amen. A Prayer for the discovery and desolation of Antichrist. O God of Hosts, the omnipotent, invisible, and incomprehensible, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, the eternal Creator, and most mighty upholder of all things in heaven, and in earth, and by whom Kings ruie, and Princes reign, hear me a poor sinful subject of thy great dominions, grieved and distressed in soul, to behold how the enemies of thy truth do bandy themselves against thee, and thy Christ, the Anointed of the Lord, and the only King of Kings, the wonderful Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace. Look down, and discover the haters of thy Word, those that have cast thy laws behind their backs, and scorn to be ruled by the sincere truth of the same: yet shame not to take thy laws in their mouths, though they hate to be reform thereby. O God we have heard with our ears, and our Fathers have told us, that in the last days shall be perilous times, in which men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, proud, boasters, blasphemers, disobedient unto superiors, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good; traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than of thee, having a form of godliness (a great show of righteousness) wanting the power thereof, being in truth, nothing but scoffers, and walkers after their lust: forbidding meats, drinks, & marriages, which with thanksgiving thou hast made holy and honourable, being indeed given to adultery, fornication, lasciniousnesse, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, strifes, wrath, seditions, heresies, murders, drunkenness, revile, and infinite the like, whereby it is come to pass, that there is none righteous no not one, none that understandeth, none that seeketh after GOD aright, but have stumbled at noonday, even against that rock of life, & thereby have used their tongues to deceit, and opened their mouths full of cursing and bitterness, and have run as Cain with their feet to shed innocent blood, yea most watchful to shed the blood of the righteous: destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. For the fear of God is not before their eyes, every one deviseth to work mischief, putting far away the evil day, professing themselves wise, till they became fools. O Lord, thou hast justly done to the men of this world, in these our days, as unto the ancient Philosophers, who mightily boasted themselves of their wisdom & general knowledge, and yet were ignorant of thee, even as the Antichristian enemies do at this day boast themselves to be the only true Church. Yet because they knew thee in word and not in deed; therefore thou gavest them up, unto their own hearts lusts, to worship and serve the creature in steed of the Creator, adoring the bread in the Sacrament for Christ himself, and honouring the Pope a mere man, as God himself, saying he is God, even as the heathen Gentiles unto their wooden Gods sometime said: thus, O Lord, because the Antichristian enemies have agreed with the heathen to contemn thy Word; thou hast justly done to give them up unto a reprobate mind, to work all manuer of unrighteousness, as at this day we see, the Romish Bishop, Prelates, Clergy, and Professors to be, the man and men of sin that should sit in the Temple of God, and in doctrine speak blasphemies and wicked untruths. O God, in thy Word thou hast evidently marked him out, showing that he should pretend chastity in heart and body, but indeed have nothing less: to claim all spiritual power, to open and shut the gates of thy Kingdom at his own will and pleasure, and against whom he lust, to be universal Bishop through the whole world, and supreme head of the Church, and Kings and Princes to be his vassals, and at his making and deposing. O Lord, he thrusteth out of the Church as heretics all that speak against his blasphemies, denouncing damnation to all that will not believe his exposition of thy Word, saying, that he hath always the holy Ghost in his breast, and that he cannot err. He hath forbidden the public reading of thy Word, as heretical and dangerous, especially for simple people, and ordained thy service in an unknown tongue, that the people might offer unto thee the Sacrifice of fools: & in stead of the Sacrament, which we should often receive, he hath brought into the Church a superstitious sacrifice of the Mass, in which they pretend to offer thee (O Christ) again for the sins of the people, and the Priests eating is sufficient for all the rest of the Church, be they never so many; or if they receive it in one kind, it is enough for them, saying, that the body is no● without the blood, quite gain, saying thy commandments, drink ye all of this. He teacheth for sound Doctrine, that we must be cleansed in Purgatory, in which he can give indulgence to release whom he will, and that we are saved by our good works; that we may keep perfectly all the commandments, and so deserve our salvations by our own merits, and that in Prayer we should call on the virgin Mary, as Queen of heaven, to command her Son to hear us: teaching us, that she is our Advocate, that pleadeth for us. He teacheth Pilgrimages, worshipping Images, keeping Relics, and that every man hath ●is peculiar Saint in heaven, to whom he liketh best to commend his suits by: saying, that it is presumption to approach to thee on●y in thy Son, though thou hast ●id, There is no name in heaven, ●r in earth, whereby we should ●e saved but only by the name of ●esus, to whom thou hast ordained every knee to bow, and only ●or to come. By these, and infinite of Romish forgeries and blasphemies ●ath this strumpet of Babylon, ●…de drunk the Kings and Prints of the earth, by those abomi●ble and lying wonders, and mi●cles, hath he blinded the eyes 〈◊〉 Christian Kingdoms and Na●ons, that they do not know ●w to serve thee the Lord. Wherefore (O Christ and most ●ly Lamb of GOD) against ●…m he hath so long time war●d, as it were drunk with the blood of the Saints. Yea (O Lord with the brightness of thy coming, let the viols of thy wrath be poured out upon her, to he● utter desolation: that the soule● of just and righteous men, tog● there with the Angels, in the vnit● of the spirit, may sing a song 〈◊〉 Halleluiah; saying, salvation, glory, honour, and power, be to th● Lord our God, to the Lamb, a● holy Spirit for evermore, Ame● Come Lord jesus, come quickl● Amen. LACHRIM. 3. Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith zeal, and strength, in undergoing Gods corrections. O Lord, I lift, my heart to thee, my soul in thee doth ever trust: O let me not confounded be, but make me righteous with the just: Let men not have their wills 'gainst me, but power on me thy comforts sweet. Thy saving health Lord let me see, who prostrate beg it at thy feet. Let thy right hand and providence, be stretched out to hold me up. And give me grace and patience, in lowliness to taste thy cup: So shall I sit on surest rock, and strength and power to me get, And stoutly shield mine enemy's stroke, though round about they me beset. For why, my comfort is in thee, and on thy providence I depend, O keep me safe in liberty, till all my troubles come to end: From perils six hast me delivered, I know therefore thou wilt from seven, From earthly thoughts let me be severed, and conversation have in heaven. I know that love a multitude of shameful sins doth closely cover: Within the gates I me include, thou art my souls true spouse and lover. The faithful thereby may take hold, of hope to have a prosperous end: Of their desires this makes me bold, for aid and comfort to attend. And with all patience to persever, I know thy word it is most sure: Poor penitent by faith, I le ever stand firm, and to the end endure. Alas, dear God, I nothing crane, to have of thee by mine own right: But in Christ's name I'll ask and have, for he is most gracious in thy sight. Yea for his merits thou dost love me, in him I know thou art well pleased. And hearest sinners when they move thee: for giv'st their sin, and they are eased. Amongst whom, Lord, I am the chief, and of good things am ignorant: Yet on the Cross didst save the Thief, for Christ his sake me mercy grant, In this world vanities most vild, I live and have no taste of truth: I knew not I was in exile, but did in folly spend my youth. Of thee alone I knowledge have, (for of myself I am but weak) Thou art my God that strength me gave, to work, to rest, to live, to speak. For of myself is misery, and of myself is all that's ill: But from thee Lord comes all mercy, and perfect power to work thy will Within, to consolation, of my sad soul and wounded heart Without, to preservation of my weak body in each part. Therefore teach me the truth, O Lord, (O sacred truth) teach me thy ways That I should walk, led by thy Word, and to thy glory spend my days: Lord keep from wicked thoughts mine heart, mine hands that they commit none ill: Mine eyes, my tongue, and every part, Lord grant they may perform thy will: My feet from falling still preserve, as of myself regard me not. Deal not with me as I deserve, as are my sins reward me not. Behold not my deformities, but look on me in Christ by love, My sins and all enormities, as mists and clouds from me remove. Thou righteous art and gracious, reformest sinners, sins forgiu'st: O be to me propitious, to live in thee that ever livest. Keep thou my soul, let me not perish, nor utterly to be confounded That trust in thee, but my soul cherish: and joy mine heart which thou hast wounded. Thou art my strength and sure defence, in time of dangers imminent, Though all help fail, experience hath taught me, thou art permanent. I go unto thine Oracle, and from thy word I counsel take, And find a wondrous miracle, thou never dost thine own forsake. Thy servants that in thee do trust, thy Tabernacle shall them shield: In secret thou dost hide the just, that are not with foul sin defiled. Harken, O Lord, harken and hear, unto my voice that call and cry: O let thy love towards me appear, with streams and floods of thy mercy. Thou sayest, O Lord, seek ye my face, what is it? but in my distress, To cry for help, and crave thy grace, and aid in time of heaviness: My soul by the pure privilege of thy free spirit which teacheth truth, My heart prepared with knowledge and faith, and hope unto thee sueth. My tongue doth speak, mine heart doth mutter, and every member in his place, Doth strive to speak, and these words utter, help me oppressed: hide not thy face. Though father that did me beget, my mother that from womb me bare, And all my friends forsake me yet, thou Lord of me tak'st charge and care. O Lord thou wilt me not forsake, for so hast promised in thy Word: In all distress no fear I'll take, but forthwith fly to thee O Lord, Thou giv'st not like our earthly Sires, nor wants suppliest like carnal friends. That would but cannot our desires, perform in deeds as heart pretends. Hopeless I should down faint, and fall, did I not in thee surely trust: That holdeth no respect at all, but unto those whom Christ makes just. And thou acceptest not vain glory as worldlings do, nor things external: Thou look'st not to things transitory, but to the things that are internal. A lowly and obedient heart, a trembling spirit thou dost elect: Of poor oppressed thou tookst the part, and proud men down thou dost deject: Frame thou therefore my inward zeal, that outward business me deceive not Of comforts which thou dost reveal to thine, and me of joys bereave not. When at thy mercy gate I knock, do not as rich men use the poor, That against them faced the gates do lock, but quickly Lord set open the door: Let not my miseries deprive my heart of joy, or soul's comfort: Let not vain things ill men devose, draw me to be of their consort. Make strong my faith, and hope Lord give me, and I'll take hold of thy protection. Be my defence and Pa●…oplie, and guide me safe to thy election. Thou hast, O Lord, my troubles scene, hast known my soul in bitterness. Thou hast mine help and succour been, O help me now in my distress. In mercies thou hast mightily. saved me from perils infinite: My life consumes, my heart doth die, my years do waste, my day is night: The day tells day, the night the morrow, the base reproach of my disaster: Yea friends and foes add grief to sorrow, and each base mate doth me o're-master. I am now at the point to pine, O let it be thy blessed pleasure: To ease my grief for I am thine, my pains assuage Lord in some measure; For thou my pains hast measured, and all that's good for those that fear, Lord thou in store hast treasured, to me Lord, let the same appear. In sight of those that are my foes, that think there is no period: Of all my tortures, pain, and woes, grant this for Christ his sake, O God. A Prayer of an afflicted mind. O Lamb of GOD which takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me, a most vile and wretched sinner, wounded even unto death eternal; if thou Lord in whom all fullness of mercy and compassion doth dwell, do not relieve and comfort me. O Lord how am I assaulted by the crafty and subtle temptations of Satan, that cunning serpent, that seeth all my weaknesses, both of soul and body, and never ceaseth night nor day, sleeping, waking, eating, drinking, hearing, and reading, mourning and laughing, but always followeth & doggeth me, with fearful temptations, telling me that I am but an hypocrite, and that all my repentance hath been but in words, and not in heart, in outward show, but not in truth: and that my sins are greater than God can or will forgive, that I am none of his Elect, that I have no true faith, saying, That those that truly believe, never doubt, that I do not understand God's word aright, and that it doth nothing appertain unto me, no more than unto judas (who for all he was an Apostle) yet was reprobated and cast away; and how knowest thou, but that thy faith is presumption, seeing never any man but St. Paul, had such assurance of faith. Yea, thou dost not delight in God's word, nor so love his Ministers as thou shouldest, thou dost not abound in good works, all thy righteousness is pharisaical, thou art a lover of the world more than of God: dost thou not see how thou art continually punished, plagued, and smitten of God, never without one cross or other, on thyself, thy wife, children, and servants: on thy cattle, goods, and adventures, at home and abroad, and in other businesses: Yea, in every thing thou puttest thine hand unto, thou seest how God is against thee, and cannot abide thee: yea, even in thy Prayers thou mayest feel how the spirit of God hath left thee: therefore deceive not thyself, thou art none of his; if it were otherwise, thou shouldest not be so afflicted in every thing as thou art. Deceive not thyself, God doth not love thee, if he did, he would never have suffered thee to commit so many sins, as thou hast done, by lying, by swearing, by drunkenness, by whoring, by fornication, by adultery, by murder, and the like, and to have lived so long in them as thou hast done: Yea, what a profaner of the Sabbath day hast thou been? what filthy & unclean thoughts, what scurrilous Songs, and unsavoury speeches have issued out of thy heart and mouth, and how hast thou been swallowed up in pleasure and pride, all the days of thy youth. And how many of God's good creatures hast thou profaned in thy belly, on thy back, on thy neck, to prank thy jezabels' face, thinking nothing good enough, and fine enough to pamper thy earthly carcase: And dost thou think that God will now in thine old age, accept thy blind service. Thy repentance comes too late, God will not regard thy sacrifice, but as thou regardest not him, when he called in thy youth; so now he will not regard thee in thine old age, though thou make many cries unto him; yea, there is no sacrifice can cleanse thee from thy sins, thou hast cast God's law behind thy back, and committed the sin against the holy Ghost, so that it is in vain for thee to hope for mercy, thou canst not be forgiven, though with Esau thou sh●d never so many tears. Thou art a reprobate by God's decree, and what knowest thou, but that thou art in hell already, so that do what thou wilt, thou canst not be saved. And therefore drown, or hang thyself, or cut thy throat: O Coward, kill thyself, and so shalt thou rid thyself out of this present pain. O heavenly Father, look down upon this my wounded spirit: and (O Lord) drive away Satan, that he prevail not in these temptations against my soul. O Lord, so strong and violent are his temptations, that I know not how to resist them, but by the strength of thy holy Spirit, which I beseech thee, O Lord, may powerfully and comfortably aid & assist me now and for evermore. Lord for thy Christ his sake, in whom I only trust to obtain thy mercy, do away my sins, and speak peace unto my soul, against this lying serpent, that thou art and wilt be my salvation: O lord create in me a clean heart, and renew in me a right spirit, that I may learn to fear thee according to thy word: deal bountifully with me thy servant, that I may escape these temptations, and in spite of Satan, live to keep thy word: let not such contempt & reproach come upon me, but save me out of the jaws of hell, and from the power of Satan, for thy name's sake, and for thy mercy sake, and for thy Son his sake, O Lord I beseech thee. And though my soul through these temptations, cleave unto the dust, yet quicken thou me according to thy word, and though the sorrows of death hereby compass me in on every side, and the terrors of hell have now caught hold on me, yet O Lord I beseech thee to deliver my soul. And though Satan hath compassed me with the multitude of his temptations, yet in thy Name, O Lord, I am confident, that I shall overcome them. And though thou hast suffered Satan for a time to buffet me; yet I beseech thee as thy Son jesus my Saviour hath taught me, in this last petition of his holy Prayer; let me be neither further led, nor come into temptation, but as in the wilderness, after Satan's threefold temptation of thee, thou by faith in the Word of thy Father, didst resist him, that in the end he left thee, so that thy Angels ministered comfort to thee: so most sweet Saviour help me, so by the same skill of thy holy Word, that I may resist Satan, and after the battle be comforted and confirmed in obedience, by the most sweet comfort of thy holy spirit. O Lord my Saviour, how did he tempt thee, to make away thyself, but could not prevail? So (O Lord) strengthen me by the same power of thy Godhead, and a true lively faith, by which I am engrafted into thee, that I may never by Satan's power, be forced against, nor with my will, to commit the wickednesses wherewith he tempteth me. O Lord, he could not enter into the Herd of Swine, until thou gavest him leave: wherefore by thy unlimited power, curb and restrain him, that he enter not into me, much less work his will of me, as he did of them. He fain would have killed thy servant job, as he had done his children, servants, and cattle, but thou wouldst not give him leave: So (O Lord) he hath striven to do with me, but thou hast kept me, and resisted, and rebuked him in my behalf: he striveth like a roaring Lion, to make me his prey, and beateth hard to enter into my heart, which thou hast swept and garnished, to be a receptacle for thyself; wherefore (O Lord) let that stronger man, even thy holy Spirit, keep sure my soul unto thee, that I be not overcome with his furious assaults, and temptations, to let go my hope in thy mercies: thou delightest not in the death of a sinner, but rather to show mercy, that he may be saved: Lord for thy mercy sake, save me, and help me, for thy Son's sake keep me, from the rage and fury of this my great oppressor. O God, he would fame play the lying spirit unto my soul, that he might plunge me in thy great displeasure: but (O jesus I beseech thee) save me, and drive Satan away from me, that he never come at me more. O God, he continually striveth with me for my soul, as he did with thine Angel, for the body of Moses, but as then thou didst defend it, and thine Angel, and in the end rebuked Satan; So (O Lord) defend me, & rebuke Satan, that he prevail not against me, neither in health, in sickness, nor yet at the point of death; but send thine Elect Angel of the covenant (Christ jesus) my anointed Saviour, and his innumerable heavenly Soldiers, here to keep me, and at my end to conduct my soul, to that place of rest, where this champion of hell, shall not once dare to defy it, or cast forth any wicked accusation against me: and that for the merits of thy dearest Son, and sprinkling of his blood, under which I expect my safety and salvation, both here in the Church militant, and for ever in thy Church triumphant, therefore to thee most holy Trinity, and Lord God of Sabbaths, be given by me, and all thine, both present, and eternal praise. Amen. LACHRIM. 4. Wherein the distressed prayeth GOD to keep him from despair, howsoever men go about to ruin him or his estate: not regarding (so God in his mercy and protection be with him) who or how many rise up against him. IN thee, O Lord, I put my trust, and yet there are which daily say, There is no help for me unjust, but Lord thy word cannot decay: Thou art my God, how can they then, prove that thou wilt none help me send: I am brought low in sight of men, there's none will help or comfort bend: My basket and my store is spent, they say it was by thee accursed: Thou didst at take that hadst it sent, but they take all things at the worst: At me they gape, at me they wonder, as at a monster seldom seen: On all their works and words I ponder, what I now am, what I have been. I faint at nought, thou knowst my smart, thouart my Father, and dost me foster: What words or works, can daunt my heart, I am in thee become a boaster. These men thy might and power disable, or else thy love to man diminish: Or else they think thou art unstable, and dost begin, and wilt not finish: Or that the poor will't not support, nor help the needy in distress: But as thou knowest what they report, so make them feel their wickedness. But I do know thou failest never, them that in thee their trust repose. If they be constant and persever, all things are for the best to those. Thou art indeed a jealous God, and first thy children thou dost monish: Thou bearest with love, and beatest with rod, if they mend not, wilt further punish: Yet call'st thy chosen children back, by gentle strokes, from running riot, And sufferest them to suffer lack, and dost prescribe to them their diet: We may condignly then deride, the judgement of such foolish men, That unto thee Lord will prescribe, the measure what, and the time when. Such fleshly men by wealth and woe, censure thy love, or thy displeasure: As Nature's friend, or Grace's foe, by humane reason all things measure. They think thou lov'st whom thou feedest fat, with plenty, pleasures, worldly riches: And that all others thou dost hate, these world, flesh, and devil bewitches: And great is this temptation, unless our natures thou assist: Enfeebled with affliction, whose help doth rest in jesus Christ. When thou therefore dost me correct, with one hold, hold me with the other: Let fasth in thee make thee accept me for thy Son, by Christ my brother: Lay not upon me greater load, than I poor wretch can well endure. If I do sink, stay my abode, and if I fall, then keep me sure. Thou knowst Lord whereof I am made, I am a silly simple man: A worm, a flea, a puff, a shade, that no good do, nor no good can. Try by the Cross, true to the Crown, that we may prove by want and losses: But to despair, pull me not down, but unto comforts, turn my crosses: I am not able to bear thy yoke, unless Christ thy Son do with me draw: I am not able to fend thy stroke, unless he (O Lord) doth ward the blow. Lord with thy mercies compass me, protection draw out of despair: O let me thy salvation see, and all things fit obtain by Prayer. Thou showest mercy to the meek, that trust in thee in all men's sight: There children shall find what they seek, thou shalt to Sunshine turn their night. A place whence worldlings are excluded, and all the hellish rabble out. Though here on earth they have intruded, to root Gods faithful children out: And such as have with hate pursued, and trusted in the arm of flesh: And have their hands in blood imbrued, shall say in judgement they were rash. God's on my side, who can overthrow me? Christ pleads my cause, can God refuse me, As just in Christ: the Lord doth know me, he doth acquit, who can accuse me. We thought that this man's life was madness, then shall the wicked worldlings say: But see his words are turned to gladness, whom we have deemed a castaway. His hand hath wrought what he would have, yea I myself shall say I erred: That thought thou wouldst me not save, because my joys were then deferred: I thought my cries thou wouldst not hear, when I thee sought, thyself didst hide: When I complained, thou cam'st not near, as though thou couldst me not abide: But now I knowledge and confess, thy wisdom great in humbling me: Thy love sustained me in distress, thy providence relieving me. This passed all judgement and conceit, of learnedst, gravest, wisest men: Therefore, dear Father, I will wait, take thine own time, how, where, and when I will not with thy will indent: nor thee direct the manner how. Thou shouldst me help, 'tis mine intent, unto thy will to bend and bow. Hereafter I will hold my peace, though men shall say yet still of me: And though their tongues will never cease, (there is for me, no help from thee.) 〈◊〉 Prayer for a Merchant, that God would bless his Sea adventures. O Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and that ●ath made the round world, and 〈◊〉 that is therein, that stretcheth ●t the North over the empty ●aces, and hangeth the earth vp● nothing, that hath set the Sea ●s bounds, until night and day ●me to an end; that divideth ●e Sea, and bindeth the floods ●om overflowing: that looketh 〈◊〉 the ends of the earth, and seeth ●e whole fabric of heaven, and ●e earth, and all things therein: ●t maketh the weight for the winds, and knoweth the measures of the waters, that hath since the days of Noah, shut up the Sea, with bars and doors, saying, hitherto shalt thou come, and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed; yet fo● the families of Jacob, at their departure from Egypt and Pharaoh Court; thou didst once again interrupt the bounds of the Seas and made them to stand on heaps that Israel might escape from their cruel and bloody pursuers The waters saw thee (O God) th● waters saw thee, & were afraid a● the presence of the Lord God A● mighty: unto thee most might Jehovah do I come, beseeching thee to prosper my adventures a● the Sea: thou art the same Lor● that didst prosper the ancient a● ventures that thy servant Salomo made to Opher in the land of Hau● lah toward the East. O Lord, beseech thee, that when the wi● shall arise, the Seas roar, t● floods raise them up into heaven, and cast them down again into the bottom of the deep, threatening nothing but death and destruction: keep them that they perish not in the proud waves thereof, by falling into sands, nor by running against the hard rock: Keep them safe in their persons ●nd goods, as thou didst Salomon's Mariners, and the rich treasures 〈◊〉 their vessels. O Lord, let no ●obbers, nor Pirates at Sea, attach ●heir persons or goods, but pro●ect them safe out of their hands, ●hat I and they being made well 〈◊〉 live, may return thanks, and ●●sse thee all our days, both privately and publicly in thy holy congregation; for they that go ●to the deep, see the wonders 〈◊〉 the Lord, & thereby are taught ●w to praise thee. Sweet Saviour, as thy Disci●s with thee in the Ship, in ●eir extremities called upon ●ee to help them, that they might not perish: So, O Lord, I● cail upon thee, beseeching thee to hear me for them, and them for, themselves, and say unto the Seas peace, and be still: for they are at thy command to obey thee, and therefore subject at thy rebuke to be still. O Lord, as thou didst reach forth thy hand unto thy Disciples, and to Peter at midnight, when they were in distress, in the raging waves, and by calling unto thee were comforted: So, O Lord, put into their hearts such a reverend fear of thee, that in any danger or extremity by sea or land, they may call upon thee and be comforted O Lord, though they be compassed about with death on every side, yet there is assured safety in thee; wherefore keep firm● their tackle, that they deceiu● them not in the raging winds nor mountain billows that bea● against their sides, that their Ship in which they are, be not broken O Lord, if thou force them to cast out their goods for safety, yet will it not avail, unless therewith they cast forth by unfeigned repentance their loads of sins, through which bodies and goods are made to sink. And let them be in safety, as the Mariners that were travailing from joppa to Tarsus, when they had cast forth rebellious jonas. O Lord of hosts, and God of heaven, send thy Angels with them, to guide them forth, and conduct them safe in their return, & be with them in their greatest necessities, as thou wast with thine Apostle S. Paul, in his dangerous voyage to Rome. This temporal blessing, and all others that are needful, and that thou knowest better to give, than I to ask; (though a chief of sinners, and therefore most unworthy) yet I beg & ask it, if it be thy good pleasure, for thy Son jesus sake, my only Lord and Saviour. Amen. A Prayer for the fruits of the earth, and other nourishments of this mortal life. O Eternal God, which feedest with thy blessing every living thing: and satisfiest the desires of thy servants, with thy bountiful goodness, we wretched sinners, unworthy of the least of thy blessings and benefits, do most humbly beseech thee to be pleased, to bless all the fruits of the earth, that we and all thy servants may be partakers of thy comforts therein, for the nourishment of this life. Give us, O Lord, this day our daily bread, prepare our ground, and prosper our corn. Bless the seed time with the first and latter rain, and meet temperature of air. Keep our fruits while they be in the earth, from hail and thunder, from excessive droughts, and immoderate reins, from mildews, and all noisome worms. Send us a joyful Harvest, and give a blessing to that which we shall reap, that for our unthankfulness it waste not away without our relief. Increase our cattle, with all other our provision, which we shall carefully labour for. Replenish our basket, and bless our store, that we may have wherewith, as to furnish ourselves, so to give some relief unto others. Protect our servants and workefolkes, that they may be strong to labour, wise to forecast, and faithful in their business. Keep our Garners, Barns, and Storehouses, from fire, and boisterous winds, thieves, and sudden inundations. Prosper our works and travels, whether by sea or land, and bless and prosper all them that any way labour for any of those things that we shall have occasion to use. Send remedy, O Lord, for all hardness and misery, turn our dearth into cheapness, and our scarcity into plenty. Open the hearts of rich men, to whom thou hast given much, that they may have a charitable respect of the poor at all times. Help us (O Lord) and give us such things as we stand in need of, and make us to desire such things only as may be pleasing unto thee, to search them wisely, and to find them easily. Oppress us not with too much poverty, neither puff us up with too much plenty; but give us a competent store of things necessary for this life, and grace to use them soberly to thy glory, and our comfort, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A thanksgiving for our Benefactors. O Lord, which hast said, that he that giveth unto the poor, dareth unto the Lord, and look what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again: we beseech thee to be gracious and merciful to all those, for whom we are bound to pray by nature, by desert, or any other duty whatsoever. Of thy especial favour remember all our Benefactors and friends alive, even all those our Parents, kinsfolks, and others, which have brought us up, taught, promoted, or any way relieved us. Bless them with all blessings, that have done good, either to our bodies with temporal benefits, or our souls with profitable instructions. Bless their estates, that in their godly dispositions they may have always wherewith to relieve and comfort others in their discretion: give them the consolation of the holy Ghost, to the keeping of faith and a good conscience: And as they have showed mercy unto us, and comforted us: so Lord, help and comfort them in their greatest needs, that both they and their families may both have comfort in their estate and condition here, and find mercy with thy Son our Saviour jesus at the latter day. Lord let all their almsdeeds, and prayers, be always in thy sight, as those of Cornelius; that as they have been unto us an odour that smelleth sweet, whereby we have received plenty, and been filled, so they may be as sacrifices acceptable and pleasant unto thee. Vouchsafe us this grace, O Lord, that we be not guilty of any ingratitude towards them, but rather ready according to our abilities, to recompense them, if need require. Let not that which they have bestowed upon us be cast away, but make it fruitful & us worthy of it. Grant this, O thou God, which dost good both to the just and unjust, for jesus Christ's sake, our only Lord & Saviour. Amen. LACHRIM. 5. Wherein the distressed showeth his desire to hold more fast the promises of God. O Lord, thou art my hope and strength, thou helpest in trouble, do not hide Thyself for ever, but at length for men distressed do thou provide, For I by thee will hold most fast, I'll trust in thee while I do live: And till those storms be overpassed, I'll neither faint, nor fear, nor grieve. Tremble thou earth: rage sea and land, wind, tempest, storms, and all about: I see thee (Lord) hold out thy hand, for my defence, I'll never doubt. What though hills quake, & staggering stumble, and fall into the midst of seas. Though waters roar, rage, and tumble, thou canst this change, and all appease, Should I then faint at troubles small, which like small darts thou throw'st at me In love, but not to kill at all, but make me leave my vanity. Forsake my follies every deal, reclaiming errors to the truth: 'tis thou didst hurt, and thou canst heal: thou hast preserved me from mine youth. I must confess I merited, the death of death, with pains of hell: And to be disinherited of heaven's high, where just do dwell. But Lord do mitigate thine anger, and turn thy heavy wrath to love: Deliver me from all this danger, let thy compassion mercy move. And with true comforts Christ all fountain, my dry and thirsty soul refresh: And power on me from holy mountain, sweet dews to glad my soul and flesh. Thy darts in me, O Lord, stick fast, O pull them out, cast them away, And cure my wounds, to help make haste; bind up my sores, souls sorrows stay. Cleanse the corrupt affections, of my defiled wicked heart: Prosper and bless mine actions, lighten my knowledge gross and dark. O Wash me from impiety, exhilerate my sick soul's sadness●…. In darkness let me light espy, in midst of sorrow grant me gladness, On fruitful ground Lord do me plan●▪ and build me up on surest r●cke. Annoys to joys, to wealth turn w●… from future ills me keep and lock, As trees that grow by water's side, whose leaves and blossoms freshly flourish; For ever let my state abide, thy love revive, thy grace me nourish, Let thy spirit daily spring and bud, with faiths pure branches from my heart: Let dews and drops of Christ's dear blood, feed veins of hope from sinner's dar●▪ My store is decayed, thou canst renew it: my basket's empty, thou canst fill it: Refresh my heart, again revive it: revive it Lord, for thou didst kill it. Thou helpest the simple, poor, and needy, thou seest my state, thou canst all m●nd: I know thou knowst when to be speedy, and knowest thy time when to defend. Help, help, O Lord, else down I fall, hold me fast by thy strong hand, And lift me up against them all, that by opposing me withstand. Thy promise (Lord) thou●…o saint perform; thy words are deeds, thou 〈◊〉 and dost, A happy end thou dost return, and grant to those that on thee trust: My safety (Lord) thou hast ordained, by faith my hope doth mount and ●lie, And by that hope I am sustained, if that were lost my soul would die. My faith hath fixed an object right, my will doth far my power exceed: But (Lord) I know that in thy sight, the will is taken for the deed. Then (Lord) for deed my will do take, and I secured shall be then. O grant me this for Christ his sake, to whom be praise for aye. Amen. A convenient Prayer for all times, either for a private person, or a whole family. MOst mighty God, & Father of our Lord jesus Christ, most loving Saviour and Redeemer, and most blessed Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, the eternal, most glorious Trinity, which in the beginning didst create the heaven and the earth, with all the hosts of them, and from time to time, unto this present moment of their being, upheld and preserved them, and all creatures, that thou didst then make, have ever sithence obeyed thy first institution, man only (for whom thou madest all things) excepted, which when we do consider (O Lord) we cannot, but be much dejected in ourselves, to think that we whom thou hast adorned with thine own Image, should be fallen back in our obedience, and become worse than the worst of thy creatures: thou gavest us disposition to obey thee, but we have despised thee, and cast away from us the yoke of obedience, yet so great is thy mercy, that though we have rejected thee, yet thou hast not rejected us, but hast continued all thy covenants in full force unto us, as in the beginning unto our forefathers. O Lord, from the womb of our Parents are we risen a rebellious seed, and like the prodigal son, have in the vain imaginations of our hearts wandered from thee, so that thou canst take no pleasure nor delight in us, or in any thing we do: but (O Lord) we cast down ourselves in thy sight, and presence, earnestly beseeching thee (as on the poor Publican) to have mercy upon us, and pardon all our sins which we from time to time have done against thee. O Lord pardon our sins of ignorance, of omission and commission, in the duties commanded & forbidden, which we have neglected and not done. O Lord pardon our sins of knowledge, by which we have often grieved thy good spirit, that would have hindered and detained us from them, if we out of the love to them, had not too much delighted in them, & stopped our ears against his holy motions and directions. O Lord, pardon our sins of presumption, by which we have most mightily offended thee: and so hardened our hearts, as we could take no delight in the exercise of thy worship or service, as by the contempt of thy most holy Word and Sacraments, in our own conscience, and in the sight of thy holy Church, unto whom we are known, is most manifest: yet (O our most good God) do away all our transgressions, at what time or place so ever they have been committed or done. (O Lord) separate them as far from thee, as the East is from the West, bind them in a bundle, and drown them from thy sight, as thou didst the sins of the old world: O Lord drown them in the huge sea of thy mercy, so as they may be clean forgotten, for we confess, that if thou shouldest call us to a reckoning and account for them, there is not the least of them, but like millstones tied about our necks, in the midst of the sea, would drown us in eternal death, & condemnation of body & soul for evermore. But (O Lord) we beseech thee to nail our sins unto the Cross of thy dear Son jesus our Saviour, and Redeemer, and for his sake, we only entreat thee to be at peace with us, and thy whole Church, throughout the world. Wash our sins away in his most holy blood which he shed for his Church's sake, in his agony on the mount before, and in his death on the Cross, for he is the Lord our righteousness, who in thy secret counsel was slain, from the beginning of the world, that we which trust in him, by his stripes and wounds, might of our sins be healed. O Lord, I beseech thee, hear these our petitions; which much like forlorn beggars, we put up unto thee in thy Son's name, being emboldened, and encouraged this to dee, from that promise of thine, which in thy holy Gospel, thou hast given us, saying: Ask and ye shall have, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Yea, thou hast encouraged us here unto, saying; Can you that are evil, give good gifts to your children, when they ask; and shall not I give the holy Ghost to my children when they ask of me? And thou hast said, that having given thy Son unto us, that thou wilt with him give us all things else, and for his sake deny unto us nothing: in conscience of the truth of this thy holy word, we pray thee to hear us, and to settle our hearts & minds in the knowledge, love, and obedience of thy word and commandments to the end, and in the end of this our frail and weak life. O Lord, considering our weakness, and how unable we are to stand in temptation: and considering how many and how great our temptations are, both in things spiritual, and things temporal; and how the devil as a wand'ring and raging Lion, reigneth throughout the world, and in the Church especially: seeking whom he may devour, and considering how subtly he useth, and offereth this world unto us, (as he did unto thee in the beginning of thy Ministry, which thy Father had appointed thee in his Church) even so by the profits and pleasures which he proffereth us, would he cunningly steal our hearts from thee, and thy worship unto himself, which we abhor as most wicked and ungodly: And considering how he stirreth our unclean hearts, and wicked corruptions, as a stinking puddle to breath forth many noisome and loathsome cogitations, and evil actions, whereby he would brand our consciences, not only to doubt of our redemption by Christ, but also of thy mercy, which is so exceeding comfortable. For all these considerations we entreat thee to hear us, help us, and strengthen us, in all these several temptations; and as in these, so in all other, of what nature or kind so ever they are, or shall be in this world: and that not only in prosperity, but in adversity, and in the strength of Satan's temptations, especially when thou shalt have cast us upon the bed of sickness, and bring us unto the point of death, when we are most weak, and Satan in his greatest insolency. Wherefore, O Lord, give us grace, that in the time of this life, we may not be negligent, but most careful in the use of all good means, whereby we may finish our salvation in fear and trembling, for of ourselves we cannot move one foot forward unto thy Kingdom, without thy help to stir us, inwardly by the motions of thy spirit, and outwardly by the hearing and reading of thy word, with conference, meditation, and prayer. Let not thy grace be absent at such times, but go on with us in blessing, helping, and guiding us, till we have obtained full assurance, even the testimony of thy holy Spirit, in our hearts witnessing unto us, and with us, that thou art our God, and we thine adopted sons and children (in Christ jesus our Lord) and so may be enabled to stand fast in love and charity, as to all men in general, so especially to thy Church, which are only the household of faith: O make me merciful to the fatherless, to widows indeed, to captives, bondslaves, and all sorts that suffer adversity in soul or body. Having prayed for ourselves, and such things as concern this present life, as feeling members of the mystical body of thy Church militant dispersed, and scattered throughout the whole world, we entreat thee to have mercy upon it, and bless it by strengthening those that thou hast called, that we may stand fast in the profession of thy Name, and not be ashamed of that inseparable yoke-fellow, thy cross, under which thou hast caused us as spiritual soldiers always to war. And grant that by no temptations inward or outward, we be forced to faint; but enable us, that fight against our most subtle adversaries, flesh or spirit, our corrupt nature, men, or the devil, being Lords of the whole world, that i● wicked, carnal, and unregenerate men, that are wholly led of Satan, and the power of darknesse● Heavenly Father, I beseech thee▪ more particularly to look down upon the reformed Churches▪ and among them more especially upon the Churches of England▪ Scotland, and Ireland, and all other our own and neighbouring Nations, that we may enjoy the promises of the Gospel, as long as the Sun and Moon endure● And grant that out of those Churches may be spread far and wide among the jews and Heathen that are called, the amiabi● tidings of the Gospel, that thereby the Kingdom of thy Son may be more and more enlarged To this end, bless all Christian Kings, Princes, and Potentates▪ but especially thy servant Charle● our King, that by thine appointment, at this present doth rule and govern us; increase in him▪ ●nd them, religious, zealous, and sincere hearts: so as he and they ●ay go before all other Kings ●nd Princes, in m●st holy, wise, & Christian life, ministering judgement, and justice, without respect ●f persons. O Lord make our King, and all other Kings strong maintainers and defenders of thy ●ue, ancient, Catholic, and Christian faith, now established 〈◊〉 these his Dominions; that no policy of man, nor subtlety of Sa●han, may prevail against it, but ●hat his Majesty by the temporal sword, and the Ministers of ●…e Word by the spiritual sword, ●…e preaching of the Word, (as ●…ttle David) may prevail against ●…l the enemies thereof, secret or ●pen, abroad or at home, within ●…ese his own Dominions. Heavenly Father, send him we be●…ech thee, (if it be thy will) No●…e and Royal issue, that after him 〈◊〉 every Age, they may sit upon ●…e Throne of this Kingdom, r●le, and govern it unto the coming of thy dear Son our Saviour unto judgement. O Lord settle about him and them, i● every age and generation, a god▪ lie, learned, religious, truly noble and wise Counsel: And graun● that both he and they may truly love and advance, unto, and in govenrnment, a learned and religious Ministry, and Magistrac●… within thy Church of great Britain especially. And most might tie God, I pray thee perpetually to look down upon all men, bu● especially upon our own Country men, that are in any adversity by sea, or land, and in their several trials and crosses of this life● give them patience to bear, 〈◊〉 deliverance, in, or out of them, 〈◊〉 may be best unto thy godly wise doom, as may make most to th● glory, and their comforts. 〈◊〉 these and all other blessings spiritual and temporal, beyond th● we are able to ask and think we pray thee to hear● us, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 only and alone, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Son●e our Saviour's sa●e 〈◊〉 ●hom with thee, and thy ●…t holy Spirit, be 〈◊〉 ho●… and glory, from this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and for evermore. Amen. LACHRIM. 6. In which the distressed craveth pardon for his sins, the cause of all his miseries. O Had I wings like to a Dove, then should I from these troubles fly: To wilderness I would remove, to spend my life and there to die. Mongst bushes thick, and branches tall, of mighty Cedars huge and high: With savages and wild beasts all, for to avoid my misery. But why thus wish I, Lord▪ alas, that am vain man of flesh and blood: Thou God that bring'st all things to pass, dost know, this sorts not for my good. For were ●…in vast wilderness: in furthest part of earth or air: I could no whit my case redress, as being in thy power there. Were I in bowels of the earth, were I in sea, in clouds or sky: With sorrow, grief, with joy or mirth, there Lord thou art with powerful eye, There canst thou also find me out, and visit there my foul effence: Thou art my paths and bed about, 'tis vain to hide or feel defence. Then let me at thy footstool fall, and there acknowledge mine amiss: For pardon beg, and mercy call, and pray for grief and heavenly bliss: And that thou bridle my desires, cleanse mine affections with thy spirit. Inflame me with thy holy fire, in nought but thee let me delight. Lord can the fierceness of my heart, reform my words, my mouth, my speech: Thou fountain of all wisdom art, therefore true wisdom do me teach. In understanding truth instruct me, vouchsafe me perfect patienc●: And to freedom Lord conduct me, where is no loss nor pain of sense. And from these danger's Lord me free, which most I fear, and soonest possess: The comforts most desired by me, and so enjoy true happiness. O make not Lord thy absence long, but hasten my deliverance. Against my foe's Lord make me strong, which do themselves against me advance. That ready are with onset new, for to assault my silly soul: Wearied with storms that do accrue, and plunged with waves which o'er me roll. Wherefore hast thou left unto us, by thy word a commandment, To cast our care on thee which thus with weighty burdens us torment. With promise to us help and ease, thou seest and knowst Lord our desire: Our secret hearts, and all our ways. all's plain to thee as light, as fire. If therefore I should justify myself, I should condemned be: Thou findest me out, and dost me try, my righteousness is nought to thee, Disclaiming my integrity, I cast me down Lord at thy feet: And pray for pure sincerity, that I do all in all that's meet. Wherefore thou art most merciful, when wants and weakness we confess: Yea, than thy gifts are plentiful, us to relieve in our distress. On thee my burden Lord I lay, for well I know thou carest for all That thee believe: love, fear, obey, and for thy grace and mercy call. My faith and hope is all in thee, I am of imperfections full, I ask why thou dost visit me? should I that blockish am a●… dull, Defiled within, and eke without, plead duties done, ●r else be mute: It is in vain to go about, with thee, O Lord, for to dispute. Who evil am in my best way, in purest thoughts yea most impure: Pardon my weakness Lord I pray. and give me zeal and truth to endure: With humbleness and perfect love, which Lord thou dost of me require: Instruct me God, with wisdom move, me guide and lead to thy desire. Show me the way that tends to bliss, after this my long straying h●●re, And bring me home where all peac●●s, let thy free favour Lord appear. Wherein is life and liberty, comfort, joy, and society. With rest, peace, and tranquillity, for them that live in piety. O happy he whom thou protectest, most happy he whom thou dost love: He is happy and sure whom thou respectest, he is fed and clad from thee above. In all good things he is rich indeed, when he doth call, thou dost him hear: What he doth ask, thou giv'st at need, he seeks and finds them every where. When he is sick thou dost him ●ure: when poor, thou dost his wants supply: When he is sad he shall be sure, thy saving help and health is ni●, When he is troubled dost defend him, in danger dost secureness give him: When men him hate, thy love wilt send him, when almost dead, life doth revive him. And giv'st him then such joys for ever, as no man's wit can apprehend: Me favour grant, Lord bring me thither, to these thy blessings without end. This favour Lord unto me show, and bless my contemplation, Only in heaven and he, I know is perfect contentation. My sorrows shall be turned to joy, my wants unto sufficiency: My tears to gladness, from annoy, mourning to mirth and melody. My soul keep safe from death and hell: my feet from sliding and from falling: Let m● uprightly walk and dwell: and on thee still O Lord be calling. Who dost perform thy promises, and lettest none empty part away: That with their hearts seek thy mercies, or do for help or comfort pray. Send help therefore and save me, from them that would me quite de●o●re: And daily grieve me, and deprave me, my soul's with Lions every hour. I wads as through the raging sea, I dwell amongst them set on fire: Whose teeth are spears, whose tongue bears sway, like two-edged sword with wrath and ire. Thy mercy therefore and thy truth, let be my bucklen and strong s●…ld: Hast been mine hope even from my youth, let troubles cease, new joys me yield. Set me upon thy rock for 〈◊〉, of perfect love and true relief: Let rest and refuge fail me n●uer, and thy protection save from grief, Bring thou to pass what's fit for me, what thou dost know expedient: That righteous men th●●nd may see, and how my hope obtained con●●nt. That they may of thy glory talk, and speak of thy eternal praise▪ All men shall say that see me walk; doubtless God will the righteous raise. There is a God th●●'s gracious go●d▪ to them that be of perfect heart: When he hath all their foes with stood, heaven's joys to them he will impart. A Prayer in the time of plague, or other extraordinary sickness. O Lord our GOD, in whose name standeth our help, and who (amongst other evils) hast promised us to deliver thy people from the 〈◊〉 of the Hunter, and the noisome Pestilence, we beseech thee take this thy Plague away from us: And as the stench of our sinnès hath ascended up into thy nostrils, to provoke thy wrath against us: so let our humble supplications come before thee, to procure our happy and speedy release from it. Lord call back thine Angel, and cause him to sheathe the sword again. We are thy children, the work of thy hand, we are sorry for our sins, which are the cause of all this: and we purpose amendment: we are but men, dust and ashes, not able to bear long; therefore Lord have mercy upon us, and that soon, send us comfort, and suffer us not to perish after so miserable a sort. We thank thee, O Lord, that thou hast not left us altogether comfortless, without hope, but hast somewhat withdrawn thine hand, and spared many hundred of us, in comparison of those whom thou slewest before: and now we rejoice at this abatement, yet stand in awe, we presume upon this thy favour, but with fear and trembling: we trust it shall be every day better, yet we are careful to win it by pleasing thee. Wherefore, O Lord, we beseech thee bless us, and all those that depend upon us; set thy saving mark upon our houses, as thou didst for the Israelites, and give or er to the destroyer that he hurt us not. Put thy strength to our medicines: guard our regard which we have of ourselves: let thy good blessings make the preservatives of the Physicians, and our shifting places for more security, profitable unto us, and let us not trust too much to outward means, but chiesely in thy mercy, and blessing upon them. Keep us down-lying and uprising, and protect us walking in our vocations: have pity upon our distressed brethren, comfort the desolate widows, provide for all fatherless children. Gather us together again, that by these means are dispersed, and continue thy merciful work in diminishing our dead numbers, till we may justly say in confidence and thanks with the Prophet, we shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The ancient Prayer, called, O bountiful jesus. O Bountiful jesus, O sweet jesus▪ O jesus the Son of the Virgin Mary, which art full of mercy and truth: O sweet jesus have pity upon me, according to thy great mercy. O benign jesus, by the same precious blood which thou wast contented to shed upon the Altar of the Cross for us miserable sinners: I beseech thee vouchsafe to cast all mine iniquities out of thy sight, and despise not me that thus humbly beg of thee, crying and calling▪ upon thy holy name JESUS: This name JESUS is a sweet name, this name JESUS is a name of salvation, for what is JESUS but a Saviour. O good JESUS, which hast created me, and redeemed me with thine own blood, suffer not me whom thou hast made of nought to be damned; O good JESUS, let not my wickedness have power to destroy me whom thine Almighty goodness hath made. O good JESUS, reknowledge that which is thine in me, and that which is not of thee, take that away from me, O good JESUS, even now while the time of mercy is, have mercy upon me, and let me not be confounded at the day of thy fearful judgement. O good JESUS, although I vile sinner, by thy straight ●ustice, have deserved to be punished everlastingly, for my most grievous sins, yet having sure confidence in the truth of thy righteousness, I appeal to thine unspeakable mercy: I am sure thou wilt have mercy upon me like a loving Father, and a merciful Lord. O good JESUS, what profit is there in my blood, if I descend into the pit of eternal corruption? for surely they that be dead, shall not magnify thee, or any that go down into the place of silence. O most merciful JESUS, have mercy upon me, O most sweet JESUS deliver m●… O most holy JESUS be merciful to me a sinner. O JESUS accept me wretched sinner, among the number of them whom thou hast elected to salvation. O JESUS the health of all that hope in thee, the life of all that believe in thee, have mercy upon me. O sweet JESUS, the remission of all my sins. O JESUS, the Son of the virgin Mary, pour thy grace into my heart, endue me with wisdom, charity, chastity, and humility, and in all mine adversity, grant me holy, inviolable, and steadfast patience, that I may perfectly love thee, and have my only delight and a●●iance in thee, world without end, Amen. The Sick-man's Prayer. O Loving Lord, and most holy Father, I poor wretch thy servant, feeling in this sickness which thou hast laid upon me, the punishment of that corruption and transgression that is in me, and all flesh, do most willingly submit myself to thine holy ordinance, to bear this cross, and taste of this bitter cup which I have deserved, and much more, so that I may follow thee whither thou art gone. Therefore, O Lord, since thou hast not yet called me to the bar of death, but sent thy Heralds to summon me to a trial: I beseech thee look on me with thine eye of merciful pity, and help me in this day of visitation: pour out thine oil of grace into my wounded conscience, purge my defiled soul, forgive me all my sins, and give me competent comfort and consolation in this distress: let me not dye ere I begin to live; give me time to repent, and occasion to amend: but if thou wilt needs put any more of thy wine of correction into my festered sores; lay no more (O Lord) lay no more upon me, than I shall be able to bear: Make good unto me that goodness, which thou hast granted me under the great seal of thy promise: Supply my want, pardon my sins, and aid me against all temptations, and I am recovered of all mine infirmities: I offer here unto thee (O Lord) a penitent heart for the time past, and promise through thy grace amendment, if it shall please thee to draw out the thread of my life any longer: yet I neither desire the continuance of this mortality, nor a more speedy deliverance, otherwise then as thou wilt: Lord look not upon my merits, for they are either none or not good; nor upon my life, for it hath been naught; but look upon Christ thy dear Son, who from the Altar of the cross, cried unto thee on my behalf, and accept his satisfaction for my sins. Arm me with patience to take up my cross & follow thee, even to bear my visitation willingly; and give me strength by faith, to resist the Adversary in the brunt of temptations. With my sorrow and pain increase thy grace, that when I am in greatest agony, I may find comfort, believing and saying with the holy Prophet, My flesh faileth, and my heart also, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. O Lord, if thy decree be gone forth, as it was to H●z●kiah, that I shall dye and not live, give me grace to put in order my things of this world, that I may depart in more peace; and when the pangs of death have shut up the eyes of my body, and taken away the use of my tongue, I beseech thee let the eyes of my soul still behold and look upon thee, so that when I shall leave my earth to earth, and my body to the grave, thine Angels may carry up my soul unto thee, and be partaker of a joyful resurrection, through Ies●● Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen. A Prayer for the sick. O God most high, mighty, and invisible; I thy unworthy servant, not worthy for myself to be heard in any request unto thee, for I am a sinner. Yet Lord being confident of the pardon of my sins in Christ, in whose power is only to forgive sins, I am bold to come unto thee, to beg the pardon of my sins, & as of my sins, so of the sins of this thy weak and sick servant, that lies pained and diseased, not only in the outward members, but in the inward parts of the body: And though thou hast deprived him of experience in natural Physic, whereby his skill to do himself good: yet good Lord be thou his Physician, and let thy help and assistance never fail in this his weakness to do him good, and strengthen him. And if it be thy will, O Lord, restore him again unto that health, which heretofore to the comfort of himself, and many others, he hath enjoyed: O Lord, thou art able not only with means▪ (as unto Hezekia●) but without means as unto Malchus ear, and blind Bartimaeus, but even against means, as unto the widow's son going unto his Grave, and the Sunamites son, at the Prayer of Elisha. O Lord, thou didst beyond all hope, and expectation, raise Lazarus stinking in the grave, and Peter's wives mother of a burning beaver, and the woman of her bloody issue, and the man that was irrecoverable of the dead Palsy, only by thy virtue and power. O Lord, now when all means seem to fail, that we know not whither to go but unto thee, I beseech thee if it be thy will, let thy secret and hidden power, in which there is more ver●ue, then in all minerals & plants, be extended forth to his comfort & relief, that he again may come into thy house, and magnify thy mercy for his renewed strength. O Lord, as he hath abounded with charity, and compassion unto others, in their extremities of sickness: so likewise (as thou hast promised) let this thy merciful servant, in his languishing pains, obtain mercy from thee, that art most merciful, and as he hath heard the lamenting cries of others: so Lord do thou hear his mournful and lamenting sighs unto thee, for thou art very pitiful, and of tender mercy. O Lord, he humbleth himself in thy sight, wherefore I beseech thee to raise him up again, if any man be sick, thou hast willed us that be well, to pray one for another, assuring us that the Prayer of the righteous, if it be servant, availeth much; In confidence and full assurance, that thou wilt make good thy word: O Lord, I earnestly beseech thee, to restore my sick and weak friend (N) unto his perfect health (if it may be thy good pleasure) and this I ask as one not without hope, for I believe, that as jesus died and rose again, even so by his power shall this my sick friend do at the last day. Yet, O Lord, for the perfecting of that which is wanting in his faith, repentance, and good works; I earnestly beseech thee to add some more unto the number of his days, have mercy upon him, and restore him again to strength, & his former health. But most merciful Father, if thou please through this his sickness, to finish his days: grant that he may in quiet mind, and steadfast faith, commend to thee, the care of all his worldly charge, because thou hast promised to be a Father unto the widow, and the fatherless. And it is thy will, that we should cast our care on thee, not only in life, but in death especially. O Lord, when death that cruel tyrant, sin, the grave, the devil, and all the fries of darkness, shall assault his body, and affright his soul with distrust in thee, and of his part in the glorious resurrection; then strengthen him, by the power of thy Son my Saviour, that he may no less triumph over all the terrors and fears of the grave, of hell, and death, as all the Saints in like case have done, and then I myself may do, in the same hour of my departure; which I beseech thee to grant, through him that hath loved us, even jesus Christ my most absolute and perfect Saviour. Amen. Amen. LACHRIM. 7. Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and wouldly things, and desireth heaven and heavenly things. MY soul doth long, and shall depend on God for ever, everliving: God shall begin and make an end, that hath given all, yet ever giving. I sigh and groan for to appear, before his gracious mercy seat: As thirsteth the Hart for water clear, so long I for thy m●rcy great: I am quite tired with my groans, I faint under mine heavy load: Of miseries, breaking all my bones, laid on me justly, by my God. O God the rock of my whole strength, Lord of mercy, behold mine anguish: O grant me help and ease at length, I faint, I fall, I fie, I languish. Why do I daily weep, and mourn, and have no comfort, help, nor ease: Why dost not hear, but from me turn, why do my woes, and foes increase? Sith I do seek thee unfeignedly, defend me, Oh defend me in This dangerous time of misery, laid justly on me for my sin. Preserve me from men merciless, hard hearted, bloody minded, cruel: Bless me with thine hid blessedness, give me thy favour my soul's iowell: The man of earth lays load on load, as on an Anvile struck on stroke, Within, without, at home, abroad, mine head to the heel bows with the yoke. I am reproach to neighbours all, I am ashamed men should see me, They scorn and laugh to see my fall, but this mine hope doth comfort me: That thou from them wilt set me free. And thee triumphant shall behold. In shining Throne of Majesty, where's neither hunger, thirst, nor cold. No want, nor sin, nor ignomy, nor sickness, death, nor deadly pain: But fullness, mirth, joy, victory, with thee in glory I shall reign: And if it be thy will, O Lord, now after all this sturdy storm: To my most troubled soul afford thy peace, and pity me poor worm. Free me from death that's mors Gehennae, give peace, joy, rest, not transitory: I take it as an earnest penny, of perfect bliss and endless glory. And I'll here praise thee: men among that they may see, mark and consider: 'tis thou canst only right our wrong, and from all troubles us deliver: Thou canst and wilt us save and keep, though much we suffer in this life, Thou art our Shepherd, we thy Sheep, save me from hate, envy, and strife: So shall I also give thee praise, my mouth continually thee laud: My soul and inward part always, thy wondrous works shall still applaud. I will be glad and joy in thee, rejoice yea, and again rejoice. Abject though I, yet comfort me, I'll praise thee with mind, heart, and voice: Awake therefore, in time awake, preserve me that I perish not: I am if thou dost me forsake, but as a dead man clean forgot. And censured a castaway, among such as see me deprived: Of present help, for these men say, my soul can never be revived: One sorrow doth increase another, all hope on earth turns to distrust, Of aid from neighbour, friend, or brother, hide not thy face my God most just. Forget not mine extremities, Lord free me from in fernall hells Of torments, and of miseries, which comes from thee, and from none else, My soul is beaten to pits brim, my heart doth faint, my hands grow week: My knees do fail, mine eyes grow dim, my tongue is dumb, and cannot speak. And each part of my body vexed, I daily moan my miseries. Look on me Lord, I am perplexed: O ease my grief, and hear my cries: Though thou by justice made the wound, and by correction grieved mine heart: If thou wilt cure, salve soon is found, with spiritual comfort ease my smart. Do not withhold such things are good, which for thy children are ordained: Turn thou thy face with Christ's blood, cleanse all the spots my sins hath stained. Rise up, O Lord, rise up I say, with thee doth Love and Bounty reign: I am thrown down, I thee obey, therefore rise up, raise me again. Although my sins like swords do cut, me from thy favour and thy grace: Let righteousness of Christ be put, to hide my sins before thy face. Unite me unto thee again, in such sort Lord, make me so fast: That I with thee may still remain, and joy in joys, that aye shall last. The young man's Prayer for a virtuous wife. O God the everliving, and only wise, the Author, and giver of every good and perfect gift, look down upon me, a● thou didst upon Abimelech Abraham's servant, when he prayed unto thee, to guide and prosper him, in the great trust, that was committed unto him, in the choice of his Master's sons wife: as thou wast pleased to hear him, for his Master's son (O Lord I beseech thee) to hear me for myself. Thou hast taught in thy Word, that he that cannot abstain, let him marry, and that he that marrieth sinneth not, that it is better to marry then to burn (in unchaste and unbridled lust) and for avoiding of fornication, let every man have his own wife, yea and that it is not good for man to be alone; and woe to him that is alone. In the beginning thou madest both male and female, and didstordaine, that for this cause man and woman should leave father and mother, and become one flesh: and that he that hath not the gift to abstain, should have a care, that he be not unequally yoked: but that he marry in the Lord, and thus to live is a bed undefiled, and most honourable unto all. Wherefore, O Lord, I beseech thee, to guide me unto a wife, and a virtuous woman, for thou hast said, that a virtuous woman is a crown unto her husband; And though she be comely and beautiful, and therefore of many much desired: yet (O Lord) guide mine eyes, that I may not thus only look upon a woman; for thou hast said, if she have not discretion, she is but like a jewel in a swine's snout, not to be regarded. But a wise woman buildeth her husband's house, not only with children, but with her provident care and discretion, in the right gaining, and a right using of the things of this world. Unto such a family (O Lord) direct my footsteps, and keep me from the strange woman, a contentious and angry woman, the woman of brawling lips, with whom there is no comfort, nor content in this life to dwell, neither for civil nor religious respects. Heavenly Father, if it be thy will (for thou knowest what is better for me then I do myself) grant that the woman that I shall choose, and by thy providence think fit to take to wife, may be chaste not only of body, but of spirit, and adorned with the hidden man of the heart, a meek and quiet spirit, and one who trusteth in God, and delighteth in thee, well reported of for good works, and loveth children, one who in her wisdom affecteth modesty in all things; as in her apparel, and behaviour, and is in her countenance sober and shamefast, and one who delighteth in her home, and loveth the affairs of her house; and with watchful eyes will be careful for her children and servants. This (O Lord) though no way worthy, I beseech thee to grant unto me: houses, lands, or other portions of thy blessings, thou hast appointed our parents to bestow on us, but (this blessing) a wise, chaste, sober, and religious woman, thou hast kept, as a most special gift, from thyself unto us, and not in our parents or friends, but thou bestowest it on him whom thou lovest, as a choice and most special favour. O Lord, this is she that Solomon among many women, could hardly find; yet grant that I may find her, and being united in holy band, may love her both in sickness and in health. O Lord grant that I may walk with her, as a man of knowledge, ready in all things to teach and instruct her in thy commandments, as being heirs together of the grace of life, and make me as truly to love her, as thou dost thy Church: this great gift and chief blessing of this life, I beseech thee (if it be thy will) for the honour of thy Son to bestow upon me. Amen. Amen. The virgin or the Widow's Prayer for a godly Husband. ALmighty GOD the eternal Creator of heaven & earth, the giver & disposer of all things, that are done here on earth: Look down on me thy sinful Handmaid, not worthy of any favour spiritual, or blessing temporal: Yet (O Lord) I beseech thee, to give unto me thy servant, such wisdom, that in all things I may be advised by them whom thou hast appointed to have care of my welfare, and in nothing to be so headstrong and adverse, as to follow my own foolish and sinful appetite: and above all, make me most dutiful, in referring myself unto the loving and careful choice, that my parents or guardians shall make, in giving me to an husband. Heavenly Father, grant that they may not like of any without me, nor that I may choose any without them. Direct them that they may choose one in the Lord, and that I may like him that is so chosen of them: Let not my mind be so wanton, as only to like or dislike for want of beauty or comeliness of person: but if the fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom, appear unto me, grant that I may persuade myself, that he is the man, that thou hast appointed me. O Lord, I have neither wit nor skill how to discern, or make an assured godly choice. And thou knowest how cunning and subtle men are, to entice and abuse my simple heart, and how easily we are overcome, with their vain compliments, and flattering words, in which they promise much comfort and contentment: but when their unchaste desires are satisfied, how do they cast off, and scornfully and sinfully reject those whom they have abused and alured to folly, so they leave them to perish, not only in worldly misery through outward necessities, but for want of teaching and instruction in the Lord, Satan falleth upon them, and through their weakness maketh them a prey unto wickedness. But (O Lord) though their foul hearts are so deceitful, that both I and my friends may be deceived; yet thou, O Lord, canst not be deceived, for thou art the searcher of the hearts, and thou knowest what is in man; therefore in this weighty work, in which consisteth my worldly weal or we, I do only (O Lord) cast myself on thee: beseeching thee as thou gavest Euah unto Adam, a man then of innocence and righteousness: so thou wilt give me an honest hearted man, and one that truly loveth and feareth thee: O Lord, if thou have appointed, as is my desire, that I shall marry, than I beseech thee send unto me a man of good behaviour, of good report, no extortioner, no covetous person, no choleric, no quarrelsome person, no drunkard, not covetous of filthy and dishonest gain, no prodigal or vain person, no proud man, no adulterer, fornicator, whoremaster, no swearer or blasphemer, no kind of inordinate liver, no Papist nor Infidel, no Heretic, Schismatic, no traitor unto his Prince or Country, no lover of the pleasures of this world, either above or more than thee; no hypocrite, unnatural, false-hearted person unto me, his parents, or friend: heavenly Father, for my Saviour's sake, hear me in these my requests, and grant that if I shall marry, and bear children, that my husband may be wise, grave, and sober, and one that knoweth how to govern, and rule his household, children, and servants, in faith and good conscience. O Lord, let him be one that is steadfast in the faith of Christ, following righteousness, love, faith, patience, and meekness, and one delighted in good works and hospitality, courteous unto all men: O Lord, make him a lover of good men, and make him just, holy, and in all things temperate, ever walking in grace, & abounding in the fruits of the Spirit: O good God send me such a yoke-fellow, that knoweth how to love me, not only by the guide of carnal affection, as for beauty, comeliness of person, money & goods which thou hast given me, or for that I have good friends and kindred, whereby he hopeth of this world's preferment and ability; for if all these fail, for the which he only loveth, then will his pretended love be gone, and I shall be exposed to the necessity of this world, and for want of means be tempted to dishonest courses: but most sweet Father, as thou hast promised to be a Father unto the fatherless, unto the Widows and Orphans: So be a Father unto me, thy silly Handmaid, whose trust is always in thee. And send me such an one, as knoweth how to love me in thee, and for conscience sake: yea, that will strive to love me as Christ hath, doth, and ever will do his Church, to love me as his own body, This fie●h, yea, as himself. And keep me that I may do nothing to hinder this his love, or to make him bitter unto me; but that I may obey him, scare him, and love him in all things, that are comely in the Lord, and according as thou hast commanded me in thy holy word, and that for Christ jesus sake, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be given by me all praise & glory, both now and for evermore. Amen. Amen. The Prayer of a Woman with child, that defireth safe deliverance. O Almighty God, that after the flood, didst command Noah, and his posterity, living in chaste matrimony, to replenish and fill the earth; I thy poor and most weak servant, have as thou didst ordain, by the will of my parents, embraced the holy and honourable estate of married life, and now by thy blessing, am made a mother of the living, through that hopeful ●ruit, which after much sorrow and pain in breeding, thou hast caused to spring in my womb, by which I am assured it is a living soul, for which work of thine, I give thee most hearty thanks, still beseeching thee, that as thou hast begun this good work in me, that thou wilt go on and finish it, unto a perfect birth, in all right shape and comeliness, not only in the outward feature of the body, but in the inward parts of the mind, that it may grow on unto such a perfect man, as may occasion, honour and praise unto thy great name, so long as it shall please thee, to give it life and being. And seeing (O Lord) thou hast for our first sin in Paradise, so woefully afflicted us with many sorrows in conception, and with far greater in bringing forth of our posterity in this life: I beseech thee for Christ his sake to pardon my sins, and to assuage those violent and raging pains, that they neither deface, deform, destroy me, nor yet that which is in my womb. O Lord, let the power of the most high, even thy holy Spirit enter into me, to strengthen and to uphold me, that I faint not in my pains, nor in my faith, but that if I die in this my childbearing, yet thy goodness supporting me in faith, charity, and sobriety, I may as thou hast promised be assured of my salvation. O Lord, if thou please to spare the tree, and take the fruit, which I believe by faith in Christ that thou hast made holy: yet I will give thee thanks, because by reason of my sins, thou mightest most justly curse me, and my fruit (as thou didst the fig three) to perpetual death. But most high & heavenly Father, I thank thee that thou hast made thy promise so stable, that not only we of ripe years, that do believe, but even our children, as they are our seed, are included in the covenant of grace; that if they die, yet being borne of holy parents, who are ingraffed through faith into the body of Christ, they are saved, not only as being a part of us in Christ, but as true and real members of Christ, unto whom through faith, into which they are baptised with us, & made one with Christ, that with his coming, they may be raised at the last day. Yet (O Lord) notwithstanding this assurance, I entreat thee to grant me joy and comfort of them, that training them up, in their youth in thy fear, they may be as a staff in old age, in this life to comfort me, an● their Father, as the children of Noah and jacob did; yea (Lord) if it be thy will, I desire to live, to be a fruitful vine, on thy house side (thy Church, to breed, to bear, and bring forth children, to multiply and accomplish thy glorious Kingdom, visible and invisible, in earth and in heaven for evermore. O Lord, having taken away from me, the reproach of a barren womb, so much lamented by holy women: grant that after my dissolution, my children may continue like olive plants, and flourish a seed mighty on earth, not as the Giants in the old world, strong in sin, but valiant and bold in the profession, and confession, and practise of righteousness, and good conversation, yea, let them be a generation of upright men and women, and such as may remain an heritage of the Lord, as (Isaac to Rebecka) a blessed fruit of my womb. O Lord, thou art my God, hear the voice of thine handmaid, in thee is my trust, hear my supplications, and let not my soul fail of these her desires, and that for jesus Christ's sake, which was borne of the virgin Mary for my salvation. Amen. Amen. LACHRIM. 8. The penitent acknowledgeth man's vildness, and Gods mercies; by faith and example of God's providence, relieth on his goodness. O Lord, thy name's most excellent, in all the world thy glory is spread; Through heavens and the firmament, and by all creatures uttered. In universal harmony, extolled in heaven and in earth: Expressed in song and melody, with all alacrity and mirth. What thou bestowest, what man can number upon us slaves, and sons of men: Who by our sins are put asunder from thy dear love, by acts unclean, Forgetful, and so capable of sin as powder is of fire. In all our works and words unstable, and know not what we should desire. Above all creatures we forget, thy grace are prove to disobey: And if thy mercy did not let, all Adam's brood thou shouldst destroy. And I for my part me confess, guilty of all sins, and all evils. And that I have deserved no less, then to be damned amongst the devils. The world for disobedience didst punish, and thou moughtst subvert. But chiefly me for negligence, mayest plague with all plagues, 'tis desert. I am not worthy to breathe in air, nor have the use of any creature: Much less to thee to make my prayer, cause against my God I am a traitor. Thou worthily me dost afflict, at me thou takest just offence: All punishments thou dost inflict, because thy wrath I did incense. My trespasses do more offend, than I can please with my best zeal: The worthiness I best intend, I not perform, my soul Lord heal. I shame at mine unworthiness, yet fain would be at one with thee: Thou art a joy in heaviness, a succour in necessity, To them that do their lives reform, and rightly frame their penitence: Sincerely follow and perform, thy will without all negligence. All this to do I do desire, and what thou sayest I do believe: Thy pardon grant me I require, release and pardon Lord me give. O be with them that do thee seek, and yield them help that hold by thee: Instructing humble men and meek, that wisdom seek by thy mercy. Sith I so long to thee have cried, so long thee sought, yet hope I will: Though my sad soul in silence bide, in constant Patience I wait still. Thou rightly hearest my inward groans, my sorrows, fighes, wants and desire: And dost respect the outward moans, of men distressed that fear the fire. Though in their lips they mute do seem, and do speak nothing with their tongues. What they conspire, thou dost it deem, and present art to right my wrongs. But lo the time is not expired, of mine ordained punishment: Nor of that freedom I desired, I'll wait by hope in languishment. My help, my comfort and my life, salvation mine depends on thee: Within my conscience stint the stri●e, and give me grace and liberty. My life, my comfort, help, and all salvation, on Christ dependeth: 'Tis he doth raise me when I fall, he all begins, and he all endeth. I will not murmur, neither grudge, nor sear, nor faint; but always wait: He is my Saviour, and my Judge, his grace decreed, who can retreat. Is there not an appointed time, for all things that by God be wrought? job was brought low, at last did climb, to wealth and honour he was brought. And joseph was afflicted long, by brethren, and by false accuse: He was shut up in prison strong, didst all his cause and wrongs peruse. At length brought'st him to honour great: and David was at fi●st cast down, And then enthroned in Princely seat, and long enjoyed the royal Crown. Poor widow of Sarepta she, and hers were ready for to pine: Her barrel and her Cruse by thee were blessed, and that Prophet thine, Her meal and oil did never fail, thou send'st that Saint even to that end, That they in dearth should never quail, so didst from famine her defend. Wherefore a little while I'll wait, I know the appointed time will come: I shall be freed from sin's deseite, wilt mercies send in miseries room. Thou art my portion and my strength, my defence, and salvation: Thou seest my troubles, and at length wilt give me consolation. Thou sena'st them not as ignorant, of them, thou knowst thou didst me make: Therefore what's needful God me grant, good Lord d●● never me forsake. I am brought to the very pit, of all confusion men suppose: Thou hast decreed the time most sit, of my delivery from my foes. To me unknown that being seen, I may attribute to thee then, The praise who praised ere hast been, without the aid of mortal men. Which I have sought so long in vain, yea while I called thee upon: Let me acknowledge help again, to come from thee or else from none. And all that the world can afford, be but the effects of thy dear Love: Thy power, thy providence, thy word, do send me comfort from above. O blessed man whom thou dost choose, and callest by crosses unto thee, Whom thou by death seem'st to refuse, by secret sweetness lives by thee. With inward consolation, fed with the Manna of thy love: Who dwells in thy protection, with lively hope, can never move. He fainteth not at mightiest frown, so I (O Lord) assured rest: Thou art my portion and my crown, to dignify those love thee best. Thou tenderest me as a dear son, though thou me visit with thy rod: Yet sufferest not me for to run with sinners, and to fall from God. Although I seem of hope deprived, and that my wented comforts past: Yet I (O Lord) shall be revived by thee, and by thy grace at last, For all my long and instant cries I will not shrink; though knowing this Thy wondrous power and great mercies, most infinite thy mercy is. If thou mad'st the rock a water spring, thy thirsty people to refresh: From mine hard hearted foes canst wring some comfort, for my woes re●resse. If thou rain'dst Manna from above, and Raven sent thy Saint to feed: Thousands of men didst feed with love, when there was little show of bread. If to thy people thou sendest Quails, in desert where all food was scant: And since thy goodness never fails, should I suppose that I should want. Confirm my faith for evermore, that I most constantly believe, Thou canst and wilt increase my store, and all good things thou wilt me give. All power belongeth unto thee, who can imagine or will say: Thou canst not in my need help me, or that thy love is ta'en away. Sith thou hast done such mighty things, so freely for men in distress: Should not I fly with swiftest wings, to thee in time of heaviness. But lo, O Lord, all things are thine. the heavens are thine, the earth also: The cattle, fowls, the shrubs, the vines, all things in heaven and earth below. All things above, all things beneath is thine, who truly then can say? Thou canst not give, or them bequeath, to whom thou wilt, who can say nay? Thou mak'st the corn to spring and grow, and waterst the earth with thy sweet showers: Thou causest beasts with thanks to low, with dews thou water'st fragrant flowers. Since than thou art the Lord of all, sith thou command'st, and dost forbid. The rich and poor makest, proud men fall, that down canst throw and raise at need. Sith that thou try'st and wilt reward, sith thou dost what shall please thy will: And in what manner wilt regard, and whom thou wilt canst save or spill. No living man commandeth thee, not all the world can thee control: O Lord I still will pray to thee, for health of body and of soul. Let it be thus, O Father dear, for Christ his sake, thy dearest Son, That died, and rose my soul to clear: in all things (Lord) thy will be done. All glory to the Trinity, to Father, Son, and holy Ghost: Combined in holy unity, of power, and might, and glory most. A Prayer for love and charity. O Almighty God, the Author and giver of all things, of grace especially, unto thee, a most vile & wretched sinner, and chief of sinners, do I prostrate myself, and confess, that my heart is so hardened in evil custom of sin, that when it cometh upon me, by the motion of thy spirit to desire to do good, I find no means in myself, to do any thing that is good, neither for the virtue itself, nor as it is thy commandment; so that thou mightest most worthily cast me off, as thou didst that unmerciful servant, into bonds of death, and imprisonment of hell for evermore. But, O Lord, it is thy property always to have mercy. Wherefore I beseech thee to bestow this gift of love on me, that through thy acceptation, it may cover in me the multitude of my sins, for unto whom thou forgivest much, much is returned to thee again: wherefore (O Lord) let this gift of love, be mighty and strong in me, that I may love thee again, as thou hast loved me, and express my love, by being ready to forgive all wrongs and offences of my brother and neighbour, and not unto seven times, but unto seventy times seven. O let me love thee and my neighbour out of a sincere faith, and love unfeigned, and at all times as thou hast forgiven me, my debts, offences, and trespasses: So (O Lord) make me joyful and willing to forgive, as I desire of thee to be forgiven. And seeing it is the end of thy Commandments, and the fulfilling of the law (O heavenly Father) let this gift of love, through the operation of thy spirit, be never wanting, or absent in this life, nor in the life to come. O Lord grant that this mark of Adoption, and stamp of Regeneration, may increase in me, not only to my friends in affinity, and consanguinity, and acquaintance, but unto all men in general, as my own flesh, and thy image, by which bonds thou hast commanded me to do good, unto all of all sorts, that shall stand in need of my help, saying, Be you merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful, who doth good unto all, in outward things of this world, causing his rain to rain, and his Sun to shine upon the unjust as upon the just. And in the endeavour of doing this general good, (O Lord) let me not forget, to do most good unto the Saints, and dye in love to all men in thee, and for thee: and that through the love of thee, and my only Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, and the holy Ghost for evermore. Amen. Amen. LACHRIM. 9 The poor and distressed soul being loaden with the burden of his sins, fervently prayeth unto God for his remission thereof. O Lord come pity my distress, see how I sigh and groan: With tears and floods of heaviness, my heart is overthrown. No hope I find, no help I feel, no cure nor salve I see. None can my sin's corruptions heal, sweet jesus comfort me. My wounding sorrows never cease, my griefs grow more and more: What I should kill, doth still increase, Lord save my soul therefore. I living die, yet dying live: in life, yet daily dye. I sigh and groan, yet cannot grieve, sin makes this mystery. Lord let me live, yet hourly dye, in love, yet daily hate: Let me embrace, yet still defy, let peace breed all debate. O let me live, yet never live, alive, yet ever dead. O let me grieve, yet never grieve, fed with thy living bread. Let passions pass, let groans be gone: let m●anes be turned to mirth: I live and dye to Christ alone. Let sorrows sink to earth. An exhortation to praise God, and to acknowledge our Thanksgiving to him without ceasing. WE praise thee God, we acknowledge thee, our only Lord and Christ to be: The earth and world do worship thee eternal Father, heavenly King, To whom aloud bright Angels sing: the Thrones and powers thee magnify. The Cherubins and Seraphin, to cry to thee do never lin: Holy, holy, most holy Lord of Sabbath, God of majesty. Heaven's full of thy glory: all Nations laud thy name and word. The glorious ' postles company: the goodly Prophet's unity: The holy Martyrs noble Army: the holy Church, the world throughout, Doth spread the Gospel all about, the Father of true piety. Thy sacred, true, and only Son, the holy Ghost us comfort won. Thou art of glory King, O Christ: thou art the everlasting Son Of God, whose blessed will was done, by thee all people to deliver. Thou didst not the 〈◊〉 the virgin's womb abhor, nor loath that sacred To●…be Till thou wast borne: from God sent hither. when thou th● serpent's head hadst broken: The Heaven's Kingdom's gate set open, for true believers to come thither. Thou si●s● on God's right holy hand, thy Father's will dost understand: Whence thou shalt come our judge to be: we therefore thy poor servants pray, Thy succour, help, and aid that day, whose precious blood redeemed us free. Let them with Saints be numbered, in endless glory comforted. Thy people Lord keep, save, and stay, bless, save thine own inheritage. Lift up their hearts from age to age, we magnify thee day by day. We worship thee world without end. This day from sin Lord us defend. Have mercy, mercy on us Lord. Lord let thy mercy on us light: Our trust is on thee day and night. We trust in thee with one accord: O Lord I put my trust in thee: Let never me confounded be. All glory to the Trinity, to God the Father and the Son, And holy Ghost all praise be done, for ever and ever eternally. FINIS.