A Beautiful Baybush to shroud us from the sharp showers of sin. Containing many notable prayers and meditations, being very profitable for all true Christians that delight to laud the Lord. LODON, Printed for Ed. White. 1610. To the right honourable and virtuous Lady the Lady Frances, Countess of Hertford, his very good Lady and Mistress. AS Christian modesty (right virtuous Lady) moved a Gentleman, the first author hereof, not only to conceal his name, but also to cease from setting forth any thing in the praise of that, which in duty deserveth to be commended of every one: So Christian justice and equity, which willeth us to give to every thing his due, would not suffer me to let that pass without some commendation, whereunto I am notable sufficiently to give any. But considering, that slightly to commend a thing were the next way to discomment it, except with all it were shrouded under the patronage of some great person, and thinking it unmeet to let that go like an Orphan abroad, which had a father at home, I presumed to commit unto your honourable patronage not a bare Laurel, which of itself for the greenness (when other be withered) may seem to be accepted, but the same decked and adorned with most spiritual and beautiful bushes. So that as I cannot think if your L. were presented with a material Laurel (wherein besides natural greenness were but this necessary use, that it could defend you in your garden from the heat of the Sun) but you would accept, if not of the gift yet of the good will of the giver: So relying myself on your accustomed favour and clemency, I hope you will afford some favourable acceptation hereof: For herein is not that greenness, which consisting of natural qualities, must then whither when all things have their ending according to their nature, but the flourishing green promises of the convenant of God, which (as God himself) last always immutable and unchangeable: here are not the beautiful bushes of a material tree, which delight only the outward sight, but a most familiar view of God himself in Christ even to the delight of the soul, and the inward comfort of the spirit, which take pleasure only in heavenly things, withstanding the invasions and subtle practices of Satan, which daily striveth against them, to bring them to destruction. To conclude, here you are not shrouded from the heat of the sun, but shall find most cool shade from the parching heat of sin, from the which, God in this life shield & defend you, & in the life to come grant you everlasting rest. Your honours most humble and dutiful servant. john Wolf. januarie hath thirty. days. 1 A New years day. New years day Otherwise calle● The Circumcision of Christ. 2 b Oct. of Stephen. 3 c Oct. of john. 4 d Oct. of Inno. 5 e Titus Paul dis. 6 f Twelve day. The twelve day. Otherwise called The epiphany. Fairs at Bristol, an● at Salifburie. 7 g Trans. William. 8 A Felix and jana 9 b Lucian. 10 c Paul first here. 11 d Ignius mart. 12 e Archademar. 12. The Sun in Aquarius. 13 f Hilary mart. 14 g Felix priest. 15 A Isidorie mart. 16 b Maurice. 23. Term begin. 17 c Dep. of Autho. 18 d Prise martyr. 19 e Wolstan bishop. The xxv. day, being the conversion of Saint Paul. Fairs at graves end, at Bristol, at Churchingford at Northalerton in Yorkshire, where is kept a fair every wednesday, from C●r●stmasse until june next following. 20 f Fabian and Sc. 21 g Agnes vir. 22 A Vincent martyr. 23 b Emerice. 24 c Timoth. disc. 25 d Conu of Paul. 26 e Policarpe mart. 27 f Chrisosto. doctor. 28 g Theodor. 29 A Valerie bishop. 30 b Bartilde Queen. 31 c Saturnine. February hath xxviii. days. 1 d Bridget. Fast. 2 e Puri. of Mary. 3 f Blaze martyr. The i. day a fair at Bromlie. 4 g Gilbert confessor 5 A Agathe virgin The two. day fairs at Maidstone, at , at Linne, at Brickelsworth, and at Budworth. 6 b Amandus bish. 7 c Dorothy virgin 8 d Angule virgin 9 c Paul bishop 10. The sun in Pisces. 10 f Appoline virgin 11 g Scolastice 12 A Eufrase virgin Term ends. 13 b Wulfrane bishop 14 c Valentine mart. 15 d Faustine bishop 16 e julian virgin The xiiii. being S. Valentine's day, a fair at Fevetsham. 17 f Policron bishop. 18 g Simeon martyp 19 A Shrove Sunday Upon Ash-wednesday Fairs at Lichfield at Ro●sten, at Dunstable, at Exeter, ●t Cicester, at Tamworth, and at Abington. 20 b Sabin & julian 21 c Mildred virgin 22 d Policarpe Fast 23 e Matthie apostle 24 f Lxix Martyrs Mathias apostle. Fairs at Heuley upon Thames, at Towkesburie, and at Baldock. 25 g Peter chair 26 A Augustine bishop 27 b Oswald bishop 28 c March hath xxxi. days. 1 d David bishop. 2 e Chadde confess. The iiii. Sunday in Lent at the Mount, and at Bodmin in Cornwall. 3 f Martin. 4 g Adrian martyr. 5 A Phocas and Eus. The v. Sunday in Lent at Grantham, at Salisbury, and at Hertford. 6 b Victor and Victs 7 c Perpetue. 8 d Apoline martyr. 11. The Sun in Aries. 9 e Agapit virgin. 10 f Gregory bishop. The xii. day at Stamford, and at Cudburie. 11 g Aggens proph. 12 A Theodo●e mact. 13 b Leo bishop. The xiii. day at Wie. 14 c Peter martyr. The xx. day a fair at Durham. 15 d Longin martyr. 16 e Quintin martyr. 17 f Gertrude virg. On the Monday before our Lady day in Lent at Wisbich, at Kendal, at Denbigh in Wales. 18 g Edward king. 19 A joseph Ma. hus. 20 b Cuthbert bishop. 21 c Benedict abbot. 22 d Affrodose bish. The xxv. at Northampton, at Newcastle, at Malden, at great Chart, and all the Lady days at Huntingdon. 23 e Theodore priest. 24 f Init. Reg. jacob 25 g Annun. of Marie. 26 A Castor mart. On Midlent Sunday at Saffron Walden. 27 b Ludger bishop. 28 c Dorothy martyr. 29 d Victorine. On Palm-Sunday even, at Pomfret. 30 e Sabrine virgin. On Palm-Sunday at Worcester. 31 g Adelme bishop. April hath thirty. days. 1 g Theodore virgin 2 A Mary Egyptian The v. day at Wallingford. 3 b Richard bishop 4 c Ambrose bishop The seven. at Derby. 5 d Marcian & Mar. The ix. day Bicklesworth, at Billinsworth. 6 e Se●tus martyr. 7 f euphemy virgin 8 g devise mart. The x. day at Euesham in Worcestershire. 9 A Perpetual bishop 10 b Marcus martyr. 11 c Gathelaake 10. The sun in Taurus. 12 d Apoline mar ty. 13 e Sother mart. On tuesday in Easter week at Nort●fleet, at Rochfort, at Hitchin. 14 f Tyburt martyr 15 g Osmound bishop 16 A Isidore bishop The third sunday after Easter at Louth. 17 b Anicate bishop 18 c Eleuther bishop The xxii day at Stabford. 19 d Tyburtius con. Upon Saint George's day fairs at Charing, at Ipswich, at Tamworth, at Amhill, at Hinningham, at Gilford, at Saint Pombes in Cornwall. 20 e Hermogenes 21 f Quintine 22 g Clete bishop 23 A George martyr 24 b Wilfride confess. 25. S. Mark Evangelist. At Derby, at Donmowe in Essex. 25 c Mark evang. 26 d Anastace bishop 27 e Vitalis martyr The xxvi. day at Tenderden in Ken. 28 f Peter of Milan 29 g Clete bishop 30 A Dep. of Erken. May hath thirty. days. 1 b Philip and jacob. 2 c Athanasius bish. Philip and jacob, at Rippon, at Perin i● Cornwall, at Ossestrie in Wales, at Lexfield in Suffolk, at Leicester, at Brickhill, at Stowe the old, at Reading, at Maidstone in Rent, at Chenseford in Essex, a●● Blackborne in Lancashire. 3 d Inn. of the cross. 4 e Christoper. 5 f Goddardarchbish. 6 g john port latin. 7 A john of Beaver. 8 b Appe of Michael. 9 c Tr●n. of Nicho. 10 d Gordaine. 11 e Pancra●e martyr. 12 f Victorius martyr. The three day at Elstow, at Bramyard. at Heningham. 13 g Sernaeius con. 14 A Boniface mart. 15 b Sophia virgin. 16 c Brandon bishop. The seven. at Beverley, at Newton, at Oxford. 17 d Trans. of Bard. 18 e Dioscor. martyr. 12. The Sun in Gemini. 19 f 20 g Dunstone onfess. On Whitsun even, at Skipton in Craven. 2 A Barnardine. 22 b Helen Queen. On Ascension day at Newcastle, at S. Edes at Chappelfrith. 23 c Petronill. 24 d julian virgin. Monday in Whitsun week at Agmundsham, at Excester, at Bradford, at Rigate, at Burton. 25 e Desiderie mart. 26 f Adelme con. 27 g Augustine con. Tuesday in Whitsun week at Roch forth, and at Canterbury. 28 A Gesmaine b sh. 29 b Nicomede. On Trinity sunday at Kendal, and at Rowell. 30 ● Corane martyr. 31 d Felix bishop. junne hath thirty. days 1 e Nicodeme. 2 f Crasimus The ix. day at Maidstone in Kent. 3 g Basill. 4 A Mercell martyr 11. The sun in Cancer. 5 b Petrocius confess. 6 c Boniface bishop The xi. S. Barnaby, the longest da● in the year, at Okinghan, at Newboroug● at Maxffeld, at Holt in Wales. 7 d Medarde & Gill 8 e Trans. Edmond 9 f Yuan confess. 10 g Trans. Wolstan The xxiii. at Shrewsburie, at Sain● Albon. 11 A Barnab. apost. 12 b 13 c Antony con. The xxiiii. at Horsham, at Wakefield, at Colchester, at Reading, at Bedford, at Barntwell, at Crambrooke, at Gloucester, at Lincoln, at Peterborough at Windsor, at Harslone, at Lancaster, at Westchester, at Hallisax, at Ashborne. 14 d Basilides con. 15 e Vite modest 16 e Trans. Richard 17 f Botolph confess. 18 g Exuperie bishop 19 A Gernasive martyr 20 b Trans. Edward 21 c Walburge virgin 24. S. john Baptist. At Colchester, at Wakefield. 22 d Alban martyr 23 e Fast. The xxvii. at Folkstone. 24 f john Baptist. The xxviii. at S. Pombs. 25 g Trans. of Elegy 26 A john and Paul 29. Peter Apost. At Sudburie, at Peterfield, at Woodhurst. 27 b Crescens martyr 28 c Fast. 29 d Peter and Paul. 30 e come Paul. julie hath xxxi. days. 1 g Oct. john Bap. 2 A Visita. of Mary. The two. day at Congreton, at Ashton underline. 3 b Trans. Tho. Apo. 4 c Trans. of Martin. 5 d Oct. of Peter. The xi. day at Partnie, a horse fair at Lid. 6 e Zoe virg. mart. 7 f Depo. Grimbal. 12. The Sun in Leo. 8 g Cirill bishop. The xv. at Pinchbacke. 9 A seven. brethren mar. The xvii. at Winchcomb. 10 b Dog days begin. 11 c Nabor and Felix. The xx. day at Tetbury, at No●thbridge in Cheshire, at Cheswicke, at Uxbridge, at Harlbrough, at Winchester, and at Colchester. 12 d Trans. of Benedi. 13 e Prinata marti. 14 f Transi Osmond 15 g Kenelm king. 16 A Eustacii. 17 b Arnulph martyr. 18 c Rufine and justi. 26. james Apostle. At S. james beside London, at Dover, at Bristol, at Ipswich at Derby, at Northampton, at Dudley in Staffordshire, at Reading, at Malmsbury, at Chilham, at Louth, at Liverpoole, at Chichester, at Aldergam. 19 d P●arede virgin. 20 e Margot virgin. 21 f Apolinares virg. 22 g Mary Magdalen. 23 A Christine virgin. 24 b Fast. 25 c james Apostle. 26 d Anne more. Mary. 27 e Seven sleepers. The xxvii. day at Canterbury, at Richmond in the Noth. at Horsham. 28 f Samson bishop. 29 g Felix and his fel. 30 A Abdon and Se n. 31 b German bishop. August hath xxxi. days. 1 c Lammas day On Lammas day at Feversham, at S. Edes at Excester, at Dunstable, at Bedford, at Norham Church, at Wisbi h, at York, at Romnie, at Newton in Lancashire. 2 d Stephen bishop 3 e Finding of Ste. 4 f justine priest 5 g Festum nivis 6 A Trans. Christ 7 b Feast of jesus. 8 c Ciriack & his fel. The x. day at Waltham, at Blackmore, at Bedford, at Waiton, at Hungerford, at Cro●ly, at new Brainford, at S. Laurence by Bodwin. 9 d Roman martyr 10 e Laurence martyr 11 f Tiburte martyr 12 g Clare virgin 13 A Ypolite virgin 14 b Exalta crucis 15 c Assum. of Mary 16 d Roche martyr 17 e Octa. Laurence 13. The Sun in Virgo. 18 f Magnus martyr 19 g Barnard confess. The xv. day at Carlisle at Dunmow in Essex, at Preston, at Wakefield the two Lady days. 20 A Dog days end 21 b Lewes martyr 22 c Octa assump. 23 d Timothy Fast. 20. Dog days end. 24 e Bartholom. apost. 25 f Lews king 24 Bartholomew apost. At London, at Teuksbury, at Nantwitch, at beggars bush besides Rye, at Sudburie, at Norwich, at Northarleton, at Dover, at Rye, at Bromley. 26 g ●euerine 27 A August ne con. 28 b Ioh●s beheading. 29 c Rusine martyr 30 d Felix and Adacte The xxvii at Ashford. 31 e Cathberd virgin September hath thirty. days 1 f Giles bishop. 2 g Anthony mart. The i. day in S. Giles in the bush. 3 A Luper bishop. 4 b Trans. of Cuthert 5 c Bertine abbot. The seven. day at Wakefield, at Sturbridge, at Southwark, at Snide, at Reculuer, at Reugh both the Lady days, a● Gisborough, at Partnie three Lady days, at Blackborne Gisborne in Yorkshire, at Chalton. 6 d Eugenie confess. 7 e Enurcius bishop. 8 f Nati. of Mary. 9 g Silvius bishop. 10 A Gorgony mart. 11 b Porthy & jacint. 12 c Martiman. 13 d Amanti. 14 e Holy Rood. 15 f Lambert. 16 g Edith virgin. 17 A Timotheus. The xiiii. day, being Holy Rood day, at Richmond in Yorkshire, at Rippon a horse fair, at Waltam abbey, at Chesterfield. 18 b Victor & Coron. 19 c januarie mart. 20 d Fast. 21 e Matthew apostle. 22 f Mauricius. 14. The Sun in Libra. 23 g Tecla virgin. 24 A Andochius mart. Matthew apost. At Marlborough, at Bedford, at Croyden, at Sittingborne, at Dover, at Shrewsbury. 25 b Firmin bishop, 26 c Cipr●an and just. 27 d Cosme & Damia. 29. Michael archangel, At Canterbury, at Blackborne, at Westchester, at Cockermouth, at Leicester. 28 e Ecuperie bishop. 29 f Michael Archan. 30 g jerom priest. October hath xxxi. days. 1 A Remigius bishop 2 b ●eodagare mart. The iiii. day at Michael. 3 c Candidie matyr The vi. day at S. Faiths besides Norwich, at maidestone. 4 d Francis martyr 5 e Faith virgin The viii. day at Harnord, at Herbrough, and at Bishop Stapford. 6 f Gerionis 7 g Mercy & Mart. On S. Edward● day at graves end, at Marshfield, at Windsor, at Colthester, at Charing, at Roiston. 8 A Apolonaris mart. 9 b Pelagi virgin 10 c Linus confessor 11 d Deny●e & his fel. 14. The Sun in Scorpio. 12 e Nichasins bishop. 18. Luke evang. At Cely, at Wrickle, at Upon, at Thirst at Friswides in Oxford, at Tisdale, at Bridgenorth, at Scanton. 13 f Wilf●ide bishop 14 g Trans. Ed. king 15 A Ealixt bishop 16 b Wolfran bishop at Burton upon Trent, at Charlton, at Wigan in lancashire, at Holt in Wales. 17 c Michael of the more 18 d Luke evang. 19 e etheldred vir. 20 f Frideswide virgi The xxi. day at Saffron Walden, at New Market, at Hertford, at Cicester, at Stokecley. 21 g Austreberte vir. 22 A Xi. M. virgins 23 b Mary Salome 24 c Roman bishop 25 d Maglory bishop 26 e Crispin and Cres. 27 f Fast. 28 g Simon and Jude On all Saints even at Wakefield, at Rithen. 29 A Narcissus bishop 30 b German confess. 31 c Fast. November hath thirty. days. 1 d All saints. All Saints. 2 e All Souls. 3 f Menefriede virg. The two. day at Blechingly, at Kingston, and at Maxfield. 4 g Amantius. 5 A let priest. 6 b Leonard. The vi day, being S. leonard's day, at Salforth, at Stanley, at Tregnie, at Newportpond. 7 c Wilbroade. 8 d Four crowned. 9 e Theodore. 10 f Martin. The x. day Lenton. 11 g Martin bishop. The xi. day at Marlborough, at Dover. 12 A Brise bishop. 13 b Pattern martyr. 13. The sun in sagittarius. 14 c Trans, Orknew. 15 d Macure bishop. 16 e Dep. of Edmond. The xiii. day at S. edmond's bury, at Gilford. 17 f Init. regni. Elizab. 18 g Oct. Martin. The xvii. day at Low, at Hide. 19 A Elizabeth martyr. 20 b Edmond king. The nineteen. day at Horsham. 21 c Pres of Mary. The xx. day being S. edmond's day, at Hytch, at Ingerstone. 22 d Cicely virg. 23 e Clement martyr. The xxiii. day at Sandwich. 24 f Grisogon martyr. 25 g Katherine virg. 26 A Line martyr. 30. Andrew apostle. At Colingborough, at Rochester, at Peterfield, at Maidenhead, at Bewdly, at Bedford in Yorkshire. 27 b Virales confess. 28 c Rufus martyr. 29 d Saturnini. Fast. 30 e Andrew apostle. December hath xxxi days. 1 f Elegy bishop 2 g Libane martyr The v. day a fair at Plucklie. 3 A Dep. of Osmond 4 b Barbara virgin The vi day at Spalding, at Arnedale, at Sinook, at Exeter, at Northwich in Cheshire. 5 c Sabba bishop 6 d Nicolas bishop 7 e Octa. Andrew 8 f Conc. of Mary The seven. day at Sandhurst. 9 g Cyprian bishop 10 A Enlalie virgin The viii. day, being the conception of the Virgin Mary, at Clitherall in Lancashire and at Malpas in Cheshire: 11 b Antippe 12 c Damase confess: 13 d Lucy virgin 14 e Nirasius virgin 15 f Otholie virgin 16 g O Saplentia 13. The Sun in Capricornus. 17 A Lazarus confess. 18 b Gracian bishop S. Lucy the shortest day in the year. 19 c Venetia virgin 20 d Fast. 21 e Thomas apost. 22 f XXX. Martyr's 23 g Victor virgin 24 A Fast. 25 b Christmas day 26 c Stephan martyr 27 d john Evangelist 28 e Innocents' day 29 f The xxix day at Canterbury, at Salisbury. 30 g Trans. of james 31 A Silvester mart. A beautiful Baybush. A prayer for morning. MOst gracious God & dear Father, we yield unto thee from the bottom of our hearts most humble thanks, in that it hath pleased thee not only to defend and preserve us this night from all our enemies both ghostly and bodily: but also of thy fatherly pity to give unto these our earthly and languishing bodies such sufficient sleep and rest, as hath satisfied the earnest desire of our weak and feeble nature. And as thou of thy mercy hast safely brought us to the beginning of this present day, and showed us the light thereof: so we humbly beseech thee (O God) grant that our souls may be spiritually lightened with the brightness of thy word and sacred mysteries, whereby we may walk in the steps of Christianity, & lead a life agreeable to our vocation in Christ jesus our Lord. Assist us also with thy grace and holy spirit O God that we may never shrink from thee for any earthly torments, but diligently apply ourselves to the performance of thy will, and give ourselves wholly thereunto, having a strong and steadfast faith in the truth of thy promises. Endue us with wisdom from above, that we may dasly increase in the fullness of our saviour Christ. Behold us with the eye of thy mercy, and vouchsafe to defend us that commit ourselves wholly unto thee both now and evermore. Give unto us a heart always affected to honour thee, a mind ever meditating of thy righteousness, and a spirit burning with zeal of thy worship, that we may warily stand upon our guard, and never yield to the treachery of the adversary: Bless and prosper our enterprises O Lord, that whatsoever we take in hand, we may by thy direction bring it to good success, and evermore praise thy holy name for thy gracious assistance and singular goodness: grant this O father for jesus Christ his sake our only saviour and redeemer. An Evening prayer. GOod God the creator and maker of all mankind, seeing it hath pleased thee of thy divine providence, to ordain the night as a mean to deliver us from the travails of the day, and to minister ease and gladness to the wearied limbs of our bodies, to the great comfort and refreshing of the same, by the fruition of quiet sleep and rest, according to human nature, we beseech thee therefore O Lord of thy unspeakable goodness and mercy, to be our watchman and defender this night, that we be not overcome by fantasies, dreams, or other illusions: but that through thy permission, we may take such quiet rest and voluntary sleep as nature requireth, and though our gross senses are at such times stopped, yet vouchsafe ever to grant us the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit, that our souls may respect the coming of thy son our saviour jesus Christ, that at what time soever he calleth, we may be found watchful, and continually ready to perform his will, that after this life ended, we may eternally rest in glory: and as the brightness of the sun doth in the morning disperse the dark clouds and thick mists from the face of the earth, whereby the same was before covered with darkness: so we humbly beseech thee vouchsafe to disperse and bury our sins (in the blend and obedience of thy dear son) which do as it were shadow us from the bright beams of thy favourable countenance, and evermore assist us with thy gracious goodness, that our sleep may be so healthful unto us, that we with willing minds arising in the morning, may utterly shake off all manner of drowsiness, and make haste to exercise ourselves in such Christian labours, as thy divine providence hath ordained us unto, to the advancement and renown of thy holy name, credit of thy Church, comfort & relief of our Christian brethren, and our everlasting salvation. In mercy grant this O Lord we beseech thee for jesus Christ his sake, our only redeemer and saviour, unto whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all power and dominion for ever, Amen. Twenty and one godly and necessary prayers, gathered out of the Cxix. Psalm, wherein are contained petitions, craving aid of God's spirit against Satan and all wickedness: complaints against the rage of the ungodly: thanksgiving f r our deliverance and consolation in adversity, for that God both can and will assist his people. 1. A Prayer for the assistance of God's holy spirit for to direct our minds after his holy laws. Gracious God, so bless me I beseech thee, thy poor servant, that out of the hidden treasures of thy word, I may gather such fruitful delights that I may walk uprightly, and lead a blameless life in thy sight, in keeping those precepts which thou O Lord God hast therein appointed. Oh how blessed are those which observe thy statutes unto the end, seeking thee with a pure heart, and carefully obeying thy eternal majesty: may it please thee therefore so to guide my ways, that I quail not in my course, neither bend myself to follow after unrighteousness, but faithfully persever in that perfect path which thou hast inclined me unto, out of thy holy word: and thou being a righteous and everlasting God, dost not command me to follow any thing which is not lawful in thy sight, nor redounding to my salvation. Erect my heart continually to the contemplation of thy blessed laws, whereby my dealings may be ordered through thy governance, that I may imitate and carefully keep the same all the days of my life, with zeal and obedience towards thy divine majesty, then shall all things according ●o thy will, go well with me, and I shall turn mine eyes to behold that thing, which is good and laudable in thy fight, yea and evermore worship thee with an upright mind, in spirit and truth, as becometh thy child, without all dissimulation and hypocrisy, Lord I am fully purposed to keep thy statutes even by the direction of thy spirit, for my trust resteth in thee. 2. A prayer to withstand the frailty of flesh, & cleave unto the Lord. Govern and direct me O Lord, according to thy word, that I may order my life by the rule thereof, and by the direction of thy holy spirit, diligently observe those things which thou hast commanded me: I have sought thee O God with my whole heart, let me not therefore go astray from thee. And though by frailty of my flesh I have unadvisedly heretofore fallen from thee, yet I beseech thee of thy endless mercy, slay me that I be not cast down for ever, and quicken me that I wander not any longer from thy precepts: unite my mind to thy sacred mysteries, that I may lay up thine everlasting promises in my heart, lest through the vain enticements of my ghostly enemies, I be enforced to forget & negligently (for want thereof) to offend thy divine majesty: for except thou O Lord which art altogether mercy, dost guide and teach me to lead my life aright, truly my weakness would not permit me to joy, or prevail in that which is good: teach me therefore O Lord zealously to keep thy statutes, that I may boldly speak to the land & praise of thy name, and openly show forth thy holy word and blessed will, grant that I may take more delight in the keeping of thy exhortations and commandments, then in all manner of earthly treasures, and may meditate continually in thy precepts: endue me with heavenly wisdom that I may understand thy laws aright, and be evermore occupied therein unto my lives end Amen. 3. A prayer to be guided in all purity and godliness. Give ear I most humbly beseech thee O Lord, unto the prayers that I offer here unto thy divine majesty. Continue thy favour towards me, in directing me with thy holy spirit, that I may overcome that which savoureth of evil, and embrace those things which thou hast commanded. Abandon from the eyes of my soul, the vale of darkness, that I may view and behold the true light, and see the wonderful secrets which evermore shine out of thy heavenly doctrine, and lead my life in quietness, to thy honour and glory. Thou knowest that I am a stranger, and unacquainted on the earth, and that I desire to be brought to another place, even to thy heavenly habitation: wherefore I beseech thee O God incline thine ear towards me, hide not from me thy statutes, neither yet take thy holy spirit from me, that should lead me to embrace thy righteousness. I am desirous with great care to live according to thy laws and to keep thine ordinance, both in prosperity & adversity, wherefore O Lord I beseech thee, let this zeal consume me. Thou rebukest and destroyest the proud persons and such as stubbornly strive against thee, and appointest destruction and bitterness unto those that refuse to keep thy precepts. Though all men envy me, and have me in despite for the truths sake, yet thou in thy good time wilt remove them far from me, because I thy humble servant do put my trust in thee, let my mind & heart be evermore occupied in meditating on thy statutes, for therein is my delight. 4. A prayer in affliction. GOod God, of thy infinite mercy, I beseech thee pour upon me the oil of thy grace, whose soul is grievously tormented with daily afflictions, for I am like one without life, and fastened to the sepulchre, but my trust is in thee O my good God, that thou wilt assist me in my necessity, and restore me thy poor seovant unto life again, that I may laud and praise thy holy name even in the midst of the congregation, for ever and ever. Quicken me I say according to thy word, I will open unto thee my complaints: give ear therefore unto me, and still encourage me in the way of thy truth, and teach me thy statutes. Inflame my heart with the love of thy wisdom, & raise me up that am now fallen, for my soul melteth away for very heaviness. Exempt from me whatsoever may withdraw me from thy laws, and grant that I may continue in that good way which thou hast imprinted in my heart. Give unto me I beseech thee a willing and zealous mind, to cleave fast unto those things which are approved by thy testimonies, and that I never shrink from thee, so shall I not be confounded: draw me out of the straits of sin, into the evident and broad place of righteousness that I may finish the whole course of my life by the instinct & direction of thy holy spirit, and this life being ended, I may forever enjoy thy eternal salvation, through my Lord and saviour Christ jesus. 5. A prayer against the assaults of Satan. Guide me O Lord in the way of thy statutes, that I may ever order my life according to the rule thereof by the provident direction of thy holy spirit, without the which my insufficiency shall not be once able to perform the same in thy sight: and evermore assist me with the knowledge o● thy word, that I may fully with understanding observe and keep the same with my whole heart. Instruct me daily O God, that am now entered into the way of thy precepts, quench in my mind the desire of filthy sucre, covetousness & usury, which would draw me to all sin and iniquity, and incline my heart to those things that may please thee best, that I embracing the same sincerely, may fructesie in good works & newness of life, to thy glory. O my good God, keep back mine eyes that they be not deceived with the enticing shows of lewd vanities, that would withdraw me from the bright beams of thy incomparable majesty ●leade me O Lord into the true life, that I may zealously follow thee my guide, confirm me in thy truth as thou hast promised turn away reproach and shame from me, because I fear and love thy judgements, & I desire nothing more than the increase of thy grace, and the keeping of thy commandments: save me therefore O Lord, and keep me both now and evermore, that I never have occasion to sin against thee, but that I may still trust, and evermore depend upon thy mercies to be defended from all dangers. 6. A prayer for perseverance in the right way of godliness. GVard me on every side O Lord with thy loving kindness and omnipotent power and grant me thy salvation, whereby I may be defended from all my enemies, and be able to answer them in thee my saviour, for I do wholly depend upon thy words: let me not be assaulted with deadly injuries, neither let me in my afflictions be unpatient: let not the truth of thy holy word be taken or estranged from me, but let my mouth still set forth thy glory: quicken me therefore in thy law, for I do wait for thy judgements upon the ungodly, and I will keep the doctrine which thou hast given me for ever and ever, and walk at liberty with a quiet mind, because thou hast endued me with a desire to thy commandments, grant that I never shrink from thy truth, but with all boldness of spirit endeavour myself to dispute of those things that concern thy law, even before the mighty princes of the earth: let my whole delight be in thy precepts O Lord, which are most dear unto me, and increase my zeal in thy word for I have loved it with my whole heart above all earthly felicity. I will lift up my hands unto thee, and before thy face will I present myself, beseeching thee to endue me with thy grace and holy spirit, that I may walk in thy fight according to the prescribed rule of thy precepts that thou hast showed me, and fi●e my whole delight & comfort for ever in meditating upon thy statutes, O God that livest for ever. 7. A prayer for patient abiding Gods good pleasure. Grant that I by experience may perceive that thou art mindful O God of those things which thou hast spoken unto me thy servant, and dost command me to trust in: for in all my miseries this is my steadfast comfort, that thou wilt in thy good time both help and secure thy servant that trusteth in thee, for though the proud and ungodly person have me in derision for thy name's sake, yet will I ever depend upon thy holy word, for thy promises have quickened me, and when I think upon the mercies which thou hast showed unto me, in punishing them according to their deserts, I am endued with great comfort: thou knowest O God what fear encloseth me, when I hear the wicked blaspheme thy holy name, and forsake thy divine precepts, being by thy spirit informed of the evils that hang over their heads. Let thy statutes Lord be my delight, that during the time of my weary pilgrimage in this earthly tabernacle, I may never cease to sound thy praises with zealous harmony, but set my whole care in the commemoration and calling upon thy holy name, and watchfully think how I may behave myself to keep thy laws: for at midnight have I erected my mind unto thee, and have not ceased at all times to pour out my prayers before thee, the which thy spirit had motioned me unto, because I have always had an especial care to keep the precepts which thou hast appointed me. 8 A consolation that God hath helped us, and a prayer for his grace so to continue. GOod God, thou art my portion, and the expected land of my inheritance, grant therefore that I may have thy word to direct me, and when I pour forth my prayers before thee, with speed I beseech thee give ear unto me, & vouchsafe to assist me with thy holy spirit, and according to thy promises (vowed unto thy servants) have mercy upon me: let me not be inclined at any time, to forget thy goodness, but continually quicken me in thy truth and grant me O Lord God such an understanding heart, that I never serve from thy testimonies, but endeavour myself with all speed to the keeping of thy commandments: instruct me continually more and more, and defend me from the noisome snares of the wicked that conspire against me, and intent to suppress in me the good blessings which thou hast lent more. At midnight will I rise to give thanks unto thee in commemoration of thy great kindness showed unto me, and with true zeal will I frequent thy temple, to praise thee for thine abundant graces extended unto me, for thou of thy mercy hast blesse● me in all my doings, delivered me out of troubles and evermore defended me from mine enemies. Let me put no trust in the ungodly, but let me join with such as fear thee, and have a love to thy statutes: the earth O Lord is replenished with thy endless mercy, O teach me thy laws wherein I ought to walk. 9 An acknowledgement of God's mercy, and that by affliction man is taught true wisdom. Graciously in mercy hast thou dealt with me thy poor obedient servant, according to thy word, yet further I desire thee O Lord, that thou wouldst teach me that true and sincere knowledge joined with judgement, that I may discern all things aright, as it were by tasting a savoury thing: for upon thy commandments do I depend. Before I was camed by the efficacy of thy rod, I wandered to and fro, but now am I quickened and have learned thereby to obey thy commandments: be gracious unto me O Lord, and teach me thy statutes. The ungodly have ever practised mischief against me, but have failed, for that I endeavoured myself to keep thy commadem rnts, and they thus neglecting their callings and being puffed up with the vain estimation of themselves, are become dull and foolish, but in thy law is my whole delight, and therein will I meditate all the day long. It was therefore for my commodity that thou didst chasten me, for that I zealously do learn to imitate thy statutes, for the doctrine and precepts that thou hast by thine own mouth revealed before the face of thy people, and delivered unto me, is of more estimation than the finest pearl, or greatest heaps of gold. Therefore O Lord, direct me thy poor servant, with thy holy spirit, that this thy sacred word may be so firmly and effectually grafted in my heart, that I may cleave unto thee for ever. 10. A prayer to be strengthened in well doing. Give unto me that am the work of thy hands, I beseech thee, O God, such understanding, and so continue thy favourable mercies daily towards thy servant, that I may learn thy commandments, so shall it come to pass, that all they which fear thee, shall rejoice at my state, and give due thanks unto thee that hast in mercy vouchsafed to preserve me who have always trusted in thee: and by experience I find, that thou, O Lord, dost nothing unjustly in visiting my offences with thy scourges, for thy judgements are upright and nothing repugnant to thy truth, but let thy mercy be ever ready to comfort me according to thy promises: let thy endless mercy be ever present, that my spirit may be revived, and that I never faint under thy fatherly hand, seeing that thy doctrine doth evermore delight me and that therein is my continual exercise. Let the ungodly be ashamed and altogether frustrate of their intent, who deal frowardly with thy servant, and pretend the ruin of my zeal, and let me safely meditate on thy commandments, that all such as fear and love thee unfeignedly, may be comforted by my example. Wherefore I humbly beseech thee, O God, increase my knowledge in thy statutes, that I mny keep the same with a pure and upright heart to my soul's health: and grant, O my good God, that I never be ashamed of thy eternal truth, but that I may persevere therein unto the end. 11. A lamentable petition for aid in mere distress. Go is my strength O Lord, and my soul fainteth because of thy salvation, which I daily expect, yet will I still wait for my deliverance, because of thy promise granted unto me out of thy sacred word: yea, mine eyes do fail me for the long looking after those things which thou hast spoken unto me, and I do quail under my heavy burden: I am constrained often times to express my misery in these words: Alas, alas, Why dost thou not quickly come and comfort me? I am like a bottle dried in the smoke, for very heaviness and anguish of my soul, yet do I not forget thy everlasting promises and statutes: how long shall my grief endure? And when shall the sorrowful days of thy servant cease? Shall not thy punishments proceed against them that persecute me? The enemies of my soul dig pits and lay snares for me, contrary to thy law. All thy precepts O Lord, are true, though the wicked in their fury do persecute me, and go about to seek the decay of my zeal. Wherefore, O Lord, in thy good time help me that unworthily am oppressed, and although they have cast me down and almost brought me to nought, yet have I not forsaken thy precepts: erect and restore me to life, O my good God, even for the singular love that thou bearest unto thy servants, that I may observe the things that thou hast appointed me out of thy holy word, and carefully keep them for evermore. Grant this, O Father, for jesus Christ his sake our only Saviour and redeemer. Amen. 12. An extolling of God's unspeakable goodness, with thanksgiving for his mercy showed. GOod God, why should I seem to doubt of the certainty of thy promises, seeing thou art altogether righteousness, and thy word doth endure for ever in heaven? Yea, thy truth I know assuredly shall never fail in any age, for the very body of the earth doth so abide, as it was established by the mighty hand of thy power upon her foundation: & all other things, O Lord, do so continue & evidently stand as they were ordained with thee from the beginning, both in quality and estate, obeying thee as their Lord. Now therefore O God, give me an understanding heart, that I may faithfully love and obey thee, for except I had trusted in thee, and had a delight in thy law, I had been environed with destruction in my troubles being plunged in the net of calamities. Let me not therefore, O Lord, forget thy eternal precepts for in observing of them, I am restored to life. Save me therefore, for I am thine, and make me perfect in thy statutes, so shall I still meditate in thy precepts, and with zeal seek and love thy commandments: though the wicked go about to destroy my soul, yet do I yield my mind to be occupied in thy statutes, for I see that all things here on earth, be they never so perfect and absolute, are brought to an end: nevertheless thy precepts and holy word are prolonged without measure, and endure for ever and ever, world without end. Amen. 13. A worthy meditation and joyfulness for receiving true understanding. GReat is my love unto the sacred words of thy mouth, O Lord, yea I consume whole days in meditating upon the same, and I do find by experience, that I have not done this in vain, seeing that by thy precepts I have proved to be much wiser than all my adversaries, yea and thou O my God, hast given me an understanding heart, in feeling thy goodness towards me, and ever making thy testimonies thy meditation, yea thou hast quickened me and made me more skilful than the grave men of understanding, because I was bend to know thy precepts, and incitned to keep them indeed, for I held back my feet from every evil way, that I might tread the path which thou hast now already declared unto me out of the treasures of thy eternal testament. Strengthen me O Lord, that I turn not from thy laws, but that I may meditate therein night and day to my incomparable comfort, whereby through thy direction I may zealously persevere in the knowledge of thee, and evermore abide constant in thy truth to my eternal salvation: let me be occupied continually in thy word, for I feel the same to be an everlasting comfort to my soul, and of more sweetness then if I had tasted of honey, and by observation of thy precepts have I gotten wisdom, and therefore I do utterly abhor the enticing shows of worldly vanities, which are nothing but falsehood. 14. A prayer for Zeal and constancy. Grant I beseech thee, most merciful God, that thy holy word opening & dispersing the darksome clouds of my mind, may declare such light unto my footsteps, that all my ways may be safely guided, according to the sincerity of thy laws: and let this light O Lord, so illuminate my heart and understanding, that I may by a solemn vow bind myself for ever unto thee, and obtain ability from thee with all humility and quietness of life to perform the same that I have promised unto thee. Thou seest O Lord how sore I am afflicted and vexed on every side, wherefore save me and quicken me according to thy eternal verity: accept the prayers and vows of my mouth that I now offer unto thee, and teach me thy statutes more and more: and extend thy mercies, O Lord, unto my miseries, for my life is laid open to all troubles and danger, as though I did carry it in my hand, but let not the same, O God, pull back my zeal from thy law. The wicked have imagined deceit against me, yet will I not wander from thy precepts. Bless me I beseech thee O dear Father, with thy grace, that I make no estimation of worldly things, but that I may accept thy testimonies as mine inheritance forever, for they are the joy of my heart: instruct me to apply my mind for ever. even to my last gasp, to observe thy statutes. Amen. 15. A prayer to fly worldly vanities, and to delight in godliness. GRant I beseech thee, O God, that I may hate the vain inventious of such as wander from thy truth, and account thy doctrine most dear unto my soul Be thou (most merciful Lord) my refuge and shield whereunto in my grievous distress and danger I may always fly for succour. Let thy word O God be my trust unto the end, and banish the wicked out of my company, that I may evermore keep thy precepts more purely. Establish and quicken me, O Lord, according to thy promise, that I may be upholden lest I perish: let me not be disappointed of my expectation, but strengthen me in thy good time, I most entirely beseech thee, and hold me up with thy merciful hand both now and ever, that I being safe, may delight continually in thy eternal statutes: let the crafty practices of them that contemn thy law, be brought to nought, and take away the wicked that infect the people, even as dross with the pure metal, that my zeal in thy testimonies may be full. Thy judgements O Lord are of such power, that they not only teach me obedience, but cause me to fear, considering mine own weakness, thereby inclining me to repentance and amendment of life, for the which O Lord, I thy poor servant do render unto thee most humble and hearty thanks, beseeching thee still to increase my knowledge in thy sacred mysteries. Amen. 16. A prayer to deal uprightly and not to be put to shame by the ungodly. GOod God, in thy great mercy teach me thy laws, ●hat I oppress no man with unrighteous judgement, but that I may deal justly and truly with all men in thy sight, that I be not slandered of mine enemies, neither brought to open shame. Assist me O Lord with thy power, & stand on my side against the ungodly, that they triumph not over me, for my very eyes do fail me in waiting for my deliverance, and my strength quaileth in expecting thy promises, deal not with me thy unworthy servant according to my deserts, but of thy endless mercy teach me thy statutes, for thou art my eternal Lord, and I am thy servant, grant therefore that I never swarm from thee, but that I may know thy will, and faithfully embrace thy testimonies. In thy good time arise, O Lord, and destroy the wicked that go about to bring thy laws into utter ruin and decay, and pretend the confusion of my zeal, for I will love and firmly cleave to thy precepts, above all treasure and fine gold: yea, and my whole delight shall be therein for ever: For I know that thy commandments are altogether equity and truth itself, yea and a certain rule for me to trast unto, therefore do I abhor whatsoever dissenteth from the hidden privity of thy word, beseeching thee, O Father, still to increase in me the desire that I have unto thy sacred mysteries. 17 A meditation on the excellency of God's holy word. Gracious God, thy testimonies contain such high mysteries, and are of such excellency, that I am moved with admiration and reverence, when I do think thereupon, and therefore are they so precious unto my soul, that it greatly desireth to embrace and keep them above all earthly treasures: for the entrance into thy holy word is so unspeakable, that it giveth light to them that are indarknes, and instructeth the simple in the knowledge of thy will, it stirreth up quietness, and moveth peace in conscience: therefore, O Lord grant me understanding, and open my mouth, that I may with unfeigned lips evermore praise thee, and swallow thy precepts even as the thirsty man doth earnestly desire to drink: look on thy servant, O Lord, both now and ever, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto thy elect & them that love thy name. Direct my paths, O God, and lead me in the way wherein I ought to walk, that If all not into the snares that the wicked have laid to entrap me withal, but zealously persever in thy commandments, and let not afflictions assault me above my strength, but deliver and defend me from the baits of my enemies, that I may serve thee: shine on me with the everlasting light of thy favourable countenance, and teach me thy statutes: mine eyes gush out with tears, when I do hear thy enemies, how contemptuously they speak and intend to subvert thy law, that endureth for ever. 18. A prayer to bear the cross of affliction and reproach patiently. GOod God, thou art altogether just and righteous, and all thy ordinances are truth and equity: grant that I may observe thy laws diligently as a most just and perfect rule of thy truth and sincere religion, for thy words and sweet promises. O Lord are so joyful unto me that the ●oue thereof doth consume me, because the ungodly do despise thy precepts, yet shall thy truth for evermore endure and flourish in purity, wherefore extend the same unto me, and quicken thy servant therein for ever, that I may embrace it with understanding, and though the wicked therefore have me in no estimation but account me an abject yet will I not thereby be exempted from the study of thy commandments, nor neglect my so necessary a calling: for thy righteousness O God, is an everlasting righteousness, though other ordinances and laws which man's wisdom hath set down are subject to innumerable changes, and at length come to an end and the zeal of thy word induceth such comfort unto my soul, that in afflictions when troubles and anguish oppress me, I am busily occupied in repeating the same in my songs: oh how excellent is thy sweetness unto them that are in misery, yea thou hast prepared a blessed and an everlasting fountain in heaven, for them that love thee. Grant me understanding therefore, especially in thy truth, that I may live with thee for evermore. 19 A prayer for help in adversity. Give ear o Lord I beseech thee, unto the cry and lamentable voice of my sorrowful heart, for I have called upon thee with my whole heart day and night, grant that I may diligently observe thy statutes, and in all my dangers vouchsafe to send me thy aid and assistance whereby I may continually be stirred up to meditate on thy testimonies, let my prayers prevent the early light of the morning, and in the night-watches O Lord quicken my mind with the commemoration of thy goodness, and hearken unto my earnest petitions, according to thy loving kindness extended unto thy children, and as thou hast promised, restore me to the enjoying of thy favour, that am without life: thou seest how near they assault me which are continually given to iniquity, and earnestly bend to destroy thy testimonies, praising thee with their lips, but in heart, are far from thee. But my trust is only in thee, O Lord, that thou wilt cleave unto thy servant, and increase my zeal more and more. Teach me I beseech thee most merciful God, the assured way of thy commandments, for I know certainly, that by the observation of thy testimonies I shall never be in error, neither ye● frustrate of my hope which I have in thy mercy. For thou hast established the same for ever and ever. Hear me, O Lord God I most humbly beseech thee, and assist me evermore with thy grace and holy spirit, that I may rest with thee eternally. 20. A prayer for to be strengthened being weak. GOod Lord I most humbly beseech thee, regard me that am sore oppressed: and in thy good time deliver me which do not forget the doctrine that thou hast taught me. I appeal for mercy unto thy sovereign bounty, plead thou my cause therefore and be my judge, and in thy good time preserve and defend me: For salvation is far from the ungodly, because they neither fear thee nor observe thy statutes. I expect thy mercies, O Lord, and not mine own righteousness to help me. Quicken me therefore according to thy judgements, and although they that unjustly persecute me, are many in number, and mighty, yet do I incline my heart to the observation of thy testimonies, and evermore delight in thy precepts, yea I have had such a love to thy law, that I never conceived more grief of any thing then when I did evidently perceive these men to despise thy words and neglect thy law, but let thy mercy take hold on me, that have had my felicity in thy commandments, and accounted them most dear unto me: increase my zeal O Lord, and save me that I perish not, vouchsafe to assist me with thy perpetual graces, that I may walk uprightly before thy presence, serving thee continually with fear and reverence, and esteeming the words of thy mouth to be the ordinary mean to bring me unto salvation, for they are infallible, and thou hast ordained them to stand for ever: therefore are they the eternal and unchangeable rule of thy justice world without end. 21. A joyful reckoning up what spiritual comfort and how precious we enjoy by God's word. Gracious God, the threatenings and injurious persecutions of the mighty ones of this world, could not make me once to deny thee, for my heart stood more in awe of thy most sacred word, then of their indignation; continue still thy assistance therefore towards me thy poor servant, that by the virtue of thy holy spirit working in my heart, I may enjoy and take more delight and comfort in thy sacred word (which quickeneth me in all troubles) then in all the kingdoms and vain treasures in this world, and that I may willingly reject & abhor all manner of deceit and wickedness, ever embracing thy most comfortable testimonies: for when I do narrowly see into thy judgements & sacred mysteries, how excellent they are, I am often and sundry times enforced to land and praise thy holy name: the love of thy heavenly law bringeth into great prosperity all such as retain the same, for they do zealously search out the secrets thereof, and are in their consciences assured that they please thee, therefore grant O Lord that I may faithfully believe in thee, and still depend upon thy salvation: give me ever patience in my troubles, and let me still observe and keep thy testimonies, and have a continual love thereunto: grant that I may have no respect unto men, but to set thee always before my eyes, as the just judge of all my doings. Amen. A prayer to be kept under the protection of the most highest. Give ear, I most humbly beseech thee, O God, unto the complaints of me poor sinner, and grant me the true understanding of thy divine precepts, oh let my supplications come before thee, and save me O Lord that put my whole trust and confidence in thee, according to thy promise, that I may joyfully yield unto thee uncessant praises, and observe thy statutes, (wherein thou hast instructted me) with diligence for ever. Let nothing cause me to quail, O God, but that the words of my tongue may set forth thy upright iuddements and glory, for thou art my loving God, on whom I evermore depend, and my comfort consisteth in thy precepts: erect thy hand to help me poor sinner, for I have not neglected thy statutes: let my whole life depend upon thee for ever and let me seek comfort at thine only doctrine, let my life be prolonged and covered under the shadow of thy wings, that I being delivered by thee, may render continual thanks unto thee, and zealously embrace thy testimonies: ah alas how have I gone astray and wandered too and fro like a lost sheep from his shepherd, being ready to fall into all dangers, and to be devoured of the enemy, but of thy mercy, O Lord, thou hast called me home unto thy sheepfold and restored me again to the knowledge of thy heavenly doctrine: wherefore O God, so guide me with thy grace, and instruct me with thy holy spirit, that I may continue therein for ever. A prayer that we may only delight in God's laws. WIth thy grace and holy spirit assist me, O God, that I walk not in the steps of the ungodly, neither follow after their wicked and licentious counsel: Let me not stand in the ways of impudent sinners, neither yet sit or keep company with such as deride thee and blaspheme thy holy name, but grant, O God, that my whole delight may be fixed in the keeping of thy sacred laws, and that my mind may meditate therein night and day. Make me, O God, as a fruitful tree planted by the water side, that being always refreshed with thy grace, I may bring forth the fruits of repentance, and daily proceed in newness of life to thy honour and glory, so that what business or affairs soever I take in hand, it may prosper: but scatter thou the ungodly like chaff before the wind, and let them tremble at thy righteous judgements, that they stand not in the assembly of the just, for thou like a merciful God wilt allow and maintain the life of thy children, but the evil life of the wicked shall utterly perish in thy presence, yea, and in the end they shall go to destruction, therefore will I trust in thee for evermore. A prayer for boldness and courage in standing to the truth. Fail me not, most merciful God, for there are many that rise up against me vexing my soul continually: yea, they assault me with divers temptations, saying, there is no help nor victory for him in his God, but yet in thy good time thou wilt send nourishment and succour unto thy servant, and defend me on every side from them that cruelly seek my destruction, yea thou art my glory, and thou in mercy wilt lift me up when I am fallen, therefore will I still call upon thee, o Lord, for I know thou wilt hear me out of thy eternal tabernacle, and seeing thou art my good God, I will lay me down and rest in peace, and arise again because thou defendest me: the remembrance of thy promises and trial thereof have so increased my love and faith to thee, that though many thousands pretend my utter overthrow, yet will I not be afraid, for thou art the God of my force: come forth therefore, O Lord, and help me, and in thy good time beat down my enemies, and strike them upon the jaws that seek to do me evil: break thou the teeth of the ungodly, and confound all such as daily go about to slander me without a cause: it is in thee, O Lord to free me from distress, and to deliver me from the snares of my oppressors, for thy blessing is upon thy people, and thou wilt relieve them in their necessity: wherefore extend thy mercy towards me: and defend me both now and ever, that I may yield continual praise for ever. A prayer to be delivered from God's wrath. ASsist me, O Lord, with thy grace and holy spirit, and rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy displeasure, but have mercy upon me that am utterly destitute of strength and relief: heal me O God, for my soul is grievously vexed because of my sin, and sore shaken through mine iniquities, my heart sigheth being now touched with the fear of thy judgements, wherefore incline thee to help me, and save me for thy mercy's sake, for they that are in the grave cannot praise thee: O Lord, in mourning I faint, and in remorse my sorrow increaseth, I wear away because of the lewdness of my adversaries and am sore vexed by reason of the miseries wherewith I poor sinner am oppressed, but away from me ye wicked, for the Lord hath heard my voice and woeful cry, yea the Lord hath heard my prayer and humble suit, and he in his great mercy will confound my enemies, and send me relief in my greatest necessity, and will put to flight all such as work my decay or seek to do me evil. Increase thy love in me, O Lord, that I may render due thanks unto thee for thy continual assistance, and praise thy name because of thy loving kindness showed unto me, in depending wholly upon thy merits for ever and ever. A prayer not to be overcome of the wicked. REgard, I most hearty beseech thee, O God, the humble petitions and prayers of thy servant, for unto thee alone do I lift up my heart and soul, beseeching thee to extend thy mercy and pity towards me, that have evermore put my trust & confidence in thee: let not mine enemies rejoice over me, neither suffer me thy servant to be put to confusion, because my hope resteth only on thy salvation, but evermore retain me in the faith of thy promises, that I swerne not on any side, guide my steps in thy truth, and instruct me in the rule of thy will, for thou art the God from whom I expect and look for my deliverance: be mindful of thy mercies which thou hast often showed unto thy servants, and of thy manifold benefits which thou from time to time hast declared unto all ages. Remember not the lewdness of my youth, but in thy mercies think upon thy servant, instruct me in thy laws, and teach me to be humble, be merciful to mine iniquities, for they are great, and by the direction of thy holy spirit conduct me in the right way, that my soul may dwell at ease and inherit the land which thou hast prepared for them that serve thee: reveal unto me, O God, the secrets of thy holy word that I may be endued with understanding: turn thy face unto me, and extend thy mercy towards me, look upon my afflictions, and release me of my sins, and deliver Israel out of all his troubles. A prayer for relief in sickness and anguish of spirit. HEarken unto my humble suit, O Lord, & in thy mercy give ear unto my prayers, I do not here plead for myself, neither do I refuse to be reproved of thee, but beseeching thee not to rebuke and chastise me in the heat of thy wrath, for thy hand and heavy yoke oppresseth me, and the sense of thine ire worthily kidnled against me, endureth so grievous upon me, that my whole body consumeth for the abundance of my wicked offences, yea my wounded conscience is ready to putrefy through sin, and I dare not but with heavy countenance lift up mine eyes towards thee: my heart and reins do burn, O Lord, with intolerable pain, and there is no part of my body free from grief. I wholly languish & faint for very sorrow of my heart, thou knowest my desire, O God, and my sighing is apparent unto thee my heart panteth, my strength decayeth, and my eyesight now faileth me, many there be that seek my destruction, and there is none to help me but thou alone, wherefore on thee will I wait and abide thy good time for my succour, help me therefore that now calleth upon thee, lest I be brought into decay: and let not my ghostly enemies triumph over me, who desire to see my overthrow. In thee O God have I ever trusted, forsake me not therefore, but of thy gracious goodness send me speedy comfort: O merciful Lord be not far from me in my distress, but hast thee to help me. Amen. A thanksgiving for deliverance from sickness and pa●ne. EXtend thy grace and holy spirit towards thy servant, O Lord, that I may daily magnify thee, for thou art my deliverer and hast not suffered my foes with pride to triumph over me. I cried unto thee in my troubles, and thou like a merciful God didst deliver me, thou hast defended me from dangers of death, and renewed me always with comfort: therefore shall I sing praises unto thy divine majesty for ever, thine anger endureth but a while, but thy favour to the end of our life: and though sorrow abideth in the evening, yet joy cometh in the morning, and in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved, but so soon as thou diddest restrain thy favour from me, I was stricken, then did I return to thee, O Lord & prayed, what profit is therein my blood when I am slain? or shall my body made of dust sing praises unto thee, or declare thy truth and faithful constancy in performing thy promises. O Lord, hear me and receive me to thy favour, help me good God I beseech thee, and have mercy upon me, and lo thou hast turned my mourning into joy, and removed the sorrow of my heart to gird me with gladness, yea thou hast made thy loving kindness so joyful unto me, that I do meditate of thy goodness all the day long, therefore shall my tongue be wholly consecrate both now and ever to set forth thy praises. O Lord my God, on whose mercy dependeth my salvation, I will give thanks to thee for ever and ever. A prayer that God according to his merciful promise will deliver him from his enemies. HEarken I most humbly beseech thee, O God, unto my complaint, and incline thy ear unto my lamentable sighs, for my soul is now oppressed with troubles, and grievously wounded through sin, wherefore release my heavy burden, and mitigate my tormenting pains, for there is none to help me but thou alone, that art the God of my might, mine eyes cannot rest, nor mine eyelids slumber, because of my heaviness, but so soon as I record thy great goodness showed unto me of old, how is my soul comforted, and how quiet is my conscience within me, deliver me therefore according to thy wont mercies, and let me never be unmindful of thee, but that my spirit may still rejoice, and be endued with a steadfast hope of thy promises, and though the wicked seek my decay, yet let my trust be wholly fixed upon thee: give me understanding and knowledge from above, that I may faithfully observe thy fatherly precepts: be not long absent from me O God, neither let thy sweet promises fail me, but in thy mercy respect me thy servant, and pour on me thy heavenly blessings: grant me the direction of thy grace and holy spirit, that with all humility and perfect patience, I may stand fast in the day of my trouble, and after this wretched life ended, endue me O Lord, with thy eternal rest to dwell with thee for ever. A grateful extolling of God's inestimable benefits. FRom the very inward part of my heart, O my soul, praise thou the Lord, and all that resteth within me praise his holy name, for all his graces, mercies, and manifold benefits that he in great mercy hath bestowed upon me, for he hath covered the filthiness of my iniquities, altered my natural wilfulness, and healed my broken heart, and the bloody wounds of my conscience: O my God thou hast redeemed my life from destruction, and of thine infinite mercies dost always satisfy me with good things: thou renewest my soul like the youth of an Eagle, and hast revealed unto me thy way and holy word: thou art altogether mercy and full of compassion, slow to wrath, and of great kindness to all such as come unto thee, thou wilt not always lower, nor keep thine anger for ever, neither dost thou deal with me after my sins, nor reward me according to mine iniquicies: for thou in mercy wilt set my sins so far from me as the East is from the West, and never think upon them any more: thou showest thyself to be a most gracious father in extending thy bountiful benevolence unto such as honour thee, for thou knowest that we are but dust and like the flower of the field, always ready to be carried away with light blasts of wind to all manner of vanities, but thy mercy (O my good God) and loving kindness endureth for ever. Let thy righteousness hold me up both now and evermore, that I may fear thee and keep thy commandments in continual remembrance to do them, that after this life ended I may gain the fruition of thy kingdom. which for thy elect thou hast prepared in heaven, to sing praises unto thee with thy holy Angels, and to enjoy thy presence O Lord which reignest and rulest for ever. Amen. A prayer to be delivered from his adversaries. REgard my humble petitions and prayers, most gracious God, and in thy mercy give ear unto my requests, for unto thee alone do I come in the time of my necessity, accept therefore I beseech thee the cries that I he reoffe● up unto thee, rule thou my thoughts, and guide my ways aright, that my heart be not inclined to evil, and so procure me to run unadvisedly to do the works of iniquities: but let the just man with discretion reprove me, that I by his exhortations may discern and know the snares that the wicked have laid to entrap me withal, and not only shun them myself, but admonish others in like manner to eschew the same, who seeing the ungodly with grievous torments to be miserably afflicted, may with humble and penitent hearts return unto thee O Lord, and acknowledge thee to be their only stay and secure in all their actions: my life, O God, is exposed to all miseries: nevertheless I most earnestly beseech thee to be my protector, and though my state be slippery, yet let thy right hand support me, and thy loving kindness enclose me about, and when my hands are erected to call upon thy name (being full of hope) grant speedy release unto me, lest I fall into the net that the wicked have laid for me, that I being governed and directed by thy mighty power, may for ever henceforth extol thy glorious name, whilst the wicked are together entangled in their own malice: grant this O father for thy dear son our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. A prayer to perceive his own frail estate. TEach me O Lord to order my steps according to the rule of thy holy word, that the wicked entrap me not in my dealings, Let the number of my days be known unto me, and make me I beseech thee more and more seriously to consider how transitory this life is, that I may apply my heart continually to the contemplation of thy hidden secrets and divine mysteries, for the length of my years is but as a span, and all earthly things are nothing but mere vanity in thy sight, therefore as the chased Hart desireth to be refreshed by the aid of the water brooks, so longeth my soul after thee, O God: therefore let not thy graces and holy spirit O God, be taken from me, but extend thy hand to deliver me from all inconveniences, that I become not an open rebuke unto mine enemies, take those plagues and severe punishments from me that my sins do deserve, and let thy mercy be an eternal comfort unto me, grant me understanding and send me knowledge from above, that I may see into the cause of my afflictions, and never murmur at thy fatherly chastisements: hear my prayer and in thy mercy take pity and compassion upon me, assuage the great heat of thine anger towards me, and release the troubles of my heavy heart, and grant me a space of repentance before the time of thy fatherly calling, that I may rest with thee for ever. A prayer for journeying. I Commit this my journey and corporal travel, most merciful father, unto thy heavenly direction to guide and govern me therein as shall seem best to thy only goodness and godly wisdom: and as this my troublesome and weary life is nothing else but a pilgrims passage, and only a span from birth to grave, so grant, that I may always consider of it. And I beseech thee O my God, that as to jacob journeying into the East, & praying reverently for thy gracious protection, thou didst favourably and of thine infinite mercy minister all things necessary to his safety, so thou wilt now mercifully behold me, a member of thy little Israel, and safely keep and preserve me in my journey, that the same may tend to the honour of thy name, and to the comfort of my conscience both now and ever, that like as jacob said thou shouldest be his God, so we knowing that in all things thou art more good and plentiful unto us a thousand fold than we can deserve, may for thy heavenly graces and continual goodness sing laud & praises unto thy holy name; o God, that for ever livest, one in trinity & three in unity, Amen. A prayer out of the Cxlu. Psalm. FRom the bottom of my heart, O my God, will I ertoll thy name, and render thanks unto thee for ever and ever. I will consecrate all the days of my life to set forth thy glory, and to yield praises unto thee continually, for thou art great O Lord, and there is no praise sufficient for thee, yea the memorial of thy name will I cause to endure from one generation to another, neither shall I alone labour to do this my duty, for verily there will be always some assembly which will by all means testify the remembrance of my deeds and peculiar goodness, and openly declare thy undoubted promises, remaining unto all ages, namely that thou art most merciful and gracious unto such as trust in thee, and thy loving kindness endureth for ever, neither is it manifest whether thou art either more slow unto wrath, or more prove to pardon, for thou, O Lord I know art good to all men, and thy mercies are above thy works, yet is thy name, O God, extolled in thy works, and the praise of thy glory appeareth in all thy creatures: thou stayest up every one which else should fall, and grantest relief unto such as are already fallen, yea thou givest help continually unto those that love thee, but destroyest the wicked, and therefore by good right, O Lord, will I sound forth thy praises for ever and ever. A prayer to be said before the receiving of the Lords Supper. Loving Lord and my most merifull father, in wonderful mercy, I acknowledge it hath pleased thee to purge me silly wretch by the death & bloody passion of thy son, from all my sins and iniquities, to have adopted me thy child, and given me the earnest of my salvation, touching my heart with an infallible sense and feeling of thy mercies and settled confidence in thy promises, so that even now, in the commemoration of thy unspeakable blessings my soul is newly entered into thy house, to take the wholesome cup of eternal salvation, and to call upon thy holy name: assist me therefore with thy spirit, O Lord, & give me a wise and understanding heart, that I may conceive rightly of thy sacred mysteries and divine precepts, discern them secretly, and receive them effectually, not with rashness of mind, but with sobriety, in righteousness and holiness of life, unto the perfect consummation and finishing of that happy building, which thy worthy goodness in mercy hath providently begun in me, yea until I be come to the measure of the eternal age and fullness of my Lord and saviour jesus Christ Amen. A godly prayer for such things as be needful both for soul and body. Extend thy favourable pity towards me, O Lord, and in thy mercy do away my iniquities, take from me all hardness of heart, and endue me with thy grace and holy spirit, that my delight may be in thy laws: bless and prosper I beseech thee, my bodily labours, and send me such necessary relief both for my soul and body, as shall seem most expedient to thy divine wisdom. O God keep me under the shadow of thy wings from all the afflictions of this wretched life, and defend me from the naughty dealing of lying lips and slandering tongues: let me not do any thing contrary to thy will, O Lord, but keep me in such good order of life, that I be not defamed of the wicked and ungodly person. Confirm me in the knowledge of thy law, and send me speedy relief in all my troubles: give me good God a feeling of my sins with earnest repentance, and that I may persever in newness of life, to thy honour and glory: let me avoid the company of such as be evil, and let my whole delight consist in the secrets of thy sacred mysteries, that I may openly set forth thy praises, and yield uncessant thanks unto thee: grant that I may escape the net that the wicked have privily laid to entrap me, for my hope consisteth in thy salvation, and when my weary days, O Lord, shall draw to an end in leaving this life and earthly pilgrimage, grant me a strong and steadfast faith with speech and memory even to the end, that so departing in peace, I may rest with thee for ever. Amen. A prayer to be said in any kind of affliction. Eternal God and father of all mercies, I humbly beseech thee to bow down thine ears & hearken unto me poor sinner, whose state is weak and feeble because of thy heavy displeasure, but I confess and acknowledge, that it is a just reward for my iniquities committed against thee, respect me nevertheless in thy mercy, and think not upon my transgressions, deliver my soul, endue me with all spiritual graces and consolation, and continually keep me in true faith and humble obedience towards thee, neither let me murmur at thy chastisements, but with patience endure thy correction: it is in thee to deal with me at thy pleasure, since thou createdst me of dust and slime of the earth, and gavest me life and breath in my mother's womb. Wherefore, O Lord, I beseech thee, suffer me not to be tempted above my strength, neither yet to be holden down with greater afflictions than my weak nature is able to endure, but rather according to thy tender mercy support and relieve me, that neither the flesh, the world nor the devil triumph in my weakness, give me a feeling of thy mercies, that thy graces never departed from me, and when it pleaseth thee, O Lord, to bring to an end this miserable life, grant that I may with humble obedience towards thee, and perfect faith in thy divine promises, neglect the state of this wretched world, and rest with thee O Lord my God, in that everlasting kingdom which thou hast prepared for thy elect from the beginning of the world, where I shall continually yield praises unto thee, together with all the host of heaven for ever and ever. Amen. A prayer of thanksgiving to God for his benefits. COntinue thy goodness still towards me O Lord, that I may daily have occasion to extol thy praises, for great cause do I already retain to land thy glorious name for ever, because thou alone act my joy and salvation, and the strong city whereunto I always fly for succour, thou hast ever been my rock and tower of defence, open now therefore the gate of righteousness, that I poor sinner may enter therein as one of thy children, so shall I be preserved in peace. I have always put my trust in thee, stregthen me therefore I beseech thee, with thy holy spirit, and as thou art altogether righteous and just, so vouchsafe to instruct me in the path wherein I ought to walk, for my soul rejoiceth in thy truth, and desireth thee in the night season, yea and my spirit shall seek thee in the morning: how mercifully dost thou nourish thy people, and how glorious dost thou make thy elect? when I was in distress I called upon thee, and when thou didst chastise me, I poured forth my prayers, and thou like a loving Lord didst show mercy on me according to thy great kindness. O dear father, my soul now replenished with grief, because of my sins, desireth to be received into thy eternal rest. I was dead & putrefied through my sins, and environed with despair because of my fall, but thou of thy goodness didst yield relief unto me, and made me alive again, yea thou hast elevated my soul out of the darkness of death and ministered light unto me, that I might regard my footsteps: thou hast upholden my life from dangers, and preferred me against the envious minds of the wicked, thou hast defended me from such as rose up against m●, and sent me relief in my greatest necessity, yea thou hast plenteously endued me with all things and given me a taste of thy goodness. Wherefore O most merciful God, assist me with thy holy spirit, that I never be unmindful of thy mercies, but may extol thy glorious name for ever and ever. Amen. A prayer to be used before a man doth begin to travel or take any journey in hand. REspect me thy unworthy servant, O Lord, with the eye of thy mercy, for on thee dependeth my salvation, and there is none but thou alone can bring sufficient relief and succour unto my afflicted spirit. Wherefore, O God be merciful unto me, and rule my heart in thy faith, fear, and love, with a careful keeping of thy commandments, guide thou my footsteps, O God, and govern me with thy mighty hand, that I fall not into the pit of destruction, assist me with thy grace and holy spirit, that I may both discern and reject those things that are contrary to thy law, and save me O God, from the cruelty of such as seek to oppress my soul: send me knowledge from above, that I may conceive rightly of thy heavenly mysteries, and teach me O Lord so to order my life, that according to the precise rule of thy holy word and divine precepts I may daily proceed in newness of life to the honour and glory of thy name. Endue me with all spiritual graces to stand against the subtle assaults and temptatious of my ghostly enemies, that I may never quail by his tyranny, but give him his final repulse and utter overthrow, be thou my protector and defender, most loving father, that in all my ways I may be safely directed by thy mighty providence, for thou art my refuge in all my troubles, and in thy mercy will I stay myself for ever, and my hope shall still rest in thee, O God, that livest for ever. A prayer for a man that is beset with adversaries. I Call and cry to thee, O God with mourning voice, beseeching thee to hearken unto my groaning sighs, deliver me from my troubles, that oppress me grievously, for misery is come upon me, and there is none but thou alone can help me: guide me, O Lord in thy truth and lead me forth in the paths wherein I ought to walk, thou art the only rokce whereunto I must cleave, and in thy good time thou wilt uphold my state against my enemies that environ me about, they have cast snares in the way to entrap me, and by cruelty have daily sought my decay. Wherefore I beseech thee O God, come quickly and secure me, put forth thy mighty arm, and deliver me from them that rise up against me, pretending my utter overthrow. Conduct me in thy truth, that I be not entrapped in my ways, nor holden in the earke prison of this miserable world, from the view of thy divine majesty, but that I may be compassed with the assembly of thy elect to rejoice in thee O my good God, for my deliverance, and to sing continual praises unto thy holy name for evermore with a cheerful voice preserve me from destruction; and vouchsafe, O Lord, to forgive me all my offences, that I may stand steadfast in thee, and never be put to confusion, but to rest with thee eternally, Amen. A prayer to be said at all times. I Most hearty beseech thee, O thou God of all mercy & power, to make strong my soul against all the troublesome and most dangerous assaults and temptations of the world the flesh and the devil: confirm my belief and faith in thee, and make me, good Lord, one of the number of thy elect, and grant that all my sins may be cleansed in the blood of my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. O dear Father, let thy graces and blessings be continually poured upon me, and shine on me with the comfortable beauty of thy cheerful countenance, and grant me in this life the perpetual direction of thy holy spirit, and in the life to come eternal rest with my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. Amen. A charitable prayer to be used at any time for the benefit of such as live amiss. O Lord thou hast ever been our safe haven and habitation, and thy loving kindness hath been plentifully showed unto us and our elders, from one generation to another: thou art a God that reignest and rulest for ever, without beginning or ending, yea thou didst create us of dust and slime of the earth, and we being most miserable creatures so soon as thou takest thy spirit from us, are even then immediately dissolved into dust again, for as a watch in the night, so doth our life pass away, and as a tale that is told, so do we vanish: we grow up like the herb which at the rising of the sun doth flourish, but in the evening is cut down and withereth: grant therefore O God that we neglecting all idle imaginations, may account the days of our earthly penance how short they are, that our minds by this cogitation being brought from the troublesome care and vain hope of earthly felicity, as also called away from all those enticements whereby we wander out of the right path of thy truth, may aspire to true wisdom, in applying our hearts wholly unto thy eternal testimonies: be merciful unto us, O Lord, and ●a●e us from all the assaults and temptations of our ghostly enemies, conduct us with thy mighty hand, we beseech thee, in all our dealings, that we may walk uprightly in our estate and vocation without fraud or deceit, grant that after so long and innumerable troubles as we have sustained, thy goodness may shine unto us like a most pleasant light, that we being satisfied with the comfortable nourishment thereof may enjoy thy true and eternal consolation, and like as with many miseries thou hast corrected us, so we beseech thee of thy eternal goodness to comfort us again, and in the midst of all our troubles restore us to joy and gladness, that from the bottom of our hearts we may yield continual praises unto thee: accept us amongst the number of thy heavenly army, and let the voice of our humble petitions, O God, ascend up unto thee, make us continually thankful for our election, and let us never forget that thou hast taken us into thy family, to be cared for of thee, yea let this thy glory shine forth to our posterity, and let thy exceeding goodness beautify & adorn us: govern thou our counsels from thy sanctuary, and let our enterprises be acceptable in thy fight, O God, that livest for ever. Amen. A prayer for the assistance of God's power and holy spirit against our enemies, and the dangers of this world. Eternal God, I most humbly beseech thee give ear unto the prayers and doleful cries which I here pour forth before thee: strengthen me, that I may walk in thy ways, and carefully avoid the path that the oppressors tread. Accept the requests, of thy servants, vouchsafe, O Lord in mercy to relieve them that trust in thee, against such as resist thy doctrine: keep me as the apple of thy eye, and evermore defend me from my enemies, even under the shadow of thy wings, for they are full of envy, and their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death, nevertheless my hope dependeth only upon thy assistance, that thou wilt stand on my side, whereby I may utterly vanquish and overthrow their force, for thou art my fortress and strength in whom is no variety, in thee will I trust O God of my salvation, yea I will call upon thee and praise thy name for evermore: preserve me therefore and assist me in the day of my danger, let not the ungodly man prevail against me, but prevent their wicked devices that intent my destruction, endue me plentifully with thy graces, that I may take delight in those things that may please thee, and bestow such good gifts as thou hast lent me, to the use of my Christian brethren that stand in need thereof: let thy spirit scale the assurance of thy election in my heart, that I never decline from the true service of thee, but with all constancy give myself wholly to the love of thy law, and persevere therein unto the end, for thou art my portion and the lot of mine inheritance, let me not be oppressed by any earthly penury, lest through frailty of my flesh I be enforced to fall from thee, but teach me continually by secret inspirations (the right way to attain to the fruition of thy blessings) that I may at all times sing praises unto thee: be thou always at my right hand, O Lord, that my course may be directed by thy godly assistance, and deliver me out of all troublsome dangers, that I may rejoice both in body and soul for thy gracious protection: sh●w me thy favour, O God, in all things that I take in hand, and let the success of my travels fail out as my hope expecteth, to the great comfort of thine elect, and the exceeding joy of all that put their trust in thee, let not the cruelty of the enemy prevail against me, lest he say that he hath overcome me, and they that oppress me, rejoice in my fall, for my trust is wholly in the truth of thy promises, neither shall my heart dissent from the hope of thy mercy and defence in all my enterprises but being at the length delivered by thee from the dreadful dangers of earthly casualties, I will not cease to land and praise thy holy name in the midst of the congregation for ever and ever. Grant this, most merciful Father, I humbly beseech thee, for jesus Christ his sake, my only Saviour and redeemer. Amen. A prayer to be said at all times. WIth the eye of mercy, most loving father, behold my care and inward grief, and hearken I humbly beseech thee to my complaint and lamentable suit, my soul crieth out to thee for mercy, extend therefore thy loving countenance and favour unto me that am sore plunged in the gulf of calamities, yet do I confess & acknowledge that I have and do deserve most extreme punishment for so grievously offending thee my loving Lord, but if thou shalt ever mark what is amiss in me, how am I able to abide thy frowning countenance? but with thee is always mercy and redemption, yea thy servants continually do, and will for thy great goodness fear and love thy holy name, my soul also knowing thy singular bounty, in that it hath ever tasted of thy incompatable sweetness, shall still trust in thee, for thou didst defend and nourish me when I was destitute of help, therefore will I wait for thy salvation even from the morning unto the evening, and from the evening likewise unto the morning again, for there is no night-watcher that in greater desire longeth for the dawning of the day, then doth my soul expect the coming of thee my Lord and God, for great is thy pity unto all such as with true repentance and hearty prayers do come unto thee: Go too then O my soul now rejoice, & comfort thyself in the Lord for ever, serve him with fear and reverence, and be ready for his coming, sith no variety resteth in him, but that he is good and merciful, and hath often redeemed and delivered thee from the danger of hell: have mercy upon me now therefore, O dear father, and forgive me my sins, cast them from thy presence, & think upon them no more so shall my soul rejoice and be glad in thee for ever. A prayer to be used of all men, and at all times. NOw bewailing my sinful life passed, most loving father, I do here in humble wise desire thy gracious favour: have mercy on me, poor sinner, that cleaveth wholly unto thee, and in the multitude of thy mercies do away the heavy burden of my iniquities: wash me from my sins, and cleanse me from my offences, wash me again and again, O Lord, that all my sins whatsoever lieth hid within me, may be done away at once. O most merciful father, against thee only have I sinned most grievously and done wickedly in thy sight, yea, and those things are most justly decreed of thee which thou hast pronounced against me. And I must needs confess, that nothing is faulty amongst thy judgements, for I was corrupt and guilty in my mother's womb, and with sin, even from my cradle: what have I to allege for myself (knowing O Lord, what a wretched case I stand in) or what excuse can I make to thee, O heavenly judge: wherefore in thy fight do I remain the greatest of all sinners, purge me with the true Isope (which in thy mercy thou hast sent unto sinners) even the blood of thy dear son my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, that all my filthiness may vanish clean away: restore me, O Lord, unto that unspeakable joy wherewith they are endued that are shrouded from the bonds of sin and death, and received into thy favour again, hide thy face away from my sins, and race out of thy tables all the wickedness that I most grievously have committed against thee: let thy holy spirit so direct me, that I may from hencfoorth give myself to thy commandments, then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee: deliver me from sin that my soul may praise thee continually: open my mouth, O Lord, that my tongue in Psalms and Hymns may set forth thy glorious name. For thou desirest not sacrifice, but a sorrowful mind and contrite heart, with the true feeling of sins and inward repentance and unfeigned turning unto thee, which oblation, O Lord, I now offer unto thee, humbly beseeching thee to accept thereof, and incline thine ear thereunto for jesus Christ his sake my only Saviour and redeemer. Amen. A prayer very godly and necessary to be used at all times. LOrd grant me the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit, that my soul unto thee may yield continual praises, let my whole life extol thy great kindness always showed unto me, for all praise belongeth unto thee, thou hast endued my heart with joy, and lifted my soul out of the mix, wherefore I will not seek to any mortal man, for their state is slippery, and their life consists in their breath: whereof being bereaved, they are resolved again into dust, but let my trust be in thee O God, on whose mercy dependeth my salvation, for thou O God, art exceeding good and gracious unto all such as come unto thee, great is thy power, oh how wonderful is thy handy work in thy creatures, thou bearest a great zeal unto thy servants, and keepest promise with thine elect, thou openest the eyes of the blinded soul, and gi●est understanding to the simple, thou didst arm my soul when I fainted in misery, wherefore give me understanding, that I may diligently search to know thy will; thou didst defend and nourish me when I was destitute of thy help: thou comfortest the fatherless and widows, but in justice overthrowest the wicked. O Lord I see that all flesh is grass, and the riches of this world are nothing but vanity, but thy riches are everlasting: wherefore grant that I may be plentiful in all good works, and lead a life in this world agreeable to thy will, that the same being ended, I may rest with thee for ever. A godly prayer unto almighty God against all assaults of Satan. I Humbly crave and beseech thee, most merciful God, in favour to behold my troubled heart, and give ear unto my lamentable cries, for unto thee alone do I offer up my prayers, desiring thee, in mercy to respect thy servant that now caleth for thy direction: let my paths be guided according to thy will, for thou art a God most pure, and canst abide no iniquity at all to reign in thy fight, neither the unjust person to stand in thy presence, wherefore, O Lord, endue me plentifully with thy graces, that have no spark of goodness, in me, send me knowledge from above, and direct me with thy spirit, that I be not utterly cast away for ever, but pardon my iniquity, that I may draw near unto thee, and with reverent fear extol thy glorious name. Let not Satan my mortal enemy prevail against me, but deliver me from the snares that he daily layeth for me, replenish me, O Lord, with understanding, that I may safely walk in thy laws, for the enemies of thy truth, and disturbers of my soul are many, they dissemble in heart, and with their lips they flatter daily, but my trust is in thee O Lord, that thou wilt confound their devices, so shall I rejoice in thee, because thy hand hath delivered me, and my tongue shall never cease to extol thy praises and exceeding goodness, because thou hast defended me with the shield of thy mercy, and redeemed my soul from deadly danger. Amen. A prayer to be said in any kind of affliction. Relieve me G God, I most humbly beseech thee from all the tyrannous invasions of my ghostly enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil, and behold the careful heart of him whom thou hast stricken and visited according to thy heavenly will and because man in his own nature is nothing but blindness and folly before thee, and therefore cannot possibly conceive rightly of the things above: renew therefore thy spirit in thy servant that the same instructing my heart daily in true wisdom and fear of thee, I may come to the feeling of mine own evils, and know the cause of thy scourge, that so my wound being apparent to mine eyes, I may with all speed see to the cure thereof, and defer no time to seek the salve to heal it. Hear the voice of thy servant, O God, that crieth unto thee, consider my complaint, and weigh my inward woe conceived through hate of mine own infirmities, and for want of thy knowledge, for I fly from myself as from an unwalled castle, fearing my footsteps, even as though I walked on thorns: deal not with me in thy displeasure, neither let my sins separate thy favour from me, but quicken me in my afflictions, and make me ware wise by thy punishments: give me such a sense of my infirmities, and so perfect a perseverance of my recklessness in serving of thee, that I may dispose my self to contrary order, erecting my mind unto thee, and thereunto so join the increase of thy grace and strengthening spirit, as that I may be able thereby to perform my race, and continue in that good way which thy goodness hath moved me to: in the times of my heaviness be near unto me, and open my eyes of faith to behold thy eternal love, so that I be not too much shaken by the enemy's assaults, but may be replenished with ability, constancy, and patience, to give him his final repulse and overthrow. Amen. A prayer for our Sovereign Lord King james. MOst mighty God of majesty, and heavenly father dear, unto the humble suits of us thy servants poor give ear: that call on thee still to maintain and bless with thy great power, our noble King and his offspring, our stay & governor: whom thou over thy little flock unto our comforts great, ordained hast to fit upon the high and princely seat: from foreign force of foes vouchsafe good God to guard his grace: that all their subtle sleights and snares he doubtless may deface. Lend unto him long life O Lrod, and eke a royal reign, and grant that he thy graces great for evermore may gain. Thy blessings bountiful bestow upon him we thee pray, that his delight may be to love thy lightsome law for aye. And earnestly for to embrace thy Gospel pure at large, unto the comfort of thy church committed to his charge. Under the shadow of thy wings Lord keep him to the end, and from conspiracies also vouchsafe him to defend. Convert or else confound all such as mischief do devise, against his grace, and to thy truth are utter enemies, God grant him peace in conscience and health without annoy, that we long time and many years his presence may enjoy. Amen. The confession of a Sinner. RIghteous God, thou that art the father of all mercies, and comforter of all mankind, even of thy tender love behold me poor sinner that have strayed from thy precepts through ignorance and frailty of my flesh, and most wickedly erred from thy holy commandments like unto a wandering sheep having no shepherd. O Lord I do confess I have followed too much the devices and desires of my unrighteous heart, whereby I have at sundry times grievously offended thy majesty in breaking and neglecting thy holy laws which thou hast commanded me to keep, and contrary to thy will, followed these ungodly actions which I ought not to do, leaving undone those good things that thy sacred word hath taught me, so that in me there is no goodness, except thou, O Lord, do speedily look upon me, and in thy great mercy pardon my heinous offences. Forgive me, O dear father, and forget my iniquities, I most entirely beseech thee, that here with a sorrowful heart confess my faults unto thee, O God, requesting thee of thy favourable goodness to restore me that am penitent, and in thy mercy send relief unto thy servant, satisfy my soul with thy favour again, according to thy promise, which thou hast declared unto an such as come unto thee in the name of thy beloved son jesus Christ my saviour: wherefore, O my God, I come unto thee with an humble mind, beseeching thee from the very inwards of my soul, to grant me the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit, that I may ever hereafter in newness of life live as becometh thy servant, uprightly in thy sight, and deal faithfully with all men, to thy honour and glory and the comfort of my soul. Amen. Another prayer unto almighty God. IN mercy, O Lord, vouchsafe to hear my prayers, and let my cries have access unto to thee: hide not thy face from me, I beseech thee, in the time of my trouble, but with speed incline thine ears unto me when I call: behold, there is no certainty in my flesh, for my life consumeth as the smoke, and my days do waste in sorrow, mine enemies lie in wait for me, and they that rage against me, have conspired my death: wherefore the feeling of thy wrath and heavy displeasure hath quite consumed me, but thou, O Lord, (whose promises I know endure for ever) continuest all one God in mercy unto such as call upon thee, therefore do I fly unto thee in my distress, beseeching thee to assist me with thy grace and holy spirit, that the cause of my mourning and piteous complaints being taken away, I may daily proceed and go forward in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy holy name. Confirm thy good work begun in me, O God, and let me never want thy assistant aid therein, lest it be utterly frustrate Let not mine iniquities be any hindrance to thy bountiful goodness, neither yet my negligences (in serving of thee) move thee to detract the operation of thy holy spirit in thy servant, but with speed consider my frailty, and pardon my offences for jesus Christ his sake so shall I declare thy worthiness, and extell thy great kindness showed unto me at all times. Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy upon me according to thy eternal promises, make me plentiful in all good works to do thy fatherly will, and let thy commandments be my whole delight, refresh my heart with the fruition of thy blessings, and let me not at any time be unmindful of thy goodness, but yield continual thanks unto thee for thy great benefits extended towards me, take me not away O God, in the midst of my days, but prolong my time, and conduct my footsteps, that having viewed at full thy graces inestimable kindness, I may never cease until the last gasp to sing praises unto thy holy name for ever and ever. Amen. A prayer to be used when a man is in any kind of trouble. COnsider, O my God. I beseech thee, the woeful complaints and prayers that I here offer up to thy divine Majesty, unto thee alone do I sue for help, remit therefore my iniquities, for the multitude thereof do speedily crave thy aid, and in thy mercy be favourable unto me, as thou hast ever been, for though I were driven to seek the farthest parts of the earth, yet will I call for thy direction, yea when I am tormented with cares, I have no other refuge to fly unto, but only to thee, O my God wherefore in mercy look on me, and in thy good time take me up into the place of joy prepared for thy elect, where I may praise thee for ever, for how hast thou in great mercy dealt with me, in being unto me an everlasting tower of defence against mine enemies, and though by reason of the recklessness and frailty of my corrupt nature, I have eftsoons swerved from thy holy word, yet I beseech thee, O dear father, deal favourably with me, and lay not my offences unto my charge but show thyself a loving and merciful God towards me, and pour on me thy gifts of grace, that I may be holy unto thee, and accepted in thy fight, so shall my life be prolonged, yea & so happy indeed, as it shall never decay, and I shall resort to thy tabernacle in peace, where I shall be satisfied with the fruition of thy favour, and be sustained with mercy and truth for ever: direct me continually with thy holy spirit, and teach me, good Lord, to hate the ways of the wicked, erect my mind to the contemplation of thy heavenly mysteries, and receive me both now and ever into thy gracious protection, for my advocate jesus Christ his sake, Amen. A prayer against the fear of death. O Eternal God and merciful father, from the depth of my weak heart do I laud and glorify thee for all the benefits bestowed on me from the beginning of my life unto this present, especially for the blessings of my election, redemption, vocation, justification, and sanctification in Christ jesus. Thou hast delivered me from the cruelty of my adversaries, and made me an inheritor of thy kingdom, and thy child by adoption, yet thou hast given me (notwithstanding my unthankfulness) the earnest penny of my salvation, and in mercy hast reconciled me in Christ, whilst I was yet a grievous enemy unto thee, thou tookest me out of the blind dungeon of careless ignorance to render thanks unto thee, and to call upon thy name, in all which thou hast caused me to proceed and profit unto this day, wherein thy pleasure seemeth to incline me towards the greatest benefit that ever I yet tasted, that is, to free me from the extremities of this life and to bring me to that heavenly liberty where shall be no bitterness. Now therefore, O dear Father, for jesus Christ his sake erect my mind towards thee, and as at all times of my life hitherto thou hast nourished and preserved me, so now in my last need visit and regard me, O God, that as the enemy will now bend his force against me, so thou with thy loving protection and holy spirit wilt comfort me, and with thy presence defend me, that my faith still increasing, with armed patience, I may despise the fear of this body's death, knowing that it is the unavoidable way that thou hast appointed to do away my mortality, and to bring my soul to rest, to yield praises unto thee in joys everlasting, which thy providence hath ordained me unto: so instruct me therefore to number my days, that I may apply my heart to thy eternal wisdom: teach me, sweet Lord as heretofore to live, so now to frame my end, that it may redound to thy glory, whereunto with a fight heart, I humbly beseech thee, that my understanding may always be lightened with the feeling of my own infirmity, and that in all perfect humility I may fly from the mind of all earthly stay, and so not fainting in my farewell, but cleaning to thy promises, and apprehending thy salvation with sure hope, I may expect the dissolution, so beholding thee with the eyes of my faith, I may grow as by degrees weaker in body, so fuller and stronger in spirit, so that when the last breath is passed, my soul in the bosom of Abraham may joyfully respire the triumphant odours of an endless life. Amen. A prayer for Chirurgeons. O Most merciful God and loving father we most earnestly beseech thee let the eye of thy mercy behold us, and hearken to the humble suits of thy poor servants, that with penitent hearts do appeal before thee, requiring pardon for our iniquities committed daily against thy divine majesty: vouchsafe, O Lord, of thy wont goodness to extend and show thy favourable pity and compassion towards us, and lay not our sins unto our charge, but put them quite out of thy memory for Christ his sake thy dearly beloved son our saviour, and grant that we may render unto thee continual thanks for thy manifold benefits and eternal mercies that thou of thy tender love dost daily bestow upon us. Assist us also with thy grace, that we may never cease to sing praises unto thee for our election, creation, and redemption: we beesech thee, O Lord, to give us the true knowledge of that Art whereunto thou hast called us, thereby to maintain ourselves and our families from the extremities of this sinful world and momentaneous life, for we do not only depend upon thy fatherly providence, but do confess, O Lord, that every good and perfect gift cometh from thee: therefore be mindful we beseech thee of thy servants, and endue us with thy blessings of wisdom and understanding, sith that thou alone hast elected and ordained us as instruments to minister those thy rich and plentiful gifts which thou hast appointed for the health and relief of mankind, vouchsafe to give us the gift of healing, that we may frame ourselves to do thy will therein, and be a comfort to such as lie in misery and cruel pain by occasion of bodily sickness and external casualties, and hereunto so join the increase of thy grace & holy spirit, that all our actions may be guided according to the rule of thy divine precepts and commandments, that our consciences be not spotted in thy sight, but may remain pure and holy, even as thou, O Lord, art holy, always revoking to memory our duties and necessary vocation, whereby our hearts may be continually stirred up to call for thy assistance, remove from us all hateful and evil thoughts, with the covetous desire of filthy lucre, and incite in us a consideration of the woeful estate of the poor and needy, that we may relieve their necessity with such good things as thy fatherly goodness and unspeakable providence in greater measure hath blessed us withal. Respect us, O Lord, in thy mercy, that those things which we go about may prosper with us, and that all our labours which we shall take in hand, may be blessed and brought to good success by thy assistance and fatherly protection, to the honour and glory of thy holy name, credit of thy church, comfort of our Christian brethren and our own salvation: grant us this, O Lord, for jesus Christ his sake, our only Saviour and redeemer. Amen. A prayer for penitent sinners. MOst mighty, God and eternal king of majesty, how can I hide myself away from thy presence, or with what pretence might I cover my shame from the piercing fight of thine eye, since there is nothing in me but a whole heap of sin, whereby I am almost driven to the door of despair. Erect therefore thy mighty hand to help me, O Lord, for if thy wisdom provide not for me, I am always in danger, for unrighteousness in this my cortuptible body reigneth as a king, wherefore when my enemies environ me, I wonder that thou dost not destroy me, considering the lewdness of my living and the multitude of my grievous offences. But thus thou usest to comfort thy children, and my soul but for this relief, O God had perished long ago, therefore from the bottom of my heart cry I unto thee, take me not away I beseech thee, O Lord, in my sins, neither let me reap the portion of the wicked: thou hast showed me the days of comfort, and often delivered my soul from the Lion, and because thou in great mercy hast let me see this goodness, and also made me rejoice therein, increasing light afterdarkenes, I will never cease to call upon thee in my afflictions, but continually expect the good hour in my danger, increase my faith, settle me in the knowledge of thy will, and plenteously bless me with thy grace and holy spirit both now and ever, for no place is free from the rage of thy adversaries: assist me in my infirmities, that I may ever gain a double rejoicing, and that the most subtle assaults of the enemies may always fall out to be his foulest foil, through jesus Christ my only Saviour. Amen. The true knowledge of afflictions and tov what end they are sent. THe Scriptures of God in sundry places do manifestly declare unto us the healthful effect of afflictions, in calling them a cup, or drinking glass: for like as the expert Physician giving unto his patient such quantity of medicine as he thinketh good, the patient must of necessity yield the choice of his fancy to the skilful providence of him that ministereth: even so our good and gracious Lord, knowing far better what is profitable and most expedient to cure the infirmities & maladies of our souls, tameth our affections with such cups of afflictions as his wonderful wisdom in mercy foreseeth to be most behooveable for us. In like manner are they also called in another sense his artillery, his spears and his swords, wherewith to fight and overthrow his enemies: and even as these definitions touching their ends are not alike, but very divers, so likewise are the afflictions of God sent both to the godly and ungodly, but to two sundry ends, for by the one sort of affliction, God exerciseth the patience of the faithful handling them for the most part more roughly than he doth the wicked The other he useth both to testify unto us, that iniquity cannot reign unpunishable, as also to hold them unexcusable, and that is the full end of all afflictions, extended to the infidel or reprobate. The cups therefore and afflictions of God, as they are not sent to all men to one end, so do they not work one effect, but for all them the lewd person remaineth still ungodly, sick he was before he took the medicine, and in like manner sick or rather more uncurable he goeth forward after it, he feeleth himself smitten, but considereth not in truth who smote him, so exceeding far is he from the perfect perusing of his own life, and overviewing of his former days thereby, he imputeth his cross to fortune, rather than smelleth his own sins or intendeth to change his life, and if his cross endure but a little, he chafeth at God and rejecteth his corrections, he amendeth not at all but waxeth worse and worse: far contrary is the effect of those afflictions which Gods elect sustain, for his children so soon as they feel his cross by any means laid upon them, they by and by without delay bethink themselves of their sins, remembering that the hand of God is come upon them for the same in which fear with all humility and reverent trembling casting down every height within them, they throw themselves flatlong at the footstool of God's Majesty, reckoning up all their heinous crimes to their power, acknowledging their faults, and beseeching God in mercy to give them a feeling of their sins, that he will pierce their ears, and in such wise open them, that their affliction may turn to the comfort of their consciences: this case is clean contrary (as is said) to the fearful punishments of the reprobate, they being hardened like Pharaoh thereby, for lack of his second grace, which is the softening of man's heart and soberness of his nature by the holy Ghost, from the free goodness of our eternal God. Those being opened in their hearts by such grace and feeling of God's chastisements, are speedily taught to mislike of themselves for their lose life and offences, to sigh and groan for them, and to fly to the mercy of God for refuge. Now by these conferences appeareth a certain rule or touchstone, (not without an unspeakable comfort) to Gods elect, for in as much as God punished Pharaoh, and softened not his heart withal, he intended to leave him inexcusable to his deserved destruction, but in that he afflicted job, he did it to the bettering of his life, mollifying his heart to his salvation: and hence we gather two points of comfort to be noted and observed: the one is, that when God maketh us to feel his hand, so that we are humbled under the same, it is a special privilege and sure token of his good will, and which he never showeth to any but to his own children: and the other is, since we are punished but to the amendment of our lives and drawing us back from our sinful ways, we live therefore in happy case, for that it declareth unto us that the Lord will not be angry with us for ever, but doth as it were hedge in both the sides of our race, even because he loveth us, so that we have no cause to doubt of God's favour, but rather to be fully resolved, that when he punisheth us, he holdeth us not for his enemies, but by t●●t mean procu●eth our salvation: and thus we see (as S. Paul saith) our victory consisteth in taking hold of this love of God in jesus Christ, being evermore thoroughly persuaded, that God hath adopted us to be his children and heirs of his kingdom, which principle we once having, ought not to be led aside nor dismayed with any affliction, for seeing that God beareth such exceeding love towards us, we shall never be confounded, and so little in very deed shall our afflictions hinder our welfare, that they shall turn to our furtherance, and undoubtfully prove unto us, that Christ his yoke is sweet and easy, and not only bringeth us to the obedience of God's will, but to eternal happiness. Thus afflictions are in truth our medicines to drive us to God, to tame the pride of our nature, to kill our vices, to make us know ourselves, loathe our sins unfeignedly, fly from our own ways, seek strength of the Lord, and so from virtue to virtue ascend to the height of our salvation: Finally, as to the impatient reprobate they are the fearful comets of their destruction, so to the number of Gods elect they are the infallibly pledges and sure ensigns of their continual victory and future triumph in jesus Christ. The life and healthful afflictions of job and David in aboundont manner do testify the loving end of God's afflictions, and in them may we find infinite testimonies, to prove how profitable are the fatherly chastisements of our good God, who by them doth evermore scour us from the rust of our natural disposition, and fineth us like pure gold in the furnace: briefly, by them he violently breaketh into the heart of old Adam, and there bursting the corrupt ends and coats of his veins, by his wonderful operation poureth a new spirit into his arteries, which creeping through the senses with a lively moisture, as by a certain heavenly Analogy or proportion, doth in settet sort dispose us to contemn this vile place of misery, and to elevate our minds to God, that so framed us, and so forsaking our sinful ways and hateful affections, endeavour with all newness to serve & worship him in righteousness and holiness of life, and with all patience look for the revelation of the elect children of God, against which new birth and invincible hope before time reserved unto us by the good purpose of the father in his son Christ, and now undoubtedly confirmed in our consciences, by the badges of this fatherly handling shall nothing avail us, for all the darts of affliction in what kind soever assaulting us, shall be so far from prevailing to overthrow our faith and liberty (as the enemy would) as that they shall flue-fold redouble the force thereof with exceeding joy against them, so that the very subtlest engines of Satan shall make us the more invincible, and his force the more contemptible. Thus I say, shall Gods favoureble exercises intermeddled with his graces, work the same effect in our souls, as our meat and drink doth to our bodies: And like as all such nourishment is the right and ordinary mean whereby our bodies in this earthly tabernacle do daily increase and grow in strengthfull habit of health: even so by the other, our soul is visited, strengthened, and increased, and we are brought by the merciful hand of God even as by degrees and from step to step, till at length we come to the fullness of our redeemer Christ jesus, to appear before the Lord in Zion. A prayer for sailors. THou God, that art the Creator and maker of all things, behold us that here prostrate ourselves at the footstool of thy majesty, craving pardon for our sins, govern us thy people, O Lord, that by thy permission do most dangerously travel the boisterous seas, according to the office and vocation whereunto thou hast called us, for except thy mighty hand do stay us, we shall perish, yea, we are always in danger to be overwhelmed with the perilous waves of the s●a, and to be swallowed up in the deep gulfs thereof: behold us therefore, O Lord, in thy mercy, that in these ●ur enterprises we may receive the fruition of thy blessings: when thou, O God, art angry with us for sin, thou makest the storms to rise, and the seas to rage, in such sort, that they enforce us to quake and tremble, and when we cease from sin, thou causest them in like manner to cease, for thou appointest to the sea his course, and keepest it ever in his bounds, yea thou hast ordained us to travel thereon, to see thy marvelous works and excellent greatness, as also to declare thy wonders amongst the children of men, thou hast oftentimes for our disobedience and inordinate living caused us to feel thy wrath and grievous scourge, the dangers whereof have almost brought us to our wit's end, but when we turn unto thee with repentance thou wilt not only bring us to a safe harbour to ease our weary bodies, but also when our painful days are spent and ended, receive us into the blessed haven of eternal rest, the which, O Lord, grant us to come unto for jesus Christ his sake. Grace before meat. TO thee, O Lord God, we render most hearty thanks for these thy blessings of meat and drink, which thou in mercy dost now bestow upon us, beseeching thee to grant that we do not abuse them immoderately by surfeiting or gluttony, but only to feed thereon with sobriety, thereby to sustain our feeble flesh and hungry desire, and so frame our speeches, O God, that thy name therein may be glorified, and our Christian brethren edified: preserve most loving Lord, our gracious King, with thy universal Church: grant us, we humbly beseech thee, the continuance of thy glorious Gospel to be truly and sincerely preached amongst us, and make us faithful followers thereof in righteousness and holiness of life: vouchsafe, O dear father, to defend and evermore to keep our Realm from the invasion of foreign enemies, and send us a perpetual peace in conscience, through jesus Christ our Lord. Grace after meat. GRations God and most loving father, we thy poor servants yield unto thee in humility of heart all praise and thanks, in that it hath pleased thee of thy inestimable goodness at this instant to refresh and relieve the appetite of our earthly bodies with this food of meat and drink, which thy divine providence. O Lord, in plentiful measure hath bestowed upon us, and as these thy creatures are by thy permission ordained to nourish our mortal bodies, even so in mercy vouchsafe to grant that our souls may be fed and comforted with the divine food of thy glorious Gospel, and that it may so shine in our hearts and senses, that we by the direction of thy grace and holy spirit, may proceed in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy holy name. Call us not, O dear Father, to account of the vain and idle speeches that we have at this present, as also at other times of our life, undiscreetly used, but in favour remit the same, and grant that we with willing minds may remember and help our needy brethren, who feel the want of that which we have had at full. In mercy, O Lord, preserve thy Church, our King and Realm, increase the number of thy servants, and bless us with peace of conscience and health of body, thorough jesus Christ our Lord. Earnest and zealous meditations on the seven petitions of the Lords prayer. O Lord thou art the father of all mercies, and God of all consolation, behold us that with lowly hearts come unto thee, even as children do to their natural fathers: our only trust is in thy mercy, for thy goodness exceedeth all earthly fathers, with reverence therefore, and humility of heart, love, obedience, and faithful dutifulness, as becometh the children of so loving a father, do we call for thy help and comfortable assistance, for who is like unto thee, or can bring to effect the thing which thou canst do? thy seat is in heaven where thou reignest in all dignity for evermore, thy power is in heaven and earth, and in the sea, yea and thy regiment appeareth in all places, thou seest all things, thou hearest all things, and by thy eternity governest all things, and we thy poor children do crave succour of thee only, beseeching thee, O Lord, to raise our hearts from earthly things, and unite our minds to the contemplation of heavenly things, and make us ready at all times with steadfast hope to expect our heavenly inheritance: praised be thy name, O Lord, which above all other names aught to be had in reverence, for thou art altogether holy, grant therefore that we may utterly detest and abolish the names of all feigned gods, and evermore vouchsafe to assist us in mercy with thy grace and holy spirit, that we may refrain the company of such evil persons as unreverently blaspheme thy name, neither suffer us by recklessness to dishonour thee our God in any of our actions: moreover, grant we most humbly beseech thee, O Lord, that thy kingdom may ever remain amongst us, and that thy truth and holy word never departed from us, but abide in our hearts by thy inspiration, as a fruitful doctrine daily instructing us, whereby we may with more earnest zeal walk as Christians in newness of life to the honour and praise of thy name, that all men seeing the same, may truly turn unto thee, in hope to attain thy everlasting kingdom. O most gracious God, let thy blessed will be done in all things with us both now and ever, and as thou art our heavenly father, so grant that we may not request any thing contrary to thy will, but accept whatsoever thou sendest with reverent minds, saying with cheerful hearts, Thy will be done, O Lord, for evermore here on earth, as it is in thy holy sanctuary of heaven: quicken us, O Lord, that we may learn more and more to be obedient unto thy heavenly will in all things as becometh thy dear children, and even as thy holy Angels and blessed company do observe the same with joy: so direct our inward affections, that we may wholly apply ourselves thereunto, and that our whole felicity in this life may be altogether employed in meditating on thy sacred Scriptures, which thou in mercy hast sent and left amongst us, to the comfort of our souls and our eternal salvation: and evermore in mercy, O dear Father, vouchsafe of thy providence to nourish and comfort us continually with such things as thy only goodness doth know to be most expedient both for our souls and bodies, whereby we may go forward with a quieter conscience to serve thee so that we in this life may be maintained and preserved, whereby we may be helpful unto our Christian brethren, & not chargeable unto them any ways, especially, good Lord, grant that we abuse not thy blessings of meat and drink, but vouchsafe that we may thankfully receive thy fatherly benefits in such modest sort, that thy name may be glorified, our souls and bodies graciously comforted, and if it shall please thee at any time to lay thy rod of correction upon us for our disobedience, and so to afflict us with any kind of penury, yet grant to us such grace that we may continually with all humility be thankefu l unto thee without either murmuring or grudging and with armed patience st●ll abide thy leisure, for thou of thy fatherly goodness hast willed us to lay our care upon thee, who art able in thy good time to relieve our need: but above all things, O merciful God, grant that our souls may be nourished and spiritually fed with the lively word of thy glorious Gospel, which giveth knowledge unto such as delight therein, and leadeth to life everlasting: behold, O Lord, our weakness, for thou knowest our frailty, and the wickedness of our youth is not hi● from thee: we confess that we were conceived and brought forth in sin, so that through our corrupt nature we daily and hourly offend thy divine majesty by Satan's interceptions in breaking thy commandments, and neglecting our duty towards thee, but, O our good God, we most humbly beseech thee with sighing hearts to give us a feeling of our infirmities, and stir us up with all speed in the times of our trial to seek after thee, and to proceed in repentance and amendment of life, for thou art our merciful Lord, more ready to forgive than we for to ask, and therefore we come to thee alone, for none in heaven nor in earth, Saint nor Angel, can forgive sins, but thou only, through jesus Christ our redeemer, who hath suffered the pain due unto our sins: and furthermore we crave of thee, O dear father, so to assist us with thy holy spirit, that we may put out of our hearts all manner of malice, debate, and thoughts of revengement, and with Chr stianitie, from the very inwards of our hearts forgive them that trespass against us, that with steadfast hope we may crave at thy hands forgiveness for our sins: thou most mighty God, direct our paths and guide o●r ways, stretch forth thy right hand to secure us, that we may be ever armed with thy defence against the violent snares and manifold temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, stay us good Lord that we perish not through their cruel invasions, nor turn from thee to our own destruction, for except thou dost still continue a good father unto us, in protecting and defending us thy children, and blessing us with thy spiritual graces, we shall suddenly fall into all injuries: wherefore our hope both now and ever shall wholly depend upon thy mercies, with full assurance, that thou wilt in thy good time not only deliver us from all evil, but also nourish and preserve us in our necessity, and s●ue us from such cruel and grievous afflictions as are ready to molest us either in body or mind. Thy kingdom, O dear father, we faithfully confess and acknowledge is an heavenly and everlasting kingdom, and thy power is exceeding infinite, yea and thy glory so incomprehensible, that it passeth man's reason and the limits of his understanding to attain to the knowledge, therefore we most entirely beseech thee grant us these things that we have faithfully asked in humility of heart, according to thy will, and give unto us, O Lord, such grace, that our prayers may be always directed in perfect faith unto thy divine majesty, without wavering or doubting of thy assistance, remembering thy promises, that so praying unto thee with a steadfast hope, we may expect the speedy approach of thy everlasting comfort in Christ jesus, Amen. A prayer or thanksgiving for God's benefits bestowed upon us. COnduct and preserve me, O Lord, for in thee alone do I trust, thou art my health and the portion of my inheritance, yea, thou hast blessed me with increase, and allotted unto me a fair heritage, grant therefore O Lord, that with reverence I may render unto thee due thanks for all the blessings which thou hast lent me, and may employ the same to the benefit of thy children: let thy feat be ever apparent before mine eyes, that I may live uprightly in thy sight: save me, O God, from the dangerous events of this troublesome and wretched life and hold thy hand continually over me, to defend my cause against the fury of my adversaries: guide me, O God in all my ways, that my course may be ruled according to thy word, whereby I may faithfully persevere with all dutiful obedience in that necessary vocation whereunto thy only goodness hath ordained me: for so long as thy graces have dominion over me, I am altogether steadfast and immovable, wherefore I rejoice bo●h in body and soul at thy wonderful works established within me, thou quicken'st me from the mind of earthly carefulness, and makest me oftentimes to feel thy mercy, and relievest my conscience with the revelation of thy word, wherefore with delight shall I declare thy goodness and praise thy name for ever and ever. A prayer for aid in the time of afflictions. COnsider my cry O Lord, and give ear unto me that am oppressed: help me, O God, and deliver me against them that do injuriously resist me, preserve thy servant that flieth unto thee, and respect me in mercy that am continually conversant in calling upon thee, refresh my soul which is lifted up unto thee, for unto thee alone do I call and cry. Thou art verily good and merciful, and usest great clemency unto them that call on thee, give ear Lord unto my prayer, and hearken unto my meditation, for in the day of my trouble I will call unto thee, yea all nations shall extol thy name, because of thy wondrous works: teach me the way of thy righteousness, and I will walk therein, knit my heart unto thee, that I may fear thy holy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, yea I will always glorify thy name, for great is thy mercy towards me, and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest grave. O gracious God, the proud are risen against me, & the assembles and injurious dealings of violent men have sought my soul, to destroy it utterly, and have not set thee before them, but thou, O Lord God, on whom only I do depend, art kind and merciful, not hasty unto anger, but full of truth, take care now of me therefore O Lord and help me for thy mercy sake, grant finally that I may manifestly know and perceive that thou lovest me, that my enemies may be grieved and ashamed of themselves, when they see that thou dost yield comfort and help unto me, so shall I be endued with greater joy to serve thee and to yield unto thee eternal praise and uncessant thanksgiving for ever, Amen. A prayer craving aid of God against all our enemies. WIth speed, O Lord come forth to deliver me, make haste to help and secure me, my God, let them be confounded and put to shame that pretend to do me evil, and let them be turned backward and put to endless confusion that desire my death: let them turn home with shame as a recompense, disappointed of their purpose, which have vaunted a-against me, as though I had been quite confounded, and grant thou, O Lord, that not I alone, but all they also that have a desire to worship thee, may with a low voice ascribe all glory unto thee, in rejoicing, and that they may delight to give solemn and everlasting praises unto thee, who hast in mercy delivered thy servant. In the mean season I stand here all alone, oppressed with the approach of daily sins, and destitute of all succour, yea, and continually grieved with the troublesome assaults of Satan, which keepeth the soul in perpetual bondage, wherefore make haste and draw near to help me, O merciful God, for upon thy gracious aid do I only depend, O God, my deliverer: O Lord. I beseech thee, delay not longer, but grant me thy heavenly assistance, that I feeling thy great kindness, may henceforth apply myself wholly to the observation of thy laws, through jesus Christ my only Saviour, unto whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all power and dominion for ever. A prayer to be used of all men and at all times. WIth the eye of mercy, O God, see into my sorrowful soul, and graciously behold my inward cogitations: and as thou hast oftentimes showed thyself a most loving and merciful Lord unto thy servants, even so with humble heart I earnestly beseech thee O God, satisfy my mind with good things, and cover my sins in the multitude of thy mercies, change the frowardness of my corrupt nature, & release thine anger pretended towards me, that I may worthily praise thee, show me thy mercy, O dear father, and grant me thy salvation: instruct me continually by thy holy spirit in the revelation of thy laws, that I may thereby perceive thy will in all things, and so lead a life acceptable in thy sight, and vouchsafe, O Lord, evermore to grant me thy heavenly wisdom, that I may not be inclined to folly, but knowing whereunto thou hast created me. I may diligently proceed in that necessary vocation that thy divine providence hath called me unto, serving thee in righteousness and holiness of conversation all the days of my life. Grant also, O Lord, that I may altogether embrace thy true and a heavenly doctrine & eschew all such things as are contrary to thy will, that so leading a life agreeable to my calling, I may in the end attain to the joys everlasting. A prayer and thanksgiving unto God, to be used of every man that hath been either troubled in body or mind. TO thee O Lord, do I render continual thanks, for thou in mercy hast heard my voice, and inclined thine ear unto the prayers and petitions of my mouth, and therefore will I call upon thee so long as I live, for when the most cruel snares of death compasseth me, and when the dreadful anguish of the grave held me, being overcome with the troubles of my sorrowful heart, than I called upon the Lord, saying: O Lord, I beseech thee, come speedily and deliver my soul, and thou like a merciful father didst send and and relief unto me: verily thou, O God, art merciful and righteous, full of truth and compassion, for I wa● in misery, and thou didddest save me: O my soul enter now therefore into the place of rest, seeing the Lord hath been so beneficial unto thy safety, for he hath delivered my life from death: thou hast stayed mine eyes from breaking out into tears, and thou hast established my feet in such a perfect path, that I may walk now safe and sound amongst the living, for I have evermore believed the promises of the Lord, and therefore did I speak, even my aith ministering voice and words to me, being oppressed with sorrow, and thou didst overcome the dangerous attempts of my foes, quickening me for thine infinite mercy's sake: what shall I render unto thee therefore for all thy benefits which thou hast bestowed upon me, I will give thee the sacrifice of praise, and call upon thy name with reverence, yea I will pay my vows unto thee, which I have promised even in the midst of thy faithful congregation for ever and ever, Amen. A prayer unto God, desiring him to defend us from the malice of our adversaries. MOst merciful God, I beseech thee for thy name's sake, save me and deliver me (being an innocent) by thy power, give ear unto the words of my mouth, and refuse not my prayer that I here present unto thy divine majesty, defend me O Lord, from the wicked and such as rise up against me, confound their devices, and let the snares that they have set to imtrap me, be as a sword lighting upon their own heads, cut them down according to thy promises which thou hast made to thy children that I being delivered by the extended force of thy right hand, may willingly perform my vow and solemn promise unto thee, and celebrate thy praises, seeing there is nothing more bountiful nor more excellent than the worthiness of the power, namely in that thou hast saved me from all distress, and granted me my desire on my enemies: grant this, O father, for jesus Christ his sake our only redeemer, Amen. A prayer for such as intend to enter into the estate of matrimony, made at the request of M Ed. Fenton. MOst mighty God and heavenly father, from the bottom of my heart I yield all honour, land, praise, and thanksgiving unto thy divine majesty, for those thy riches, blessings, and benefits which thou in mercy hast bestowed upon me: O Lord, that by thy incomprehensible power madest Adam out of the dust and slime of the earth, and createdst him to thine own image, behold me thy servant whom thy good pleasure hath called to the honourable state of matrimony, and as by thy most excellent providence thou didst give unto Adam, Eva to be his helper, and immutably ordainest them to become one flesh, from whom proceeded all mankind, so, O my good God, in thy mercy grant that this woman whom thou hast given me, may be unto me a helper, and that we may be a comfort one towards another, even as Abraham unto Sara, and Isaac to Rebecca, and not to fulfil our ungodly affections, nor the corrupt and filthy desire of our fleshly appetites, but to love and live together withal humble obedience and reverent fear towards thee as becometh thy servants, without strife or debate, and for the procreation of children, to the increase of thy kingdom: which if it please thee to bless us withal, grant that we may bring them up in thy fear and true religion: Lord behold us, that with one heart and voi●e do most humbly beseech thee so to endue, direct, and sanctify us with thy holy spirit, that all our actions may stand with thy honour and glory, credit of thy Church, and our everlasting salvation: and grant that we with all modesty may live together with continual peace of conscience and health of body, until we become aged, that we may see our children's children, and thy name eternally advanced in the Church and congregation, and when thy goodness, hath finished our days in this life, conduct our souls in safety unto that spiritual kingdom which thou hast ordained for thine elect, to rest with thee for ever. Grant, O most merciful father, that those things which we have faithfully asked, according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, that we thy lowly and obedient children obtaining the perpetual fruition of thy favour, may for thy gracious assistance and inestimable treasures yield unto thee eternal praise, power, and dominion, with uncessant thanksgiving both now and ever, through our only mediator and advocate jesus Christ, Amen. A prayer for a woman that is barren, and desireth the fruit of her body. O Lord my God, most gracious and loving father in jesus Christ, behold me, poor wretch, whom thy hand hath hitherto humbled as it were in the sight of all the world, at the length take away my reproach, I acknowledge thy hand to be upon me: for none in heaven or earth, save thy majesty only, is able to withstand the particular effect of that thy generell commandment, Bring forth fruit and multiply Thou only (dear father) canst do it, because of thy almightiness: and thou also dost it even in thy children, according to the most holy decree of thy unsearchable wisdom: now, because when thou v●sitest thy children with any wants of outward comforts and blessings, thou dost it not (dear father) for any lack of love to them, or as though the blessings also of this life pertained not to them, for in Christ jesus, who is Lord of all, they are likewise our right, the ungodly being mere usurpers of them, but thou dost it to draw them by some temporal want and short restraint of their desires to, seek at thy hand some eternal blessings, which they stand more in need of, that thereby in the end thou mightest be seen to multiply thy rich mercies towards them every way. Of which thy wisdom thou hast left us a leagible evidence in the story of thy servant job: who (after thou badst taught him more humility) thou enrichedst also, as his heart could desire. Now because thy ways are all just, O Lord, and thou walkest ever like thyself, have mercy on me thy servant, I beseech thee give me to understand that which thou wouldst have me to see in this my affliction, and sith through the darkness of my mind, it is hard for me (O Lord) to espit out the deformities and wants that are in me, may it please thee to vouchsafe me the especial guiding of thy holy spirit herein: so as by it I may make a through visitation of myself both for my outward deeds and for my inward affections, until I shall find out the thing that may please thee, and may also be yet further blessed of thee, even in this thing which my heart desireth, so shall this thy loving return wipe away my reproach, thy bounteous dealings with thy servant, be joyfully praised among thy Saints, and as for me, whose head thou hast thus lifted up, I will never cease talking of thy goodness, and informing those who shall in like case of thy liberal kindness towards all that wait on thee, and thy most wise and righteous judgements which thou exercisest amongst those also that fear thy holy name, Amen. A prayer for journeying. O Most loving and tender Father, I commit this my journey and corporal travel unto thy heavenly direction, to guide and govern me as shall seem most expedient to thy godly wisdom: and as this my troublesome and weary life is but a pilgrim's passage, and a span from birth to grave, so grant that I may always consider of it, and I beseech thee, O my God, that as to jacob journeying into the East, & praying for thy gracious protection, thou didst minister all things necessary to his safety, so thou wilt mercifully behold me, a member of thy little Israel, and prosper me so in my journey, that all things according to thy heavenvly will may go well with me, to the honour and advancement of thy holy name, that like as jacob said thou shouldest be his God, so we knowing that in all things thou art more rich and plentiful unto us (a thousand fold) than we can deserve, may for thy continual goodness sing land and praise unto thy holy name, O God that for ever livest one in trinity, and three in unity, Amen. A godly prayer to be used at all times. O Most merciful father, from thy holy sanctuary look down, I beseech thee, upon me, and behold me, poor wretch that am oppressed with the burden of daily sin, and be wrapped in the bonds of mortal misery, prisoned in the fetters of original wickedness, and having in mine own body the traitorous affections of concupiscence, always conspiring to betray my soul into the hands of the adversary: behold me (I say) in the bright beams of thy loving countenance with thy eye of mercy, see into the troubles of my spirit, and lay thine ear unto the mournful groans of the same, my soul howleth out unto thee even from the gulf of deep calamities, pressed with the provision of temporal things, urged with the spiteful watching of the hateful, pricked with the presumptuous pride of worldly benefits, and wounded with the venomous dart of Adam's transgression: my battles are full of difficulties, my victories compassed with treason, and my dwellings in the doors of death. O my God, what felicity can the poor servant find in this irksome life? Or what comfort can bring sufficient relief to the afflicted spirit, but the true platform of our paths, and the sweet scope of our pilgrimage, even jesus Christ thy dearly beloved son our saviour. Wherefore I poor sinner humbly beseech thee not to carry long, or defer my deliverance from this weary journey. Let not my soul always be clad with mourning, and my bones witherwith anguish, thou Lord hast created me of nothing, and thou gavest me life in my mother's womb. Thou hast chosen me to be of thine, and thou hast given me thy holy spirit the testimony: O dear father, let not thy graces be in me in vain, let me not be overwhelmed with the iniquities of this troublesome world: but prevent me with the extended force of thy right hand, and save my soul, O God, my rock of strength: Behold not that which is amiss in me, neither let my sins and infirmities make separation between thy mercy and me: drive out, or at the least wise hold down in me the cruel sting of raging concupiscence, by the increasing might of thy holy spirit impress in my heart a fear of thy laws, and instruct me so to number my days, that I may apply myself wholly to thy statutes. Also (O most merciful father) as the door of thy mercy is always open, and as thou wilt never refuse humble suits of thy servants: hear me, O Lord, in my earnest petition, for thy little Church of England let me never see it governed again with the misty cloud of deep ignorance, suffer me never to see thy holy temple and sanctuary defiled with the beastily superstition and blasphemous idolatry of Antichrist: strike not the lamp out of our hands in thy wrath, and so make us go groping in palpable darkness: I must needs confess (O dear father) that the multitude of our sins (which are grown in such ripeness) due worthily deserve thy grievous plagues: even from the highest to the lowest we have all gone astray, and proudly breaking our allegiance, have disol eyed thy precepts. But yet (O mighty jehovah, who admittest dust and ashes to speak unto thee) hear thy poor servant, I beseech thee, even with the tears of a sorrowful heart, appease thine anger, hold thy heavy rod, shed not the viol of wrath upon us in thy fury, let not thy spirit be moved with man because he is but flesh, correct us not in thine anger, lest we be consumed and brought to nothing, but convert us, O Lord, and we shall be converted, change us, and we shall be changed, for thine elects sake, O father, spare this Realm of England. Defer the day of revenge, and so much more plenteously pour thy precious spirit into the hearts of thy children, which now already feel thy fatherly calling, that they with all speed making haste into thy vineyard, may painfully sweat in dunging, earthing and priming the trees, to the increase of thy vintage, to the glory of thy holy name. Lord hear me I beseech thee, and so kindle in the hearts of thy children the love of thy law, and zeal of true profession, that we may walk together in all brotherly admonition and Christian exhortation that we all strive to go before others in godly zeal, and flourish in the fruits of perfect faith: That we use not our liberty to the infirming of the weak, but every one burn in desire to win a soul unto thee. Finally, that our steadfast going forward and continual increase may be to the strengthening of the weak and comfort of the strong, to the sifting out of Wolves, & defence of the Lambs, to the shining credit of thy Church, and final confusion of Antichrist, that so turning from us thy heavy displeasure, and unbending the bow of thy wrath, thou mayest embrace us in thy arms of mercy, where gaining the fruition of thy favour, in all patience and thanksgiving we may expect the day of our liberty, which we shall one day obtain by the dissolution of this life, and entrance into that unspeakable rest, that Christ our saviour hath purchased and entered into by his precious blood, to whom with the father and the holy spirit be all praise and thanksgiving for ever, Amen. Godly meditations to be used at all times. O Eternal God and heavenly father, whose wisdom and power is infinite, and yet whose mercy surmounteth all, in whom all creatures have their being, and from whom all goodness floweth as from a fountain: I humbly beseech thee give ear unto the groaning requests of my spirit, and pity the salt streams that (for the sight and sense of mine own infirmities) flow from the inwards of my consuming heart. And also I ask nothing but that which soundeth to the glory of thy holy name, and to the credit of thy Church: show thyself, O father, as willing as able, that my spirit being refreshed, and my heart receiving comfort, I may boldfast the rejoicing of my hope, with a sound and settled conscience to the end. Against temptation. O Thou maker of heaven and earth, deliver me from the continual and most dangerous assaults of Satan, who privily layeth baits, and secretly diggeth pits for my soul, leaving nothing unattempted that might work my destruction, and I feeling myself nothing but a mass of infirmities, and ready to decline at every stroke that he giveth, cannot but mistrust myself altogether, and wholly flying unto the sea of thy mercy, power and wisdom, do beseech the uncessant supply of thy gifts, in the continual access of thy holy spirit, that in the throng of temptations I may be delivered and stand victorer in jesus Christ. For patience. O Most loving Lord suffer me not to be tempted above my might: neither by affliction of body or soul, neither by whatsoever earthly penury the enemy would press me with, but even in the midst grant me patience to suffer thy fatherly trials thankfully and without all grudging, as worthily may beseem the child of so loving and merciful a father. For increase of faith. O God, thou creator of all mankind, increase my faith, and purge me of unbelief, that I always calling to mind thy wonderful loving work of our redemption, may with all boldness of spirit in the blood of jesus Christ so apply thy comfortable promises to the salving of my sores as that in using of the same precious oil of thy grace, I may always fear to make waist thereof. For sanctification. O Thou mighty God of Israel, grant me such an understanding heart, and so instruct my senses to be studious and capable of thy heavenly mysteries, that according to the right rul● and perfect platform of thy provident direction. I may love in all singleness and humility of heart, as a feeling member of Christ jesus, suffer in him mutually and fructify in all abundance of godly life to thy honour. For temporal benefits. O Father of all mercies so moderate thy merciful hand in blessing me with the benefits of this temporal maintenance that neither through abundance old Adam may set up his feather, nor yet thy virtues be in me through scarcity obscured. For thankfulness. O Thou comforter of the comfortless, rend out of my heart all fleshly thorns and impediments, that would at any time incline me to forget thy goodness, or neglect to serve thee, and give me a heart always affected to honour thee, a mind ever meditating upon thy mercy, and a spirit burning with zeal of thy worship, that daily I may pay my vows unto thee, and speak to thy praise in the midst of the congregation. For mortification and resolution. O Most bounteous God, so mortify old Adam in my members, and redouble the strength of the inner man, that despising this momentanous life, I may not stick in the joy of any earthly pleasure, or yield myself to the delight of this present life, but always refusing to endeavour myself in an uncertain hospidge, and knowing that I am here but as a pilgrim. I may shun my acquaintance with all things of fickle stay, and fix my heart, my solace and delight, upon the hope of beholding the majesty and beauty of thy glory even as it is, where my joy shall be full, and nothing wanting for ever: which joys, as my spirit groaneth to see, so, O Lord I beseech thee with expedition finish thy good works in me, and shortly bring to an end my sorrowful days, that my soul as a dove may once take her flight from this earthly tabernacle, and being received in to the bosom of thy dear son, may be placed in that most happy rest which he hath purchased for the same, with the price of his most precious blood, to whom with thee, O father, and the everlasting comforter be all praise, dominion and power evermore ascribed, Amen. A prayer against the fear of death. O Eternal God, my most loving and merciful father, I praise and glorify thee even from the depth of my infirm heart, for all the benefits and riches of thy goodness bestowed upon me, from the beginning of my life unto this present time: but especially for the blessings of my election, redemption, vocation, justification and sanctification in jesus Christ, in all which thou hast in part taken me out of this world, and given me the pledge of thy holy spirit, which witnesseth unto my spirit that I am thy child, thou hast (I say) given me the earnest penny of my salvation, and whilst I was yet thine enemy, hast reconciled me in Christ: yea, thou tookest me out of the blind dungeon of careless ignorance, to serve thee in simplicity, to fear thee in love, and to call upon thee in spirit and truth, and in all these (most loving father) hast then made me proceed and profit unto this present day, wherein happily thy good pleasure seemeth to incline me towards the greatest benefi● that I ever yet tasted, that is, wholly to free me from all the miseries of this present life, and to bring me to that heavenly liberty where my joy shall be full, and no t●st of mixture with bitterness. Now therefore dear father, for jesus Christ his sake, I beseech thee, respect me thy unworthy servant, & as all times of my life thou hast fatherly fed, nourished, preserved, and defended me, so now in my last need visit and regard me: that as the enemy will now with all rage bend his force against me, so thou with thy fatherly and mighty protection by thy holy spirit wilt comfort me and with the comfortable presence of thy majesty strengthen me, that my ●●●th still increasing with armed patience I may despise the fe●re of this body's death, knowing that it is the unavoidable way that thy good pleasure hath appointed to do away our mortality, and to bring us those joys, which thy unspeakable providence hath ordained us unto, without all deserving on our parts: teach me new therefore so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto thy wisdom: teach me (sweet Lord) as heretofore to live, so now to frame to die to thy glory, whereunto I, poor wretch, do with a sighing heart beseech thee never ●o forsake me with thy holy spirit, but that mine understanding may always be lightened with the feeling of mine own infirmities, so that in all perfect humility I may fly from the mind of all earthly stay, and cleaving inseparably to thy promises, and apprehending my salvation with sure hope, I may expect the dissolution: so beholding thy majesty with the clear eyes of my faith, I may grow, as by degrees weaker in body, so fuller and stronger in the spiritual body or inner man: so that when the last breath hath passed, my soul may joyfully respire the triumphant odours of an endless life, in the bosom of Abraham withal thy saints: whereto hasten me, O dear loving father, even for jesus Christ his sake our saviour, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all power, glory, and dominion, now and for ever. Amen. A prayer to be said in affliction. O Thou only wise God, and most loving and merciful father, I thy unworthy servant do humbly beseech thee to look down from heaven, and behold the wounded heart of him whom thou hast stricken and visited, according to the good pleasure of thy will, and because man in his own nature is nothing but blindness and folly before thee, and therefore cannot possibly conceive rightly of the things that are above, it may therefore please thee according to thy wont mercy towards me, to renew and refresh thy spirit in thy servant, that the same instructing my heart in true wisdom, and fear of thee, whereby I may willingly and obediently study thy commandments, and exrecise myself in thy Statutes, I may come to the understanding of mine own evils, and feel the cause of thy scourge, that so my wound being laid open to mine eyes, I may defer no time to seek the salve to heal it: My good God hear the voice of thy servant that crieth unto thee, consider my complaints, and weigh mine inward woe conceived through hate of mine own infirmities, for I fly from myself as from an unwalled castle, and I fear all my footings as though I walked on thorns. O Lord therefore deal not with me in thy displeasure, neither let my sins separate thy favour from me, but quicken me in my afflictions, and make me wax wiser by thy punishments, give me such a feeling of my infirmities, and so perfect a perseverance of my great negligences in serving of thee, as that I may wholly dispose myself to a contrary order, and thereunto so join the increase of thy grace and strengthening spirit, as I may be able thereby to perform my race in that good way, which thy goodness hath moved me to. And that I may not be a vain beholder of thy works, a momentaneous viewer of thy graces, but diligently noting the effectual working of thy wisdom, and making due observations of thy profitable exercises in thy children, I may lock them in the closet of my heart, and make store of them for mine own uses in the time of my trial: in which times also, O merciful father be near unto me with thy joyful countenance, and open my eyes of faith to behold thy love, so that I be not too much shaken by the enemy's assaults, but may be furnished from thee, both with ability, constancy, and patience, to give him both his daily and final repulse and overthrow, which that I may do to the greater credit of thy Church, and increase of thy kingdom: make, O sweet Lord (now and the rather for that I have had trial of my enemy his sleights already) me thy servant to arise out of all the fathers of sloth, and never to trust hereafter to the the treachery of the enemy, but to stand warily upon my guard, and never to descend from the watch tower of my health, but there night and day to use the counsel of thy spirit, and to exercise myself in the spiritual weapons of my salvation, that when I have spent my youthful days in the vigilant watch of my charge, as thy mercy and loving kindness shall enable me, when thy son our General shall come to take account, I may be endued with the days of rest, which he hath purchased for me with the price of his most precious blood, & receive at his hands the privileged rod of liberty for ever. The love of our good God that created us, the grace of our Lord jesus who hath redeemed us, and the assistant fellowship of the Holy Ghost, who hath sanctified us, govern and continue with us even all thy Israel for ever. Before we receive the Lords supper, it shall be profitable thus to meditate. ALl the righteousness that may rise unto man, or can be in us, we have it neither from the East, nor from the West, but from the body of Christ, neither is therein the world any other sanctification, so that all we that be here this day, and all people else of the world, except we know perfect manhood, and our own nature to be really united to the person of the son of God, who hath sanctified himse fe for us, there is no sanctification for us under heaven. Even as our hands and arms and other members are not nourished but only by the meat received by the head, so our spiritual meat of righteousness and life is not given us but from our head jesus Christ. And as the veins are means by which nourishment is conveyed to every part, so faith is the means by which we retain from Christ all that is healthful unto us. And as by joints and sinews our members are really knit and made a body unto the head, so really, truly, and indeed, by one spirit we be knit unto Christ, as perfectly and substantially made one with him, as our members are one with our head. A prayer before the receiving of the Lords supper. O Almighty God and my most merciful father, in wonderful mercy (I acknowledge) it hath pleased thee to purge me unworthy wretch by the bloody passion of thy son from all my sins, to have adopted me thy child, and gruen me the earnest of my salvation, touching my heart with an infallible feeling of thy mercies, and settled confidence in thy promises: in the joyful commemoration of which thy unspeakable blessings, my soul is now thirstingly entered into thine house, to take the wholesome cup of salvation, and to call upon thy holy name, give me now therefore, O Lord, a wise and understanding heart, that I may conceive rightly of thy sacred mysteries, discern them secretly, & receive them effectually, to the perfect consummation and finishing of that happy building which thy worthy goodness ha●h begun in me, yea until I become to the measure of the age and fullness of my Lo●d and Saviour jesus Christ, unto whom, with thee, O father, and the Holy Ghost, be all power and dominion for ever, Amen. of my health in this life. (O sweet Lord) I take no care, so that thy good pleasure be therein fulfilled, for if thou wilt I live and recover of this my bodily infirmity, I have just cause to be thankful unto thee therefore: and if thy wisdom hath now determined to finish in me these days of sin, I have double cause to pour forth the tears of a melting heart for joy, not because I would leave these days of pain and sorrow (which my sin ten thousand times double deserveth) but that I would cease to displease so dear a Lord, and loving a father, and that being transported into that heavenly life of thy immortal children, I may praise and serve thee in that sweet society of Angels, where the burden of this flesh shall find no place to encumber me for ever. Thither therefore, O Father, if thy wisdom have so determined, speedily conduct me: in the mean time make, that this my bodily affliction may conduce to thy glory on earth, and my salvation in heaven, by the conduct of thy holy spirit, through jesus Christ my only advocate and mediator, Amen. Godly petitions to be used of every Christian. O My God, accept thy most unworthy servant here humbly falling down before thee, I acknowledge thy great mercies, and (in sundry sort) thy extended goodness towards me, yet in fear of mine own frailty, I eftsoons present myself before thy majesty, to look favourably on me always, and to open mine eyes more clearly to see thy majesty, for the little taste that thou hast given me, hath persuaded me already that thou art sweet, yea and the more that I discern thy sweetness, the more I see also my uncleanness: the knowledge of thee therefore (I confess) is the leader to salvation, for the consideration of thy greatness, maketh me despise my baseness, and thy purity my filthiness, and thy wonderful goodness my monstrous unworthiness. Forgive me then, O Lord, my sins, and let them not hold back thy bounteous hand, now begun to be opened towards me, (I say begun, my Lord, because myself hath but now begun to see it:) give me a wise understanding heart, and send me knowledge from above: drive from my mind the mists of fleshly darkness, and make me capable of thy heavenly riches, fill my mouth with good things, for I will open it to receive of thy blessings. Let me not die, but live and declare the praises of my Lord. Why hast thou made me, but to glorify thee? Why hast thou enlightened me, but to love thee? yea, why hast thou redeemed me, but to save me? And for what cause hast thou sanctified my heart but to make me fit for those good things that thou purposest to bestow upon me? O sweet Father, thy love is not to be expressed: Now therefore go forward, and cease not with thy poor servant, perform that good building which thy spirit hath begun in me, thou hast made me thirst for thy righteousness, replenish now therefore my heart with gladness, make my flesh to vanish, and the new Adam to rise up in strength, tha● I may be discreet in my ways, and stand in the continual search of thy judgements. And when thy mercy thus ha h enlarged me, as a full cloud, so shall I declare thy kindness, and as the savour of Myrrh, so shall my lips send up thy praises. Blessed be the Lord who ha●h hidden these things from the wise of the world, and revealed the way of righteousness unto the simple, Lord I thy handmaid or son of thy handmaid will attend upon thy will, and repose myself under the shadow of thy wings both day and night. Thou art my wisdom, my power, my beauty, my strength, my riches, my glory, my king, my God, and my salvation. The grace of God the Father, the peace of Christ jesus our saviour, through the comfortable fellowship of the holy Spirit, be with me, preserve & keep me this day, this night, and evermore, Amen. A godly prayer to be said at all times. O Eternal God and most mighty King of majesty how can I hide myself from thy presence, or with what cloak or pretence might I cover my shame from the piercing fight of thine eye, since I have nothing, O Lord, but a guilty conscience, intolerably oppressed with the heavy but then of sin, by which I am almost driven to the door of despair, if thy mighty hand stay me not, I fall, and if thy wisdom provide not for me, I am always in danger. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged, for my days consume in sin, and the grave gapeth to receive me, before I gain the gift of love: Unrighteousness reigneth as a king in this my corruptible body, and concupiscence deceiveth my sight till I be entraped: verily when I come to fight, I wonder that thou didst not destroy me, saying, O Lord, who is able to number his sins, or what soul is righteous in thy sight? shall man strive with God? who can say I will be saved, sith thou art just? Why didst not thou cut my thread whilst I provoked thee? why didst not thou send me to the inheritance of the wicked, but thus thou usest to comfort thy children in their great necessity, and my soul had perished but for this relief long ago, therefore cry I unto thee from the depth of my heart: take me not away, O God, in my sins, neither let me reap the portion of the wicked: thou hast showed me the days of comfort, and often delivered my soul from the Lion. And because thou in thy great mercy hast let me see this goodness, and also made me to rejoice therein, increasing light after a darkness, and doubling joy to my pain I will never cease O dear father to call upon thee in my afflictions, and to look for the good hour in my danger, increase my faith, and settle me in the knowledge of thy will: Plenteously bless me with thy grace, and let thy spirit be my protector: for misery O Lord, is threatened unto thy children, and ruin to the faith of the younglings, no place is safe from the rage of thy adversaries, but thou art the God of might, and hast power to preserve our peace. Oh if I might ask the death of this old Adam, so that all concupiscence might vanish as a smoke, then sure (say I) I would wholly be exercised in the law of my God, and at all times would I sing praises unto his name, but I will not presume about thy servant Paul, whom thy wisdom thus answered, My grace is sufficient for thee: thus will I beseech thee whi●e I live, that this balm of thy grace may always be poured fresh into my wounds, that even in my infirmities I may ever gain a double rejoicing, and that the most subtle assaults of the adversary may always fall out to be his foulest fail, and my weakness my wisdom by the renewing of thy grace and enlightening my spirit with the sweet balm of thy lou●ng countenance, through thy most tender mercy in the purchase of thy beloved son our dear Saviour Christ jesus, unto whom with thee and the holy spirit be all power and dominion for evermore, Amen. A prayer for women with child. O Eternal God, and most merciful father, who notwithstanding my manifold and grievous offences hast of thy gracious goodness in marriage made me fruitful, which I take as thy great blessings and benefits bestowed upon me, beseeching thee now most humbly to help me thy poor handmaiden in these grievous pains of travail and childbirth. Thou hast willed us to call upon thee in all our needs and necessities, and hast promised in thy great mercies never to fail them that call upon thee: help me now, wretched sinner, in these intolerable pains, that I may overcome them with patience, and evermore praise thy majesty. Comfort me with thy holy spirit, that I sink not under this heavy burden. And as graciously thou hast blessed me hitherto from time to time in giving me children, so mercifully sanctify them to thy use, and increase of thy congregation. And as hereby I feel thy heavy judgements upon me for sin, in feeling those grievous pains, and am put in mind of the old disobedience of our parents Adam and Eve, (the very cause of these punishments) lighting justly upon me, being a branch of that poisoned stock. So O dear father, let me feel again thy mer●y, who through thy beloved Son hast wrought my deliverance from the punishment of that disobedience to wit, from sin death and damnation, so that now my transgressions are removed from me, the damnable sin of my filthy concupiscence by nature is turned into a sanctified blessing, and we both made heirs of everlasting glory, help me therefore, O God of comfort, and give me safe deliverance, that I may dedicate that which thou hast given me wholly to thy service. I know Lord that as many as thou hast tak●n to thyself, to them thou hast given this honour, that they be made thy children and believers of thy name, which are not begotten of blood, nor of the lust of the flesh, nor of the desire of man, but of thyself. whom thou fashionest according to thy will. Thou therefore which haste promised not only to be my God, but the God of my seed, seal this assurance of thy election in this fevit of my womb, to the glory of thy name, mine own comfort and the benefit of thy church. Grant these things, O father for jesus Christ his sake, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory, Amen. A prayer made for the Church and all the estates thereof. I. F. LOrd jesus Christ son of the l●uing God, who was crucified for our sins, and did rise again for our justification, and ascending up to heaven, reignest now at the right hand of thy father, with full power and authority ruling and disposing all things according to their own gracious and glorious purpose, we sinful creatures, and yet servants and members of thy church, do prostrate ourselves, and our prayers before thy imperial majesty, having no other patron nor advocate to speed our suits, or to resort unto, but thee alone, beseeching thy goodness to be good to thy poor church militant here in this wretched earth, sometimes a rich church, a large church, an universal church, spread far and wide through the whole compass of the earth, now driven into a narrow corner of the world, and hath much need of thy gracious help. First the Turk with his sword, what land, nations and countries, what emp●●es, kingdoms and provinces, with cities innumerable, hath be won, not from us, but from thee: where thy name was wont to be invocated, the word preached, thy sacraments administered: there now reigneth barbarous Mahomet, with his filthy Alcoran. The flourishing churches in Asia, the learned churches of Grecia, the manifold churches in Africa, which were wont to serve thee, now are gone from thee. The seven churches of Asia, with their candlesticks (whom thou didst so well forewarn) are now removed. All the churches where thy diligent Apostle Saint Paul, thy Apostle Peter, and john and other Apostles so laboriously traveled, preaching and writing to plant thy Gospel, are now gone from the gospel. In the kingdom of Oyria, Palestina, Arabia, Persia, in all Armenia, and the Empire of Capadocia, through the whole compass of Asia, with Egypt and Africa also unless amongst the far Ethiopians some old steps of Christianity peradventure yet do remain) either else all Asia, and Africa thy church hath not one foot of free land, but all is turned either to infidelity or to captivity, whatsoever pertaineth to thee. And if Asia and Africa only decayed, the decay were great, but yet the defection were not so universal. Now in Europe a great part also is shrunk from thy Church. All Th●acia with the Empire of Constantinople, all Grecia, Epirus, Illyricum and now of late all the kingdoms almost of Hungaria, with much of Austria, with lamentable slaughter of Christian blood, is wasted and all become Turks. Only a little angle of the West paytes yet remaineth in some profession of thy name. But there alack cometh another mischief as great or greater than the other. For the Turk with his sword is not so cruel, but the Bishop of Rome on the other side is more fiecce & bitter against us, st●r●i●g up his Bishops to burn us, his confederates to conspireour destruction, setting kings against their subjects, and subjects disloyally to rebel against their Princes, and all for thy name. Such dissension and host lity Satan hath set amongst us, that Turks be not more enemies to Christians, than Christians to Christians & Papists to protestants: yea protestants w●th protestants do not agree, but fall out for trifles. So that the poor little flock of thy church, distressed on every side, hath neither rest without nor peace within, no place almost in the world where to abide, but many cry now from the earth, even as thine own reverence cried once from the cross: My God, why hast thou forsaken me? Amongst us Englishmen here in England, after so great storms of persecution, and cruel murder of so many Martyrs, it hath pleased thy grace to give us these Astion days, which yet we enjoy, and beseech thy merciful goodness st●il they may continue. But here also alack what should we say? So many enemies we have that envy at this rest and tranquillity, and do what they can to disturb it. They which be friends, and lovers of the bishop of Rome, although they eat the fat of the land, and have the best preferments and offices, and live most at ease and all nothing: yet are they not therewith content. They grudge, they mutter and murmur, they conspire and take on against us. It fretteth them that we live by them or with them, and cannot abide that we should draw the bare breathing of the air, when they have all the most liberty of the land. And albeit thy singular goodness hath given them a King, so calm, so patiented, so merciful, more like a natural father than a Prince to govern over them, such as neither they nor their ancestors ever read of in the stories of this land before: yet all this will not calm them, their unquiet spirit is not yet content, they repine and rebel, and needs would have with the frogs of Esope a Cicema, an Italian stranger, the Bishop of Rome, to play Rex over them, and care not if all the world were set on fire, so they with their Italian Lord might reign alone. So fond are we Englishmen of strange & foreign things: so unnatural to ourselves: so greedy of new-fangled novelties, never contented with any state long to continue, be it never so good: and furthermore so cruel one to another, that we think our life unquiet, unless it be seasoned with the blood of other. For that is their hope, that is their golden day, their day of jubiley which they thirst for so much not to have the Lord to come in the clouds, but to have our blood and to spill our lives. That, that is it which they would have, and long since would have had their wills upon us, had not thy gracious pity and mercy raised up to us this our merciful King, thy servant james, somewhat to stay their fury. For whom as me most condignly give thee most hearty thanks, so likewise we beseech thy heavenly Majesty, that as thou hast given him unto us, and hast from many dangers preserved him to the comfort of thy servants: so now in his royal estate he may continually be preserved not only from their hands but from all malignant devices, wrought attempted, or conceived of the enemies, both ghostly and bodily against him. In this his government be his governor we beseech thee: So shall his Majesty well govern us, if first he be governed by thee. Multiply his reign with many days, and his years with much felicity, with abundance of peace, and life ghostly: that he with his Braunthes may flourish in this land, until the consummation of the world. And because no government can long stand without good counsel, neither can any counsel be good, except it be prospered by thee, bless therefore, we beseech thee, both his majesty, and his honourable counsel, that both they rightly may understand what is to be done, and he accordingly may accomplish that they do counsel, to thy glory and furtherance of thy Gospel, and public wealth of this realm. In general, give to all the people and the whole state of this Realm such brotherly unity in knowledge of thy truth, and such obedience to their superiors, as they neither provoke the scourge of God against them, nor the Princessword to be drawn against his will out of the scabbard of long sufferance, where it hath been long hid, especially give thy gospel long continuance amongst us. And if our sins have deserved the contrary, grant we beseech thee with an earnest repentance of that which is past, to join a hearty purpose of amendment to come. FINIS. LONDON, Printed by Ed. All, for Ed. White. 1610.